A discussion of the importance of getting out of the damm hole and asking yourself, now what?
Ya’ll know I am a rabbit hole enthusiast. This week I found three holes particularly fascinating.
First, Clif High posted on his Substack some thoughts about cults. In my mind, these cults are better noted as tribes or self-organized-collectives (soc’s) form around some fascination and/or collective theme, ideal, or value. In a sense, tribes are organized or have a structure of a dialectic or a process of dialogue. But are devoid of a hierarchal leadership or council. Instead, the tribe appreciates the diverse intelligence that emerges during the process of dialogue. And without coercion, thus a person’s decisions and actions are sovereign, voluntary and participatory. This is already happening at the level of online forums; whether the forum is about cars, guitars, philosophy, tools, etc. Of course, forums emerge, evolve, decay and the quality depends on its participants and what is shared. This is an opportunity of an open sharing community. https://substack.com/@clifhigh/p-148369395
Second, Billy Carson on Alex Ferrari’s Next Level Soul podcast blew my mind on his breadth and depth of his ability to connect seemingly diverse and out of the box perspectives. He could be easily dismissed as having a bipolar condition permanently stuck in a grandiose manic phase. However, having had a wee bit of experience with folks who are in a BPAD moderate-severe mania, he is not manic. But operates at an elevated or next level of consciousness. Anyway, the breadth and depth of topics were fascinating, and I made it through the 2+ hour discussion (sped up). The underlying point is Billy’s demonstration of what is humanly possible when a person does something like exploring and expanding his consciousness. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=My1ENgyuycg.
The Expanse
Our consciousness is expanding and thus finding our communities with which we resonate with. As a child, growing up in the 60s and 70s was a strange brew of individualism and exploring new tribes that were beyond notions of family and local community. Currently, we are venturing into relationships based on beliefs, value and thoughts; whether social, political, religious, etc. Perhaps because of digital connectivity of the past 30 years, we are in an expanding awareness of relationship relative to various political, philosophical, economic, academic and conceptual options that were previously not available except via birth into a specific socioeconomic class, cast, frequently via family lineage.
We may feel untethered, lost, hanging on some piece of flotsam in a vast ever expanding digital ocean. And yet realizing that we can tie our flotsam together via digital links to rabbit holes which become conceptual nodes. Perhaps digital life is a morphogenic resonance (reflection) of mycelial existence, e.g., Merlin Sheldrake’s “Entangled Life” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entangled_Life. At the other end of the spectrum is plasmic physics. The concept that plasmic energy is the macro connection between celestial objects https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plasma_(physics).
Evolution, Brain vs Consciousness
Back in the day, psychology estimated we used 3% and capped at 5-10% maximum of our brain capacity or power. With the dawning of the meditation movement, stories of Carlos Castaneda, Jane Roberts “Seth Speaks,” acid tests, fantasy and now AI encourage us to ask, is there something more? How can we expand our capacity? Are there other connections? Of the course, the old warning and rigors were to find a guru and/or group that was willing and could take you there. And later, now, what is the scientific evidence? Some of these experiments failed horrifically, Charlie Manson, Jim Jones, etc. Then in the 80s and 90s was mapping the brain and cognitive processing, with the tools of imaging and real-time functional analysis, e.g., EEG, MRI, etc. And now 60+ years later, has consciousness blossomed to be part of established neighborhoods with yoga, meditation, hypnosis, brain-wave feedback, brain frequency entrainment, flotation tanks, etc. The conceptual pioneers laid down the railroad tracks, enabling us to arrive where we are now. For example, Robert A. Monroe and later the Monroe Institute https://www.monroeinstitute.org pioneered work in astral projection, remote viewing, brain wave synchronization, and other alternative states of awareness.
Has consciousness reached critical mass and is now going beyond the individual brain/consciousness to a quantum field relationship where whomever is tuned in to a frequency or spectrum versions of themselves and/or interact with others. Is this like an underground and unseen mycelial mass which is now producing fruiting bodies (mushrooms) that dispenses clouds of spores that float on the winds and wings of consciousness to parts unknown. Germinating and growing new strands of mycelium. Ever cycling and transforming composted remnants into new existence. We thought dead was dead; and now we know at least some aspects of the dead are grateful to continue, morph, and expand into novel ways of being (existing). There are all kinds of fascinating reasons which really doesn’t matter. They are merely a sideshow to the main event. The main event is an expanding consciousness beyond the individual (ego) and into a collective and other versions of the self or divine. Carl Jung articulated the concept of archetypes, basically thematic patterns of behavior and existence. A universal reflection or fractal pattern of experience and existence. For some, expanded consciousness can’t happen soon enough, adventuring into new lands of experience beyond the ego. While others are terrified of the dissolution of the individual ego; unable to consider it is an opportunity of expansion and existence. “It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue,” Bob Dylan, 1965.
But How?
How does consciousness change? Is it a matter of composting and recycling essential nutrients? Is it a matter of adventure or forced expansion via facing the possibility of death? And in this process, what dies, what gets left behind and what proceeds on? Is this the role of the trickster, jester, prankster, raven or owl or some other change agent, regardless of the cultural context. For example, the coyote from the American Indian culture. https://academics.lmu.edu/media/lmuacademics/cures/urbanecolab/module12/Coyote%20Mythology%20M12.L1.pdf
Psycho-Manifestation… lol!
What is the straightforward notion of the psycho-manifestation culture?
The basic four-step trick (process) is out of the awareness of pain and suffering a person realizes the need and desire to change. First, want to change and recognize that you can change. Second, is to survey and determine what you want your consciousness to change into. And third, is the simple execution of change, i.e., to be what you wish to be. Thus, there is the internal part of the desire and recognition that you can change. Followed by the external surveying and determination of what you wish to become. Then again, an internal process of becoming and being that you wish and are to be. And finally, by being internally conscious, your external reality reflects that which is within.
Once you have experience, recognize and test this process/progression a few times, you can consciously execute this because of your recognition that it is a pattern. It becomes second nature to go inside and make it happen externally. Or with happenstance (coincidence) of “whatever happens,” what matters is your response to whatever happens. You’ve learned to deal with whatever happens. You come to look forward, explore, and expect change. Your position has changed from fear and anticipatory anxiety to excitement and wonder. Forced change is to be put in the situation where you must change, usually felt as pain and suffering. Pain and suffering are merely psychological signals of the need to change. It is a spectrum of signals (cues) for the need to change as physical, emotional and existential (meaning) pain. Though if a person can recognize and interpret pain as a cue showing the need to change, then a person can position themselves to make strategic, effortless and elegant change to a more aligned existence of excitement and wonder. There is a near infinite number of avenues, portals, techniques or opportunities for elegant change. Such as going into the pain, meditation, hypnosis, feedback, etc. However, the issue or trick is finding and executing what works for you? Only you can figure this out and perhaps with help or guidance from a spectrum of healers and teachers. But you must open to explore and be willing to execute; this comes down to your sovereignty and free will to choose. Are you a gambler or about doing your due diligence? Choose Wisely!
Back to Reality
The whole point is that one/we must come back to our current reality. Sure, you can wonder off into fantasyland, becoming lost. Yet at some point, we come back to reality. Unconsciously haunted by vague recollections. Or consciously (or aware via knowledge derived from experience) that we can return with the found treasures, the jewels of insight, and tools in which we can change reality. Is this the story of Prometheus stealing fire from the gods? Are we facing the challenge to bring back divine consciousness or living waters and pour it into today’s life? Is this a reflection of the Aquarian age? Or noticing the second birthing, where the work is consciously bringing heaven to earth for a new reality. Learning to birth ourselves… is this not the challenge of metaphysical alchemy?
The Pied Piper
In a sense we are in the Pied Piper phase. People go off and then come back and say hey this is cool thing we can do this whether it’s manifestation whether it is some type of meditative guru whether it is some exciting advancement and trauma recovery, etc., various and become, Tribes are the self-organizing collectives comprising members that subscribe, become enthusiasts, devotees, followers, fans, etc. In the past there was the charismatic leader. And now the wonderful idea or concept that connects folks into a community, i.e., tribe.
The challenge or battle is about the sovereignty… or the giving up sovereignty. Who gets to decide reality… leaders, market economics, politicians, algorithms, AI, a collective of individuals or you as an individual that has freewill to decide and make your own decisions?
It’s Happening
The “opening” is happening. Secrets revealed, the veil has lifted, Pandor’s box opened, etc. Perhaps you have noticed that the old containers can no longer contain what is being released and is trying to be poured in the old wine bags. Is this a great flood? A flood of the revelation of secrets, of horrors, or light?
The past week I’ve been vacationing down the rabbit hole. Rediscovering things I came across some 50+ years ago. Some are in the same packaging and others have been updated and repackaged in new terminology and concepts. It is fascinating that now many more folks are now more open and accepting of thoughts and concepts that just a few years ago would have been considered lunacy or at least conspiratorial. Back in 1970 I was specifically told to “discern and be careful” what you say and tell. I was a kid and puzzled about this stern advice. Then in my teens had “experiences” (induced and otherwise) that seemed unusual, out the norm and figured that maybe this is what should be kept on the down low and under my hat. Meanwhile, eventually having a career in MH, this certainly confirmed the reality that something should not be mentioned to avoid undue complications. And yet in the past 5 years it is safer or more acceptable to share unusual experiences. Now the whole lid is being blown off. All matter of things are talked about… the mad, the sad, the wacky and wonderful.
It has become quite difficult to discern or determine what is real, fictional, scientifically factual, AI generated, etc. Are we in a phantasmagoric dream or reality in which we are stuck in the ooze… the meaning or significance is just out of reach, eluding our grasp. Thus we toss and turn, restless and struggling to wake up, feeling terrified and exhausted.
There are many rabbit holes. The issue is if you have the energy to crawl out of the damm hole. It’s not falling into the rabbit hole; the issue are you going to do when you get out of the damm thing? One dives into the hole relishing what might be found. It takes some mining (mind), work to find and determine what is a valuable nugget. Then what, sell it, rub it, give it away, unknowingly toss it away or lose it? However, a valuable nugget is not valuable until something of valuable is done with it. Otherwise, it is just a nugget that can be re-buried, recovered later… unless we forget about it.
The Point
Most perceive the rabbit hole (henceforth referred to as the hole) is something unusual, exciting and may be valuable… in that it will save them. The issue or problem is that the hole is externally located and thus we go searching. And thus, go here, there and everywhere. Thinking that if only this religion, mate/significant other, food, technology, technique or tribe is THE path. It’s like winning the lotto… saved, enlightened, made whole, etc. and everything will great. But this is a wild goose chase. At some point a person becomes exhausted, lost, despondent. Ah this great, for they have finally arrived at the real rabbit hole. The rabbit hole of the self; one can fall in screaming or one can jump in and fly around.
Many folks are terrified of the rabbit hole of oneself. What’s in there, fear, demons, and anxieties? Yup there they are… will they chase me all over hell or are they one’s teachers, the lessons, and the path to the Self? This hole is not for the faint of heart. Yet it is the journey of the hero/heroine. An internal journey home… to the Self. Rarely, a person enters this hole without the fortune of having been told what it is. And most assuredly they will become lost… for a while. Yet if they have stumbled up on the fortune of being told what this hole is about, how to navigate the hole and perhaps gain tutelage of a guide. It is safer to enter, yet only the only guarantee; “only one will enter and none will escape”… lol.
At some point alone, one who enters the depths of their hole, one finds that all is there. This is where the real danger begins. One must rely on themselves and their wits. Or be forever lost in their own making of heavens and hells. Of course, we all wander around in these heavens and hells. And it is quite fun, wonderful and exciting… until it’s not… lol. This is basically the heaven and hell of one’s addiction (cycle) to life… and death.
OMG
Thus, we arrive at the OMG, I’m out of here. Whether we are waking up from a dream… perhaps a nightmare or from the enticements of our own desire. The awakening is a frequently experienced as a harsh reality. It is a sign you are almost there. Where is there, there? It is you/we/I have passed through the eye of the needle. That you/we/I have become what you had searched for. Thus, the world has not changed, but you have changed. And in your changing, your world changes. Understand how to change your world… and you will change an infinity of worlds.
Now that you have popped out… or been pooped out of one’s rabbit hole, now what? What have you discovered in your hole? What are you going to do? Or better yet, who/what is your being… you are the manifestation that emerges from own your hole… lol!
Meanwhile, the third fascinating rabbit hole. Anne Tucker notes we are arriving at need to understand and prepare internally for the great change or perhaps shift of consciousness. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpXEmW-eT9E
Blessings,
Tim