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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.'
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.'
There is an ages-old unexplained mystery of genius and
enlightenment. Many people talk of ""seeing the light"" as a
temporary, intense affair where all the world's knowledge and
understanding is unveiled to an individual in a brief moment
outside of time. Bucke himself experienced this unique state in
1876. And spent the rest of his life working out how to understand
and apply what he had learned in that instant. Bucke provides three
dozen very consistent examples of 'cosmic consciousness.' Some of
these were contemporary case-histories which he collected. Bucke
proposed that these enlightened figures are evolutionary jumps, the
predecessor of a more advanced species. His 1901 final work was the
masterpiece of an eclectic genius, whose life encompassed medical
science and mystical transcendence, and posits a higher form of
sentience that only a few humans have ever achieved. This is a
fascimile reproduction of Bucke's original work. Get Your Copy Now.
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Calamus (Paperback)
Richard Maurice Bucke, Walt Whitman
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R535
Discovery Miles 5 350
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Ships in 10 - 15 working days
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Calamus (Hardcover)
Richard Maurice Bucke, Walt Whitman
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R877
Discovery Miles 8 770
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Ships in 10 - 15 working days
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Notes and Fragments
Richard Maurice Bucke, Walt Whitman
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R593
Discovery Miles 5 930
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Ships in 10 - 15 working days
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Walt Whitman
Richard Maurice Bucke
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R919
Discovery Miles 9 190
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Ships in 10 - 15 working days
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Richard M. Burke's astonishing treatise on the human mind discusses
and attempts to explain mystical experiences in the context of
evolutionary change in the brain. During his mid-thirties, Burke
underwent a feeling of revelation and felt distinctly enlightened
for a short time. Although the period of enlightenment passed, it
had an immense impact upon Burke's outlook, steering his personal
and professional life in a directions he had never before
envisioned. He found the experience a permanent boon to his
well-being, and was able to work and enjoy life more than he
formerly had. This book attempts to explain the various mystical
feelings of enlightenment which humans have experienced over the
millennia of recorded history. Burke's opinion is that these
phenomena are becoming commoner over time, and represent an
evolution of the human mind. He postulates that these experiences
will become commoner as centuries go by, and become accepted as an
ordinary, then eventually as a necessary part of human life.
Richard M. Burke's astonishing treatise on the human mind discusses
and attempts to explain mystical experiences in the context of
evolutionary change in the brain. During his mid-thirties, Burke
underwent a feeling of revelation and felt distinctly enlightened
for a short time. Although the period of enlightenment passed, it
had an immense impact upon Burke's outlook, steering his personal
and professional life in a directions he had never before
envisioned. He found the experience a permanent boon to his
well-being, and was able to work and enjoy life more than he
formerly had. This book attempts to explain the various mystical
feelings of enlightenment which humans have experienced over the
millennia of recorded history. Burke's opinion is that these
phenomena are becoming commoner over time, and represent an
evolution of the human mind. He postulates that these experiences
will become commoner as centuries go by, and become accepted as an
ordinary, then eventually as a necessary part of human life.
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