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Cosmic Consciousness: A Study in the Evolution of the Human Mind
This work is the magnum opus of Bucke's career, a project that he researched and wrote over many years. In it, Bucke described his own experience, that of contemporaries (most notably Whitman, but also unknown figures like "C.P."), and the experiences and outlook of historical figures including Buddha, Jesus, Paul, Plotinus, Muhammad, Dante, Francis Bacon, and William Blake. Bucke developed a theory involving three stages in the development of consciousness: the simple consciousness of animals; the self-consciousness of the mass of humanity (encompassing reason, imagination, etc.); and cosmic consciousness - an emerging faculty and the next stage of human development. Among the effects of this progression, he believed he detected a lengthy historical trend in which religious conceptions and theologies had become less and less fearful. A classic work.
344 pages, Paperback
First published November 30, 1900
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About the author
Richard Maurice Bucke
117 books27 followersDr. Richard Maurice Bucke, M.D. (McGill University, 1862) was a psychiatrist, adventurer, and mystic, whose work on what he called "cosmic consciousness" (borrowing from the poet Edward Carpenter) came to form part of the underpinning of transpersonal psychology. He was among the founders of the Medical School of the University of Western Ontario, and was elected to the English Literature Section of the Royal Society of Canada in 1882.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
April 4, 2025
EIGHT MILES HIGH -
AND WHEN YOU TOUCH DOWN,
YOU’LL FIND THAT IT’S
STRANGER THAN KNOWN.
The Byrds
Doctor Richard M. Bucke, a 19th century psychiatrist who had a decisive influence on Walt Whitman’s version of Nature Mysticism, may have been seriously led astray by his own patients.
Let me explain.
I believe some very compassionate psychiatrists hold such a high degree of empathy for their patients that they symbiotically assimilate their quirks.
Happened to me - in reverse - in the nineteen eighties.
The doctor who gave me my monthly prescribed dosage of tranquilizers actually began to emulate my tastes in music and reading.
Patient-psychotherapist identification is a two-way street, perhaps.
What is perceived as intellectual acumen in a patient is often, as in my own case, symptomatic of an overcharged brain.
But to an unwary observer it can be perceived as brilliance.
Rapid-fire neurones tend to jump synapses. And I cut logical corners:
You see, I just couldn't face my buried trauma.
I needed to be stopped dead in my tracks...
Not encouraged.
Doctor Bucke seems to have fallen into the same trap.
The director of a Southern Ontario mental asylum in the mid-1800’s, he seems to have empathetically written down some patients’ madcap mystical meanderings and included them in this anthology, cheek and jowl alongside more literary accounts of such inner voyages.
But seriously, doctor.
OK, let’s go back to that psychedelic anthem, Eight Miles High. That was ME, when I gained admission to hospital for evaluation - 50 years ago.
Now, when a patient eventually “touches down,” the reason that it all becomes “stranger than known” to him is probably that, like me, he has formed in isolation a new subconscious “director” for his mental patterns.
And it’s a rum thing indeed when your mind has been turned topsy-turvy by fright - and your SUBCONSCIOUS IS IN CHARGE OF YOUR CONSCIOUS LIFE.
In the fear of isolation, that’s what happens when you try to explain the origin of your fear -
Cause you search for the origin in your subconscious angry Daemon. Not in your buried childhood, where it all started.
Jung said this subterranean consciousness is of a highly primitive nature, and its answers come in mythic archetypes. Our new spiritual director is in actuality the archetype of our newly-formed Daemon. Mere gut feel.
And brute anger.
And HE’LL play the tune. A loony tune, you can be sure!
So later, when you first look for the truth in esoteric beliefs, you’d better watch your step! You've now got an axe to grind, my friend.
***
So at the end of that pleasant stay, I woke up, and flew OVER the cuckoo’s nest - seeing the trap. Sober as a judge.
The jittery-minded among us will know enough to avoid this book.
But more jejune readers would be well-advised, if they start it, to take it with more than one grain of salt!
I know, it makes for fascinating reading...
Just don’t BELIEVE its stories:
For the REAL spiritual path is a long, tough haul indeed.
And is Entirely a CONSCIOUS SEARCH...
So NEVER look for Easy, Paradisal And Sketchy Answers:
In your dark subconscious Daemon.
AND WHEN YOU TOUCH DOWN,
YOU’LL FIND THAT IT’S
STRANGER THAN KNOWN.
The Byrds
Doctor Richard M. Bucke, a 19th century psychiatrist who had a decisive influence on Walt Whitman’s version of Nature Mysticism, may have been seriously led astray by his own patients.
Let me explain.
I believe some very compassionate psychiatrists hold such a high degree of empathy for their patients that they symbiotically assimilate their quirks.
Happened to me - in reverse - in the nineteen eighties.
The doctor who gave me my monthly prescribed dosage of tranquilizers actually began to emulate my tastes in music and reading.
Patient-psychotherapist identification is a two-way street, perhaps.
What is perceived as intellectual acumen in a patient is often, as in my own case, symptomatic of an overcharged brain.
But to an unwary observer it can be perceived as brilliance.
Rapid-fire neurones tend to jump synapses. And I cut logical corners:
You see, I just couldn't face my buried trauma.
I needed to be stopped dead in my tracks...
Not encouraged.
Doctor Bucke seems to have fallen into the same trap.
The director of a Southern Ontario mental asylum in the mid-1800’s, he seems to have empathetically written down some patients’ madcap mystical meanderings and included them in this anthology, cheek and jowl alongside more literary accounts of such inner voyages.
But seriously, doctor.
OK, let’s go back to that psychedelic anthem, Eight Miles High. That was ME, when I gained admission to hospital for evaluation - 50 years ago.
Now, when a patient eventually “touches down,” the reason that it all becomes “stranger than known” to him is probably that, like me, he has formed in isolation a new subconscious “director” for his mental patterns.
And it’s a rum thing indeed when your mind has been turned topsy-turvy by fright - and your SUBCONSCIOUS IS IN CHARGE OF YOUR CONSCIOUS LIFE.
In the fear of isolation, that’s what happens when you try to explain the origin of your fear -
Cause you search for the origin in your subconscious angry Daemon. Not in your buried childhood, where it all started.
Jung said this subterranean consciousness is of a highly primitive nature, and its answers come in mythic archetypes. Our new spiritual director is in actuality the archetype of our newly-formed Daemon. Mere gut feel.
And brute anger.
And HE’LL play the tune. A loony tune, you can be sure!
So later, when you first look for the truth in esoteric beliefs, you’d better watch your step! You've now got an axe to grind, my friend.
***
So at the end of that pleasant stay, I woke up, and flew OVER the cuckoo’s nest - seeing the trap. Sober as a judge.
The jittery-minded among us will know enough to avoid this book.
But more jejune readers would be well-advised, if they start it, to take it with more than one grain of salt!
I know, it makes for fascinating reading...
Just don’t BELIEVE its stories:
For the REAL spiritual path is a long, tough haul indeed.
And is Entirely a CONSCIOUS SEARCH...
So NEVER look for Easy, Paradisal And Sketchy Answers:
In your dark subconscious Daemon.
January 9, 2013
I liked this book. However, it is only for a certain few; Writen by man and centered on men throughout history. This book was written in the begginning of the 20th century so I believe it needs updating. There is some great truth between the pages and there is so much yet to discover and enjoy. Women do not be discouraged we are currently on the rise and will always persevere. This book can be for open minded women who are interested in understanding the ideas of cosmic conciousness. Remember that the Women's Rights Movement only just started around the time this book was written.
Women we are like books that have been ignored for far too long, take the book of your life off the shelf, read it, and proclaim your life to the world because it is the 21st century and we now have the power to shine!!!
Women we are like books that have been ignored for far too long, take the book of your life off the shelf, read it, and proclaim your life to the world because it is the 21st century and we now have the power to shine!!!
June 20, 2009
The pioneering book on enlightenment episodes
This study is from the early days of the psychiatric profession when its practitioners could still write seriously of spiritual and mystical matters without being ostracised or ridiculed as "unscientific." Briefly, the author personally experienced a sudden episode of enlightenment and rapture that, while it was only of brief duration, changed his outlook on life forever. He spent the rest of his life, he was in his mid-thirties at the time, trying to figure out what had happened to him, and if there were any others.
What he found was that such sudden occurances of enlightenment, these epiphanies, had been occuring to mystics, philosophers, writers, and artists all through recorded history. Not only that, but they were occuring with increased frequency as time went on. Bucke concluded that this marked an evolutionary trend. Carried out to its logical conclusion, he postulated that one day "cosmic consciousness" as he termed it, would be as common in the human race as self consciousness currently is. He based this on the manner in which the ancestors of man slowly climbed from the simple consciousness of animals to an almost universal state of self consciousness.
Having experienced a simular event in my mid-thirties (remember, it happens to varying degrees), I found this book to be immensely personally relevant- as it has proven to be to many of us for over one hundred years now.
This study is from the early days of the psychiatric profession when its practitioners could still write seriously of spiritual and mystical matters without being ostracised or ridiculed as "unscientific." Briefly, the author personally experienced a sudden episode of enlightenment and rapture that, while it was only of brief duration, changed his outlook on life forever. He spent the rest of his life, he was in his mid-thirties at the time, trying to figure out what had happened to him, and if there were any others.
What he found was that such sudden occurances of enlightenment, these epiphanies, had been occuring to mystics, philosophers, writers, and artists all through recorded history. Not only that, but they were occuring with increased frequency as time went on. Bucke concluded that this marked an evolutionary trend. Carried out to its logical conclusion, he postulated that one day "cosmic consciousness" as he termed it, would be as common in the human race as self consciousness currently is. He based this on the manner in which the ancestors of man slowly climbed from the simple consciousness of animals to an almost universal state of self consciousness.
Having experienced a simular event in my mid-thirties (remember, it happens to varying degrees), I found this book to be immensely personally relevant- as it has proven to be to many of us for over one hundred years now.
June 21, 2009
This book gets five stars because of pages 1-82. The rest of the book may not be worth reading, but it doesn't need to be because it's all there in the first part. Do read those pages.
March 26, 2024
my conceptual mind has rated this book five stars.!!
i am reading this book together with other self help books on writing (The right to write, The Four agreements ,Write Great Fiction: Plot & Structure and Solace in Sorrow . i read this about a year ago (the online pdf version on my computer) and did not come to complete it, due to collegiate commitments(Professional accounting) then i recently started it all over again, (now with a note book on the side jotting notes and direct fascinating citations).
I am reading this because i diametrically love reading and i am not diametrically opposed to the postulates of cosmic consciousness. I yearn to attain it. as the book says we have four distinct stages of the intellect namely : 1. perceptual mind 2. receptual mind.3 conceptual mind 4. intuitional mind .
This book is great for a want to be believer , cosmic consciousness shows that the universe is GOD and that GOD is the universe and that no evil ever did or will ever enter into it.. i did not quite comprehend the section of devolution to self consciousness however i earnestly hauled with my reading, i am particularly overwhelmed by the prospect of Brahamic bliss and the citation of happiness by Behmen , Whitman, Carpenter, Dante , with all the sorrows in the world it is unfathomable that " earthly language is entirely insufficient to describe what joy and happiness and loveliness contains in the inner wonders of God .
100 pages done a great read so far.
i am reading this book together with other self help books on writing (The right to write, The Four agreements ,Write Great Fiction: Plot & Structure and Solace in Sorrow . i read this about a year ago (the online pdf version on my computer) and did not come to complete it, due to collegiate commitments(Professional accounting) then i recently started it all over again, (now with a note book on the side jotting notes and direct fascinating citations).
I am reading this because i diametrically love reading and i am not diametrically opposed to the postulates of cosmic consciousness. I yearn to attain it. as the book says we have four distinct stages of the intellect namely : 1. perceptual mind 2. receptual mind.3 conceptual mind 4. intuitional mind .
This book is great for a want to be believer , cosmic consciousness shows that the universe is GOD and that GOD is the universe and that no evil ever did or will ever enter into it.. i did not quite comprehend the section of devolution to self consciousness however i earnestly hauled with my reading, i am particularly overwhelmed by the prospect of Brahamic bliss and the citation of happiness by Behmen , Whitman, Carpenter, Dante , with all the sorrows in the world it is unfathomable that " earthly language is entirely insufficient to describe what joy and happiness and loveliness contains in the inner wonders of God .
100 pages done a great read so far.
April 27, 2021
I absolutely loved this book. We need to pick up Bucke's research in the 21st century. There are holes, yes, but for being over a hundred years old this spoke to me like a friend. For all interested in universal concepts, phenomenology, divine light, Walt Whitman, William Blake, and overcoming the fear of death by a new understanding of evolution. This book made me feel optimistic for the first time in awhile, and it has nothing to do with the delusion of faking it until you make it.
October 8, 2007
Classic study of people who experienced out-of-the-ordinary consciousness....Fascinating
October 3, 2019
An early Western treatise on the evolution of human consciousness to a higher spiritual plane. Published in 1901, Bucke's magnum opus exudes faith in human reason and potential, and is unashamedly positive in its view of humanity's future. This perspective, still riding high on the rationalist impulses of enlightenment thought, is what makes the book a compelling alternative to more recent literature on consciousness expansion. Bucke is more sober in his analysis of religious experience, as he predates the accumulated hocus-pocus and create-your-own-reality thinking that has been clogging the field over the past half-century. The data points in Burke's study are the lives of men and women who report having experienced a state of cosmic consciousness, which is marked by a radical reinterpretation of one's assessment of life. A few of the hallmarks of this transformation include the abolition of the fear of death due to a felt sense of the indestructibility of consciousness, and the apprehension of a greater cosmic order, among other things. Some are historically inferred examples, beginning with the obvious ones (Christ, Buddha), proceeding to some less obvious ones (Francis Bacon, Balzac), and concluding with Burke's contemporaries, including both luminaries like Walt Whitman and Edward Carpenter, as well as anonymous individuals leading ordinary lives who volunteered their cases to assist in Burke's research. The book is delightful for its insights and conclusions, and also for the dated turns of phrase that ally it so firmly with 19th century thought and rhetoric, despite its early 20th century publication date.
March 13, 2012
Bucke's book is an interesting attempt to tie evolutionary theory to expanded states of consciousness (that James also noted in his "Varieties of Religious Experience"). Bucke's thesis is that life has moved from simple (animal) consciousness to self-consciousness (human reflective), and is now moving toward cosmic consciousness. The latter, at this time exhibited by only a few individuals who he references, is characterized by a feeling of living in eternity now and by moral elevation. There's a strong religious overtone associated with this consciousness and experience of "Brahmic Splendor."
Bucke attempts to make a bit of science about this by saying that this expansion of consciousness, which is really a phenomenon quite different than human self-consciousness (i.e., not its extension), occurs more in men than women, in ones later 20s to early 40s, during the spring and summer months, and is more characteristic of Aryan races (Bushmen and native Austrailians are not capable). This cosmic state is not supernatural or supernormal (at end of the book he indicates that if he had more time and room he would have explored miracles, and sensible connections with others and perhaps higher spirits, and cases where man directs powers outside of himself). Rather, Bucke is outlining the psychogenesis of humankind where, in time, this cosmic capacity will form a new race of people that will "possess the earth."
Somehow, the idea of moral and cosmic elevation seems inconsistent with supernova explosions. Looking from the perspective of modern cosmology such as it might be understood (e.g., humans as part of earth; earth as part of the solar system; sun as part of a moderate sized galaxy; our galaxy part of a cluster of galaxies; that cluster part of a super cluster of galaxies; etc.), it is not that hard to wonder whether there might be some alternative explanations to the phenomena that Bucke puts forward. Does the "love thy neighbor" principle that Bucke sees in some of his examples refer to human kind or to just one's tribe? Bucke quotes extensively from Buddhist literature but at least one historian (Durant) argues that Buddha himself was not involved with another world as opposed to those who followed him and developed the canonical literature (e.g., "His conception of religion was purely ethical; he cared everything about conduct, nothing about...metaphysics or theology." "...what is Nirvana? It is difficult to find an erroneous answer to this question; for the Master left the point obscure, and his followers have given the word every meaning under the sun."). More than a few others have claimed cosmic visions but were dismissed as nutcases, so why one and not another? Exactly what kind of visionary was Plotinus? Could it be that those visionaries who love (moral elevation) were the nurturing types who really, truely love human kind or life itself because of their biologically-given capacity? Do people create their leaders because of their need for father figures ("saviors")? Whitman, one follower Bucke quotes, could hear the grass grow and the leaves leaf. Such were his powers, as seen by revering followers.
At the end of the book, Bucke talks about the perspective of inducing such consciousness by artificial means (e.g., alcohol, drugs). This might be a clue as to the right line of question to pursue. What, biochemically, explains expansive cosmic states? Bucke talks about levitation as an example of the type of phenomenon that seems related to cosmic consciousness. I think such a phenomenon as that (along with ghosts and spirits) is widespread and wonder how it might be explained by alternatives other than the one put forward by Bucke.
Bucke attempts to make a bit of science about this by saying that this expansion of consciousness, which is really a phenomenon quite different than human self-consciousness (i.e., not its extension), occurs more in men than women, in ones later 20s to early 40s, during the spring and summer months, and is more characteristic of Aryan races (Bushmen and native Austrailians are not capable). This cosmic state is not supernatural or supernormal (at end of the book he indicates that if he had more time and room he would have explored miracles, and sensible connections with others and perhaps higher spirits, and cases where man directs powers outside of himself). Rather, Bucke is outlining the psychogenesis of humankind where, in time, this cosmic capacity will form a new race of people that will "possess the earth."
Somehow, the idea of moral and cosmic elevation seems inconsistent with supernova explosions. Looking from the perspective of modern cosmology such as it might be understood (e.g., humans as part of earth; earth as part of the solar system; sun as part of a moderate sized galaxy; our galaxy part of a cluster of galaxies; that cluster part of a super cluster of galaxies; etc.), it is not that hard to wonder whether there might be some alternative explanations to the phenomena that Bucke puts forward. Does the "love thy neighbor" principle that Bucke sees in some of his examples refer to human kind or to just one's tribe? Bucke quotes extensively from Buddhist literature but at least one historian (Durant) argues that Buddha himself was not involved with another world as opposed to those who followed him and developed the canonical literature (e.g., "His conception of religion was purely ethical; he cared everything about conduct, nothing about...metaphysics or theology." "...what is Nirvana? It is difficult to find an erroneous answer to this question; for the Master left the point obscure, and his followers have given the word every meaning under the sun."). More than a few others have claimed cosmic visions but were dismissed as nutcases, so why one and not another? Exactly what kind of visionary was Plotinus? Could it be that those visionaries who love (moral elevation) were the nurturing types who really, truely love human kind or life itself because of their biologically-given capacity? Do people create their leaders because of their need for father figures ("saviors")? Whitman, one follower Bucke quotes, could hear the grass grow and the leaves leaf. Such were his powers, as seen by revering followers.
At the end of the book, Bucke talks about the perspective of inducing such consciousness by artificial means (e.g., alcohol, drugs). This might be a clue as to the right line of question to pursue. What, biochemically, explains expansive cosmic states? Bucke talks about levitation as an example of the type of phenomenon that seems related to cosmic consciousness. I think such a phenomenon as that (along with ghosts and spirits) is widespread and wonder how it might be explained by alternatives other than the one put forward by Bucke.
September 12, 2009
I am having trouble taking this book seriously. Many of the things are so outdated. I don't agree with some of his postulates. For example, he says children do not have a sense of music and I know from raising 3 children that they all developed a sense of music quite early. Some of the ideas are things I have already developed in my own belief system. The idea that humanity is developing from a baby to an adult as a person does is very fascinating to me. But I think he takes much of his argument for granted without giving much real scientific evidence. This may be because it was first published in 1901
9/12/09 I did enjoy reading some of the experiences but the summary he put at the end of each one was very annoying. I will keep this book and may use it as a reference.
9/12/09 I did enjoy reading some of the experiences but the summary he put at the end of each one was very annoying. I will keep this book and may use it as a reference.
October 14, 2015
A classic book, original C1901 Many spiritual experiences which average 4 stars; and Doctor Bucke adds his Buddhist evaluations which I disagree with mostly, so 1 star. However, there are some spiritual experiences therein which are 5 stars or better ! You may find this book online, free to read, or buy a newer reprint or re-publication.
The spiritual experiences that I highly identify with are all in PART V
Chapter 8 Blaise Pascal (my favorite) Vision of God and Jesus Christ as One Divine Light
Chapter 13 Evangelist Charles G. Finney In the Spirit Presence of Jesus Christ
Chapter 29 C.M.C. A profound, multiple experience of God above and within, Christian perspective
Chapter 30 M.C.L. An unique Vision of Jesus Christ.
The spiritual experiences that I highly identify with are all in PART V
Chapter 8 Blaise Pascal (my favorite) Vision of God and Jesus Christ as One Divine Light
Chapter 13 Evangelist Charles G. Finney In the Spirit Presence of Jesus Christ
Chapter 29 C.M.C. A profound, multiple experience of God above and within, Christian perspective
Chapter 30 M.C.L. An unique Vision of Jesus Christ.
February 23, 2025
Written at the end of the 19th century before the subject was even vaguely in vogue and following a momentary period of higher consciousness he experienced himself, Bucke, a physician, undertook an extensive study of such persons as Moses, Jesus, Mohammed, Buddha, etc. from almost a physiological or clinical perspective. The hypothesis he presents provides a very plausible evolutionary mechanism that credibly explains the conditions these persons experienced, that does not see their experiences as exclusive, their teachings, being recorded by others notwithstanding, as infallible or precluding others from having comparable experiences.
November 3, 2019
Good historical book on awakening/ or Jung's rebirth or as Bucke describes Cosmic Consciousness. The funny part was that this book was written in 1901 and the author was very optimistic about the future. Whereas it turned out that the 20th century was probably the most violent in history with the Holocaust, two world wars, the creation, and usage of the nuclear bomb, and we left our grounding center (Earth) to travel to space. Evolution comes with positivity and negativity, the dualistic nature of being.
His Cosmic Consciousness evolution is described more in detail with Jung's Collective Unconscious.
His Cosmic Consciousness evolution is described more in detail with Jung's Collective Unconscious.
September 10, 2010
Such an important early effort (c. 1900) at identifying individuals who have evolved their consciousness to an extraordinary (even superhuman) degree. Bucke abstracts the procedures used to achieve transformation. Some few distractions (e..g., a long-winded speculation on the identity of Wm. Shakespeare & Francis Bacon) do not diminish the value of the book as a whole.
Read
July 13, 2016primary sources are cool, Plotinus is awesome.
Bucke also has some really weird interpretations and furthermore spends many pages analyzing Shakespearean sonnets under the belief they are both addressed to "The Cosmic Sense" and were furthermore written by Francis Bacon
overall interesting and lengthy read
Bucke also has some really weird interpretations and furthermore spends many pages analyzing Shakespearean sonnets under the belief they are both addressed to "The Cosmic Sense" and were furthermore written by Francis Bacon
overall interesting and lengthy read
June 1, 2021
An Old Friend
This book was once required reading in classes I took on the road to ministry. It fascinated me, as I had extraordinary experiences and did not know so many others did also. I do not agree with all he says, but I think this book is important for all endeavoring to walk The Way.
This book was once required reading in classes I took on the road to ministry. It fascinated me, as I had extraordinary experiences and did not know so many others did also. I do not agree with all he says, but I think this book is important for all endeavoring to walk The Way.
April 15, 2021
If nothing else, this book points like an encyclopedia to great men - not so much in the terms of traditional history, but moral. And in such, we can see that the path to a better world comes not in dogmatic determination, but a path that is universal and without ideological prejudice.
February 1, 2013
Wonderful and brilliant explanation of the mystical experiences. Various individuals and their experiences explored. This is one of the most important books in my library.
Read
April 18, 2020I am ayurvedic practioner. Cosmic consciousness is essential for humanity
December 10, 2019
Okay, this is an interesting work. Burke is a pretty regular psychologist back in the day in Canada, like way back in the day though, we’re talking 1800s and in his carriage on the way back from a poetry reading with his buddies he has a full on mystical experience (as soon as he realizes that his coach isn’t actually on fire) he goes pretty frantically for the next couple of years reading whatever works and texts on mysticism he can get his hands on, which admittedly in his day is still quite a meager number and with a fair mix of racism, sexism, historical inaccuracy, early science and wishful data smudging he concocts his elaborate evolutionary, psychological theory of mysticism, how as a species we’re moving from unconsciousness to cosmic consciousness. He goes on to set markers and characteristics of the onset of cosmic consciousness in individually and after laying out his theory of evolution, showcases the people have achieved said consciousness. If you skip to the end and read his reflections on mysticism and religion you won’t be disappointed.
If you like books like this you'll love my project:
http://youtube.com/c/seekersofunity?s...
If you like books like this you'll love my project:
http://youtube.com/c/seekersofunity?s...
September 22, 2023
A psychiatrist's take on enlightenment, something he personally experienced. He proposed that this illumination of the mind was spreading and predicted it would be the world religion in the following decades. He wrote in 1905, so things didnt really turn out like he saw them. Its fun and interesting to see a scientist talk about mysticism and woo, before academia turned them all stiff.
Also fun to read the short spiritual biographies of some of the great artists and prophets of world history.
Also fun to read the short spiritual biographies of some of the great artists and prophets of world history.
September 4, 2024
For Christians, this book will be too New-Agey. For atheists, this book will be too spiritual woo-woo nonsense. But in essence, it's short biographies of people throughout history who have represented divinity on earth. In this way, it ends up being a guide to comparative religion and will leave you considering being more open-minded by the beliefs you've held up till now. As someone who has gone through some of the experiences outlined, I tend to think the author is more on the money than perhaps even he realised.
Currently reading
June 22, 2022I was excited to read about spirituality but thus far in the book the author has argued that the "Aryan race" is superior intellectually to "savage" and "negro races." I recognize that during the time and context when the book was written these ideas were commonly accepted in the West but it's quite jarring to read and makes me question whether it's worth it to read the rest of the book.
not-read
August 20, 2022Bucke was thirty-one years old when his son was born.
His son died by accident at thirty-one years old.
Bucke died by accident a little over two years later.
He slipped on some ice, hit his head, and never woke up.
Cosmic Consciousness begins with a dedication to his son.
Bucke had no doubt that he would be with his son again.
His son died by accident at thirty-one years old.
Bucke died by accident a little over two years later.
He slipped on some ice, hit his head, and never woke up.
Cosmic Consciousness begins with a dedication to his son.
Bucke had no doubt that he would be with his son again.
April 24, 2022
Awe Inspiring
The author diligently tracks the spiritual evolution of the human race up to the time ofi t's publication. A must read for anyone on a spiritual path and interested in the the psychological evolution of mankind.
The author diligently tracks the spiritual evolution of the human race up to the time ofi t's publication. A must read for anyone on a spiritual path and interested in the the psychological evolution of mankind.
January 12, 2021
Praise da Lordie
March 13, 2024
This is all just ancient garbage pseudoscience that glorifies Walt Whitman way too much.
December 16, 2025
Carrie 1976
Found this book by watching Carrie (1976) and the Dewey Decimal System talk about following a rabbit down a hole- verified all my “beliefs “
Found this book by watching Carrie (1976) and the Dewey Decimal System talk about following a rabbit down a hole- verified all my “beliefs “
January 12, 2019
This book really resonated with me on multiple levels. The structure of the book is clear, message is direct and the implications are vast. Really recommend it to all the people interested in the true nature of the cosmic consciousness.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews