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FIELDS OF CONSCIOUSNESS

Much of the content that follows cannot be substantiated by current physics or validated through mathematics. It is, instead, an attempt to impose structure upon the experiences I've amassed through a lifetime of meditation. This is not an academic exercise, not a scholastic debate akin to pondering the number of angels that can dance on the head of a pin. My aim is to give form to those subtle, subjective experiences that tend to dissipate under the rigid lens of scientific scrutiny, the kind that cannot be pinned down in a laboratory setting. I am not alone in these experiences; there are likely others who will find a familiar echo in these words.

Quantum physics is often appropriated in overly simplistic terms by new age spiritualists, inviting derision from scientists with a positivist bent. Yet, every technological breakthrough from the dawn of civilization has served as a means for us to articulate and expand our understanding of the world. Inventions are not just practical tools but also additions to our conceptual lexicon. The creation of throwable weapons, 'projectiles,' gave rise to the notion of 'projects'—endeavors of the imagination.

Thus, Meditaton.dk's allusions to quantum physics and mathematics are intended purely as metaphorical projectiles. In this vein, I invoke Einstein's sentiment:

"Imagination is more important than knowledge.
For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand."

Allow me therefore to reiterate a crucial point for both my own reflection and the reader's consideration: the thoughts expressed herein stem solely from my intuition and imagination. So, let us set sail on an odyssey of imagination to probe the essence, not of consciousness as 'ding an sich', but of footprints in the snow left by the unseen guest.


THE INTENSITY, QUALITY AND RADIUS OF CONSCIOUSNESS
At the heart of it, a human individual radiates within a communal consciousness woven by the union of countless cells within our bodies and brains. This cellular confederation orchestrates a more focused manifestation of consciousness.

The Thousand Petalled Lotus in the Human Brain
As discussed in detail in the chapter The Ouroboros Consciousness, our brain and body together function as a lens, concentrating the diffuse, eternal, omnipresent consciousness that pervades all. Within this vast Brahmanic field, human consciousness folds back upon itself in feedback loops, transforming the minuscule human awareness into a self-recognizing entity that sparkles like a celestial body in the firmament of dormant consciousness. This diminutive yet more luminous beacon is what Eastern spiritual practices have named the Thousand Petalled Lotus. A similar enfolding of consciousness may also transpire in higher primates and could soon be conceivably present in sophisticated AI systems.

The more complex and capable of feedback a system is, the more consciousness it can extract from the omnipresent primordial pan-consciousness that seems to accompany all wavefunctions that have collapsed in matter. In this context, human consciousness acts as an observer in a universe that is already observed by an incredibly powerful entity, capable of maintaining a state of primordial pan-consciousness. This pan-consciousness is subtle and pervasive but lacks self-awareness. In contrast, human consciousness is potent but localized, with the potential for exponential self-awareness through feedback loops.
 
The human brain-body system, with its intricate complexity and exceptional feedback capabilities, can harness and concentrate primordial consciousness into a light much more intense than the faint illumination of divine omnipresence. In this sense, god is unconscious consciousness, and man is 'his' possibility to wake up.
 
This fundamental aspect of divinity is mostly overlooked by atheists. However, Occam's razor suggests the simplest explanation for the phenomenon of humanity's obsession with various gods throughout history. Instead of the atheistic or traditional religious viewpoints, consider the idea that the concept of god is an imaginative and delicate mirror in which humans project their highest potential for self-awareness. In this perspective, god is an accelerating force of consciousness, created by human brains.
 
As a child, I believed in Santa Claus. Today, I consider myself a child of conscious consciousness. Meister Eckhart asserts that what holds true for Jesus Christ also applies to every good and noble person. Only a noble person can peer through the mirror of mirrors. However, such a statement was considered heretical, leading to his 'cancellation' by the Inquisition.  Thank god that consciousness today not (yet) is a trigger word.

The Intensity and Radius of Consciousness
Various elements, including age, health, intelligence, and cultural background, can significantly influence the intensity of our wakeful consciousness. In observing both myself and others, it's evident that consciousness levels fluctuate. At times, we exhibit heightened consciousness, while at others, we are less aware. The spectrum of consciousness among individuals is also diverse, ranging from those with intense but narrowly focused consciousness, limited to the confines of their physical being, to those possessing a broad consciousness capable of empathizing with others' pain, even across different cultural or tribal divides. However, this broader consciousness does not necessarily facilitate change if it lacks intensity.
 
SPIRALING RINGS OF 'ME' & 'MINE'
The metaphor of the "Rings of Me and Mine" captures the concentric nature of human consciousness, with each successive ring representing an expanded state of awareness and inclusivity. Within each circle lies what we intimately identify as 'me and mine,' which we tend to with meticulous care. Conversely, what falls outside our designated ring is deemed 'not me and mine,' placing it beyond our sphere of responsibility and consciousness.

While numerous additional rings could be conceived based on various criteria, the key insight remains that the extent of our consciousness is determined by the boundaries we set around what we claim as ours. We often neglect the consciousness that resides in 'the other,' failing to acknowledge it until there is an overlap of our realms of responsibility. Consequently, our awareness and knowledge of 'the other' remain minimal unless they pose a potential threat to our 'me and mine,' or we perceive an opportunity to acquire something from them to call our own. In this view, living systems have been expropriating energy — calories — from one another since life's inception.
 
Yet, through a 'Promethean' lens of inherent optimism, I perceive us as conduits for burgeoning consciousness, on an anti-enthropian path from fragmentation towards unity, from rejection to the rejection of rejections. Meister Eckhart encapsulates this when he says:

"All creatures contain one reflection: one, that is the denial of its being the other; the highest of the angels denies he is the lowest.
God is the denial of denials."
Meister Eckhart

Individual Body Consciousness

At the core of our consciousness lies the primary physical consciousness, a realm where awareness is intimately entwined with the physical self. This foundational level of consciousness is deeply rooted in self-preservation and the desire for well-being. In this primal sphere, consciousness is anchored in the "I-am-ness" of the body.  This intimate association with the body shapes our earliest understanding of who we are. It is vividly manifested in the way we refer to our physical aspects – our arms, legs, and the entire body – using possessive terms like 'my'. In defining the borders of consciousnness though the word 'me' and 'mine' our attention span rapidly decreases as soon as something is identified as not 'mine'. This linguistic choice underscores a profound sense of personal ownership and consciousness primal connection to our physical form.
 
Seen in this light the body is not just a physical structure but a vessel of identity and existence defined by the circle of our conscious attention span.
 
Immediate Family and Environment Consciousness

In the next concentric circle of consciousness, our sense of 'me and mine' extends to encompass our immediate surroundings. Predominantly, this includes the people closest to us – our family and friends. In this sphere of consciousness, personal emotional responses are more pronounced; we may find ourselves deeply affected by the loss or suffering of a family member or a close friend, while the troubles of distant others or widespread human tragedies might not impact us as strongly.

This level also extends to personal belongings and spaces, evidenced by phrases like 'my phone', 'my car', 'my home', and 'all my belongings'. These possessions and spaces are seen as prosthetic¨extensions of ourselves, often holding significant emotional or practical value. For instance, one might invest considerable effort in making a representable home or managing a business, viewing these endeavors as reflections of their personal identity. At this stage, the citywall of consciousness is built with the notion of not-me and not-mine, marking a clear demarcation between what is intimately connected to the self and what lies beyond that personal sphere of ownership.

Enhanced Tribal, Community, and National Consciousness


This exploration delves into the third concentric circle of awareness, which spans a collective dimension often recognized as tribal or community awareness. This layer embodies an augmented sense of self that encompasses broader groups beyond just our immediate relatives and acquaintances. In this sphere, a person deeply involved in an organization, such as a mafia member, may possess intense and honorable sentiments towards their group, yet paradoxically, exhibit no guilt in harming the children of adversaries. This duality is embedded in our ancient genetic makeup, equipping us to become warriors in times of conflict, capable of confronting others who, under different conditions, might be considered comrades.

This realm of tribal awareness gradually evolves into the concept of national consciousness. Here, the connection to one's nation can intensify to the extent that, in dire situations, individuals might willingly sacrifice their lives for their country.

SHARED FIELDS OF CONSCIOUSNESS
Let us now zoom out and observe the human capacity in nurturing extensive pools of collective awareness from a higher level of abstraction. From friendships to families, clans, tribes, and nations, the sphere of concentrated human consciousness expands, encompassing broader circles of internal empathy.
 
It's crucial to acknowledge that these expanded realms of awareness, by their very nature, are linear and consequently manifest a persistent barrier of denial and polarization, now manifesting in broader circles of 'us versus them'.
 
This inherent tendency is likely a result of genetic predispositions, with our social bonding mechanisms remaining essentially unchanged since our days on the East African savannas. Our brains, still attuned to Stone Age life, are designed for survival within the realms of individuals, families, friends, and tribes.
 
Compassion extended no further until the advent of language. As noted by historian Yuval Noah Harari, humans are inherently storytellers. Language facilitated the formation of connections extending beyond small tribal groups, primarily with those sharing a common language and stories. As history progressed, warfare and commerce became pivotal in spreading languages and narratives. This expansion of tribalism has evolved to encompass not only traditional societal structures but also vast multinational corporations and international organizations such as CERN and the United Nations. These entities represent a modern iteration of 'systemified' tribalism on a global scale, driven by shared goals, languages, and collective narratives.

Quantitative Expansion and Quality in Collective Consciousness
These communal fields of consciousness, although expansive in their reach and intensity, typically do not reflect an increase in quality. Often, especially in rapidly expanding fields, there is a noticeable decline in the quality of self-aware consciousness. This is akin to Spotify's algorithms for pop music, which tend to gravitate towards the lowest common denominator in their inherent drive for growth.

From sporting events to any systemic organization of human social interaction, these fields are nurtured by competition, existing within a dualistic dimension. They require adversaries, engaging in zero-sum games to siphon energy from their counterparts. However, cooperation is also possible between such spheres, akin to human organs working together to keep their human together.

Meditation.dk's idea of a collective, shared field of consciousness shares similarities with Yuval Noah Harari's concept of intersubjective reality but is not entirely the same. While Harari's intersubjective reality is grounded in language and storytelling, the collective field of consciousness examines phenomena as they occur within consciousness as the foundational base.

From this primordial grounded vantage point, collective fields also emerge from various non-cognitive and non-verbal social dynamics.

Constructing a Group's Intersubjective Reality of Consciousness
Creating an intersubjective reality of consciousness within a group primarily occurs on two observeable levels:

1) Near-Sense Based collectivity
On one level, intersubjective connectivity originates from pre-linguistic, physical proximity among individuals cohabiting in close quarters. This primal tribal interaction leads to synchronicity, even on subtle levels, as group members engage in daily activities together. They physically inhabit the same space, often emulating each other's mannerisms, fashion, and more. They even share microbiomes, creating a communal field from scent to sight. This intense synchronization fosters a strong resonance within a smaller group, not reliant on language for cohesion.
 
Recent research has revealed that attendees of a classical concert can experience synchronized heartbeats, breathing, seating, and even skin conductivity. Rockconcerts and technoraves for sure will follow the same patterns of synchronization.
 
2) Storytelling and Intersubjective Realities in Groups
The power of narrative-driven fields of consciousness intensifies as we extend our reach from personal networks into the expanse of larger tribal affiliations. These expanded arenas are primarily propelled by the sharing of stories articulated in a common tongue. Our communal lore not only cements our unity, from the camaraderie of sports teams to the collective identity of nations but also enhances our prospects for thriving.

The most compelling of these fields synergize these two facets of intersubjective connectivity: the esoteric potency of symbols and rites, alongside the orchestrated prelinguistic collective actions, such as those seen in military parades, big sport events, and rockconcerts.

The Emergence of Digital Tribes in Contemporary Times
In the current digital epoch, the essence of tribal consciousness has evolved dramatically. The ascent of social media and the proliferation of online communities have catalyzed the emergence of modern digital tribes. These cyber collectives amalgamate individuals from diverse geographies, linked by mutual passions, convictions, fears or endeavors. The digital transformation of tribal consciousness is manifest across an array of virtual arenas, from discussion forums and social networking circles to specialized online networks. These domains function as nexuses for dialogue, support, and the nurturing of shared identities. Encompassing an array of interests, such digital tribes range from eco-activism and anti-vax movements to professional affiliations and politically or spiritually unified factions, effectively challenging the historical hegemony of institutional governance.

The onset of social media has triggered a reemergence of more intimate, tribal-like segments within the digital landscape. Mobile devices, particularly smartphones, create an illusory veneer of tight-knit proximity, echoing the tribal bonds of our prehistoric ancestors. Instances abound, from young people influenced by online radical propaganda, showcasing how social media can disrupt the move towards a more integrated global consciousness by fostering virtual microcosms of tribal mentality.
 
Nonetheless, it's essential to acknowledge that, presently, these intimate online communities paradoxically are devoid of the element of physical proximity ad synchronicity afforded by direct sensory engagement—a gap that the advent of virtual reality technology may bridge in the near future.

The Role of Consciousness in Non-Verbal and Non-Physical Synchronization
It's important to delve into an aspect that remains largely unexplored by science and documentation: the ability to synchronize within a shared field of consciousness without relying on language or the exchange of micro-signals, even at the most subtle levels.

To the best of my understanding, Carl Gustav Jung is one of the few who has addressed this kind of synchronization:

There are psychic parallelisms which simply
cannot be related to each other causally.
C.G.Jung

As I intuite it, individuals deeply connected through strong fields of consciousness and love appear to possess an extraordinary form of intuitive knowledge about each other. This includes an innate understanding of each other's locations, emotions, and thoughts even when separated by great distances.

This phenomenon of precise synchronization becomes particularly pronounced during collective meditative practices. In such instances, the synchronization can verge on the paranormal. My years living in India exposed me to numerous accounts of such intuitive connections, shared with and by spiritually advanced individuals.

Furthermore, a personal experience I had recently with a friend, just a day before composing this text, profoundly exemplified this phenomenon. I am quite confident, that the readers who have followed me this far, would have many similar stories to narrate.

From this paranormal vantage point it is now time to dive into the biggest mystery of all in the workings of consciousness.
 
COSMIC UNITY CONSCIOUSNESS AND THE EVERSION OF THE SOUL

Cosmic unity consciousnness presents a completely new transformative approach. Through the cultivation of consciousness in its essential form, it transcends biologically inherited tribal divisions. Seen through a historical lens, cosmic unity consciousness first happened on the Gangetic Plains and then later along the silk roads more than 2.000 years ago.
 
In Emptiness I am everybody

 "Wisdom tells me I am nothing, love tells me I am everything.
Between the two, my life flows"
Nisargadatta Maharaj

There are many ways of understanding non-duality. In this context, by non-duality, I am referring to a state where Buddhist 'shunyata', or emptiness, encompasses everything, particularly recognizing all living beings as part of a unified whole. Here non-duality takes us from the understanding of that there is no 'other', to the understanding that I am everybody else.
 
In this qualitative different mode of consciousness the extended compassion of 'metta' (loving-kindness) embraces everyone, regardless of caste, creed, or culture, in a spirit of universal oneness.

Your deepest roots are in nature.
No matter what you are, where you live,
or what kind of life you lead,
you remain irrevocably linked
with the rest of creation.
Charles Cook

The Self-referential Ouroboros Consciousness
I characterize cosmic unity consciousness as a field that is both intense, expansive, and qualitative intelligent. The emergence of the non-dual cosmic consciousness begins when consciousness starts to reflect back upon itself, a concept explored in the chapter on 'Ouroboros Consciousness.' This self-reflection in feed-back, even in its nascent stages towards a more unified state, profoundly impacts both the depth and breadth of the conscious field. I would dare to go so far to postulate that a consciousness who has not as a minimum entered the ouverture of the Ouroboros symphony cannot transcend the brain-harware set limitations of tribal duality. It is the destiny of Ourorobos consciousness to colonize the universe.

It is now time to delve deeper into the workings of this wonderful phenomenon.

The Speheric Eversion of the Soul


Meister Eckhart once stated:

The body is much rather in the soul than the soul is in the body.

The Meister's profound statement, invites contemplation on the expansive nature of consciousness. This transcendental insight is akin to a metaphysical 'sphere eversion,' a term borrowed from mathematics to describe the turning of a sphere inside out without creasing or tearing it.

Consider the phrase "he was beside himself with happiness." This expression vividly illustrates a condition in which an individual's joy is so intense that it transcends their usual self-constraints. In the context of 'sphere eversion,' this analogy becomes even more poignant. The individual's elation metaphorically everts, turning inward delight outward in an unbroken continuum, much as the sphere's inner surface emerges as its exterior.

Hegel posits in his dialectical theories that a quantitative alteration, given enough time and intensity, inevitably leads to a qualitative transformation. This idea can be applied to the concept of introversion and self-awareness. Specifically, it suggests that a significant increase in the intensity of self-reflection and introspection can catalyze a qualitative shift in consciousness. This shift can be likened to a 'sphere eversion' in awareness, where the inward focus eventually turns outward, radically altering the nature and scope of one's consciousness. This transformation marks a pivotal change in how an individual perceives and interacts with their internal and external realities.

In states of deep intense meditation, the boundaries that typically delineate the self from the external milieu begin to dissolve. Our innermost consciousness, which is generally perceived as residing within, suddenly projects outward, surpassing the physical limitations, thereby inverting our very essence. In this expanded state, the 'self' is not confined to the body but extends into the surroundings, dissolving the separation between 'me' and 'not me.'

This dramatic perceptual shift happens as a consequence of the ouroboric feedback in consciousness. In the self-referential loop the internal becomes external and the external becomes internal. As with the sphere's eversion, the meditator's internal consciousness now unfurls, first intermingling with the environment and then the cosmos.
 
This unity obliterates the binary of 'self' and 'other,' broadening one's identity to embrace the entire universe. Such a transcendent state melds individual awareness with a ubiquitous pan-consciousness, the collective sentience that pervades all existence.

The Difference Between Dissociation and Spheric Eversion
It's essential to clarify that this condition might be experienced by some as a form of dissociation, leading to a sensation of becoming an outsider, a stranger, to one's own physical form. However, this dissociative state is distinct from a true spheric eversion as it remains firmly within the dichotomous realm of dual perception. From my perspective, dissociation arises when individuals engage in excessive meditation without concurrently addressing and resolving the traumas that lead to a fragmented psyche reflected in a fragmented brain. This results in a form of consciousness expansion that lacks a foundation in the physical, sensed awareness. Neurologically, it can be viewed as a sudden growth in areas of the brain associated with the development of consciousness, which occurs without the necessary integration with other regions tied to emotion-driven awareness.
 
Meditation does in general not align well with the pervasive American ethos of 'You can do it!', which emphasizes relentless optimization and competition. This restless approach, which mirrors a society driven by an inherent need for continual expansion, is not conducive to the holistic integration required for a true spheric eversion.
 
Eversive Love


An experience of a true spheric eversive consciousness can be identified by one thing only: It is a state of love, a reality where everything is glued together by love. A genuine spheric eversion leads to a unified state of universal being. It is cultivated through a lifetime of dedication and patience. The Indians calls this state sat chit ananda, akin to truth, being and bliss.

I call it glue. The glue of love.

The higher I fall in this love, the deeper I fly.