A couple years ago, I would have blown this off as total bullshit, being a scientist and rationalist. But I had a pretty wild experience about 18 months ago that may involve some of these capabilities. It came with a series of mind-blowing epiphanies that have been quite useful and important to my growth. But noticing that I had sensory info beyond what is widely recognized was both scary and fascinating. Frankly, I wasn’t sure if I was losing it, going nuts. And frankly I’m too embarrassed to mentioned much in the way of specifics, there is a ton of stigma around this stuff. So I guess I largely blew the experience off as BS. Ot at least, I never tried to cultivate it.
But especially after reading this, I’d like to explore it further and test its validity. But I have absolutely zero idea how to conjure the sense again. Should I just attempt to recreate the same conditions? Any tips on how to help open the mind up and dispel beliefs that hold us back?
As an ecological scientist, I’m rather skeptical of the psycho-spiritual framing of this article. We clearly have the capacity to extend our cognitive capacity and through this, to emerge into new ways of thinking and being in the world. I challenge you though Scott — how can this same schema be applied to the way our tools extend our ability to act? How do emerging technologies fit into this narrative?
This is one of your best issues ever, and that's saying a lot, Scott. This is such a clear statement of the tension between being ordinary (i.e. existing in an incoherent fog that we label "normal") vs. opening one's self to the miracles that exist all around us. I'm truly grateful to you.
I've been discovering and writing about similar things on my stack. I think you're right, and these capabilities and more are locked behind the firewall between the conscious and subconscious. With effort, we can bridge that, likely some better than others. Like the way unrelated parts of the brain can refrain to take over for damaged parts. People like Edgar Cayce went very far down this route. Great post!
Thank you for this post Scott. I agree 100% with the mental framework you have outlined here as a way to let our conscious awareness (with its attendant limitations) comprehend something larger than itself. What you have outlined here really resonates with me as well. In trying to explain some of these concepts to others, albeit not nearly as eloquently and succinctly as you have done here, I have used the same "world was once thought of as flat" metaphor. I really appreciate how you have tied together this model to also take into account the motivation of serving others. For me personally, when I came to the insight that my deepest purpose was rooted in serving others and helping to create more joy and alleviating unnecessary suffering it felt like a whole universe of experience opened up. Clearly calling out that learning to become more attuned to these other channels of information takes practice and refinement, like any other skill, is a really helpful way for me to frame a path forward to developing a more expanded awareness. Thank you for the great post (and podcasts!)
This article was a lovely Russian nesting doll, I kept clicking the links to your other articles and sources explaining certain key concepts. An enjoyable jaunt, thank you.
A lot of the material here resonates with me. I am a psychology and counselling student and the idea of removing blocks to allow the natural growth process of humans aligns beautifully with the humanistic field if psychology (maslow, rogers etc). And the uncovering of unconscious patterns and development of emotional intelligence I see as very similar to attachment theory (bowlby, winnicott etc).
Love this breakdown, Scott. Super helpful and clearly laid out. I have been experiencing this kind of expansion and emergent sidhis (or at least glimpses of them) and it really helps to see your approach. It’s reinforcing, affirming, and inspiring. Thank you!
Great read as always man! "So if you think all of this is bullshit, that’s fine. You just will have a very limited experience relative to what is possible." Love it. I can relate in the past to being "too smart for my own good".
The other paradox I have observed in my own experience, is with knowing/feeling you have emergent capacities is that sometimes (not all the time) pushing and trying too hard to unlock those or 'efforting' too much around them can disrupt the natural unfoldment process. I find this happens to me since I've always had this intense excitement and drive with literally everything I do. Can't say I have a solution for it, but wanted to share that observation.
Really enjoyed this Scott and chimes with my own experience having been on a similar journey these last few years. The start point for me was reconnecting with inner wisdom and intuition and so much more has been unlocked! Highly recommend doing this work in community as it can be a bit overwhelming and challenging at times, as well as joyful and enlightening!
Fascinating!
A couple years ago, I would have blown this off as total bullshit, being a scientist and rationalist. But I had a pretty wild experience about 18 months ago that may involve some of these capabilities. It came with a series of mind-blowing epiphanies that have been quite useful and important to my growth. But noticing that I had sensory info beyond what is widely recognized was both scary and fascinating. Frankly, I wasn’t sure if I was losing it, going nuts. And frankly I’m too embarrassed to mentioned much in the way of specifics, there is a ton of stigma around this stuff. So I guess I largely blew the experience off as BS. Ot at least, I never tried to cultivate it.
But especially after reading this, I’d like to explore it further and test its validity. But I have absolutely zero idea how to conjure the sense again. Should I just attempt to recreate the same conditions? Any tips on how to help open the mind up and dispel beliefs that hold us back?
Thanks!
As an ecological scientist, I’m rather skeptical of the psycho-spiritual framing of this article. We clearly have the capacity to extend our cognitive capacity and through this, to emerge into new ways of thinking and being in the world. I challenge you though Scott — how can this same schema be applied to the way our tools extend our ability to act? How do emerging technologies fit into this narrative?
This is one of your best issues ever, and that's saying a lot, Scott. This is such a clear statement of the tension between being ordinary (i.e. existing in an incoherent fog that we label "normal") vs. opening one's self to the miracles that exist all around us. I'm truly grateful to you.
I've been discovering and writing about similar things on my stack. I think you're right, and these capabilities and more are locked behind the firewall between the conscious and subconscious. With effort, we can bridge that, likely some better than others. Like the way unrelated parts of the brain can refrain to take over for damaged parts. People like Edgar Cayce went very far down this route. Great post!
Thank you for this post Scott. I agree 100% with the mental framework you have outlined here as a way to let our conscious awareness (with its attendant limitations) comprehend something larger than itself. What you have outlined here really resonates with me as well. In trying to explain some of these concepts to others, albeit not nearly as eloquently and succinctly as you have done here, I have used the same "world was once thought of as flat" metaphor. I really appreciate how you have tied together this model to also take into account the motivation of serving others. For me personally, when I came to the insight that my deepest purpose was rooted in serving others and helping to create more joy and alleviating unnecessary suffering it felt like a whole universe of experience opened up. Clearly calling out that learning to become more attuned to these other channels of information takes practice and refinement, like any other skill, is a really helpful way for me to frame a path forward to developing a more expanded awareness. Thank you for the great post (and podcasts!)
This article was a lovely Russian nesting doll, I kept clicking the links to your other articles and sources explaining certain key concepts. An enjoyable jaunt, thank you.
A lot of the material here resonates with me. I am a psychology and counselling student and the idea of removing blocks to allow the natural growth process of humans aligns beautifully with the humanistic field if psychology (maslow, rogers etc). And the uncovering of unconscious patterns and development of emotional intelligence I see as very similar to attachment theory (bowlby, winnicott etc).
Love this breakdown, Scott. Super helpful and clearly laid out. I have been experiencing this kind of expansion and emergent sidhis (or at least glimpses of them) and it really helps to see your approach. It’s reinforcing, affirming, and inspiring. Thank you!
Great read as always man! "So if you think all of this is bullshit, that’s fine. You just will have a very limited experience relative to what is possible." Love it. I can relate in the past to being "too smart for my own good".
The other paradox I have observed in my own experience, is with knowing/feeling you have emergent capacities is that sometimes (not all the time) pushing and trying too hard to unlock those or 'efforting' too much around them can disrupt the natural unfoldment process. I find this happens to me since I've always had this intense excitement and drive with literally everything I do. Can't say I have a solution for it, but wanted to share that observation.
Excellent post Scott. Thanks so much for your great work!
Expand towards the absolute🙏
Really enjoyed this Scott and chimes with my own experience having been on a similar journey these last few years. The start point for me was reconnecting with inner wisdom and intuition and so much more has been unlocked! Highly recommend doing this work in community as it can be a bit overwhelming and challenging at times, as well as joyful and enlightening!