derpyderpins
In the Service of the Queen
- Sep 19, 2023
- 1,900
Over the past 6 or so months I've been thinking a lot about existence and spirituality. What do I want to believe, and what do I think is BS. I have difficulty embracing a religion as "truth."
On the other hand, and paramount to this self-journey, I believe:
One thing I've said is that eastern philosophies have been resonating with me. So I read some of what @Pluto has said about self-actualization and the like. I find it to be very interesting and it helps build a base of what may end up being the structure I build on this spiritual experimentation I'm doing. "What is I?" The consciousness being something other than the thoughts and feelings you have, something untouched by time, an outside observer that's also inside in a way.
I also have spoken with @jar-baby about existence. I see he put his profile to private, so I won't dive in too deep, but it's a lot of thought about NDEs and out-of-body experiences. I've had, at points in my life, feelings of dissociation. I believe music is one way of elevating our consciousness to reach somewhere it normally doesn't go. This could be as simple as evoking deeper emotions, but I like to think it is more.
Another piece to my puzzle is Jung's theory of the collective unconscious. Think about different religions, cultures, and beliefs, started in different places throughout the world. Despite being independent, many of the symbols and rituals created in various quests for spiritual enlightenment end up having overlapping characteristics. Jung posed that - and I'm probably butchering this but it's my takeaway - that we essentially share something akin to memories through generations, largely corresponding to "Archetypes," such as a caring maternal figure or an adventurous young knight. Jung believed we would each adapt certain parts of these archetypes, but we also fight with "shadows," darker parts of our psyches that we are tempted to repress rather than face. (If you're a Persona fan like I am, this is the basis of a lot of the lore, lol.)
So, here I am thinking of all these elements that speak to me as I try to come to my own theory and understanding of life. I've also looked into some other takes on paranormal types of NDE experiences, a bit of occult stuff/astral plane thingamabobs, as Persona's deeper lore goes into a lot of dark magic/demon summoning stuff.
What I start to think is, maybe all the religions/beliefs are onto something. Maybe there's something to "supernatural" phenomenon people have experienced, and different cultures were putting labels on essentially the same thing.
As any modern man would do, Ihit the books asked ChatGPT to teach me about things. The most interesting possible connection - imo - are Quantum Physics/Mechanics Theory and how it could explain an "unlocalized consciousness." Here's a summary from my GPT friend:
I'm going to have to take a pause here without giving a full analysis, but below is a massive table made with ChatGPTs help.
I'm curious what other people think of this unified/composite belief theory. Essentially, that there is a "higher plane" that we simply can't explain yet that exists concurrently with us. (Although, something I didn't manage to get into is how time works, which seems to be a big question.) I'd just like to hear thoughts, I guess.
On the other hand, and paramount to this self-journey, I believe:
The human experience is greater than a bag of meat filled with chemicals
This is something I can't get past. I understand that the brain is like a complicated computer. I get that - as far as science can currently explain - we're no better than ones and zeros, but I also feel it in my gut, as a culmination of all of my experiences, that there's a bit more too it, that if you replaced us with identical machines something would be missing.One thing I've said is that eastern philosophies have been resonating with me. So I read some of what @Pluto has said about self-actualization and the like. I find it to be very interesting and it helps build a base of what may end up being the structure I build on this spiritual experimentation I'm doing. "What is I?" The consciousness being something other than the thoughts and feelings you have, something untouched by time, an outside observer that's also inside in a way.
I also have spoken with @jar-baby about existence. I see he put his profile to private, so I won't dive in too deep, but it's a lot of thought about NDEs and out-of-body experiences. I've had, at points in my life, feelings of dissociation. I believe music is one way of elevating our consciousness to reach somewhere it normally doesn't go. This could be as simple as evoking deeper emotions, but I like to think it is more.
Another piece to my puzzle is Jung's theory of the collective unconscious. Think about different religions, cultures, and beliefs, started in different places throughout the world. Despite being independent, many of the symbols and rituals created in various quests for spiritual enlightenment end up having overlapping characteristics. Jung posed that - and I'm probably butchering this but it's my takeaway - that we essentially share something akin to memories through generations, largely corresponding to "Archetypes," such as a caring maternal figure or an adventurous young knight. Jung believed we would each adapt certain parts of these archetypes, but we also fight with "shadows," darker parts of our psyches that we are tempted to repress rather than face. (If you're a Persona fan like I am, this is the basis of a lot of the lore, lol.)
So, here I am thinking of all these elements that speak to me as I try to come to my own theory and understanding of life. I've also looked into some other takes on paranormal types of NDE experiences, a bit of occult stuff/astral plane thingamabobs, as Persona's deeper lore goes into a lot of dark magic/demon summoning stuff.
What I start to think is, maybe all the religions/beliefs are onto something. Maybe there's something to "supernatural" phenomenon people have experienced, and different cultures were putting labels on essentially the same thing.
As any modern man would do, I
Quantum Theory, at its core, is a framework in physics that deals with the behavior of matter and energy at very small scales—like atoms and subatomic particles. It's built on ideas that challenge our everyday experiences. For instance, particles can exist in multiple states at once (superposition), and their behavior seems inherently unpredictable until measured. There's also entanglement, where two particles become linked in such a way that the state of one instantly affects the state of the other, even across vast distances, suggesting a kind of interconnectedness beyond ordinary space.
Unlocalized consciousness, in a quantum context, is a hypothesis that suggests consciousness isn't strictly confined to the brain or bound to a single physical location. Instead, consciousness could be a kind of field or wave spread throughout reality, interacting with quantum processes in a way that might explain phenomena like intuition, interconnected thoughts, or even near-death experiences. This concept often links to quantum mechanics through theories like those of physicist Roger Penrose and anesthesiologist Stuart Hameroff, who proposed that consciousness could arise from quantum processes inside brain microtubules—a kind of "quantum orchestration."
With this in mind, I started looking to connect various religious beliefs. We end up having a few commonalities, as expected. Of particular interest to me would be how each belief defines its "other realm," be it heaven, the akashic records, the "astral plane," etc. My idea here is that these are all the same thing, and different people came to understand it in different ways. Another interest is the entities referred to: angels, demons, spirits, fae, etc., and how they fit in with this "other realm." Putting all these pieces together, we'd want to see how we can elevate/move our consciousness to access this "other realm," such as with music, meditation, rituals, etc.I'm going to have to take a pause here without giving a full analysis, but below is a massive table made with ChatGPTs help.
| Category of Belief | Short History | Nature of the 'Other Realm' | Perception of Time | Consciousness / Soul Concept | Interconnectedness | Path to Access 'Other Realm' | Guides/ Protectors | Tricksters | Malevolent Entities | Nature Spirits | Ancestors | Beings of Light |
| Quantum Theory | Developed in the 20th century, with contributions from physicists like Niels Bohr and Albert Einstein. Explores fundamental physical properties beyond classical mechanics. | Quantum field, potential non-local consciousness | Eternal now, timeless or nonlinear perception | Not necessarily ever-persistent, but capable of non-local presence | Quantum entanglement suggests interconnectedness across distance | Heightened states, near-death experiences, deep meditation | Hypothetical enlightened beings or energies that represent deeper universal truths, possibly arising during altered states or within quantum consciousness theories. | - | - | - | - | Energy-like forms during altered states; entities hypothetically emerging from non-local consciousness interactions. |
| Akashic Records | Originates in Hindu and Theosophical traditions, popularized in the late 19th century by Helena Blavatsky and the Theosophical Society. | Cosmic library or field containing all events | Timeless, with all events existing simultaneously | Collective record of consciousness, not personal continuation | Interwoven records of all human experiences | Meditation, deep spiritual practice, altered consciousness | Ascended Masters: Beings believed to have reached a higher state of consciousness and provide guidance to others accessing the records. | - | - | - | Souls held within the records, representing archetypal human experiences. | Beings of Knowledge: Enlightened entities that serve as keepers of wisdom within the Akashic field. |
| Buddhism | Founded by Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha) in the 5th-4th centuries BCE in India. Focuses on overcoming suffering and the cycle of rebirth. | Samsara (cycle of existence) and Nirvana (transcendence) | Samsara is cyclical, Nirvana is beyond time | Impermanent consciousness with no fixed soul | All beings are connected through karma and dependent origination | Mindfulness, meditation, ethical living, enlightenment | Bodhisattvas: Enlightened beings who delay their own Nirvana to assist others; Protectors like Mahakala who guard the teachings. | Mara: The personification of obstacles, temptation, and fear; acts as a trickster to prevent enlightenment. | Rakshasas: Demonic entities often depicted as obstructing spiritual progress. | Spirits that inhabit Samsara, representing beings undergoing the cycle of rebirth. | Reverence for ancestors in some regional Buddhist traditions, particularly in East Asia. | Devas: Celestial beings representing enlightenment, residing in higher realms like the Tavatimsa heaven. |
| Christian Mysticism | Roots in early Christianity, developing through figures like Meister Eckhart and St. John of the Cross. Emphasizes direct experience of God. | Spiritual domain of Heaven or divine unity | Linear progression in Heaven, potential sense of timeless unity with God | Eternal soul, persistence beyond death | Union with God and interconnectedness with all creation | Prayer, mysticism, divine grace, transcendent experiences | Angels: Divine messengers and protectors; Saints who intercede on behalf of believers. | - | Demons: Fallen angels or malevolent entities that tempt or attack souls, often representing internal struggles or sin. | - | The souls of saints and departed holy figures are sometimes venerated. | Heavenly Beings: Angels and beings that symbolize closeness to God, embodying light and divine grace. |
| Sufism | Emerged within Islam around the 8th century CE, focusing on personal experience of God. Influenced by Islamic mystics like Rumi and Al-Ghazali. | Spiritual world of divine love and unity | Timeless state experienced in union with the Divine | The soul as a unique entity seeking unity with God | All souls are connected through divine love | Dhikr (remembrance), music, dance, Sufi practices to achieve ecstasy and connection | Sufi Masters: Guides that help students achieve unity with the divine; Qutb: Spiritual pole believed to be the highest saint of the age. | - | Jinn: Spirits that may be either benign or malevolent; lower spirits can also represent trials for personal growth. | Spirits of divine creation tied to elements in nature. | The teachings often emphasize the connection to ancestors through lineage, especially in certain Sufi orders. | Divine Entities: Representations of the divine as experienced through ecstatic states and connection with Allah. |
| Hinduism | One of the oldest religions, developing over thousands of years in the Indian subcontinent. Central texts include the Vedas and Upanishads. | Multiple realms (e.g., Devaloka, Vaikuntha), Brahman as ultimate reality | Cyclical time, reincarnation, transcendent timeless state in Brahman | Eternal Atman (soul) that is part of Brahman | Interconnectedness through karma, divine essence within all beings | Meditation, yoga, devotion (bhakti), knowledge (jnana) | Devas: Benevolent gods; Gurus serve as human guides. | Narada: Sage known for his mischievous behavior, using his antics to further divine plans. | Asuras: Powerful beings often opposed to the Devas, representing chaotic forces. | Yakshas: Nature spirits that guard treasures and natural elements; Nagas are serpent beings linked to water. | Ancestral reverence through shraddha rituals to honor deceased ancestors. | Brahman: The ultimate reality and source of divine light, as represented in higher deities and avatars. |
| Kabbalah | Jewish mystical tradition that began in the 12th century in Provence and Spain. Gained prominence through works like the Zohar. | Spiritual worlds (e.g., Atzilut, Beriah) emanating from the Ein Sof (Infinite) | Time as an illusion, true reality exists beyond temporal constraints | Divine spark within each individual soul, returning to unity with Ein Sof | All souls are interconnected as part of the divine emanation | Meditation, prayer, mystical study, rituals | Archangels like Metatron and Gabriel who serve as intermediaries between the divine and human realms. | Lilith (in some traditions): A figure with trickster elements, challenging established norms. | Qliphoth: Represent the husks or negative emanations, embodying evil forces or spiritual corruption. | - | Mystical interpretations sometimes include ancestral connections. | Emanations of the Sefirot: Representing divine light in ten distinct qualities, each linking to an aspect of God. |
| Theosophy | Founded by Helena Blavatsky in 1875, blending elements of Eastern religions, esoteric Christianity, and Western occultism. | Astral plane, mental plane, and higher spiritual realms | Time is multidimensional, higher planes are beyond time | The soul evolves through multiple incarnations, ultimately merging with the divine | All beings are connected through the collective spiritual evolution | Meditation, study of esoteric wisdom, spiritual disciplines | Ascended Masters: Highly evolved beings such as Morya and Kuthumi who guide humanity. | - | Astral Beings: Lower vibrational entities found in the astral plane, which can influence or challenge practitioners. | Nature Devas: Guardians of natural elements like forests, water, and the earth. | - | Beings of Light: Advanced beings who guide the evolution of consciousness through divine wisdom. |
| Hermeticism | Originates in late antiquity (circa 2nd-3rd century CE) in the Mediterranean, attributed to Hermes Trismegistus. Influential in the Renaissance. | Planes of existence (physical, mental, spiritual) | Time is fluid, higher planes experience time differently | The divine spark within each person, potential for spiritual ascension | "As above, so below" — interconnectedness between all levels of existence | Alchemical practices, meditation, seeking gnosis (knowledge) | Hermes Trismegistus: The archetypal guide for seekers of alchemical and spiritual wisdom. | - | - | Elementals: Spirits associated with fire, water, air, and earth, embodying the physical elements. | - | Emanations from Higher Planes: Representing the divine spark within, often in symbolic forms through alchemical texts. |
| Norse Mythology | Originates from Norse and Germanic tribes of Scandinavia. Oral tradition later written down in the Eddas during the 13th century. | Nine realms connected by Yggdrasil (World Tree) | Cyclical concept of time (Ragnarok as end and rebirth) | The soul is complex, with multiple aspects (e.g., Hugr, Fylgja) | Interconnected through Yggdrasil, the web of Wyrd (fate) | Rituals, sacrifices, shamanic practices (seidr), connection with gods | Aesir/Vanir: Gods such as Odin and Freya who guide humanity; Valkyries: Spirits who choose which warriors ascend to Valhalla. | Loki: The quintessential trickster god who disrupts order and catalyzes change. | Jotunn (Giants): Opponents of the gods, representing chaos and natural forces. | Landvættir: Spirits of the land, ensuring fertility and protecting specific territories; Elves: Otherworldly beings tied to nature. | Disir: Female ancestral spirits that watch over their descendants. | - |
| Wicca / Neopaganism | Modern religion that emerged in the mid-20th century, inspired by pre-Christian pagan traditions. Popularized by figures like Gerald Gardner. | Spiritual plane, Summerland (place of rest between reincarnations) | Time is cyclical, tied to nature's rhythms | The soul is eternal, moving through cycles of rebirth | All life is interconnected through nature and energy | Rituals, meditation, connection with nature, magic practices | God and Goddess: Representing the duality of divinity; individual spirit guides may also offer protection. | - | Malevolent Spirits: Entities invoked as shadows to help confront darker aspects of oneself. | Fairies and Elementals: Spirits connected to natural forces, often invoked in rituals. | Honored Ancestors: Celebrated particularly during Samhain, believed to be present and guiding. | - |
| Satanism (LaVeyan) | Founded by Anton LaVey in 1966 in California. Emphasizes individualism, hedonism, and rejection of supernatural beliefs. | No belief in an actual 'other realm,' focus on material existence | Time is linear, focus on the present moment | No belief in an eternal soul, consciousness ends at death | Interconnectedness through shared human experiences, not metaphysical | Rituals as psychodramatic tools, self-empowerment practices | Self as Ultimate Guide: Encourages empowerment through self-realization. | Self as trickster, manipulating perception for personal growth. | Demonic Imagery: Used as symbols of power rather than worship, representing suppressed desires. | - | - | - |
| Goetia and Dark Magic | Based on medieval grimoires, such as "The Lesser Key of Solomon" (17th century). Linked to European folk magic and ceremonial traditions. | Lower astral plane, demonic or spirit realms | Time varies, often depicted as linear but with the potential for temporal manipulation | The soul can be fragmented, sold, or influenced by demonic entities | Interconnectedness is hierarchical, involving pacts or dominion over spirits | Rituals invoking demons or spirits, ceremonial magic, use of sigils | Bound Spirits: Occasionally used for protection, but usually subservient to the magician. | Lesser Demons: Spirits that sometimes behave unpredictably, embodying chaos. | Goetic Demons: Powerful entities that must be controlled through ritual; often represent human vices or repressed desires. | - | - | - |
| Vampirism and Occult Practices | Roots in Eastern European folklore and 18th-century vampire legends. Later adopted by occult groups in the late 20th century as energy-based practices. | Shadow realm or dark spiritual plane | Time is distorted, perception can become fluid or elongated | Emphasis on energy manipulation, potentially immortal or semi-immortal consciousness through feeding on life force | Interconnectedness through energy exchange, psychic bonds with others | Rituals, energy feeding, psychic practices, initiation into occult orders | Occult Mentors: Guides who initiate individuals into deeper practices of energy manipulation. | - | Predatory Astral Beings: Beings that feed on life force, representing darker impulses or primal drives. | - | - | - |
| Celtic Folklore | Originates from the oral traditions of the Celtic tribes across Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and parts of Europe. Recorded during the medieval period. | Otherworld (e.g., Tír na nÓg) with mystical beings and spirits | Time is fluid, with realms often described as timeless or having different flows of time | Souls interact with the natural and supernatural, often with multiple aspects | Interconnected through nature, the land, and ancestral spirits | Rituals, offerings to nature, druidic practices, festivals like Samhain and Beltane | Tuatha Dé Danann: Deified ancestors and guardians of Ireland; benevolent protectors of land and people. | Púca: Shapeshifting spirits with mischievous tendencies, often testing or helping humans depending on their mood. | Banshees: Spirits of death, often acting as harbingers or warnings of a forthcoming death in a family. | Sidhe: Supernatural beings tied to nature, inhabiting mounds or fairy rings; also includes other fairies. | Honored Ancestors: Celebrated during specific festivals such as Samhain, maintaining strong ancestral connections. | - |
| Shinto | Originating in Japan, Shinto focuses on kami (spirits of nature) and has deep roots in Japanese culture, evolving over millennia. | Spiritual realms with kami residing in natural elements and sacred spaces | Cyclical and fluid perception of time, tied to natural rhythms and cycles | Spirits (kami) inhabit all things, creating a sense of unity between humans, nature, and the divine | Interconnectedness through reverence of nature, ancestors, and community | Rituals, offerings to kami, seasonal festivals, purification rites | Kami of Protection: Hachiman (protector of warriors), Amaterasu (sun goddess) provide guidance and protection. | Kitsune: Fox spirits, often associated with the deity Inari, act as tricksters with either benevolent or malevolent intentions. | Onryō: Vengeful spirits of those wronged during life, capable of causing misfortune or harm. | Nature Kami: Spirits residing in mountains, rivers, trees, and other sacred natural elements. | Ancestral Spirits: Ancestors are venerated and honored through rituals and ceremonies, believed to guide and protect their descendants. | Kami of Purity: Spirits that symbolize purity, such as Amaterasu, embodying sacred and divine light. |
| Taoism | Emerged in China around the 4th century BCE, emphasizing harmony with the Tao (the Way) as outlined in texts like the Tao Te Ching by Laozi. | Realms aligned with the Tao, seen as a natural balance of energies | Time is fluid and cyclical, flowing in harmony with the natural order | No fixed soul, instead a flow of qi (vital energy) that integrates with the universe | Interconnectedness through the Tao, the natural order that binds all beings | Meditation, tai chi, adherence to the principles of wu wei (non-action) and natural harmony | Immortals (Xian): Beings who have achieved transcendence and guide practitioners; figures like Laozi are venerated as divine teachers. | Trickster Immortals: Playful deities who use humor or mischief to reveal greater truths to humans. | Hungry Ghosts: Spirits of the deceased who were not properly honored or have unfulfilled desires, often depicted as restless and suffering. | Nature Spirits: Spirits of sacred mountains, rivers, forests, and animals that embody natural energies. | Revered Ancestors: Honored through rituals and offerings, forming an important aspect of Taoist practice. | Deified Beings: Elevated figures, including ancient sages, worshipped as embodiments of the Tao. |
| Egyptian Beliefs | Developed in ancient Egypt (circa 3000 BCE), featuring a complex pantheon and afterlife concepts. Central texts include the Book of the Dead. | Duat (underworld), a realm where souls journey after death, guided by gods like Anubis | Linear journey through the Duat, culminating in judgment by Osiris | The soul is composed of multiple parts (e.g., ka, ba, akh), which must be harmonized for the afterlife | Interconnectedness through Maat (cosmic order), maintaining balance with gods, nature, and society | Rituals, mummification, offerings to gods, recitations from the Book of the Dead | Gods as Guides: Anubis guides souls through the underworld; Isis protects and aids souls during their journey. | - | Apep: The embodiment of chaos and destruction, enemy of the sun god Ra; Set also embodies chaos but is sometimes a complex, ambivalent figure. | Nature Spirits: Spirits of the Nile, the desert, and sacred animals (e.g., crocodiles, falcons) are revered for their connection to the gods. | Ka and Ba: Different aspects of the soul that continue after death, with Ka requiring offerings and Ba roaming freely. | Ra and Solar Deities: Sun gods like Ra symbolize divine light and cosmic order, guiding the deceased through the afterlife. |
| Gnosticism | Emerged in the early centuries of Christianity, characterized by a belief in secret knowledge (gnosis) for salvation. | Pleroma (fullness of divine realms) and realms created by the Demiurge | Linear time experienced by humans; transcendent timelessness in divine realms | Divine spark within each person, trapped in material existence | Interconnectedness through shared divine origin, striving for unity with the Pleroma | Spiritual knowledge (gnosis), meditation, ascetic practices, and revelation | Aeons: Divine beings emanating from the Pleroma; Sophia is a key figure representing wisdom and the human yearning for the divine. | Demiurge: A flawed, ignorant deity who creates the material world, sometimes acting as a trickster by entrapping divine sparks in physical matter. | Archons: Malevolent rulers of the material realm, preventing souls from accessing true knowledge and freedom. | - | Divine Spark: Each individual has a divine spark that originates from the Pleroma, striving to return to its source. | Aeons of Light: Enlightened beings that represent the fullness of divine truth, guiding souls toward gnosis and liberation from the material world. |
| Islam | Islam was founded in the 7th century CE in the Arabian Peninsula, revealed to Prophet Muhammad through the angel Jibril. Central texts include the Quran and Hadith. | The afterlife consists of Jannah (Paradise) and Jahannam (Hell), spiritual realms that exist beyond the physical world. | Linear concept of time, leading to Yawm al-Qiyamah (Day of Judgment), after which souls enter their eternal abode. | Each human has an immortal soul that will be judged by Allah after death, determining eternal fate. | Interconnectedness through the Ummah (community of believers) and the belief in divine will. | Righteous deeds, prayer (Salah), recitation of the Quran, and following the Five Pillars of Islam. | Angels (Mala'ika): Divine beings created by Allah who serve as messengers and protectors; Archangel Jibril (Gabriel) is a key figure in revelation. | Iblis: A jinn who refused to bow to Adam, often acting as a trickster by tempting humans away from righteousness. | Shayatin (Devils): Malevolent jinn or spirits who seek to lead humans astray. | Jinn: Spirits made of smokeless fire, existing in a parallel world, capable of both good and evil. | Honored Ancestors: Although not worshipped, respect and supplication for deceased ancestors are common, especially through prayers for their souls. | Angels of Light: Created from light, these beings are obedient servants of Allah and symbolize purity and divine will. |
I'm curious what other people think of this unified/composite belief theory. Essentially, that there is a "higher plane" that we simply can't explain yet that exists concurrently with us. (Although, something I didn't manage to get into is how time works, which seems to be a big question.) I'd just like to hear thoughts, I guess.
