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Ultra-consciousness

Like colors scattering through a prism in which a light shines, there exist innumerable variations of our consciousness, an infinitude of ways to discover ourselves and the world around us

Welcome to my lackadaisical thought experiment, a hypothetical context by which I want to frame a way of examining potential levels of self-consciousness in order to convey the necessity of feeding our inherent desire to maximize our understanding of ourselves and of the world around us. Just like with ultraviolet and infrared spectroscopy (a measurement of spectra produced when matter interacts with or emits electromagnetic radiation), let’s assume that our consciousness can be measured on a similar scale. We know there’s a subconscious mind and a surface conscious mind, but a good amount of us don’t stop to consider the cognizant diversity that exists within our minds and, possibly, between these two states. We ought to first define the parameters:

Let’s say that, at the bottom of the scale, we have infra-consciousness, in which there exists little contemplation, little to no effort at self-awareness or self-examination. It is akin to existing in an animalistic state, whereby we simply pursue desires, don’t consider consequences, don’t ask questions about life and exist with some inexplicable aversion towards true and bountiful self-realization. Our responsiveness is tied to reward or punishment; we can process and follow instruction but have a hard time with out-the-box thinking or creativity; we fear grey areas, uncertainty, the unknown, and have no motivation for true and valuable self-development. Then, atop the opposite end of the spectrum, we have ultra-consciousness, whereby we are immensely contemplative, hyper-aware of our thoughts and being, can assess things on a purely logical or purely metaphysical level if not a blend or a hybrid of both. We thrive in thought, we employ accurate foresight and intuition and abilities of deduction. Our creativity allows us to problem solve in the grey areas and we are intrinsically motivated to learn about the universe and our true place within it — we cherish and nourish self-development in all facets of our existence. Let’s further assume that each and every one of us exist somewhere along this scale, and it’s of no surprise to say that we’d prefer to achieve the highest state of consciousness that we may be able to achieve. So the next question to be prompted may look something like: what are we doing to raise our consciousness to the peaks and pinnacles of the scale? How are we actively pursuing the elevation of ourselves in this way?

“One of the secrets of a successful life is to be able to hold all of our energies upon one point, to focus all of the scattered rays of the mind upon one place or thing.” — Orison Swett Marden

You, reader, are clearly doing something. By having decided to click on this post, you’ve also made the sensible decision to think about your consciousness, to spark an innate interest or fan a flame that’s already burning. Beyond this, you’re likely on a continual journey of information gathering, of understanding and of being aware of your mind and it’s many enigmatic workings. But, like myself, you may be mildly or sensitively prone to distraction, and distraction itself can materialize in a multitude of forms — self-doubt, mindless entertainment, social obligations, depression, infatuation, addiction or obsession, a toxic-to-begin-with state mentality, the list goes on. That is not to say that we should avoid our temptations, that we should live in the woods completely disconnected from society and contemplate all hours of all days, that we won’t encounter natural spells of self-doubt or that we ought to pursue desires. This is yet another situation in which an equilibrium is necessary but one that fortifies our consciousness from ever regressing along the spectrum, and if anything, contributing to its ascension. Accordingly, the next question revolves around how we may climb this figurative spectrum, higher, to reach the utmost heights of our consciousness.

“Come on you raver, you seer of visions, Come on you painter, you piper, you prisoner, and shine. “  — Shine On You Crazy Diamond, Pink Floyd

Fortunately, it’s not complicated in the least. It is, however, tedious. I should say, rather, that it may be tedious — some of us are able to focus more than others; some of us simply care about this more than others. Regardless, we’re here right now, reading this post. This means we care, though we may know this already. If we’re sure-footed, we needn’t worry about what to do once we get to the end of this article. However, if we’re beginning to develop a sense of urgency for an answer that may or may not be revealed in the coming paragraphs, then it is important to explore further, beyond the parameters of this post, for this yearning ought to be fed, and fed enthusiastically.

Since we’re in the realm of thought experiment, one way to analogize the ascension along this spectrum of consciousness may to be look at the actual characteristics of ultraviolet light. It is, very concisely put, a form of electromagnetic radiation with a very short wavelength (the shortness of which prevents us from being able to actually see it). It has the energy to ionize atoms — allowing for chemical reactions to occur. Therefore, it can be said that ultraviolet light, given its energetic frequency, can be responsible for many interactions with organic molecules from the formation of bone-strengthening vitamin-D to the deleterious effects that accompany over-exposure to the sun (i.e. sunburn or skin cancer). Infrared, operating on a lower frequency, has no naturally-evident ability — we have to manipulate it to take advantage of its optical or thermal benefits.

And so, what can we gather from this? To operate on a higher frequency and a more effective wave-length is to create actual change. If we can raise our consciousness to it’s highest level, much like in the way that UV light prompts chemical reaction, we can create some measure of reaction with the way we engage with our world. This reaction may stem from helping others, from understanding the workings of the universe, from our own self-awareness, who knows. To operate on a low frequency, or to mimic infrared, our consciousness emits no ability for change, or no ability to materialize the things we may seek. In short, low-frequency can resemble low motivation.

“Concentrate all your thoughts upon the work at hand. The sun’s rays do not burn until brought to a focus.” — Alexander Graham Bell

The potential to expand our consciousness is as infinite as the nuances weaved throughout our consciousness itself. From my personal experience, I’ve found that it helps to exercise the creative side of the brain, to practice contemplation, to debate with others, to practice approaching problems from wholly different perspectives, to really wrap our brains around something. So long as we maintain an awareness of perpetually feeding our minds with knowledge and we actively work to engage with the many styles of thought and mental development, we effectively feed our consciousness. Remember, consciousness is defined as a state of being awake and aware of ones surroundings, awareness by the mind of itself and of the world.

There’s also something to be said for the way in which we choose to spend our time, to utilize our existence. It seems inherently necessary to disengage from any potential cultural addictions to entertainment or the over-absorption of mindless content. Or to, at the least, partially sever that cord, namely for the sake of time but also because of the potential for a toxifying of our consciousness with questionably needless content. We ought to also work on shifting our perspective and exploring different styles of mental states as much as possible, whether this is achieved through meditation, through psychedelics, through travel, through the sustenance gleamed from relationships, or through some kind of personal journey or adventure towards an incomprehensibly valuable objective. Like forms of electromagnetic radiation, there exist an infinite number of ways in which we can pursue fulfillment and understanding, self-realization and so on.

These innumerable ways to engage in different styles of cognizance and perspective can take on any shape or form — it is wholly subjective. For instance, the strategic maneuverings of poker, the competitive exhaustion of martial arts, the introspective footsteps of a hike in the woods, the reflection brought about by passing mile markers on a highway, the therapeutic processes of building a deck, the cleansing qualities of gardening. It is fundamentally about activating (and keeping active) our consciousness — allowing it to function on the multitude of different planes that is seems to have been designed to function on. It is more than a mere tool for us get jobs, fulfill social obligations, graduate, provide, etc. Most of us understand this already and do continue to learn, to pursue our curiosities and to wonder, but many of us seem to cast our priorities elsewhere.

Effectively, if we so wish and if we put in the effort and maintain the necessary awareness, we can begin to slowly, but increasingly, adopt a perspective that sees the world from the lens of ultra-consciousness. We can can think faster and better, introspect deeper, contemplate and commiserate wider, envision further, imagine stronger. Our consciousness becomes enhanced if we want it to, limiting distractions and exploring endless avenues of personal advancement.

We’re all capable of absorbing light. If our consciousness is confined to the darkness, that light will be trapped and its energy dissipated. If we take it upon ourselves to form a clear intent for self-discovery, to crystallize if you will, that light will proliferate into a dazzling triumph of color, one that will allow us to experience the vibrant scintillations of self-discovery.

“The soul becomes dyed with the color of its thoughts.” — Marcus Aurelius

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The Noösphere of Opportunity

Maximizing our presence in the layer of human thought that encapsulates our world

The year was 1926. The 20th edition of the Tour de France was taking place. Consisting of 17 stages and a total distance of 5,745 km. The route circled the borders of France and, on that particular year, cyclists were forced to climb the mountains in the East of the country twice, once at the start of the race and once at the end, an unprecedented occurrence in the competition.

126 cyclists competed in the race, pedaling through trails of wet mud of which the classic 1920’s French automobile, the Citroen, got stuck trying to follow along the winding, mountainous routes. To this day, it remains the longest Tour de France ever contrived in the history of the event.

Not far from the finish line lay situated the University of Paris, metonymically known as Sorbonne. Within the confines of those intricately designed, cathedral-like walls, three geniuses came to agree upon a riveting concept known as the noösphere.

Edouard Le Roy (philosopher), Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (paleontologist) and Vladimir Vernadsky (geochemist) agreed upon their conceptualization of a sphere of human thought — the noösphere — in the sense of a lexical analogy to the geosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere.

Alan Watts, speaking on the subject half a century later, may have summed it up best when he described how it ought to be regarded:

“Earth as a geosphere is covered with a biosphere — that is the sphere of living organisms. The biosphere in turn generates the noösphere which is the communication network that we call the mind. Through literature, through speech, through radio and television communication, the noösphere is slowly realized.”

The word is derived from the Greek word “nous” (mind) and “sphaira” (sphere). It provokes the realization that there exists a high-energy layer of human thought and connectivity that is constructed upon the natural world. It is a nervous system, a shroud of mental inter-connectivity to which we become more and more dependent upon as we detach from the primitive ways of our ancestors. It is fashioned from and by knowledge, exponentially generating more and more information that propels us to unrealized heights of existence.

“It is our duty as men and women to proceed as though the limits of our abilities do not exist.” — Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

Now, this was fathomed in 1926 (and arguably as early as 1922). In any event, we’re getting to the doorstep of the century mark from whence this theory was conceptualized. Even Alan Watts, discussing it several decades before the idea of the internet was even brought into being, had been amazed at how the noösphere was materializing so effectively through the use of radio and television connectivity. It would be fascinating to see what the above-mentioned individuals would say about this now, but that’s getting away from the point.

The idea of the noösphere is awe-inspiring in itself not only because of what it proposes, but the way in which it frames our advancement as a civilization. Rather than foraging for information as our ancestors did, we modern humans have come to master it. We’ve found a way to manipulate, proliferate and propagate not only information but the channels through which it flows. As we’re knocking on the doors of 5G network installations and snapping increasingly detailed photos of the cosmos, mining asteroids and sequencing genetics, we may be taking for granted the speed at which data and knowledge can travel — which is on the verge of immediacy.

“The time has come to realise that an interpretation of the universe — even a positivist one — remains unsatisfying unless it covers the interior as well as the exterior of things; mind as well as matter. The true physics is that which will, one day, achieve the inclusion of man in his wholeness in a coherent picture of the world.” ― Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

Think about it this way. The average speed of cyclists in the 1926 Tour de France had been 24 km/hr. Today, the average speed of a professional cyclist in a competition on flat terrain is about 40 km/hr. Over the span of close to a mere hundred years, knowledge has been refined by such an unbelievable drastic extent: bikes are lighter and faster — the tread on the tire is maximized to maintain momentum on turns whilst the gears are intricately designed to offer the best acceleration; there are endless pools of knowledge with respect to physical preparation, hydration, nutrition, form, etc. And this is only one tremendously specific field.

In another way to phrase it, noösphere is a stage of our evolution — one that is dominated by consciousness and the mind, which drive the currents of information as if they were streams of wind. Some describe it as a geological phenomenon that is driven by the vital forces of humankind, elemental to the description of this Anthropocene age that we occupy — the human epoch, the time in which humankind is able to influence and manipulate the earth and all of earths matter.

So what of this? Why is this of any significance? Should we simply revere this intangible layer of connectivity? Should we try to take advantage of it? I argue that, if we really become aware of it’s existence, we can maximize our place within it.

“Thought isn’t a form of energy. So how on Earth can it change material processes? That question has still not been answered.” ― Vladimir I. Vernadsky

Unfortunately, and this is where I’ll undoubtedly lose a number of you, as I don’t have any proposition for ways by which we can manipulate it to our immediate and material advantage, at this stage anyway (even though it is benefiting us on a constant basis). But I offer this idea in place: understanding the noösphere allows us to better understand ourselves as an organism within this ever-propagating structure.

Beyond that, it prompts us to realize that we are part of it, we can interact with it. This means sending and receiving information, which in consequence means helping others by sharing our knowledge and jumping on opportunities (a true infinitude of opportunities) to learn about the world for ourselves. We can teach languages to people all around the world; we can take a virtual tour through Rome and Athens; we can debate different interpretations of Dostoyevski’s work with people at every end of the Earth; we can watch in on events that are occurring anywhere at any time.

On a more fundamental level, we’re able to break apart, combine and splice matter, exploit organic and inorganic material, mine and utilize resources in such complex ways. We can do the same when we problem solve, utilizing an array of resources at our disposal, transmuting our mental states and developing ourselves, making the most of out of whats given to us and truly understanding how our minds work. In a blunt way to put it: by understanding the way in which the noosphere works on a collective scale, as it is meant to be understood, we can also understand it on an individual scale.

Subsequently, the layer of consciousness that is strewn about the biosphere allows for information to find itself to and from us whether we intend it to or not, but if we make an active effort to actually engage with it, we can amplify these streams of knowledge all the more.

Lucien Buysse, who crossed the finish line in Paris to seal his victory in the Tour de France of 1926, would have benefited from this network without fully knowing. The rubber for his tires having been manufactured through a genius process of vulcanization; the steampunk-looking goggles that kept mud out of his eyes having made sight along the daunting trails possible; the network of competitors and organizers that sought to defy the biosphere by cycling over it. Lucien Buysse was (and apparently still is) entwined within this sphere of mind and he, to a large extent, unintentionally made use of it, as we all can.

Read On: Why The Philosopher Is Needed Now More Than Ever