Cosmic Consciousness

Cosmic Consciousness

By Cecil A. Poole, F. R. C.

J le ilu s ie a tto rn SesUed

JleiA usie J to u si SesUe.1

RO SICRUCIAN SUPPLY BUREAU

R O S IC R U C 1 A N PA R K , S A N J O S E , C A L IF O R N IA A V C o p y rig h ted 1942 by Suprem e G r jn d L o d g e , A M O R C P rinted in U .S . A. > » i O •

osmic Lsonsciousness

In considering Cosmic Consciousness, I am no t going to attem pt to cover the subject completely, b u t rath er to con­ vey the impression of the tremendous scope o f this subject and to point ou t considerations th at may stimulate your thinking. T he subject is too great for the consideration of any one intellect; it cannot be confined to the in terpre­ tation of one individual or group o f individuals; it cannot even be confined to expression in words. Nevertheless, it is a subject which w e must consider, and, in the light of o u r understanding o f this subject, w e are better able to prepare the path which will constitute the way tow ard the ultim ate aims o f o u r existence.

It is im portant th at we consider Cosmic Consciousness from the standpoint o f definition, not because it can be limited to definition, b u t because it gives us a working point upon which to establish o u r considerations. Prob­ ably th a t which most nearly approaches a formal definition of the subject is th at given by Bucke in his book entitled

Cosmic Consciousness. Am ong his w ritings the follow­

Consciousness is, as its name implies, a consciousness of

the cosmos, that is, o f the life and order of the universe. A long w ith the consciousness of the cosmos there occurs an intellectual enlightenm ent or illumination which alone would place the individual on a new plane of existence— w ould make him almost a member o f a new species. T o this is added a state o f moral exaltation, an indescribable feeling of elevation, elation, and joyousness, and a quick' ening o f the moral sense, which is fully as striking and

more important both to the individual and to the race than is the enhanced intellectual power. W ith these come w hat

may be called a sense o f im mortality, a consciousness of eternal life, n o t a conviction that he shall have this, but

the consciousness that he has it already.” C arefully con'

sider these comments.

W e see th at Cosmic Consciousness is a pow er that transform s the individual. Bucke compares Cosmic Con- sciousness to lower forms of consciousness which he terms, first, th at o f simple consciousness possessed by any living creature; second, self-consciousness which is possessed by the hum an being to distinguish it from th at possessed by other animals. Cosmic Consciousness is something in advance o f either o f these states of consciousness, as stated in the definition; it is an added state, a condition which goes beyond th at which we can consider in the sense o f o u r objective realization. W e might say that conscious­ ness itself is a composite o f w hat w e perceive through our

senses and w hat w e know from our intuitive faculties; the latter includes w hat may be know n to us from the previous experiences of the soul. A dded to this, our consciousness includes awareness o f self; the ability to realize th at “ I am” is made possible by consciousness. W ith o u t this in­ tuition, w ithout this state of being, w e w ould merely be mechanisms w hich function because o f reflex action and which have th at type o f consciousness which Bucke refers to as simple consciousness. Consciousness, as including the perception of the objective senses together w ith the intuitive abilities of the awareness of self, we might state, is a distinct possession of the hum an being. I t sets him aside from other living things because the type of con­ sciousness enjoyed by him makes possible not only ob­ jective reason but also the possibility of mentally utilizing both physical and psychic phenomena, which he perceives through his senses and the extra-sensory perception of his subjective mind.

T o consider Cosmic Consciousness, then, we must con­ sider first of all th e limitations of our objective conscious­ ness and the ordinary conception o f our awareness o f self. T his state o f consciousness functions prim arily in reference to the physical world. I t functions and gives us conscious­ ness. Imagine, if you will, your consciousness being aware not only o f that which you perceive in this room, but imagine your consciousness reaching ou t beyond this room and its physical limitations. Imagine it being a p art o f the

Cosmic itself and thereby being all inclusive instead of definitely limited. T his thought impresses itself upon us, indicating th a t Cosmic Consciousness is, first of all, some' thing th a t exists beyond the limits of w hat we ordinarily perceive; in other words, it is the expanding of an ability to perceive not by the usual accepted w ay, but by CO' operation w ith a greater force. W e expand our ability to see a m inute object w ith a microscope; w e expand our ability to hear a sound a t a distance by means of the telephone o r radio, b u t no material aid will expand the range o f o u r senses to the point w here we can conceive o f the Cosmic scheme of things, or cause us to know the underlying laws operating in all things, nor can physical instrum ents bring to o u r perception a thing of a non- physical nature. Just as in order to explore the heavens a particular material arrangem ent which w e call a tele- scope is necessary, so it is th at if w e are going to explore the nature o f things which is n o t physical, a certain mental or psychic arrangem ent is necessary. Cosmic C o n ­ sciousness is th a t arrangem ent.

Cosmic Consciousness, according to this comparison, is to the perception o f the soul w hat a telescope is to the eye. T h e eye can see w ithout the telescope, consciousness can be an attribute of the soul w ithout Cosmic Consciousness, bu t just as the telescope extends o r expands the field of vision, so the realisation of the pow er th a t lies outside of our objective realization by means o f Cosmic Conscious'

C O S M I C C O N S C I O U S N E S S

ness extends o u r ability to perceive fa r beyond the limita' tions o f w h at we usually consider the range o f o u r con' scious perception. Let us not misunderstand the expansion o f this state to the point w here we would, to use the com- mon expression, live in the clouds. Let us realize th at those who have attained Cosmic Consciousness have also been hum an beings.

M ay we never forget th at the understanding of life is not intended a t any time to so lower the estimate of the purpose of the physical body as to believe th a t it should be given no consideration. T h e fact th at we are here in a physical body is evidence of the fact th at it is necessary for our present development; therefore, the first step to' w ard the attainm ent of Cosmic Consciousness must be made in this physical body, and the school of thought which would have us believe th at the consideration of the body should be eliminated is not hastening the develop' m ent of the state of Cosmic Consciousness, but rather is postponing it.

It is difficult for some people to be able to make use of a small am ount o f psychic development. T h ey believe th at they th en have the right to live in the clouds, they forget th at the requirem ents o f daily life go on w hether we are masters o r w hether we are uninitiated students. H e who fails to appreciate the necessity o f daily living is doing the very opposite o f th at w hich he believes he is accomplishing. I t is very true th a t the physical should not

have first consideration, bu t it is also very tru e th at the physical should have very important and careful considera­ tion. W h a t is demanded o f the occultist is not th a t we eliminate consideration o f the body, bu t th at we learn to make the body intelligently serve the purpose of suitably housing the soul. T h e soul-personality must progress in the environm ent in which it is placed. T he placing was not made casually or w ithout purpose, but was definitely made to add to its experience and contribute to its growth by gaining knowledge in that state of existence.

O ne o f the first manifestations o f Cosmic Consciousness in the hum an being is the quickening o f his intuitive ability. T h e first spark o f Cosmic Consciousness brings to the hum an the realization of the tremendous force which exists in the universe, and o f it his soul is a part. This manifestation o f intuition is one o f the first faculties th at the student of the occult must attem pt to develop, which is why, in the Rosicrucian course of study, the first experiments center around this particular faculty. In tu i­ tion is the voice of the Cosmic w ithin ourselves. T h e de­ velopment o f this faculty must be left to the individual, b u t it is not my purpose here to attem pt to suggest meth­ ods o r procedures, other than th at which is already known to you through your studies, for the development of this faculty. I t is im portant th a t I stress the fact th at until you have conscientiously attem pted to develop this faculty,

to perform the exercises which are fo r the purpose of assisting its grow th, you have not begun the proper steps w hich will lead to the ultim ate comprehension an d attain­ m ent o f Cosmic Consciousness. Intuition, the voice of conscience, the hunch, o r w hatever w e wish to call it, is w h at may be technically term ed as pertaining to th e field o f extra-sensory perception; th at is, the ability to perceive beyond the range o f the physical senses. I f man were given only the ability of physical sense perception, then ultim ate knowledge could easily be attained because all th at man would need to know is w hat he actually physi­ cally perceives. T h e w hy and purpose o f things would be o f no value o r particular interest to him. However, as w e exist to gain an understanding not only o f w h at is about us, b u t w hat constitutes the principles and forces th a t have brought these things into existence, we m ust also have psychic perception.

T h e same thing th at created all w ith which w e m ust deal in the physical w orld also created us. T herefore, the com­ mon u n it between us and all other things of a physical n atu re cannot be conceived in us alone o r in the things which we perceive; neither can the common u n it that exists between us as individual living entities o f the C rea­ to r Himself o r the Cosmic be compared w ith the percep­ tion of th at which exists in common between these tw o phases. In addition, besides considering these tw o planes,

physical and immaterial, we find th at such a division is entirely imaginary, th at there is no point w here physical manifestation ceases and nonmaterial manifestation be' gins except in o u r ow n minds. N either in the limitations o f o u r m ind nor in the physical world is there a defined boundary between physical and psychic vibrations un d er' lying the manifestations o f all things, and w e cannot say a t which certain vibratory rate a manifestation transforms itself from the physical to the psychic. T here exists a projection o r rath er a continuation of manifestation. T here is no more difference between the vibration which produces w hat we refer to as physical, and th a t which produces psychic manifestations, than there is between vi' brations which, when reproduced on a very low note of an organ, produce vibrations which w e do n o t know w hether we perceive b y hearing o r feeling. In other words, there is no one point which can be defined clear' ly as the limit o f the field o f manifestation o f one rate o f vibration as distinguished from another. Opinions have brought about limitations of interpretations and have led us to define in o u r own minds th at which we consider to be physical and psychic, o r ordinary and miraculous, and in reality there is no line th a t can be draw n between these conditions except as it exists in o u r own conception o f them. W e m ight even go on to say th a t there is no line th at can definitely distinguish between consciousness and Cosmic Consciousness. T h e first manifestation of

Cosmic Consciousness is intuition, and is not a new thing in our being, b u t a realisation o f a factor already there. Just as adjustm ent takes place in the development of our physical bodies when, for example, in adolescence bodily changes also affect mental outlook, so it is th at w hen through the proper development of our inner selves, changes take place in o u r conception of things, in our ability to perceive differently. It is merely a step forw ard in a perfectly n atural state o f things in the gaining of an added ability. In order to survive as a normal, sane indi- vidual and grow into a norm al adult, the adolescent must be directed to adapt himself to the changing physical and mental conditions of the life which is before him. So must we, upon the attainm ent of a glimpse o f a change within our psychic being, be directed to m aintain our mental and physical equilibrium, and by availing ourselves of the added abilities also be able to adapt ourselves to the con' ditions w hich are apparently new, and a t the same time m aintain a normal, healthy existence.

Intuition serves its purpose in our daily life. I t can be directed and guided into a potent force which will in tu rn direct us. It may be the key to those things which we otherwise could n o t know. Closely connected w ith in tu i­ tion is meditation. A gain, I am referring to proper methods of m editation made available in the instructions which you receive in your monographs. Let us consider meditation and intuition in o u r daily lives as a means or

a step tow ard development o f Cosmic Consciousness. T ru e meditation, or the contemplation o f those things to which w e w ould direct o u r consciousness, is frequently considered the only form of meditation. T here is, how- ever, a more active form o f m editation which we can carry on practically all the time. I think possibly one o f the outstanding proponents o f this theory o f meditation was C o u n t Herm an Keyserling, w ho stated: “ For me, per* sonally, m editation has acquired in the course o f years a new meaning. Facing reality in a positive way, and w ith ­ o u t evading it, is for my active tem peram ent a form of meditation. If I do not shrink from the difficulties of life, b u t contem plate them, then I consider I have done my kind o f meditation. Learning through direct experi­ ence, through pain and suffering, w hat your innermost attitu d e is when facing reality, is the best form of spirit­ ual exercise.”

H ere we see m editation as an active, positive force for the im provem ent o f o u r daily living. Intuition w hen prop­ erly developed can be the key which will produce the

hunch, o r in other words, will be the point of departure

for o u r acts, while the results o f proper m editation upon this point will indicate a way to go and show us the path.

I t is very im portant to stress th at the full importance, the complete realization o f the tru th of these last few statements, is in itself an im portant step in the develop­ ment of Cosmic Consciousness. T h e lack of complete

realization is frequently a thing th at retards the abil­ ity to develop further, because until we can have a realization of w hat constitutes some o f the fundam ental steps o f our progress, we are not in a position to advance any further. T herefore, I wish to emphasize th at it is necessary for us to realize these few im portant adapta­ tions, to grasp fully th at only by the expanding o f con­ sciousness itself can Cosmic Consciousness be obtained, which in tu rn means th a t only by utilizing the factors which are now a t o u r command, can w e thus reach out and begin to utilize other factors which now lie outside the field o f o u r existence. Proper consideration and use of meditation, the development of o u r intuitive abilities and faculties, will make it possible for us to meet the stress o f everyday life.

I have stated quite definitely th at Cosmic Consciousness, as compared w ith our usually accepted conception of consciousness, is not a great deal different except th at it reaches to a higher o r rather more expansive range. It has thereby been inferred th at the change from one type of consciousness to another would not be a radical de­ parture. T his is tru e up to a certain point; and then, a fter certain powers have been accumulated, certain u n ­ derstanding has become established in our minds, there comes a time when pressure becomes so great th at it is like the accumulation of w ater behind a dam, and the force builds itself up to a point w here the influx of true

realization dawns upon us in a flash. Examples of this are not an uncommon experience in the life of any individual. Almost everyone has experienced the solving of a problem by having a solution come suddenly into his mind. This solution comes, it is true, as a result of intuition, b u t it comes more effectively w hen the intuition has been properly developed and the steps tow ard the solution of the problem have been properly directed through concen­ tration and meditation. M ore outstanding illustrations are also available to show an awareness coming appar­ ently as a sudden inspiration. It is im portant to remem­ ber th at back of all this lies training and knowledge.

M any are the stories related to the actual influence of Cosmic Consciousness and its demands having changed the lives o f those w ho have received it. T h in k o f Paul of Tarsus, riding on an errand o f persecution, and because of this sudden light which daw ned in his mind, the actual attainm ent of Cosmic Consciousness, his whole w orld was changed. A ll those w ho have realized such an experience tell similar facts. O ther illustrations include Mohammed, and Buddha, who left family and fortune; b u t of far more importance to us th an these outstanding cases are the individuals who have not become recorded in history, yet who also have received th a t spark of illumination which made their own lives and the lives o f those about them more effective.

C O S M I C C O N S C I O U S N E S S 13

W e see, therefore, th a t the raising o f our consciousness to a higher plane is n o t confining o u r individual existence to a particular attainm ent, bu t rather the complete change o f o u r whole being; in other words, we m ust bear in mind th at the ultim ate attainm ent of Cosmic Consciousness does not isolate an individual, b u t rather expands his scope of existence, his field o f perception and com pre­ hension, and consequently places him in a new routine of daily living. I t is not a case of changing our environment which would affect us from w ithout, b u t o f changing our­ selves w hich will affect our environm ent from within.

As the result of the gaining o f this state o f conscious­ ness by individuals, it is apparent th at no t only will the individual be affected, b u t as th e hum an race advances in its evolutionary progress there will come a tim e when all m ankind will attain this depth o f understanding. M any of our accepted social standards or artificialities will change w ith the coming of this universal Cosmic Consciousness and it will revolutionize the hum an soul- personality individually and collectively.

T he trials and tribulations of mankind are due mainly to the lack o f cooperation upon the p art of man in w ork­ ing w ith the forces which made him. W e cannot con­ tinually fight against those forces which exist in and about us, and upon which the universe exists. M an can­ no t expect to control any Cosmic force or any natural

telligence to harness forces and to use them. T his is evi' dent w ith m any physical forces. T h e power in a w aterfall is used fo r the providing of illumination and heat for the comfort o f millions of people; likewise the pow er th at ex­

ists in the Cosmic forces can be harnessed by the mental

equipm ent o f man and thus will make him aware of these forces which were created to work in unison w ith him and direct his development. T he Cosmos is actually those laws which have been established by the Creator. These laws were established in order to complete and bring about the ultim ate manifestation of the universe as conceived in the mind of the C reator; therefore, they are perm anent, they are definite, they work toward a definite end. For them to change would be directly contrary to the justice of God. By supplication upon the p art of man he cannot expect these laws to be set aside; but he can w ork w ith these laws, and due to the fact th at they will not change, it is possible for man to learn to depend upon them and use them.

It will appear to many th at my comments are for the purpose o f stating th at the gaining of Cosmic Conscious' ness is the ultim ate achievement o f the individual, and for hum anity a panacea by which all the ills of the w orld may be solved. However, this is not to deny the asking of the question, “W h y try to achieve Cosmic Con- sciousness?”

M any individuals have said th at the process of psychic development, or the achievement o f this state of con­ sciousness, is of value only for mental recreation and satisfaction, or they might have referred to it as a psycho' logical plaything. It is regrettable that m any people have this attitude tow ard any profound philosophy, and even those w ho claim to be more or less sincere. I t is found frequently by them th at the study of the occult and of practical psychology is an interesting pastime when ever>" thing in life is running quite smoothly. These very indi' viduals, however, who appear to study in this field of thought, would abandon such study if it were a m atter o f actually using and applying the principles for the bet' term ent of themselves and those about them. In other words, these individuals argue th at mysticism is not prac' tical, that it is something to do merely for entertainm ent and to occupy leisure time.

A s Rosicrucians, w e have only one answer: A m ysti' cism which is no t practical is no t mysticism. I t is simply the useless and impractical opinions of an individual, or a group o f individuals. It is not w orthy o f being called a philosophy, or even a system o f thought.

T h e attainm ent o f Cosmic Consciousness by the human race, individually and collectively, is a p a rt of the great evolutionary process outlined and established by our M aker. It is not something which w e can choose w hether we wish to do, or not. It is something th a t we m ust

eventually do, and o u r continued lives will offer, one after

the other, the opportunity o f taking the initial step; and after the initial step is taken it will offer us those oppor' tunities, together w ith those temptations, which are closely linked w ith the attainm ent of anything o f prac- tical value.

Cosmic Consciousness, then, is something to which we can all aspire. T o consider our definition again, w e realize th a t it is a consciousness of the Cosmic forces and knowl- edge th at is beyond the range of our ordinary compre- hension. It is a consciousness th at extends into eternal life in contradistinction to th at consciousness which merely brings us awareness of the present physical exist' ence. T hrough it we gain an actual, living conception o f the fact th at our existence is a part of all that is; also, that all that is, is a part of us.

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