8-Circuit Model of Consciousness
Encyclopedia
The eight-circuit model of consciousness (sometimes capitalized) is a theory in psychology
, first proposed by Timothy Leary
. It consists of several quantum psychological systems that unify the various interpretations of the main altered states of consciousness
into one coherent meta-theory. The most basic part describes, in a simple outline, eight circuits of information (colloquially "brains") that operate within the human nervous system. Leary, Robert Anton Wilson
and Antero Alli
have all written about each circuit in depth and how each operates in the lives of human beings, both individually and collectively. The eight-circuit model provides a conglomerate model of several preceding and interconnecting models within some of the human and medical sciences such as psychology
, neurology
, sociology
, anthropology
(etc.) and other more "hard sciences" such as physics
, chemistry
, biology
, mathematics
, co-mingled with spirituality
(especially from Freemasonry
and Eastern religio-philosophies).
Although Leary propounded the basic premise of eight "brains" or brain circuits, he was inspired by sources such as the Hindu
chakra
system. However, his most direct inspiration was received in the form of a document from a student of yoga
, a pamphlet containing 24 different pages, with three-page subdivisions each corresponding to a particular yogic "energy".. Leary then translated this and expanded it into a 24-stage model of evolution, and eventually streamlined it into the eight-circuit model of consciousness. With this, Leary created his umbrella model which others have expanded and philosophized on.
Eight different neurological circuits (each one pertaining to a specific state of consciousness) exist, at least in latent form, in each human being, according to the model. The later fifth through eighth circuits are thought to have only recently evolved, with consequently just a moderate number of human beings using any of them, decreasing progressively with each step to a very small minority using all of them.
Leary presumed the first four to reside in the left lobe or hemisphere of the brain or the cerebrum
, and described them as basic survival functions needed for existence on a terrestrial planet: subsistence, emotion, communication, sexuality, politics, morality and the like. The later four were said to reside in the right hemisphere, and are more cerebral, focusing on aesthetics
, ecstasy
, self-analysis, philosophy, psychotropic drug-taking, spirituality
and oneness with the universe (even including reincarnation
). Leary proposed that the later four exist primarily for use by humans who might someday migrate to outer space and live extraterrestrially. Although Wilson also wrote about the distinction between terrestrial and post-terrestrial life, he gave each circuit a much more specific location in various regions of the brain.
The term "circuits" came from the first wave of cybernetics
research and development in the United States in the 1970s. (Others have proposed that the term "systems" should be substituted for "circuits" to reflect both a systems theory
approach and also the changing anatomy of an entity as it goes through a neurological change).
According to discussions and documentation by Robert Anton Wilson, Antero Alli, Christopher S. Hyatt, and Timothy Leary, each circuit available to an individual represents a more complex phase of evolution. The circuits activate in ascending order, providing an evolutionary link between the evolution of an individual human, a species' genetic history, and an entire gene pool (see: "Ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny"). In other words, each neurological circuit, as it is activated, provides an additional cognitive function within the entity that has activated it (whether or not the entity has awareness of the circumstances that led to its activation).
Leary theorized that until recently in human development these higher circuits have remained dormant within the brain. However, he believed that one could activate and experience the higher circuits with the use of some brain-changing technologies and techniques. Some of these include psychedelic
and psychoactive drugs
, neuro-linguistic programming
(NLP), or mind machine
s, Crowleyan magick
, meditation
, and yoga
.
", “mystical
”, “enlightened” states of mind, and with psychedelics. Association of this model with drug use has earned it some notoriety.
As one grows from infancy, the various circuits are activated and begin to function, as described by Jean Piaget
. The eight levels are associated with eight basic loser/winner scripts prepared by John C. Lilly
.
In this model, the eight levels of consciousness are held to exist in every individual. What distinguishes one individual from another is the degree of expression or latency of these circuits. Some thinkers have also criticized the hierarchical arrangement of these circuits as being indicative of religious indoctrination, suggesting the superiority of one circuit over the other. Supporters argue that the circuits represent the simultaneous existing states of consciousness that work together as a dynamic whole. It is evident that an under-utilized “lower” circuit hinders the complete expression of a “higher” circuit. It would thus become necessary for a person to fully experience, integrate, and embody the survival circuits, in order to withstand the shock that accompanies the activation of the post-survival circuits.
One observation based on this model is about “entities” such as angel
s, extraterrestrials, deities
, etc. According to one school of thought, these entities reported by eight-circuit visionaries are members of races already evolved to this level.
Leary claimed that among other things this model explained the social conflict in the 1960s
, where the mainstream was said to be those with four circuits active and characterized by Leary as tribal moralists and clashed with the counter-culturists, who were then said to be those with five circuits active and characterized as individualists and hedonists
.
Leary's first book on the subject, Neurologic, only included seven circuits when it was published in 1973. Exo-Psychology, published in 1977, expanded the number of circuits to eight and clarified the subject; it was re-published as revised by Timothy Leary with additional material in 1989 under the title Info-Psychology (New Falcon Publishing).
s such as heroin. This circuit is said to have appeared in the earliest evolution of the invertebrate brain. This circuit begins with 1 spatial dimension, forward/back.
which will automatically trigger dominant, aggressive behavior or submissive, co-operative behavior. This circuit is activated by large quantities of alcohol
(inebriation). This circuit appeared first in territorial vertebrate animals. This circuit introduces a 2nd dimension; up/down.
drugs such as methamphetamine
and cocaine
. This circuit supposedly appeared first when hominids started differentiating from the rest of the primates.
-mating experiences and tribal "morals". It is concerned with sexual pleasure (instead of sexual reproduction), local definitions of "moral" and "immoral", reproduction, nurture of the young, etc. It is basically concerned with operating within social networks
and the transmission of culture across time. This circuit is said to have first appeared with the development of tribes. Leary never associated a drug with it, but some have pointed out that entactogen
s such as MDMA seem to meet some of the requirements needed to activate this circuit.
. There is a marked shift from linear visual space to an all-encompassing aesthetic sensory space. A hedonistic
turn-on occurs, a rapturous amusement, a detachment from the previously compulsive mechanism of the first four circuits. This circuit is activated by ecstatic experiences via physiological effects of cannabis
, Hatha Yoga
, tantra
, Zen meditation, and free fall
. Leary describes that this circuit first appeared in the upper class
es, with the development of leisure-class civilizations around 2000 BC.
and is activated by moderate doses of Peyote
and psilocybin mushroom
s. This circuit is traced by Leary back to 500 BC, and he associates it with the Silk Road
.
-RNA-brain feedbacks (ancestral, societal and scientific). The first to achieve this mutation spoke of "memories of past lives
", "reincarnation
", "immortality
" etc. This circuit is activated by regular doses of LSD
, higher doses of Peyote
, higher doses of psilocybin mushroom
s, Raja Yoga
, and years of dedicated meditative practice in general. The circuit first appeared among the Hindus in the early first millennium and later reappeared among the Sufi
sects.
, non-local awareness
(information from beyond ordinary space-time awareness which is limited by the speed of light
), illumination, out-of-body experience
s, astral projection
, contact with alien entities (which does not necessarily specifically refer to only materially based creatures from outer space
, but rather all beings, including e.g. angel
s) or with a galactic overmind
, etc. Some of the ways this circuit can get activated are: the awakening of kundalini
, shock, a near-death experience, etc. This circuit has even been compared to the Buddhist concept of Indra's net
from the Avatamsaka Sutra
. This circuit is activated by DMT
, high doses of ketamine
(see "K-hole
"), and high doses of LSD (1,000+ mcg).
. Wilson's book Prometheus Rising
is an in-depth work documenting Leary's eight-circuit model of consciousness.
Wilson, like Leary, uses an amalgam of various approaches such as the eight-circuit model itself, quantum mechanics
, relativity
, Gurdjieff's self-observation exercises, Alfred Korzybski
's general semantics
, etc. Wilson's published screenplay Reality Is What You Can Get Away With also uses and explains the model.
The model is also fairly prominent in chaos magic
, where the eight circuits are understood to be related to the eight rays of the symbol of chaos
. This concept has been detailed in "Chaotopia!" by Dave Lee
, a leading member of the magic society Illuminates of Thanateros
. Although both Leary and Wilson were members in this group near the end of their lives, the circuit design clearly predates this organization.
Another book, Angel Tech by Antero Alli
, is structured around the eight-circuit model. The book includes many collages by the author to illustrate various points. In the book, the first four circuits are associated with robotic ("tech") aspects of humanity, and the final four are related to the "angelic" nature. It includes suggested activities such as meditation
s and construction of tarot-card collages associated with each circuit.
Rolf Von Eckartsberg also appears to have been influenced by the model.
The circuit model of Leary and Wilson has been correlated with astrology by Bruce Scofield. Resonances between planetary cycles and the birthday are suggested to be triggers that open temporary windows of imprint vulnerbility. The Moon is correlated with the biosurvival period, Mars with the emotional-territorial stage, Mercury with the rational mind and Venus with the socio-sexual stage. These are initiated respectively at birth, at the second birthday, at age 3.5 and age 8 at which times the Moon, Mars, Mercury and Venus return to their birth positions, or are in phase with it. The other four circuits are considered octaves of the first four.
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
, first proposed by Timothy Leary
Timothy Leary
Timothy Francis Leary was an American psychologist and writer, known for his advocacy of psychedelic drugs. During a time when drugs like LSD and psilocybin were legal, Leary conducted experiments at Harvard University under the Harvard Psilocybin Project, resulting in the Concord Prison...
. It consists of several quantum psychological systems that unify the various interpretations of the main altered states of consciousness
Consciousness
Consciousness is a term that refers to the relationship between the mind and the world with which it interacts. It has been defined as: subjectivity, awareness, the ability to experience or to feel, wakefulness, having a sense of selfhood, and the executive control system of the mind...
into one coherent meta-theory. The most basic part describes, in a simple outline, eight circuits of information (colloquially "brains") that operate within the human nervous system. Leary, Robert Anton Wilson
Robert Anton Wilson
Robert Anton Wilson , known to friends as "Bob", was an American author and polymath who became at various times a novelist, philosopher, psychologist, essayist, editor, playwright, poet, futurist, civil libertarian and self-described agnostic mystic...
and Antero Alli
Antero Alli
Antero Alli was born 11 November 1952, in Finland. Alli currently resides in Berkeley, California, where he conducts workshops and stages theatrical productions, some of which have been released as films...
have all written about each circuit in depth and how each operates in the lives of human beings, both individually and collectively. The eight-circuit model provides a conglomerate model of several preceding and interconnecting models within some of the human and medical sciences such as psychology
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
, neurology
Neurology
Neurology is a medical specialty dealing with disorders of the nervous system. Specifically, it deals with the diagnosis and treatment of all categories of disease involving the central, peripheral, and autonomic nervous systems, including their coverings, blood vessels, and all effector tissue,...
, sociology
Sociology
Sociology is the study of society. It is a social science—a term with which it is sometimes synonymous—which uses various methods of empirical investigation and critical analysis to develop a body of knowledge about human social activity...
, anthropology
Anthropology
Anthropology is the study of humanity. It has origins in the humanities, the natural sciences, and the social sciences. The term "anthropology" is from the Greek anthrōpos , "man", understood to mean mankind or humanity, and -logia , "discourse" or "study", and was first used in 1501 by German...
(etc.) and other more "hard sciences" such as physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
, chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
, biology
Biology
Biology is a natural science concerned with the study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. Biology is a vast subject containing many subdivisions, topics, and disciplines...
, mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
, co-mingled with spirituality
Spirituality
Spirituality can refer to an ultimate or an alleged immaterial reality; an inner path enabling a person to discover the essence of his/her being; or the “deepest values and meanings by which people live.” Spiritual practices, including meditation, prayer and contemplation, are intended to develop...
(especially from Freemasonry
Freemasonry
Freemasonry is a fraternal organisation that arose from obscure origins in the late 16th to early 17th century. Freemasonry now exists in various forms all over the world, with a membership estimated at around six million, including approximately 150,000 under the jurisdictions of the Grand Lodge...
and Eastern religio-philosophies).
Although Leary propounded the basic premise of eight "brains" or brain circuits, he was inspired by sources such as the Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
chakra
Chakra
Chakra is a concept originating in Hindu texts, featured in tantric and yogic traditions of Hinduism and Buddhism. Its name derives from the Sanskrit word for "wheel" or "turning" .Chakra is a concept referring to wheel-like vortices...
system. However, his most direct inspiration was received in the form of a document from a student of yoga
Yoga
Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual discipline, originating in ancient India. The goal of yoga, or of the person practicing yoga, is the attainment of a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility while meditating on Supersoul...
, a pamphlet containing 24 different pages, with three-page subdivisions each corresponding to a particular yogic "energy".. Leary then translated this and expanded it into a 24-stage model of evolution, and eventually streamlined it into the eight-circuit model of consciousness. With this, Leary created his umbrella model which others have expanded and philosophized on.
Eight different neurological circuits (each one pertaining to a specific state of consciousness) exist, at least in latent form, in each human being, according to the model. The later fifth through eighth circuits are thought to have only recently evolved, with consequently just a moderate number of human beings using any of them, decreasing progressively with each step to a very small minority using all of them.
Leary presumed the first four to reside in the left lobe or hemisphere of the brain or the cerebrum
Telencephalon
The cerebrum or telencephalon, together with the diencephalon, constitutes the forebrain. The cerebrum is the most anterior region of the vertebrate central nervous system. Telencephalon refers to the embryonic structure, from which the mature cerebrum develops...
, and described them as basic survival functions needed for existence on a terrestrial planet: subsistence, emotion, communication, sexuality, politics, morality and the like. The later four were said to reside in the right hemisphere, and are more cerebral, focusing on aesthetics
Aesthetics
Aesthetics is a branch of philosophy dealing with the nature of beauty, art, and taste, and with the creation and appreciation of beauty. It is more scientifically defined as the study of sensory or sensori-emotional values, sometimes called judgments of sentiment and taste...
, ecstasy
Ecstasy
Ecstasy may refer to:* Ecstasy , a trance or trance-like state in which an individual transcends normal consciousness* Religious ecstasy, a state of consciousness characterized by expanded spiritual awareness, visions or absolute euphoria...
, self-analysis, philosophy, psychotropic drug-taking, spirituality
Spirituality
Spirituality can refer to an ultimate or an alleged immaterial reality; an inner path enabling a person to discover the essence of his/her being; or the “deepest values and meanings by which people live.” Spiritual practices, including meditation, prayer and contemplation, are intended to develop...
and oneness with the universe (even including reincarnation
Reincarnation
Reincarnation best describes the concept where the soul or spirit, after the death of the body, is believed to return to live in a new human body, or, in some traditions, either as a human being, animal or plant...
). Leary proposed that the later four exist primarily for use by humans who might someday migrate to outer space and live extraterrestrially. Although Wilson also wrote about the distinction between terrestrial and post-terrestrial life, he gave each circuit a much more specific location in various regions of the brain.
The term "circuits" came from the first wave of cybernetics
Cybernetics
Cybernetics is the interdisciplinary study of the structure of regulatory systems. Cybernetics is closely related to information theory, control theory and systems theory, at least in its first-order form...
research and development in the United States in the 1970s. (Others have proposed that the term "systems" should be substituted for "circuits" to reflect both a systems theory
Systems theory
Systems theory is the transdisciplinary study of systems in general, with the goal of elucidating principles that can be applied to all types of systems at all nesting levels in all fields of research...
approach and also the changing anatomy of an entity as it goes through a neurological change).
According to discussions and documentation by Robert Anton Wilson, Antero Alli, Christopher S. Hyatt, and Timothy Leary, each circuit available to an individual represents a more complex phase of evolution. The circuits activate in ascending order, providing an evolutionary link between the evolution of an individual human, a species' genetic history, and an entire gene pool (see: "Ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny"). In other words, each neurological circuit, as it is activated, provides an additional cognitive function within the entity that has activated it (whether or not the entity has awareness of the circumstances that led to its activation).
Leary theorized that until recently in human development these higher circuits have remained dormant within the brain. However, he believed that one could activate and experience the higher circuits with the use of some brain-changing technologies and techniques. Some of these include psychedelic
Psychedelic
The term psychedelic is derived from the Greek words ψυχή and δηλοῦν , translating to "soul-manifesting". A psychedelic experience is characterized by the striking perception of aspects of one's mind previously unknown, or by the creative exuberance of the mind liberated from its ostensibly...
and psychoactive drugs
DRUGS
Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows are an American post-hardcore band formed in 2010. They released their debut self-titled album on February 22, 2011.- Formation :...
, neuro-linguistic programming
Neuro-linguistic programming
Neuro-linguistic programming is an approach to psychotherapy, self-help and organizational change. Founders Richard Bandler and John Grinder say that NLP is a model of interpersonal communication and a system of alternative therapy which seeks to educate people in self-awareness and effective...
(NLP), or mind machine
Mind machine
A mind machine uses pulsing rhythmic sound and/or flashing light to alter the brainwave frequency of the user...
s, Crowleyan magick
Aleister Crowley
Aleister Crowley , born Edward Alexander Crowley, and also known as both Frater Perdurabo and The Great Beast, was an influential English occultist, astrologer, mystic and ceremonial magician, responsible for founding the religious philosophy of Thelema. He was also successful in various other...
, meditation
Meditation
Meditation is any form of a family of practices in which practitioners train their minds or self-induce a mode of consciousness to realize some benefit....
, and yoga
Yoga
Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual discipline, originating in ancient India. The goal of yoga, or of the person practicing yoga, is the attainment of a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility while meditating on Supersoul...
.
Leary's formulation
The eight-circuit model of consciousness proposed by psychologist Timothy Leary describes eight levels of function of human consciousness. The lower four, the larval circuits, deal with normal psychology, while the upper four, the stellar circuits, deal with “psychicPsychic
A psychic is a person who professes an ability to perceive information hidden from the normal senses through extrasensory perception , or is said by others to have such abilities. It is also used to describe theatrical performers who use techniques such as prestidigitation, cold reading, and hot...
", “mystical
Mysticism
Mysticism is the knowledge of, and especially the personal experience of, states of consciousness, i.e. levels of being, beyond normal human perception, including experience and even communion with a supreme being.-Classical origins:...
”, “enlightened” states of mind, and with psychedelics. Association of this model with drug use has earned it some notoriety.
As one grows from infancy, the various circuits are activated and begin to function, as described by Jean Piaget
Jean Piaget
Jean Piaget was a French-speaking Swiss developmental psychologist and philosopher known for his epistemological studies with children. His theory of cognitive development and epistemological view are together called "genetic epistemology"....
. The eight levels are associated with eight basic loser/winner scripts prepared by John C. Lilly
John C. Lilly
John Cunningham Lilly was an American physician, neuroscientist, psychoanalyst, psychonaut, philosopher and writer....
.
In this model, the eight levels of consciousness are held to exist in every individual. What distinguishes one individual from another is the degree of expression or latency of these circuits. Some thinkers have also criticized the hierarchical arrangement of these circuits as being indicative of religious indoctrination, suggesting the superiority of one circuit over the other. Supporters argue that the circuits represent the simultaneous existing states of consciousness that work together as a dynamic whole. It is evident that an under-utilized “lower” circuit hinders the complete expression of a “higher” circuit. It would thus become necessary for a person to fully experience, integrate, and embody the survival circuits, in order to withstand the shock that accompanies the activation of the post-survival circuits.
One observation based on this model is about “entities” such as angel
Angel
Angels are mythical beings often depicted as messengers of God in the Hebrew and Christian Bibles along with the Quran. The English word angel is derived from the Greek ἄγγελος, a translation of in the Hebrew Bible ; a similar term, ملائكة , is used in the Qur'an...
s, extraterrestrials, deities
Deity
A deity is a recognized preternatural or supernatural immortal being, who may be thought of as holy, divine, or sacred, held in high regard, and respected by believers....
, etc. According to one school of thought, these entities reported by eight-circuit visionaries are members of races already evolved to this level.
Leary claimed that among other things this model explained the social conflict in the 1960s
Counterculture of the 1960s
The counterculture of the 1960s refers to a cultural movement that mainly developed in the United States and spread throughout much of the western world between 1960 and 1973. The movement gained momentum during the U.S. government's extensive military intervention in Vietnam...
, where the mainstream was said to be those with four circuits active and characterized by Leary as tribal moralists and clashed with the counter-culturists, who were then said to be those with five circuits active and characterized as individualists and hedonists
Hedonism
Hedonism is a school of thought which argues that pleasure is the only intrinsic good. In very simple terms, a hedonist strives to maximize net pleasure .-Etymology:The name derives from the Greek word for "delight" ....
.
Leary's first book on the subject, Neurologic, only included seven circuits when it was published in 1973. Exo-Psychology, published in 1977, expanded the number of circuits to eight and clarified the subject; it was re-published as revised by Timothy Leary with additional material in 1989 under the title Info-Psychology (New Falcon Publishing).
The eight circuits of the human nervous system
The names for the circuits used by Timothy Leary are shown first and the names for the circuits used by Robert Anton Wilson are shown in parentheses (they both used the same names for the first, second, and fifth circuits). After the name of the circuit, the name that was used by Timothy Leary to describe the level of consciousness that is activated by that circuit is shown in parentheses.1. The Biosurvival Circuit (the Breath of Consciousness)
This circuit is imprinted in infancy, concerned with suckling, nourishment, cuddling, bio-security, etc. The imprinting of this circuit sets up the basic attitude of trust or suspicion which will last for life. First activated when a human being is born, and programs perception onto an either-or grid, divided into nurturing-helpful and noxious-dangerous (approach/accept vs. flight/flee). This circuit is activated in adults by opioidOpioid
An opioid is a psychoactive chemical that works by binding to opioid receptors, which are found principally in the central and peripheral nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract...
s such as heroin. This circuit is said to have appeared in the earliest evolution of the invertebrate brain. This circuit begins with 1 spatial dimension, forward/back.
2. The Emotional–Territorial Circuit (Freud's Ego)
The Emotional Circuit is imprinted in the toddling stage, concerned with emotions, domination and submission strategies, territory, etc. The first imprint on this circuit identifies the stimuliStimulus (physiology)
In physiology, a stimulus is a detectable change in the internal or external environment. The ability of an organism or organ to respond to external stimuli is called sensitivity....
which will automatically trigger dominant, aggressive behavior or submissive, co-operative behavior. This circuit is activated by large quantities of alcohol
Ethanol
Ethanol, also called ethyl alcohol, pure alcohol, grain alcohol, or drinking alcohol, is a volatile, flammable, colorless liquid. It is a psychoactive drug and one of the oldest recreational drugs. Best known as the type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages, it is also used in thermometers, as a...
(inebriation). This circuit appeared first in territorial vertebrate animals. This circuit introduces a 2nd dimension; up/down.
3. The Symbolic or Neurosemantic–Dexterity Circuit (the Rational Mind)
This circuit is imprinted by human artifacts and symbol systems. It is concerned with handling the environment, invention, calculation, prediction, building a "map" of the universe, etc. It is associated with physical dexterity. This circuit is activated by stimulantStimulant
Stimulants are psychoactive drugs which induce temporary improvements in either mental or physical function or both. Examples of these kinds of effects may include enhanced alertness, wakefulness, and locomotion, among others...
drugs such as methamphetamine
Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine is a psychostimulant of the phenethylamine and amphetamine class of psychoactive drugs...
and cocaine
Cocaine
Cocaine is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. The name comes from "coca" in addition to the alkaloid suffix -ine, forming cocaine. It is a stimulant of the central nervous system, an appetite suppressant, and a topical anesthetic...
. This circuit supposedly appeared first when hominids started differentiating from the rest of the primates.
4. The Domestic or Sociosexual Circuit (the "Adult" Personality)
This fourth circuit is imprinted by the first orgasmOrgasm
Orgasm is the peak of the plateau phase of the sexual response cycle, characterized by an intense sensation of pleasure...
-mating experiences and tribal "morals". It is concerned with sexual pleasure (instead of sexual reproduction), local definitions of "moral" and "immoral", reproduction, nurture of the young, etc. It is basically concerned with operating within social networks
Society
A society, or a human society, is a group of people related to each other through persistent relations, or a large social grouping sharing the same geographical or virtual territory, subject to the same political authority and dominant cultural expectations...
and the transmission of culture across time. This circuit is said to have first appeared with the development of tribes. Leary never associated a drug with it, but some have pointed out that entactogen
Empathogen-entactogen
The terms empathogen and entactogen are used to describe a class of psychoactive drugs that produce distinctive emotional and social effects similar to those of MDMA. Putative members of this class include 2C-B, 2C-I, MDMA, MDA, MDEA, MBDB, 2C-T-7, and 2C-T-2, among others...
s such as MDMA seem to meet some of the requirements needed to activate this circuit.
5. The Neurosomatic Circuit (Zen–Yoga Mind–body Connection)
This is concerned with neurological-somatic feedbacks, feeling high, somatic reprogramming, etc. The fifth circuit, according to Leary, is consciousness of the bodyBody
With regard to living things, a body is the physical body of an individual. "Body" often is used in connection with appearance, health issues and death...
. There is a marked shift from linear visual space to an all-encompassing aesthetic sensory space. A hedonistic
Hedonism
Hedonism is a school of thought which argues that pleasure is the only intrinsic good. In very simple terms, a hedonist strives to maximize net pleasure .-Etymology:The name derives from the Greek word for "delight" ....
turn-on occurs, a rapturous amusement, a detachment from the previously compulsive mechanism of the first four circuits. This circuit is activated by ecstatic experiences via physiological effects of cannabis
Cannabis (drug)
Cannabis, also known as marijuana among many other names, refers to any number of preparations of the Cannabis plant intended for use as a psychoactive drug or for medicinal purposes. The English term marijuana comes from the Mexican Spanish word marihuana...
, Hatha Yoga
Hatha yoga
Hatha yoga , also called hatha vidya , is a system of yoga introduced by Yogi Swatmarama, a Hindu sage of 15th century India, and compiler of the Hatha Yoga Pradipika....
, tantra
Tantra
Tantra , anglicised tantricism or tantrism or tantram, is the name scholars give to an inter-religious spiritual movement that arose in medieval India, expressed in scriptures ....
, Zen meditation, and free fall
Free fall
Free fall is any motion of a body where gravity is the only force acting upon it, at least initially. These conditions produce an inertial trajectory so long as gravity remains the only force. Since this definition does not specify velocity, it also applies to objects initially moving upward...
. Leary describes that this circuit first appeared in the upper class
Upper class
In social science, the "upper class" is the group of people at the top of a social hierarchy. Members of an upper class may have great power over the allocation of resources and governmental policy in their area.- Historical meaning :...
es, with the development of leisure-class civilizations around 2000 BC.
6. The Neuroelectric or Metaprogramming Circuit (Psionic Electronic-Interface Earth Grid Mind)
This circuit is concerned with re-imprinting and re-programming all earlier circuits, relativity of “realities” perceived, cybernetic consciousness, so-called PSI/magical powers, etc. The sixth circuit consists of the nervous system becoming aware of itself. Leary says this circuit enables telepathic communicationTelepathy
Telepathy , is the induction of mental states from one mind to another. The term was coined in 1882 by the classical scholar Fredric W. H. Myers, a founder of the Society for Psychical Research, and has remained more popular than the more-correct expression thought-transference...
and is activated by moderate doses of Peyote
Peyote
Lophophora williamsii , better known by its common name Peyote , is a small, spineless cactus with psychoactive alkaloids, particularly mescaline.It is native to southwestern Texas and Mexico...
and psilocybin mushroom
Psilocybin mushroom
Psilocybin mushrooms are fungi that contain the psychoactive compounds psilocybin and psilocin. There are multiple colloquial terms for psilocybin mushrooms, the most common being shrooms or magic mushrooms....
s. This circuit is traced by Leary back to 500 BC, and he associates it with the Silk Road
Silk Road
The Silk Road or Silk Route refers to a historical network of interlinking trade routes across the Afro-Eurasian landmass that connected East, South, and Western Asia with the Mediterranean and European world, as well as parts of North and East Africa...
.
7. The Neurogenetic or Morphogenetic Circuit (Buddha–Monad "Mind")
This part is concerned with evolutionary consciousness (past and future), DNADNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms . The DNA segments that carry this genetic information are called genes, but other DNA sequences have structural purposes, or are involved in...
-RNA-brain feedbacks (ancestral, societal and scientific). The first to achieve this mutation spoke of "memories of past lives
Past Lives
- Music :* Past Lives , a live album by Black Sabbath* Past Lives , an American post-punk band* Past Lives - The Best of the RCA Years, a compilation by the British musical group Level 42....
", "reincarnation
Reincarnation
Reincarnation best describes the concept where the soul or spirit, after the death of the body, is believed to return to live in a new human body, or, in some traditions, either as a human being, animal or plant...
", "immortality
Immortality
Immortality is the ability to live forever. It is unknown whether human physical immortality is an achievable condition. Biological forms have inherent limitations which may or may not be able to be overcome through medical interventions or engineering...
" etc. This circuit is activated by regular doses of LSD
LSD
Lysergic acid diethylamide, abbreviated LSD or LSD-25, also known as lysergide and colloquially as acid, is a semisynthetic psychedelic drug of the ergoline family, well known for its psychological effects which can include altered thinking processes, closed and open eye visuals, synaesthesia, an...
, higher doses of Peyote
Peyote
Lophophora williamsii , better known by its common name Peyote , is a small, spineless cactus with psychoactive alkaloids, particularly mescaline.It is native to southwestern Texas and Mexico...
, higher doses of psilocybin mushroom
Psilocybin mushroom
Psilocybin mushrooms are fungi that contain the psychoactive compounds psilocybin and psilocin. There are multiple colloquial terms for psilocybin mushrooms, the most common being shrooms or magic mushrooms....
s, Raja Yoga
Raja Yoga
Rāja Yoga is concerned principally with the cultivation of the mind using meditation to further one's acquaintance with reality and finally achieve liberation.Raja yoga was first described in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, and is part of the Samkhya tradition.In the context of Hindu...
, and years of dedicated meditative practice in general. The circuit first appeared among the Hindus in the early first millennium and later reappeared among the Sufi
Sufi cosmology
Sufi cosmology is a general term for cosmological doctrines associated with the mysticism of Sufism. These may differ from place to place, order to order and time to time, but overall show the influence of several different cosmographies:...
sects.
8. The Psychoatomic or Quantum Non-local Circuit (Overmind)
The eighth circuit is concerned with quantum consciousnessQuantum mysticism
Quantum mysticism is a term that has been used to refer to a set of metaphysical beliefs and associated practices that seek to relate consciousness, intelligence or mystical world-views to the ideas of quantum mechanics and its interpretations...
, non-local awareness
Quantum entanglement
Quantum entanglement occurs when electrons, molecules even as large as "buckyballs", photons, etc., interact physically and then become separated; the type of interaction is such that each resulting member of a pair is properly described by the same quantum mechanical description , which is...
(information from beyond ordinary space-time awareness which is limited by the speed of light
Speed of light
The speed of light in vacuum, usually denoted by c, is a physical constant important in many areas of physics. Its value is 299,792,458 metres per second, a figure that is exact since the length of the metre is defined from this constant and the international standard for time...
), illumination, out-of-body experience
Out-of-body experience
An out-of-body experience is an experience that typically involves a sensation of floating outside of one's body and, in some cases, perceiving one's physical body from a place outside one's body ....
s, astral projection
Astral projection
Astral projection is an interpretation of out-of-body experience that assumes the existence of an "astral body" separate from the physical body and capable of traveling outside it...
, contact with alien entities (which does not necessarily specifically refer to only materially based creatures from outer space
Outer space
Outer space is the void that exists between celestial bodies, including the Earth. It is not completely empty, but consists of a hard vacuum containing a low density of particles: predominantly a plasma of hydrogen and helium, as well as electromagnetic radiation, magnetic fields, and neutrinos....
, but rather all beings, including e.g. angel
Angel
Angels are mythical beings often depicted as messengers of God in the Hebrew and Christian Bibles along with the Quran. The English word angel is derived from the Greek ἄγγελος, a translation of in the Hebrew Bible ; a similar term, ملائكة , is used in the Qur'an...
s) or with a galactic overmind
Overmind
-In science fiction:*An interstellar Hive Mind in the Arthur C. Clark novel Childhood's End*The Zerg Overmind, one of the antagonists in the StarCraft series.*Overmind , a supervillain in the world of Marvel Comics...
, etc. Some of the ways this circuit can get activated are: the awakening of kundalini
Kundalini
Kundalini literally means coiled. In yoga, a "corporeal energy" - an unconscious, instinctive or libidinal force or Shakti, lies coiled at the base of the spine. It is envisioned either as a goddess or else as a sleeping serpent, hence a number of English renderings of the term such as 'serpent...
, shock, a near-death experience, etc. This circuit has even been compared to the Buddhist concept of Indra's net
Indra's net
Indra's net is a metaphor used to illustrate the concepts of emptiness, dependent origination, and interpenetration in Buddhist philosophy...
from the Avatamsaka Sutra
Avatamsaka Sutra
The is one of the most influential Mahayana sutras of East Asian Buddhism. The title is rendered in English as Flower Garland Sutra, Flower Adornment Sutra, or Flower Ornament Scripture....
. This circuit is activated by DMT
Dimethyltryptamine
N,N-Dimethyltryptamine is a naturally occurring psychedelic compound of the tryptamine family. DMT is found in several plants, and also in trace amounts in humans and other mammals, where it is originally derived from the essential amino acid tryptophan, and ultimately produced by the enzyme INMT...
, high doses of ketamine
Ketamine
Ketamine is a drug used in human and veterinary medicine. Its hydrochloride salt is sold as Ketanest, Ketaset, and Ketalar. Pharmacologically, ketamine is classified as an NMDA receptor antagonist...
(see "K-hole
K-hole
At sufficiently high doses of the drug ketamine , it is common to experience a "K-hole". This is a slang term for a subjective state of dissociation from the body which may mimic the phenomenology of schizophrenia, out of body experiences or near death experiences, and is often accompanied by...
"), and high doses of LSD (1,000+ mcg).
Other authors on the eight circuits
Leary's ideas heavily influenced the work of Robert Anton WilsonRobert Anton Wilson
Robert Anton Wilson , known to friends as "Bob", was an American author and polymath who became at various times a novelist, philosopher, psychologist, essayist, editor, playwright, poet, futurist, civil libertarian and self-described agnostic mystic...
. Wilson's book Prometheus Rising
Prometheus Rising
Prometheus Rising is a book by Robert Anton Wilson first published in 1983. It is a guide book of "how to get from here to there", an amalgam of Timothy Leary's 8-circuit model of consciousness, Gurdjieff's self-observation exercises, Alfred Korzybski's general semantics, Aleister Crowley's magical...
is an in-depth work documenting Leary's eight-circuit model of consciousness.
Wilson, like Leary, uses an amalgam of various approaches such as the eight-circuit model itself, quantum mechanics
Quantum mechanics
Quantum mechanics, also known as quantum physics or quantum theory, is a branch of physics providing a mathematical description of much of the dual particle-like and wave-like behavior and interactions of energy and matter. It departs from classical mechanics primarily at the atomic and subatomic...
, relativity
Theory of relativity
The theory of relativity, or simply relativity, encompasses two theories of Albert Einstein: special relativity and general relativity. However, the word relativity is sometimes used in reference to Galilean invariance....
, Gurdjieff's self-observation exercises, Alfred Korzybski
Alfred Korzybski
Alfred Habdank Skarbek Korzybski was a Polish-American philosopher and scientist. He is remembered for developing the theory of general semantics...
's general semantics
General Semantics
General semantics is a program begun in the 1920's that seeks to regulate the evaluative operations performed in the human brain. After partial program launches under the trial names "human engineering" and "humanology," Polish-American originator Alfred Korzybski fully launched the program as...
, etc. Wilson's published screenplay Reality Is What You Can Get Away With also uses and explains the model.
The model is also fairly prominent in chaos magic
Chaos magic
Chaos magic is a school of the modern magical tradition which emphasizes the pragmatic use of belief systems and the creation of new and unorthodox methods.-General principles:...
, where the eight circuits are understood to be related to the eight rays of the symbol of chaos
Symbol of Chaos
The Symbol of Chaos originates from Michael Moorcock's Eternal Champion stories. In them, the Symbol of Chaos comprises eight arrows in a radial pattern. In contrast, the symbol of Law is a single upright arrow...
. This concept has been detailed in "Chaotopia!" by Dave Lee
Dave Lee
Dave Lee may refer to:* Dave Lee , British horn and Wagner tuba player associated with the Michael Nyman Band* Dave Lee , British DJ, producer, and remixer often better known as Joey Negro* Dave Lee...
, a leading member of the magic society Illuminates of Thanateros
Illuminates of Thanateros
The Illuminates of Thanateros is an international magical organization founded in 1978, focusing on practical group work in chaos magic. This fraternal magical society has been an important influence on some forms of modern occultism.- Name :...
. Although both Leary and Wilson were members in this group near the end of their lives, the circuit design clearly predates this organization.
Another book, Angel Tech by Antero Alli
Antero Alli
Antero Alli was born 11 November 1952, in Finland. Alli currently resides in Berkeley, California, where he conducts workshops and stages theatrical productions, some of which have been released as films...
, is structured around the eight-circuit model. The book includes many collages by the author to illustrate various points. In the book, the first four circuits are associated with robotic ("tech") aspects of humanity, and the final four are related to the "angelic" nature. It includes suggested activities such as meditation
Meditation
Meditation is any form of a family of practices in which practitioners train their minds or self-induce a mode of consciousness to realize some benefit....
s and construction of tarot-card collages associated with each circuit.
Rolf Von Eckartsberg also appears to have been influenced by the model.
The circuit model of Leary and Wilson has been correlated with astrology by Bruce Scofield. Resonances between planetary cycles and the birthday are suggested to be triggers that open temporary windows of imprint vulnerbility. The Moon is correlated with the biosurvival period, Mars with the emotional-territorial stage, Mercury with the rational mind and Venus with the socio-sexual stage. These are initiated respectively at birth, at the second birthday, at age 3.5 and age 8 at which times the Moon, Mars, Mercury and Venus return to their birth positions, or are in phase with it. The other four circuits are considered octaves of the first four.
See also
- Human BiocomputerHuman BiocomputerThe Human Biocomputer coined by John C. Lilly, refers literally to the "hardware" of the human anatomy. This would include the brain, internal organs, and other human organ systems such as cardiovascular, digestive, endocrine, immune, integumentary, lymphatic, muscular, nervous, reproductive,...
- Metasystem transitionMetasystem transitionA metasystem transition is the emergence, through evolution, of a higher level of organization or control.Prime examples are the origin of life, the transition from unicellular to multicellular organisms, the emergence of eusociality or symbolic thought...
- Maslow's Hierarchy of NeedsMaslow's hierarchy of needsMaslow's hierarchy of needs is a theory in psychology, proposed by Abraham Maslow in his 1943 paper A Theory of Human Motivation. Maslow subsequently extended the idea to include his observations of humans' innate curiosity...
- Erik EriksonErik EriksonErik Erikson was a Danish-German-American developmental psychologist and psychoanalyst known for his theory on social development of human beings. He may be most famous for coining the phrase identity crisis. His son, Kai T...
's "Eight stages of man" (1950)
External links
- Leary's Eight Circuit Model of Consciousness
- Timothy Leary's Eight Circuit Model of Consciousness
- The 8-Circuit Model of Timothy Leary and Robert Anton Wilson
- The Eight Winner and Loser Scripts
- 5th Circuit Activation and the Ecstasy Generation
- Totem Pill - Animated Interpretation of the 8 Circuit Model by Marc Ngui
- Wikibook on consciousness studies