Scientific Mysticism
‘Scientific Mysticism’ is a term coined by Michael Whiteman, a British-born South African mathematician together with mystic. (This article may be read together amongst the article on Whiteman’sec life too thought.)
Introduction
The term ‘scientific mysticism’ appeared equally a championship inward the trilogy, Old as well as New Evidence on the Meaning of Life,i ii iii past Michael Whiteman. Volume One was entitled An Introduction to Scientific Mysticism.one Whiteman aimed to convey mysticism into the plain of science every bit an entity that is ‘open-minded, rigorously tested, rationally coherent, in addition to illuminating.’ane ‘Mysticism’ here is defined as:
the written report of everything not-physical, including the other worlds too their archetypal governance, besides as our spiritual bodies, the facts in addition to their relationship existence known past the self-evidence of directly observation in addition to non by reasoning or speculation.four
This indicates empirical science, sharing territory alongside psychical research. Yet Whiteman drew a distinction between ‘psychical’ as well as ‘mystical’ feel. The one-time includes the report of purportedly not-physical events, the latter extends to states that accept a sense of higher significance too ultimates, openness to guidance, transformed being, in addition to orientation to the perceived source of the Right too Good.
Whiteman was familiar with Vedic, Sanskrit, Pali, Greek together with Biblical Hebrew, and quoted extensively from ancient texts. He regarded nearly electric current translations every bit inadequate because the authors lacked psychical too mystical experience. His revolutionary commentary, too his translation of ‘The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali’v combined with canonical Buddhist texts, one two iii 5 present striking parallels with refinements of modernistic idea.
Whiteman’sec line of work equally a professor of applied mathematics provided a base in physics for his scientific mysticism. Another base of operations was extensive personal experience inward psychical in addition to mystical states. His methods rested on observation, conceptual analysis together with insight, in melody with Edmund Husserl’s phenomenology.6 This aims at gaining face-to-face self-evidence in addition to detailed precision, shedding the common ‘cloak of ideas’. Science in Whiteman’second employment is not an practise inwards theorizing.
Potentiality too Actualization
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 fundamental to Whiteman’second scientific mysticism is the thought of potentiality as well as actualization. This had been developed past the physicist Werner Heisenberg,vii who saw that a physical ‘happening’ comes almost through an occasion of observation, and that this ‘happening’ is open to physical description. But what governs the happening is non open to physical observation; at best it tin live given mathematical expression. So behind a physical result 1 has to recognize what Heisenberg called ‘an objective trend or possibility, a “potentia” in the feel of Aristotelian philosophy’. And the governing potentia, the ‘argue’ for something to pass off, is abstract inwards a physical sense; y'all can’t place it inward a exam subway.
Whiteman concurred that only transcending logical substructures, potentialities, merit the term ‘reality’, every bit opposed to appearances. Appearances come up into being exclusively on an occasion of observation, in addition to volition live actualized differently for different people.
Whiteman wrote, ‘goose egg specific can live actualized without the integration of “subjective” as well as “objective” factors, non in succession, only on the instant of actualization.’1 An observer who is freed in some mode from the physical state volition actualize for himself things that are beyond the achieve of ordinary physical sensing. This is the get-go of psychical and mystical perception.
Whiteman wrote, ‘The difference between ane “Earth” as well as some other and so depends upon the country of life inwards which the observer happens to live settled.’three An private’sec perceiving results from integration of objective potentialities together amongst his own subjective potentialities, including subconscious elements. Whiteman believed the potentiality-actualization rule operates in the mental sphere of every private: idea too images are actualizations in consciousness of an individual’s ‘idea-image sphere’, every bit he called it, which includes retentivity and imagination.i
Actualization of Psi Phenomena
Whiteman saw telepathy resulting from the interaction or resonance betwixt the thought-ikon spheres of individuals. The interaction is non actualized at the physical degree, in addition to and then transfer of information occurs independently of physical infinite and fourth dimension. Clairvoyance is resonance betwixt the potentiality-sphere of a physical object or consequence as well as the idea-icon sphere of an individual, resulting inward the actualization of impressions inwards the individual’sec idea-image sphere. Once over again, resonance or interaction happens independently of physical infinite too time, non beingness physically actualized. Psychokinesis may live regarded as a opposite clairvoyant interaction; potentialities commonly linked inwards around manner to an individual consequence in physical actualizations.
Potentiality-actualization relationships should not live seen every bit static; potentiality-fields continually alter or prepare, and accept feedback loops, although not inward physical fourth dimension. This will affect the consequence of hereafter physical events, which helps to explicate how precognition happens. Whiteman saw precognition equally actualization in an individual’second thought-image sphere of developing potentiality-fields that may touch on future physical events. The individual may fifty-fifty intervene inward the physical actualization of these events by altering the potentiality-fields, so allowing prevention of a precognized result from happening.1 Even if potentiality-fields are fourth dimension-ordered, resulting in a succession of events actualized in the physical world, the ordering is not fixed inwards the way a route map is fixed. They are accessible inward states of physical detachment, together with and so permit express change together with the exercise of free volition.
Out-of-body Experience
Whiteman defined mysticism as ‘the study of everything non-physical, including the other worlds ...’ As merely discussed, potentiality-fields accept the capacity to deliver different spaces or worlds of physical in addition to not-physical actuality, depending on the state of the observer. Without this understanding, mysticism cannot set out to make sense. Direct experience of ‘the other worlds’ occurs mainly in out-of-torso experience, which Whiteman preferred to term ‘separative’ experience, since at that place is normally awareness of a torso of close to sort.
The commonest type he termed ‘main separation’, inwards which at that place is no awareness inwards the physical trunk, fifty-fifty though what appears to live the physical torso can live viewed. In ‘secondary separation’ the physical trunk is under or so grade of conscious control, only master awareness lies in another organism seemingly not located in the space of the physical body, as well as the ii bodies are quite independent. In ‘third separation’ the physical torso is commonly under complete control, merely there is full awareness of existence inward a dissimilar bodily course despite the locations of the 2 bodies seeming to live the same. Difference between the 2 bodies may live radical, such equally i beingness male person in addition to the other female person. For Whiteman, the highest mystical experiences were mostly of this type.
Whiteman noted that such not-physical feel, in price of reality-impression as well as intensity, may range from appearing weak to seeming fifty-fifty more than existent together with meaningful than inward physical life. At its near powerful, termed by him mystical, ‘Everything inwards such states, spatial characteristics included, is known equally if inward archetypal unchanging course, and is hence startlingly more real (rationally-objective, always-acquaint) than the derivative in addition to shifting forms of the physical Earth.’i He saw a postulate ‘to distinguish betwixt what is deceptive or illusory too what has the character of face up-to-face up objectivity and truth which nosotros draw by proverb that a thing is real.’i This requires setting up a numerical scale, which he called a General Index of Reality.
Index of Reality
This index covers a reach from ordinary dreaming (nothing rating) to what is experienced every bit spiritually releasing with a high level of reality, namely mystical feel (high rating). The Index properly relates to separative feel. Features scoring in the Index include continuity of retentivity between physical as well as not-physical feel, gratis observation, ability to compare accurately amongst physical in addition to not-physical states, awareness of marrow too tangibility, communication of idea alongside others, as well as a feeling of transcendence of physical life.
The General Index does not include reports of observing physical things during a separative feel. Regarded by almost people every bit veridical (corresponding to reality), these observations could have been made past clairvoyance or remote viewing, and make non necessarily hateful that something somehow separated from the physical trunk to brand the observation. As Whiteman stated, any claimed physical supporting prove simply has ‘chiefly propaganda value for the uninformed or sceptical, who make not realize that separation is not established by them, merely who may thereby be induced to take the “interior” testimony every bit having just about bearing on “scientific fact”.’i
Whiteman’s Index mightiness appear of express value to measure parapsychology, where a useful scoring arrangement should identify experiences that charge per unit amend than dream, hallucination or more or less class of pathology. In Whiteman’second Index the direction of ranking is towards mystical feel, which is hardly looked for in parapsychology, even shied away from. The society of ranking is: undeveloped, borderline, psychical, pre-mystical, mystical. Out of a possible sixteen points, experiences reaching six to 8 points rank as ‘psychical separations’, scoring on criteria listed ii paragraphs to a higher place. Further requirements of ‘mystical’ rank were noted inward the Introduction, together with demarcate ‘mystical’ from ‘psychical’. Yet in the eyes of a physically-fixated investigator, the mystical requirements would betoken reduced reality rating, since ‘reality’ way ‘similar physical experience’. For Whiteman this was a key mistake; higher reality can entirely hateful ‘dissimilar physical feel’.
Other Spaces
All separative feel, physical-similar or transformative, was considered by Whiteman to occur inward spaces other than physical, although frequently so similar to what is presented physically equally to live mistaken for it. He called it ‘duplicate physical’ infinite. He wrote:
If one is taken into a ‘psychic’ infinite when non familiar amongst such states, or amongst fixed ideas near them, together with if the phenomena resemble physical ones closely... there may live a strong sentiment to intend that the objects are beingness observed physically; too this applies even to possible duplicate presentations of the observer’second physical trunk in its actual state of affairs.ane
‘Fixed ideas’ assume at that place is only ane ‘existent’ infinite that tin can be manifested, namely the physical globe. A fixed idea volition contribute to the potentialities governing a separative feel, together with atomic number 82 to the actualization of a physical-similar ‘duplicate’ scene. Yet equally mortal free of the constraints of i-grade thinking, Whiteman wrote of an ‘inexhaustible multifariousness’ of appearance inwards other spaces. Naturalistic conditioning may even so issue inwards ‘fantasy influences’ in undeveloped states, notwithstanding highest evolution leads to ‘perfectly acceptable forms of transcendent unified beauty’, where ‘the surroundings, correspondingly, are distinguished by the quality of the calorie-free, too arrive at in intelligible character, perfection of beauty, depth of glowing heart character, unitive liberty together with feel of blending with other minds, as the highest condition, which is that of Mystical Form Liberation, is approached.’ In these descriptions, Whiteman states,
‘I’ and ‘me’ make non correspond the familiar consciousness of self in the physical personality, or, inwards fact, for anything that tin live known inward an ordinary physical state of heed. To sympathise what is meant, the characteristics of the merged ordinary self must be ruled out.four
One might query how ‘other spaces’ are related to the physical too, if at all, to each other. In states classified by Whiteman equally 3rd separation, the not-physical trunk holds much of the focus of attention but does non appear to be spatially apart from the physical torso; ‘the locations of the ii bodies seem the same, in spite of differences inward their course as well as/or size together with perchance also in their surroundings.’1 This seems to gibe alongside a opinion widespread inwards spiritist circles that dissimilar ‘levels’ of feel too beingness all coincide spatially just have different ‘vibration frequencies’, so in that location is no contact or communication betwixt the diverse states except through particular mediating weather. Whiteman did include ‘interpenetrating spaces’ inward a detail gear up of ‘facts of experience’,one but he did non introduce the idea of interpenetrating spaces equally or so sort of cosmological organisation; he was disposed to go on to systems of facts, non constructs of theory.
Skills, Cycles
Whiteman was confident nearly discovering the underlying logic inward phenomena, existence convinced that behind whatsoever particular observation at that place is an intelligible structure ‘operative inwards together with analysable out of the total experience’.eight He did not have Kant’second idea of the unknowability of things-in-themselves.eight Instead, there is ‘intellectual or perceptual noesis which transcends in a certain clear as well as unmistakable style the onward urge of fourth dimension, the rigid apartness of spatial objects, as well as the apparent isolation of the individual listen inward its country of fixation on bodily impressions. It is a land of unloose. Fixation being overcome, the listen opens out into universality’.viii We cannot reach this country, he believed ‘without psychological and spiritual faculties of attention, sentence, purposiveness in addition to self-bailiwick’, based on three ‘foundational skills’ named Active Recollection, Continuous Recollection, as well as Faith + Obedience.ane (The source of these skills inwards his own life is reported in Michael Whiteman.)
Active Recollection aims to recollect or recover the substance inwards what is perceived, ‘in addition to thus the attainment of objective insight in addition to unloose’.i Husserl termed it the phenomenological epoché or stoppage, ‘the necessary functioning which renders pure consciousness accessible to us’.one It is termed samādhi or sati in Indian literature.v Continuous Recollection is ‘the freely stabilized ground of loose at which Active Recollection has been aiming.’1 Obedience is not a state of subservience merely orientation to ‘the transcendent Source of Right together with Good.’one It operates in conjunction with Faith in this transcendence.
The iii foundational skills were structured into a four-part arrangement known since ancient times and appearing in modern contexts in learning theory, Freud together with Jung. Described every bit the iv creative functions, these are ‘purposive campaign, deciding on means, putting into practise, and a nearly hush-hush maturing of 1’second skills inwards consequence’.three In ancient texts they are represented as iv stages in the passage of the Sun, rising in the E, zenith inward the south, downwardly to globe in the westward, as well as clandestine inwards the northward.13 This corresponds alongside aspiration (E), assessment (southward), action or manifestation (west), fulfilment or non-attachment (north); it likewise corresponds respectively amongst Faith, Obedience, Active Recollection, Continuous Recollection.i
Whiteman placed cracking importance on this cycle having its opposites or ‘counterfeits’ of self-will, self-satisfaction, automaticity, complacency, which may Pb to a corresponding bicycle of ‘stresses’ of expiry-feeling, shame, hurting, fright. This inward plow may atomic number 82 to ‘inner contests’,1 2 iii which hopefully overcome these spiritual deficiencies.
Physics together with Psychology
In his search for underlying logic, too for universality, Whiteman converted his ‘psychological’ bicycle into a sixteen-flexure number organization, alongside the aim of integrating it with a ‘physical’ xvi-flexure issue organization derived from 3 infinite as well as iii time dimensions. He noted that iii of the creative functions – cause, agency, in addition to maturing – are composite, containing ii ‘get-go principles’ of kernel too beingness, equivalent to potentiality as well as actualization. In plough, gist together with existence each take iii constituents, termed by him ‘hypostases’, meaning underlying, irreducible causes. The 3 hypostases of nitty-gritty were seen equally use, agency, end. The hypostases of being were actuation, becoming, manifestation, the three-stage construction of creation called in Upanishadic philosophy the Great Stride of Vishnu.1 So, for example, ‘deciding on agency’ combines ‘agency’ (center) first of all alongside ‘actuation’ (being), then with ‘becoming’ (existence), and in conclusion alongside manifestation (existence). The 3rd quarter, West, brings prior causes into manifestation purely as ‘being’ too and then lacks an ‘inwardness’ hypostasis.
This analysis allows the development of a number organisation inward psychology, as well as and then the prospect of comparing amongst a issue system inwards physics.one ii three From these issue systems Whiteman intended to furnish ‘a clear-cutting explanatory organisation... equally, for case, the basic laws of mechanics are exhibited before any problems are tackled’.two The hypostases of nub were numbered ane = purpose, ii = agency, 3 = terminate. The hypostases of being were numbered half-dozen = actuation, v = becoming, iv = manifestation/grounding. So, for case ‘East’ can live expressed every bit the combination xvi (enthusiasm), xv (inspiration), fourteen (intention). Combining the numbers ane to half-dozen results in sixteen subfunctions, inward agreement with ‘15 + ane kalās, stages inwards whatever creative human activity, as recognized inward the Upanishads’.iii
The physical issue system was derived from the iii infinite and 3 time dimensions. One time dimension lies inward potentiality-fields amongst a fourth dimension-ordered, space-similar expression noted to a higher place in connectedness alongside precognition. Another fourth dimension dimension or role involves the processes leading to physical actualization from fourth dimension-structured potentiality. Finally there is physical clock-time; it is the alone fourth dimension-dimension that is measurable. Combining the half-dozen dimensions yields a sixteen-crimp issue organisation like the psychological subfunctions, ‘inwards such shut correspondence amongst the formulations of quantum theory that in that location is an obvious invitation to show the ii every bit aspects of an integrated understanding of the world’.ix
Space does not let a tabulation of the physics/psychology correspondences, or how they were derived. The correspondences, even so, satisfied Whiteman’s opinion that to explicate what nosotros experience is to
admit a subjective cycle, such as mystics, many theologians, as well as about psychologists take admitted. This bicycle, inwards its almost consummate form is sixteenfold, in addition to parallels precisely what may be called the ‘Earth bike’ (every bit it appears in Quantum Field Theory) inwards every mode, patch manifesting itself inwards every form of human being feel. This is a class of potentiality which is discernible, as well as indeed tin can live lived past the individual in an enormous variety of ‘altered states of consciousness’...iii
Whiteman’second Scientific Mysticism was a revolutionary endeavour to discern in addition to characterize this potentiality.
John Poynton
Literature
one. Whiteman, J.H.chiliad. (1986). Old too New Evidence on the Meaning of Life: the mystical globe-view in addition to inner contest. Volume 1, An Introduction to Scientific Mysticism. Gerrards Cross: Colin Smythe.
two. Whiteman, J.H.chiliad. (2000). Old together with New Evidence on the Meaning of Life: the mystical Earth-sentiment and inner competition. Volume two, Dynamics of Spiritual Development. Gerrards Cross: Colin Smythe.
three. Whiteman, J.H.one thousand. (2006). Old in addition to New Evidence on the Meaning of Life: the mystical Earth-opinion and inner contest. Volume three, Universal Theology and Life inwards other Worlds. Gerrards Cross: Colin Smythe.
four. Whiteman, J.H.one thousand. (1961). The Mystical Life. London: Faber as well as Faber.
5. Whiteman, J.H.M. (1993). Aphorisms on Spiritual Method: the ‘Yoga Sutras of Patanjali’ inwards the low-cal of mystical experience. Gerrards Cross: Colin Smythe.
half dozen. Husserl, E. (1931). Ideas: General Introduction to Pure Phenomenology (trans. W.R. Boyce Gibson). London: Allen & Unwin.
7. Heisenberg, west. (1959). Physics and Philosophy: the revolution in mod science. London: Allen in addition to Unwin.
8. Whiteman, J.H.yard. (1967). Philosophy of Space in addition to Time too the Inner Constitution of Nature: a phenomenological written report. London: Allen together with Unwin.
ix. Whiteman, J.H.grand. (1977). Parapsychology in addition to physics. In Wolman, B.B. (ed.) Handbook of Parapsychology. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold.
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