History and Dharma (4)
So it's states and structures, or structures and states. There are two basic models to take a look at: one was proposed in "Up from Eden" (KW, 1981) relating the average mode to the advanced mode of consciousness. The other is the Wilber-Combs lattice (pic here). First the average/advanced model.
Prehistoric humanity (paleolithic to mesolithic, 200,000 yrs ago) identifies with archaic structure (Jean Gebser) as its average mode. It's difficult, if not impossible, to reconstruct the mysticism at this level, though quite certainly the great states of waking, dreaming and sleeping are equally available with such a structure. My guess is that mystical experiences at this stage emerge almost exclusively as spontaneous bursts in gifted individuals, coupled with early forms of almost compulsive immersion through intense physical activity (journey into wilderness) and isolation from the herd/group/tribe. While terms are lacking for this early proto-mysticism, I opt for raw unity, where RAW stands for rapture, awe and wonder, these being the primordial sources of search for reintegration (the "atman project") through both states (immediate, obvious, pic here) and structures (longterm development, pic here) in ontogenetic and phylogenetic unfoldment.
From this stage, we find the emergence and stabilization of magical structure (mesolithic to neolithic, 50,000 yrs), perhaps also quickened in Left Quadrants by raw experiential breakthroughs of individuals, that strongly affected their groups due to hive resonances, and then relived in round the fire stories and rudimentary rituals wherein the whole group could be connected in rapture, awe and wonder. During the period of prevailing magical structure, we find shamanic and early yogic as the prototype of mysticism, and indeed nature mysticism prevailed as far as we can tell. These shamans developed higher-structure capacities such as mythic and mental, i.e. amber and orange altitude. (Note: as far the classification of mysticism is concerned - nature, deity, formless, nondual - there are many overlaps in this due to the fluid nature of states. This is a genealogy as much as a typology.)
In the same manner, with mythical structure in average mode (5,000 yrs) we find saintly spirituality of subtle realms in the advance mode, with mature mystics developing highly rational capacities, i.e. post-orange altitude, that allow them to conceptualize sophisticated systems of spiritual training and logical reasoning. Then, the first more stable emergence of rational structure coincides with formless/nondual mystics or sages, who not only have access to transrational structures, i.e. teal and higher, but are also originators of great religions we know today. While the Founders may have discovered the Ground, this esoteric certainty easily translated into mythic/rational conviction, just as their clarity in relation to confusion, was easily adopted and forgoteen in symbols of salvation and sin. Such is, still today, the relationship between exoteric and esoteric, roughly corresponding to most advanced and average mode of consciousness.
While having obvious virtues, this model does not sufficiently distinguish between structures and states in the same individual (pic here), thus making it difficult to explain how an advanced mystic may be a staunch nationalist (or even preconventional in some developmental line/s, diagram here), or even how a highly developed individual may be unawakened by deep spiritual standards.
The problem is now clear, potential confusion quite evident, and the solution is proposed in the Wilber-Combs lattice (pic here). I better take a look at it.
(to be continued)
Prehistoric humanity (paleolithic to mesolithic, 200,000 yrs ago) identifies with archaic structure (Jean Gebser) as its average mode. It's difficult, if not impossible, to reconstruct the mysticism at this level, though quite certainly the great states of waking, dreaming and sleeping are equally available with such a structure. My guess is that mystical experiences at this stage emerge almost exclusively as spontaneous bursts in gifted individuals, coupled with early forms of almost compulsive immersion through intense physical activity (journey into wilderness) and isolation from the herd/group/tribe. While terms are lacking for this early proto-mysticism, I opt for raw unity, where RAW stands for rapture, awe and wonder, these being the primordial sources of search for reintegration (the "atman project") through both states (immediate, obvious, pic here) and structures (longterm development, pic here) in ontogenetic and phylogenetic unfoldment.
From this stage, we find the emergence and stabilization of magical structure (mesolithic to neolithic, 50,000 yrs), perhaps also quickened in Left Quadrants by raw experiential breakthroughs of individuals, that strongly affected their groups due to hive resonances, and then relived in round the fire stories and rudimentary rituals wherein the whole group could be connected in rapture, awe and wonder. During the period of prevailing magical structure, we find shamanic and early yogic as the prototype of mysticism, and indeed nature mysticism prevailed as far as we can tell. These shamans developed higher-structure capacities such as mythic and mental, i.e. amber and orange altitude. (Note: as far the classification of mysticism is concerned - nature, deity, formless, nondual - there are many overlaps in this due to the fluid nature of states. This is a genealogy as much as a typology.)
In the same manner, with mythical structure in average mode (5,000 yrs) we find saintly spirituality of subtle realms in the advance mode, with mature mystics developing highly rational capacities, i.e. post-orange altitude, that allow them to conceptualize sophisticated systems of spiritual training and logical reasoning. Then, the first more stable emergence of rational structure coincides with formless/nondual mystics or sages, who not only have access to transrational structures, i.e. teal and higher, but are also originators of great religions we know today. While the Founders may have discovered the Ground, this esoteric certainty easily translated into mythic/rational conviction, just as their clarity in relation to confusion, was easily adopted and forgoteen in symbols of salvation and sin. Such is, still today, the relationship between exoteric and esoteric, roughly corresponding to most advanced and average mode of consciousness.
While having obvious virtues, this model does not sufficiently distinguish between structures and states in the same individual (pic here), thus making it difficult to explain how an advanced mystic may be a staunch nationalist (or even preconventional in some developmental line/s, diagram here), or even how a highly developed individual may be unawakened by deep spiritual standards.
The problem is now clear, potential confusion quite evident, and the solution is proposed in the Wilber-Combs lattice (pic here). I better take a look at it.
(to be continued)
Labels: buddhism, integral, religion, society, spirituality, wilber
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