I just read the following from Crowley's "Magick Without Tears":
"When we wish to exchange thoughts, we must arrange a conventional code of sounds, of knots in string, or carved or written characters-- in a word -- embark upon the boundless ocean of heiroglyphics or symbols of one sort or another (Presently I shall have to explain the supreme importance of such systems, in fact, the Universe is not, and cannot be, but an arrrangement of symbolic characters!)."
Now, we see that Crowley used of the "is" of identity in stating that "the Universe is not" in a negative manner; he "reversed" the "is" of identify. This koan-like utterance of his seems to preclude Korzbyski's "consciousness of abstracting. As I then looked upon the Tree of Life diagram, it seemed that the paths up from Malkuth to Kether could be seen as the process of becoming conscious of abstracting. Anyway, what came upon me was the possible importance of RITUAL in our lives (I don't presently practice any religious rituals). If we agree that Universe reveals itself through symbol systems (including our nervous system's attempts at evaluating the internal and external environenments that we experience) then perhaps the use of conscious ritual could be of benefit in gaining understanding of Universe. Just a thought.
I feel that Korzbski related the truths of the Buddha in way that most Westerners could realize as I relate "awakening" to being "conscious of abstracting". Anybody else here make a connection between Korzybski and the Tree of Life? I'm open to any and all criticism to the Crowley-Korzybski connection.
In no way am I implying or suggesting that Korzybski has any knowledge of Crowley or Buddhism, but I find the connections interesting.
"When we wish to exchange thoughts, we must arrange a conventional code of sounds, of knots in string, or carved or written characters-- in a word -- embark upon the boundless ocean of heiroglyphics or symbols of one sort or another (Presently I shall have to explain the supreme importance of such systems, in fact, the Universe is not, and cannot be, but an arrrangement of symbolic characters!)."
Now, we see that Crowley used of the "is" of identity in stating that "the Universe is not" in a negative manner; he "reversed" the "is" of identify. This koan-like utterance of his seems to preclude Korzbyski's "consciousness of abstracting. As I then looked upon the Tree of Life diagram, it seemed that the paths up from Malkuth to Kether could be seen as the process of becoming conscious of abstracting. Anyway, what came upon me was the possible importance of RITUAL in our lives (I don't presently practice any religious rituals). If we agree that Universe reveals itself through symbol systems (including our nervous system's attempts at evaluating the internal and external environenments that we experience) then perhaps the use of conscious ritual could be of benefit in gaining understanding of Universe. Just a thought.
I feel that Korzbski related the truths of the Buddha in way that most Westerners could realize as I relate "awakening" to being "conscious of abstracting". Anybody else here make a connection between Korzybski and the Tree of Life? I'm open to any and all criticism to the Crowley-Korzybski connection.
In no way am I implying or suggesting that Korzybski has any knowledge of Crowley or Buddhism, but I find the connections interesting.
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Chicago
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Re: The Crowley-Korzybski connection
Tue, February 19, 2008 - 6:37 AMThanks for that thought-set, mind-set, Hank.
Though I have no deep commitment to Cabbala or Crowley, the links between 'consciousness of abstracting' and Buddhism intrigue me no end.
Contemplating those connections may keep me busy and pre-occupied for days! -
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Re: The Crowley-Korzybski connection
Tue, February 19, 2008 - 10:33 AMYeah, I'm not really into either Crowley or Qabbalah anymore (I was back in the mid-90's) but this connection struck me as rather interesting.
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Re: The Crowley-Korzybski connection
Tue, February 19, 2008 - 11:35 AM<"When we wish to exchange thoughts, we must arrange a conventional code of sounds, of knots in string, or carved or written characters-- in a word -- embark upon the boundless ocean of heiroglyphics or symbols of one sort or another (Presently I shall have to explain the supreme importance of such systems, in fact, the Universe is not, and cannot be, but an arrrangement of symbolic characters!)." >
Or as the psychedelic bard, Terence McKenna, used to say, "The Universe is made of language."
<If we agree that Universe reveals itself through symbol systems (including our nervous system's attempts at evaluating the internal and external environenments that we experience) then perhaps the use of conscious ritual could be of benefit in gaining understanding of Universe. Just a thought.>
When I was reading Crowley back in the 90s, I thought of the rituals he proposed as a sort of tuning system for the nervous system.. a way of (de-)sensitizing thought-processes and perceptions to become attuned to those things for which the ritual is designed to illuminate. I didn't get past basic banishing rituals in my practice, but my (rather academic & limited) thinking on the subject circled around the idea of it being a sort of yoga for the mind and will.
<I feel that Korzbski related the truths of the Buddha in way that most Westerners could realize as I relate "awakening" to being "conscious of abstracting".>
Korzybski made the best case for "Rightful speech" as anyone else I can think of.
<In no way am I implying or suggesting that Korzybski has any knowledge of Crowley or Buddhism, but I find the connections interesting.>
Agreed!
Care to extend this thinking to others, such as Gregory Bateson (on ecology and semantical systems), or Norbert Weiner (on cybernetics)?
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Re: The Crowley-Korzybski connection
Thu, February 21, 2008 - 7:20 PMA fellow named Bob Wilson wrote one of the introductions to "Portable Darkness: An Aleister Crowley Reader" by Scott Michaelson. Wilson felt that Michaelson made an excellent case for Crowley as a linguistic philosopher.
As far as I can tell, the most sorely lacking aspect of modern psychology is a solid understanding of general semantics. C1, C2, and C4 - we got that covered. C3 - not so much. -
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Re: The Crowley-Korzybski connection
Thu, February 21, 2008 - 9:59 PM"As far as I can tell, the most sorely lacking aspect of modern psychology is a solid understanding of general semantics."
I couldn't agree with you more. Did you know, though, that during WWII, the most widespread group therapy used among the troops was directly influenced by General Semantics and made use of the structural differential? Check out "General Semantics in Psychotherapy: Selected Writings on Methods Aiding in Psychotherapy" edited by Caro & Read. I've done a few inservices at work on employing General Semantics and, thus far, everybody in attendance has found these techniques very valuable when working with patients.
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