The art of Andrew D. Chumbley (1967-2014), who was a professional writer, artist, scholar and theorist of the occult was and is an inspiration to my current, past and future theological studies. I love to see how religion affects the mind, especially since small areas of science are actually developing explanations for spiritual experiences which is called neurotheology. It is a branch of theology and neurotheology, and the sole purpose of it is to explain and support the theory and belief that religious experiences are of a biological origin. I have written a short article on the importance of occult practices in the inducement of and control of these spiritual experiences:
"To deny religion is to deny the possible sciences and histories behind it. Science may also never find any evidence of supernatural beings because they are claimed to be immaterial; therefore, since science explains the observable, material and organized world through our artifices and through quantifiable data, it is easy to assume that even if these spirits existed science would not be able to prove or disprove the belief or existence of spiritual creatures. However, this should not act as evidence against or for science. Both would be absurd. Science and religion are two faculties of logical understanding of this realm unseparated by humanity, for it will never go so long as we are here. There is a connection between the two that can be explored via occultism; a controversial and demonized aspect of spirituality, disaproved of by both scientist and religious clergy. Deemed as heresy and witchcraft so long ago, it is unsurprising that most occultist are hidden from today's general society. Some religious scholars and practitioners dismiss occultism by claiming it isn't a reality and that the practice is a bastardization of a certain religious laws. The scientist claims that the occult isn't a reality and thus it is seen aa a bastardization of certain scientific laws; however, nuerotheologist attribute religious experiences to biological phenomenon. It is then hypocritical for both the rationalist and religious person to deny occultism as a viable religious and psychological event and therefore, the religious woman or man cannot claim that the occult is, by religious law, bad. For it facilitates the human faculties needed to experience and express religious states of mind, and the scientist can no longer dismiss the occult and witchcraft as mere superstition, due to the experiences being purely biological in nature. Religion and science is just two seperate, yet whole, ways of understanding the universe around you, even if religion is technically wrong.
There is more to this realm than mere logic and religion; and such things as the occult, psychedelics and meditation may allow us to explore this inner mysterium: the arcane contrivances of the human mind. We perceive everything with our mind based upon our perception of our reality; therefore, the world is a reflection of our perceived views of the world in which we reside. Our mind can percieve, therefore the world is our mind. The occult is a visible manifestation of the silence that speaks to us all, a direct metaphor and manipulation of the very device used to perceive the world that we, as humans, wake up to. It is also, at its secondry core, the first core being an exploration of the psychological make-up of the ipsiety of the man or woman, the manifestation of belief; the manifestation of the metaphorical religious symbology of the mind." (Written in my, "Junior Year Journal")
Some archaic rituals, who's history is too old to be traced currently is said by some who perform it to activate certain primitive functions of the brain, which exhibit themselves in the form of paranoia and very rarely psychosis. The ritual is known by men and women called, "Toadsmen," or "Toadswomen." It is a rite that can only be performed once you have been granted permission from a sign or omen, usually found in a dream. The ritual allows the Toadsman or woman to gain the Toad Bone Amulet, which claims to help you control animals, man and other forces of nature. Whatever the validity of these claims, it is believed by these practitioners that as the bone ages, it loses its power and thus you lose the power it granted you. This means that you have to repeat the ritual, and when asked about it if one should do the ritual for these powers, the person who has done it may reply, "Don't, for you won't be able to sleep at night."
Practitioners have been known to lie and cheat their way out of certain things, and such the aspects of paranoia may as well be a lie to scare away any given person from acquiring these perceived powers. These Toadsmen, as a result of the ritual, usually die young; and they die a violent death at that. Andrew D. Chumbley has written about the topic before, and the rite is so old that it was recorded by Pliny the Elder. Since he did die of an asthma attack at the age of 37, it may be easily assumed that he himself had done the ritual to gain the power of the Toadbone.
This doesn't seem like science to you, does it?
Well, that's where neurotheology comes in. Why do these practitioners experience forms of paranoia as a result of the ritual, what is the science behind the belief in the power to control humans and animals? Is it a metaphor or symbol for a concept much deeper; which, is possible because most occultists speak for the experience of all humans and thus it could be a code or allegorical representation of something beyond normal human comprehension. There are a lot of changes the brain undergoes by repeating certain actions such as prayer, meditation and even just looking at memes before you go to bed. Is it possible that occultist are somehow changing the way their brain thinks and reacts to the world through the rituals that they do? These are just some of the questions neurotheologist need to ask in order to fully comprehend the rational and logical explanations for spirituality and other various religious experiences that many people go without in their lives.
Andrew believed that witchcraft (beyond the scope of the original purpose, vis-a-vis healing ailments and diseases thought to have come from supernatural forces), and the occult was a way to manifest true belief into the world around us. Whether you take this literally, or you think it is just a bunch of bunk really depends on your view of the world and the potential for these practices to have a rational explanation, or impact on your life or not. Science and religion, like perception in general, is subjective; meaning, each and every person will believe, perceive and practice different forms of truths. For, in reality, there is no, "One Truth," to everything, just individual truth. Even if his acquaintances who are still alive today do not agree with what I am saying, I think that is fine. You have the right to disagree with me, but this is my view: There is an irrational explanation for everything so long as a rational explanation exist. Spirituality is used as an enhancement of the human organism and devoting yourself to spiritual practice with an open, unbiased mind can help to create profound changes in the mind.
I assure you, however, that neurotheology may not recognize the beautiful effects and defects of ritual practice on the mind, but even with my limited knowledge of neurology, I can tell you that daily meditation and practice has amazingly drastic effects on the mind, for good or ill depending upon how and why you practice.
The brain sees tools as an extension of yourself. So when you are writing, your brain perceives the pencil as a part of you; after all, the brain evolved to control your body, not your tools. So the brain made your tools become your body. This topic was explored in Nicholas Carr's book, "The Shallows: What the Internet is Doing to Our Brain," the author explains and this in better detail. If this does not convince you, remember that the brain is plastic meaning that it changes based on our actions and behavior. So even if the occult does not have any rational explanation, it is clear to assume that over a long period of time it can, in fact, change the way one's mind works.
No comments:
Post a Comment