Spontaneous Cosmic Consciousness Experience: A Phenomenological Approach

The term 'cosmic consciousness' is used in two distinct ways: as a metaphysical fundamental or to name a mystical event, but it was originally popularized as a psychological state following such an event. Drawing on six people's reports of spontaneous cosmic consciousness, including the author's own, this article presents first-person accounts of both the mystical event and the subsequent state. It reviews the historical conflation of event and state, examines the phenomenology and conceptual structure of the experience, and suggests a paradigm form while considering 'enlightenment' and the role of psi.

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Abstract

The term 'cosmic consciousness' is mostly used either as an ontological fundamental in metaphysics or to name a mystical experience (event). It was first popularized as a psychological state, an evolutionary attainment following the event, while extension of the mystical experience over time comprises another state, for which the term is also used. Drawing on a personal journey of discovery involving six people's reports of spontaneous cosmic consciousness, including the author's own, this article starts with first-person accounts of the mystical event and state. Then, it reviews the origin of the event–state conflation, and goes on to consider some aspects of the experience and category as used. This includes comments on the phenomenology and conceptual structure of spontaneous cosmic consciousness experience, with the suggestion of a paradigm form along with consideration of 'enlightenment' and the place of psi.