Practitioner training in Neuro-Linguistic Programming is where I first learned of presuppositions. They provide a cognitive foundation upon which to proceed with constructing the edifice of your system model. A presupposition is what must be assumed to be true in order for the model to work.

[Image from www.win.tue.nl]

   The human race is in the process of constructing a new model of consciousness. We are experiencing the pain and are in the throes of this rebirth into what I consider our birthright -- quantum consciousness. This model comes from the recent and fascinating synthesis of quantum physics with metaphysics. Probably the most interesting thing about this emerging model of consciousness is that both scientists and philosophers are working on it, each from her own discipline of thought. Some, like Fred Alan Wolf and Fritjof Capra (to name only two), are coming at it from both “ends” of the spectrum. At the conclusion of this essay I will provide a recommended reading list, which is by no means complete. You can also refer to three related essays in this blog: “Albert Einstein, My Favorite Mystic,” “When Hendrix Discovered Up” and “What Does a Fish Know of the Water?” as well as the essays that following this one in the Presuppositions of Quantum Consciousness series.

Presupposition #1: This is a multi-dimensional universe and you exist in every one of these dimensions, whether or not you are fully aware of it.

    Outmoded models of consciousness allow for three dimensions: ahead/behind, side to side, and up/down. Some even go out on a limb and allow for four dimensions, that fourth being Time. This is the space/time continuum (a continuous whole composed of three-dimensional space plus time, which is defined as the measurement of the rate of motion of particles through space).

    Quantum physicists tell us that there are ten or eleven dimensions. Maybe more. And we haven’t a clue what they are or how to describe them within the limited model of the space/time continuum. Many scientists, other than quantum physicists, are unfortunately stuck here and even deny anything exists outside of that limited model.

Like Alice through the looking glass, she didn’t know who she was.

Stevie Nicks’ song “Alice”

    This is the condition of people who cannot fathom or cope with the reality-bending necessary to comprehend these outer dimensions of consciousness. There is a certain stage of madness and confusion that many have to go through, depending on how tightly the individual grasps at conventional reality and has his identity beliefs bounded by this limited reality, which does not allow for these additional dimensions. Confusion, at the very least, awaits initial contact with the outer dimensions. The laws of physics as we know them do not apply, time is not a constant, and it gets even stranger than that.

    I remember in my shamanism training waking up one morning and not knowing which side of the looking glass I was on. A confused panic hit me in the gut like a blast of nausea.  Fortunately I was able to grasp what was happening. When I realized  that I exist on both sides of the looking glass at the same time, the confusion abated.

    It is possible to train your consciousness to navigate in these quantum realms at will. You already do it every day when you read and speak and think. Thought is not solid and it is unbound by time as we know it. Poets use metaphor, words are symbols. These are the language and physics of another layer in our multi-dimensional existence. You are quite familiar with this zone or you would not be reading this. If you accept that you have consciousness outside of space/time RIGHT NOW in reading this essay, then you are on the way in this fascinating journey of your consciousness in multi-dimensions.

    Studies of consciousness require guidance because the common reality does not allow for multi-dimensions. You might not be able to train your consciousness to go outside of space/time without a guide. The path is known and fairly well-mapped. Many have actually travelled it and passed the knowledge on to selected apprentices. You are very lucky if you want to explore your consciousness at this time because ancient knowledge that had been held secret is now being released widely.

    The shamans of the Andes and the lamas of Tibet realize that the time is NOW. There can be no better time for you to begin. Any mystical tradition -- Buddhism, Taoism, shamanism, Sufism, Qabalah, et al. -- teaches the lessons of expanded consciousness. Sample them and see what works for you.

    See you on the other side of the looking glass.

*****************************

SUGGESTED READING

Most of the books below were written by scientists who are conversant with the subject of consciousness. Some are a bit difficult to read, but well worth the effort. The science they write about is being called the “new physics,” but studies of spiritual healing, chaos, complexity and systems theories are also applicable. Book searches using these terms will render more books than you will be able to read. You have intuition. Allow it to lead you to what you need to read. The list below is just a start from my own library.

 Fred Alan Wolf, “The Eagle’s Quest.” [a shamanic look at physics]

 Alberto Villoldo, “The Four Insights” [gives a detailed exposition of
     consciousness in the outer dimensions, which he calls levels, within a
     shamanistic framework]

 Fritjof Capra, “The Tao of Physics” and “The Turning Point” [a look at
     quantum physics through the lens of Eastern mysticism]

 Michael Talbot, “Mysticism and the New Physics“ and “The Holographic
     Universe” [get a grip on the holographic nature of your existence]

 Frank Tipler, “The Physics of Immortality”

 George Greenstein, “The Symbiotic Universe”

 Gustaf Stromberg, “A Scientist’s View of Man, Mind, and the Universe.”

 Gregg Braden, “Awakening to Zero Point” [Braden is amazing and has many
     more books]

 James Gleick, “Chaos: Making a New Science”

 Ilya Prigogine and Isabelle Stengers, “Order Out of Chaos”

 John Briggs and F. David Peat, “Turbulent Mirror” [the study of chaos theory
     leads one into understanding systems theory, which is necessary to the
     development of quantum consciousness -- don’t panic, you won’t need math]

 Michio Kaku, “Hyperspace”

 Gary Zukav, “The Dancing Wu Li Masters: An Overview of the New Physics”

 Larry Dossey, M.D., “Space, Time & Medicine” [Dr. Dossey also has several
     books on quantum healing]