Product Description

What is Cosmic Consciousness ? The present volume is an attempt to answer this question ; but notwithstanding it seems well to make a short prefatory statement in as plain language as possible so as to open the door, as it were, for the more elaborate exposition to be attempted in the body of the work. Cosmic Conciousness, then, is a higher form of consciousness than that possessed by the ordinary man...

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1026859 in Books
• Published on: 2007-04
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 344 pages

Customer Reviews

Consciousness, psychology & spirituality
This book was one of the first to consider religious illumination from a psychological perspective. It differs from William James's Varieties of Religious Experience in that many of Bucke's opinions (e.g. his views on socialism) have been refuted by history. In order to judge it objectively, one ought thus to always keep in mind the era in which it was written. His basic point is that the human race is slowly and sporadically - albeit with increasing speed - advancing in consciousness to a higher state that will eventually lift the species above the fear, ignorance and brutality that have plagued mankind throughout history. Bucke's argument - which may be strongly disputed today - is based on analogy. He points out the three phases of consciousness found among living creatures: perception amongst lower animals, receptual consciousness amongst higher animals and the conceptual thinking of human beings which is accompanied by a strong sense of self.

In a very interesting chapter he demonstrates the development of consciousness over the last couple of millennia with reference to mankind's increasing ability to distinguish colors. Initially only black and red were differentiated, but what was perceived as "red" has been refined into red, orange, yellow and white and even further. Likewise with "black" which split up into black and blue-green, from which the separate colors blue and green were again discerned:
"The blazing blue of the oriental sky is not mentioned in Homer or the Bible, nor the Rig Veda or Zend Avesta. But in this present century we know not only the seven primitive colors, but literally thousands of different shades and gradations of them."

Bucke argues that new or enhanced senses originate with sporadic manifestations among a minority of human beings and that a new consciousness eventually spreads through the whole population. The new or fourth level of consciousness will enable mankind to perceive the unity of the cosmos and the divine presence inherent in it, liberate humanity from fear and enable the race to perceive that love is the rule and the basis of the universe: this is cosmic consciousness. Bucke predicts that it will ultimately be the norm.

No reader will agree with all the author's points, but some of his great contemporaries like the scientist and philosopher Ouspensky concurred to such an extent that he devoted an entire chapter in his work Tertium Organum to this book. The response of psychologist William James in a letter to Bucke was: "My total reaction on your book, my dear Sir, is that it is an addition to psychology of first rate importance, and that you are a benefactor to us all."

Bucke compares the greatest teachers, artists and religious thinkers by looking at their teaching and what is known about their lives, pointing out the remarkable correspondences. Some of those discussed in detail include Gautama, Jesus, Paul, Plotinus, Mohammed, Dante, St. John of the Cross, Francis Bacon, Jacob Behmen, William Blake, Walt Whitman, Lao Tse, Socrates, Benedict Spinoza, Swedenborg, Emerson, Thoreau and Ramakrishna Paramahansa.

His arguments are persuasive as regards both the comparison of texts and the similarities in the numinous experiences of the individuals. As such, the book also serves as an illuminating study of the nature of the mystical experience that is exactly the same in all the religious traditions.

Bucke concludes that these individuals were the pioneers who had already entered cosmic consciousness and wished to convey its essence to the rest of humanity. They were, however, restricted the language of normal consciousness and that is why their revelations appear to be incomplete and even deceptive.

Cosmic Consciousness deserves its "classic" status and may be appreciated even more when read together with William James' aforementioned work. Other works on religion & spirituality that I have found inspiring or thought-provoking include Bible Mystery and Bible Meaning & The Creative Process in the Individual by Thomas Troward, Religion in the Making by Alfred North Whitehead, The Authentic Gospel of Jesus by Geza Vermes, Cracking the Bible Code by Jeffrey Satinover, The Thirteen Petalled Rose by Adin Steinsaltz and One Cosmos Under God by Robert Godwin.