The SpiritWiki:About
The SpiritWiki is the canonical repository of all things Lightning Path. It was started back in 2007[1] by yours truly as a way to understand and explore the powerful "mystical experiences" (what I call Connection Experiences) that began occurring for me at that time. Over time it has evolved to be a freely accessible canonical repository of Lightning Path concepts, theories, and hypotheses, as well as relevant/syncretic linkages to the concepts, research, and work of individuals (like Stanislav Grof and traditions.
The SpiritWiki used MediaWiki and the Semantic Mediawiki extension to facilitate easy semantic linking and updating
Structure
Each SpiritWiki is structured into several sections.
- Definition, the first section at the top of every SW entry is the concept definition. This is followed by a varying list of secondary sections including, but not limited to...
- Syncretic Terms, which are a) terms from other traditions and schools, or b) terms from within the LP corpus that mean the same as the LP term
- Related LP Terms, Terms from the LP corpus that are closely related to the entry term, and that help elaborate the concept. Note, terms from outside the LP courses, like the theosophical [[[Will-Prayer]], are first linked to the LP concept, and then linked to related terms. If one is in terms that are syncretic with will-prayer, one looks to the syncretic concept Force and then examines the terms in that entry. This keeps the semantic links manageable.
- Non-LP Related Terms, Terms from outside the LP corpus.
- Notes, which is a section that includes commentary, links to additional research, and anything else that can deepen understanding,
- LP Context", a section which links, if appropriate, the current concept or idea from other traditions to LP nomenclature.
- Footnotes, citations and notes from the entry
- References, a complete listing of all books, journals, web pages cited in the SpiritWiki
Sometimes other sections are included. For example, the Transpersonal Realm is one of three Dimensions of the Psyche identified by Groff. The entry includes a second section that lists these three dimensions. These related terms could technically go into the section on related terms, but they are removed to improve granularity and interlinking.
Notes
The SpiritWiki is an evolving theoretical/scholarly work in progress. At this time all entries should be considered draft and subject to revision. For a narrative history of the SpiritWiki, see " Connection 100 – An Auto-Ethnography of My (Mystical) Connection Experiences."[2]
The SpiritWiki is a completely open and freely accessible representation/expose of the LP. If you want to learn about the LP, if you have a question about its concepts, if you need to look up a definition or idea, if you want to see how one LP concept links to another LP concept, or how an LP concept links to Syncretic Terms from other traditions, you will find that information in the SpiritWiki. In the SpiritWiki, canonical definitions of all LP concepts are placed, LP concepts are carefully linked to other LP concepts, and LP concepts are linked to Syncretic Terms from other traditions. In addition, the history of the concept, when it was created how its definition has changed over time, can be found in the history tab of each SpiritWiki entry.
The SpiritWiki is organized as a hypertext memex[3] of concepts and ideas. The SpiritWiki works in conjunction with hypertext courseware provided by the [1] LP Instructional Curriculum.
The SpiritWiki is an attempt by a sociologist to develop a modern, progressive, and grounded Connection Framework capable of helping people heal and reconnect. It is not the first attempt. Auguste Comte made a pitifully misinformed attempt[4]. Edward Carpenter also spoke about these issues, but didn't make much systemic progress owing to the primitive communication technologies, undeveloped conceptualizations, etc.
The SpiritWiki is, if I do say so myself, the most open and accessible connection framework ever conceived.
Citation and Legal
Treat this Wiki like an online monograph or textbook. Many of the concepts and ideas presented here are either wholly original (e.g., Fabric of Consciousness), or the definitions are significantly enhanced over their old energy counterparts. You can freely use information in this SpiritWiki, but citation or direct linking are required.
Contributing
Are you an expert in a particular religious tradition? Have you done some research relevant to LP concepts and ideas? Would you like to help with scaffolding (linking concepts, adding syncretic terms) or editing? Do you want to help save the world? That's awesome. We need all the help we can get. Reach out to [email protected] with your offer and an explanation on how you'd like to help.
Footnotes
- ↑ Sosteric, Mike. Connection 100 – An Auto-Ethnography of My (Mystical) Connection Experiences.” Religions 13, no. 10 (2022). https://doi.org/10.3390/rel13100993 https://www.academia.edu/50970462
- ↑ Sosteric, Mike. Connection 100 – An Auto-Ethnography of My (Mystical) Connection Experiences.” Religions 13, no. 10 (2022). https://doi.org/10.3390/rel13100993 https://www.academia.edu/50970462
- ↑ Bush, Vannevar. “As We May Think.” The Atlantic Monthly 1945, no. July (1945)
- ↑ Comte, Auguste. The Catechism of Positivism; or, Summary Exposition of the Universal Religion. London: John Chapman, 1852
