Eight-circuit model of consciousness: Difference between revisions

Browse history interactively ← Previous edit Next edit →Content deleted Content addedVisual WikitextInline

Revision as of 23:28, 30 May 2023 editSteve Quinn (talk \| contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, New page reviewers, Pending changes reviewers39,773 edits →Eight circuit nomenclature: clean up and condense. Overly-detailed. Please discuss on talk before reverting per WP:BRD. All the information is sourced from authors promoting this idea. Need independent reliable sourcing which is independent of these authors. Nothing found in the scientific literature that supports this. Not a platform for promotionTag: Reverted← Previous edit		Revision as of 23:42, 30 May 2023 edit undoRandy Kryn (talk \| contribs)Extended confirmed users286,167 edits reverted, please respect BRD and discuss on the talk page. Leary's original model (it's a model, a way of describing and ordering, not a major theory), the subject of the page, was discussed by other reputable authors including WilsonTags: Manual revert RevertedNext edit →
Line 17:		Line 17:
	Each circuit listed has each name from Leary's book ''Exo-Psychology'' after the preface,<ref name="auto">Leary, T. (1977). ''Exo-Psychology''. Starseed/Peace Press, Los Angeles. Pg. 14 not numbered</ref><ref name="auto3">{{Cite web\|url=http://archive.org/details/exopsychologyman00learrich\|title=Exo-psychology : a manual on the use of the human nervous system according to the instructions of the manufacturers\|first=Timothy\|last=Leary\|date=September 6, 1977\|publisher=Los Angeles : Starseed/Peace Press\|via=Internet Archive}}</ref> and Wilson's book '']'' pgs.196-201.<ref name="auto2">Wilson, R.A. (1990). ''Quantum Psychology''. New Falcon Press, Tempe, AZ. Page 196-201</ref> Note: In other books from Leary, Wilson, and Alli, the eight circuits have different names due to different interpretations and findings of each author. Please reference bibliography section for other works on labeling of each circuit.		Each circuit listed has each name from Leary's book ''Exo-Psychology'' after the preface,<ref name="auto">Leary, T. (1977). ''Exo-Psychology''. Starseed/Peace Press, Los Angeles. Pg. 14 not numbered</ref><ref name="auto3">{{Cite web\|url=http://archive.org/details/exopsychologyman00learrich\|title=Exo-psychology : a manual on the use of the human nervous system according to the instructions of the manufacturers\|first=Timothy\|last=Leary\|date=September 6, 1977\|publisher=Los Angeles : Starseed/Peace Press\|via=Internet Archive}}</ref> and Wilson's book '']'' pgs.196-201.<ref name="auto2">Wilson, R.A. (1990). ''Quantum Psychology''. New Falcon Press, Tempe, AZ. Page 196-201</ref> Note: In other books from Leary, Wilson, and Alli, the eight circuits have different names due to different interpretations and findings of each author. Please reference bibliography section for other works on labeling of each circuit.

	==Eight circuit nomenclature==
	===Terrestrial===		===Terrestrial===
			====First Circuit====
	The first Circuit is called the Vegetative-Invertebrate or Oral Bio-Survival Circuit.{{citation needed\|date=April 2023}} <ref>''Prometheus Rising'', pg. 47</ref><ref name="auto6"/><ref name="auto6"/><ref>''Prometheus Rising'', pg. 96</ref><ref>''Prometheus Rising'', pg. 47-48</ref> The second circuit is called the Emotional-Locomotion or Anal-Territorial Circuit.{{citation needed\|date=April 2023}}<ref name="ReferenceA">''Exo-Psychology,'' table of contents</ref><ref name="ReferenceB">''Quantum Psychology,'' pgs. 196-201</ref> The third circuit is called the Laryngeal-Manual Symbolic or Semantic Time-Binding Circuit. {{citation needed\|date=April 2023}}<ref name="ReferenceA">''Exo-Psychology,'' table of contents</ref><ref name="ReferenceB">''Quantum Psychology,'' pgs. 196-201</ref> Circuit and Wilson the Semantic Time-Binding Circuit<ref name="ReferenceA"/> The fourth is called the Socio-Sexual Domestication Circuit or the Socio-Sexual Circuit.{{citation needed\|date=April 2023}}<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref name="ReferenceB"/>
			Leary referred to this as the Vegetative-Invertebrate Circuit and Wilson referred to it as the Oral Bio-Survival Circuit.{{citation needed\|date=April 2023}}

			This circuit is concerned with nourishment, physical safety, comfort and survival, ], cuddling, etc. It begins with one spatial dimension, forward/back.<ref>''Prometheus Rising'', pg. 47</ref>

			This circuit is ] early in infancy. The imprint will normally last for life unless it is re-imprinted by a powerful experience. Depending on the nature of the imprint, the organism will tend towards one of two basic attitudes:
			*A positive imprint sets up a basic attitude of trust. The organism generally considers the environment benign and accepts and approaches. This is equivalent to a default life position of "you're okay" in the ].<ref name="auto6">Prometheus Rising, pg. 74</ref>
			*A negative imprint sets up a basic attitude of suspicion. The organism generally regards the environment as hostile and flees and avoids. This is equivalent to a default life position of "you're not okay" in the ].<ref name="auto6"/>

			This circuit is said to have appeared in the earliest evolution of the invertebrate brain and corresponds to the reptilian brain of ]. This circuit operates in essentially the same way across mammals, reptiles, fish, primates and humans.<ref>''Prometheus Rising'', pg. 96</ref>

			Wilson equated this circuit with the ] in the Freudian theory of ], and proposed that this circuit is activated in adults by strong ]s.<ref>''Prometheus Rising'', pg. 47-48</ref>

			====Second Circuit====
			Leary referred to this circuit as the Emotional-Locomotion Circuit and Wilson called it the Anal-Territorial Circuit.<ref name="ReferenceA">''Exo-Psychology,'' table of contents</ref><ref name="ReferenceB">''Quantum Psychology,'' pgs. 196-201</ref> This circuit is imprinted in the toddler stage. It is concerned with domination and submission, territoriality, etc.{{citation needed\|date=April 2023}}

			The imprint on this circuit will trigger one of two states:
			*Dominant, aggressive behavior. This imprint creates an ']' social attitude. Equivalent to the 'top dog' position in the model of ], to 'I'm OK' in the ], and to ] in the model of ].<ref>Wilson, R.A. ''Prometheus Rising'' (1983). New Falcon Publications, Tempe. Page 79.</ref>
			*Submissive, cooperative behavior. Equivalent to the 'bottom dog' position in the model of Fritz Perls, to 'I'm not OK' in the life positions model and to Nietzschean "]".

			This circuit is activated by ]s such as ], ], and ]s.{{Citation needed\|date=December 2016}} This circuit appeared first in territorial vertebrate animals and is preserved across all mammals. It corresponds to the mammalian brain of ]. Wilson equated this circuit with the ] in the Freudian theory of ].{{citation needed\|date=April 2023}}

			The first and second circuits both imprint in a binary fashion: trust/suspicion and dominance/submission.<ref>{{Cite web \|url=http://deoxy.org/raw1.htm \|title=The grid of Circuits I and II creates four quadrants \|access-date=2012-06-01 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120619210542/http://deoxy.org/raw1.htm \|archive-date=2012-06-19 \|url-status=dead }}</ref> Thus there are four possible ways of imprinting the first two circuits:

			*Trusting 1st circuit and dominant 2nd circuit. ]. Friendly strength in the ]. ] in the ].<ref name="auto1">Wilson, R.A. "Prometheus Rising" (1983). New Falcon Publications, Tempe. Page 73.</ref> Choleric in the ].<ref name="auto1"/>
			*Trusting 1st circuit and submissive 2nd circuit. ]. Friendly weakness. ] in the four elements model. Phlegmatic humor.
			*Suspicious 1st circuit and dominant 2nd circuit. ]. Unfriendly strength. ] in the four elements model. Sanguine humor.
			*Suspicious 1st circuit and submissive 2nd circuit. ]. Unfriendly weakness. ] in the four elements model. Melancholic humor.

			====Third Circuit====
			Leary called this the Laryngeal-Manual Symbolic Circuit and Wilson the Semantic Time-Binding Circuit<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
			This circuit is imprinted by human symbol systems. It is concerned with language, handling the environment, invention, calculation, prediction, building a mental "map" of the universe and physical dexterity.{{citation needed\|date=April 2023}}

			This circuit is activated by ]s such as ]s, ]s, ], and ].{{Citation needed\|date=December 2016}} This circuit supposedly appeared first when ]s started differentiating from the rest of the ].

			Wilson, being profoundly influenced by ], writes of this circuit as the "time-binding circuit". This means that this circuit's contents, including human know-how, technology, science and so on, are preserved ]tically and passed on from generation to generation, constantly mutating and increasing in sophistication.{{citation needed\|date=April 2023}}

			====Fourth Circuit====
			Leary called this the Socio-Sexual Domestication Circuit and Wilson the Socio-Sexual Circuit.<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref name="ReferenceB"/>
			This fourth circuit is imprinted by the first ]-mating experiences and local tribal moral standards. It is concerned with ] (instead of sexual reproduction), local definitions of "moral" and "immoral", ], rearing of the young, etc. The fourth circuit concerns itself with cultural values and operating within ]. This circuit is said to have first appeared with the development of tribes.{{citation needed\|date=April 2023}}

	===Post-Terrestrial===		===Post-Terrestrial===
			====Fifth Circuit====
	The fifth is called the Neurosomatic Circuit.{{citation needed\|date=April 2023}}<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref name="ReferenceB"/> The sixth circuit is called Neuro-Electric Circuit or the Metaprogramming Circuit.{{citation needed}}<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref name="ReferenceB"/> The seventh is called the Neurogenetic Circuit or the Morphogenetic Circuit.<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref name="ReferenceB"/> The eighth is called the Neuro-Atomic Metaphysiology or the Non-Local Quantum Circuit.<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref>''Quantum Psychology'', pgs. 196-201</ref>
			This circuit, called the Neurosomatic Circuit,<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref name="ReferenceB"/> is concerned with neurological-somatic feedbacks, feeling high and blissful, somatic reprogramming, etc. It may be called the rapture circuit.<ref>Leary, T., "Neurologic" (1973). Starseed Publications, San Francisco.</ref>

			When this circuit is activated, a non-conceptual feeling of well-being arises. This has a beneficial effect on the health of the physical body.<ref>Wilson, R.A., "Quantum Psychology" (1990). New Falcon Publications, Tempe. Page 198</ref>

			The fifth circuit is consciousness of the ]. There is a marked shift from linear visual space to an all-encompassing ] sensory space. Perceptions are judged not so much for their meaning and utility, but for their aesthetic qualities.<ref>Leary, T., "Neurologic" (1973). Starseed Publications, San Francisco. Page V-1.</ref> Experience of this circuit often accompanies an ] turn-on, a rapturous amusement, a detachment from the previously compulsive mechanism of the first four circuits.{{citation needed\|date=April 2023}}

			This circuit is activated by ecstatic experiences via physiological effects of ], ], ] and ]. Robert Anton Wilson writes, "Tantra yoga is concerned with shifting consciousness entirely into this circuit"<ref name="auto5">Wilson, R.A. "Prometheus Rising" (1983). New Falcon Publications, Tempe. Page 41.</ref> and that "Prolonged sexual play without orgasm always triggers some Circuit V consciousness".<ref>Wilson, R.A. "Prometheus Rising" (1983). New Falcon Publications, Tempe. Page 184.</ref>

			Leary describes that this circuit first appeared in the ]es, with the development of leisure-class civilizations {{circa\|2000 BC}}.{{citation needed\|date=April 2023}}

			====Sixth Circuit====
			Leary labelled this the Neuro-Electric Circuit and Wilson called this the Metaprogramming Circuit.<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref name="ReferenceB"/> Timothy Leary listed this circuit as the sixth, and the neurogenetic circuit as the seventh.<ref>Leary, T. (1977). "Neuropolitics". Starseed Peace Press, Los Angeles.</ref> In his '']'', Wilson reversed the order of these two circuits,<ref>Wilson, R.A. ''Prometheus Rising'' (1983). New Falcon Publications, Tempe.</ref> and described neurogenetic circuit as the sixth circuit, and the metaprogramming circuit as the seventh. In ''Quantum Psychology'', published later, Wilson reverted the order back to Leary's original schema.<ref>Wilson, R.A. (1990). Quantum Psychology. New Falcon Press, Tempe, AZ. Seventh Printing, (2003). Page 199-200</ref>

			This circuit is concerned with reimprinting and reprogramming the earlier circuits and of perceiving the relative (versus absolute) nature of the "realities" perceived by them: the sixth circuit becomes aware of itself. Leary thought that this circuit enables ]. He believed that the circuit was activated by 50-150 μg ], moderate doses of ], ]s and meditation/chanting especially when used within in a group or ritual setting. Leary estimated that this circuit came "online" in 500 BC.{{Citation needed\|date=December 2016}}

			====Seventh Circuit====
			Leary referred to this as the Neurogenetic Circuit. Wilson called this the Morphogenetic Circuit.<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref name="ReferenceB"/> (Wilson here made reference to ]'s ] theory.) This circuit is the connection of the individual's mind to the whole sweep of evolution and life as a whole. It is the part of consciousness that echoes the experiences of the previous generations that have brought the individual's brain-mind to its present level.{{Citation needed\|date=December 2016}}

			It deals with ancestral, societal and scientific ]-]-brain feedbacks. Those who achieve this mutation may speak of ], ], ] etc.<ref name="auto4">{{Cite web \|url=http://deoxy.org/cc-chap4.htm \|title=CyberCraft Chapter 4 \|access-date=2012-06-01 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303210037/http://deoxy.org/cc-chap4.htm \|archive-date=2016-03-03 \|url-status=dead }}</ref> It corresponds to the ] in the models of ]<ref name="auto5"/> where archetypes reside.

			Activation of this circuit may be equated with consciousness of the ] in his aspect of Life as a whole, or with consciousness of the ], in which the ] is considered as a single organism.<ref name="auto4"/>

			Proponents of the Eight Circuit model believe that it is activated by 200-500 μg ], higher doses of ] or ]s, and by ].{{Citation needed\|date=December 2016}}

			The circuit, according to the model, first appeared among the ] in the early first millennium and later reappeared amongst ] sects.{{citation needed\|date=April 2023}}

			====Eighth Circuit====
			Leary referred to this as the Neuro-Atomic Metaphysiology and Wilson as the Non-Local Quantum Circuit.<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref>''Quantum Psychology'', pgs. 196-201</ref>
			The eighth circuit is concerned with ], ] (information from beyond ordinary ] awareness which is limited by the ]), illumination. Some of the ways this circuit can get activated are: ], ], high doses of LSD and, according to Wilson, almost any dose of ketamine.<ref name="youtube"> 01/12/2018.</ref>

	==Leary's contribution==		==Leary's contribution==

Revision as of 23:42, 30 May 2023

Hypothesis by Timothy Leary

This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these messages)

This article may present fringe theories, without giving appropriate weight to the mainstream view and explaining the responses to the fringe theories. Please help improve it or discuss the issue on the talk page. (May 2023) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

This article may lend undue weight to certain ideas, incidents, or controversies. Please help improve it by rewriting it in a balanced fashion that contextualizes different points of view. (May 2023) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

The topic of this article may not meet Misplaced Pages's general notability guideline. Please help to demonstrate the notability of the topic by citing reliable secondary sources that are independent of the topic and provide significant coverage of it beyond a mere trivial mention. If notability cannot be shown, the article is likely to be merged, redirected, or deleted.
Find sources: "Eight-circuit model of consciousness" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (May 2023) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

(Learn how and when to remove this message)

This article is missing information about scientific opinion about this hypothesis. Please expand the article to include this information. Further details may exist on the talk page. (September 2019)

The eight-circuit model of consciousness is a holistic proposal originally described by Timothy Leary, later expanded on by Robert Anton Wilson and Antero Alli, that suggests "eight periods and twenty-four stages of neurological evolution". The eight circuits, or eight systems or "brains", as referred by other authors, operate within the human nervous system. Each corresponds to its own imprint and subjective experience of reality. Leary and Alli include three stages for each circuit that details developmental points for each level of consciousness.

Overview

The first four circuits concern themselves with life on Earth, and the survival of the human species. The last four circuits are post-terrestrial, and concern themselves with the evolution of the human species as represented by so-called altered states of consciousness, enlightenment, mystical experiences, psychedelic states of mind, and psychic abilities. The proposal suggests that these altered states of consciousness are recently realized, but not widely utilized. Leary described the first four as "larval circuits", necessary for surviving and functioning in a terrestrial human society, and proposed that the post terrestrial circuits will be useful for future humans who, through a predetermined script, continue to act on their urge to migrate to outer space and live extra-terrestrially. Leary, Wilson, and Alli have written about the idea in-depth, and have explored and attempted to define how each circuit operates, both in the lives of individual people and in societies and civilizations.

The term "circuit" is equated to a metaphor of the brain being computer hardware, and the wiring of the brain as circuitry. The comparison of the brain to computer hardware and wiring has been replaced with models describing the different functions of brain networks and how they interact with each other.

Leary used the eight circuits along with recapitulation theory to explain the evolution of the human species, the personal development of an individual, and the biological evolution of all life.

The Eight Circuits

Each circuit listed has each name from Leary's book Exo-Psychology after the preface, and Wilson's book Quantum Psychology pgs.196-201. Note: In other books from Leary, Wilson, and Alli, the eight circuits have different names due to different interpretations and findings of each author. Please reference bibliography section for other works on labeling of each circuit.

Terrestrial

First Circuit

Leary referred to this as the Vegetative-Invertebrate Circuit and Wilson referred to it as the Oral Bio-Survival Circuit.

This circuit is concerned with nourishment, physical safety, comfort and survival, suckling, cuddling, etc. It begins with one spatial dimension, forward/back.

This circuit is imprinted early in infancy. The imprint will normally last for life unless it is re-imprinted by a powerful experience. Depending on the nature of the imprint, the organism will tend towards one of two basic attitudes:

A positive imprint sets up a basic attitude of trust. The organism generally considers the environment benign and accepts and approaches. This is equivalent to a default life position of "you're okay" in the 'life positions' model of Transactional analysis.
A negative imprint sets up a basic attitude of suspicion. The organism generally regards the environment as hostile and flees and avoids. This is equivalent to a default life position of "you're not okay" in the 'life positions' model of Transactional analysis.

This circuit is said to have appeared in the earliest evolution of the invertebrate brain and corresponds to the reptilian brain of triune brain theory. This circuit operates in essentially the same way across mammals, reptiles, fish, primates and humans.

Wilson equated this circuit with the oral stage in the Freudian theory of psychosexual development, and proposed that this circuit is activated in adults by strong opioids.

Second Circuit

Leary referred to this circuit as the Emotional-Locomotion Circuit and Wilson called it the Anal-Territorial Circuit. This circuit is imprinted in the toddler stage. It is concerned with domination and submission, territoriality, etc.

The imprint on this circuit will trigger one of two states:

Dominant, aggressive behavior. This imprint creates an 'alpha' social attitude. Equivalent to the 'top dog' position in the model of Fritz Perls, to 'I'm OK' in the 'life positions' model of Transactional analysis, and to master morality in the model of Friedrich Nietzsche.
Submissive, cooperative behavior. Equivalent to the 'bottom dog' position in the model of Fritz Perls, to 'I'm not OK' in the life positions model and to Nietzschean "slave morality".

This circuit is activated by depressants such as alcohol, barbiturates, and benzodiazepines. This circuit appeared first in territorial vertebrate animals and is preserved across all mammals. It corresponds to the mammalian brain of triune brain theory. Wilson equated this circuit with the anal stage in the Freudian theory of psycho-sexual development.

The first and second circuits both imprint in a binary fashion: trust/suspicion and dominance/submission. Thus there are four possible ways of imprinting the first two circuits:

Trusting 1st circuit and dominant 2nd circuit. I'm OK; you're OK. Friendly strength in the Interpersonal Circumplex. Fire in the four elements model. Choleric in the four humors model.
Trusting 1st circuit and submissive 2nd circuit. I'm not OK; you're OK. Friendly weakness. Water in the four elements model. Phlegmatic humor.
Suspicious 1st circuit and dominant 2nd circuit. I'm OK; you're not OK. Unfriendly strength. Air in the four elements model. Sanguine humor.
Suspicious 1st circuit and submissive 2nd circuit. I'm not OK; you're not OK. Unfriendly weakness. Earth in the four elements model. Melancholic humor.

Third Circuit

Leary called this the Laryngeal-Manual Symbolic Circuit and Wilson the Semantic Time-Binding Circuit This circuit is imprinted by human symbol systems. It is concerned with language, handling the environment, invention, calculation, prediction, building a mental "map" of the universe and physical dexterity.

This circuit is activated by stimulants such as amphetamines, cathinones, cocaine, and caffeine. This circuit supposedly appeared first when hominids started differentiating from the rest of the primates.

Wilson, being profoundly influenced by General Semantics, writes of this circuit as the "time-binding circuit". This means that this circuit's contents, including human know-how, technology, science and so on, are preserved memetically and passed on from generation to generation, constantly mutating and increasing in sophistication.

Fourth Circuit

Leary called this the Socio-Sexual Domestication Circuit and Wilson the Socio-Sexual Circuit. This fourth circuit is imprinted by the first orgasm-mating experiences and local tribal moral standards. It is concerned with sexual pleasure (instead of sexual reproduction), local definitions of "moral" and "immoral", reproduction, rearing of the young, etc. The fourth circuit concerns itself with cultural values and operating within social networks. This circuit is said to have first appeared with the development of tribes.

Post-Terrestrial

Fifth Circuit

This circuit, called the Neurosomatic Circuit, is concerned with neurological-somatic feedbacks, feeling high and blissful, somatic reprogramming, etc. It may be called the rapture circuit.

When this circuit is activated, a non-conceptual feeling of well-being arises. This has a beneficial effect on the health of the physical body.

The fifth circuit is consciousness of the body. There is a marked shift from linear visual space to an all-encompassing aesthetic sensory space. Perceptions are judged not so much for their meaning and utility, but for their aesthetic qualities. Experience of this circuit often accompanies an hedonistic turn-on, a rapturous amusement, a detachment from the previously compulsive mechanism of the first four circuits.

This circuit is activated by ecstatic experiences via physiological effects of cannabis, Hatha Yoga, tantra and Zen meditation. Robert Anton Wilson writes, "Tantra yoga is concerned with shifting consciousness entirely into this circuit" and that "Prolonged sexual play without orgasm always triggers some Circuit V consciousness".

Leary describes that this circuit first appeared in the upper classes, with the development of leisure-class civilizations c. 2000 BC.

Sixth Circuit

Leary labelled this the Neuro-Electric Circuit and Wilson called this the Metaprogramming Circuit. Timothy Leary listed this circuit as the sixth, and the neurogenetic circuit as the seventh. In his Prometheus Rising, Wilson reversed the order of these two circuits, and described neurogenetic circuit as the sixth circuit, and the metaprogramming circuit as the seventh. In Quantum Psychology, published later, Wilson reverted the order back to Leary's original schema.

This circuit is concerned with reimprinting and reprogramming the earlier circuits and of perceiving the relative (versus absolute) nature of the "realities" perceived by them: the sixth circuit becomes aware of itself. Leary thought that this circuit enables telepathic communication. He believed that the circuit was activated by 50-150 μg LSD, moderate doses of peyote, psilocybin mushrooms and meditation/chanting especially when used within in a group or ritual setting. Leary estimated that this circuit came "online" in 500 BC.

Seventh Circuit

Leary referred to this as the Neurogenetic Circuit. Wilson called this the Morphogenetic Circuit. (Wilson here made reference to Rupert Sheldrake's morphogenesis theory.) This circuit is the connection of the individual's mind to the whole sweep of evolution and life as a whole. It is the part of consciousness that echoes the experiences of the previous generations that have brought the individual's brain-mind to its present level.

It deals with ancestral, societal and scientific DNA-RNA-brain feedbacks. Those who achieve this mutation may speak of past lives, reincarnation, immortality etc. It corresponds to the collective unconscious in the models of Carl Jung where archetypes reside.

Activation of this circuit may be equated with consciousness of the Great God Pan in his aspect of Life as a whole, or with consciousness of the Gaia, in which the biosphere is considered as a single organism.

Proponents of the Eight Circuit model believe that it is activated by 200-500 μg LSD, higher doses of peyote or psilocybin mushrooms, and by meditation.

The circuit, according to the model, first appeared among the Hindus in the early first millennium and later reappeared amongst Sufi sects.

Eighth Circuit

Leary referred to this as the Neuro-Atomic Metaphysiology and Wilson as the Non-Local Quantum Circuit. The eighth circuit is concerned with quantum consciousness, non-local awareness (information from beyond ordinary space-time awareness which is limited by the speed of light), illumination. Some of the ways this circuit can get activated are: near-death experiences, DMT, high doses of LSD and, according to Wilson, almost any dose of ketamine.

Leary's contribution

Leary stated that the theories presented in Info-Psychology "are scientific in that they are based on empirical findings from physics, physiology, pharmacology, genetics, astronomy, behavioral psychology, information science, and most importantly, neurology."

Leary called his book "science faction" or "psi-phy" and noted he had written it "in various prisons to which the author had been sentenced for dangerous ideology and violations of Newtonian and religious laws".

Although Leary propounded the basic premise of eight "brains" or brain circuits, he was inspired by sources such as the Hindu chakra system.

Leary claimed that among other things this model explained the social conflict in the 1960s, where the mainstream was said to be those with four circuits active and characterized by Leary as tribal moralists and clashed with the counter-culturists, who were then said to be those with the fifth circuit active and characterized as individualists and hedonists.

Leary's first book on the subject, Neurologic, included only seven circuits when it was published in 1973. Exo-Psychology, published in 1977, expanded the number of circuits to eight and clarified the subject. In it, he puts forward the theory that the later four circuits are "post terrestrial;" intended to develop as we migrate off this planet and colonize others. Once we begin space migration, according to Leary, we will have more ready access to these higher circuits. Exo-Psychology was re-published as revised by Timothy Leary with additional material in 1989 under the title Info-Psychology (New Falcon Publishing).

Other authors on the eight circuits

In chaos magic, the eight circuits are sometimes related to the eight rays of the symbol of chaos

Leary's ideas heavily influenced the work of Robert Anton Wilson. Wilson's 1983 workbook Prometheus Rising is an in-depth work documenting Leary's eight-circuit model of consciousness. Wilson's unproduced 1993 screenplay, Reality Is What You Can Get Away With, published as a book, uses and explains the model. Wilson, like Leary, wrote about the distinction between terrestrial and post-terrestrial life.

The 1987 Angel Tech by Antero Alli, is structured around the Eight-circuit model of consciousness, while his 2014 book The Eight-Circuit Brain expands on this material. Alli defines the word angel as "a being of light" and tech from the word "techne" meaning "art". The title is defined as "the art of being light". It includes suggested activities such as meditations and construction of Tarot card collages associated with each circuit and imprint.

The model is fairly prominent in chaos magic. It has been discussed in Chaotopia! by Dave Lee, a leading member of the chaos magic order the Illuminates of Thanateros, an order to which Leary and Wilson were granted membership.

Rolf Von Eckartsberg also appears to have been influenced by the model.

References

Leary, T. (1987). Info-Psychology. New Falcon Press, Los Angeles. Page xii
Leary, Wilson, Alli, et al. (1977-95)
Leary, T. (1987). Info-Psychology. New Falcon Press, Los Angeles. Seventh Printing, (2011). Page 16.
Alli, A. (2009). The Eight-Circuit Brain. Vertical Pool publishing, Berkeley, CA. Page 42.
Leary, T. (1979) Game of Life. New Falcon Publications. Phoenix, AZ. 2nd Ed. (1993). Pg. 48.
"Info-Psychology," Chapter 12, Timothy Leary, 1994, New Falcon Publications, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Wilson, R.A.(1983). Prometheus Rising. New Falcon Publications, Reno, NV. Twenty-first Printing, (2009). Pgs. 33-41.
Leary, T. (1979) Game of Life. New Falcon Publications. Phoenix, AZ. 2nd Ed. (1993). Pg. 4.
Karrer TM, Kim JZ, Stiso J, Kahn AE, Pasqualetti F, Habel U, Bassett DS. A practical guide to methodological considerations in the controllability of structural brain networks. J Neural Eng. 2020 Apr 9;17(2):026031. doi: 10.1088/1741-2552/ab6e8b. PMID 31968320; PMCID: PMC7734595.
Leary, T. (1979) Game of Life. New Falcon Publications. Phoenix, AZ. 2nd Ed. (1993). Pg. 86.
Leary, T. (1987). Info-Psychology. New Falcon Press, Los Angeles. Seventh Printing, (2011). Pg. 5.
Leary, T. (1977). Exo-Psychology. Starseed/Peace Press, Los Angeles. Pg. 14 not numbered
Leary, Timothy (September 6, 1977). "Exo-psychology : a manual on the use of the human nervous system according to the instructions of the manufacturers". Los Angeles : Starseed/Peace Press – via Internet Archive.
Wilson, R.A. (1990). Quantum Psychology. New Falcon Press, Tempe, AZ. Page 196-201
Prometheus Rising, pg. 47
^ Prometheus Rising, pg. 74
Prometheus Rising, pg. 96
Prometheus Rising, pg. 47-48
^ Exo-Psychology, table of contents
^ Quantum Psychology, pgs. 196-201
Wilson, R.A. Prometheus Rising (1983). New Falcon Publications, Tempe. Page 79.
"The grid of Circuits I and II creates four quadrants". Archived from the original on 2012-06-19. Retrieved 2012-06-01.
^ Wilson, R.A. "Prometheus Rising" (1983). New Falcon Publications, Tempe. Page 73.
Leary, T., "Neurologic" (1973). Starseed Publications, San Francisco.
Wilson, R.A., "Quantum Psychology" (1990). New Falcon Publications, Tempe. Page 198
Leary, T., "Neurologic" (1973). Starseed Publications, San Francisco. Page V-1.
^ Wilson, R.A. "Prometheus Rising" (1983). New Falcon Publications, Tempe. Page 41.
Wilson, R.A. "Prometheus Rising" (1983). New Falcon Publications, Tempe. Page 184.
Leary, T. (1977). "Neuropolitics". Starseed Peace Press, Los Angeles.
Wilson, R.A. Prometheus Rising (1983). New Falcon Publications, Tempe.
Wilson, R.A. (1990). Quantum Psychology. New Falcon Press, Tempe, AZ. Seventh Printing, (2003). Page 199-200
^ "CyberCraft Chapter 4". Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2012-06-01.
Quantum Psychology, pgs. 196-201
" Robert Anton Wilson - 8 Circuit Psychology 6/7 01/12/2018.
Info-Psychology, pg 8., seventh printing, 2011 or Info-Psychology, pg. 7, third printing, 1992
Info-Psychology, p7.
Leary, Timothy (1977). Exo-Psychology. Los Angeles: Starseed/Peace Press Inc. p. 103. ISBN 0-915238-16-0.
Alli, Antero. (1985) Angel Tech: A Modern Shaman's Guide to Reality Selection New Falcon Publications, Tempe.
Von Eckartsberg, R. (1981a). "Maps of the mind". In Valle, R. & von Eckarsberg, R. The metaphors of consciousness. New York: Plenum Press.
"Rolf Von Eckartsberg". www.earthportals.com.

Bibliography

This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (May 2010) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

Alli, Antero. Angel Tech: A Modern Shaman's Guide to Reality Selection, The Original Falcon Press; (1985) (Reprint - 2008). ISBN 978-1-935150-95-4.
Alli, Antero. The Eight-Circuit Brain: Navigational Strategies for the Energetic Body, Vertical Pool Publishing; (2009). ISBN 978-0-9657341-3-4.
Leary, Timothy. The Game of Life, (1979) (Second Edition, 1993), with contributions by Robert Anton Wilson. ISBN 9781561840502
Leary, Timothy. The Politics of Ecstasy, (1970) ISBN 1-57951-031-0
Leary, Timothy. Neurologic, 1973, with Joanna Leary.
Leary, Timothy. Exo-Psychology, 1977.
Leary, Timothy. Info-Psychology, New Falcon Publications, (1987) (Seventh Print, 2011), ISBN 1-56184-105-6.
Leary, Timothy. What Does WoMan Want?, (1976), 88 books.
"Leary's 8 Calibre Brain", Psychic magazine, (April, 1976).
Lee, Dave. Chaotopia!, Mandrake of Oxford. ISBN 1-869928-88-1.
Valle, R. & von Eckarsberg, R. The metaphors of consciousness. New York: Plenum Press.
Wilson, Robert Anton. Prometheus Rising, (1983), New Falcon Publications (Reprint - 1992). ISBN 1-56184-056-4.
Wilson, Robert Anton. Quantum Psychology, (1990). ISBN 9781561840717.
Wilson, Robert Anton. Reality Is What You Can Get Away With, (1992) (new introduction added, 1996).

External links

v t e Timothy Leary
Bibliography
Books	The Psychedelic Experience: A Manual Based on the Tibetan Book of the Dead (1964) High Priest (1968) Neurologic (1973) Flashbacks (1983)
Theories	Reality tunnel
Philosophy	Eight-circuit model of consciousness
Models	Interpersonal circumplex
Research	Harvard Psilocybin Project Concord Prison Experiment Marsh Chapel Experiment League for Spiritual Discovery
Communities	Zihuatanejo Project Millbrook
Music	Turn On, Tune In, Drop Out (1967 album) "Give Peace a Chance" (1969, vocals) You Can Be Anyone This Time Around (1970 album)
Collaborators	Ram Dass Ralph Metzner Robert Anton Wilson
Related	Set and setting Turn on, tune in, drop out Question authority Ego death Leary–Lettvin debate Leary v. United States "Tomorrow Never Knows" (1966 song) "Legend of a Mind" (1968 song) "Come Together" (1969 song) Return Engagement (1983 documentary) The Sekhmet Hypothesis (1995 book) Dying to Know: Ram Dass & Timothy Leary (2014 documentary) Joanna Harcourt-Smith Winona Ryder (goddaughter)

Robert Anton Wilson

Fiction

The Sex Magicians (1973)
The Illuminatus! Trilogy (1975)
Schrödinger's Cat Trilogy (1979)
Masks of the Illuminati (1981)
The Historical Illuminatus Chronicles (1982–1991)

Philosophical
and non-fiction

Playboy's Book of Forbidden Words (1972)
Sex, Drugs and Magick (1973)
The Book of the Breast (1974)
Neuropolitics (1978)
The Game of Life (1979)
Prometheus Rising (1983)
The New Inquisition (1986)
Natural Law, or Don't Put a Rubber on Your Willy (1987)
Ishtar Rising (1989)
Quantum Psychology (1990)
Everything Is Under Control (1998)
TSOG: The Thing That Ate the Constitution (2002)

Cosmic Trigger trilogy	Cosmic Trigger I: The Final Secret of the Illuminati (1977) Cosmic Trigger II: Down to Earth (1991) Cosmic Trigger III: My Life After Death (1995)

Plays and
screenplays

Wilhelm Reich in Hell (1987)
Reality Is What You Can Get Away With (1992)
The Walls Came Tumbling Down (1997)

Essays

The Illuminati Papers (1980)
Right Where You Are Sitting Now (1983)
Coincidance: A Head Test (1988)
Email to the Universe (2005)

Categories: