Suprarational Consciousness
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Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
Something I've seen Jim bring up time and time again (and I'm trying to put things in my own words here, so please correct me if I'm wrong) is this idea/experience that consciousness is essentially the first matter underpinning everything everywhere.
We've seen the friction this has caused to people who uphold the opposing worldview that consciousness is in fact a product of the mind or, more specifically, an interesting byproduct of one of the body's many organs. However, I think that by participating here on this forum, we are all agreeing to learn more about the system of Initiation provided by the Temple of Thelema as well as the specific teachings from the very wise and experienced Brother Eshelman. After all, this forum is here to serve as a platform for the propogation of those ideas as opposed to those of just any old random person who decides to register a username.
I thought it would be helpful (albeit, probably painful for Jim, as he has so painstakingly addressed this topic in so many places on the forum) to go into more detail as to how we can differentiate consciousness itself from the things that really are products of the mind, like logic, morality, etc.
Having briefly experienced states of pure consciousness in dreams and deep meditation, I personally have a hard time choosing between "pure consciousness" and "pure existence" as an accurate discriptor. I suppose consciousness implies a sentience that may not always be in the case of existence (i.e. unconscious matter can exist), but it seems more accurate to describe the only act of will taking place in such a state as that of simply existing. Especially when so many people are identifying consciousness as a product of the minds of biological creatures, I feel the terms we're using here are important (or interesting, at least) to address.
I know I posted this in the Mysticism section, but as always, I am especially open to what the Qabalah and Tarot have to say about this, and any way of explaining this issue that utilizes those frameworks.
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@Zalthos said
"I thought it would be helpful (albeit, probably painful for Jim, as he has so painstakingly addressed this topic in so many places on the forum) to go into more detail as to how we can differentiate consciousness itself from the things that really are products of the mind, like logic, morality, etc.
Having briefly experienced states of pure consciousness in dreams and deep meditation, I personally have a hard time choosing between "pure consciousness" and "pure existence" as an accurate discriptor. I suppose consciousness implies a sentience that may not always be in the case of existence (i.e. unconscious matter can exist), but it seems more accurate to describe the only act of will taking place in such a state as that of simply existing. Especially when so many people are identifying consciousness as a product of the minds of biological creatures, I feel the terms we're using here are important (or interesting, at least) to address.
I know I posted this in the Mysticism section, but as always, I am especially open to what the Qabalah and Tarot have to say about this, and any way of explaining this issue that utilizes those frameworks."
First thing that comes to my mind to answer you is it's just a matter of vibration. If we see the all as one, then only speed is different. So, a first indicator is that of the speed which the yin and the yang oscillate into your consciousness. Thou shalt feel more and more the "shift of gears" when "rising on the planes".
Second thing is rythm. So you have speed and rythm. Already the axiom "the all is in all and all is in the all" is manifested. You go from the yin and the yang to the trigrammes which themselves are two manifestations of four elements, on the tree of life corresponding from daath to 10(manifestation). So a way to illustrate the shift is in the number of simultaneous rythms percieved.
There is quality and quantity. See each in both. Microcosm and macrocosm. Consciousness and tendency. Consiousness is three in one. Tendencies come after. Tendencies imply motion. Though above the abyss motion and stillness are one, thus none ! In time sens it is sumultaneity. Though its all relative. Thus depends on what is considered truth. When ready, the bright made brighter and the dark darker, separate and together too, merge all lights into one which is none and two. And behold even this is another light to be processed.
Also indicators are Joy Though to know those one must discriminate real Joy from false A way i can think of besides normal hermetic training is worship of Nuit. When the sign is there, as written in the book of the Law, thou shalt continue until you attain Nuit in a stable manner !
