Mind Over Matter: Exploring the City of the Mind, Part III

What if you could navigate your psychological landscape as easily as your hometown? Discover how altering the architecture of your inner world can transform your entire life experience.

This is the third of a three-part series, which starts here. In our first two installments, we explored the profound connection between our inner and outer worlds. We discovered how our mental landscapes shape our experiences and interactions with the world around us, and how various mental models and schemas can help us understand and redesign our inner worlds¹.

As I was researching indigenous stories for my startup, I came across a new one that has grown on me since I first read it last week. Beyond the great archetypes, which I’ll bookmark to explore in another post, there’s a deeper resonance. This story from the Haida people of the Pacific Northwest² is one of those ancient tales that gets at something deeper about how we experience the world around us.

In the beginning, the story goes, everything was pitch black. The universe was trapped in total darkness. That was, until Raven came along - a trickster spirit that had existed since the dawn of time itself. Raven, being smart and cunning, got pretty tired of all that unrelenting darkness after a while. So he went poking around, and discovered an old man who had selfishly locked away all the light in the cosmos inside a tiny box that he jealously guarded.

But Raven, always the clever one, devised a cunning plan. He transformed himself into a hemlock needle and allowed himself to be swallowed by the old man's daughter. Once inside her, he transformed again into a baby boy. When the old man saw the miraculous new child, he was overjoyed, and doted on "his grandson" relentlessly. Before long, Raven worked his charms and convinced the old man to finally open the forbidden box of light. As soon as he did, Raven burst forth, seized the light, and flung it across the heavens, creating the sun, moon, and stars to finally illuminate the world.

This Haida creation myth illustrates the profound transformation from a state of hidden knowledge to one of illuminated understanding — the opening of the third eye. This resonates with our exploration of perception and mental models. Just like Raven uncovered the light that had been locked away, we too are shedding light on aspects of our awareness that often go unilluminated - those more subtle and metaphysical modes of experiencing reality beyond the basic five senses.

The truth is, we possess many more senses that allow us to experience and interact with the world in a more holistic and nuanced way. The lesser-known senses, such as balance, proprioception, and intuition, reveal the interconnectedness of all things and invite us to explore the invisible, the subtle, and the mysterious.

Additionally, our metaphysical senses, including clairvoyance (clear seeing), clairaudience (clear hearing), clairsentience (clear feeling), and claircognizance (clear knowing), among others, offer us a deeper understanding of the world and our place within it. By acknowledging and honing these senses — even just hypothetically — we can tap into the subtle realms of existence, access higher states of consciousness, and experience the world in a more multidimensional and mystical way.

Considering the possibility of such expanded modes of awareness as a thought experiment helps widen our conceptual horizons. It invites us to consider:

• How might these expanded senses, if they were to exist, change our interaction with the world?

• In what ways do our beliefs and cultural backgrounds shape our perception of reality?

• Can we use these senses as methaphors to deepen our understanding of human consciousness and the subtler aspects of our experiences, even if we don't take them as literal truths?

By considering these questions, we can explore the possibilities of human perception beyond the limits of empirical science. This philosophical inquiry does not claim these senses as factual but encourages a broader exploration of how we define and experience reality. Such an approach respects both the empirical rigor of the scientific method and the depth of philosophical introspection, enriching our understanding of the human condition.

By acknowledging and honoring these additional senses, we can transcend the boundaries of our conventional perception and enter a realm where separation and duality dissolve. We begin to experience the world as a unified, undivided whole, where every aspect is interconnected and interdependent.

In this expanded perspective, we discover new possibilities for connection, understanding, and impact. We realize that our individual experiences are part of a larger web of life, and our perceptions, thoughts, and actions have a profound impact on the world. With this understanding, we can develop principles for living that honor our interconnectedness.

In the stillness of each breath, a world unfolds. This peaceful scene illustrates interconnected inner and outer worlds. As we tend to our thoughts, beliefs, and emotions, we create a reality that reflects the depth and serenity of our inner journey. On this path of conscious living, every inner transformation ripples out, subtly reshaping the world around us, and filling our lives with peace, introspection, and beauty.

Here are some possible principles to consider, along with practical applications (see self-questions in the footnote³):

Embrace Interconnectedness: Recognize that every aspect of your inner and outer world is connected and influencing each other.

• Practice mindfulness and meditation to cultivate awareness of your thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations

• Recognize the impact of your actions on the environment and make sustainable choices

• Volunteer for a cause that resonates with you, recognizing that your actions impact the greater good

• Engage in community activities that foster connection and understanding among diverse groups

• Practice empathy and active listening to support others in your personal and professional life

Cultivate Holistic Awareness: Develop your awareness of the additional senses and explore how they inform your understanding of the world.

• Learn to listen to your intuition and trust your instincts

• Pay attention to your dreams and explore their symbolism

• Explore practices like yoga, tai chi, or qigong to develop body awareness

• Learn about social and environmental issues affecting your community and the world

• Explore practices like compassion meditation to cultivate love and kindness towards all beings

• Recognize the interconnectedness of all living things and make choices that promote harmony

Practice Integration: Seek to integrate your inner and outer worlds, recognizing that they are not separate entities.

• Set boundaries and prioritize self-care to maintain inner balance, recognizing that this enables you to serve others more effectively

• Engage in creative activities that bring you joy and fulfillment, sharing your talents with others

• Practice self-compassion and acknowledge your emotions, recognizing that this allows you to approach others with empathy and understanding

Embody Wholeness: Embrace your entire being, including your physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects, and strive for balance and harmony.

• Prioritize physical health through nutrition, exercise, and rest, recognizing that your well-being enables you to serve others

• Develop emotional intelligence through self-awareness and empathy, supporting others in their emotional journeys

• Cultivate mental clarity through meditation and mindfulness, making intentional choices that benefit the greater good

• Nurture spiritual growth through reflection and connection with something greater, recognizing your place in the larger web of life

Live Consciously (Consciousness): Make intentional choices that reflect your understanding of the interconnectedness of all things.

• Make intentional choices that align with your values and goals, considering how your actions impact others

• Practice gratitude and appreciation for life's blessings, recognizing the abundance that allows you to share with others

• Take responsibility for your actions and their impact, making amends when necessary and learning from mistakes

Embrace the Fluid Boundary (Flow): Recognize that the boundary between your inner and outer worlds is fluid and permeable, and explore the possibilities this offers.

• Explore practices like lucid dreaming or astral projection to expand your consciousness

• Explore practices like loving-kindness meditation to expand your circle of compassion

• Engage in activities that challenge your perceptions and biases, recognizing the value of diverse perspectives

• Cultivate a sense of curiosity and wonder, embracing the unknown and the beauty of difference

Develop Inner-Outer Resonance: Cultivate a deep sense of resonance between your inner and outer worlds, allowing you to navigate life with greater ease and harmony.

• Practice journaling or reflection to align your thoughts and emotions, considering how your inner world impacts your outer actions

• Engage in activities that bring you joy and fulfillment, sharing your passions with others

• Cultivate a sense of inner peace and calm, recognizing that this enables you to approach others with clarity and compassion

Some possible practical applications of these principles include:

• Engaging in creative activities to cultivate joy and fulfillment

• Learning a new skill or hobby to challenge yourself and expand your perceptions

• Practicing self-care and setting boundaries to maintain inner balance

• Starting a mindfulness practice to reduce stress and increase self-awareness

• Joining a community garden to promote sustainability and connection

• Volunteering at a local soup kitchen or food bank

• Mentoring or coaching someone who could benefit from your expertise

• Engaging in environmental activism or conservation efforts

• Practicing random acts of kindness and generosity

• Supporting causes that promote social and environmental well-being

From roots to leaves, a journey of connection, awareness, integration, unity, consciousness, flow, and resonance. Embrace the harmony within and around you.

As we integrate our inner and outer worlds, we become more whole, more compassionate, and more conscious. This integration allows us to see the world as a unified, undivided whole, where every aspect is interconnected and interdependent.

The journey itself is the destination. Just as regular practices help our physical bodies stay healthy and resilient, these principles are mental and spiritual ways of being that empower us to face life's challenges with greater intention and ease.

May you find within these principles a way to nurture a life of energy, purpose, and fulfillment. And may we co-create a world that reflects our deepest values of unity, love, and harmony.

Thank you for exploring this path with me.

1. Existential Meta-Psychology, the subject of this blog post, combines existentialism, phenomenology, and Jungian psychology into a holistic view of human consciousness and reality. Existential meta-psychology explores the dynamic interplay between our inner experiences and external realities, illustrating how deeply our subconscious constructions affect our day-to-day lives.

2. The Haida are an indigenous people who have traditionally occupied Haida Gwaii, an archipelago just off the coast of British Columbia, Canada, for at least 12,500 years.

3. Principles Questionnaire: This questionnaire is designed to help you reflect on your current practices and perspectives, and identify areas for growth and development. It can be used as a tool for personal reflection, journaling, or discussion with others.

Embrace Interconnectedness

1. How do you recognize the connection between your thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations?

2. How do your actions impact the environment and the greater good?

3. How do you engage in community activities that foster connection and understanding among diverse groups?

Cultivate Holistic Awareness

1. How do you listen to your intuition and trust your instincts?

2. What practices help you develop body awareness and explore your additional senses?

3. How do you stay informed about social and environmental issues affecting your community and the world?

Practice Integration

1. How do you prioritize self-care and set boundaries to maintain inner balance?

2. How do you engage in creative activities that bring you joy and fulfillment?

3. How do you practice self-compassion and acknowledge your emotions?

Embody Wholeness

1. How do you prioritize physical health and well-being?

2. How do you develop emotional intelligence and support others in their emotional journeys?

3. How do you cultivate mental clarity and spiritual growth?

Live Consciously

1. How do you make intentional choices that align with your values and goals?

2. How do you practice gratitude and appreciation for life's blessings?

3. How do you take responsibility for your actions and their impact?

Embrace the Fluid Boundary

1. How do you explore the possibilities of your expanded senses and consciousness?

2. How do you engage in activities that challenge your perceptions and biases?

3. How do you cultivate a sense of curiosity and wonder?

Develop Inner-Outer Resonance

1. How do you align your thoughts and emotions through reflection and journaling?

2. How do you engage in activities that bring you joy and fulfillment?

3. How do you cultivate inner peace and calm?

Additional Questions

1. What practices or activities help you cultivate a sense of unity and interconnectedness with the world?

2. How do you see the principles outlined above influencing your daily life and interactions with others?

3. What changes or shifts have you experienced as a result of exploring these principles?