Conscious Electrons? The Problem with Panpsychism

I feel increasingly concerned about what I believe to be a mounting and extremely dangerous cultural threat looming on the horizon: panpsychism, the notion that all matter has consciousness, as opposed to being in consciousness.

At a historical nexus when new data and more critical thinking are finally rendering materialism logically and empirically inviable, panpsychism comes in as a tortuous but seductive bandaid.

It threatens to extend the delusion of a universe outside consciousness for yet another century. In this essay, I’d like to try and raise the alarm about it.

Before we begin, let’s clarify what I mean by panpsychism. As discussed in the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, the term ‘panpsychism’ has so many possible interpretations as to render it at best ambiguous and at worst useless. So more must be said. What I specifically mean here are two particular interpretations of the term that I believe are gaining momentum in both academia and the culture at large...<<<Read More>>>...

 

What Is Karma and Is Your Destiny Sealed?

 So, what is karma?

Karma essentially means that this happened because that happened. In other words, karma is the law of cause and effect. Karma can also be neatly defined through Newton’s third law:

“Every action has an equal or opposite reaction.”

And the Butterfly Effect also supports the idea of Karma; that every single occurrence in life has a ripple effect through time, no matter how small. 

Therefore, according to the law of karma, every thought, feeling, desire, choice, action and reaction that we have has some kind of impact on our future.

Quite literally, our thoughts shape our reality. That means that the place you find yourself in now is directly the result of your past thoughts, feelings and decisions — or karma....<<<Read More>>>...

Valknut

The Valknut (pronounced: val-knoot) is a symbol in Nordic mythology depicting three interlocked triangles. The name ‘Valknut’ is a modern word, meaning ‘slain warrior knot’, and was created recently in the Norwegian language. 

The Valknut symbol itself, however, dates back to ancient times and relates to the cult of the dead. An example of the Valknut symbol was found in the 7th century in Gotland, Sweden on the Tängelgårda stone. 

The three triangles of the Valknut were seen most often on gravestones and runestones, usually alongside the figure of Odin, or the animals which represented him, the horse or wolf.

A number of possible explanations of the origins of the Valknut have been suggested by historians. The Valknut symbol was believed to be linked to Odin, a revered and powerful god in Nordic mythology. Odin’s name translates as “Master of Ecstasy”. He was a powerful magician associated with wisdom, war, poetry, shamanism, magic, and the dead. He had the ability to use magic to bind and unbind things, and thereby control people’s minds. The Valknut is said to be a symbol of that binding and unbinding magic....<<<Read More>>>...

The Art of Self-Abidance: Finding Your True Self

 The true self is the essence of who we are beyond the constructs of ego, identity, and external roles. It represents a state of pure consciousness and unconditioned awareness that exists beyond the fluctuations of the mind and the impermanence of emotions.

Unlike the transient self shaped by experiences, relationships, and societal expectations, the true self is constant and ever-present, embodying the fundamental reality of our being.

In Hindu philosophy, the concept of “You are That” (Tat Tvam Asi) profoundly encapsulates this understanding. This phrase, found in the Upanishads, asserts that the true self is not separate from the ultimate reality or divine consciousness. It reveals that we are fundamentally one with the universal essence, symbolizing that what we seek externally is already within us. Recognizing and connecting with the true self allows us to experience profound inner peace, clarity, and a deep sense of interconnectedness with all of existence, affirming that our essence is indeed the same as the ultimate reality....<<<Read More>>>....

What Is Spirituality

 You’ll be interested to learn about the fascinating history of spirituality. The concept of spirituality has been present in human civilizations since ancient times, evolving and adapting to the needs and beliefs of different cultures.

In ancient civilizations, spirituality played a significant role in people’s lives, offering a sense of connection to something greater than themselves.

Spirituality in ancient civilizations was deeply intertwined with their religious practices. People believed in the existence of gods and goddesses, and they sought to establish a connection with these divine beings through various rituals and ceremonies. These practices included offerings, prayers, and sacrifices, all aimed at appeasing the gods and receiving their blessings.

As time passed, spirituality evolved alongside human consciousness. People started questioning the traditional religious practices and began exploring new ways of connecting with the divine. This led to the emergence of philosophical and mystical traditions, such as Buddhism, Hinduism, and Taoism, which emphasized personal enlightenment and inner transformation.

Throughout history, spirituality has continued to evolve, adapting to the changing beliefs and values of different cultures. Today, spirituality is no longer confined to religious institutions but has become a deeply personal and individual experience. People seek spirituality as a means of finding inner peace, purpose, and connection in a fast-paced and materialistic world.

The history of spirituality is a testament to the enduring human need for transcendence and meaning. It serves as a reminder that, regardless of the form it takes, spirituality has always been an integral part of the human experience, guiding us on a journey of self-discovery and transformation...<<<Read More>>>...

Unveiling The Mysteries: The Power Of Spiritual Portals

Spiritual portals are like doorways that connect us to the unseen dimensions and realms beyond our physical reality. They serve as gateways for communication, transformation, and spiritual growth.

Natural portals, often found in geological sites or sacred locations, harness powerful energies that can be felt and experienced. These portals are a result of the Earth’s natural energy grid and hold a unique vibration.

Human-created portals, on the other hand, are opened by individuals or practitioners through various rituals, meditation, or intention. These portals hold immense power and can be tailored to specific purposes. They can be used for healing, manifestation, or connecting with spiritual guides.

Dimensional portals, the most mysterious of all, offer connections to realms beyond our perception. They require careful tuning and guidance before venturing into their depths. These portals can provide access to higher dimensions, alternate realities, or even communication with beings from other realms.

The possibilities within these portals are endless, but precautions must be taken to ensure safety and respect for the unknown. It is important to approach them with reverence, clear intentions, and a strong grounding practice. By exploring spiritual portals, we can expand our consciousness, deepen our spiritual connection, and unlock hidden wisdom...<<<Read More>>>...

What is chaos magic?

 Chaos magic, a radical and near impossible practice to completely define, has started to gain more traction amongst modern-day magicians and occultists. Emerging in the UK in the 1970s alongside the punk movement, chaos magic took a radical approach to the occult, reimagining typical magical doctrine and practice. Unlike other occult orders, chaos magicians weren’t concerned with ornate robes or hierarchical structure, but with magic and ritual in its purest form. 

Chaos magic believes the cosmos is in constant flux. Any order of reality – cognitive, perceptual, epistemological or moral – is subject to chaos. As a result, chaos magicians have created their own idiosyncratic magical systems and frequently borrow from an eclectic mixture of post-modernist and post-structuralist thought, as well as other magical traditions, religious movements, popular culture and various strands of philosophy. Eclectic in nature, pagan gods were given the same level of importance as rock stars, pop culture figures and fictional characters, and reality is seen as a field of overlapping belief systems....<<<Read More>>>...

Consciousness may have evolved to benefit society rather than individuals

 Why did the experience of consciousness evolve from our underlying brain physiology? Despite being a vibrant area of neuroscience, current research on consciousness is characterised by disagreement and controversy – with several rival theories in contention.

A recent scoping review of over 1,000 articles identified over 20 different theoretical accounts. Philosophers like David Chalmers argue that no single scientific theory can truly explain consciousness.

We define consciousness as embodied subjective awareness, including self awareness. In a recent article published in Interalia (which is not peer reviewed), we argue that one reason for this predicament is the powerful role played by intuition.

We are not alone. Social scientist Jacy Reese Anthis writes “much of the debate on the fundamental nature of consciousness takes the form of intuition jousting, in which the different parties each report their own strong intuitions and joust them against each other”....<<<Read More>>>...

What is Unconditional Love and Why Do We Desperately Need It?

 Unconditional love is so vastly different from the love we are used to receiving that most of us don’t really know what it is.

In fact, most “love” these days isn’t actually true love, but instead differing forms of infatuation, lust, affinity, affection, codependency or egotistical neediness.

The reality is that true love is rare and immensely precious. The moment you experience true unconditional love is the moment you feel completely seen, understood, forgiven, accepted, and loved just as you are.

his feeling is the most embracing and liberating sensation you will ever experience.

Indeed, unconditional love is the most healing force in the universe. Yet unfortunately, we are so starved from experiencing it regularly in our daily lives that we become emotionally and spiritually ill. One of the saddest sights you will ever see is a being who has been completely deprived of unconditional love – and we have all experienced it at some point.

But you don’t need to stay malnourished any longer. As we’ll explore, unconditional love is open for you to access in any moment, no matter where you are, or what you’re doing...<<<Read More>>>...

Food for Thought #505

 

Quantum Consciousness

Alchemy Web Site: 'The hermetic tradition has long been concerned with the relationship between the inner world of our consciousness and the outer world of nature, between the microcosm and the macrocosm, the below and the above, the material and the spiritual, the centric and the peripheral. The hermetic world view held by such as Robert Fludd, pictured a great chain of being linking our inner spark of consciousness with all the facets of the Great World. There was a grand platonic metaphysical clockwork, as it were, through which our inner world was linked by means of a hierarchy of beings and planes to the highest unity of the Divine. This view though comforting is philosophically unsound, and the developments in thought since the early 17th century have made such a hermetic world view untenable and philosophically naive. It is impossible to try to argue the case for such an hermetic metaphysics with anyone who has had a philosophical training, for they will quickly and mercilessly reveal deep philosophical contradictions in this world view. So do we now have to abandon such a beautiful and spiritual world view and adopt the prevailing reductionist materialist conception of the world which has become accepted in the intellectual tradition of the West ?...read more>>>...

What was Druidry?

 The Druids were the educated elite of what is now called the “Celtic” race. The ancient Druids consisted of three “castes”, or divisions – Bards, Ovates and Druids.

The Bard learned all of the tales of the chieftain’s victories and the secret lore of sacred poetry. A Bard was an honoured member of the Tribe who was welcome wherever he or she travelled – in a way they were the newspapers of the day. We know from ancient poetry that the Bardic/Ovate crossover was not so defined, and that the Bards were also Shamans. They were trained in the Art of Magic using the power of poetry in either praise or satire. Their Lore supplied the foundation to the religious and magical practice of Druidry, telling the nature of the Gods, the deeds of the Ancestors and the sacred places of the land. Through the power of the sacred word, expressed through poetry, storytelling and song, they invoked the blessings of the Spirit of Place, and of the Gods and ancestors of the people.

The caste known as Bards had their own Shamanic practices, but it may be that some Bards blended their creative skills with those of the Ovates (or Vates). These were the prophets and seers. They worked with the three realms of past, present and future and entered into trance states, foreseeing the future fortunes of the Tribe. The Ovate was the Druid Shaman.

The third ‘caste’ was the Druid. Much of what we know about the ancient Druids comes from classical writers, and it might be that ‘Druid’ was a collective term that included the Bards and Ovates, we simply don’t know for sure, but either way we do know that they were highly respected members of the tribe – the wise one who had passed through madness and survived. This brought great wisdom and peace; the Druid’s role was therefore that of advisor, teacher and judge. In Celtic mythology tribal chieftains each had their Druid to whom they turned for advice during times of need...read more>>>...

The Druid Worlds

The Worlds
Original artwork by Matthew James

 Inner World – Our personal inner world that exists in our imagination or psyche that can   sometimes connect us to an objective, transpersonal Otherworld. 

Otherworld – The world or reality that exists in parallel with the physical/everyday world, that we visit sometimes in dreams or meditation, and that Druids believe we travel to on the death of the physical body. Used synonymously with the term ‘Spiritworld’. 

Spiritworld – The world or reality that exists in parallel with the physical/everyday world, that we visit sometimes in dreams or meditation, and that Druids believe we travel to on the death of the physical body. Used synonymously with the term ‘Otherworld’. 

Summerlands/The Blessed Isles/Hy Breasil – terms used in Druidry for the realm that exists in the Otherworld to which we travel on the death of the physical body.  

So What Is A Pathworking?

 A pathworking is a journey between the worlds and one of the most exciting excursions we can take. It offers a path through the landscapes of the mind, ways that are as yet barely explored, to the last undiscovered frontier. Pathworkings are doorways between the known and the physical, the unknown and the non-corporeal. They are accomplished through the medium of the creative imagination – the anvil on which all things created and used by mankind are made.

They can cause physical effects in the everyday world, which is the main reason why they have been in secret for so long. It is also the reason why rigorous training in the control of imagination faculty is such a feature in magical schools and orders.

Scientists tell us that the journey we build in our mind is as real to the brain as our daily experiences. The world of the subconscious mind is a real world with real beings. The water is just as wet, the sun is just as hot. The only difference is that we can do things in that world we cannot do in this world. Why? Because in the inner world we admit to no barriers. We use the same powers and senses we have in the real world, but there we believe in them. We think we are dreaming, but it IS real and can use the finer matter of that world to change this one ………

A Word On "Nagual"

In Mesoamerican folk religion, a Nagual or Nahual (both pronounced [na'wal]) is a human being who has the power to magically turn him- or herself into an animal form: most commonly a donkey, turkey, or dog,but also other and more powerful animals such as the jaguar and puma.

Such a Nagual is believed to use his powers for good or evil according to his personality. Specific beliefs vary, but the general concept of nagualism is pan-Mesoamerican. Nagualism is linked with pre-Columbian shamanistic practices through Preclassic Olmec depictions which are interpreted as humans transforming themselves into animals. The system is linked with the Mesoamerican calendrical system, used for divination rituals.

The birth date often determines if a person will be a Nagual. Mesoamerican belief in tonalism, wherein all humans have an animal counterpart to which their life force is linked, is also part of the definition of nagualism. In English the word is often translated as "transforming witch", but translations without the negative connotations of the word witch would be "transforming trickster" or "shape shifter".

The word nagual derives from the Nahuatl word nahuālli [naˈwaːlːi], an indigenous religious practitioner, identified by the Spanish as a 'magician'. The nagual is acquired along with the other characteristics of a person's birth day at birth. Each day is associated with an animal which has strong and weak aspects. A person born on "The Dog Day" would have both strong and weak 'Dog' aspects...<<<Read More>>>...

A Unifying Theory of Evil

What is the essence of evil, and which part of the human soul gives birth to it?

This is one of the most difficult questions for civilized man. Many of us can recognize the results of evil intuitively: evil causes vast human suffering; revokes our sense of human dignity; creates an ugly, dystopian, or disharmonic world; destroys beauty and poetry; perpetuates fear, anger, distress and terror; causes torture and bloodshed. Nevertheless, there are always some people who seem to remain ignorant of its presence — or, incredibly, see specific visceral atrocities as justified and even good.

Those of us who have taken a stand for freedom over the past few years know instinctively that a great evil has occurred. Millions of people have lost their livelihoods, fallen into depression and committed suicide, suffered indignities at the hands of public health authorities and bureaucrats, died or suffered unnecessarily in hospitals or from experimental gene therapies marketed as vaccines, were denied the ability to say goodbye to their loved ones or celebrate important holidays and milestones...were denied, in short, the meaningful experiences that make us human.

To those of us who suffered directly, or who saw our highest values suddenly dismissed and decreed expendable, we feel that evil in our bones and we know that it is there, still hanging over our heads, as the world keeps turning and others, incredibly, go about as if nothing had ever happened.

But from whence does such evil come, and who is ultimately responsible for it? This is a harder question to answer, and there is much debate surrounding it. Is evil the result of conscious, willful intent? Or is it a side effect of something that was originally more benign?

Should we feel compassion for people who were "just doing their job," and in so doing, became the tools of injustice? Should we excuse ignorance, or cowardice? Do the perpetrators of evil generally have "good intentions," but make honest mistakes or succumb to selfishness, greed, habit, or blind obedience? And if this last scenario is the case, how much lenience should we allow them, and how accountable should we hold them to be for their actions? ...<<<Read More>>>.....

A Word On "Biological Rhythm"

 Biological rhythm is the periodic biological fluctuation in an organism that corresponds to, and is in response to, periodic environmental change. Examples of such change include cyclical variations in the relative position of Earth to the Sun and to the Moon and in the immediate effects of such variations—e.g., day alternating with night, high tide alternating with low tide.

The internal mechanism by which such a rhythmic phenomenon occurs and is maintained even in the absence of the apparent environmental stimulus is termed a biological clock. 

When an animal that functions according to such a clock is rapidly translocated to a geographic point where the environmental cycle is no longer synchronous with the animal’s cycle, the clock continues for a time to function synchronously with the original environmental cycle. 

Humans similarly transported over great distances often experience fatigue and lowered efficiency for several days, a phenomenon known as “jet lag,” or jet syndrome...<<<Read More>>>...

Understanding the “Sleeper”

Using the term “sleeper”, suggests that the user has no concept of the state of mind of the unaware person.

A person is unaware, because the new information is too anxiety-provoking to reach their awareness. That is: their higher conscious and intellectual levels of functioning.

They have not developed the mental capacity to tolerate the anxiety. It does not emerge into consciousness, for them to be able to assess the new information. It is treated as dangerous and life-threatening. They defend against it with negation; blocking it. This occurs beneath consciousness and all that presents consciously from them is: “No” or denial of the new information: avoidance, mocking and ridicule of it and any who speak it.

A group of similarly unaware people reinforce this resistance. It is the reality for that group.

Increasing the level of anxiety and discomfort will increase their resistance.

If the term “sleeper” is used by the “aware”, the fantasy, is that all you have to do, is “wake them up.”

That is a luxury, that only the “aware” can have, because they have the capacity to face the new information. It is expecting the unaware person to have the same capacity as the aware person.

They do not. That is why they are unaware. And remain so, despite more and more information which is blocked again and again, because it simply increases their anxiety beyond acceptable limits and their mind deals with it as a mortal danger and blocks it out....<<<Read More>>>....

A Word on "Circadian Rhythms"

 One biological rhythm is the 24-hour circadian rhythm (often known as the ‘body clock’), which is reset by levels of light. The word circadian is from the Latin ‘circa’ which means ‘about’, and ‘dian’, which means ‘day’.

The sleep-wake cycle is an example of a circadian rhythm, which dictates when humans and animals should be asleep and awake. Light provides the primary input to this system, acting as the external cue for sleeping or waking. Light is first detected by the eye, which then sends messages concerning the level of brightness to the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN). The SCN then uses this information to coordinate the activity of the entire circadian system. Sleeping and wakefulness are not determined by the circadian rhythm alone, but also by homoeostasis. When an individual has been awake for a long time, homeostasis tells the body that there is a need for sleep because of energy consumption. This homeostatic drive for sleep increases throughout the day, reaching its maximum in the late evening, when most people fall asleep.

Body temperature is another circadian rhythm. Human body temperature is at its lowest in the early hours of the morning (36^oC at 4:30 am) and at its highest in the early evening (38^oC at 6 pm). Sleep typically occurs when the core temperature starts to drop, and the body temperature starts to rise towards the end of a sleep cycle promoting feelings of alertness first thing in the morning...<<<Read More>>>...

A Word on "Wicca"

 Wicca is a neo-pagan religion that evolved from pre-Christian traditions in Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The discovery of cave paintings from more than 30,000 years ago points to the idea that Wicca is actually much older. The religion is based on an awe-inspiring appreciation of Nature and that the spirits of the One, Goddess and God exist in all things – nature’s creatures, trees, flowers and oceans. Everything on Earth is divine.

Many forms and branches of Wicca exist, but Gerald Brousseau Gardner is most often credited as its founder. In the early 1950s he claimed that he was a part of an ancient witches coven in Southern England and his writings about witchcraft became the cornerstone for the development of Wicca throughout the world.

Contrary to what has been popular belief, Wicca has nothing to do with Satanism or evil. Throughout history, witches have been unjustly hunted, chastised and murdered. During the medieval period, there were many myths about witchcraft (all evil) and that connotation carried over for centuries. Even in the early years of the American colonies, a lie turned into the Salem witch trials.

In May 2007, the U.S. Veteran’s Administration allowed (after an approximate 10-year delay) the pentacle to be placed on the headstones of fallen Wiccan and Pagan soldiers. And the U.S. military does recognize Wicca as a religion – people practicing the religion are allowed the same religious rights as people of other faiths.

The most commonly worshipped god within Wicca (and there are many variations) is the Horned God, who represents a masculine power. The counterpart is the Triple Goddess, who represents a female power. The Triple Goddess signifies the Maiden, the Mother and the Crone.

Wicca rituals, spells and magic are done for good and the benefit of the whole. Magic is used by Wiccans to bring positive change to the world and its people. Their belief is to do no harm, yet protect them from negative or evil influences. It is believed that any action performed, either good or bad, will manifest itself three times greater, giving way to a boomerang effect. This is referred to as the Law of Three. The magic and spells are also used for healing, fertility, love and creativity.

The most common symbol is the pentagram, which symbolizes the five elements of Wiccan beliefs: air, earth, fire, water and spirit. Wiccans have a tremendous respect for the earth and the elements. They acknowledge changing of the seasons, the lunar phases and cycles of nature to gain spirituality and worship the divine. Most Wiccans celebrate a cycle of festivals throughout the year, called Sabbats or Sabbaths. There are eight of these celebrations and are collectively known as Wheel of The Year. They are separated into six or seven weeks, which correlate with the seasonal cycles of the earth.

Groups of witches are called covens (formal groups) in which they practice their rituals and traditions. The traditions and teachings of the Gods and Goddesses are passed on to its followers using a system made up of three degrees. The first degree is for those newly coming into the Craft. It is what is considered an initiation period. The second degree marks the beginning of taking a deeper path within the teachings. The third degree is granted to those who have gained the knowledge and have obtained the status of elders within their covens. They have become a High Priestess or Priest....<<<Read More>>>...