[Rex Barker]

Hello Jay, I am not getting any reminders when there are posts in this group so my reply is late, but better than never! I wonder if you are aware of Chris Langan’s Cognitive Theoretical Model of the Universe? It would provide an incredible response to your post and give greater structure in exploring this complex subject. For my part I found that his description/theory opened a door on experiences that I couldn’t explain before but could at least gain a perspective using his theory.

[Rex Barker]

In reading Massimo Citro’s The basic code of the universe I found a basis for appreciating the relationship between the ‘void’ that appears absent of matter and matter than has mass and therefore exists in time and space. The distinction between the void that gives life to matter is of particular interest, and even more the concept of ‘field’ that has no time/place.

In meditative states I have found the absence of ‘matter’ to be akin to being in a’ field’ state where nothing exists yet everything resides in potential. The leap into time/space seems so restrictive, and yet seeps slowly into consciousness as we end our meditation.

[Rex Barker]

Hello Chris,

I wonder how we can move forward on this issue without accepting and acknowledging personal experience in this matter. Whilst I have been exploring this field for many years, I was inspired to do so through personal awareness of the nature of reality and the limitations caused by our sensory awareness capabilities. Science is hobbled by the need to quantify or specify every aspect under scrutiny, and yet we can experience the true nature of reality spontaneously within a context where no-one else with you does. There are so many moments when I have been aware of the immensity of reality but unable to describe it to another. On one occasion I was walking in a snow covered forest in the midst of winter with moonlight the only illumination. At one point, having already realised the potential danger of roaming wild boar packs, I realised I had nothing to scare them off. I could either return to the lodge for a torch, or trust the universe and continue my walk. I chose the latter and some 20 minutes later, having just turned to return, I was dumbfounded when my awareness of everything in the most intense detail occurred. I could clearly recognise every pine needle on each twig/branch, every individual snowflake, every insect crawling on the bark in minute detail. I was shocked and in awe. As I continued to walk the sense of connection was overwhelming and yet I remained peaceful and did not want the experience to end.

In exploring the nature of our iconic memory during my psychology studies I became aware of how easily we allow our social enculturation to hobble our experiences. We do not want to acknowledge anything that isolates us from the ‘normal’ and in doing so restrict ourselves as we interpret the iconic memory to conform to social standards. I realised this as the experiment I was subject to progressed and realised that despite being asked to express the first thought that arose, my fellow students were filtering their response to avoid getting it ‘wrong’ and looking stupid as a graduate student. I accepted that I may be stupid and said whatever came to mind and immediately showed 30% increased positive identification. My results were excluded because I said what I had done and was therefore guilty of altering the hypothesis under which it was conducted. So much for science and reality!

How can we now bring these together?

[Rex Barker]

I first became aware of the nature of reality at the age of 5 which is probably the best way to identify my spiritual awareness and the beginning of my journey. I will say at this point that the journey itself has been one where I had no intention of seeking such experiences, but they seemed to arise when I was ready to understand their significance. So..

My family had just moved into a permanent home from the temporary post war Nissen hut that we occupied before. The apartment was bigger and we had separate rooms instead of the divided spaces and outside toilet. As was often the case the ‘front room’ was the lounge and we children were not allowed in there unless with our parents. One day everyone else was out and I was alone, so naturally I went into the room and played on the armchairs and sofa. At one point I stepped of the back of the sofa and instead of falling to the ground seemed to hover in space for a moment before falling. It was enough time to recognise what had happened, and it puzzled me. I couldn’t understand what had happened and left the room soon after. In bed that evening I remembered what had happened and wondered why. I can still remember the brief thought stream – why did I not fall? – we should but I didn’t – I didn’t because we don’t HAVE to fall – I only fell after that moment because that was what we should do – so if that is true then it also must be true that we only do things because we are told to – this means that everything we do could be different, and yet if that is true then I would go mad deciding in every moment WHAT to do! This is too much, it is best of I do what I am supposed to until I know enough to make choices.

I then went to sleep and forgot all about the incident until it suddenly came back to me when I was 30 and encouraged to read ‘Jonathan Livingston Seagull’ by Richard Bach. My spiritual journey had already begun by then, inspired when I was adopted by an aboriginal tribe in Sarawak.

[Rex Barker]

Hello Joanne, apologies for this very late reply, and I am in sympathy with your situation as another who has been to busy living life to spend years studying it. I have planned to give a talk on the impact of social enculturation on individuals sense of reality because I am frequently frustrated by academics writing about an issue they clearly have limited, if any, experience of. Their research and dissertations are complex and mired in language that seems intended to impress without clarifying issues. It seems I am a mere storyteller, and claim no gifts other than my willingness to listen to that so quiet voice that occasionally nudges me in the right direction. The benefits arise from the people that such actions bring me into contact with, and the events it inspires. Namaste, Rex