The Definition of the Material World

Deliverance through Technology

Until recently, I have been involved with the Earth Organisation for Sustainability, an association with technocratic roots. While the organisational concept was significantly improved in comparison with it’s ideological grandfather, Technocracy Inc., the basic technocratic premise of solving problems through material technology still remains. [ 1] In fact, this is the rationale most of the Western countries officially identify themselves with: Progress through Technology. Of course, the question of where this is going and whether this is the kind of progress we actually need can seldom be heard. The assumption is that the development of new technologies allows for the production of new goods and services, which in turn help to create employment and further economic growth. My argument here is not over the uselessness of economic figures such as gross domestic income in order to gauge the well-being of people or the now-obvious shortcomings of economic growth. Rather, it is about refuting the idea that so-called modern technology builds us the golden bridge to deliverance. I would like to inspire an alternative route.


The Singularity was Near

I was introduced to typing at the computer keyboard at the age of 4 by my father. Over a decade later, in 2006, I was completely into technology, especially new developments in computing – and of course PC games as well. Almost every day after school, I came home to read up on my RSS feeds (digital newspaper), downloading the newest trends in the IT industry, news about technological breakthroughs and new games. Shortly after futurologist Ray Kurzweil’s book “The Singularity is Near”  came out, I read it in order to give a presentation to my class. I had recently come across the concepts of Technocracy and was active on a forum, finally having found a seemingly sound, rational alternative to the system of control and distribution we currently have. Being somewhat of a geek, brought up in Vienna within the sphere of techno-scientifically focused Western countries, it should come to no surprise that I was amazed by the ideas presented by Kurzweil. I can still recall the most amazing developments outlined in the book – robotics, biotechnology, nanotechnology – I could already envision the exciting future which was outlined before me. I almost couldn’t wait for these amazing new technologies to become available so I could enjoy them. They would include Head-Up Displays, essentially computerized glasses which would display information about the surroundings and enable internet communication. Such HUD’s had been predicted in the book to be in widespread usage by 2008 – development fell short of this goal, but it seems that in 2013 this situation could appear in the near future.
The prospects described by Kurzweil showed an even greater promise, perhaps the greatest of all: Unity and Immortality. These desires should be brought about by the eventual development of so-called strong artificial intelligence, which could learn to improve upon itself without the need for human intervention. [ 2] In order to keep up, humans would artificially augment their own intellect through bio- and nano-technological implants. The culmination point would be the Technological Singularity: An explosion of intellectual capacities within which it would also become possible to upload your brain into the computer network in order to live in eternal unity with the artifical intelligence and the rest of mankind. Physical bodies would be left behind as nano-robots could instantly create any body for you to inhabit at any point in space. According to Kurzweil, this would happen in 2045, and I was amazed that I would most likely still be around to experience all of that. [ 3] Life within this technological utopia – what could be more amazing? I believed this argument to be plausible enough and the scenario to be desirable. Mind you, I was 16. [ 4]

Limitation as the Hallmark of Creation

It is perfectly understandable that anyone accustomed to the capitalist, urban type of society would come to think that material technology does indeed hold all the answers. After all, the conditioning includes the assumption that the material world is all there is and that your whole being is dependent on nothing but matter. A spiritual mindset with a self-understanding of yourself and the world as being consciousness allows for a more inclusive viewpoint. [ 5]
It is most interesting to note that some of the greatest scientific minds of the past century – including Einstein, Planck and Tesla – have all transcended a purely materialist mindset and spoke on the importance of consciousness. [ 6] Tesla reportedly had vivid visions of various technologies he invented. These visions were so exact that he could build a machine exactly as he had seen it, then having it work perfectly within the material world. But even ignoring such exceptional abilities, we can easily understand the process by which new technology – and any act of creation – is being brought about. In the age of information and start-up companies, it is known that great ideas are among the most important assets. While it often takes a lot of time and energy until an idea can be realised so it is objectively manifested within the material world – without the idea, there would be nothing to manifest. No advanced production facility, no IT-startup, no obscure ice cream flavour. Even mundane tasks such as shopping for groceries, walking down the street and drinking a glass of water are ideas and decisions before they can manifest themselves as actions. This sentence was an idea and a decision before it could be written. So it seems every single thing we can perceive within the material world is originating from the realm beyond – the sphere of through and spirit. Previously, I had thought that atheist researchers who later developed an interest in spiritual concepts were becoming fearful of death and lacked willpower. Now I agree with the basic premise of Planck’s statement about the necessity of spirituality: ”Both Religion and science require a belief in God. For believers, God is in the beginning, and for physicists He is at the end of all considerations… To the former He is the foundation, to the latter, the crown of the edifice of every generalized world view.“

While many are accustomed to honouring the researchers of the natural sciences, we rarely acknowledge those who have worked to transmit spiritual knowledge. The model of  the creation of the world (cosmogeny) in Quabbalah lore gives a concept of how the realm beyond the material can be understood: The beginning of all creation is brought about by AIN SOPH, The Most Ancient of All the Ancients. This is the eternal state of BE’ing, the unconditioned state of all things  – without substance, essence or intelligence. [ 7] Manly Palmer Hall explains it best: “The nature of AIN SOPH they symbolize by a circle, itself emblematic of eternity. This hypothetical circle encloses a dimensionless area of incomprehensible life, and the circular boundary of this life is abstract and measureless infinity. According to this concept, God is not only a Center but also Area. Centralization is the first step towards limitation. [ 8] Therefore, centers which form in the substances of AIN SOPH are finite because they are predestined to dissolution back into the Cause of themselves, while AIN SOPH Itself is infinite because It is the ultimate condition of all things. ” Within Quabbalistic theory, the cosmos is composed of 40 concentric spheres of which we perceive the 40th, most dense sphere, to be the material world. As everything springs from an inconceivable source of limitless potential, what is the way in which its myriad manifestations differentiate themselves from it? It is through limitation – the hallmark of creation. Thus it is logical that the material world of the densest sphere is the most limited and concrete of all which are imaginable. [ 9] We can easily test this assumption of different spheres by thinking about a pink elephant! Why? Because the fact that you envision some variant of a pink elephant in front of your mind’s eye proves that you are able to operate within a higher, less dense and less limited sphere as well: the astral realm of ideas. Luckily, merely thinking of it doesn’t make the pink elephant appear in your room and break through your roof, since the material sphere is bound to time and space – but in your mind the elephant might well be jumping around or discussing with the philosopher Husserl about his subjective experience of piloting a spacecraft…

 

The Externalization of Magic

Recognizing this phenomenon, it becomes clear why the world can’t be understood through this most limited, material sphere alone. If the “core of the matter” is inherently inconceivable, how should it be defined? The shortcomings of materialist science are made obvious in that while cells may be cloned, it is entirely impossible to create a cell – create life – by putting its constituent parts together. So it seems the sum is indeed more than its parts and the organising principle – consciousness – originates from beyond the material realm.

Those who choose to ignore everything outside the materialist paradigm often find themselves unconsciously sublimating or externalizing the limitless potential of consciousness. For myself, it was within games and stories that presented a world where different things were possible. Those very much interested in technology often find themselves equally fascinated by science fiction movies or fantasy role playing games. The unseen force or magic of consciousness is externalized to these fictitious realms in a distorted fashion so their actual realization in real life is always seen as impossible. [ 10] While I’m not proposing that we should train ourselves to throw fireballs at each other, this materialist way of thinking deprives you of many powers of consciousness everyone does naturally possess. However, it takes time and awareness to recognise and develop these powers, starting with the most banal practices such as learning to breathe properly in order to calm one’s nerves. [ 11]
This materialist mindset is the reason why many now attempt to attain apparently superhuman abilities through technologies which mimic the potential powers of consciousness. Modern transportation is an approximation of teleportation just like communication technologies are an approximation of telepathy. The idea of quantified self – constantly measuring one’s bio-signals, sleeping patterns, exercise regimen and movements through space with a smartphone – are an approximation of a well-developed memory and sense of awareness. It is logical that those who deny their nature as consciousness attempt to take the bull by the horns and realise these abilities – the eventual goal being unity and immortality – through technological means. However, as I have shown above, the material as the mere shadow of the higher realms of consciousness can only be an imperfect effigy at best. Why not take the direct route and become mindful of your natural abilities – some of which you might not even have discovered yet? It is your conscious choice alone whether you choose to accept reports of prolonged physical stasis, multiplication of vital energy, remote viewing and telepathy. Even though some well documented and scientifically validated occurrences of these abilities exist, most would only believe them to be attainable through technological means rather than their inherently limitless abilities of being conscious(ness).

 

Wake up, Neo. The Matrix has you.

Many enjoyed the Matrix movie released in 1999, in which human are depicted as living within a virtual reality created by machines. Most saw an action-packed story with astounding slow-motion effects, some saw a complex psychological drama, and just a few saw spiritual realities adapted into a science fiction setting only so it could be readily received by mainstream culture. In case no-one told you yet: Welcome to the Matrix! Within the movie, it is hoped that the main protagonist, Neo, would be able to see through the Matrix in order to escape from it and liberate the rest of humanity. Please note that I’m not implying we live in a reality created by machines. Rather, we live in a reality created by ourselves as consciousness. [ 12]
Have you ever noticed the ongoing obsession with consuming and creating reality frames? All stories create an alternate reality frame, whether through movies, comics, religions, books, video games, the virtual reality of the internet – the format and delivery method is just only different to be adapted to the current culture. Many technologically-minded people dream about an increase in possibilities up to the point of creating a Matrix within which they could live the life of their dreams. In case you didn’t notice it the first time, I gladly repeat my greeting: Welcome to the Matrix – time to wake up!
Just imagine you would be able to create a video game to be the perfect experience – with  the best combination of immersion, difficulty, complexity and joy. The best part of it is that, while you are playing you are game, you can choose to identify so much with your character that you forget you are just playing a game! [ 13] The more I understand the spiritual side of reality, the more I believe that this is a fitting allegory to what’s actually happening.
We need to realise that it isn’t our task to create a new reality frame within which we can fulfil our desires and explore new possibilities. The inherent definition of the material world mandates that such a new reality frame created through material means will always be more strictly defined and thus less complex. [ 14] As such it will be perceived to be smaller and ultimately less satisfying than the one we currently experience through our minds with our physical bodies. Thus I see it as our task to completely understand the nature of the current reality frame and learn how to manipulate it so we can have the most wonderful and pleasureable experience. We are all players in the matrix already – the question is whether we choose to become active, conscious and responsible players. I contend that the best method to do this is to foster our spiritual powers inherent in our being as consciousness. Both traditional and new schools of thought and religion offer myriad ways of accessing these abilities. [ 15]

 

Logging Out

Of course, it is difficult to fully grasp the nature of the Matrix unless you have had an experience of logging out. This is the experience which makes your realize without thinking that you are not your physical body but that you originate from a realm beyond. I am certain that anyone truly willing can have such an experience. Although the path can only be of your unique choosing, there are several techniques designed to expedite the process, ranging from Enlightenment Intensive seminars to Vipassana meditation or the use of substances such as Ayahuasca. [ 16] Once this is achieved, you can more easily remember your natural state and effectively break out of this reality frame, at least to a certain degree. This equivalent of logging out of the matrix allows you to put your whole life in context and realise that material ambition is really quite meaningless – it is really about the type of experience you want to have. From this point on it is possible to explore many different reality frames as well. [ 17] The larger framing also makes it easier to realise advanced abilities within the limitation of your individual incarnation in human form. Instead of losing ourselves within the smaller constructions built within this reality frame, we can make this frame ever more explicit and understand its rules. We can understand life as the dream it actually is and devote ourselves to having the most amazing experiences and inspiring others to do the same. If we would see this life as a game, then I would propose the first goal to become aware of the fact that it is indeed a construct of our own making continually evolving with the free-will choices we make as players. It is our decision whether we subordinate ourselves to the will of others or become active and responsible ourselves. Once we have fully realised this and understood the game’s rules, we have the maximum amount of options at our disposal to enjoy life to the fullest and accept the challenges we chose to encounter. We can choose to manifest our limitlessness as consciousness within the definition of the material world and recognise ourselves as the whole of creation. [ 18]

 

Spiritual Technology

This viewpoint is the reason why I don’t see technology as bringing fundamental progress to the spiritual evolution of humanity. If anything, it may serve as a training ground – becoming used to the effects of our natural spiritual abilities so we aren’t too surprised about telepathy and remote viewing once these powers comes into more widespread use. An experience which previously might have only been away a single thought in the astral realm, in a time when people were more aware of their abilities, is now instead a mouse-click away on the internet. [ 19] Personally, I now prefer to build my skills in thought-forming and conscious intent (which could as well be called prayer or meditation) in order to attract specific situations rather than becoming excited about a virtual world within which other experiences might be simulated. [ 20] There is simply no point in creating a materially limited simulator within an expansive simulation in terms of gaining access to new experiences. Especially once you understand that you can learn to effectively hack your experience within the already running simulation.
Therefore, instead of looking forward to Head-Up Displays in the likes of Google Glass, I am rather refining my own awareness in order to be able to extend the range of perceptions I can access. This doesn’t need to be about seeing auras and talking to gnomes – it can be simple things such as reading emotional cues or becoming aware of the subtle symbolism surrounding us in everyday life. Instead of downloading the newest App to plan my training schedule, I train my memory as well as my knowledge of yoga by planning and remembering it myself. Rather than using external tools to quantify myself, I re-discover my natural abilities to have a qualified feeling of my body within this world. So for every specific task a technologically-minded person would install the latest smartphone application, I rather train my mind so I can achieve the same functionality without dependence on anything external of myself. There is a reason why Facebook’s slogan is “stay connected” – because it feels just as if you were intertwined with the conscious field of your online friends when you read their status updates. This is just another weak substitute of our dormant conscious powers. I would therefore propose to rather become more aware of the eternally persistent spiritual connection we have with each other, the planet and even the whole universe. There is no subscription fee or forced advertisement getting in the way when accessing this connection – you only need to become aware that it has always been there, no matter how hard you tried to ignore it. This inner guidance is the only connection we truly need – and although the process might at times be difficult, life will definitely start changing for the better once you start clearing out the channel and listen closely. Of course, this is the part of the Matrix which is still concealed for most of us – for this represents its in-build feature to forget that we are even playing this game. However, a single decision by the power of your free will can immediately start turning this scenario around in your favour – instead of being played you become a player yourself.

 

Turn off your Smartphone and start to Meditate!

I’m not even suggesting to throw away your smartphone (but they mostly seem to be mis-used as distractive time-wasters anyhow) or stop using Facebook – but you can eliminate all distractions for an hour a day in order to engage in simple self-reflection, contemplation and meditation. Obviously, I still use a computer and the internet in order to access the field of consciousness through this material method. And yes, I am still fascinated by technological breakthroughs and truly innovative video games. However, I am suggesting to become mindful of the interrelationship between the material and the underlying spiritual realm of consciousness. Understanding more about the origin of the universe and the reality frame we inhabit, the prospect of the technological singularity indeed becomes pointless. Instead of developing technological tools in order to advance our abilities, we can simply choose to start fostering our inherent powers as consciousness. Instead of becoming a pro at using the newest gadgets, we can just start to meditate and access deeper realms. Many science nerds are intrigued by the concept of the type I civilization, which has advanced to make the best possible use of the resources of a planet. [ 21] I believe the actual graduation into a type I civilization is marked by the emergence of creator-consciousness – every one of us becoming active creators and taking full responsibility for our actions. The rest will be a piece of cake.

Notes

[ 1] The Earth Organisation for Sustainability has developed the top-down hierarchical modes of organisation proposed by Technocracy, Inc. into a model based on the self-organisation of holons, independent units embedded within a network structure. It has been a haven for rational deliberation and discussion both before and amidst the rise of The Zeitgeist Movement (I recommend their movie Zeitgeist Addendum), which was inspired by Jacque Fresco’s Venus Project of a sustainable society based on the intelligent use of advanced technologies. This type of technocracy has little to do with the so-called technocratic management found within EU institutions. [back]

[ 2] Strong artificial intelligence would be more advanced that human intelligence and automatically enter a virtuous cycle of self-improvement. This idea is dealt with in many science fiction scenarios such as developed by Isaac Asimov in I, Robot. [back]

[ 3] Following the current trends would also make a dystopia of perception such as in the short film Sight possible. We seldom notice how much our feelings and experience have already been invaded by those who wish to control us, such as the movie Branded brilliantly exposes. And for those who might not be able to survive until then through normal means, cryonics such as provided by Alcor already allows the body to be conserved. The materialist assumption is that sufficiently advanced nano-technology could revive the body at a future point. [back]

[ 4] I admit that it took some time until I got a clearer view on these issues. In 2009, I applied to Singularity University since I thought their inter-disciplinary approach and focus on technology to be intriguing. In 2010, I developed Starfish, a vision of a fully distributed user-controlled network as an improvement upon the heavily centralized internet infrastructure we have today. This marked my last attempt to develop an idea for societal improvement based on technological, material means. At this point, I could already see that the real problems are to be located at a deeper level, within societal structures collectively projected by individual psychology of the people. [back]

[ 5] I discuss the subjective and scientific viability of a spiritual perspective in my essay on A Conscious Decision. [back]

[ 6] Quotes sampled via Wikiquote:
Albert Einstein: “A human being is a part of the whole, called by us “Universe”, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest — a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty. Nobody is able to achieve this completely, but the striving for such achievement is in itself a part of the liberation and a foundation for inner security.”
Max Planck: “As a man who has devoted his whole life to the most clear headed science, to the study of matter, I can tell you as a result of my research about atoms this much: There is no matter as such. All matter originates and exists only by virtue of a force which brings the particle of an atom to vibration and holds this most minute solar system of the atom together. We must assume behind this force the existence of a conscious and intelligent mind. This mind is the matrix of all matter.”
Nikola Tesla: “From childhood I was compelled to concentrate attention upon myself. This caused me much suffering, but to my present view, it was a blessing in disguise for it has taught me to appreciate the inestimable value of introspection in the preservation of life, as well as a means of achievement. The pressure of occupation and the incessant stream of impressions pouring into our consciousness through all the gateways of knowledge make modern existence hazardous in many ways. Most persons are so absorbed in the contemplation of the outside world that they are wholly oblivious to what is passing on within themselves. The premature death of millions is primarily traceable to this cause. Even among those who exercise care, it is a common mistake to avoid imaginary, and ignore the real dangers. And what is true of an individual also applies, more or less, to a people as a whole.” [back]

[ 7] The One People’s Public Trust proclaims to have legally foreclosed on the old system of ownership (or rather, slavery) through a series of filings with the Uniform Commercial Code registry. Interestingly, this was done using spiritual arguments – rightfully claiming that there can be nothing between creator and creation. If anyone would choose to object these filings, they would need to expose themselves as thinking of human beings as property, which effectively has been the mindset until now. I wrote a summary on these developments on the P2P Foundation Wiki. The idea that nothing can stand between you as consciousness and the ultimate source of your being is supported by many spiritual concepts including the achintya-bheda-abheda-tattva I explore within my essay on Awakening to Creator-Consciousness. [back]

[ 8] In a limitless void of infinite potential, nothing is defined, so centralization indeed is a necessary step to bring about any creation. However, I believe that in society we have taken the idea of centralization too far when people give up responsibility for their own lives over to others and stop to think independently. Features and mechanisms of centralization are described in my essay on The Hierarchical Principle. [back]

[ 9] I find it interesting that one of the most ineffective and yet (or rather, thus) economically profitable construction materials is called concrete. As Italian comedian Beppe Grillo observes – if you take away the concrete, politicians don’t know what to do any more. However, his so-called movement might well be a false flag operation itself. [back]

[ 10] The most successful science fiction scenario of Star Wars also integrates the spiritual side through the field of the force which is said to permeate everything. The blessing “May the Force be with you” has attained cult status. The spiritual nature of this statement and usage of its variants by occult scholars such as the Thule Society should be understood. Indeed many successful video games, whether World of Warcraft, Heroes of Newerth or Guild Wars include magic powers and occult symbolism. Popular books and movies such as the Harry Potter series follow suit. Within the logic of the particular story’s setting, these phenomena are an essential part and rarely questioned. They exert such an attraction precisely because the practice of the powers of consciousness – also called magic – has been suppressed in so-called real life. Since we subconsciously relegate them into the realm of games and fantasy, the potential to realise these powers within ourselves is automatically labelled as unattainable fiction. [back]

[ 11] Within a game setting, the ability to stay calm in a turbulent situation might well be called “nerves of steel” and be seen as a desirable trait. But rather than helping us to realise this ability in our lives, most games rather serve to distract us from ourselves and put us into an excited and often uncomfortable, anxious state. [back]

[ 12] Roman Christian Hafner provides an alternative account on the creation of the world and the purpose of existence on Earth in the German book “Die Reise als Schöpfer auf unserer Erde”. The content is derived from his ability I would call astral sight, but it also mentions recorded spiritual insights from Quabbalistic and Vedic lore. He proposes that we are essentially all eternal creators choosing to participate in the current scenario playing out on Earth. It is about gaining experience – so it is our personal decision whether we choose the experience of actively participating in the process or merely be passively observing and going along with the changes. To those interested in the first truly profound analysis of the Matrix trilogy I encountered, please check out The Matrix Trilogy Decoded by Mark Passio. [back]

[ 13] As Manly Palmer Hall describes, this is “…the mythological fall of man, at which time the human spirit descended into the realms of Hades by being immersed in the illusion of terrestrial existence. ” Basically, the spirit of man (you) chose to get so distracted by god’s (or his own) creation of the body and the material world that he forgot his true nature. Without remembering that you are just the player behind the arcade machine rather than pac-man on the screen eating dots and fleeing from ghosts, how can you be able to see the framing of existence? An interesting elaboration on the control mechanisms in place to keep you from remembering is provided by Sonia Barret’s presentation on The Holographic Game. [back]

[ 14] I think Ross Ashby’s Law of Requisite Variety is in agreement with this theory. [back]

[ 15] These abilities are also described in many modern books, often along with instructions on how to develop them through dedicated self-study. While occult powers are not a goal in themselves and shouldn’t be used for power games, they can help you to live the life of your dreams and bring your limitless potential within this most concrete of worlds. Examples of relevant books include The Art of True Healing by Israel Regardie, Magical Use of Thought Forms by Dolores Ashcroft-Nowicki, Taoist Yoga and Sexual Energy by Eric Yudelove, Astral Dynamics by Robert Bruce, Experiments in Mental Suggestion by L.L. Vasiliev. [back]

[ 16] I describe some of my personal experiences in Awakening to Creator-Consciousness. [back]

[ 17] This exploration of reality frames through consciousness is studied by the Monroe Institute. [back]

[ 18] Considering the aforementioned book by Hafner and the achintya-bheda-abheda-tattva, the next step within our evolution could indeed be the realization of ourselves as effectively being the whole of creation while experiencing the material world through our limited material bodies. [back]

[ 19] According to Armin Risi, in the golden age of satya-yuga, empathy was so well developed that any lie would immediately be detected. In combination with the descriptions in the aforementioned books by Hafner and Ashcroft-Nowicki, the manifestation of thought within material realm might become possible for all of us. [back]

[ 20] A very simple meditation technique is described by Israel Regardie as The Middle Pillar Exercise. This is essentially a conscious, directed form of prayer in order to manifest specific desires. This is magic – and it can be learned and applied by everyone. An online search should easily reveal the associated PDF and sources to acquire the printed book. [back]

[ 21] The Kardashev scale was initially proposed by the Soviet astronomer Nikolai Kardashev. [back]

 

Image credits (as available)

Fabricius Fludd – Natura

Athanasius Kirchner – Systema Sephiroticum / The Quabbalistic Tree of Life

Albrecht Dürer – The Dragon with Seven Heads

Screenshot from movie The Matrix (1999)

 

Awakening to Creator-Consciousness

Experiences

Have you had experiences you would call extraordinary or strange? Perceptions during which you maybe weren’t exactly sure what was happening? Which you found difficult to explain to yourself, but you still observed the experience and just went with the flow? Allowing yourself to remember these events is an achievement in itself. Many tend to block out any perceptions which might threaten their world-view and pose an imminent danger to their self-understanding. Obviously, everything we can’t quite grasp with our current understanding can put our internal concept of existence in disarray. Yet it also provides an opportunity to go beyond of what we thought of the world and ourselves until that moment. I would like to share some of the experiences I had in this regard with you.

One ordinary afternoon, I was pondering. I believe I was about 15 years old – so you might also call it a lazy afternoon. Unlike some of my classmates, I made sure to finish my homework quickly and never to have too many afternoon activities, since I thoroughly enjoyed playing computer games and doing the things teenagers do. Maybe distinct to a degree, I also enjoyed pondering about whatever came to my mind. I can’t remember what initially fuelled the engine of this train of thought, but I was concerned with the idea of willpower and achievement. Although I don’t talk to myself (that) often, I started to articulate my thoughts with my voice in order to help their development. I can’t recall the content of these thoughts anymore, but I believe I went on like this for about half an hour until I finally reached a satisfying conclusion: “In order to achieve anything, I must will it. If I will it, I can achieve it.” For me, this is a cornerstone of subsequent realizations, but this particular experience was most likely only the iceberg’s visible tip of a process already going on for much longer. In retrospect, I am also aware of the many so-called limiting beliefs I held back then which prevented an even fuller realization of effectiveness through willpower.


In autumn of 2007 I had the opportunity to visit Japan with a friend of mine. During the travel, I really enjoyed the contrast of modern technology and lush temple gardens. I also loved to sample the different flavours of green tea which are usually available free of charge in restaurants and hotels. [1] While staying in Kyoto, I had a room to myself in a centrally located ryokan. I had been walking around the city alone and was very relaxed when I came back to the hotel. After showering, I sat down on the tatami mat and served myself a cup of genmai-tea. I heard the quiet noise of the street-traffic and took a sip of my tea. Then – the world stopped. I felt an incredible sense of calm and security, a profound connection with everything. For the blink of an eye, the boundaries of my being became permeable. Since then, the smell of genmai-cha reminds me of this transcendental experience of tranquillity.

Who hasn’t come in contact with mind-altering substances before? While alcohol is socially venerated and marijuana publicly demonized, few consider the effects coffee, milk or hormone-laden meat can have on their state of consciousness and sense of well-being. [2] Funnily enough, the first time I really came into contact with marijuana was in the summer of 2011 in Santa Cruz, California. Over a year later, I had some more regular encounters with it. Having concluded that considered, conscious consumption wouldn’t do me much harm – and is certainly an alternative far superior to alcohol – I simply enjoyed it. So it happened that one evening I smoked with friends at a party without knowing that the following experience would drastically change my perception of the world for good. The temporary effects were even more intense. For the lack of a better term which could be understood, I went around and repeated to my friends something along the lines of “I see the matrix. It’s true!”. Of course, this experience was only the singular event which made years of research and conscious deliberation on topics such as perception, communication, world-views and self-understanding explicit. The realization literally flew in my face and there was no more way of denying it. I won’t elaborate on this experience and the complex issue of marijuana here, but it shall be known that my actions have been profoundly inspired by this shift in perception. Inspiring hours of talking to friends as well as strangers, directed research, meticulous note-taking and overcoming psychological barriers led me to more consequently access my creative potential, result of which you can see within these lines.

The Primal Assumption

We have all been conditioned to assume – to accept claims without independently verifiable proof and explanation. In such a condition, it comes naturally to suppose the medical doctor can restore your health, the policeman can keep order and the scientist can bring progress. Even if we find the prescribed drug to be detrimental to our well-being, we often continue taking it as we assume the doctor to have superior insight. The conditioning brings us to believe that what is best for us is unknown by oneself but known by others – and so we readily and willingly put ourselves under their authority. While this particular assumption can turn out to be misled and very dangerous – for it may bring about the demise of the body – it is still a far cry from the importance of what I consider to be the most basic assumption. Any and all thoughts and actions – any experience we may have – is profoundly influenced by this primal assumption: The nature of existence.

In most discussions about historical events, biology or even evolutionary theory, the originator of all inquiry is never made explicit: Who is it, discussing about Neanderthals over coffee? Who is asking the question? Who are you? What is your answer to this question? What is the nature of the being reading this line? Indeed, what are you? It is of utmost importance to understand that the answer you give yourself to this question forms the basis of all your experience! Just like your self-understanding itself is contained within this answer, your self-understanding contains all experience you may have in life, all possibilities you can fathom.

Imagine you, as a human, would have been growing up with a wolf pack. [3] You would think of yourself as a wolf and live the life of a wolf, hunting and howling. After all, your whole experience is framed through your self-understanding as a wolf. Anything contradicting it would have likely been blocked out in order to protect this very self-understanding. A severe crisis might call your world-view into question: Unable to run away from a mudflow, without consciously being aware of what you are doing, you might find yourself climbing up a tree. While this would be impossible for a wolf, it is easy for you given your body’s ability to stand and having hands to grab onto branches. Suddenly, sitting on top of the tree, you gain a new perspective on the world. Although maybe not yet knowing exactly how you ended up there, your self-perception drastically changes as you realize your ability to climb trees. Understanding your newly found powers, uncountable treetops and new vistas open themselves up to you. As you can now see the world from above, you gain a new way of making sense of your surroundings: You see your fellow pack members from a new angle, you can easily spot prey from far away and indeed have a vantage point formerly unbeknownst to your kind. After such an experience, you could return to the ground and pretend as if nothing had ever happened – living as man among wolves. However, after glimpsing your powers, could you ignore your true nature?

Of Flesh and Spirit

Growing up in a society worshipping materialism and mostly ignoring the existence of spiritual experience aside from dogma-ridden religion, it comes to no surprise that we are told to be no more than human flesh. Obvious issues and inconsistencies within evolutionary theory aside: What are the practical consequences of believing that one’s existence is limited to the physical human body? [4] First of all, this belief creates the primal fear: The fear of death. Although I know it to be impossible to logically explain, materialists claim that the phenomenon of consciousness emerges out of the nerve cells’ complex interactions within the human brain. [5] With the demise of the body as the generator of consciousness, your existence would be ended. Physicists would argue that the energy in the universe remains constant and your matter is being absorbed by micro-organisms and insects – but the tragic situation remains. In contrast, researchers of consciousness liken the physical body to a TV-set and consciousness to the signal. As you know – even if a TV is broken, the station keeps broadcasting to all those who may receive and process the signal. [6] A spiritual mindset would also consider the all-oneness which I will elaborate on below, so the question of whether the ego or individuated consciousness is lost becomes less dramatic.

Strange as it may sound, even more important than the question of what happens at the passing of the physical body – is the question of what you can do while it still functions. Within the materialist view, you are limited in your perceptions and effects to the direct physical influence you can exert with your body. This includes moving about the world (as far as you can travel), touching objects, caressing or hurting other living beings. Intellectually minded people would highlight the ability to share ideas as well as attain power over oneself or others through intelligence. Still, you would require to communicate by means of a physical representation such as voice or writing – potentially amplified through radio, printing press or the internet. From a spiritual perspective, these are very limited powers indeed. You are not your body, but you as consciousness merely concentrate yourself within this point in space and time so as to create the illusion of ego and material existence. Realizing yourself to be a fractal of consciousness, constantly co-creating the world through thought and observation, opens up a quite different vista of possibilities. [7] It makes you understand that your thoughts and observations matter, for they not only change your inner psychological state, but actually have profound consequences – both material and spiritual – far beyond the reach of your physical body. This represents the view from the tree-top I mentioned above. This realization of tremendous self-efficacy also dismantles any attempt to control you – for your infinite power as consciousness can only be contained if you choose to keep yourself distracted and bind yourself to beliefs which limit your own might. [8] I invite you to make the time – and ‘assume’ for just an instant – that you actually are creator-consciousness. No outside circumstance can stand in the slipstream of your directed willpower – turning from the feeble stroke of the blunt, splintering chopstick into the mighty blow of the greatsword’s hardened, cutting edge. You become a man among wolves. You realize your true nature as creator-consciousness among the unfortunate, ignorant pack of mankind who would rather think of themselves as victimized ape-men so they may continue to blame others for their misery. Having gained this insight – which I believe is intuitively known by us all for it is our nature – at least I find it impossible, indeed shameful and insulting, to pretend as if I had never climbed the tree to see myself in the world with new eyes. Just imagine Neo, after being freed by Morpheus, would simply log back into the Matrix and pretend as if nothing ever happened! The prospects are too great and the stakes too high as to not inform others of what I have come to understand and to invite them – invite you – to do the same. For you may live the life of your dreams – your life as a dream!

A Vision of the Paradox

In late 2012, I was introduced to achintya-bheda-abheda-tattva through a book by philosopher Armin Risi. This principle concerns itself with the nature of god and creation. It postulates the inconceivable, simultaneous oneness and distinctiveness of god (creator) and god’s energies (creation). This means that we, as beings of creation, are both united with and separated from the source of creation at any given moment. This is perfectly analogous to quantum theory’s wave-particle dualism, whereas light is both a concrete particle and a probability wave at the same time. [9] It means the human condition is both a concrete, individual experience but also an infinite possibility in unity with everything. On one hand, there is the individualised ego-consciousness with a distinct body, mind and soul. On the other hand, there is boundless potential in unity with the whole of creation. The idea of god as creator and (moral) consciousness is merely the externalization of our individualised power and responsibility as creator-consciousness. The realization of achintya-bheda-abheda-tattva is the birth of creator-consciousness within you, understanding yourself as transcendent consciousness and creator with limitless creativity.

Communicating about this reality with a dear friend of mine, we shared a vision of this paradox. The image is of a pulsating sun in an empty space surrounded by an invisible sphere. The sun represents the source of creation, the purest effigy of the creative agency. The sphere represents the most distant creation, the most dense vibrations of the material realm. The empty space in-between represents the many unseen layers of creation, the spiritual and astral realms. The sun is sending out myriad rays and flares against the sphere, simultaneously perceiving and creating throughout all the layers they pass through. Where several of these flares converge on the sphere, individuated consciousness and free will is born. The flares eternally continue their dance, as awareness is constantly being focused and shifted within the endless space of creation. Interestingly, this vision is quite similar to the Quabbalistic view on the genesis of the world. [10] Continually refining the understanding of this principle, it becomes possible to assume the same paradoxical state of simultaneous individuality and unity. Being the convergence point of individuated ego-consciousness as well as being both creator and all creation at the same time – or freely choosing between the different viewpoints.

The amount and profundity of philosophical conclusions which can be drawn from the achintya-bheda-abheda-tattva is quite astounding. It explains the recommendation of the oracle of delphi – know thyself. For you are one, yet everything – knowing yourself actually results in knowing the world which merely appears separated from your being. Furthermore, the saying that god sees everything can be logically explained – for god as consciousness is contained within the whole of creation, therefore experiencing and potentially recording everything which happens. The psychological idea that the people you spend the most time with are your most accurate reflections makes it easier to recognise yourself as always being intimately connected to your environment. It is said that god only helps those who help themselves. If you realise yourself as creator-consciousness, the connection to god as creator is being established, then the impossible can be achieved since you, as the universe, conspire in your favour. I believe this tattva also gives us reason to congratulate ourselves. The Christian church would have us think of ourselves as sinners for being expelled from garden Eden, having taken a bite from the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge. [11] I propose another view: We, as individuated consciousness, are actually among the most brave fractals of unity-consciousness since we chose to enter the material realm of polarity. Within this potentially most dense of all spheres of creation, pain and suffering exist – unthinkable, probably indeed non-existent within the higher-up realms where ideas and spirits reside. [12] After all, we probably came here to learn about Good and Evil, an opposition which couldn’t exist within perfect unity of oneness. We might just be the front-line gladiators, exploring the outskirts of creation, bravely facing our fears and eternally continuing the struggle. Once we adopt this view every difficult task becomes an inspiring challenge.

Lucid within the Dream

The first experience of heightened self-reflexivity I can remember was looking at my hands and wondering about the nature of my existence – whether my body is the source of my consciousness. While I didn’t deny or forget about these instances, I didn’t really know how to go from there so they faded in the background of my consciousness. Now, after having much more profound and intense experiences, it is still my daily task to remember them. Thinking and especially feeling into these moments enables me to re-cognise what I see as spiritual truths and to further build my understanding. It helps me to surround myself with reminders in order to recall the state of serenity, connection and wholeness as often as possible. These memory points can take the form of written notes, songs and art dealing with the theme, as well as meditation and daily rituals. Due to the very nature of creator-consciousness, it can only be definitely manifested if the awareness is directed on its realisation. One needs to focus on being creator-consciousness, indeed on being oneself. Repetition isn’t redundant and boring, but rather essential and exalting in approaching a more permanent state of creator-consciousness through time and space. The often incessant babbling of the intellect can make it more difficult for it always develops defined thought forms which distract from the void of all-oneness. However, the intellect also helps us to strengthen the bridge from the spiritual down to the material if we are patient in taming and directing it. I perceive that after each successive step of moving closer to this realisation, indeed like approaching infinity, and being able to hold it in my every-day waking state, the perfect pattern of creation revealing this very truth becomes more and more obvious. I believe that every single experience, no matter how disconnected and removed it may seem, holds within it the key to realize the all-oneness of the achintya-bheda-abheda-tattva. [13] It is as if there always is an invisible door floating in front of you – and opening it is just a single push of your directed consciousness away. The more you become aware of it – the more you see it reflected in both the inner and the outer world. It is everywhere, for it is everything – for you are everything! The process is just like continually reminding yourself that you are actually living a dream. The more lucid you become of your nature, the more you see the immense creative potential you have to change yourself in the world. The blade of your will becomes ever sharper and easily cuts through obstacles previously impregnable – and everything is possible. [14]

Piercing through the Veil – The Realization of Unity

The realisation of simultaneously being united and different from the whole of creation also has very practical consequences in showing clear guidelines for behaviour. It seems natural that the more powerful you become, the more responsibility you should bear. If you realise the other to be you – how would you treat him? According to achintya-bheda-abheda-tattva you are a distinctive being, yet one with everything – every tree, every animal, every human, every drop of water and even every plastic cup. From this viewpoint, the Golden Rule “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” becomes more than just an ethical aspiration. [15] If we are all one single being constantly re-imagining itself, how nonsensical would it be to inflict pain upon ourself? Whatever we reflect upon in the world within the illusion of separation is actually part of ourselves. The acts towards healing and unity are thus (self-)acknowledgement, (self-)acceptance, (self-)forgiveness, (self-)compassion – essentially unconditional (self-)love, for we are contained within the other. Only through re-thinking ourselves, re-cognising ourself, can we bring about a new state.

The realization of achintya-bheda-abheda-tattva means piercing through the veil of material existence into the deeper spiritual background to the source of creation itself in order to become consciously aware of the eternal link within ourselves. However, I believe it is usually a gradual process in which the perfect understanding of the tattva can be approximated. The material and the spiritual can be conceptualised as having a one-way mirror in-between them. The spiritual recognises the material, but the material always only sees itself. Personally, I have held a materialist’s holistic viewpoint before, which also acknowledges the interconnection of everything but remains ignorant of the spiritual realm. Continually building on my knowledge through research and deliberation has allowed me to permanently revise my own world-view, approaching this realization without really knowing that it existed. I was only introduced to it in an intellectually concise sense after having had several first-hand experiences of its various aspects as mentioned above. I am certain that anyone truly willing to attain a higher understanding of himself in this world can realize even the greatest spiritual truths. At least one can continue to approximate his conception, which is what I strive to do – for this process may also very well not be finished within one lifetime.

The First Frame – A New Reference

The importance of the primal assumption of your nature cannot be underestimated. Every perception, every experience, every action flows from this understanding. You can see all possibilities of your life as a picture with all experiences being drawn within its frame. The primal assumption is this first frame, so it should be most wisely chosen and always be reflected upon. Indeed, it is necessary to step out of the frame you call your life in order to explicitly see and change this frame. From my perspective, the materialist frame is quite small and bleak. A self-understanding as creator-consciousness through the achintya-bheda-abheda-tattva represents a much larger frame, encompassing and embellishing the materialist’s view, while greatly extending the vista of the possible experiences and the confidence to be able to fulfil one’s innermost desires. We know about the requirement to see the big picture in order to create a vision of the world we want to live in. A truly great picture needs the appropriate frame to go by!

I contend that the seeming absurdity of existence within the modern world provides the imperative of critically reflecting upon one’s own nature. Existential questions must be answered – at the very least in parallel to the busy every-day life. The denial of the spiritual dimension comes with the loss of the internal moral compass. Where are we going if we don’t even know what direction we’re headed? If we don’t know the point of it all – how can we act properly? What we re-cognise ourselves to be determines the options we can choose from. Asking about the nature of our being is thus the most important, essential act. The answer might be absolute, for everything else flows from it. As it provides the most, potentially all options, I see the realisation of creator-consciousness to be the vantage point from which human experience should be seen and further research be conducted.

Within and Without – Practicalities

The more I understand the achntya-bheda-abheda-tattva – the inconceivable, simultaneous oneness and distinctiveness of creator and creation – the more opportunities I find for applying this very understanding. Appreciating another person, I wonder what aspect he represents which I like or find lacking in myself as individuated consciousness. In conflicts with the world, I wonder what I am opposing or disliking within myself. As the tattva is realised, peace and tranquillity is restored both within and without. There is no point in fighting with yourself. As the correspondence is found within, I also find a gradual cessation of material desire – which can eventually result in a dramatic shift of priorities in society as well. Instead of a life of suffering caused by wilful distraction from oneself in material illusion: A life of boundless creativity in exalted consciousness. Even if me and all those before who have reported similar experiences and espoused variations of this theory are wrong: Approximating such a condition can only bring about a more enjoyable life. Free will, as you will to believe in it, ensures that everyone can live in their very own constructions of what they regard as true. [16] I will to experience the nature of the absolute reality, the light which shines independently for itself. Awakening to creator-consciousness might just be both the first and last step on this timeless journey. In the words of Kula Shaker: „If this was never ending – what more can you say?“ [17]

Notes

I transformed this process into a musical blend: Waking Up to My Mental-Prison Break.

[1] I was positively surprised by Japanese hospitality and its effects on gastronomical culture. A warm, damp towel is served before ordering food. A type of green tea is often free of charge – a welcome change from common gastronomical practice in Europe.

[2] Graham Hancock talks explains in this War on Consciousness TEDxWhitechapel talk how modern society has a strong bias towards the high-alter, active state of consciousness. This goes at the expense of the relaxed, creative state of mind. This favours a “work hard, play hard” type of mentality rather than encouraging deeply reflective practice and free thinking. The officially condoned substances nicotine and alcohol further the “working bee” mentality. Interestingly, it seems there is conflict over whether this controversial talk will be censored by TED – further proving the point. The written version of his argument is available on his website.

[3] It appears there are many cases of feral children in both mythology and reality.

[4] The German researcher Hans-Joachim Zillmer deals with the issues of evolutionary theory on his website. The philosopher Armin Risi proposes his theory of involution, whereas biological evolution occurred as the result of transformations in consciousness.]

[5] Benjamin Libet’s Conscious Mental Field theory shows the practical impossibility of logically and consistently explaining consciousness through matter alone.

[6] I heard of this analogy from an interview with biochemist Rupert Sheldrake.

[7] I introduce this topic in my essay A Conscious Decision. For those who understand German I can highly recommend this intruiging interview with Roman Christian Hafner on Schöpfung und Schöpfer whose appearance interestingly co-incided with the creation of this text.

[8] I explain this process in the last section of my essay on The Hierarchical Principle.

[9] I read of achintya-bheda-abheda-tattva in Armin Risi’s book “Licht wirft keinen Schatten”. He explains the multi-dimensional nature of man in this presentation held in German. In the Krishna’s story, Yashoda finds that the entire universe is contained within him as he opens his mouth.

[10] The occultist Manly Palmer Hall gives a concise account on the Fundamentals of Quabbalistic Cosmogeny in his magnum opus The Secret Teachings of All Ages which luckily is available online in its entirety.

[11] This issue is also dealt with by Hall in the chapter Quabbalistic Keys to the Creation of Man: “Through ignorance man falls; through wisdom he redeems himself. […] He who is aware, IS! Behold!” Those who realize themselves to be creator-consciousness are ready to truly be conscious and create their world to their liking.

[12] There is the theory that free will actually only exists within the lowest spheres of creation. Beings of higher spheres such as cherubim and seraphim are supposed to always act in perfect unison with the will of the creator.

[13] This observation is made in Aldous Huxley’s first hand account The Doors of Perception: “The whole is disorganized. But each individual fragment is in order, is a representative of a Higher Order. The Highest Order prevails even in the disintegration. The totality is present even in the broken pieces. More clearly present, perhaps, than in a completely coherent work.”

[14] Richard Holton likens the development of willpower to the training of a muscle in his paper: How Is Stength of Will Possible?

[15] The golden rule can be found in many variations across cultures and religions.

[16] As put by cybernetician Vickers: „This world of represented context is effectively the world in which we live. It is our supreme mental achievement.“

[17] It is surprising how much art actually concerns itself with spiritual realities including the achintya-bheda-abheda-tattva. The truth shall be revealed to those who have eyes to see. Kula Shaker doesn’t leave much room for interpretation in Tattva: „At the moment that you wake from sleeping – and you know it’s all a dream!“

Frame Image by Marian Trinidad.

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