The Universal metaphysics reveals that there are no limits to individual realization. This implies that except what is Logically impossible, what may be normally considered to be impossible is at least highly improbable—i.e., our traditional systems of knowledge provide no explicit way to transcend the normally impossible (that is inherent in the notion of the normally impossible.) Further, the metaphysics itself does not show a way to transcendence

The mechanics

Mechanics of being is an approach to transformation in which, with bases in the foregoing—especially the actualities revealed by the fundamental principle. The following are iterated (1) experiments are conceived and acted upon, (2) outcomes are interpreted and enhanced experiments in transformation are conceived. The Normal is not fixed and Normal possibilities and feasibilities stand relative to our knowledge and are therefore subject to transformation in the iterative process described

The intent includes but is not limited to incremental negotiation of normal limits

Essential aspects of the mechanics of being

Negotiating the feasible, i.e. knowledge and experiment are instrumental in determining what is feasible

Exploring what is desirable… even if there is an objective ethics, its realization may depend on kind and state of being and, further, knowledge and interpretation of it may change

Incremental andor large scale—saltational—change

Exploring the means of change—physical, psychological, social, technological

The nature of the object

The general Object is a joint construct of mind and world; in general there is, at minimum, partial implicit faithfulness

I have suggested that all truth may be expressed as literal truth. However, on the way to this simple truth metaphor and symbol are—may be—significant

Reflect on dual role of perception-conception—observation and inference—in knowing and transformation (perception and conception, which include feeling and emotion, constitute mental content; here conception is the free part of mental content.) This dual may be transcended perhaps in states of greater awareness, especially peaks of realization; and it is in such states, should they be achieved, that it will be seen (known) whether the concept (in the general sense of mental content) emerges as simple perception

Deployment of the mechanics

The mechanics provides a framework and the following sections provide elements for realization

The catalytic states are states of heightened receptivity to and action in the light of inner and external data (including the less than conscious and active creation of idea and its further body extension as transformation)

The history of transformation is a brief review of ideas and ways of transformation or that may be instrumental in transformation. Traditions of East and West to the present day are included. These traditions may be deployed as they are; they may also provide enhancement and elaboration of the mechanics and further data on catalytic states

The mechanics provides a framework for the experimental use and development of catalytic states in which

Catalytic states and modes of transformation

These are states of physiological and psychic sensitivity, receptivity and readiness… and are not restricted to any compartment of mind or physiology

Types of state

Types—dream, hypnotic, meditative vision—world-self-unconscious, hallucinatory vision, enhanced body dynamic; brain states; Catalytic use—focusing dreams etc.; cultivation and integration in awareness over time; sensitivity to, cultivation of opportunity

Ways

Traditional

Shamanic systems—(1) Communally guided tradition of plant use (a. plant chemicals, b. preparation) (2) Communally guided and interpreted vision quest

Yoga systems—the yogas of Bhagavad-Gita—esp. Raja Yoga (psycho-physical preparation, and practice of meditative focus toward an end, e.g. the ultimate) and Jnâna Yoga (knowing and knowledge of the ultimate; and knowing the instruments—experience, object, concept, word; and focusing and discrimination); Chöd—Tantra—opening to the world via embrace without seeking of death, the ugly and the evil, Eros in death and death in Eros

Western—Greek, Christian, Jewish, and Islamic mysticism and related practices concerned with transformation of vision and Being, hypnosis, EMDR, psychoanalysis, psycho-behavioral re-education (REBT), 12-step logic

Approaches

A collection—meditation and isolation of the psyche (‘and’ body,) suspension of judgment, exposure to and intuitive integration of archetypes through dream-symbol-Art-myth-Faith…and induction of states by contemplation, via shaman and equivalents, and in groups

Grounding in the real—sacrifice and commitment to a higher end

Eclectic and experimental

Comment on received ways

Teachers, gurus, experts proclaim ‘this is the what yoga is’ etc … ‘this is the way’ … ‘this is the focus’ … ‘this is the goal / there is no goal’ … ‘this is the way to learn / there is no way / (or the student may be subject to a discipline without direct comment or instruction)’

The various ways are real and with real benefits but they are not ultimate; and they cannot be in without one who has become ultimate

The concept and object of present and ultimate Being (goal) are open

Therefore the way must be experimental and a system of experiments will be eclectic as well as experimental

The way interacts with the goal; see Process

Practice and action

Practice is routine and its goal is absorption into routine and exceptional action

The goal of exceptional action is transformation

Progress

The present concept of progress is movement toward the ultimate

An intermediate / ground phase is that of civilization as a matrix, e.g. as islands and continents—separate yet connected

Mechanics

Metaphysics and Method applied to situations

Learning the dynamic of situations and above general dynamic; cultivation; reinforcement

Catalysts—enhancing and inducing factors

Means to transform body and psyche for transformation of Being, understanding and perception

Enhancing or inducing factors—physical isolations and deprivations, inaction, physiological alterations from exposure, extremes in environment, shock or trauma, exertion and exhaustion, pain; presence, fear, crisis and crisis sense—opportunity and opportunistic sense, anxiety—imposed or volitional and purposive; repetitive, ‘distracting’ (from distraction), calming (ANS / CNS), march, repetition and rhythm and dance, focusing on breath; alteration of perspective—e.g., immersion in different cultures and micro-cultures, ‘changing’ handedness—e.g., writing with the non-dominant hand, speaking different languages, use of psychoactive substances; and fasting and diet

Awareness of death, crisis sense—shock into the present, education on the nature of Being

Sensitivity—related death etc—use of dissociation and splitting to reintegrate via exposure

Sacred places—conducive to receptivity, engagement; immersion may be transformational; churches etc.; nature—human ground—and immersion in nature

Ritual—e.g. Chöd, above… ritual reinforcement and inducement of ways and catalysts

Acting—assumption of personality / attitude and transformation in performance, ability, and reinforcing effect on others; reinforcement is the result of success and others’ attitudes, persistence in face of the negative (e.g. Chöd)

Sacred texts reveal by poetry and educate by cumulative wisdom (expressed literally or otherwise)

Charismatic transformation—charisma a quality that moves others to think, act, give allegiance to person / cause… (1) Risk—self-exposure, psycho-social and physical; repetition (reinforcement and reaching audience) (3) Practice, preparation for encounter—E.g. what to say, do; contingencies (4) (Develop) Insight into other’s motivations (5) (Develop) Psychic and physical energy

Savant states

Savant, modes and theories, relation to developmental deficiency—that any such relations are not necessary; relation to states and dispositions to states of psychic sensitivity; experimental inductions of the savant syndrome in normal individuals; possibility of cultivation

Experiments suggest the thought that all persons have un-liberated and savant-like abilities locked in by ‘normal, balanced development,’ that are normally locked in by needs for survival—biological and cultural—but may be liberated in exceptional circumstance by the same needs. There is suggestive evidence that ‘normal’ individuals are capable of savant development. Much of this evidence concerns accidents such as stroke which debilitates a part of the brain and may so free another part. There are reports of experiments with magnetic fields that confer temporary savant-like behavior. It is important to remember the alternate explanations to savant-ability: compensation and randomness; perhaps the general savant case represents all modes of explanation (in combination)

History of transformation—appendix to catalytic states

This section is a brief review of some classic modes that have transformation as a goal or may be used toward that goal. These may provide enhancement and elaboration of the mechanics and further data on catalytic states

There is overlap with Traditional (Ways); eliminate the overlap; introduce changes to Journey in being-detail

Aims of a study of history of transformation

1. To review traditional ideas for use in transformation

2. To provide foundation for a synthesis of the variety of approaches. This goal is further taken up in Basis and theory of transformation

Shamanism and other systems that date back to prehistory

The shamanic or journey-quest: its original and later variations as approaches to states of insight including hallucination and to transformation of personality. Black Elk, Mircae Eliade, Weston La Barre, Richard K. Nelson—Make Prayers to the Raven—1983, Hugh Brody—The Other Side of Eden: Hunters, Farmers, and the Shaping of the World—2000, Joseph Campbell—Primitive Mythology: The Masks of God—1959, Richard Evans Schultes and Albert Hoffman—Plants of the Gods: Their Sacred, Healing and Hallucinogenic Powers—1992, …

Indian systems

Veda and Upanishad; Bhagavad-Gita and its four yogic systems—Raja, Gñana, Karma, Bhakti yoga; Samkhya, Yoga; Vedanta; Buddhism—reflection on the noble truths and experiments with the eight fold way

Western systems

Western—Greek, Christian, Jewish, and Islamic mysticism and related practices concerned with transformation of vision and Being, hypnosis, EMDR, psychoanalysis, psycho-behavioral re-education (REBT), 12-step logic

Development of the dynamic

The structure of the dynamic may be inferred from the indeterministic-selective character of the process. The process includes many other ‘methods’

Common elements emerge from examples as follows:

Desire for andor awareness of immersion in change with or without an informed goal

Experiment and evaluation of outcome—modification andor enhancement of knowledge of limits, means and goals

The process and context are now experienced as dynamic and changing

The mechanics itself becomes or is seen as dynamic (meta-mechanics) and is integrated into intuition—what is latent becomes actual, reflexivity enters awareness as an explicit tool—and is applied to being itself which includes individual, identity, and world