Religions Affects on Altered States on Consciousness
April 28, 2007
I have been studying religions and mystical experiences for years seeking “truth”.
The pinnacle of what I have come across so far is Ken Wilber’s Integral Spirituality. Although I don’t yet fully “grok” his stuff on metaphysics, his ideas on religions, science and states of consciousness are GROUND BREAKING!
For one thing he has what is known as the Wilber-Combs Lattice
The Wilber-Combs Lattice is a matrix that maps states of consciousness with types of religious belief.
I’ve written a little blurb about this on my post “What is an Empirical Spiritualist”
I have been in several religions, faiths and/or societies (but currently hold no allegiance to any one organization). I have had experiences with almost all. Each of these experiences have been colored by the culture, beliefs, dogma of the organization I was in at the time.
Here are some examples of religions that influenced by spiritual experience:
Christian - as a penecostal I was worshiping Jesus surrounded by some of the praising, shouting congregation and I felt an energy bolt going through my body. A penecostal might call this the holy ghost (aka Holy Spirit).
Eckankar - I was in a state of great peace and saw/felt a blue light shine down on me. Eckist call this one part of the “Light and Sound of God” (aka Holy Spirit)
Integral Spirituality - After a session with a Zen Buddhist Genpo Roshi conducting what is called a Big Mind exercise I felt a profound (overwhelming) oneness with anything I looked at.
Each experience has been shaped and interpreted by the culture/religion/faith I was apart of at the time. This in NO WAY INVALIDATES the phenomenon. It did happen. They were very real and in some cases have changed the course of my life.
The religion/culture/society in which I live gives me the language to explain what has happened and simultaneously shapes the experience. Sometimes the language is to crude to give an effective account. I believe that many times the original message gets “lost in translation”. Many religions have been founded and shaped on these crude interpretations of real experiences.
The source of the phenomenon is a different kind of discussion. While we might agree that the phenomenon happend in the brain (or perhaps merely recorded there) from the ‘mind’ we may disagree on whether the source was from subtle energies and/or spirit. We can only theorize and assume what the source of my phenomenon is. And we can only prove the orgins to ourselves as we can not share PHYSICAL evidence of anything happening with electroencophalographs and other tools used to measure the activity of the brain. Those tools are too crude to tell us anything beyond the brain. Whatever we believe the hows and whys are, it is very important to realize the context to which these phenomenon occur. For example, if I was scitzoprenic and my dog was telling me to kill my landlord, that experience may be real to me, but the phenomenon occuring is dangerous and more than likely pathological. The best way to make a clear judgment on any interpretation is to look at all (or as many as possible) sides: physical history, cultural background, stage and state of consciousness. All are important factors in examining an inner experience. AQAL is a perfect map for such an examination.
Language/Semantics/culture/religion and their contextual meaning shape not only altered states of consciousness but “normal” states as well. As in a dream, we construct the meaning as well as the happenings of the experience consciously, subconsciously and/or unconsciously.
I suspect that our perspective is completely relative to our constantly shifting meaning. Ego, states of consciousness, and stages of conscious experiences do have some level of reality and so they do deserve our attetion and management but the only *absolute is Being, Here, NOW. All else is real ONLY relative to something else. The “suchness” of the moment is really all there is.
*The only absolute is being, here now (nowness, the suchness of this single moment - or perhaps the only absolute is NO-absolute or as Wilber says the combination of Form & Emptiness - nondual).
Occult vs. Wilber (part 1)
April 26, 2007
There seems to be not only disagreement, but some strong dislike between occult, magick followers and Ken Wilber’s tight knit group. Wilber is constantly using the strongest words possible to distance himself from the “What the Bleep” “theSecret.tv” “create your own reality” crowd, but he also sends some strong oppinions in the direction of the occult/magick groups.
The “create your own reality” groups are not bothered by Ken Wilber because most of them have no idea who he is, because many of them are new to subtle energies, spirituality and the like. But this is not so for the occult/magick folks. They seem very well informed and some even very well read. They know exactly who Ken Wilber is and they shoot back.
I’ve decided not to participate in the “hurt ego” crying game between Wilber and the Visser/Occult folks but if your interested, you’ll find them somewhere in here and here.
I don’t share the hate and disdain of either group (Intergral Spiritual or Occult groups) because it does not serve me. Instead, I am a fan and reader of both. I believe that there is some truth in the most sincere parts of religions and esoteric groups. I sift through all the cruft, dirt and silt like a 49er panning for gold. If there is a nugget to be found in a river, I don’t care how filthy the water is from egos making waves.
I believe that occultist/esoteric teachings have an very important bit of truth and I would not call it entirely pre-rational as Ken does putting them on par with a belief in Santa Claus or the tooth fair. And Ken is of course on to something that could change the world in a good way.
Nazis: Occult Conspiracies
April 7, 2007
Imagine mythos, ancient sacred symbols and stories of humanity and the power of various states of consciousness being used to uphold ethnocentrism. Imagine great technology and the most cutting edge of science in the hands of a blood tribe. This tribe believes that the blood in their veins makes them direct descendents of gods and all other bloodline in the world must be subjegated or destroyed. This tribe was known as the National Socialist German Workers’ Party, the Nazis.
“I highly recommend that you get a copy of the Discovery Channel documentary video Nazis: The Occult Conspiracy. Hitler and his inner circle… were deeply into the practice of mysticism and mystical stares of consciousness.” Integral Spirituality pg 294
“That’s exactly what you get when you promote horizontal stares and not also vertical stages (particularly in ethics, cognition, and interpersonal perspectives).”
Lanz von Liebenfels was one of Hitler’s greatest inspirations. Lanz was a monk in the Cistercian order.
In 1894, Lanz claimed to have been “enlightened” after finding the tombstone of a knight templar, and began developing his theories of “blue-blond aryanism” and “lower races“.
His theological philosophy was base on the divine blood of the master race, the Aryans. Some believed that they were the dependents of godmen that evacuated Atlantis.
The Nazi’s used occult powers, advanced technology and altered states of consciousness in order to satisfy their goals. Its amazing to me that people with their minds set on nothing less than world domination and genocide could experience other states on consciousness and still be completely immoral.
Ken Wilber attributes this to the psychological de-evolution of 1940s Germany caused by the take over of ethnocentric extremists:
Auschwitz is rationality hijacked by tribalism, by an ethnocentric mythology of blood and soil and race, rooted in the land, romantic in its dispositions, barbaric in its ethnic cleaning… These are not rational desires by any definition of rational; these are ethnocentric tribalism commandeering the tools of an advanced consciousness and usingg them precisely for the lowest of the lowest motives. Pg 152, Integral Psychology
The history of the Nazi’s (and many other take overs by ethnocentric extremists using altered states) emphasized the important reinforcing the occult phenomenon, altered state of consciousness with some attention given to STAGES of consciousness [psychological mind set and development]. This can be done with psychotherapy, an outside look at the ego and techniques like Integral Life Practice.
Mind-Split and the Mystic Light Body
April 5, 2007
In his book Astral Dynamics, Robert Bruce talks extensively about the “Mind-Split” which is his theory of where the consciousness goes during and out of body experience. Some earlier OBE researchers such as Muldoon, suggest that the body is empty upon OBE. Bruce’s theory is that a copy of of consciousness is “downloaded” into the projected double. If you have never had on OBE then this is will all sound completely insane. All I can say about the typical skeptic is that this is all anecdotal evidence (meaningless for you), if your truly curious go have an OBE.
I have been studying my dreams and altered states of consciousness since ‘87 and I have to say that mind-split may explain some things that have happend to me. The mind-split theory might explain some strange dreams in which I seem to have dreamt of several things at the same time. I will wake up and write down what I think is one very strange dream but then realize that it is three completely different dreams I had at the same time. These dreams remind me of a stegograph in which data can be hidden with a picture or even and what is called an Alternate Data Stream in computer security, in which data (usually malware) can be hidden in other applications.
Also, his mind-split theory goes into detail about the physical bodies memories being “copied” over the memories gathered in the subtle body (astral body for example). This might also explain why many saints and mystics (Padre Pio for example) are seen by people (in some cases by people who’d never even heard of them until much later.. this is world wide phenomenon called bilocation) but when the mystic/saint/sage is approached they can not remember seeing these people. Skeptically, this is an easy one “hallucination, fantasy, a dream…” but to those it actually happens to, it can not be explained away so easily.
Saint Faqir Chand was called the “Unknowing Sage” because he admitted to not knowing the subtle body visits of his followers while others claimed that they did.
Postmodern Mythology
April 4, 2007
New myths are being created today.
Some say that the creation of myth comparable to those found in the great traditions (Christianity, Islam and others) is impossible because these days every one has a camera. So if Moses, for example, claimed to parted the Red Sea today no one would believe it without evidence (and even if it were on camera it would be in question).
Are we now doomed to be without wonders and miracles in today’s skeptical, camera and Internet globalized, postmodern world?
No. I believe that miracles and unexplained phenomenon are happening at an even greater rate than our ancestors experienced. Only now, we catch them on our digital cameras and have creditable eye witness accounts.
UFOs, aliens and parapsychology are the new postmodern mythology. To be clear “myth” doesn’t always mean “untrue”.
myth: 2. A real or fictional story, recurring theme, or character type that appeals to the consciousness of people by embodying its cultural ideals or by giving expression to deep, common felt emotions. – Webster II New Riverside University Dictionary
Unlike prehistoric to promodern times, postmodernism allows you to believe and say whatever the hell you want because absolute truth has been annihilated.
Lets take a look at the evolution of “truth”.
Prehistory – Truth is given by stories passed by word of mouth via elders, shaman, tribe leaders and magical sources. (predates written history)
Ancient history – Truth is from belief in divine sources (leaders are conveniently god)
Beginning of written history (began about 33 Century B.C. as far as we know).Premodernity – Truth is derived from authority. Authorities (royalty, priests) have divine right (500 A.D. – 1400 AD).
Modernity – Truth is dominated by science based on repeatable, physical evidence. Science chips away at religious/traditional ideas (i.e. world is flat, Earth is the center of the universe, religious wars and purges killed millions of people). Modernity is marked by creation of the printing press in 1400s in which more people had access to knowledge. Religious power began to fade. Science and technology begin to dominate. The modernity and unimpeded advancements of science saves millions from early death, disease and famine AND kills millions in conflicts, genocide and world wars.
Postmodernity - “Truth” is a matter of perspective. Postmodernity is marked by globalization. The cross breeding of traditions, sciences and religions make it obvious that our interpretations of reality have everything to do with cultural bias (i.e. Mahatmas Gandhi, a man who influenced peace around the world, hated black people, modern nations killed millions of people).
What we call “myths” today was considered a reality to the people of ancient history. The Spartans considered themselves the actual descendants of Hercules. We are taught today that Hercules was not real, but to those ancient people he and all the other gods were absolutely real.
Many of the myths of ancient people were based on some truth. The Great Flood is a myth that is repeated in Judaism/Christianity, Sumerians texts, Greek myth of Deukalion’s flood and others. The floods that they spoke of might have been different local floods that were equally cataclysmic that happened at different times. But for them it there was an actual great flood.
Scientists have put out their data unmoved by the trappings of religious dogma, and that is good. Modern science tends to throw out all information when a fraction is wrong. But then they go a step further by attempting to ridicule and marginalize anyone who entertains the thought that they believe they have just completely disproved. Their hypotheses and theories then become the very thing they have dismantled, dogma and religion. Richard Dawkin’s neo-atheist, scientism is very similar to intolerant and defensive attitudes seen in religious fundamentalism.
Groups (religious, scientific or national) all over the world attempt to reduce all knowledge to fit into their world. Whatever can not fit is thrown out, belittle, and demonized. Postmodernism points this out. It is like a five year old that blabs about the fattest person in the room, “MOM, SHE IS FAT!” Postmodernism is calling religion and modern science fat. And questioning all those claiming absolute truth. In this way it is dangerous. But at the same time it makes room for all the things that religion and science have tag teamed.
Things like parapsychology and ufology have room in postmodernism because it recognizes that truth has perspectives.
Etheric to Real-time: Wilber vs. Robert Bruce
April 3, 2007
In Ken Wilber’s view of subtle energies seem to parallel Robert Bruce’s model of subtle world.
Ken Wilber’s Model (according to Excerpt G):
| Level of Mass-Energy |
| 1. Gross Physical (gravitational, electromagnetic, strong and weak nuclear) |
| 2. Etheric, L-field 1 (L-1), or Biofield 1 |
| 3. Astral, L-field 2 (L-2), or Biofield 2 |
Robert Bruce’s model (Astral Dynamics):
| Level of Mass-Energy |
| 1. Physical |
| 2. Etheric |
| 2a. Real-Time Body |
| 3. Astral |
Unfortunately, Robert Bruce does not talk about stages of consciousness and only vaguely covers altered state of consciousness in Astral Dynamics. But his level of focus on feelings, senses, emotions and sights that are witnessed from his perspective provide a lay persons map of what they might see on the way to Astral projection true to the name ‘Astral Dynamics’.
Interestingly enough, Bruce talks about what he calls a “Real-Time body” that projects from the Etheric body into the “real-time zone”.
His description of the real-time zone is how others (Theosopy, Wilber, Rudolph Steiner, et al) call the etheric plane:
The real-time zone can best be thought of as a buffer zone or intermediary area dividing the physical universe from the astral dimension proper. It shares some properties of the physical universe (a direct and objective real-time reflection of reality) and some properties of the astral dimension (a fluid, nonphysical environment).
Bruce goes on to say:
The astral dimension does not overlay the physical universe as precisely as the real-time zone does, especially at higher levels…
Wilber’s hypothesis of subtle energies parallels what Bruce has deduced from his Astral projection. According to Wilber’s third hypothesis on subtle energies, increasing complexity of gross form is correlated with increasingly subtlety of energies. So it would make since that most objects on the physical only appear as far as the etheric or “real-time zone”.
(Sri Aurobindo called it the subtle physical):
By the gross physical is meant the earthly and bodily physical - as experienced by the outward sense-mind and senses. But that is not the whole of Matter. There is a subtle physical also with a subtler consciousness in it which can, for instance, go to a distance from the body and yet feel and be aware of things in a not merely mental or vital way….the subtle physical has a freedom, plasticity, intensity, power, colour, wide and manifold play (there are thousands of things there that are not here) of which, as yet, we have no possibility on earth.
– Sri Aurobindo, Letters on Yoga, part 1, section v
Subtle Energies Accessible to Complex Physical Structures
April 2, 2007
Yet another amazing insight brought together by Ken Wilber.
He suggest that higher levels of subtle energies are accessible by the complexification of matter. In other words, atoms and molecules have access the “gross” physical energies such as gravity, electromagnetism, strong and weak nuclear force. More complex physical structures such as neurons and other cells have access to subtle “etheric” energies. Together, cells create organs and organisms that are exponentially more complex (e.g. limbic system, reptilian brain) which have access to “astral energies”.
Ken goes even further with complexification of the human brain being refined into stages of human development (based on the comprehensive studies by Graves/Beck, Giligan, Kohlberg and many other developmentalist). Here is an oversimplified look at the developmental stages of the human psyche: they go from preconventional to conventional to postconventional to post-postconventional. These can also be called egocentric, ethnocentric, world-centric, and theocentric (respectively). Don Beck (spiral dynamics) and Ken Wilber (AQAL) have worked out color coded schemes to indicate each level of human psychological development.
Once a person develops to a preconventional/egocentric (aka called a “red”) level of development they have access to the family of subtle-energies, genus “psychic-1.”
A Refined Taxonomy of Subtle Energies
Let us use the common “family, genus, species” scheme, combined with the terminology in Table 1, to summarize our (suggested) conclusions.
The three great families of energy are gross, subtle, and causal. (As necessary, we can add family turiya, and family turiyatita.)
- The family gross-energy contains genus gravitational, electromagnetic, strong nuclear, weak nuclear.
- The genus electromagnetic contains:
species (1) cosmic rays, (2) gamma rays, (3) x-rays, (4) visible light, (5)infrared, (6) microwaves, etc. - The genus strong nuclear contains:
species energies of (1) baryons, (2) hadrons, (3) mesons (etc.) - & D. (Likewise for any possible species in the genus gravitational and genus weak nuclear)
- The genus electromagnetic contains:
- The family subtle-energy contains genus etheric (L-1, biofield-1), astral (L-2, biofield-2), psychic-1 (T-1), and psychic-2 (T-2)
- The genus etheric ( L-1 or biofield-1) contains:
species energies of (1) viral, (2) prokaryotic, (3) neuronal, (4) neuronal cord (etc.) - The genus astral (L-2 or biofield-2) contains:
species energies of (1) reptilian brain stem, (2) limbic system (etc.) - The genus psychic-1 (or T-1) contains:
species energies of (1) red, (2) blue, (3) orange, (4) green (etc.)2 - The genus psychic-2 (or T-2) contains:
species energies of (1) yellow, (2) turquoise, (3) coral (etc.)
- The genus etheric ( L-1 or biofield-1) contains:
- The family causal-energy contains genus C-field (etc.)
Table 2. Taxonomy of Subtle Energies
Shedding subtle energy light on “myth of the given”
Ken nukes metaphysics in his book Integral Spirituality. This was initially a great concern to me. Since I have had a long love affair with metaphysics over the years, I was screaming “blasphemy” when I first read his categorical dismantle of the subject. His main argument is the “myth of the given”. Metaphysics makes a lot of statements about supernatural objects, forces and structures. Ken is saying that without showing exactly how to access the subjects and objects of metaphysical discussion, they are meaningless. It seems to me that Ken’s argument against traditional metaphysics is not that subtle energies don’t exist, but the way metaphysical writers express their views leave out important new discoveries such as structural development and the importance of culture on everyone interpretation (including the writer). it is o.k. to speak poetically in of metaphysical ideas, but if your going to make assertions you need to back it up with evidence or a method to repeat your assertions under similar circumstances.
Works Cited:
Wilber, Ken. Integral Spirituality, a startling new role for religion in the modern and postmodern world. Shambhala, 2006.
Wilber, Ken. Excert G: Toward a Comprehensive Theory on Subtle Energies. Shambhala - http://wilber.shambhala.com
| State of Consciousness | Level/Stage/Sheath of Consciousness | Body-Energy |
| Deep Sleep (Formless) (sushupti) |
5. Anandamayakosha (spirit-bliss) |
Causal Body (karana-sarira) |
| Dreaming (svapna-sthana) | 4. Vijnanamayakosha (buddhi; higher mind) 3. Manomayakosha (manas; mind) 2. Pranamayakosha (emotional-sexual) |
Subtle Body (suksma-sarira) |
| Waking (jagarita-sthana) | 1. Annamayakosha (sensorimotor) |
Gross Body (sthula-sarira) |
