Difference between revisions of "Cosmic Consciousness"
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'''Cosmic consciousness''' is the [[idea]] that [[the universe]] exists as an interconnected network of [[consciousness]], with each conscious [[being]] linked to every other. Sometimes this is conceived as forming a [[collective consciousness]] which spans the [[cosmos]], othertimes it is conceived of as an [[Absolute]] or [[Godhead]] from which all conscious beings [[emanate]]. | '''Cosmic consciousness''' is the [[idea]] that [[the universe]] exists as an interconnected network of [[consciousness]], with each conscious [[being]] linked to every other. Sometimes this is conceived as forming a [[collective consciousness]] which spans the [[cosmos]], othertimes it is conceived of as an [[Absolute]] or [[Godhead]] from which all conscious beings [[emanate]]. | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
| − | Throughout history, there have been many renditions of [[universal unity]], [[connectivity]], and the spectrum of considered possibility of [[mankind]]. The idea bears similarity to the ancient Buddhist concept of [ | + | Throughout history, there have been many renditions of [[universal unity]], [[connectivity]], and the spectrum of considered possibility of [[mankind]]. The idea bears similarity to the ancient Buddhist concept of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indra%27s_net Indra's net], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teilhard_de_Chardin Teilhard de Chardin]'s conception of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noosphere noosphere], Hegel's [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absolute_idealism Absolute idealism], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satori Satori] in Zen, and to some traditional [[pantheist]] beliefs. |
| − | Many of those who have used [[psychedelics]] such as [ | + | Many of those who have used [[psychedelics]] such as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LSD LSD] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psilocybin Psilocybin] mushrooms have asserted that they have had direct [[experience]] of the cosmic consciousness. In the 19th century, Canadian psychiatrist [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_M._Bucke Richard M. Bucke] developed a [[theory]] which claimed that ''cosmic consciousness'' lies in a mystic state above and beyond [[self-consciousness]], the natural state of man's consciousness, just like animal consciousness lies below. |
Bucke's work entitled ''Cosmic Consciousness: A Study in the Evolution of the Human Mind'' is the title of his 1901 book. In it, Bucke developed a [[theory]] involving three [[stages]] in the development of [[consciousness]]: the simple consciousness of [[animals]]; the [[self-consciousness]] of the mass of [[humanity]] (encompassing [[reason]], [[imagination]], etc.); and ''cosmic consciousness'' — an emerging faculty and the next stage of human [[development]]. | Bucke's work entitled ''Cosmic Consciousness: A Study in the Evolution of the Human Mind'' is the title of his 1901 book. In it, Bucke developed a [[theory]] involving three [[stages]] in the development of [[consciousness]]: the simple consciousness of [[animals]]; the [[self-consciousness]] of the mass of [[humanity]] (encompassing [[reason]], [[imagination]], etc.); and ''cosmic consciousness'' — an emerging faculty and the next stage of human [[development]]. | ||
| − | Alexander Zelitchenko in his "Svet Zhizni" (Light of Life, History of Humankind in Psychosphere of Earth) continues this line, joined the directions of thought of [ | + | Alexander Zelitchenko in his "Svet Zhizni" (Light of Life, History of Humankind in Psychosphere of Earth) continues this line, joined the directions of thought of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oswald_Spengler Oswald Spengler], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lev_Vygotsky Lev Vygotsky], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lev_Gumilev Lev Gumilev], and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Jung Carl Jung] tracing the [[transformations]] of human consciousness in [[course]] of [[history]]. |
| − | According to [ | + | According to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P._D._Ouspensky P. D. Ouspensky], as man evolves into higher states of [[consciousness]], e. g. ''cosmic consciousness'', he needs the tools of a higher form of [[logic]], Ouspensky calls ''Tertium organum'' given to the title of his 1912 book. Bucke’s conclusion was that these individuals were "[[gifted]]" in the direction of cosmic consciousness and then developed this consciousness through self-[[discipline]]. |
| − | Some [[modern]] [[psychologists]] and [[theologians]] make specific reference to Bucke’s work. They include Carl Jung, [ | + | Some [[modern]] [[psychologists]] and [[theologians]] make specific reference to Bucke’s work. They include Carl Jung, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erich_Fromm Erich Fromm], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_de_Ropp Robert de Ropp], and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham_Maslow Abraham Maslow]. Others who have used the concept of cosmic consciousness, as introduced by Bucke in 1901, include [[Albert Einstein]], Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Watts Alan Watts].[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosmic_consciousness] |
| + | ==See also== | ||
| + | *'''''[[Cosmic Citizenship]]''''' | ||
[[Category: Psychology]] | [[Category: Psychology]] | ||
[[Category: Religion]] | [[Category: Religion]] | ||
Latest revision as of 23:41, 12 December 2020
Cosmic consciousness is the idea that the universe exists as an interconnected network of consciousness, with each conscious being linked to every other. Sometimes this is conceived as forming a collective consciousness which spans the cosmos, othertimes it is conceived of as an Absolute or Godhead from which all conscious beings emanate.
History
Throughout history, there have been many renditions of universal unity, connectivity, and the spectrum of considered possibility of mankind. The idea bears similarity to the ancient Buddhist concept of Indra's net, Teilhard de Chardin's conception of the noosphere, Hegel's Absolute idealism, Satori in Zen, and to some traditional pantheist beliefs.
Many of those who have used psychedelics such as LSD and Psilocybin mushrooms have asserted that they have had direct experience of the cosmic consciousness. In the 19th century, Canadian psychiatrist Richard M. Bucke developed a theory which claimed that cosmic consciousness lies in a mystic state above and beyond self-consciousness, the natural state of man's consciousness, just like animal consciousness lies below.
Bucke's work entitled Cosmic Consciousness: A Study in the Evolution of the Human Mind is the title of his 1901 book. In it, Bucke developed a theory involving three stages in the development of consciousness: the simple consciousness of animals; the self-consciousness of the mass of humanity (encompassing reason, imagination, etc.); and cosmic consciousness — an emerging faculty and the next stage of human development.
Alexander Zelitchenko in his "Svet Zhizni" (Light of Life, History of Humankind in Psychosphere of Earth) continues this line, joined the directions of thought of Oswald Spengler, Lev Vygotsky, Lev Gumilev, and Carl Jung tracing the transformations of human consciousness in course of history.
According to P. D. Ouspensky, as man evolves into higher states of consciousness, e. g. cosmic consciousness, he needs the tools of a higher form of logic, Ouspensky calls Tertium organum given to the title of his 1912 book. Bucke’s conclusion was that these individuals were "gifted" in the direction of cosmic consciousness and then developed this consciousness through self-discipline.
Some modern psychologists and theologians make specific reference to Bucke’s work. They include Carl Jung, Erich Fromm, Robert de Ropp, and Abraham Maslow. Others who have used the concept of cosmic consciousness, as introduced by Bucke in 1901, include Albert Einstein, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, and Alan Watts.[1]
