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Internet Book of Shadows, (Various Authors), [1999], at sacred-texts.com
Memory, A Proposed New Model
We will be usinga chart based on a simplified model of Laser Holography
to look at the nature of consciousness and memory. This model will be
very simplified, but necessitate a brief layman's introduction to the
principles of physics involved in holography. It is no accident that
mystics and wise men of all ages have often spoken about certain aspects
of mental and spiritual activity, as well as knowledge in terms relating to
light. Please keep in mind that this is a MODEL only, and will fall far
short of expressing the true complexity of the subject.
Holographic Imaging Model of Consciousness
_____________
/ /|
/ / |
/____________/ |
Laser [reference] | | |
______ Prism [beam] | OBJECT | /
/ | coherent |-->->->->->->-| | /
/ |>=>=>=>=>=| |___________|/
|)=>=>=>=>=| / //
______| light |/ / //
// / //
[working beam] //
/ [reflected image]
// / //
/ //
_______ //_______ ____ ____
MIRROR SCREEN
The characteristic of a laser that makes it so useful is that it is
the source of "pure" or coherent light. "Normal" light is composed of
many frequencies which are all jumbled together and out of phase. Try
to picture the set of ripples generated in a still pool of water when just
one pebble is dropped in. All of the wave crests are equidistant and in
phase and highly regular, aren't they? This is analogous to laser light.
Now picture the same pool, only toss in a random handful of pebbles, the
results are quite different aren't they? This is analogous to "normal"
light.
The laser generates coherent light which enters a prism that splits
the beam in two: (1) the Reference Beam, and (2) the Working Beam.
The working beam is, in turn, reflected from a mirror and redirected back
to the object being illuminated. When the wave fronts of the two beams
collide on the surface, they create an "interference pattern" which is
reflected to the screen or photographic plate. This interference
pattern, when properly viewed, recreates the 3 dimensional image of the
original object.
At first look, one might well say: "O.K.,this works well for an
explanation of a laser light show, but what bearing does it have on the
operation and function of the human mind?" I see the symbolism in this
model as follows:
1) The coherent light is the "light" or conscious(ness) energy of the
Aether, sort of the "Universal Mind" if you will.
2> The Prism symbolizes two of the directional functions of the
"Higher Self; that of illuminating both the object form its own standpoint,
and of providing "light" (consciousness) for the Mirror.
3. The Mirror represents a function of the sub conscious mind in the
creation of "attention" or focusing of consciousness on the world.
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4. The Screen (photographic plate) is the storage mechanism/process
for what we call memory.
Therefore the Prism, Mirror, and Screen may all be used to symbolize
certain portions of the mind or mental processes in a human being.
Because the Prism, Mirror,and screen are a part of the individual and
unique to that individual, the actual "records" or memories (and
consciousness) of the same event or object will vary a great deal form one
individual to another. None of these functions exists in isolation from
the others, so there is a process of "feedback" going on at all times
between them. The nature of the recorded "images" will "color" and modify
both the prism and the mirror, thereby modifying the quqlity of all future
images, memories, or recordings. This is one of the reasons that memories
of past events can color or distort our present perceptions of reality so
thoroughly.
One of our tasks (many would call it a "Great Work") in our lifetime
is to try to "purify" or refine the quality of the Prism function, so that
the "light" that forms the "working beam" is as close to identical in
quality to the "reference beam" as possible. Some call this process tha
attaining of consciousness of the Higher Self. Another task is to "polish"
and learn control over the mirror function so that the reference beam may
be directed more precisely and with little or (ideally) no distortion upon
the objects/events of our attention. Yet a third task is to do our best to
perfect the recording mechanism of the screen, in order that the meory-
image be as faithful as possible to what was presented to it.
Another point worth keeping in mind at this point is that ALL
memories, no matter how distorted and/or "colored" are REAL to the
individual possessing those memories. This fact may well explain the
apparent anomaly of people suffering from PROVABLE no-existent abuse at an
early age. If a traumatic and non-understood (or misunderstood) event
occurs to an individual at an early age, the only recording will be one of
trauma and an individual can be easily "talked into" (by self or others)
putting that trauma into a frame of reference that can be presently
understood. The fact That a meory is misunderstood, distorted, etc., does
not make the any less "real" in their effect on the individual, and it must
be dealt with as such.
Another interesting point is that these "holgrams" or memory images
can cometogether in a synergy where the sum of the parts becomes greater
than the whole in a process of "constellation" (in Jungian terms) and form
whole "complexes" which take on a (seeming?) life of their own. If these
complexes are encouraged to grow and flourish, they can also be percieved
by (some) others as some sort of "other worldly beings" and can be further
fed and strengthened by others until they become Archetypal in nature.
This process could well be the cause of many of the "Angels" and "Demons"
of the Christian and other Pantheons.
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