A Theoretical Analysis of Higher States of Consciousness and Meditation (original) (raw)

Abstract

In higher states of consciousness the process of thinking is more finely adjusted to the demands of a situation than would normally be the case. We propose a mathematical model for this, based on the hypothesis that thoughts are created in part by an instability mechanism; learning establishes the instabilities, while when a situation has become familiar a compensating stability mechanism cuts out unnecessary thought. Meditation is interpreted as a process in which processes increasing stability dominate. The analysis should provide impetus for a wider examination of the value of higher states of consciousness.

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References

  1. A. Campbell, The Mechanics of Enlightenment (Gollancz, London, 1975).
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  2. Thought, action, motivation and other aspects of higher states of consciousness are discussed by Peter Russell in The TM Technique (Routledge & Kegan Paul, London, 1976). See also Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, On the Bhagavad-Gita, (Penguin, London, 1969).
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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
    B. D. Josephson

Authors

  1. B. D. Josephson
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. W.O.G.S.C., Blackburn, UK
    J. Rose (Director-General) (Director-General)

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© 1978 The World Organisation of General Systems and Cybernetics

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Josephson, B.D. (1978). A Theoretical Analysis of Higher States of Consciousness and Meditation. In: Rose, J. (eds) Current Topics in Cybernetics and Systems. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-93104-8\_1

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