Cosmic Consciousness and Psychic Development
What is Cosmic Consciousness and why is it a worthwhile pursuit? Depending on the mystic or psychic school of thought, it has been called many things in Buddhist, Islamic and Christian traditions: Enlightenment, Illumination, a State of Grace, Gnosis and Christ Consciousness.
Almost all mystical, religious or spiritual traditions have inspired individuals to pursue this blessed state up until recently. In the last 60 years, diabolical forces in the political and social realm have replaced spiritual aspiration with shortsighted hedonism and atheism.
Yep, you read that right: I wrote diabolical. There are also many in the psychic arena who ‘study’ Cosmic Consciousness or altered states of consciousness, as a hobby or pastime. They would be hard pressed and would abandon said study if life were not running smoothly. I don’t want you to feel guilty if this topic interests you and all your bills are paid, you have a great job, wonderful husband or wife and happy children. But ultimately, it is what we pursue under pressure that defines us.
Why study Cosmic Consciousness?
Because most of humanity trials and tribulations are brought about because of our lack of consciousness (awareness) of the forces that made and sustain us. In the past these have been referred to as Divine Laws. And let me add that these divine laws were instituted by our Creator for our benefit and growth.
Richard Maurice Bucke wrote this about Cosmic Consciousness in his Magnum Opus book Cosmic Consciousness: A study of the evolution of the human mind:“The primary characteristic of Cosmic Consciousness is, as the 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. To this is added a state of moral exaltation, an indescribable feeling of elevation, elation, and joyousness, and a quickening of the moral sense, which is fully as striking and more important both to the individual and to the race than is the enhanced intellectual power. With these come what may be called a sense of immortality, a consciousness of eternal life, not a conviction that he shall have this, but the consciousness that he has it already.”
So we see that Cosmic Consciousness is a power that transforms the individual.
Let’s compare Cosmic Consciousness to lower forms of consciousness: simple consciousness is possessed by any living creature. Self-consciousness is possessed by human beings, as distinguished from that possessed by other animals. Cosmic Consciousness is something is in advance of either of these states, which goes beyond what we would consider our objective realization.
Ultimately, consciousness itself is a composite of what we perceive with our senses and our intuition. The latter is itself composed of two primary functions: our extrasensory perception and previous experience of the soul, vis-a-vis past lives.
The combination of self-consciousness and intuition is something that is unique to human beings, which makes us potential vehicles for Cosmic Consciousness.
Cosmic Consciousness could be thought of with the analogy of a telescope. Just as a particular arrangement of material tools (casing, wires, lenses and mirrors) are needed for a telescope, so there is a mental or psychic arrangement necessary for Cosmic Consciousness.
Cosmic Consciousness has the effect of being inspiring and practical to the challenges of daily life. New systems, procedures, inventions, books, music, movies and ideas spring from such divine inspiration. These inspirations will always have a practical application for the true mystic.
Let me state at this point, that it is difficult for most people to make use of a small amount of psychic development. They falsely believe they have the right to live in the clouds and forget the requirements of daily life. I have run into this psychological phenomena many times in this field.
“Mystics” or “Psychics” who want to float around in ephemerality and ambiguity, for self-aggrandizement and false social status, with no practicality to their insights, are not true mystics.
The problems and solutions to daily life with always be embraced by properly applied Cosmic inspiration. Anyone who encourages you to ignore or neglect the body is not applying the revelations correctly.
In adolescence, bodily changes start to affect our mental outlook. We begin to see our self and our place in the world differently. There are adjustments that take place with our self-concept. So too, changes like this happen when a mystic begins to develop and tap into Cosmic Consciousness.
There are inherent dangers in embracing this higher path, the same way there are dangers inherent in passing through the initiation of adolescence. However, as a species, we have very little choice. We will develop in this direction. The best way to pass safely through this initiation is to actively pursue it, study with diligence and apply it. One of the best methods to develop this exalted level of consciousness is meditation.
Please see my meditation blog.