Levels of Consciousness & Our Dimensional Identity
Posted on May 15th, 2006
by 
Cynthia
Cynthia
Albert Einstein once said, “No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it." These words are as true today as they were in Einstein's lifetime, and they apply to the full depth and breadth of all human endeavors... far beyond the realm of science and physics. What's so beautiful is that you can consider any concern or problem with this mindset, and given some time to meditate, come up with a whole new view by which the situation can be positively transformed.
Here is an excerpt from my book, REALITY SHIFTS: When Consciousness Changes the Physical World, which illuminates where and how we can shift our consciousness to other levels... utilizing a framework of consciousness described by Ken Wilber.
Excerpt from REALITY SHIFTS: When Consciousness Changes the Physical World by Cynthia Sue Larson
OUR DIMENSIONAL IDENTITY
Some scientists believe our universe consists of much more than the three spatial dimensions plus time we are consciously aware of. This could well be the fundamental key to realizing we're not seeing all there is -- much is hidden, the same way most of the underwater portion of an iceberg is hidden from view from above. Some scientists working in the field of membrane theory in physics currently suggest there may be eleven dimensions operating in our universe... the hidden dimensions are somehow coiled tightly in on the three dimensions we experience, so we see no obvious sign of them -- yet they are absolutely necessary for our universe to exist as it is. All we can actually perceive to exist are the dimensions of length, depth, height and time.
There are higher levels of dimensional consciousness than this one of height, width, depth, and time... and these higher levels provide a mechanism for miraculous and amazing things to happen here in our world. It's easier to picture this if you start by contemplating an imaginary "Flatland", a universe existing only in two dimensions moving through time. If we examine the Flatland world, we can see that Flatlanders could only move about in a very flat plane of existence. They do not perceive anything that doesn't bisect that two dimensional plane. Visualize a piece of paper with Flatlanders living right on the top of the page, and then imagine how they might react when you raise or lower some other object (such as a rose) right through their universe. Any such movement could easily seem mysterious and magical, and quite
inexplicable.
Just as we incorporate two-dimensional awareness into our everyday reality, we can also access higher levels of consciousness where we realize how seemingly unrelated parts of the universe are interconnected. Ken Wilber lists ten basic structures of consciousness that describe the hierarchical developmental path of human consciousness:
UNDIFFERENTIATED MIND is the primary matrix, primary narcissism, oceanic, protoplasmic, adualistic
SENSORIPHYSICAL MIND is the physiological beginning of a sense of self and differentiation, the "hatching" or birth of the physical self
PHANTASMIC-EMOTIONAL MIND structures and builds emotional boundaries, with an egocentric and narcissistic point of view that theworld is an extension of oneself
REPRESENTATIONAL MIND uncovers techniques to conceptualize the world in images, symbols and concepts; preoperational cognition
RULE/ROLE MIND involves script analysis, and an ability to take the role of another, to put oneself in another's shoes; paradigm shifts occur and experiences from the past are reinterpreted according to how one fits with one's group
FORMAL REFLEXIVE MIND is worldcentric and introspective with a global perspective; thinking about thinking and questioning the questions
CENTAURIC MIND is existential vision-logic or network-logic; synthesizing and integrating awareness between the mind and body in a relatively autonomous self
PSYCHIC MIND is nature mysticism and the feeling that "you are the mountain", while still knowing your body and mind's boundaries
SUBTLE MIND includes waking consciousness, heightened sensory perception, extremely subtle bliss currents and cognitions, expansive states of love and compassion and a feeling of oneness with deity
CAUSAL MIND is a kind of formless mysticism; a state much like dreamless sleep with a sensation of utter fullness beyond containment or objectification and therefore the essence of pure nothingness and nonduality
Each one of these levels of consciousness, or states of dimensional awareness has an energetic vibration to it, and they are all equally important. We can be aware of many levels of consciousness simultaneously, or contemplate one level for some time. The higher levels (Psychic, Subtle, Causal) are the states of awareness where we know we are at one with all that is. When we experience the Causal, we can feel that we are creating reality.
The interesting thing to note with dimensional awareness is that while higher dimensional awareness is important, the lower dimensions need our attention as well. Some days our attention may be focused on the introspective contemplation of the meaning of life and reality shifts in the Formal Reflexive Mind level, while we may spend others wholly focused on our own lives in the Phantasmic- Emotional Mind level. Some stretches of time can feel like our minds are focused on the simplest, purest, feeling of creation... very undifferentiated and one dimensional, like a ray of light.
 Reality Shifts Ebook |
Excerpt from REALITY SHIFTS: When Consciousness Changes the Physical World by Cynthia Sue Larson
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Access: PublicTagged with: awareness, ken wilber, consciousness, wilber, levels of consciousness, dimensions, flatland, flatlanders, dimensional awareness, dimensional identity, human consciousness, undifferentiated mind, sensoriphysical mind, phantasmic-emotional mind, representational mind, rule role mind, formal reflexive mind, centauric mind, psychic mind, subtle mind, causal mind, energetic vibration
awareness
August 2008 
Hi, Cynthia,
Thanks, indeed, for sharing this with us.
Much of it reminds me of an idea around which I've been trying to build an explanatory framework around over the past 18 years or so.
If I understand your post correctly, the primary difference between Wilber's conceptualization of multi-minds and my crude system is that I've tried explaining from the point of view of “one mind, many eyeglasses”.
In other words, for my own personal comfort, I made the assumption that I had but one mind - a kind of “cogito ergo sum” moment for me - but that my mind wore “eye” glasses through which it could better see the particular world or dimension of existence it needed to observe and process.
Perhaps aAnother metaphor may help: I have one cell phone. However, that singular cell phone can operate as a camera, a text messaging system, a voice messaging system, a voice mail retrieval system, and a movie camera, - all in one. One phone, many functions.
Thanks, Cynthia,
Vincent Wright
5.15.2006
It's interesting how our present mood affects how alert we are to being existant on many levels of consiounciouss at the same time. If we are not too alert and or in a sore mood, we don't care or notice these other levels. I wonder if depression then is a problem in being alert to these levels which go if we aren't aware of them anyway? Depression seems to gather up all one's energy on one level. Here might be a good reason not to watch too much of the day's news! Well, we have to be informed, but the news can depress us these days.
Let's all strive to be alert.
Bill Sweet www.SpindriftResearch.org
Interesting how you equated developmental/evolutionary leaps in understanding with dimensional leaps in understanding. With a background in Mathematics, Flatland was one of the required readings. I even learned how to draw a hypercube (four-dimensional cube) in one of my upper-level classes, as well as some of the rules needed to make a jump into higher dimensions along with doing some n-dimensional analysis.
One difference I'd like to point out is that n-dimensional analysis can be hypothesized and explored merely using the eye of mind injunctions in order for illuminations to be made, whereas psychic, subtle, and causal realms of awareness require the eye of contemplation for such jewels to impart themselves.
Love your writing… very encapsulating!
Ken and you have developed an interesting model of mind/consciousness..
I suspect at a certain level we encompasse all of these states ..although there may be type trait personality inclinations
In terms of dimensional realities I experience as a psychic / medium alternate or plural realities within the same ordinary day consciousness.
I experience seen and unseen dimensions ….which enables me to define my realities
multi-dimensionally..and observe the indicators operating at any given time.
The mind(s) known and unknown to me that I interact with ..and which influence any given situation are either observable/ directly experienced or can be intuited.For example the experience of channelling or receiving “energy” healing such as Reiki or
Qigong.
Theoretically we can map an interaction or “event “with co oordinates. similar to the way an event is defined in physics. Each event will have temporal/historical, social/political components in seen and unseen dimensions…..quantum physics applied to social psychology and social dynamics.
In Social Research, a researcher can take the role of observer/ participant/ and participant observer within a “field “(3states in one)…in life we do much the same
depending on our level of awareness and motive/motivation in a given interaction…..
it would be interesting to compare notes Cynthia …….
with regards
catemurray
Wow Cynthia that is some good stuff! I imagine writing a book of that nature would be an extreme amount of fun. For me, it’d be like one part of me is saying, “Oh my God! This is going to change the world and help so many people!” and another part of me is laughing real hard saying, “Oh my God! What does this actually have to do with anything??? There are people out there riding bikes! Should I be riding a bike right now?!”
I think I may be operating from Phantasmic Mind.
Hi Dear CindyLouHoo,
I wasn't sure if you wanted a critique, advice or just some feedback.
I think the 'lay' person would find the principles discussed hard to comprehend
without some relateable example attached to each. I would say, many folks are barely conscious much less able to understand or internalize what 'it' is, it's levels, sublevels
ad infinitum. They (we) live in the world but have no dispostion to analyze it and work
WITH it. Dogs can't see rainbows but it doesn't mean they don't exist, but of what use is a rainbow to a dog? For us, it's good to 'know' but what do we do with the information. How can it expedite our lives, make them more rich, full and fullfilling?
Science can certainly use all the breakdowns and details of the above but I wonder what applications could be made to further mankinds progress, or better yet,
what would the average Joe and Josephine be able to use and internalize to
live their daily lives?
Who is your sudience? Is it a textbook or to be read by a self learner?
So, in much less textbook speak I guess I am asking about the same thing as
Matthew
BTW I was a math minor, somehow missed out on learning how to draw a hyper cube, I'd really like to do that.
Much love xoxo's Bun
D'OH, I meant to say 'who is your AUDIENCE' 'smiles'
As for me, after reading I want to learn how to draw a hypercube and think I'll see if any of the above is contemplateably relateable to Deja Vu.
xoxoxo's B
A hypercube. Of course, keep in mind that you are looking at a four-dimensional object in three dimensions, which skews your perception.
Thanks Cynthia! I like Wilber and I'm glad to see all these levels of mind written in one place. I'm going to check out your ebook later when I have a little more time.
Intellectually, I found it very interesting, clear, and concise.
Like Bunny! I am not sure what I do with it experientially or in my daily life. This is to say I need help with that kind of application if that is the intention. I think the Tools title of the email made me think of application.
If not and it is strictly educational, then I would say it achieved its purpose in spades because it was new information for me that was easy to understand.
Not everything has to be useful in the practical everyday sense. It can just be fun to think and talk about. This certainly hits that mark for me.
Blessings!
zennie!
These are stimulating ideas indeed, but let's not get ahead of ourselves in thinking that they're especially novel. The concept of “cosmic consciousness” is one that was developed and published over a hundred years ago (1901) in a book of the same name by Richard Maurice Bucke:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1557094993
His study focused on the mystical experience, one that has been embraced by the Ancient Mystical Order Rosae Crucis, also known as the Rosicrucian Order:
http://www.rosicrucian.org
Cynthia,
Go girl go:):):)
When I began experiencing reality shifts - about 26 years ago - I knew I had stepped into something extraordinary. At the time I even felt like OMG this is Special = I must be special. Afterwards when I settled down, & my partner & I talked about the possibilities in personal growth when accessing a place beyond EGO, as I called the experience then, I could only feel immense gratitude to the Eternal for wiring us humans up this way, like God made us all special:):)
Like Brondu, I thought, “Oh my God! This is going to change the world and help so many people!†Then I quickly realized my children wanted to lock me up! To them I was in a mid-life crisis talking nonsense.
My partner & I discovered new ways to experience our relationship while fumbling around with ways to experience the shifts, this without drugs & while not having any awareness of Ken’s teachings at the time.
I stumbled upon the notion of mentally hovering above myself & looking down from a spiritual point of view rather than being caught in the usual face to face personality with a human point of view.
Whenever I did that, & certainly with a deeply compassionate heart & no attachment to a particular outcome, I often experienced a FRESH MIND eager to leap beyond conflict over of ‘what is’ & into possibilities of ‘what else is possible?”
I cannot claim I know what is happening via Ken’s or your definitions, what I do know is that with this innocent, beginners experience, I have grown & changed enormously as the direct result of MINDFULLY selecting experiences that lift me up out of disappointments & challenges, even illness, rather quickly, & many times I am able to fly right over them. It has taken discipline to pay attention to potential shift-opportunities, & I am not always on board.
What you are offering, is a most valuable tool to Soul Development:)
So again, Go Girl Go:):)
Peggy Joyce/Arpana
Great stuff. I'm wondering where the tools are? If the minds are the tools, then wouldn't one need to necessarily have considerable skill in differentiating between the minds and the ability to consciously access them at appropriate times in order for their usage to be optimal? Further, would each level of mind likewise have its own tools to serve its purpose? Tranformation and translation, I believe, were aspects of consciousness that Ken mentions, but how these aspects of consciousness play out it higher dimensions is, well…let's just say maybe a few people alive could seriously discuss it and then hopefully make a boardgame for the rest of us to play. That would be the applicable part of these ideas for me :)
Hi Cynthia,
I'm interested in getting your take on how consciousness changes the physical world at different levels.
”When we experience the Causal, we can feel that we are creating reality.”
While this matches up with Ken's theory, I haven't personally had this feeling and I suspect only a very small percentage of the population has. With your subtitle, I would expect your book to explain how this happens at lower levels.
Also, Wilber has mentioned the danger of taking the idea, that we create our own reality, too far. For example, it is unhealthy for someone too blame themselves for getting cancer, unless they smoke. So I hope your book clearly defines the healthy and unhealthy ways to think about this.
Namaste'
Sean
Way to go Cynthia! Zaadz is your perfect-match community for your right livleyhood.
:)
I find all this conceptualization Intriging and thought provoking. Ken Wilbur's perspective is one I've not read before. However, as I sit here at my computer and look out at the beautiful forest before me, I wonder if it's necessary to try and figure it all out. I see the graceful sway of emerald trees. I hear the gentle breeze through their branches. I smell the rich warm earth. I feel the soft silky fur of my kitty as she naps beneath the desk light in front of the window. I taste the warm sweet tea at my fingertips. All this brings me to the place of recognition of the mystery. We are all One, intertwined in all dimensions, and I can feel the energy of the universe. I may well be sitting in the lap of God. All is well. I am alive. I breathe in, and breathe out, and I know that life is Good.
Grace
Comments
These are all hair-splitting analyses which lead nowhere.
Holistically all have chemical basis. Hertzian waves travel several miles. It is proven.But mind wav e is only a myth.
Some earn money thru this activity scrupulosly. some seek a solace for self ie mind part of self thru this.
Some act well some don't.The rigidity of the DNA encoding and mutation are part of it.
God has created us if at all we believe in GOD,to mutate natually.
Not a sigle scientist can explain the growth of a plant.from the Encoding of DNA and other chemical interactions.
When they reach that thinking the mind will get closer to body grwth.
Let us not confuss the world with mind power etc.All have molecular basis.Gravity and elctro magenetic radiation and interactions with chemicals still remain to be unravelled.
Hi Cynthia,
Awesome Job!! This surely is becoming the hot topic of the day!!
Being open to the possibilities allows one to glean the positive ideas which will, hopefully, assist on the path being followed or to wander in a new direction. Many of these concepts are quite interesting, but I tend to agree with Grace. I also look out my window at a view that is majestic. . .Sitka Sound and the North Pacific Ocean beyond. A slumbering volcano named Mt. Edgecumbe that I have come to have an almost intimate relationship with. If I am consciously creating my own reality as I go - than I am doing one hell of a job. For me, allowing the mystery to stay just that is enough. It fills me with awe and gratitude each day. Living amidst the beauty of this place and allowing the solitude to enter allows me little peeks at my Soul. It is like walking down a crowded sidewalk in a big city. Up ahead I glimpse someone I'm sure I recognize - I hurry to catch up and, just when I am about to reach out and tap the person on the shoulder, they disappear around the corner. Excuse me for going off track. I guess all I am really trying to say is that I love the ideas, but, for me, stopping short of solving the mystery is most important - for me, the mystery is the beautiful part.
Much love, Patricia
I completely agree about the joy of the mystery. In the opening introduction of my book, “Reality Shifts,” I share a favorite quotation of mine:
“I would rather live in a world where my life is surrounded by
mystery than live in a world so small that my mind could
comprehend it.”
– Harry Emerson Fosdick
It’s been my expereince that exploring the mystery of reality puts me in no danger of losing any of the mystery. If anything, the mystery deepens and becomes ever more sublime, even as I begin to grasp more clearly what is really going on.
YOU'VE BEEN HIT!
YOU'VE BEEN CONSIDERED ONE OF THE 15 PRETTIEST GIRLS!
ONCE YOU'VE BEEN HiT,
YOU HAVE TO HiT 15 PRETTY GIRLS.
IF YOU GET HiT AGAIN YOU'LL KNOW YOU'RE REALLY PRETTY!
Bravo!! I printed this one out so I can absorb it into my every cell. XO Mary Mac
Cynthia, I LOVE the brab story and I look forward to reading more of your book. Do you happen to teach workshops in this subject at all? Blessing….
If you haven’t read it, a book I’d highly recommend is the Fifth Sacred Thing by Starhawk. This epic novel touches on many of those different “minds” - most especially the causal mind. The main character, Madrone, is a witch/healer who uses shamanic-trance to access the causal mind when she’s healing someone. It’s very interesting how the causal dimension is represented in her dream scape.
Peace,
Rick
i LOVE you Cynthia..
If one day u feel like crying…. call me. I dont promise that I will make u laugh, nah i probably would but I can cry with u. If one day u want to run away dont be afraid to call me. I dont promise to ask u to stop……but I can run with u. If one day u dont want to listen to anyone…..call me. I promise to be there for u but also promise to remain quiet. But one day if u call……and there is no answer…..come fast to see me. Perhaps I need you.
_______0000000000______0000000000______ _____000________000__000________000____ ____000___________0000___________000___ ___000_____________00_____________000__ ___000____________________________000__ ___000___________THANKS__________000__ ____000____________FOR___________000___ _____000__________BEING_________000____ ______000__________MY_________000_____ ________000______FRIEND______000_______ __________000______________000_________ ____________000__________000___________ _______________000____000______________ _________________000000________________ ___________________00__________________
Send this to all your friends, no matter how often you talk, or how close you are, and send it to the person who sent it to you. Let old friends know you haven't forgotten them, and tell new friends you never will. Remember, everyone needs a friend, some don't ever leave the one u love for the one u like, because the one u like will leave u for the one they love
these all to my friend's!!!
Yes, I teach workshops on the subject of reality shifting, energy fields, and consciousness. The best way to find out when the next one is happening is to check the Events page at my realityshifters web site… or subscribe to the RealityShifters News ezine and get monthly updates as to where I’ll be next!
Cool stuff Ms Reality Shifter. =)
Hi Cynthia,
It has taen me a while to be able to reaed through all of this, but I am really glad that I have. There are some very technical terms used, way up there above my entry. All I know is that I have experienced so many of these levels without any definition, that it kind of scares me to put those experiences into a labeled box. Regardless, I have been fortunate enough to be able to recognize them for what they are and understand how blessed I am. I am really surprised at the comments made by Fehu and can only have compassion for his lack of understanding. For some, it is easier to label things, put them in their rightful boxes and then forget they ever happened. I too, really dig what Patricia had to say. Even when I am able to recognize the mysterious, does not take from the fact that it is mysterious. I believe that those of us that are fortunate enough to live in a place where we are not bombarded with TV and all other forms of mass media, those that have time to live, are also fortunate to have time to recognize the special occurances, or maybe it is better to say, are able to get in better touch with tuition. I also want to comment on your photo…it makes me smile just thinking about it :D Smiles are so contagious, and I know there will always be skeptics and we will keep smiling all the while.
Hi Cynthia Sue;
I read the header, “Our One Dimensional Self” and I had to laugh at that thought (before I reread it). No coincidence me thinks. As in the Flatland example, we are often focused on three dimensions and we want to expand our awareness of hyperdimensions yet I have felt that we miss the important first dimension that is the key to the other dimensions. Well, that is my experience of being a point of nothing-ness and shifting from one spatial reality pespective to another.
DOLFINA