8-Circuit Model of Consciousness

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The 8-Circuit Model of Consciousness is a theory of consciousness first proposed by psychologist Timothy Leary. It models the mind as a collection of 8 "circuits", with each circuit representing a higher stage of evolution than the one before it.

Leary constructed the model based on the lateralization of brain function. The first four levels, which Leary presumed to reside in the left lobe of the cerebrum, are concerned with the survival of organisms on earth; the other four, which Leary suggested are found in the right lobe, are for use in the future evolution of humans, and remain dormant in the majority of human beings.

Contents

[edit] The eight circuits

[edit] Leary

The 8-Circuit Model of Consciousness, proposed by psychologist Timothy Leary, describes eight levels of function of human consciousness. The lower four deal with normal psychology, while the upper four deal with “psychic”, “mystical”, “enlightened”, or perhaps even “tripped-out” or “journeying” (as in astral) consciousness. The merit of this system lies in its ability to integrate the two quartets well. Most theories deal with one or the other, but not both – mundane psychology does not entertain ideas of transcendent or mystical experience and it has only recent categories such as Spiritual Emergency. Association of this model with the Drug Revolution has earned it some notoriety.

The first four “normal” circuits are influenced very much by modern psychology, especially Adlerian developmental stuff. As one grows up from infancy, the various circuits are activated and begin to function. The eight levels are associated with eight basic loser/winner scripts prepared by Dr. John Lilly.

Robert Anton Wilson, in his book Prometheus Rising, uses an amalgam of various approaches such as the 8-Circuit model of consciousness, quantum mechanics, relativity, Gurdjieff’s self-observation exercises, Alfred Korzybski’s general semantics etc. There can be no better way to understand the practical use of the 8-circuit model than study this work. The 8-circuit model is perhaps one of the most accurate and elegant representations of human consciousness. It does have its own flaws but no other model seems to make it even close to this one due to various reasons (we can consider a comparative study of other such models in future). Leary also deserves credit for bringing diverse elements such as the I-Ching, the Kabbalah, the Yoga, the Law of Octaves etc. into a framework that adheres to scientific and psychological principles. Angel Tech by Antero Alli deals in greater detail with the upper circuits.

These eight levels of Consciousness exist in every individual. What separates an individual from another is the degree of expression or latency of these circuits. Some thinkers have also criticized the hierarchical arrangement of these circuits as being indicative of the religious indoctrinatation, suggesting the superiority of one circuit over the other. But the circuits rather represent the simultaneous existing states of consciousness that work together as a dynamic whole. That said, it is evident that a under-utilized “lower” circuit hinders the complete expression of a “higher” circuit. It would thus become necessary to fully experience, integrate and embody the survival circuits, in order to withstand the shock that accompanies the activation of the post-survival circuits. The cycle of growth and integration cannot be unevenly long as this results in disassociation.

An interesting observation based on this model is on “entities” such as the angels, extraterrestrials, deities etc. According to one school of thought, these entities reported by Circuit 8 visionaries are members of races already evolved to this level. But Leary and Sarfatti also suggest that they are ourselves in the future.

Leary claims that this model explained, among other things, the social conflict in the 1960s, where the mainstream, said to be those with circuit 4 active and characterized as tribal moralists by Leary, clashed with the counter-culturists, said to be those with circuit 5 active and characterized as individualists and hedonists.

Leary's first book on the subject, Neurologic, only included seven circuits when published in 1973. Exo-Psychology expanded and clarified the subject, and it has been republished with additional material in recent years under the title Info-Psychology (New Falcon Publishing).

[edit] The Bio-survival Circuit (Consciousness)

Imprinted in infancy, concerned with suckling, nourishment, cuddling, bio-security etc. The imprinting of this circuit sets up the basic attitude of trust or suspicion which will last for life. First activated when a human being is born, and programs perception onto an either-or grid, divided into nurturing-helpful and noxious-dangerous (approach/accept vs. flight/flee). Leary thinks that this circuit is stimulated by opioid drugs. This circuit is said to have appeared in the earliest evolution of invertebrate brain.

Winner Script: I will live forever, or die trying Loser Script: I don’t know how to defend myself.

[edit] The Emotional-Territorial Circuit (Ego)

Imprinted in the toddling stage, concerned with territorial demands, emotional power tactics, political domination and submission strategies etc. The first imprint on this circuit identifies the stimuli which will automatically trigger dominant, aggressive behavior or submissive, co-operative behavior. This circuit is activated with abundant quantities of alcohol. This circuit probably appeared first in vertebrate animals.

Winner Script: I am free; you are free; we can have our separate trips or we can have the same trip. Loser Script: They all intimidate me.

[edit] The Time-Binding Semantic (Dexterity-Symbolism) Circuit (Mind)

Imprinted by human artifacts and symbol systems. Concerned with handling the environment, invention, calculation, prediction, building a “map” of the universe etc. If the environment is stimulating to the third circuit, the child takes a “bright” imprint and becomes dexterous and articulate. If the environment is made of stupid people, the child takes a “dumb” imprint i.e. remains more or less at a 5-year old stage of artifact clumsiness and symbol blindness. Caffeine, speed, cocaine and high-protein diet activate this circuit. This circuit supposedly appeared first when hominids started differentiating from the rest of the primates.

Winner Script: I am learning more about everything, including how to learn more. Loser Script: I can’t solve my problems.

[edit] The Socio-Sexual Circuit (Adult Personality)

Imprinted by the first orgasm-mating experiences and tribal “morals”. Concerned with sexual pleasure, local definitions of “moral” and “immoral”, reproduction, nurture of the young etc. This circuit is basically concerned with operating within social networks and the transmission of culture across time. While Leary did not associate a drug with this circuit, some have hypothesized that oxytocin or MDMA might activate this circuit. This circuit is said to have first appeared with the development of tribes.

Winner Script: Love, and do what thou wilt. Loser Script: Everything I like is illegal, immoral or fattening. (I wanna get laid but I feel guilty).

[edit] The Neurosomatic Circuit

Concerned with neurological-somatic feedbacks, feeling high, somatic reprogramming etc. There is a marked shift from linear visual space to all-encompassing sensory space. A hedonic turn-on occurs, a rapturous amusement, a detachment from the previously compulsive mechanism of the first four circuits. This circuit is stimulated by ecstatic experiences via physiological effects of Chemical yogas, tantra, hatha yoga and free fall. Leary describes that this circuit first appeared with the development of leisure-class civilizations around 2000 BC.

Winner Script: How I feel depends on my neurological know-how. Loser Script: I can’t help the way I feel.

[edit] The Neuroelectric (Metaprogramming) Circuit

Concerned with re-imprinting and re-programming all earlier circuits, relativity of “realities” perceived, cybernetic consciousness etc. The sixth circuit consists of the nervous system becoming aware of itself. Leary says this circuit enables telepathic communication and associates it with peyote and psilocybin. This circuit is traced by Leary back to 500 BC and he associates it with the Silk Road.

Winner Script: I make my own coincidences, synchronities, luck and Destiny. Loser Script: Why do I have such lousy luck?

[edit] The Neurogenetic (Morphogenetic) Circuit

Concerned with evolutionary consciousness (past and future), DNA-RNA-brain feedbacks, Jung’s “Collective Unconscious” etc. The first to achieve this mutation spoke of “memories of past lives”, “reincarnation”, “immortality” etc. This circuit is stimulated by LSD, Raja Yoga etc. The circuit first appeared among the Hindus in the early first millennium and later reappeared among the Sufi sects.

Winner Script: Future evolution depends on my decisions now. Loser Script: Evolution is blind and impersonal.

[edit] The Neuroatomic Circuit

Concerned with Quantum Consciousness, non-local awareness (beyond space-time), so-called PSI/magical powers, illumination, out-of-body experiences, astral projection, contact with alien entities (which does not specifically refer to creatures from outer space, but rather all beings) or with a galactic Overmind etc. Some of the ways this circuit can get activated are shock, near-death experience etc. This circuit has even been compared to the Buddhist concept of Indra’s Net from the Avatamsuka Sutra (which we discussed a while ago). Leary associated Ketamine and DMT with this circuit.

Winner Script: In the province of the mind, what is believed true is true, or becomes true within limits to be learned by experience and experiment. Loser Script: I am not psychic, and I doubt that anyone is.

[edit] Other authors

Leary's ideas heavily influenced the work of Robert Anton Wilson. Wilson's book Prometheus Rising is an in-depth, highly detailed and inclusive work documenting Leary’s eight-circuit model of consciousness.

The model is also fairly prominent in chaos magic, where the eight circuits are understood to be related to the eight rays of the Symbol of Chaos. This concept has been detailed in "Chaotopia!" by Dave Lee, a leading member of the magic society Illuminates of Thanateros. Although both Leary and Wilson were members in this group near the end of their lives, the circuit design clearly predates this organization.

Another book, Angel Tech by Antero Alli, is structured around the eight-circuit model. The book includes many collages by the author to illustrate various points. In the book, the first four circuits are associated with robotic ("tech") aspects of humanity, and the final four are related to the "angelic" nature. It includes suggested activities such as meditations and construction of tarot-card collages associated with each circuit.

The anime series Serial Experiments Lain makes references to the 8-Circuit Model of Consciousness.[citation needed]

[edit] See also

[edit] Bibliography

  • Leary, Timothy - "Neurologic", 1973, with Joanna Leary
  • Leary, Timothy - "The Politics of Ecstasy", Ronin Publishing (1998)
  • Leary, Timothy - "Info-Psychology", New Falcon Publications. ISBN 1-56184-105-6
  • Wilson, Robert Anton - "Prometheus Rising", New Falcon Publications (Reprint - 1992). ISBN 1-56184-056-4
  • Alli, Antero - "Angel Tech: A Modern Shaman's Guide to Reality Selection", New Falcon Publications; (Reprint - 1991). ISBN 1-56184-009-2
  • Lee, Dave - "Chaotopia!", Mandrake of Oxford. ISBN 1-86992-888-1.
  • Leary’s 8 Calibre Brain Psychic Magazine April 1976

[edit] References


[edit] External links

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