METAPHYSICS, SCIENCE AND MYSTICISM
INTRODUCTION

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In the Book of Hermes, Pimander, the Divine Thought (GOD) says...

"The Light is in me... I am the Nous or intelligence, and I am thy god, and I am far older than the human principle which escapes the shadow. I am the the germ of thought the resplendent WORD the SON OF GOD. Think that what thus sees and hears in thee, is the Verbum of the Master, it is the Thought which is God the father... The celestial ocean, the AEther, which flows from east to west, is the Breath of the father, the life giving Principle, the HOLY GHOST... for they are not at all separated and their union is life." (Capitals added, Blavatsky, 1888, Vol 2, p 50) 

Concepts and Functions of Consciousness

Current Theories of Consciousness have been elusive and while ignored by science as tantamount to superstition until the last decade. Consciousness has been a constant disturbing presence, a "Ghost in the Machine" (Koestler) ever lurking in the background of the behavioral (stimulus-response) psychologists' mechanistic approach to the dynamics of physiology as the beginning and end of understanding behavior. A comfortable definition for many is the idea is the human capacity to observe and consider the introspective dynamics of their own sensory processing, i.e. that we are aware of our "selves" as selves. Approaches to understanding consciousness range from the physical science of neuro-biology at the micro level (e.g., is there consciousness in the micro-tubuals in the neurons?) to inquiries into Esoteric Mysticism at the macro-level. Only enough information can be presented in what follows to profile the scale and scope of current initiatives, and point the interested student to some primary resources.

Summary Background of Definitions, Concepts and Investigations into Consciousness

"Consciousness: The having of perceptions, thoughts and feelings; awareness. The term is impossible to define except in terms that are unintelligible without a grasp of what consciousness means. Many fall into the trap of confusing consciousness with self-consciousness--to be conscious it is only necessary to the aware of the external world. Consciousness is a fascinating but elusive phenomenon: it is impossible to specify what it is, what it does, or why it evolved. Nothing worth reading has been written about it." (Sutherland, 1989)

Since 1989, however, numbers of important books "worth reading" have been published on the topic of Consciousness as it moves steadily toward the forefront of the dominant paradigms in psychology. Current explorations into the definitions, mechanisms and dynamics of Consciousness have been reported by Chalmers (1996a) He asserts that consciousness as a serious scientific and philosophical topic can be approached from the perspectives of two major domains: The "Easy" Problem and The "Hard" Problem. These "Easy" approaches are generally reductionist in nature and focus on the tangible physics and neuro biological mechanisms by which our bodies process the energy-information in which we are embedded and through which we translate that matter-energy into the structure and processes of experience as we know it. The second domain, the "Hard" Problem, is much more difficult. This perspective examines the phenomenological nature of experience and the appearance of "Qualia," (that which is defined by our five senses.) These are the content of experiences entered through the senses and give holistic "meaning" arising as the mind. This approach involves defining a means to integrate the phenomenological experience of Qualia into a scientifically approachable paradigm.

Scientific Concepts (The "Easy" Problem)

Concepts at this level are found mostly in the cognitive sciences and supported by investigators working at the micro-level of biological mechanisms. The human brain has been examined as the "seat of consciousness (Pribram, 1971.) He considers the brain to function as a kind of holographic mechanism stimulated by changes in the structure of the invariance. Invariance, (Ashby, 1963,) is a systems concept that refers to the implicate order (Bohm, 1980) which is the regularity of the cosmos that underlies all universal phenomenon. The appearance and experience of regularity detected by our senses is defined as information when it answers a question about the current status of a system, or predicts a future state of a system as relevant to our needs. The decline of or disappearance of this order is defined as entropy and is the opposite of information. The individual's experience of entropy or the inability to detect information when needed is stress producing. Stress is defined as a threat to some aspect of our agendas and leads to defensive or assertive behavior. The stress experienced by challenged agendas leads to the issues which are the visible evidence of conflict and disputes within and among human systems.

Examinations into the appearance of conflicted communication behavior (e.g., epilepsy, schizophrenia) has been investigated by the examination of a "split brain" patient with the suggestion that consciousness is a dual phenomenon which is integration of both hemisphere's of the normal brain (Mark, 1996.) More recently, Pribram (1996) applies esoteric concepts such as transcendental consciousness as a phenomenon of the far frontal cortex and right hemisphere. However, he reduces all of consciousness to three major categories: (1) personal and extrapersonal objectivity via the posterior cerebral convexity; (2) narratives based on episodes and eventualities located in the frontolimbic forebrain; and (3) transcendent consciousness beyond the first two by freeing the microprocess entirely from their spatiotemporal constraints required for ordinary consciousness.

Metaphysical Concepts (The "Hard" Problem)

The nature of consciousness is easily handled at the phenomenological level of metaphysics and theology. William James (1958) proposed that human life can be phenomenologically defined as a "stream of consciousness." Numbers of hierarchical paradigm have attempted to organize the relationship of behavior to levels of consciousness (Wilber, 1980,) one version of which is applied to this mediation paradigm (the Maslow Hierarchy.) The concept of "Spirituality" exists at this level and all religions, particularly those of the east have enhanced their spiritual consciousness by the process of meditation. Jesus and other Christian mystics have healed the sick by transferring aspects of consciousness (of health) to those who were sick, Islam addresses the presence of mystical states of consciousness through participation in the activities of the Sufi sects. The practices of Transcendental Meditation have come out of the realm of Hindu and Buddhist theology. But such spiritual or mystical constructs of consciousness are not amenable to verification by the demanding protocols of western science. Nevertheless, such metaphysical concepts can be used to provide a conceptual framework within which science can work.

Efforts to integrate the easy with the hard models are emerging. Chalmers (1996b) proposes a nonproductive theory based on principles of structural coherence and organizational invariance, combined as a double aspect theory of information. The concepts supporting such a proposal are found at the core of General Systems Theory. His critique of the "Easy" approach lies in the limits of the scientific research paradigm which cannot be holistic in such models. Chopra (1990) has called "a superstition," the scientific belief that nothing is real unless it is detected either directly by the senses, or as they can be extended by technical prosthesis. Chalmers asserts that the mechanisms themselves, and even their dynamics are not "consciousness." Efforts to transcend these limits by researchers have proposed "extra ingredients," e.g., Non algorithmic processing (Penrose, 1994), and quantum mechanics (Hameroff and Penrose, 1996.) These approaches are criticized because they use consciousness as a given after which they apply their models to explain the mechanics. Finally there are approaches that attempt to integrate the objective with the subjective through hierarchical models beginning at the level of quantum physics such as that proposed by Scott (1995.)

Go to Advanced Research Consciousness and healing.

The above statement reflects a part of the most ancient flickering of the capacity of human C/consciousness to grasp our divine origin. This GOD idea is both male and female aspect but not androgynous in this case. It is a simplification of more elaborate teaching of Zoroaster, the Persian fire magician. His story is one of the first expressions of the Myth of the Dying God, who is born, flourishes for the benefit of humanity, dies for humanity and is resurrected. Hermes and Toth refer to the same being in two expressions. Here is is the Sun God who flourishes by day, and Toth is His deceased alter ego who after having having died in the western sky as Hermes, traverses the neatherworld as Toth to be reborn in the east as Hermes. His ideas set forth the rules for building intellectual power and controlling the animal nature. These ideas were linked with Christianity in the first Century via Italy (Rome) and became the foundation for the Gnostic System. Mythology similar to Christianity (See Hall, Page XXIV)

Earliest Mysteries--hermetic Mythology- Egyptian The earliest mysteries were preserved in the western world after the Apostolic successors to Peter destroyed the visible presence of the Gnostics as custodians of the Mystical Truths of Jesus. "Hermetic" derived from the Alchemists protective sealing of glass vials the called "hermetic" after their securing their writings in chemistry. IN this Mystical legacy, is found the Personification of universal wisdom, symbolized as the messenger of the gods, agents referred to in New Thought Gnostic Christianity as Angels. The first personage of importance to Masonic scholars is Hermes as explained in the Book of Toth, the alter ego name of Hermes, which became fused as a single identity with the Book of Toth being codified the wisdom of Hermes. This reference gave scientific insight, and its logical structure descended to become the Tarot Cards. The invisible mold of the universe was called the archetype. In this paradigm, to know the truth of Hermes is to find eternal salvation. Few succeed.

The Divine Pymander of Hermes Mercurius Trismegistus The above quote of Pimander (according to Blavatsky) is found under different spellings depending upon the translator of the most ancient texts. This tendency to change common names (e.g., Caldeaon compared to Egyptian, Greek compared to Roman) entities, and different spellings makes it difficult to track the actual path of Mystical succession. According to the 20th Century Mystical scholar, Manly P. Hall, "Pimander" is spelled Poimandres, the mind of the universe, as reflected in the Vision of Hermes, who thus preached of the Divine gifts that become man's knowledge of nature. Hall translates as follows: "I thy God am the Light and the Mind before substance was divided from the spirit and darkness from Light... The union of the Word and the Mind produces the mystery called life... Learn deeply of the Mind and its mystery for therein lies the secret of immortality." (Hall, 1988, p XXXIX)

Thus, "The path to immortality is hard and only a few find it.

"O people of the earth, men born and made of the elements, but with the spirit of the Divine Man within you, rise from your sleep of ignorance!. Be sober and thoughtful. Realize that your home is not in the earth but in the light. Why have you delivered yourselves over into death, having power to partake of immortality. Repent and change your minds. Depart from the dark light and forsake corruption forever. Prepare yourself to climb through the seven rings and to blend your souls with the eternal Light."

The Ancient Hermetic Causes of Illness 1. Evil spirits today: energizing spiritual equivalent of biological parasites 2. Derangement of Spiritual nature and the material nature 3. Unhealthy or morbid mental attitude (chronic anger, greed, envy, hatred, lust) 4. Karma (the fruit of prior acts of evil) 5. Byproduct of Adverse motions of heavenly bodies 6. Misuse of faculty or organ from its intended function (e.g., Karpof's syndrome) 7. Presence of impurities or foreign bodies in the biological systems

Hermetic Methods of Healing 1. Spells and invocations (Note: chanting affirmations sets the mental condition of the body) 2. Vibration (sound and color) 3. Talismans, charms and amulets 4. Herbs and simples 5. Prayer 6. Diet and life habits 7. Practical medicine (purges, bleeding)

The Origin of the Pyramid Archetype  the high place of God--Holy Mountain Square base = Gnostic premise of the immutable laws of nature; many mathematical "coincidences" surround sacred numbers that have symbolic significance to the initiated. For example, the pyramid rests on a square whose angles are labeled: Silence, Profundity, Intelligence, and Truth. Great Pyramid of Gizeh is dedicated to Hermes. It contains a labyrinth of underground passageways designed to be a mirror of path of Hades which must be traversed by the initiate. The initiate experiences symbolic death and rebirth, and receives the secret word linking man and God; submits as the last great test, the second death creating a literal NDE after surviving which, the initiate was at last admitted to the priesthood. Therefore the pyramid was known to be the most perfect building. It became a source of weights and measures, origin of languages, etc., many things but one that is supreme--the gateway to the eternal.

Isis the Goddess, the daughter of Hermes or Daughter of Prometheus: Isis was (symbolically) both the wife and sister of Osiris, first God King of Egypt, Name means Wisdom. In her is the archetype of Mary and the Virgin birth. Isis gave birth to the Sun (the Light o the World) and was Queen of the World and Mistress of the Universe--re the symbolic use of garlands. She is portrayed with Symbols in pictures as the ship of life on the sea of strife, with the mast a spindle signifying the thread of life she spins and cuts. A ship which is a water vessel on top symbolizes the presence of moisture as a requirement for life; In her left hand is a cistern and a cymbal which when struck sounds the key note of nature (Fa); olive branch of harmony. Isis must be contemplated in all of her ultimate symbolic mystery, a symbol of justice in that nature is consistent and impartial.

Asar-Hapi (Serapes) Mysteries Influence through 385 AD Another Egyptian link to Christianity is the Seraph which means to blaze up (Hall, 1988, p XXVI). The Hebrews took name to become Seraphim or a Spiritual Being (of Light) which integrates masculine strength and feminine grace. The Gnostic mysteries were deeply acquainted with the occult meaning of the Serapes which formed the prototypic figure of the Christ. (Face portrayed in art) Considerable emphasis on occult meaning of labyrinths as symbolic of the journey of consciousness from the is fall into the underworld and and restoration to the light of solar system (Spirit), thus holding a secret initiate integration into the intrinsic Unity of masculine and feminine.

Significance of the Bembine Table of Isis This is a bronze tablet which is descended from the ancient Egyptians and displays a summary of the teachings of Hermes. It was translated by Cardinal Bembo, antiquary and historian at Venice The tablet amounts to being a resume of the Book of Toth and is the key to Caldeaon, Egyptian and Greek theology. Notice the roots of Christianity in its reflection of the most ancient Hermetic esoterism which creates the following Spiritual hierarchy: The Supreme Intellect (Gnosis) -->Light (angelic world) --> hierarchies of Spiritual Beings (stars) --> Elements of the sensible world --> Human consciousness of increasing capacity. This Hermetic doctrine was first expounded to the Greeks by Pythagorus followed by Plato who was a Hermetic initiate (at age 49 by the Hierophant of the Great Pyramid.) Plato, who taught that the visible world is erected on the invisible "Forms" or structure of the Spiritual world, is quoted by Socrates, who said: "We say that this sensible world is an image of another; therefore since this world is vivid or alive, how much more, then, that other must live... [after noting intervening invisible worlds of existence] ...we should answer that they do not have objective existence, for they were produced by the primal Author in an absolute condition without exteriorization. They are therefore, in the same case as intellect and soul; they suffer no defect such as waste and corruption, since the beings yonder are full of energy, strength and joy, as living in a life sublime and being the issue of one fount and one quality... each perfectly preserves its own essential character; and they are simple and do not multiply as corporeal beings do." (Hall, 1988, p. LIX)

The message of the Tablet symbolically represents two major perspectives, God at center radiating His manifestation outward; or Man at the center with his various "auric" bodies radiating outward through ascending hierarchies to become ONE with the all encompassing GOD. The MP acknowledges that there can only be ONE TRUTH, and therefore our perceptions of IT's manifestations should become consistent that as life advances in unfolding the potential of human C/consciousness by means of its methods and rules. Thus there should be an approaching confluence of Mystical and scientific paradigms. Thus there should be no surprise when congruence is found and acknowledged.

Scientific Congruence with Mysticism   Throughout the MP, the following areas will be noted for their evidence of this convergence and Congruence: Consciousness General Systems Theory Patterns, Hierarchies & Cycles NDE Mind over Simple Biological Systems Mind over Non-biological Systems Mind over Psychosomatic Factors Mind over Complex Human Biology Spiritual Healing: Power of Prayer

Key Terms & Ideas in Mysticism   The religionists, in their confusion and fear regarding the threat they perceive in Mystical truths, are further confounded by confusion of terms. Further they then exploit this confusion to wage their war against Mysticism. Following are the definitions of common terms as used in the MP. Supernaturalism: Belief in the existence of invisible forces that can not be validated by any system of logic based on and keyed to one or more of the five senses (or by means of a Mystical experience of knowing)

Superstition: Belief in and adherence to irrational (not tested by rules of logic and consistency) rules based upon an unquestioned reality of supernatural powers

Paganism: Roman polytheism, or devotion to any non-Christian deity or system of beliefs and practices, usually presented in a grossly pejorative sense. Here is an example of the inconsistencies of which the early Christians were guilty. Although the pagan rites were only symbolic, in order to promote loathing of pagan practices, the Church authorities asserted that certain pagan rites were cannibalistic, but they did not find that inconsistent with their own doctrine of transubstantiation in worshipers taking in the "blood and body" of Christ.

Sorcery: Occult (hidden from the senses) Spiritual power applied for self-serving, harmful or vainglorious purposes

Mysticism: Based on direct knowing from the intimate presence of information and one's own direct relationship to that higher order intelligence and energy

Occultism: The systematic appeal to and manipulation of mystical or hidden powers; devotion to the practices and study of hidden or unmanifest intelligence or power

Ancient Mysteries: The earliest known (to human C/consciousness) organized body of coherent Thought that creates a discipline for approaching the Occult Truth and preparing for and attaining the capacity for mystical contact with the higher organizing intelligence and forces.

Cult: The incorrect use of this term is one of the most chronic abuses of Mysticism by right wing religionists who fear its growing emergence and health. To be defined by the science of sociology as a "cult" an organization must adhere to all of the following requirements: Directed by one charismatic leader A common belief in a single inviolate dogma Absolute loyalty to the charismatic leader and his/her dogma Permanent relinquishing of all personal resources to the organization All of a members energy and thoughts must be devoted solely to service to the organization Required isolation from the outside world, and protection against the intrusion of any outsider for any reason. Membership is permanent and cannot be revoked Enforcement of the rules is permissible by all means available including violence

By this definition, the Branch Davidians, the Montana enclave of Clare Prophet's, Church Universal and Triumphant (in part,) and the followers of Jimmy Jones who committed mass suicide at Jonesville, Guyana, are examples of cults. But the contemporary Gnostic Christian movement, the Unity School of Christianity whose seminary is at Unity Village, Missouri is by no means a cult as is alleged by many right wing Christian religionists. Walter Martin who is proclaimed on the cover of his book, The New Age Cult, to be the "world's leading authority on cults," provides a list of so called "New Age" organizations with the implication that they are "cults," (e.g., Theosophical Society; ARE, the Edgar Cayce Foundation; Findhorn; Greenpeace; The Sierra Club; Esalen Institute; etc.) none of which meets the above definition. (Martin, 1989)

Six Central Constructs of the MP's Roots in Mysticism The MP adheres to six major ideas or constructs which define the MP's "Mystical" frame of reference: . 1. There is only Unity = one (Called "truth") 2. Our five senses are filters which distort truth and create create Maya (Hindu concept of sense driven illusion) 2. ‘Reality" as defined by our senses only exists as corrupted experience filtered into mental consciousness 3. Knowing is only from within--there is nothing external but Maya 4. The major realms of truth are a trinity: father--son--holy ghost--this trinity is a downward projection from: Holy Spirit (gnosis)--to Mind (C/consciousness)--to body (gross matter) 5. The use of intelligence is limited to the sphere of consciousness 6. The only power of symbols is the Knowing of their attributes from within, by inner (Divine) Knowledge, not in the socially given external meaning of symbols.

These core ideas are found through all the surviving records of Mysticism as referenced by the credible scholars cited in the MP. For example: "KNOW THYSELF" is chiseled on the temple of the Oracle at Delphi; "Know then thyself, presume not God to scan, The proper study of mankind is man." Essay on Man, Alexandra Pope (1688-1744)

Purpose of the Ancient Mysteries The Hermetic Mysteries and the power and beauty of it and its surviving decedents which in western cultures begin with the ancient Greek (Eleusinian) Mysteries at about 1400 BC and descend into Gnosticism. They all share in common their celebration and hope that the LOVE in humanity will prevail and triumph over the evils of these senses. These evils are codified in the MP as the Three Traps of mind. are the most ancient & influential of the surviving cults The objectives of theses Mysteries were to teach humankind the: Doctrine of one God Resurrection of Man to eternal life Dignity of the human Soul Lead people to see the shadow of the Deity in the beauty, magnificence, and splendor of the visible universe "With the decline of virtue which has preceded the destruction of every nation of history, the Mysteries become perverted." p XXI

This perversion has already evident in the United States as indicated the removal os sacred mystical symbols from our money supply. The Mystery Schools since Jesus have opposed Christianity because it did not demand virtue (declaration of belief is sufficient to be "saved",) and because service to personality (a glorified authoritarian clergy) overcame devotion to Mystical Truth.

The Greek Launching Pad for Western Thought

The Golden Verses: Brief Summary of Entire Pythagorean System. 1. Love God, venerate heroes, respect daemons and elemental inhabitants 2. Think carefully, industriously on daily life and prefer the treasures of the mind. 3. To rise (in Consciousness) above ones lower nature is to find acceptance and admission among the Gods and partake of their immortality. ___________________________________

1. Primal number 1 = the monad of the perfect all and symbol of wisdom, and two = the divided states of being or not being, symbol of ignorance, evil or polarity 2. The binary distinction = "The fall" in to the "deep" with the reflected world = Maya (illusion) and its evil and distracting, destroying seductions. 3. The sacred 3 (trinity) 4. The descended world = 4 (root of nature, primal form of God) 5. The pentad = union of 2 and 3 creating light health and vitality: = The Hierophant or "Priest of the Mysteries" representing both superior and inferior beings: symbol of man 6. Creation of the world according to the ancient Mysteries = perfection of parts 7. The meaning of the Sacred Number 7 is derived from 3 + 4: the trinity descending into the world 8. Sacred as representative of the primal cube (8 sides) 9. Symbol of evil as the inverted 6.

10. Completeness = return to the Monad

The COSMIC or AURIC EGG is the AIN SOPH: the most ancient of all ancients. ITS Creation is by Four Worlds, each of 10 planes. The Cosmic structure within that order is defined by 10 globes connected by 32 channels. Note the relationship to the rise of the Kundilini (Spiritual energy) up the 32 vertebrae of the spinal cord before it can be released through the Crown Chakra at the top of the head, thus creating Satori., the experience of supreme bliss. This model is also identical with the 32 Degrees of Freemasonry which can be earned by devotion. But the 33 crowning degree admissible by invitation only. Many are called but few are chosen. The Four Hebrew letters which name of God (a Tetragammon) are pronounced Jehovah/ The name Adam signifies a race not an individual.

The Rosecrucians who were descended from the Quabbalahsts were Platonists (Pagans) more than Christians. Its codes provide the key to Masonic esoterism, a union of ideas by signs and symbols. There are the three levels of imitation: The Law (public--taught to the children) The Soul of the Law (Mishna-- for Rabbins and teachers) The Soul of the Soul of the Law (Qabbalah-only for the highest initiates)

There are Three Sepharim ( numbers, letters and sound.) There are 10 Sephiroth (properties of the ineffable one): out of nothing ONE, then ten, the Lord (LAW) being over them revealing itself to our senses in hell (the physical world): infinite beginning and end infinite good and evil infinite height and depth east and west north and south The Hebrew letters are shaped as code to the structure of the cosmos, the nature of the mouth being shaped to utter the primal sounds. Thus the Secrets are protected by being found only in the spoken word, the written word being only a shadow. Moses (meaning to draw out consciousness from within as water produces fertility in the sterile (dry) soil. He made three ascents to Mt Sinai, meaning Meta as a high place in consciousness. There are three major books: Sepher Yetzirah (Book of Formation) oldest book dated 120--key to Qabbalistic thought Sepher ha Zohar (Book of Splendor) dated 161 completed 1305 Apocalypse (Book of Revelation) accredited to St. John the Divine

Its secrets became the foundation for the Secret practices of Alchemy, Rosecrucians and Freemasonry, each of whom in continuity preserved the Sacred Mysteries from the corruptions of the Christian Apostolic successors who had destroyed all visible vestiges of Gnosticism by the year . Hence the hatred within Christianity for these Secret Societies.

Established by Simon Magis (New Testament) who demonstrated occult powers. Gnosticism = direct knowing of truth = selected body of "knowers" + secret societies of selected few who are especially initiated into the mysteries. The arcane nature of the knowledge and demanding discipline act to filter those not yet fit to be trusted with the power of the occult knowing.

Christian and Pagan Gnosticism Thee pairs of opposites (Syzygies) emanated from the eternal one; the six Aeons (three pairs) are: o Mind & Thought o Voice & name o Reason & Reflection These primordial six united with the eternal flame, came for the Aeons, (Angels) who formed the lower world Two cults formed o Syrian Cult o Alexander Cult

Per the Gnostic Simon Magus: "To you, therefore, I say what I say and write what I write. And the writing is this. Of the universal aeons [periods planes or cycles of created life in substance and space, celestial creatures] there are two shoots without beginning or end, springing from one Root, which is the power invisible, inapprehensible silence [Brythos]. Of these shoots one is manifested from above, which is the Great Power, the Universal Mind ordering all things, male, and the other [manifested from below] the great Thought, female, producing all things. Hence, pairing with each other, they unite and manifest the Middle Distance, incomprehensible Air, without beginning or end. In this is the father who sustains all things, and nourishes those things which have a beginning and an end."

Alchemist Secret Societies Consistent with the goals of most Mystical Societies, the contrived to protect themselves from persecution by presenting a valuable or innocuous facade to the scrutiny of the authorities. Their reputed goals of transmuting base metals (lead) into Noble metals (gold) was supported by the Church. However, that was a facade for their Mystical focus was to explore the principles of transmutation in human Consciousness. There were several leaders in this quest: Theophrastus Bombastus von Hohenheim (Paracelsus) was born on December 17, 1493. He is accounted to be the primal alchemist, but he owned a caustic and critical temperament made many enemies. He was widely traveled, including the mid-east where he made contact with many Arabian Adepts. He was critical of medical practice of his day, said that current knowledge based upon the study of nature had preferred credibility over established dogma. Other Alchemists included: Raymond Lully: Spanish born in 1235. He studied Arabic and was a friend of Roger Bacon. He allegedly transmuted 50,000 pound weight of lead, mercury and zinc into gold for the King of England. Nevertheless he became a martyr to Christianity at age 81 in Tunis Nicholas Flammel was born at the end of 14th century in Paris. He wrote Book of Abraham the Jew; in which seven leaves of the book were of unknown material and written in a highly symbolized style. He interpreted alchemist hieroglyphics for transmuting base metals. Count Bernard of Treviso was born in Padua in 1406. He declared that the secret of alchemy is mercury, not fire.

The Elements and Their Inhabitants Based on Hermetic Pharmacology, Chemistry and Therapeutics (Hall, 1988, p CXI) The principles of Alchemy hold the triple key to the gates of eternal life--Three worlds, divine, human and elemental. Alchemists tried to carry out in their laboratories what nature carried out in the interior of the earth. They held that growth of a seed (which can be any material object) contains within it all potential for the entity in which it is found. In the extreme, all can be potentially created from anything given the right Consciousness. "To see the world in a grain of sand, and heaven in a wild flower, Hold infinity in the palm of your and eternity in an hour." William Blake, Auguries of Innocence

In the forest of Arden, musing upon the vicissitudes of life away from the court, & the natural stress of nature makes esoteric reference to the crown chakra which is the Spiritual link to the SuperConsciousness when it can be illuminated: "Sweet are the uses of adversity, which like the toad, ugly and venomous, wears yet a precious jewel in his head; and this our life exempt from public haunt, finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, sermons in stones and good in everything." (Shakespeare, As You Like It)

. Hall (1988) notes that there are 22 primal elements are the Tarot Cards (conforming to the Hebrew letters.) But greater alchemy must first exist in the alchemist, then in the laboratory according to systemic rules. Philosopher's Gold, the Philosopher's Stone, Philosopher's Medicine, and the Universal solvent are a quaternary. The message being--seek only gold and fail. The Paracelsus System of Medical Philosophy attempted to reconcile science, medicine and theology. It would take until the 21st Century AD to achieve that result. The Alchemists continued to build on Hermetic principles that all diseases originate in the invisible nature of man, and thus must be cured there. The vital nature of a person (the Etheric Sheath) originates as a projection of the vital nature of the earth GAIA. The Bias of modern medicine ignores antecedent mental causes and focuses on effects. Alchemy based on the Hermetic Secrets. Race and national wars destroy the sacred records of ancient knowledge (e.g., the library at Alexandria), thence follows the society is condemned to suffer in the absence of prior remedies until they are rediscovered--a Cosmic level Karma. The Emerald Tablet of Hermes contains the secrets of Alchemy which contains the origin of the allegory of CHirem.

The Fraternity of the Rose Cross- The Rosecrucians The Rose Cross the symbol of generation, fecundity and purity. The Greeks associated the rose with the sunrise and coming promise of the new dawn. Its 10 petals equal the Pythagorean decimal number system. The rose is believed adaptation of the eastern Lotus which does not grow in western climates. The Rosecrucians for fear of persecution from the Inquisition maintained a rigid code of secrecy. Members are believed to have included Libnetz, Goethe, St. Germaine, Mozart (also associated with Freemasonry,) and Francis Bacon the alleged founder of Modern Freemasonry. One was either chosen for membership or visited with wisdom. Real meaning of Rosecrucians is not the obvious but from the true sources of the three root word which combine to state "Ros = dew, Ras = wisdom, Rus = concealment." This is believed to be continuation of the Mystic tenets of Hermes, and the true link of Masonry to ancient Egyptian Mysticism. Modern Masonry was established by initiate Doctor Ashmole who was initiated into Masonry in 1646. The Rosecrucians were under pressure to resist a sweeping denial of Rosecrucianism as an effort at the entry of modern science to ridicule and eliminate all vestiges of Hermetic and Mystical claims and activities in modern Europe. The fourth postulate is transcendental and dismisses the comments of the others. Manley P. Hall states that the Rosecrucians were a few number of supermen, i.e. fully accomplished Adepts. Membership was only through being chosen, Hence the "theories" are wholly irrelevant, because a function of Adept cults is to sew confusion among their detractors and the profane. Tactics where used to create facade organizations and identities and permit charlatan organizations to further confound the public attention away from their secret work. The discredited Illuminati fell to that fate. Some beliefs were: The nature or the order must be interpolated from the essence of its shadow, the Confessio Fraternitatis. "The right to receive spiritual truth can not be inherited, but must evolve thought the soul of each individual person him/herself. The Bible should not be mindlessly in the mouth of man, but should be lovingly studied for the deeper truth it reveals as made relevant to the current age. Objectives of Rosecrucians The following objectives make clear why such society's were feared by the power elite of their era, and why great measures were taken to discredit and eliminate them: Abolition of all monarchies and substitutions by philosopher's elect Reformation of science, philosophy and ethics (To link these with Mysticism is a direct challenge to the establishment Church) Discovery of universal medicines or panaceas for disease

Four theories of founding. Founded by a personage known only as C.R.C. who was born in 1378, and died 106 ears later in 1484. Later, Christian Rosencreutz wrote Chymical Nuptials a manifesto published as Fama Fraternitatis in 1610, but was not printed until 1614 and stated: o Reminders of the world's favor from God's goodness and mercy o Intelligentsia overcome by egotism and covetousness o Following false prophets and ignoring God's guidance o Reformation is necessary through philosophers and sages created for the purpose.

Freemasonry Their most ancient legacy as Dionysian Architechts. They Consecrated Spirit by their decorative spiritual elegance applied to the temples. To form structure out of stone (matter) was a tribute to GOD and a validation and celebration of Man's divinity. They began prior to 1000 BC. All designs were keyed to the parameters of the human body and the Grand Man (GOD). The formation of structures from the material world was a spiritual endeavor. Specialized designs were based on the principles of physics (and to promote the manipulation of sound for Spiritual effects.)

Organization of Blue Lodge Masonry This organization is a Mystical legacy of the Celtic cultures. They observed the following: Ovid in green- symbol of learning Bards dresses in sky blue representing harmony and truth Druid dressed white for purity, attended to the needs of the people Arch druid chosen by ballot for his wisdom and integrity

They held that--that which decreases is darkness, falsehood and death. That which increases is light, life and truth. They believed in reincarnation. Their belief structure is greatly similar to ancient Greece and Egypt. They endured punishing initiations (e.g., being buried in coffin (to achieve the NDE experience, and being put to sea in open boat. Those who passed the third degree were said to be "born again."

Freemasonry Influenced by Francis Bacon's Secret Societies and His Principles: Essential need for universal education "Knowledge is power." Essential need for universal democracy Deadly enemies of these are ignorance, fear and superstition which hold the human spirit to its lower parts of its constitution Numerous mysterious "deaths" of mystical initiates into the Secret order of R.C. and Freemasonry The enemies of democracy are the crown, the tiara and the torch.

Manly P. Hall makes a compelling case for William Shakespeare being a front for the Adept Francis Bacon: Great Folio of 1623 is treasure house of Masonic mystical symbolism Secret of the seven rayed God-- philosophy of Theosophy, Bacon used aliases congruent with this arcane. A "Spear shaker" is ancient symbolism for the bearer of ancient Truths that destroy the profane idols (misleading symbols) of fallacious thought. Shakespeare is alter ego of Bacon Hamlet to Horatio (Ghost scene, iv, father murdered by brother, Hamlet's uncle) scene and oath of secrecy): o "There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy. " (In: Hamlet, I,v, 123) o Casius to Brutes: "Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world like a Colossus, and we petty men walk under his huge legs and peep about to find ourselves dishonorable graves, Men at some times are masters of their fate: The fault, dear Brutes is not in our stars, but in ourselves that we are underlings (Julius Caesar, I,ii,135-141)

At the primal origin of Freemasonry, CHirem symbolizes the ideal state of spiritual, intellectual and physical emancipation which is always sacrificed on the alter of selfishness. **Modern utilitarianism and pragmatism sacrifices the beautiful for the practical hence by logic, selfishness hatred and discord are OK when they are practical. p LXXVII Conceptual links legitimize the relationship between CHirem and the Hindu concept of Kundilini which is the spiritual fire (Kundilini) released through the sixth ventricle of the 33 segments of the spinal column culminating the Crown Chakra. Nearly every Pagan symbolic ritual is symbolic of the spirit fire in the spinal cord. The crown chakra is the focal pint of the neural receptacle localized in the pineal gland (cyclops-third eye). Both Christian and Oriental mystical teachings are identical in this regard.

The preceding is only an overview to suggest the scale of deprivation most western minds have sufferer by their fealty to the secular model of unabashed materialism which is devoid of the essential nature of Spirit. Other examples will be mentioned throughout the MP. I know turn to the contributions of science's return to the Mystical by way of the concept of C/consciousness.

Lineage of Mystical Successors

In the next century, a mature science of C/consciousness will link the Mystical Truths of the Ages with the depth, rigor and rationality of contemporary science. The dichotomy that was formalized during the era of the Renaissance will be healed. But first the relationship of C/consciousness must be understood to be accessible not by any mental effort no matter how great or extended, but by the quite discipline of meditation in "The Silence. The self discipline of meditation is the secret route to Mystical Consciousness. Dr. K. R. Rao, Director of The Foundation for Research on the Nature of Man has examined the function of human consciousness as related to the topics of spiritual healing and other psychic phenomenon and concluded that meditation is a major dimension in the command of human consciousness. He has stated (1989), "...the crucial point in meditation [compared to relaxation] is the focus of attention." This "focus of attention" may be a critical variable in successful healing by intercessory prayer, and is related to the more complex variable labeled "Consciousness, for it is "Consciousness that is focused." Prayer, or any intercessory effort, or any focused intentionality must be examined within a viable and measurable construct of consciousness. The literature on consciousness presents common themes of wholeness, the discipline of meditation or one pointed mental focus on simply being (sometimes referred to as entering The Silence), and the goal of achieving Unity with a Cosmic intelligence (Satori.). But the religionists castigate the very idea and consign it to the realms of paganism and Satanism. Some religionist groups emotionally refuse to allow that there is a legitimate scientific meaning for the term. But orthodox science has rejected consciousness well, denying even a discussion of the concept of consciousness in psychology and psychiatric.

The Scientific Problem of C/consciousness In his construct regarding the epochal eras of medicine, Larry Dossey has commented upon the phenomenon of consciousness. The problem of scientifically investigating the phenomenon of consciousness is significant. Dossey has said:

"The controversial ‘C' word, is "CONSCIOUSNESS."

Its controversial in orthodox science because it is equated with the physical brain, along with the unacceptable constructs of "soul" and "spirit." Physician Dossey quotes Emerson Pugh, a researcher, as follows: "If the mind were simple enough that we could understand it, we would be so simple we couldn't." And he quotes Ambrose Bierce regarding the root problem of "self-reference" who said: "The mind is a mysterious substance secreted deep within the brain whose chief preoccupation is thinking about itself, the chief problem of which is it has itself, only itself, with which to think about itself with."

This problem of "consciousness knowing consciousness" is defined in philosophy as the problem of self reference. Dossey also addresses the logical impasses self-reference creates, including a reference to Kurt Goddel's Theorem, mathematician of this Century: "He showed with apparently impeccable logic, that if you have a system of logic that is at least as complex as simple as simple arithmetic, it can never be both complete and consistent. There will always arise in that system of logic true propositions that can not be proved with the axioms of that system itself, and their will arise false propositions in this logical system that can not be disproved by the axioms of that logical system."

This has been formally stated in General Systems Theory where it called The Law of Requisite Variety or Ashby' Law after the cyberneticist Ross Ashby or first proposed it (Ashby, 1966.) Dossey cites the myopia of materialist logicians who suffer from what Chopra calls the "bondage" of reductionism. The problem lies in the dilemma of "thinking about thinking" under the constraints of these reductionist principles. Dossey quotes Marvin Minsky, Artificial Intelligence authority at MIT who represents the ultimate materialist view of life: "What is the brain but a computer made of meat." Dossey concludes that, "Every person who undergoes scientific training in the USA undergoes a kind of deadening of the spirit as a result of this kind of thinking." Dossey also quotes John Tailor at King's College in London spoke about how the deadening effect works, He says,

"The mind appears now to be a near powerless epiphenomenon of the physical brain. Realization of this fact will cause a compete destruction of people's understanding of their place in the world as well as undermining the traditional institutions of society. The solution is that we start now to prepare people to live in a mindless, deterministic world."

Concludes Dossey, "Better hope that this is not the whole story, or this group [conference] is a whole lot of hot air." The reductionist materialist have concluded that the issue of mind has been "settled," i.e., dismissed. But Dossey note that other prominent scientists working at the most fundamental state of nature do not agree. He quotes as follows: Neils Bohr: "We can admittedly find nothing in physics or chemistry that has even a remote bearing on consciousness." This is not an equivocal statement.

Warner Heisenberg: "There can be no doubt that consciousness does not occur in physics and chemistry, and I can not see how it could possibly result from quantum mechanics."

But others well established in the Newtonian scientific paradigm are less certain. Karl Pribram (1971), the eminent neurophysiologist, has concluded: "When I began my investigations in this field of inquiry, I was sure that biobehavioral research would eliminate mentalism from psychology just as biochemistry had eliminated vitalism from biology. I had not reckoned properly with the brain, however, and its recording ability. Language became the touchstone of the problem-- and what is language, mind or matter?" (P 392)

"I was not prepared at the outset of the search for neural codes for the conclusion that the brains power lies precisely in its ability to code and re-code...a critical step in the coding operations of the brain appears to be caused by the slow potential, junctional microstructure which makes use of configured designs (analogue mechanisms) to transform one neural pattern into another. In this respect the brain differs radically from present day computers." (P 388)

The conceptual model that Pribram uses to resolve this dilemma, (the brain transcending the most sophisticated mechanical operations, is in the concept of the holographic constructions he asserted are the conceptual component of the brains mechanism. He states (op cit): "The hologram has a fantastic capacity to usefully (i.e., retrievable) store information. Information incorporated in a suitable retrieval system can be immediately located and accurately reconstructed. The density of information storage is limited only by wavelength of the coherent light (the shorter the greater the capacity)..." (P 150) "For language, each descriptive form has its own advantages. For the problems of perception, especially those of image information and the fantastic capacity of recognition memory, holographic description has no peer. So why not apply its application to brain processes?" (P 152)

According to Chopra (1990a):

less than one billionth of available stimuli potentially perceived as structure by our senses is permitted to affect the nervous system. The human nervous system only accepts those data that reinforce what it already think exists outside, the rest are screened out. Modern science as advanced to the highest level is coming to see the atom is basically a void occupied by energy. A wave propagation model for paranormal phenomenon can be developed. The emergent model asserts that there is a downward projection of consciousness, from form into molecules, to atoms, to electrons, to particles such as neutrinos and quarks, to incomprehensible force fields of intelligent energy. The living body is proportionally as void and vast as inter-galactic space. What is the nature of the void? Physicists have little to say about the nature of this void. But Chopra (op cit) notes that the ancient seers such as the entire Vedic tradition have a lot to say which discards the materialistic view. Bentov has observed: "We are made up of a void permeated by oscillating [regular cycling or alternating] fields... This matrix of oscillating fields, which is the human body, is easily influenced by outside fields, whether natural, such as the changing low-frequency electromagnetic fields generated by weather patterns, or by changing magnetic and gravitational fields affected by the moon and sun; or it can be influenced by artificial fields produced by humans, such as broadcasting fields of radio and television networks. Our bodies generate electrostatic fields of their own. When in the meditative state, our bodies go into resonance with the electric fields of the planet."

In Dossey's most recent book, he argues that prayer, which as intentional means for aligning with these "electric fields" works through the dynamics of the unconscious mind. He states as follows: "Today we equate prayer exclusively with waking awareness and rationality. It is something that is done consciously through the medium of language. That prayer might occur "out of sight out of mind" in the depths of the unconscious, even during dreams, may seem preposterous. And the possibility that our unconscious might know how to pray better than our conscious mind is simply not entertained. But why shouldn't prayer be a part of the repertoire of the unconscious? Our unconscious comprises the vast majority of our mental life. If prayer is a valuable activity, should not the bulk of psyche wish to participate in it."

Using the Dossey's concept of "non-locality" the Mystical Paradigm holds that in accordance with the LAW--there is only ONE. As a part of that ONE, by the laws of science Law of Requisite Variety, we can not comprehend it, we can only fully comprehend systems of simpler complexity. To the extent our Consciousness of the ONE is impoverished, to that extent we perceive less and less of the whole.

Therefore, the purposes and operating factors of systems or events that are more complex that our capacity to detect, understand and effect these phenomenon cause them and their behavior, or their "cause" or "goal" appear to us as progressively confused or unfathomable. There is only ONE of which each of us are in that UNITY, and therefore we exist within the ONE who lives and moves and has its being as the ONE and ALL. Thus the conscious part of us is entirely impoverished of the "bulk of our psyche" which holds within it our gateway to the information and contextual elements of the non-local (to the individual consciousness) or SuperConsciousness as defined by Edgar Cayce. The "straight and narrow" gateway that connects and empowers consciousness through the SuperConsciousness is an experience that is achieved via the discipline of meditation. Consciousness as an emergent scientific construct that will have a dominant effect on the psychology of the coming century.

A national conference held in August, 1991 at the Foundation for Research on the nature of Man, held in Durham North Carolina brought together a summary of ongoing research on the elements of Consciousness. Scientists from across the nation have reviewed the current state of research on human consciousness, and its relationship to paranormal and spiritual events. These men and women scholars represent such institutions as the Princeton Engineering Anomaly Laboratory, Temple University, Stanford University, Harvard University, and The Foundation for the Study of Man at Duke University (containing the world's largest parapsychology library, i.e., with records of more than 3,000 verified psychic phenomenon,) and included investigators from 125 other major universities and research laboratories who are investigating various manifestations of so called psychic or paranormal phenomenon under the most rigorous controlled conditions.

Some examples of findings reported at the conference include a variety of approaches to the examination of the phenomenon of Consciousness. The use of robotics can simulate for a human subject, the psychological experience of an "out-of-body-experience" and thus be subject to laboratory controls for the purpose of systematic study of the phenomenon. (Charles Tart, University of California at Davis, Davis,.) "The incorporated mind: Computer-generated Virtual Reality as a new dualistic interactive model for Transpersonal psychology" A systematic study of Adepts representing various religions is being accomplished with findings already suggestive that systematic meditation by various means produces profoundly enhanced psychophysiological outcomes including, control of pain and bleeding, lesion healing and imported immune responses, reduced vulnerability to tissue damage, reduced morbidity, increased longevity, reduced metabolic functioning and food needs, increased tolerance for discomfort, energy, strength and endurance, and enhanced perceptual motor and sensory functioning.

William Bushnell (Columbia University,) "The biomedical, anthropological, and religious study of enhanced psychophysiological functioning in Adepts" Positive efforts were found when subliminal audio tapes were used to overcome MRI induced claustrophobia, in weight loss protocols, and in areas related to emotions, problem solving judgments and interpersonal behavior among others. Michael Urban, (The Institute for Noetic Sciences, Sausalito, Ca.,) "Subliminal Audio tapes: Mobilizing the healing power of the mind." In a study, not reported at the conference, the use of audio taped short stories of a metaphoric nature were presented to subjects during their REM (initial or hypnogogic) stages of sleep and found to significantly reduce or eliminate chronic traumatic nightmares experienced by PTSD afflicted veterans. (Stase Michaels, " Unpublished Masters Thesis, Atlantic University, 1991.

Major institutions are making consciousness their corporate priority for research and funding. The Institute for Noetic Sciences founded by former astronaut Edgar Mitchell had made this a priority for research and development. They have published numerous books and articles on it in their quarterly journal, the Noetic Sciences Review, in addition to supporting a variety of other publications devoted to the reunion of science and spirit. The Subpage which follow will specifically address some of these scientific areas that are more relevant to the MP. [Return to Dialogue #1, Subpage 9]

Intrinsic vs Extrinsic Religiosity
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