The Eight-Circuit Mind
Leary, Wilson, Alli, and the Z(enseider) scheme of post-Gurdjieffian notions
(Most of our research derives from Wikipedia and a blog called Social Alchemy that we found mostly on accident.)
The Eight Minds of the Human Computing System
The 8-circuit Model of Consciousness is a synergetic mental map that Timothy Leary initially introduced as psychological philosophy, or "psy-phi," in his publications Neurologic (1973) and Exo-Psychology (1977). Robert Anton Wilson later expanded this model in his books Cosmic Trigger (1977) and Prometheus Rising (1983), alongside Antero Alli's contributions in Angel Tech (1985) and The Eight-Circuit Brain (2009), all of which indicate the presence of "eight periods (circuits)" within the framework.
The eight circuits, often called 'brains' by various authors, function within the human central nervous system. Each circuit carries its distinct imprint and personal perspective of reality. Leary and Alli outline three stages for every circuit, emphasizing critical developmental milestones in each level of consciousness.
The lower four circuits focus on life on Earth and the continuation of humanity. The upper four circuits are post-terrestrial and explore the evolution of humankind through altered states of consciousness, including deliberate self-modification, psychedelic experiences, psychic phenomena, and vast amounts of unverified personal gnosis.
However, one should avoid spiritually bypassing the unpleasant aspects of accessing mystical knowledge and attaining magical power. Instead, as the underlying theme of 'enlightenment' suggests, we ultimately benefit from lightening up and not taking ourselves too seriously.
That might be overly ambitious for swivel-chair esoterrorists, chronically online occultniks, or dysfunctional psybermagickians.
The proposal indicates that while these altered states are newly acknowledged, they are underutilized. Leary referred to the first four circuits as "larval circuits," essential for survival and functioning in earthly society, and suggested that the post-terrestrial circuits will accommodate future humans who, driven by an inherent urge, proceed to migrate and exist in outer space.
The term "circuit" likens the brain to computer hardware and views the synapses as neuro-wiring.
Leary, Wilson, and Alli thoroughly examined the concept, seeking to elucidate the role of each circuit in our personal lives, societal structures, and the broader context of civilizations.
Leary employed the eight circuits alongside recapitulation theory (summarized by Ernst Haeckel's maxim: ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny) to describe the collective evolution of the human species, the personal growth of individuals, and the biological development of organic life on Earth.
An Overview of the 8-Circuits to Remind Us
Childhood, Causality, Consciousness, Compassion, Civilization, and the Cosmos
Conventional-Contractive Terrestrial Circuits: Somatogenic Anchor
The initial four circuits offer crucial survival skills. As social beings, our ability to thrive depends on sharing resources and encouraging reciprocity, which allows us to develop and advance as a collective.
The social and cultural environments we experience during childhood shape our values, priorities, and perceptions of skills within the survival circuits. This foundation is vital for exploring the last four circuits.
1st Circuit: Anatomical-Protective Sentience. Security blanket.
cold-blooded sensorimotor (oral)
2nd Circuit: Identificatory-Emotive Sentience. Power vacuum.
warm-blooded pre-operational (anal)
3rd Circuit: Modular-Communicative Sentience. Lucidity accord.
Neurosemiotic concrete operational (latency)
4th Circuit: Reciprocal-Associative Sentience. Symbiotic cluster.
domestic formal operational (phallic)
Radical-Transgressive Celestial Circuits: Ontological Shock
Unlike the four terrestrial circuits that result from our ordinary growth as humans, the celestial circuits need a trigger to initiate their activation.
Each activation provides fresh insights into our self-image and perspective on the world. Every activation serves as a moment in Chapel Perilous where new knowledge aligns with truth, significantly challenging our prior beliefs.
5th Circuit: Relativistic-Qualitative Sapience. Rapture & Catharsis.
Neurosomatic (oceanic)
6th Circuit: Memetic-Individuative Sapience. Liberation & Sovereignty.
Neuroelectric synapses firing
7th Circuit: Morphogenic-Synchronicitive Sapience. Inseparability & Coincidence.
Neurogenetic
8th Circuit: Epiphenomenal-Transubstantiative Sapience. Transience & Expiration.
Neuroatomic non-local quantum network
Brief Treatments of Each Circuit or Brain
Currently under construction while editing continues behind the scenes
1st Circuit: Anatomical-Protective Sentience. Security blanket.
The First Circuit represents the fundamental sentience we develop in infancy, shaping our understanding of assertive versus toxic and familiar versus exceptional. This potent instrument helps us address our bodily and sensual needs. However, its significance extends beyond mere survival; it also involves a profound awareness of one's physiology, laying the groundwork for independent growth and self-reliance.
In the absence of this 1st Circuit grounding, we may become disoriented, continually seeking additional safety and reassurance through misguided means. If our 1st Circuit imprints create feelings of entrapment due to worry, lack, or dissatisfaction, we can still nurture 1st Circuit intelligence by focusing our energy on overall health. It is essential to engage in activities that nourish the soul. We seek relief from our chattering, discursive minds and want to experience ourselves through our bodies.
We get up, move around, walk to a park or an empty lot, and start shaking, swaying, seething, singing, squirming, sliding, and stomping our sockless soles against the sediment, subsoil, or solid cement.
2nd Circuit: Identificatory-Emotive Sentience. Power vacuum.
As young children, the emotions of our family members play a crucial role in shaping our social interactions. We begin to understand who holds power and the reasons behind it, marking an essential stage in our early development. By nurturing emotional honesty in the 2nd Circuit, we gain insight into the intricacies of our identities and how they intersect with those of others. This journey helps us appreciate the richness of our individuality while recognizing the profound connections we share with those around us.
A vibrant and healthy self-concept is essential for recognizing our unique value. However, understanding our place in the world can become challenging due to external pressures and expectations, which may alter our interactions with others' feelings. When we strive for some flawless reputation or the allure of unequal power simply for its own sake, we risk losing touch with our authentic selves, resulting in feelings of loneliness.
Instead, fully experiencing our genuine emotions could reveal significant insights into the cycle of social personas we adopt to engage with society on its terms and the ever-evolving array of intricate individuals who come and go from our lives!
3rd Circuit: Modular-Communicative Sentience. Lucidity accord.
4th Circuit: Reciprocal-Associative Sentience. Symbiotic cluster.
5th Circuit: Relativistic-Qualitative Sapience. Rapture & Catharsis.
6th Circuit: Memetic-Individuative Sapience. Liberation & Sovereignty.
7th Circuit: Morphogenic-Synchronicitive Sapience. Inseparability & Coincidence.
8th Circuit: Epiphenomenal-Transubstantiative Sapience. Transience & Expiration.
More coming very soon…