Cosmic Consciousness: A Study in the Evolution of the Human Mind

_Cosmic Consciousness: A Study in the Evolution of the Human Mind_, first published in 1901 and republished by Arkana books, by Richard Maurice Bucke, M.D., is a classic investigation of the development of man's mystic relation to the infinite. Richard Maurice Bucke was a Canadian psychiatrist (or "alienist") who served as the head of an asylum for the insane. Bucke had little formal education and during his youth had traveled to the West where he lost a foot due to frostbite. Bucke became a doctor of medicine after putting himself through medical school and won many awards as a psychiatrist. After hearing of the poetry of Walt Whitman (particularly his "Leaves of Grass"), Bucke underwent a profound change and devoted much of his time to mystical matters. His first book was dedicated to Whitman, and Whitman plays a unique role in this book as well. In 1872, Bucke experienced an Illumination (which he took to be glimmerings of "cosmic consciousness") which led him further into his researches into mysticism. Furthermore, Bucke was long fascinated by the question of the authorship of the works of Shakespeare and long maintained that Francis Bacon was the real author of the Shakespeare plays and poems. This book came to have an important influence on later generations of mystical writers, including the Russian mathematician and philosopher P. D. Ouspensky, the American psychologist and philosopher William James, and the British writer on mysticism Evelyn Underhill. Throughout this book, Bucke maintains that a new form of consciousness is developing in man (that of "cosmic consciousness"), that this form of consciousness is as different from man's normal consciousness as "self consciousness" is from "simple consciousness", and that this development is part of an evolutionary process (Bucke bases much of his theory on the writings of Charles Darwin).This book begins with a dedication to Richard Maurice Bucke from his father, following the death of his son. Following this a brief introduction to "The Man and the Book" by George Moreby Acklom appears. The first section of this book is entitled "First Words" and is dedicated to expounding Bucke's theory of cosmic consciousness. Bucke writes, "Cosmic Consciousness, then, is a higher form of consciousness than that possessed by the ordinary man." Bucke distinguishes between what he terms "simple consciousness" (possessed by the upper half of the animal kingdom; consciousness of oneself, one's body, and thing's around oneself), "self consciousness" (the consciousness in man in which one becomes aware of oneself as a distinct entity from all the rest of the universe), and "cosmic consciousness" (a consciousness of the cosmos accompanied by feelings of illumination, joyfulness, elevation, and moral exaltation). Bucke contends that this new form of consciousness is developing in man, just as self consciousness developed out of simple consciousness through the process of evolution. Bucke goes on to explain various instances of cosmic consciousness, accompanying processes, and relates it to God, Christ, Nirvana, and Brahmanic splendour. The second section of this book is entitled "Evolution and Devolution". Here, Bucke traces the development from simple consciousness to self consciousness (as animals progressed to man). Bucke makes several interesting observations, including particularly noting that the ancients apparently had fewer words for colors than modern man does (perhaps indicating an evolutionary development in color consciousness). Bucke also provides a chart showing the development of the levels of consciousness (and their apparent proportion of occurrence in the general population). Bucke also mentions the idea of "devolution" (noting the prevalence of insanity and "idiocy" as instances of this). The third section of this book is entitled "From Self Consciousness to Cosmic Consciousness". Here, Bucke notes the various accompanying phenomena of cosmic consciousness (including that of moral elevation), the rarity of cosmic consciousness, the fact that instances of it are apparently increasing (since the beginning of recorded history), the fact that it is more likely to occur in men than women, and the fact that it tends to occur at the age of full maturity. The fourth section of this book is entitled "Instances of Cosmic Consciousness". Bucke maintains that the following individuals experienced definite instances of cosmic consciousness (and uses the increasing frequency of such cases to argue for his evolutionary theory): Gautama the Buddha (called "Nirvana"), Jesus the Christ (Bucke maintains that Jesus was a man; called "the Kingdom of God"), Paul (called "Christ"), Plotinus, Mohammed, Dante (called "Beatrice"), Bartolome Las Casas, John Yepes (Saint John of the Cross), Francis Bacon (Bucke maintains that Bacon was the real author of Shakespeare's plays and poems and quotes extensively from them to "prove" this), Jacob Behmen (the Teutonic Theosopher), William Blake, Honore de Balzac, Walt Whitman (Bucke quotes extensively from his "Leaves of Grass" believing Whitman to be among the highest levels of cosmic consciousness so far produced in man), and Edward Carpenter. The fifth section of this book is entitled "Additional - Some of Them Lesser, Imperfect And Doubtful Cases" and details some additional cases of cosmic consciousness, though of a lesser or more doubtful degree. Bucke mentions here various authors, poets, writers, and prophets known to him as well as a few cases from individuals that he personally met or corresponded with. The sixth section of this book is entitled "Last Words". Here, Bucke expounds upon some other instances of cosmic consciouness, again details his evolutionary theory, and explains why it is necessary for the individual so illuminated to be of the right mental and physical physique.In this book, Bucke provides a unique study of the mystical phenomenon and its apparent increase among members of the human race. As with many scientists from the Victorian era, Bucke was perhaps too wedded to the ideas behind evolutionary theory and the notion of progress. Indeed, Bucke maintains that with the coming development of cosmic consciousness a new social order will be made possible, echoing many of the socialist theories popular at the time. Nevertheless, this book played a very important role in furthering our understanding of mysticism, our sense of the cosmos, and the attempt to study it using scientific methods. Bucke's work would be carried on by later thinkers and researchers who were to reference repeatedly in their own studies of mysticism.

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.

Cosmic ConsciousnessThis book is not what I expected. I purchased it because I had heard it influenced Steve Jobs.This book could have been condensed to a 100 pages book, and the author could have referred the reader to the different writings of the people listed in the book. Instead, large sections are just lifted from their writings and then the analysis is completed by the author. The book is also very repetitive. . .The author is also a bit racist, but obviously, it was a different time. He believes an indicator of cosmic consciousness is a higher level of mental illness in specific races like Caucasians. Because he believes African Americans don't show indicators of mental illness, so they are less evolved consciously and will not experience cosmic consciousness. Yikes. A very poor argument considering African Americans tended, and still tend, not to seek medical help for mental illnesses due to stigma; but also because of poor experiences with the medical field (e.g. experimentation). And, he contradicts himself a lot and fails to take into account other historical accounts. For example, he lists Alexandar Pushkin as an example of cosmic consciousness. Pushkin was likely part African which was discussed in a Russian literature course that I took years ago, but it is also fairly visible if you look at one of his pictures.He also deifies Walt Whitman to a higher level than Gautma, Christ, Mohammad, Paul, you name it. I like Whitman as much as the next person and believe him to have been enlightened to a higher degree than most people, but the writer took it a bit too far. . .It might be worth it just to read the list of the indicators of cosmic consciousness and the chapters on Francis Bacon, whom the writer believed was Shakespeare (and he gives a compelling argument), and the chapters on Whitman and Carpenter. But that is where it ends. Most of the chapters just weren't that great.

This book was a remarkable study for it's time, written in 1905. It should be read by every theology and psychology student in college, who wants to understand deeper levels of consciousness. It is simple study in some ways and uses a simple method. Our methods and editing would make this a much different book today and would include woman and many authentic Indian saints of recent days past. (e.g. Autobiography of a Yogi). However for it's time, it' s a remarkable book. He at one place writes that the Indian yogi techniques are not legitimate...but did the author ever even travel to India? I assume not, whereas he would have been on a ship for months to cross the ocean. He did very well in light of his information. However, these days, there are many who have reached this state of Cosmic Consciousness...including sadhus in the Himalayas and some ordinary house-holders who don't advertise their level of spiritual development, and a few rare gurus (although most now have not reached this state!). I would of liked the author to tell the reader about his own interest in this topic and spiritual experiences but he does not mention it and focuses instead on other's experience.

A complicated book and difficult to read partly because of its style and language ( early 20th cent) and also because of its overtones of racialism. However, if one can accept that the author was writing in and of his times then it has a lot to offer to anyone studying this . subject.We know a lot more now and new discoveries are being made everyday, the author was genuinely trying to understand and put out as clearly as his knowledge, and the time in which he lived, allowed.Comparing it with what we know now, and what is available in books, lectures, and teaching, it was amazing in his time and must have caused quite a stir among his colleagues.D.Ashcroft-Nowicki

Bucke covers the subject with great authority and it has become a classic in the field of consciousness studies. But it is not a lively book that engages you. It has a certain dryness of the academic book. It is more a reference book for those who are doing research on the subject. I just remembered owning it years ago and having given it away I thought to re-acquire it.

An insight into 19the century millenialism....be prepared or some racist pseudo-science.

Very interesting book and I would highly recommend it to anyone.

Thank you