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Dynamics of being: Dynamics and Catalytic states Anil Mitra, © May 2010, © Latest Revision July 16, 2010 Contents Basis in the Universal metaphysics | The dynamics | Essential aspects of the dynamics of being | The nature of the Object | Deployment of the dynamics Catalytic states and modes of transformation Sacred places | Ritual | Sacred texts | Sensitivity | Charismatic transformation History of transformation—appendix to catalytic states Aims of a study of history of transformation | Shamanism and other systems that date back to prehistory | Indian systems | Western systems
Dynamics of beingThe concept ‘Dynamics of being’ is Theory of transformation; the Object is Effective transformation Basis in the Universal metaphysicsThe Universal metaphysics reveals that there are no limits to individual realization. This implies that except what is Logically impossible, what may be normally considered to be impossible is at least highly improbable—i.e., our traditional systems of knowledge provide no explicit way to transcend the normally impossible (that is inherent in the notion of the normally impossible.) Further, the metaphysics itself does not show a way to transcendence The dynamicsDynamics of being is an approach to transformation in which, with bases in the foregoing—especially the actualities revealed by the fundamental principle. The following are iterated (1) experiments are conceived and acted upon, (2) outcomes are interpreted and enhanced experiments in transformation are conceived. The Normal is not fixed and Normal possibilities and feasibilities stand relative to our knowledge and are therefore subject to transformation in the iterative process described The intent includes but is not limited to incremental negotiation of normal limits Essential aspects of the dynamics of beingNegotiating the feasible, i.e. knowledge and experiment are instrumental in determining what is feasible Exploring what is desirable… even if there is an objective ethics, its realization may depend on kind and state of being and, further, knowledge and interpretation of it may change Incremental andor large scale—saltational—change Exploring the means of change—physical, psychological, social, technological The nature of the ObjectThe general Object is a joint construct of mind and world; in general there is, at minimum, partial implicit faithfulness I have suggested that all truth may be expressed as literal truth. However, on the way to this simple truth metaphor and symbol are—may be—significant Reflect on dual role of perception-conception—observation and inference—in knowing and transformation (perception and conception, which include feeling and emotion, constitute mental content; here conception is the free part of mental content.) This dual may be transcended perhaps in states of greater awareness, especially peaks of realization; and it is in such states, should they be achieved, that it will be seen (known) whether the concept (in the general sense of mental content) emerges as simple perception Deployment of the dynamicsThe dynamics provides a framework and the following sections provide elements for realization The catalytic states are states of heightened receptivity to and action in the light of inner and external data (including the less than conscious and active creation of idea and its further body extension as transformation) The history of transformation is a brief review of ideas and ways of transformation or that may be instrumental in transformation. Traditions of East and West to the present day are included. These traditions may be deployed as they are; they may also provide enhancement and elaboration of the dynamics and further data on catalytic states The dynamics provides a framework for the experimental use and development of catalytic states in which Catalytic states and modes of transformationThese are states of physiological and psychic sensitivity, receptivity and readiness… and are not restricted to any compartment of mind or physiology Types of stateTypes of state include dream, hypnotic states, vision, heightened awareness to self—including of course the unconscious—and world. Catalytic use includes focusing dreams and so on and integration in awareness; cultivation over time; sensitivity to and cultivation of opportunity and idiosyncrasy ApproachesA collection—meditation and isolation of the psyche (‘and’ body,) suspension of judgment, exposure to and intuitive integration of archetypes through dream-symbol-Art-myth-Faith…and induction of states by contemplation, via shaman and equivalents, and in groups Grounding in the real—sacrifice and commitment to a higher end Enhancing or inducing factorsEnhancing or inducing factors—physical isolations and deprivations, physiological alterations from exposure, shock or trauma, pain, presence, fear, crisis and crisis sense, anxiety—imposed or volitional and purposive, exertion and exhaustion, march, repetition and rhythm and dance, inaction, fasting and diet, and extremes in environment Sacred placesSacred places have a transformational nature in being conducive to states of receptivity and engagement with the world. Immersion in such places may be transformational. There is no single kind of sacred place; however, a sacred place is not of another world but of this world—a place that, along with practices of this world, show this world in a new light. Sacred places include churches, temples and monasteries. The world of nature may function as sacred; and immersion may be meditative in function RitualA ritual that is complementary to the inner-outer transformation of nature and its transformational character is the embrace of the place where I live—its ugliness (which is no doubt a partial function of perception) and its beauty. Chöd—my idea is seeing eros in death and death in eros; liberation by acceptance: for fear, death, revulsion… Sacred textsSacred texts show—though not by literal content alone—ways that others have found and may be suggestive SensitivitySensitive individuals, relation to disturbance—that relations are contingent rather than necessary; personality or disposition and state. Individual and group approaches to transformation of personality; splitting; social action and transformation of self and society Charismatic transformationCharismatic transformation—charisma is a quality of leadership, a quality of a person that moves others to think and act and give allegiance (primarily to the person and secondarily to a goal or cause.) It seems that charisma is characteristic of certain personalities. The question of charismatic transformation is How may a given individual enhance / maximize charisma? Some thoughts: (1) Taking a risk—i.e. putting oneself and one’s ideas and goals in front of others; doing this regardless of external (environmental, economic, social) and internal (cognitive and emotional quality and acuity.) (2) Doing this repeatedly—which results in improvement, reaching a greater audience, and also appeals to the simple fact that people tend to believe what is repeated (five repetitions is said to be sufficient) even if by the same person. (3) Practicing what to say… and saying it for practice. (4) Insight into individual motivation and reward; insight into the real purpose of men and women; and, perhaps, seeing from their perspective. (5) Psychic energy Savant statesSavant, modes and theories, relation to developmental deficiency—that any such relations are not necessary; relation to states and dispositions to states of psychic sensitivity; experimental inductions of the savant syndrome in normal individuals; possibility of cultivation Experiments suggest the thought that all persons have un-liberated and savant-like abilities locked in by ‘normal, balanced development,’ that are normally locked in by needs for survival—biological and cultural—but may be liberated in exceptional circumstance by the same needs. There is suggestive evidence that ‘normal’ individuals are capable of savant development. Much of this evidence concerns accidents such as stroke which debilitates a part of the brain and may so free another part. There are reports of experiments with magnetic fields that confer temporary savant-like behavior. It is important to remember the alternate explanations to savant-ability: compensation and randomness; perhaps the general savant case represents all modes of explanation (in combination) History of transformation—appendix to catalytic statesThis section is a brief review of some classic modes that have transformation as a goal or may be used toward that goal. These may provide enhancement and elaboration of the dynamics and further data on catalytic states Aims of a study of history of transformation1. To review traditional ideas for use in transformation 2. To provide foundation for a synthesis of the variety of approaches. This goal is further taken up in Basis and theory of transformation Shamanism and other systems that date back to prehistoryThe shamanic or journey-quest: its original and later variations as approaches to states of insight including hallucination and to transformation of personality. Black Elk, Mircae Eliade, Weston La Barre, Richard K. Nelson—Make Prayers to the Raven—1983, Hugh Brody—The Other Side of Eden: Hunters, Farmers, and the Shaping of the World—2000, Joseph Campbell—Primitive Mythology: The Masks of God—1959, Richard Evans Schultes and Albert Hoffman—Plants of the Gods: Their Sacred, Healing and Hallucinogenic Powers—1992, … Indian systemsVeda and Upanishad; Bhagavad-Gita and its four yogic systems—Raja, Gñana, Karma, Bhakti yoga; Samkhya, Yoga; Vedanta; Buddhism—reflection on the noble truths and experiments with the eight fold way Western systemsGreek ideal; mystics and saints; the spiritual traditions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam; Freudian and other conceptualizations of growth—deterministic and indeterministic Development of the dynamicThe structure of the dynamic may be inferred from the indeterministic-selective character of the process. The process includes many other ‘methods’ Common elements emerge from examples as follows: Desire for andor awareness of immersion in change with or without an informed goal Experiment and evaluation of outcome—modification andor enhancement of knowledge of limits, means and goals The process and context are now experienced as dynamic and changing The dynamics itself becomes or is seen as dynamic (meta-dynamics) and is integrated into intuition—what is latent becomes actual, reflexivity enters awareness as an explicit tool—and is applied to being itself which includes individual, identity, and world |