Cosmic Consciousness: A Study in the Evolution of the Human Mind is
Richard Bucke's theory that our mental states are evolving and that
to date we have experienced three stages in the development of
consciousness: the 'simple consciousness' of animals, the
'self-consciousness' of the vast majority of humans (reason, self
awareness, imagination, etc.), and in some cases 'cosmic
consciousness'; a mystical state of being beyond 'self
consciousness' and the next stage of human development. Bucke
hypothesized that 'cosmic consciousness' is slowly beginning to
appear in humans and will eventually spread widely throughout the
human race. He posited that certain notable individuals throughout
history have demonstrated that they have attained 'cosmic
consciousness'. In the book he cites examples such as Jesus,
Buddha, Mohammed, Dante, St Paul, Francis Bacon, William Blake, and
his close friend Walt Whitman. Whitman, an American poet and
journalist described cosmic consciousness as 'ineffable light,
light rare, untellable, light beyond all signs, descriptions and
languages.' At the age of thirty-five Bucke found himself in this
elevated mental state and he describes (in the third person) the
manifestations leading up to it; '1. The person, suddenly, without
warning, has a sense of being immersed in a flame, or rose-colored
cloud, or perhaps rather a sense that the mind is itself filled
with such a cloud of haze. 2. At the same instant he is, as it
were, bathed in an emotion of joy, assurance, triumph, salvation.
3. Simultaneously or instantly following the above sense and
emotional experiences there comes to the person an intellectual
illumination quite impossible to describe. Like a flash there is
presented to his consciousness a clear conception (a vision) in
outline of the meaning and drift of the universe. He does not come
to believe merely; but he sees and knows that the cosmos, which to
the self conscious mind seems made up of dead matter, is in fact
far otherwise-is in very truth a living presence. He sees that
instead of men being, as it were, patches of life scattered through
an infinite sea of non-living substance, they are in reality specks
of relative death in an infinite ocean of life. He sees that the
life which is in man is eternal, as all life is eternal; that the
soul of man is as immortal as God is; that the universe is so built
and ordered that without any peradventure all things work together
for the good of each and all; that the foundation principle of the
world is what we call love, and that the happiness of every
individual is in the long run absolutely certain.' He goes on to
say, 'The person who passes through this experience will learn in
the few minutes, or even moments, of its continuance more than in
months or years of study, and he will learn much that no study ever
taught or can teach.' After reading Bucke's writings, P. D.
Ouspensky, the respected Russian Philosopher echoed his comments in
his book Tertium Organum; 'Cosmic Consciousness is a third form,
which is as far above Self Consciousness as is that above Simple
Consciousness. The prime characteristic Cosmic Consciousness is, as
its name implies, a consciousness of the cosmos, that is, of the
life and order of the universe. Along with the consciousness of the
cosmos there occurs an intellectual enlightenment or illumination
which alone would place the individual on a new plane of
existence-would make him almost a member of a new species.'
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