Consciousness Might Be Explained By Multiple Personality Disorder
The idea that our sentience may be the product of a conscious universe experiencing itself is not a new one – in fact, it’s the central philosophy behind more than one religion, i.e. Hinduism, Buddhism. But now, a paper published by philosopher Bernardo Kastrup, has laid out a convincing argument to reconcile this idealist theory with dissociative identity disorder (DID), otherwise known as multiple personality disorder.
Those suffering from DID exhibit at least two disparate personalities experiencing reality through distinctly separate lenses, despite inhabiting the same physical body. These personas, known as “alters,” can sometimes be completely unaware of each other’s being, compartmentalizing their lives and essentially leading parallel existences.
Scientists discovered that DID sufferers’ various alters can affect attributes of the body to the point that brain functions will literally change when a new personality takes over. For instance, EEG tests showed that the region of the brain associated with vision actually shut down while a blind alter took over a patient’s body. When a sighted alter took over, that region of the brain resumed normal function.
It’s undoubtedly difficult to lead a normal life if you suffer from DID, but if it’s possible for this level of dissociation, in which multiple personalities with their own sense of individual self can occupy a single psyche, then what’s to say that an analogous mechanism isn’t at work in the relationship between our individual consciousness and a greater universal consciousness?
Kastrup likes to call this universal consciousness “mind at large,” and he describes our relationship with it like the essence of a tree. Our individual psyches branch off in their own directions, but at their roots beneath the soil, they grow out of a greater individual organism. And the reason we’re unable to see that connection is due to that layer of soil, or what Kastrup refers to as the obfuscation of our collective consciousness.
Maybe a better example of this can be seen through the individual neuron in the brain; a microscopic cell that receives, processes, and transmits information through electrical and chemical signals. There are billions of individual neurons throughout the brain, connected through dendrites and axon fibers, which pick up small bits of data to transfer and inform the greater organ as a whole.
Our individual consciousness is much like an individual neuron in the brain, receiving, processing, and transmitting data between other neurons within synapses and neural circuits, informing the greater whole we call society and humanity. This comparison is even more intriguing when you compare images of a simulated map of the known universe with the brain cells of a living being; the similarities are uncanny.
Kastrup is a staunch opponent of the materialist view that our mind is a product of the brain. This view says that the physical world, or matter, is the fundamental substance of nature, and that it dictates reality. It says our minds, and subsequently our consciousness, can be reduced to the product of predictable, physical interactions in the brain, explained through metrics such as mass, momentum, charge, and spin.
But materialism has an irresoluble issue, known as the hard problem of consciousness; that these metrics used to define matter can’t be applied to our subjective experience of reality. We have no universal measurement to describe the way something makes us feel. Try explaining the color red or the happiest you’ve ever felt – qualia prevent our consciousness from being defined by these standards.
And according to Kastrup, any attempt to solve the hard problem of consciousness by viewing consciousness as the product of our reality is futile. Conversely, viewing reality as the product of our consciousness makes the hard problem of consciousness a moot point. You can’t prove that this reality exists without consciousness, and if we continue to try to argue this point we find ourselves trapped in circular reasoning.
There’s no consciousness in our body/brain system, our body/brain system is in consciousness. Our brain is a second-person perspective of a first-person experience. These are Kastrup’s intrinsic tenets.
When we look back at the cosmos, or our reality, we’re observing the universe’s mental processes outside of our own individual alter. Our lives are a dissociative process of the universe’s consciousness and everything we see is simply another dissociative process of the mind at large.
Has Kastrup’s monistic idealism solved the hard problem of consciousness or simply sidestepped it?
Watch the documentary Conscious States of Dying in which Stanislav Grof discusses various cultures’ perspectives on our state of consciousness after death:
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What Are Indigo Children and How to Identify Them?
Indigo children are special beings with a unique and powerful spiritual mission. They are attributed with deep intuition and psychic abilities that make them stand out. In this article, we explore in detail what indigo children are, where the concept comes from, and how to recognize them.
Table of Contents
- What Are Indigo Children?
- History and Origin of the Concept
- 13 Indigo Children Signs
- Types of Indigo Children
- Challenges and Common Issues of Indigo Children
- How to Identify an Indigo Child
- Differences Between Indigo, Crystal, Rainbow, and Diamond Children
What Are Indigo Children?
Indigo children are considered a new generation of human beings with a greater spiritual connection and a clear mission to transform society. This concept originated from the observation of certain children born from the 1970s onward, who showed a unique combination of abilities and characteristics that clearly set them apart from their peers. They are called “indigo” because of the predominance of indigo blue in their aura.
These children often stand out for their high emotional sensitivity, creativity, and strong intuitive abilities. They are believed to be old souls who have the mission to challenge established norms and promote positive change in the world. Their purpose is to pave the way for a more just, peaceful, and harmonious society by questioning and transforming outdated societal structures.
The mission of indigo children comes with significant challenges. Their deep sensitivity and perception allow them to see and feel the injustices and imbalances of the world very intensely, which can lead them to experience frustration and disappointment when they encounter resistance to change. However, their determination and sense of purpose drive them to move forward and fulfill their mission.
History and Origin of the Concept
The term “indigo child” was popularized by parapsychologist and author Nancy Ann Tappe in the 1970s. Tappe observed that many children born from that period had a predominantly indigo-blue aura, which led her to develop the theory that these children had special spiritual characteristics and missions. According to Tappe, these children possessed a higher consciousness and were destined to change the course of humanity.
Over time, the idea of indigo children expanded and was adopted by various spiritual and metaphysical schools of thought. In the 1990s, the books by Lee Carroll and Jan Tober contributed significantly to the spread of this concept. The authors described a series of traits and behaviors that identified these children and suggested that their purpose was to lead a global shift toward greater spiritual and social awareness.
Today, the concept of indigo children remains an important part of many spiritual communities and has expanded to include the later generations of crystal and rainbow children, each with their own characteristics and specific missions in the spiritual evolution of humanity.
13 Indigo Children Signs
Indigo children exhibit distinctive characteristics that reflect their spiritual mission and purpose in the world. Below are the most common traits that characterize these unique beings:
Core Traits
- Spiritually inclined: From an early age, they feel a connection to something greater. They sense they have a special mission.
- Empathy and sensitivity: Indigo children are deeply affected by the emotions of others, often absorbing the feelings of those around them. Their heightened sense of empathy can lead to emotional overwhelm in situations with negative or intense emotions.
- Sense of purpose: They are confident that they are here for an important reason. This conviction drives them to act with confidence.
- Connection with animals and nature: They feel an innate bond with animals and the natural world, preferring the company of animals over people and finding peace in natural environments.
- Strong will and independence: They are rebellious and skeptical of established norms. Their inclination to question authority and established rules challenges the structures they consider unjust.
- Creativity and intuition: They combine their artistic talent and intuition to bring their visions to life. Their creativity flows from a deep sense of inner knowing, allowing them to inspire others and often foresee events.
- Need for justice and coherence: They possess a strong sense of fairness and feel a need to bring balance and truth to the world. They are often moved to fight for causes they believe are right.
Behavioral Patterns
- Agents of change: They seek to transform outdated structures. They are drawn to topics related to social justice, ecology, and human rights, promoting new ways of thinking and living.
- Sense of not belonging: They often feel different from their peers. They may experience a sense of isolation.
- Intense passion: Their energy and fervor are driving forces for change. They can be overwhelming but also highly motivating.
- Boredom and discomfort: They feel restless and disconnected in environments that don’t stimulate them intellectually or emotionally.
- Desire for adventure and travel: They have an innate desire to explore new places and experience different cultures to better understand the world.
- Difficulty in the classroom: They may feel frustrated by rigid structures or a lack of intellectual stimulation, often preferring independent or experiential learning.
Types of Indigo Children
There are different types of indigo children, each with a particular set of abilities and approaches to fulfill their mission on Earth. These types reflect the diverse ways in which indigo children can influence the world.
- Artists: They use their creativity to inspire and raise awareness in others. Their art often carries deep and transformative messages.
- Conceptuals: Focused on innovating and improving systems, they seek more efficient and fair ways to organize society. They are often inventors and strategic thinkers.
- Humanists: They have a deep desire to help others and improve humanity. They work in fields such as education, healthcare, and human rights.
- Interdimensionals: They possess advanced psychic abilities and a profound spiritual connection. They can act as bridges between dimensions and offer new perspectives on reality.
Challenges and Common Issues of Indigo Children
Indigo children, due to their sensitivity and unique worldview, face several challenges in daily life. One of the most common issues is the frustration they feel when confronted with systems and structures they consider unjust or ineffective. Their desire to change the world and the resistance they encounter often lead them to experience high levels of stress and disappointment.
Additionally, their tendency to question authority and established norms can lead to conflicts with authority figures, such as parents and teachers. This rebelliousness, although an integral part of their mission, can result in behavioral problems and difficulties in structured environments like school. Indigo children may feel misunderstood and isolated because of their different perspectives and values.
Another significant challenge is feeling overwhelmed by their own emotions and those of others due to their high emotional sensitivity. They often have great empathy and an innate ability to perceive the emotions of others, which can result in anxiety, depression, or even physical symptoms such as headaches or digestive issues. It is important that indigo children receive emotional support and tools to manage their sensitivity in a healthy way.
How to Identify an Indigo Child
Identifying an indigo child can be a subtle task that requires observing certain distinctive behaviors and attitudes. A significant indicator is their inclination to question authority and established rules. From an early age, these children show a deep need to understand the reasons behind rules, rejecting the idea of accepting something simply because “that’s the way it is.”
Another way to identify them is through their interests and passions. Indigo children are often drawn to topics related to social justice, ecology, and human rights. They may express a strong desire to make the world a better place and actively seek ways to contribute to these changes—whether through art, writing, or activism.
Additionally, paying attention to their emotional sensitivity and intuition can be revealing. They often have great empathy and an innate ability to perceive the emotions of others. This deep emotional connection may manifest in their concern for the well-being of others and in their tendency to feel overwhelmed by their own emotions and those of others in emotionally charged environments. Recognizing and supporting these qualities can help parents and educators better understand and nurture an indigo child.
Differences Between Indigo, Crystal, Rainbow, and Diamond Children
Indigo, crystal, rainbow, and diamond children represent different spiritual generations, each with their own characteristics and specific missions. Indigo children began to emerge in the 1970s. They are known for their strong sense of purpose, rebelliousness, and desire to transform outdated social structures. Their energy is intense, and their mission is to pave the way for greater awareness and justice.
Crystal children appeared mainly in the 1990s. They are recognized for their peaceful and gentle nature, and for their ability to heal and connect deeply with others. Unlike indigo children, crystal children bring a calm energy and aim to promote harmony and peace in the world.
Rainbow children began to be born in the new millennium, around the 2000s. They possess vibrant and joyful energy, with great creativity and adaptability. Their mission is to balance and bring joy, acting as a bridge between past and future generations. They are highly intuitive and have an innate ability to forgive and show compassion.
Finally, diamond children are the most recent generation, beginning to emerge around 2008. They have an extremely high spiritual connection and an innate ability to manifest their desires and create new realities. They are visionaries with advanced psychic abilities, and their mission is to help humanity reach a higher state of consciousness.
