Introduction

For Sri Aurobindo, involution is the process by which the Omnipresent Reality, i.e. the Absolute, Brahman extends Itself to create a universe of separate forms from out of Its own Force/Energy.

”Sat”, ”Chit-Tapas”, and Delight/”Ananda” are the three aspects of ”Satchitananda”, and are mentioned in terms of Involution . Spirit or consciousness manifests as these three, and then as the intermediate link of Supermind, which is transitional between the higher and lower (matter, life, and mind) nature.

The reason for involution is Delight – the Delight of Being (the Spirit or Absolute) moving to Delight of Becoming (temporal existence, the cosmos). Being throws itself forward into a multiplicity of forms, becoming lost in the inconscience of matter , and then through evolution it partakes in the Delight of rediscovering the Spirit which had been hidden in the interim.

Evolution is thus the movement forward by which the created universe evolves from its initial state of inconscience (i.e. as matter), evolves animated life forms and mental beings (i.e. humans), and continues to evolve spiritual properties, and in that process rediscovers its Source. Such an Evolution of animated forms is only possible because at each stage of development, the developing entity contains within itself the conception of what it may become. Thus, the evolution of animated life out of matter supposes a previous involution of that animated capacity. This is akin to a seed that already has the essence of the tree that will emerge from it.

Each plane emerges from an earlier plane through the evolutionary process, which takes place in chronological time. But in a parallel construction, each of these new planes can be understood as being a descendent of its corresponding higher order plane from the Infinite. Thus, when mentality emerged in the universe, the universal plane of Mind was implanted to a degree in those beings harboring that mentality.

The evolution is the development of all entities in the cosmos, including humans, in order to attain their fulfillment, including the discovery of spiritual Delight, which was, and always is, the experience of the Source Creator. The evolution is the progressive development from the original inconscience of matter into life (movement, sensation, desire, etc. and living physical beings), and from thence to mind (in conscious animals and most especially humans – the self-conscious thinking animal), and from thence to spiritualized mind, culminating in the The Supermind or Truth Consciousness (as supramental individuals, and finally the supramental, i.e. a divine life on earth.)

Sat

We cannot speak of Sat without Chit Ananda or Being, Consciousness and Bliss. They represent a totality. Sat is the vital state of that which is was and always will be. In a sense it is a beginnining but because it is pregnant with possibility it is inexorably tied to Ananda or the recognition of Being and then the subsequent realization of bliss which is divine inner knowing. Each flows out of the other and then back again. It could be said that Sat only exists through Ananda or Consciousness however, these levels of differentiation cannot grasp the true nature of either of these three qualities since they are interdependent.

”Chit-tapas”

”Chit-Tapas” or Consciousness-Force, in Sri Aurobindo’s philosophy refers to the pure energy of Consciousness by which creation ultimately comes about; the infinite divine self-awareness which is also the infinite all-effective Will. It is also one of the seven planes of existence, according to the Vedic cosmology and the seven lokas of Hindu thought.

In chapter 10 of ”The Life Divine”, Sri Aurobindo writes at length on the nature of Consciousness-Force as a principle of the Divine. As he understands it (following the Tantric dichotomy of Shiva and Shakti), ”Chit” or Consciousness is not an inert and passive principle; but contains the potential spiritual Energy, ”Tapas”, which in Creation becomes the dynamic and creative principle or Force, called ”Shakti”. ”Chit-Tapas” or ”Chit-Shakti” is therefore the universal Consciousness-Force, the divine Energy; the Mother.

Delight

Delight is Sri Aurobindo’s term for ananda, and plays a large part in his cosmology and spiritual teaching. Delight is the reason for creation, by which The Absolute extends its Delight of Being into multiplicity, losing itself in the inconscience and then through Delight rediscovering Itself through individuals realising their Divine nature and proceeding to spiritual realisation.

In other words, the universe was created so that the Delight of the Infinite Spirit can manifest in all the forms of creation. When we discover our higher nature, the soul and spirit, we experience the delight for which we were came into being and of which we are a part.

In chapters 11 and 12 of ”The Life Divine”, Sri Aurobindo writes at length on the nature of Delight as a principle of the Divine, and its role in creation.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article Involution (esoterism), under the G. N. U. Free Documentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki

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Finebaum started his radio appearances in the mid 1980′s by giving morning commentary on the Mark and Brian Radio Show on WAPI-FM. After starting his own afternoon radio show a few years later on WAPI-AM, his program quickly became the highest rated sport-talk show in Birmingham. In October 1993, Finebaum moved his sports-talk show to WERC. His show prospered immensely and in 2001 the show began syndication with affiliates across the southeast.

In 2002, Paul was named by ”The Tennessean” in Nashville as one of the Southeastern Conference’s Top Power Brokers.

” The Paul Finebaum Radio Network,” comprising Finebaum, Network Director Pat Smith, Newsman Neal Vickers, Associate Producer Kerry Adams and webmaster Dave Sibley was named in 2004 by ”Sports Illustrated” as one of the top 12 sports radio shows in the United States.

In January 2007, his radio show moved to WJOX.

In 2008, Columbia University named Finebaum’s Show as one of the winners of its annual ‘Let’s Do it Better! Workshop on Journalism, Race and Ethnicity. Sponsored by the Ford Foundation, the award singles out newspaper, broadcast and web reporting that fosters coherent, authentic coverage of race reporting. Finebaum was selected for providing a strong and sometimes controversial view on racial issues in sports through his multi-media contributions that include the “Paul Finebaum Radio Network,” his Web site, Finebaum.com and a twice-weekly syndicated sports column. In particular, Columbia cited a poignant show on the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday – which highlighted the slain Civil Rights leaders still strong connections with today’s sports stars – was among those submitted to the panel selecting the awards. Among Finebaum’s written works noted included a column in the Mobile ”Press-Register” on the first two black coaches in the bowl, the admission of NBA star that he was gay, a column on the University of Alabama snubbing of Sylvester Croom to be the first black football head coach in the SEC and a tribute to the late Grambling coach Eddie Robinson.

In July 2009, ”The Orlando Sentinel” named Finebaum as one of the SEC’s 10 most powerful people. “With a syndicated show heard in multiple SEC states that also commands a big audience on the Web, the Birmingham, Ala.-based Finebaum has proven in more than two decades of muckraking in print and on the air that his barbs can influence a coach’s fate.”

Finebaum’s television contributions have been numerous. In Birmingham he currently appears as a sports analyst for WBRC Fox 6. He was sports director for WIAT-TV from 1997-2002 and co-hosted individual shows on WVTM-TV NBC 13 and ABC 33/40. Recently he has been a frequent guest on ESPN’s Outside The Lines with Bob Ley commenting on national and regional stories.

He’s been a guest on television’s Larry King Live, CBS’ 60 Minutes, Nancy Grace, MSNBC’s Morning Joe, HBO and Tru TV.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article Paul Finebaum, under the G. N. U. Free Documentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki

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Both King Sr. and Jr. have a variety of mental powers. King Sr. is originally much stronger, but upon his death, he somehow passes his powers on to his son, vastly increasing King Jr.’s power level.

Chief among their powers is telepathy. Both are able to dominate many minds at once and cause people to see illusions or even have complete control over them. Proximity seemed key to the effectiveness of this power, even though it had no defined range. King Jr. had mentioned how even strong wills could not resist him when he was right next to them. While many telepaths filter out the thoughts of others, King Jr. allows the millions of minds he constantly comes across to flow freely through his mind.

Lesser used powers of the Kings include telekinesis, the creation of realistic three-dimensional holograms, and the ability to fire blasts of psionic energy.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article Brainwave (comics), under the G. N. U. Free Documentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki

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The central feature of a shaman’s initiation is her affliction with an illness known as a ”shinbyeong”. This is also called the “spirit sickness” or “self-loss” and characterized by a loss of appetite, insomnia, visual and auditory hallucinations. A ritual called a ”naerim-gut” cures this illness, which also serves to induct the new shaman.

Symptoms

The symptoms of a ”mudang’s” ”shinbyeong” differ, depending on the ”mudang’s” cultural background as well as her surrounding environment. For example, in the most basic, frequent type of ”shinbyeong”, the initiate is afflicted with the characteristic symptoms without apparent cause. The ”mudang” cannot eat and becomes weak physically and psychologically. In another type of ”shinbyeong”, these basic symptoms are preceded by physical illness. In yet another, the ”shinbyeong” is caused by a psychotic episode. In a type of ”shinbyeong” that is relatively rare, the ”mudang’s” mental state becomes weakened by an external shock. Another rarely occurring type of ”shinbyeong”, called the “dream appearance type,” the ”shinbyeong” is triggered by a dream in which the ”mudang” sees a god, spirit or unusual occurrence, accompanied by a revelation.

The symptoms of the ”shinbyeong” can last a surprisingly long time: an average of 8 years and as many as 30. Most ”mudang” have little appetite during their ”shinbyeong”, some having indigestion and partaking in only a limited diet. The body of the ”mudang” becomes weak and is subject to pain and cramping accompanied by bloody stool in some cases. Physical symptoms progress to include mental illness. The initiate has a generally restless mind and is said to experience dreams in which she communicates with gods or spirits. Eventually dreams and reality become blurred and the ”mudang” suffers hallucinations. In some cases, the mental illness becomes so extreme that the ”mudang” leaves home and wanders through mountains and rice fields. The symptoms are said not to be susceptible to normal medical treatment and such treatment is believed to only exacerbate them. Rather, the symptoms are to be cured through the ”gangshinje”, a type of ”gut” in which the ”mudang” receives her god or spirit.

Religious aspects

In the tradition of ”muism”, the shinbyeong is considered a structured religious experience demonstrating the vertical connection between god and humanity and showing that “god in some form exists in human consciousness.” It is a form of revelation that causes the shaman to become one with god and, consequently, change her patterns of thought. The ”shinbyeong” is dissociated from reality and enters a higher form of consciousness.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article Korean shamanism, under the G. N. U. Free Documentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki

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Pennyroyal (”Mentha pulegium”) is a plant in the mint genus, within the family Lamiaceae. Crushed Pennyroyal leaves exhibit a very strong fragrance similar to spearmint. Pennyroyal is a traditional culinary herb, folk remedy, and abortifacient. The essential oil of pennyroyal is used in aromatherapy, and is also high in pulegone, a highly toxic volatile organic compound affecting liver and uterine function .

Adapted from the Wikipedia article Pennyroyal, under the G. N. U. Free Documentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki

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The Stargate Project created a set of protocols designed to make the research of clairvoyance and out-of-body experiences more scientific, and to minimize as much as possible session noise and inaccuracy. The term “remote viewing” emerged as shorthand to describe this more structured approach to clairvoyance. Stargate only received a mission after all other intelligence attempts, methods, or approaches had already been exhausted. At its peak, Stargate had as many as 14 labs researching remote viewing.

It was also reported that there were over 22 active military and domestic remote viewers providing data. When the project closed in 1995 this number had dwindled down to three. One was using tarot cards. People leaving the project were not replaced. According to Joseph McMoneagle, “The Army ”never” had a truly open attitude toward psychic functioning”. Hence, the use of the term “giggle factor” and the saying, “I wouldn’t want to be found dead next to a psychic.”

As with all intelligence information, intelligence gathered by remote viewing must be verified by other sources. Remote-viewing information could not stand alone. (According to Ray Hyman in the AIR report, if Ed May’s conclusions are correct remote viewers were right 20% of the time and wrong 80% of the time.)

In 1995, the project was transferred to the CIA and a retrospective evaluation of the results was done. The CIA contracted the American Institutes for Research for an evaluation. On June 30, before the AIR review was to begin, the CIA closed the Stargate project. An analysis conducted by Professor Jessica Utts showed a [http://anson.ucdavis.edu/~utts/air2.html statistically significant effect], with gifted subjects scoring 5%-15% above chance, though subject reports included a large amount of irrelevant information, and when reports did seem on target they were vague and general in nature. Ray Hyman argued that Utts’ conclusion that ESP had been proven to exist, especially precognition, “is premature and that present findings have yet to be independently replicated.” Based upon both of their collected findings, which recommended a higher level of critical research and tighter controls, the CIA terminated the 20 million dollar project, citing a lack of documented evidence that the program had any value to the intelligence community. ”Time” magazine stated in 1995 three full-time psychics were still working on a $500,000-a-year budget out of Fort Meade, Maryland, which would soon close up shop.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article Stargate Project, under the G. N. U. Free Documentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki

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This lotus is used to produce perfumes since ancient times; it is also used in aromatherapy.

Recent studies have shown ”Nymphaea caerulea” to have mild psycho-active properties. It may have been used as a sacrament in ancient Egypt and certain ancient South American cultures. Eating Blue Lotus can act as a mild sedative. ”Nymphaea caerulea” is distantly related to, and possesses similar activity to ”Nelumbo nucifera”, the Sacred Lotus. Both Nymphaea caerulea and Nelumbo nucifera contain the alkaloids nuciferine and aporphine.

The mildly sedating effects of ”Nymphaea caerulea” makes it a likely candidate (among several) for the lotus plant eaten by the mythical Lotophagi in Homer’s Odyssey.

Used in aromatherapy, ”Nymphaea caerulea” is purported to have a “divine” essence, bringing heightened awareness and tranquility.

Some sources cite it as an antispasmodic similar to copal resin.

In modern culture, blue lotus flowers are used to make various concoctions including blue lotus tea, wine and martinis. Recipes for such drinks involve steeping or soaking the petals for up to 3 weeks. Blue lotus tea is prepared by boiling the entire flowers for 10–20 minutes.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article Nymphaea caerulea, under the G. N. U. Free Documentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki

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A variety of intellectuals, academics, writers, and other specialists have advanced the fields of integral thought in recent decades.

Due to its still ambiguous nature and definition, definitions of Integral psychology and philosophy, and lists of Integral philosophers and visionaries, differ , although there are some common themes. While Wilber was the first to nominate Integral philosophers, thinkers and visionaries, similar lists have later been proposed by others. According to John Bothwell and David Geier, among the top thinkers in the integral movement are Stanislav Grof, Fred Kofman, George Leonard, Michael Murphy, Jenny Wade, Roger Walsh, Ken Wilber, and Michael Zimmerman. Australian academic Alex Burns mentions among integral theorists Jean Gebser, Clare W. Graves, Jane Loevinger and Ken Wilber. In 2007, Steve McIntosh mentioned Henri Bergson and Teilhard de Chardin along with many of the names mentioned by Wilber. While in the same year, the editors of ”What Is Enlightenment?” listed as contemporary Integralists Don Beck, Allan Combs, Robert Godwin, Sally Goerner, George Leonard, Michael Murphy, William Irwin Thompson, and Wilber.

Gary Hampson suggested that there are six intertwined genealogical branches of Integral, based on those who first used the term: those aligned with Aurobindo, Gebser, Wilber, Gangadean, László and Steiner (noting that the Steiner branch is via the conduit of Gidley).

Integral thought is claimed to provide “a new understanding of how evolution affects the development of consciousness and culture.” It includes areas such as business, education, medicine, spirituality, sports, psychology and psychotherapy. The idea of the evolution of consciousness has also become a central theme in much of integral theory. According to the Integral Transformative Practice website, ”integral” means “dealing with the body, mind, heart, and soul.”

Adapted from the Wikipedia article Integral (spirituality), under the G. N. U. Free Documentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki

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▪ 5040 has been quoted as an important number in some types of numerology. Using round figures, the sum of the radii of both the Earth and Moon (in miles) is 3960 + 1080 = 5040. Incidentally, the sum of their diameters is also the number of minutes in a week (7 days × 24 hours × 60 minutes = 10,080). A [http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f8/Earth_Moon_5040.pdf pdf file] in mathematical proof style details part of this Earth-Moon relationship.

▪ 5040 has exactly 60 divisors, counting itself and 1.

▪ In a vigesimal system, 5040 is represented as 12 groups of 20′s and 12 groups of 20-squared’s (12 • 20 = 240, 12 • 202 = 4800, and 240 + 4800 = 5040).

▪ 5040 is the sum of 42 consecutive primes (23 + 29 + 31 + 37 + 41 + 43 + 47 + 53 + 59 + 61 + 67 + 71 + 73 + 79 + 83 + 89 + 97 + 101 + 103 + 107 + 109 + 113 + 127 + 131 + 137 + 139 + 149 + 151 + 157 +163 + 167 + 173 + 179 + 181 + 191 + 193 + 197 + 199 + 211 + 223 + 227 + 229).

Adapted from the Wikipedia article 5040 (number), under the G. N. U. Free Documentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki

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Heinrich Wilhelm Dove discovered binaural beats in 1839. While research about them continued after that, the subject remained something of a scientific curiosity until 134 years later, with the publishing of Gerald Oster’s article “Auditory Beats in the Brain” (Scientific American, 1973). Oster’s article identified and assembled the scattered islands of relevant research since Dove, offering fresh insight (and new laboratory findings) to research on binaural beats.

In particular, Oster saw binaural beats as a powerful tool for cognitive and neurological research, addressing questions such as how animals locate sounds in their three-dimensional environment, and also the remarkable ability of animals to pick out and focus on specific sounds in a sea of noise (what is known as the “cocktail party effect”).

Oster also considered binaural beats to be a potentially useful medical diagnostic tool, not merely for finding and assessing auditory impairments, but also for more general neurological conditions. (Binaural beats involve different neurological pathways than ordinary auditory processing.) For example, Oster found that a number of his subjects that could not perceive binaural beats suffered from Parkinson’s disease. In one particular case, Oster was able to follow the subject through a week-long treatment of Parkinson’s disease; at the outset the patient could not perceive binaural beats; but by the end of the week of treatment, the patient was able to hear them.

In corroborating an earlier study, Oster also reported gender differences in the perception of beats. Specifically, women seemed to experience two separate peaks in their ability to perceive binaural beats—peaks possibly correlating with specific points in the menstrual cycle (onset of menstruation and approx. 15 after). This data led Oster to wonder if binaural beats could be used as a tool for measuring relative levels of estrogen.

The effects of binaural beats on consciousness were first examined by physicist Thomas Campbell and electrical engineer Dennis Mennerich, who under the direction of Robert Monroe sought to reproduce a subjective impression of 4Hz oscillation that they associated with out-of-body experience. On the strength of their findings, Monroe created the binaural-beat technology self-development industry by forming The Monroe Institute, now a charitable binaural research and education organization.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article Binaural beats, under the G. N. U. Free Documentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki

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