I was recently led to read CosmicConsciousness: A Study in the Evolution of the Human Mind, a 1901 book written by the philosopher and psychiatrist in which the author Richard Maurice Bucke explores the concept of cosmic consciousness defining it as a higher form of consciousness than that currently possessed by most ordinary men. An interesting read. See https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Cosmic_Consciousness
In his book on Cosmic Consciousness, Richard Bucke stated that he discerned three degrees, of consciousness man possesses that have emerged over time:
Simple consciousness, the initial level of consciousness that is possessed by both animals and mankind
Self-consciousness, the next level of consciousness now possessed by mankind that encompasses ‘thought, reason, and imagination’.
Cosmic consciousness, a higher form of consciousness than that currently possessed by much of mankind.
In summary, Cosmic Consciousness moves beyond Self Consciousness to a spiritual understanding that there is eternal life and that ‘God’ is the whole universe, the universe is God – that all things are interconnected.
Finally, in his book, Richard Bucke frequently references Jesus Christ and quotes many of his saying from the Bible. He claims Jesus was one of the early individuals to attain cosmic consciousness who tried to communicate what that meant to his disciples and millions of Christians over the centuries.
The following are some Other Notes on Cosmic Consciousness from a variety of selected articles referenced below.
Cosmic Consciousness is a term often used to denote a higher or particularly spiritual level of awareness and consciousness. This type of awareness may be associated with an experience of “knowing God," transcending what we know using our five basic senses.
“Cosmic consciousness” - Is there any phrase more taboo, more unspeakable in philosophy, than this? Nowadays, to speak of cosmic consciousness is to invite ridicule by many.
Some philosophers argue that the entire universe is conscious, or to put it more broadly: that there is a Cosmic Consciousness.
A mode of consciousness in which everything is experienced as ‘being one with everything else’.
Cosmic Consciousness involves a direct, intuitive experience of the infinite field of awareness that underlies and pervades the entire universe.
Some of the world's most renowned scientists are beginning to question whether the cosmos has an inner life similar to our own.
Cosmic Consciousness will one day become an everyday experience for all of mankind.
Selected Articles
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