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==Introduction==
<blockquote>"Cosmic religious feeling is the strongest and noblest incitement to scientific research" and "the most important function of art and science [is] to awaken this feeling and keep it alive in those who are capable of it." '''Albert Einstein''' <ref>Einstein, Albert. The World as I See It. Kindle. Samaira Book Publishers, 2018. https://amzn.to/2NR8B6z.</ref></blockquote>


Sometime in the year 2003, I had a series of powerful "mystical" experiences, or what I call [[Connection Experiences]]. At that time I had two choices. One, I could pretend they didn't exist and that I didn't have them, or I could embrace them and try and figure out WTF was going on. Since there was a certain amount of psychopathy in the first connection event, pretending it hadn't happened was an attractive option. Ultimately I didn't try to pretend them away. Instead, probably as a direct result of my doctoral level university training, I chose to investigate and explore, to try and figure out WTF was going on. This SpiritWiki is a part distillation of my (now our) fifteen year, ongoing exploration, and part textbook explication of our evolving theoretical understanding.


The textbook is organized hierarchically, with key concepts and theories on this page. To use the textbook, simply pick a topic and explore. Additional readings provide you with critical educational and background readings. Keep in mind, the work is still under heavy development. Concepts, principles, and linkages are still evolving, and therefore subject to change. Navigation isn't fully developed and there might be lingering soft spots and problem areas that need to be cleaned up.
<blockquote>...the Christian sees Christian symbols: the Cross, Christ, the Virgin, and so forth the Muslim percieves Arabic letters and non-figurative designs; the Buddhist contemplates projections or visualizations of the respective community's myth dream which the subject has chosen...as his own personal myth-dream. This does not mean that mystic do not have visions at all; visionary experiences and hallucinatory states are a reality about which psychologists and physicians give us ample scientific information. But as far as investigation of mystical experience and the comparative study of mysticism are concerned, the analysis of reports on visionary phenomenon does not lead beyond the comparison of divergent myth-dreams. <ref>Keller, Carl A. “Mystical Literature.” In Mysticism and Philosophical Analysis, edited by Steven T. Katz, 75–100. London: Sheldon Press, 1978. p. 86</ref>
</blockquote>


==[[Authentic Spirituality]]==
==Introduction==
 
It became clear early on in the process that traditional spiritualities, specifically those wrapped around organized [[Religion]], were not authentic. They were [[Opportunistic Corruption|opportunistically corrupted]] and bent out of shape. This realization led me to think about and develop what I call [[Authentic Spirituality]]. Quite simply, Authentic Spirituality (AS) is a spirituality that [[Connection|connects]].
 
There are [[Seven Pillars of Authentic Spirituality]] that you can use to assess your own spirituality.
 
There are [[Four Steps of Authentic Spirituality]] that, generally, we must take as you move forward towards [[connection]]. These are [[Healing]], [[Awakening]], [[Activation]], and finally connection, or [[Ascension]]. For more, visit the [[Authentic Spirituality]] page.
 
==[[Psychological Theory]]==
 
Lightning Path psychology posits a distinction between [[Consciousness]] and the [[Physical Unit]] (i.e. body) that contains it. According to LP psychological theory, [[Consciousness]] exists sui generis, independent of, physical creation. The [[Physical Unit]] was designed as a container for [[Consciousness]]. Human [[Development]] involves nurturing and preparing the physical unit so that it can develop and maintain a strong [[Connection]]. [[Disconnection]] is a consequence of [[Toxic Socialization]]
 
Key concepts of LP psychological theory are outlined in the map below. You can explore these concepts in more depth by visiting [[Psychological Theory|this page]].
 
[[File:LP Psychology.png|850px|center|Map|link=https://spiritwiki.lightningpath.org/index.php/Psychological_Theory]]
 
==Sociological Theory==
 
[https://www.sociology.org/what-is-sociology/ Sociology is the study of the world that we create]. Since the world we create is constituted by institutions, and since institutions are constituted by the relationships and actions within them, sociology is the study of institutions and the relationships that constitute these institutions, and the development of these institutions and relationships. Taken together, the sum total of all human institutions and relationships constitute [[The System]].
 
Currently, The System is organized around the goal of accumulation (Sosteric, 2016). The [[Regime of Accumulation]] (ROA) is consciously designed to enrich the few while impoverishing the many. [[System Agents]] work to maintain and evolve the system.
 
The Regime of Accumulation consists of a [[Mode of Production]] (MOP), a [[Mode of Accumulation]] (MOA), and a [[Mode of Compliance]] (MOC). The particular constellation and MOP, MOA, and MOC provide a specific historical realization of the abstract ROA. [[Slavery]], [[Feudalism]] and [[Capitalism]] are two distinct historical regimes in the general development of human civilization.
 
Evolution of sentient species pass through three stages of evolution, a primitive expansionary phase, an intermediate development phase where the modes of production, accumulation, and compliance evolve and globalize, and a final graduation phase. Graduation occurs when technology has evolved the quantum stage, the productive apparatus of a planet has reached ultimate development, and the species emancipates itself from, and transform, the System. 
 
 
[[File:LP Sociology.png|center|Map]]


==[[Evolutionary Theory]]==
Sometime in the year 2003, I had a series of powerful "mystical" experiences, what I now call [[Connection Experiences]], that, from a phenomenological, theological, psychological, and sociological perspective, completely blew me away. As so many others have recounted, experiences like these are powerful beyond mortal belief. The experiences were totally unexpected, and, I have to say, initially unwelcome. Although raised a Catholic, I had observed the hypocrisy and violence at an early age and rejected it. Even though I fiddled around with alternative systems throughout adolescence (Eckankar, Buddhism, Zen, etc.), I eventually entered university where I gradually accepted the dogmatic truths--God was a stupid idea, and human spirituality was, at best, a remnant of a more primitive time, and at worst, a delusion, oedipal regression.<ref>Freud, Sigmund. Civilization and Its Discontents. New York: W.W. Norton, 1961. https://amzn.to/2STCpQT.</ref><ref>
———. The Future of an Illusion. New York: Anchor Books, 1964. https://amzn.to/2EZqqgZ.</ref> Like so many of my colleagues, I neither wanted, needed, expected, or accepted anything religious to happen. But then, "it" happened. I had a powerful [[Connection Experience]], and then I had more.


On the LP we posit that planetary [[Evolution]] occurs in three broad phases, [[Stage One: Emergence]], [[Stage Two: Expansion]], and [[Stage Three: Integration]]. Each evolutionary stage has certain milestones which must be met, and certain obstacles which must be overcome. [[Intervention]] is often required to ensure successful unfolding of a species through emergence and expansion. Intervention is almost always required to ensure successful transition from stage two to stage three.  
At that time the initial experiences occurred, I had three choices. '''One''', I could pretend they didn't exist and that I didn't have them. '''Two''', I could attribute the experiences to psychosis. '''Three''', I could embrace them and try and figure out was going on. Since there was a certain amount of emotional, psychological, and spiritual disease in the first connection event, pretending it hadn't happened and continuing on with my career was an attractive option. On the other hand, the experiences where literally mind-blowing, providing, as William James said,<ref>
William James notes "The simplest rudiment of mystical experience would seem to be that deepened sense of the significance of a maxim or formula which occasionally sweeps over one. "I've heard that said all my life," we exclaim, "but I never realized its full meaning until now. James, William. Varieties of Religious Experience, a Study in Human Nature (p. 332). Kindle Edition. https://amzn.to/2SQZ7Jv </ref>  deep insight and opening up entirely new realms of thought, conception, and experience to me. Clearly, clearly, clearly, there was more to it than self-delusion or some kind of psychosis.  


Key concepts are outlined in the map below. To learn more, visit the [[Evolutionary Theory]] page.
Ultimately, as you will gather as you browse through this online textbook of human spirituality and connection, I didn't attribute the experiences to psychosis, nor did I try to pretend them away. I just couldn't. Instead, probably as a direct result of my doctoral level university training, I chose to investigate, explore, and try and figure out was going on. I began a research project, in other words, to try and sort the thing out. This online resource is one of the ongoing distillations and presentations of this decades-long project phenomenological, sociological, psychological, emotional, and dare I say, spiritual research project. It is my attempt not only to sort out these experiences in a sensible and scholarly fashion and to contribute towards a "more sophisticated religious language coordinated with the scientific data," as suggested as necessary by Timothy Leary.<Ref>Leary, T. “The Religious Experience: Its Production and Interpretation.” Journal of Psychoactive Drugs 3, no. 1 (1970): 76–86. https://doi.org/10.1080/02791072.1970.10471364. p. 341.</ref>


[[File:LP Evolutionary Theory.0.95.png|850px|center|LP Evolutionary Theory|link=https://spiritwiki.lightningpath.org/index.php/Evolutionary_Theory]]
At this time, this online resource is very much still in development. New concepts and ideas are being added, definitions and discussions are being refined, and new research, resources, and backing citations are being added all the time. The reader should bear this in mind. There are many rough sections, many sections that consist of little more than notes and ideas, and many areas that need supporting research and discussion. The resource is progressing however, and it is, with moderate haste, becoming a useful distillation. In the week's ahead I'll begin to add "points of entry" where an interested student of human spirituality can find their way in.


==Further Reading==
Finally, note, the SpiritWiki is an online theoretical/scholarly work in progress. At this time, all entries should be considered draft and subject to revision. Please be forgiving of typos.


Contact the author at spiritwiki [ @ ] lightningpath.org


Sosteric, M. (2018). From Zoroaster to Star Wars, Jesus to Marx: The Science and Technology of Mass Human Behaviour. doi: https://www.academia.edu/34504691
==Supporting this Work==


If you want to support this work, purchase and read the books recommended in the footnotes, if they are of interest to you. Books in the footnotes and [[references]] section are linked to an Amazon Associates ID, and your purchase through this website helps pay for servers and necessary technical support.


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[[category:lightningpath]]
[[category:lightningpath]]

Revision as of 18:36, 17 April 2019

"Cosmic religious feeling is the strongest and noblest incitement to scientific research" and "the most important function of art and science [is] to awaken this feeling and keep it alive in those who are capable of it." Albert Einstein [1]


...the Christian sees Christian symbols: the Cross, Christ, the Virgin, and so forth the Muslim percieves Arabic letters and non-figurative designs; the Buddhist contemplates projections or visualizations of the respective community's myth dream which the subject has chosen...as his own personal myth-dream. This does not mean that mystic do not have visions at all; visionary experiences and hallucinatory states are a reality about which psychologists and physicians give us ample scientific information. But as far as investigation of mystical experience and the comparative study of mysticism are concerned, the analysis of reports on visionary phenomenon does not lead beyond the comparison of divergent myth-dreams. [2]

Introduction

Sometime in the year 2003, I had a series of powerful "mystical" experiences, what I now call Connection Experiences, that, from a phenomenological, theological, psychological, and sociological perspective, completely blew me away. As so many others have recounted, experiences like these are powerful beyond mortal belief. The experiences were totally unexpected, and, I have to say, initially unwelcome. Although raised a Catholic, I had observed the hypocrisy and violence at an early age and rejected it. Even though I fiddled around with alternative systems throughout adolescence (Eckankar, Buddhism, Zen, etc.), I eventually entered university where I gradually accepted the dogmatic truths--God was a stupid idea, and human spirituality was, at best, a remnant of a more primitive time, and at worst, a delusion, oedipal regression.[3][4] Like so many of my colleagues, I neither wanted, needed, expected, or accepted anything religious to happen. But then, "it" happened. I had a powerful Connection Experience, and then I had more.

At that time the initial experiences occurred, I had three choices. One, I could pretend they didn't exist and that I didn't have them. Two, I could attribute the experiences to psychosis. Three, I could embrace them and try and figure out was going on. Since there was a certain amount of emotional, psychological, and spiritual disease in the first connection event, pretending it hadn't happened and continuing on with my career was an attractive option. On the other hand, the experiences where literally mind-blowing, providing, as William James said,[5] deep insight and opening up entirely new realms of thought, conception, and experience to me. Clearly, clearly, clearly, there was more to it than self-delusion or some kind of psychosis.

Ultimately, as you will gather as you browse through this online textbook of human spirituality and connection, I didn't attribute the experiences to psychosis, nor did I try to pretend them away. I just couldn't. Instead, probably as a direct result of my doctoral level university training, I chose to investigate, explore, and try and figure out was going on. I began a research project, in other words, to try and sort the thing out. This online resource is one of the ongoing distillations and presentations of this decades-long project phenomenological, sociological, psychological, emotional, and dare I say, spiritual research project. It is my attempt not only to sort out these experiences in a sensible and scholarly fashion and to contribute towards a "more sophisticated religious language coordinated with the scientific data," as suggested as necessary by Timothy Leary.[6]

At this time, this online resource is very much still in development. New concepts and ideas are being added, definitions and discussions are being refined, and new research, resources, and backing citations are being added all the time. The reader should bear this in mind. There are many rough sections, many sections that consist of little more than notes and ideas, and many areas that need supporting research and discussion. The resource is progressing however, and it is, with moderate haste, becoming a useful distillation. In the week's ahead I'll begin to add "points of entry" where an interested student of human spirituality can find their way in.

Finally, note, the SpiritWiki is an online theoretical/scholarly work in progress. At this time, all entries should be considered draft and subject to revision. Please be forgiving of typos.

Contact the author at spiritwiki [ @ ] lightningpath.org

Supporting this Work

If you want to support this work, purchase and read the books recommended in the footnotes, if they are of interest to you. Books in the footnotes and references section are linked to an Amazon Associates ID, and your purchase through this website helps pay for servers and necessary technical support.

Footnotes

  1. Einstein, Albert. The World as I See It. Kindle. Samaira Book Publishers, 2018. https://amzn.to/2NR8B6z.
  2. Keller, Carl A. “Mystical Literature.” In Mysticism and Philosophical Analysis, edited by Steven T. Katz, 75–100. London: Sheldon Press, 1978. p. 86
  3. Freud, Sigmund. Civilization and Its Discontents. New York: W.W. Norton, 1961. https://amzn.to/2STCpQT.
  4. ———. The Future of an Illusion. New York: Anchor Books, 1964. https://amzn.to/2EZqqgZ.
  5. William James notes "The simplest rudiment of mystical experience would seem to be that deepened sense of the significance of a maxim or formula which occasionally sweeps over one. "I've heard that said all my life," we exclaim, "but I never realized its full meaning until now. James, William. Varieties of Religious Experience, a Study in Human Nature (p. 332). Kindle Edition. https://amzn.to/2SQZ7Jv
  6. Leary, T. “The Religious Experience: Its Production and Interpretation.” Journal of Psychoactive Drugs 3, no. 1 (1970): 76–86. https://doi.org/10.1080/02791072.1970.10471364. p. 341.