A
New Model of the Universe: Principles of the Psychological Method in Its
Application to Problems of Science, Religion and Art – P.D. Ouspensky (1929)
SUN RA Reading List
This is the second book off of Sun
Ra’s Reading List that I have read so far. Both are profound, and complex
works attempting to attack and explain vastly different subjects. Whereas the first book, The Two Babylons, was one man’s exploration of the sources and
roots of Roman Catholic ideology and imagery back through time to perhaps the most
ancient human civilization we know of, this book is an attempt to explain what
countless mystics, theologians, and schools of thought have been unable
to. In this text, P.D. Ouspensky sets
out to provide us fellow humans a way into the ideas and knowledge that have
been kept “Hidden” or as “Mysteries” throughout human existence. It is a deep dive indeed.
This is a long and complex
work. It contains various sections
written by Ouspensky at various times in his life. There are parts where the author discusses
his own life, and the experiences and events that led him to explore what many
ignore, or consider unknowable. This led
him to learn about religions, cults, esoteric groups, secret teachings, and the
Mystery Schools, even going so far as traveling worldwide to learn from those
they call Masters in remote lands.
Ouspensky is not your typical seeker, as he is very well-versed in
science, human psychology, and the human mind’s neurological activity, at least
as well-versed as a layman could be in the late 19th/early 20th
century. He is constantly questioning
his experiences, and relates how many “seekers” latch onto the first
realization/epiphany they experience, never pushing forward to deeper truths.
Ouspensky begins the book by
discussing what modern society (his world in the 1890-1920 period) believed or
sought to understand about esotericism.
He details the various sidetracks that people slid into in their search
for hidden knowledge, including the lies and chicanery practiced by the
Spiritualists of that era. He explains
that the true esoteric knowledge is knowledge about the world we all share that
is only suitable or understandable by a select few, who need to have prior
training or study to even comprehend these things. He details how modern society has no place
for these mysteries, leaving many to believe ridiculous lies and dogma because
they have no access to the actual truths.
He then proceeds to explore the concept
of the 4th dimension, time, and how it applies to our existence. Much like Einstein did, Ouspensky seeks to
understand the metaphysical implications of a four-dimensional world. Similar to the tale Flatland, Ouspensky
starts with a point in space (0 Dimension) and shows how that point moving in
time creates a line (1 Dimension). A line,
being 1D can move in two ways in time.
Along its length, the line gets longer.
However, if the line moves in time perpendicularly equal to its length,
then that line becomes a square (2 Dimensions).
If that square moves in time perpendicular to itself you end up with a
cube (3 Dimensions). We live in this
seemingly 3 Dimensional world. The trick
part is, how do we conceive of a square, seemingly solid, moving perpendicular
to itself to create a 4 Dimensional figure?
How does that figure then move perpendicular to itself to create a 6
Dimensional figure? It is a very heady
topic.
Subsequent chapters explore the idea of
a “super” man as it has been handed down through time. This is not an extra-powerful man, but a man
that has transcended this 3rd Dimension in his mind, and become a 4
Dimensional being, without the usual intellectual issues and emotional failures
that humans naturally possess. Per
Ouspensky, history provides us with examples of these ascended humans, such as
Gautama Buddha, and Jesus of Nazareth.
Due to this, Ouspensky spends a good amount of time on what the Christ
story actually means, and why the New Testament is a radically different sort
of text than the Old Testament. His
claim is that the Gospel stories are disguised metaphors for the journey a
human must make to transcend this 3D existence or materiality, and gain a new
existence (a rebirth/reincarnation) as an enlightened 4 Dimensional being.
Ouspensky goes on to explore at depth
that various systems that humans have used to understand, teach, and sometimes
to disguise, sacred wisdom. He analyzes
the Tarot and its imagery, the four systems of Yoga, Dreams and the claims of
Hypnotism. The author then spends some
time detailing his own personal journey into what he calls Experimental
Mysticism, the active exploration of the mind, and his results are surprisingly
lacking in gullibility. This leads to
what he titled the book, which is a New Model of the Universe. This new model is intended as an exploration
of what the new quantum and relativity sciences imply for our existence, hidden
dimensions, and how we will evolve in the future.
For someone writing nearly 100 years
ago, I found Mr. Ouspensky to have a very modern mind, cynical when it is
needed, open when it is important, and willing to explore side streets and
backwaters in search of truth. This is a
good example for others to follow. I am confident
that much of what P.D. Ouspensky has written is closer to the “truth”, if there
is any truth to actually be found, than most any other work of esoteric wisdom
I have come across. It makes sense why
this book resonated with Sun Ra enough for him to include it in his lesson
plans.
(You can download and read this book in PDF form here: http://www.baytallaah.com/bookspdf/78.pdf )
