Chaos, Creativity and Cosmic Consciousness

1. The Universe is Evolving, Not Static

The universe is an evolving system of habits.

Challenging Newtonian Physics. The traditional scientific worldview, rooted in Newtonian physics, posits unchanging laws of nature and a fixed amount of matter and energy. This contrasts sharply with the evolutionary perspective, which sees the universe as a dynamic process of progressive development. The Big Bang theory, for instance, fundamentally shifted cosmology from a static to an evolutionary model.

Evolving Habits of Nature. Instead of eternal laws, consider the regularities of nature as evolving habits. This concept, proposed by Rupert Sheldrake, suggests that the universe has an inherent memory, with each type of organism forming a cumulative collective memory through morphogenetic fields. This means that the way things are is influenced by the way they were.

Implications for Science. This shift in perspective has profound implications for how we understand science. It suggests that the laws of nature are not fixed but are subject to change and evolution. It also opens the door to new ways of understanding creativity and the emergence of new forms in the universe.

2. Chaos is the Birthplace of Order and Creativity

Chaos is not something that degrades information and is somehow the enemy of order, but rather it is something that is the birthplace of order.

Beyond Disorder. Chaos is often perceived as disorder and randomness, but chaos theory reveals that it is, in fact, a source of hidden order and creativity. Chaotic systems, while unpredictable in detail, exhibit underlying patterns and structures known as chaotic attractors. These attractors exert influence on less organized states, guiding them toward end states.

The Dripping Faucet Example. The dripping faucet is a paradigmatic example of a chaotic time series. When the time between drops is measured and visualized through chaoscopy, a smooth curve emerges, revealing a hidden order within the seemingly random data. This demonstrates that chaos is not simply the absence of order but a complex system with its own inherent dynamics.

Reinstating Tiamat. The repression of chaos, as exemplified by the Babylonian myth of Marduk slaying Tiamat, has led to an inhibition of creativity and a resistance to imagination. The chaos revolution calls for the reinstatement of Tiamat, accepting chaos as a friend and recognizing its role in the emergence of new forms.

3. Imagination is a Cosmic Force, Not Just Human

For me, the key to unlocking what is going on with history, creativity, and progressive processes of all sorts is to see the state of completion at the end as a kind of higher-dimensional object that casts an enormous and flickering shadow over the lower dimensions of organization, of which this universe is one.

The Divine Imagination. The imagination is not merely a human faculty but a cosmic force, a "three-stroke engine" that impels creativity and drives the evolutionary process. This Divine Imagination can be seen as a higher-dimensional attractor, drawing all organization and structure toward itself over billions of years.

Gaian Dreaming. Human history can be viewed as a Gaian dream, with each of us serving as a cell in communication with the Divine Imagination. Dreams and psychedelic experiences are chemical cousins, offering glimpses into the Gaian mind and providing corrective tuning for our life state.

Imagination as Eschatology. Imagination is a kind of eschatological object, shedding influence throughout the temporal dimension and the morphogenetic field. It is a beacon, a scout sent ahead that precedes us into history, guiding us toward the realization of our collective dreams.

4. The World Soul Connects All Levels of Existence

There’s a cosmic imagination, the imagination of the anima mundi, the soul of the universe. Within this are the imaginations of galaxies, solar systems, planets, ecosystems, societies, individual organisms, organs, tissues, and so on.

Nested Hierarchy of Souls. The world soul, or anima mundi, is the largest and smartest creature imaginable, an organism that has arisen out of biology. Within this cosmic soul, there exists a nested hierarchy of souls, from galaxies and solar systems to planets, ecosystems, and individual organisms.

The Primal Unified Field. All forms and patterns of things that develop in the world have their own organizing fields, and all are ultimately derived from the primal unified field. This field has a memory of everything that's happened within it already, and the cosmic imagination involves ongoing memory in a world whose physical body is shaped by the habits of nature.

Beyond Space and Time. The world soul is not confined to the space/time continuum but incarnates in one universe after another. It is an aspiration of eternity for consciousness and unconsciousness, an ultimate essence of the life experience that transcends the limitations of incarnation.

5. Vision and Light Bridge the Physical and Mental

Physical light and the light of consciousness. Light and vision. The location of visual images. Mind extending from the eyes.

Beyond the Brain. The conventional theory of vision locates visual images inside the brain, but this does not correspond with actual experience. Instead, the image of what we see may be projected outward, with the mind extending from the eyes to engulf the object being viewed.

The Sense of Being Stared At. The sense of being stared at, often dismissed as folklore, may be evidence of an influence passing out through the eyes. This influence could be a mental field or a reverse movement through the light that is coming into the eyes.

The Electromagnetic Field as Interface. The electromagnetic field may serve as an interface between the matter fields and the mental, psychic, and morphic aspects of ourselves and the world soul. This field, with its holographic reality, could be the medium of divine omniscience, connecting all things and making them known to the cosmic mind.

6. Entities Offer a Glimpse Beyond the Material

In all times and all places, with the possible exception of Western Europe for the past two hundred years, a social commerce between human beings and various types of discarnate entities, or nonhuman intelligences, was taken for granted.

Beyond the Physical. Discarnate intelligences and nonhuman entities, often dismissed as mythology or pathology, have been a persistent presence in human experience and folklore. These entities may be nonphysical and autonomous, existing independently of human perception.

The Shamanic Model. The shamanic model offers a framework for understanding these entities, viewing them as "helping" spirits with whom a symbiotic relationship can be established. This contrasts with the scientific model, which often reduces these experiences to mental projections or schizophrenia.

Entities and Language. The ability of these entities to communicate in languages we understand suggests that the field of language itself must be prepared for such communication. By opening ourselves to the voices of the elementals, we may reclaim our connection to the family of nature.

7. Reclaiming the Unconscious is Key to Transformation

By giving people a less restricted choice of addictions, we can cause some growth in consciousness and some shrinkage of the unconscious.

The Bifurcation of Mind. The creation of the unconscious, the origin of evil, and the repression of chaos are three great bifurcations in the history of consciousness. These events have led to a shrinking of the conscious mind and a growing dominance of the unconscious.

The Role of Ritual and Psychedelics. The suppression of psychedelics and the increasing interval between partnership rituals have contributed to the rise of the dominator society. By reinstituting these practices and reclaiming the power of chaos, we may begin to heal the split between the conscious and unconscious.

Addiction and Choice. Addiction is an inherent part of the human condition, but by giving people a less restricted choice of addictions, we can promote growth in consciousness and a shrinkage of the unconscious. This involves replacing harmful addictions with more beneficial ones and reclaiming free will without rejecting addiction altogether.

8. Resacralization Requires a Synthesis of Old and New

The resacralization of space and time involves not only recognizing the sacredness of churches and cathedrals and traditional festivals, but recognizing the importance of sacred places everywhere and of every kind…. This involves a much more animistic version of Christianity and Judaism, a process I’ve come to think of as the greening of God.

Beyond Traditional Religion. The resacralization of the world involves more than simply returning to traditional religious practices. It requires a synthesis of old and new, incorporating elements of animism, green consciousness, and a scientific worldview.

The Greening of God. This process involves a more animistic version of Christianity and Judaism, recognizing the sacredness of all nature and the interconnectedness of all things. It also calls for a reinterpretation of religious texts and traditions to align them with contemporary values.

The Role of Art and Music. Art and music play an integral role in the resacralization program, providing a means of connecting with the sacred and expressing the ineffable. By revitalizing these sacred arts, we may create a new mythology that can guide us toward a more sustainable and harmonious future.

9. Education Should Be an Initiatory Journey

I think it is of primary importance to recognize consciously that education is a form of initiation…. In fact, modern education involves an initiation into the rationalist or humanist worldview.

Beyond Rote Learning. Education should be more than simply the transmission of information. It should be an initiatory journey, a process of personal transformation that prepares individuals for their roles in society.

The Workshop Model. The workshop model offers a promising alternative to the traditional educational system, emphasizing experiential learning, group dynamics, and the development of practical skills. This model can be infused with spiritual and ethical values, creating a more holistic and meaningful educational experience.

A New Curriculum. The curriculum of the new educational system should include not only traditional subjects but also history, archaeology, mythology, and the sacred arts. It should also emphasize the importance of community participation and the development of moral and ethical values.

10. The Apocalypse is a Catalyst for Metamorphosis

When encountered outside the religious framework, the apocalyptic expectation of imminent transformation of the environment—with the individual somehow playing a central role—is labeled pathology. This pathological symptom in individuals is the driving force behind much of our civilization.

Beyond Doom and Gloom. The apocalyptic expectation, while often associated with doom and gloom, can also serve as a catalyst for positive change. By recognizing the inherent instability of the cosmos and the urgency of the present moment, we may be inspired to take action and create a more sustainable future.

A Self-Fulfilling Prophecy. The apocalyptic myth, with its emphasis on destruction and transformation, can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. By reinterpreting this myth and focusing on the potential for renewal and rebirth, we may shift the course of history toward a more positive outcome.

The Power of Faith. The journey toward a better future requires faith, a belief in the possibility of transformation and a commitment to working toward that goal. By embracing the power of faith and channeling it toward positive action, we may overcome the challenges of the present and create a new world order.

Last updated: February 28, 2025