Home News Seth Miller Papers
The Elements as an Archetyp... The Elements as an Archetype of Transformation: An Exploration of Earth, Water, Air, and Fire Master's Thesis, Consciousness Studies, JFK University, 2008
When Minds Won't Stay Put: ... When Minds Won't Stay Put: A Review of Andy Clark's Book Supersizing the Mind: Embodiment, Action, and Cognitive Extension
The Spiritual Matrix – An A... The Spiritual Matrix – An Anthroposophical Reading, Or: This Essay Is The Red Pill Part 1, Part 2 yet to be written
The Spiritual Matrix – An A... The Spiritual Matrix – An Anthroposophical Reading, Or: This Essay Is The Red Pill Part 1, Part 2 yet to be written
Physics, Metaphysics, and a... Physics, Metaphysics, and a Whiteheadian Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics: An Exploration Undergraduate Thesis in Philosophy at the Colorado College
Waking and Dreaming: Illusi... Waking and Dreaming: Illusion, Reality, and Ontology In Advaita Vedanta
Waking and Dreaming: Illusi... Waking and Dreaming: Illusion, Reality, and Ontology In Advaita Vedanta
Sleep and Dreams in Anthrop... Sleep and Dreams in Anthroposophy
The Cosmology of the Integr... The Cosmology of the Integral Yoga
The Cosmology of the Integr... The Cosmology of the Integral Yoga
Reflections on the Reflexiv... Reflections on the Reflexive Universe
Contemporary Life and the E... Contemporary Life and the Esoteric Path of Anthroposophy
Contemporary Life and the E... Contemporary Life and the Esoteric Path of Anthroposophy
Ibn al-‘Arabī and the Onene... Ibn al-‘Arabī and the Oneness of Being
The Elements as an Archetype of Transformation: An Exploration of Earth, Water, Air, and Fire
Master's Thesis, Consciousness Studies, JFK University, 2008
I propose that the alchemical cycle of the four elements Earth, Water, Air and Fire provides a useful and exact analogue for the processes of transformation of a wide variety of types, and as such can be considered an archetype. The elemental cycle is a potent symbol for a transformative, qualitative language (logos) which has the potential to guide human consciousness towards lawful, holistic engagement with essentially any phenomenon. When worked consistently, the elemental cycle leads us beyond ‘everyday’ modes of cognition to what could be called Imaginative, Inspirative, and Intuitive modes cognition. In these modes, thinking no longer takes place ‘about’ a phenomenon, but ‘with’, ‘through’, and ‘within’ phenomena. The elemental cycle provides a content, a method, and self-regulating feedback mechanisms for working with transformation, and can help engender a consciousness that can fruitfully dialogue with the interiority of the world by making it explicit. Its power lies in its ability to act as a template and guide for the structuring of human consciousness; it is a tool which makes available a coherent, archetypal patterning which can help guide and transform a human consciousness in healthy and practical ways. By making available new modes of consciousness, it helps us learn to see ourselves and the world in ways that allow for greater creativity and flexibility when faced with difficult or problematic situations. At the same time it illuminates and connects us with phenomena – both outer and inner – that might otherwise pass our notice.This essay comprises a detailed study of the nature of the elements and the elemental cycle, through which it is hoped the reader may gain a solid enough foundation to work experimentally with the elemental cycle independently if desired. Therefore, the cycle is introduced via a brief phenomenology of the individual elements, which are then connected, compared, and brought together to form a complete picture of the cycle. The breadth of applicability of the cycle is then explored through a series of specific instances that also serve to illuminate the qualities of the cycle itself. A report on third-party work with the elemental cycle provides complementary and contrasting experiences, while an in-depth review and application of the cycle to the nature of images opens up the complexities and demonstrates the recursive, self-generating quality of the cycle. Lastly, an introductory series of practical steps and specific exercises, advice, and questions for each elemental stage is provided to help the reader use the cycle independently. Download (.html)
When Minds Won't Stay Put: A Review of Andy Clark's Book Supersizing the Mind: Embodiment, Action, and Cognitive Extension
This essay critically reviews Andy Clark’s new book Supersizing the Mind: Embodiment, Action, and Cognitive Extension, in which he argues that there are circumstances in which the mind, properly considered, is found to supervene on not only the brain, but the body and the external environment as well. This review summarizes Clark’s major contributions to this viewpoint for the general reader, then raises a few critical points that help to contextualize Clark’s claims, aims, and methods, while highlighting the book’s strengths and weaknesses. Download (.html)
The Spiritual Matrix – An Anthroposophical Reading, Or: This Essay Is The Red Pill
Part 1, Part 2 yet to be written
This essay explores the Matrix trilogy of movies from the perspective of spiritual science. Close attention is paid to the actual events in the "text" of the movies, with an eye towards illuminating features concerning the major characters and plot elements in a coherent, symbolic, and mythological perspective. In particular the movies are shown to be uniquely understandable from the perspective of Steiner's anthroposophical insights concerning human evolution. Download (.html)
The Spiritual Matrix – An Anthroposophical Reading, Or: This Essay Is The Red Pill
Part 1, Part 2 yet to be written
This essay explores the Matrix trilogy of movies from the perspective of spiritual science. Close attention is paid to the actual events in the "text" of the movies, with an eye towards illuminating features concerning the major characters and plot elements in a coherent, symbolic, and mythological perspective. In particular the movies are shown to be uniquely understandable from the perspective of Steiner's anthroposophical insights concerning human evolution. Download (.html)
Physics, Metaphysics, and a Whiteheadian Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics: An Exploration
Undergraduate Thesis in Philosophy at the Colorado College
Whitehead died during the flurry of new discoveries from the quantum mechanics in the mid 1920's. He did not explicitly incorporate the new vision of the universe that was beginning to emerge from the scientific realm, but what if Whitehead were alive well into the 1990's? How would Whitehead deal with the radical shifts in worldview brought by the quantum mechanics - and in particular, the experimental verification of Bell's Inequality by Alain Aspect in the 80's? This essay attempts to explore these questions within a larger discussion concerning the relationship between physics and metaphysics. Download (.html)
Waking and Dreaming: Illusion, Reality, and Ontology In Advaita Vedanta
How do you know you are awake, and not just dreaming you are awake? The question is harder to answer than you may at first guess. This essay explores the question from the perspective of Advaita Vedanta, most specifically in reference to the Mandukya Upanishad with both Gaudapada's karikas and Shankara's commentary. Download (.html)
Waking and Dreaming: Illusion, Reality, and Ontology In Advaita Vedanta
How do you know you are awake, and not just dreaming you are awake? The question is harder to answer than you may at first guess. This essay explores the question from the perspective of Advaita Vedanta, most specifically in reference to the Mandukya Upanishad with both Gaudapada's karikas and Shankara's commentary. Download (.html)
Sleep and Dreams in Anthroposophy
An exploration of the stages of sleep, and the difference between waking and dreaming. The essay relates modern brain studies to anthroposophical insights to provide a unique perspective on sleeping and dreaming. Download (.html)
The Cosmology of the Integral Yoga
This paper contextualizes the need for holding a cosmological worldview, using the works of Brian Swimme and Thomas Berry as a foundation, then explores detailed and specific connections to the cosmology presented by Sri Aurobindo's Integral Yoga as an illuminative example. Download (.html)
The Cosmology of the Integral Yoga
This paper contextualizes the need for holding a cosmological worldview, using the works of Brian Swimme and Thomas Berry as a foundation, then explores detailed and specific connections to the cosmology presented by Sri Aurobindo's Integral Yoga as an illuminative example. Download (.html)
Reflections on the Reflexive Universe
A brief introduction and summary of Arthur Young's major work: The Reflexive Universe. Download (.html)
Contemporary Life and the Esoteric Path of Anthroposophy
An brief treatment of how the path of self-development offered by anthroposophy fits into contemporary Western life. I offer a brief contextual introduction, look into gurus and teachers, and explore anthroposophy in regards to its alternate name, spiritual science. Download (.html)
Contemporary Life and the Esoteric Path of Anthroposophy
An brief treatment of how the path of self-development offered by anthroposophy fits into contemporary Western life. I offer a brief contextual introduction, look into gurus and teachers, and explore anthroposophy in regards to its alternate name, spiritual science. Download (.html)
Ibn al-‘Arabī and the Oneness of Being
An introduction to the difficult but central Sufi concept of wahdat al-wujūd. Download (.html) Academia © 2008 FAQ About Contact Suggestions
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