View source for Eight-circuit model of consciousness

{{from wikipedia}}
The '''eight-circuit model of consciousness''' is a hypothesis by [[Timothy Leary]], and later expanded on by [[Robert Anton Wilson]] and [[Antero Alli]], that "suggested eight periods [circuits] and twenty-four stages of neurological evolution".<ref>Leary, T. (1987). Info-Psychology. New Falcon Press, Los Angeles. Page xii</ref> The eight circuits, or eight "brains" as referred by other authors, operate within the human nervous system, each corresponding to its own imprint and direct experience of reality.<ref>Leary, Wilson, Alli, et al. (1977-95)</ref> Leary and Alli include three stages for each circuit that details developmental points for each level of consciousness.<ref>Leary, T. (1987). ''Info-Psychology.'' New Falcon Press, Los Angeles. Seventh Printing, (2011). Page 16.</ref><ref>Alli, A. (2009). The Eight-Circuit Brain. Vertical Pool publishing, Berkeley, CA. Page 42.</ref><ref>Leary, T. (1979) ''Game of Life.'' New Falcon Publications. Phoenix, AZ. 2nd Ed. (1993). Pg. 48.</ref>

The first four circuits deal with life on Earth, and survival of the species. The last four circuits are post-terrestrial, and deal with the evolution of the species, [[Altered state of consciousness|altered states of consciousness]], [[Enlightenment (Buddhism)|enlightenment]], [[Mysticism|mystical]] experiences, [[psychedelic experience|psychedelic]] states of mind, and [[psychic]] abilities.  The proposal suggests that these altered states of consciousness are recently realized, but not widely utilized.  Leary describes the first four as "larval circuits", necessary for surviving and functioning in a terrestrial human society, and proposed that the post terrestrial circuits will be useful for future humans who, through a predetermined script, continue to act on their urge to migrate to outer space and live extra-terrestrially.<ref>"Info-Psychology," Chapter 12, Timothy Leary, 1994, New Falcon Publications, Phoenix, Arizona, USA</ref>  Leary, Wilson, and Alli have written about the idea in depth, and have explored and attempted to define how each circuit operates, both in the lives of individual people and in societies and civilization.

The term "circuit" is equated to a metaphor of the brain being [[computer hardware]], and the wiring of the brain as [[circuitry]].<ref>Wilson, R.A.(1983). ''Prometheus Rising.'' New Falcon Publications, Reno, NV. Twenty-first Printing, (2009). Pgs. 33-41.</ref><ref>Leary, T. (1979) ''Game of Life.'' New Falcon Publications. Phoenix, AZ. 2nd Ed. (1993). Pg. 4.</ref>

Leary uses the eight circuits along with [[recapitulation theory]] to explain the evolution of the human species, the personal development of an individual, and the [[biological evolution]] of all life.<ref>Leary, T. (1979) ''Game of Life.'' New Falcon Publications. Phoenix, AZ. 2nd Ed. (1993). Pg. 86.</ref><ref>Leary, T. (1987). ''Info-Psychology.'' New Falcon Press, Los Angeles. Seventh Printing, (2011). Pg. 5.</ref>

==The Eight Circuits==
{{Refimprove section|date=November 2016}}
{{cleanup|reason=section titles.|date=September 2019}}
Each circuit listed has each name from Leary's book "Exo-Psychology" after the preface,<ref name="auto">Leary, T. (1977). Exo-Psychology. Starseed/Peace Press, Los Angeles. Pg. 14 not numbered</ref><ref name="auto3">{{Cite web|url=http://archive.org/details/exopsychologyman00learrich|title=Exo-psychology : a manual on the use of the human nervous system according to the instructions of the manufacturers|first=Timothy|last=Leary|date=September 6, 1977|publisher=Los Angeles : Starseed/Peace Press|via=Internet Archive}}</ref> and Wilson's book "Quantum Psychology" pgs.196-201.<ref name="auto2">Wilson, R.A. (1990). Quantum Psychology. New Falcon Press, Tempe, AZ. Page 196-201</ref> ''Note:In other books from Leary, Wilson, and Alli, the eight circuits have different names due to different interpretations and findings of each author. Please reference bibliography section for other works on labeling of each circuit.''

===1. (Leary)The vegetative-invertebrate circuit (Wilson)The oral bio-survival circuit<ref name="auto"/><ref name="auto3"/><ref name="auto2"/>===

This circuit is concerned with nourishment, physical safety, comfort and survival,  [[suckling]], cuddling, etc. It begins with one spatial dimension, forward/back.<ref>''Prometheus Rising'', pg. 47</ref>

This circuit is [[Imprinting (psychology)|imprinted]] early in infancy. The imprint will normally last for life unless it is re-imprinted by a powerful experience. Depending on the nature of the imprint, the organism will tend towards one of two basic attitudes:
*A positive imprint sets up a basic attitude of trust. The organism generally considers the environment benign and accepts and approaches. This is equivalent to a default life position of "you're ok" in the [[Transactional Analysis#Life positions|'life positions' model of Transactional analysis]].<ref name="auto6">Prometheus Rising, pg. 74</ref>
*A negative imprint sets up a basic attitude of suspicion. The organism generally regards the environment as hostile and flees and avoids. This is equivalent to a default life position of "you're not ok" in the [[Transactional Analysis#Life positions|'life positions' model of Transactional analysis]].<ref name="auto6"/>

This circuit is said to have appeared in the earliest evolution of the invertebrate brain and corresponds to the reptilian brain of [[Triune brain|triune brain theory]]. This circuit operates in essentially the same way across mammals, reptiles, fish, primates and humans. <ref>''Prometheus Rising'', pg. 96</ref>

[[Robert Anton Wilson]] equated this circuit with the [[oral stage]] in the Freudian theory of [[psychosexual development]], and proposed that this circuit is activated in adults by strong [[opioid]]s.<ref>''Prometheus Rising'', pg. 47-48</ref>

===2. (Leary)The emotional-locomotion circuit (Wilson)The anal territorial circuit<ref>''Exo-Psychology,'' table of contents</ref><ref>''Quantum Psychology,'' pgs. 196-201</ref>===
The emotional-territorial circuit is imprinted in the toddler stage. It is concerned with domination and submission, territoriality, etc.

The imprint on this circuit will trigger one of two states:
*Dominant, aggressive behavior. This imprint creates an '[[Alpha (ethology)|alpha]]' social attitude. Equivalent to the 'top dog' position in the model of [[Fritz Perls]], to 'I'm OK' in the  [[Transactional Analysis#Life positions|'life positions' model of Transactional analysis]], and to [[Master–slave morality|master morality]] in the model of [[Friedrich Nietzsche]].<ref>Wilson, R.A. ''Prometheus Rising'' (1983). New Falcon Publications, Tempe. Page 79.</ref>
*Submissive, co-operative behavior.  Equivalent to the 'bottom dog' position in the model of Fritz Perls, to 'I'm not OK' in the life positions model and to Nietzschean 'slave morality'.

This circuit is activated by [[depressant]] drugs such as [[ethanol|alcohol]], [[barbiturates]], and [[benzodiazepine]]s.{{Citation needed|date=December 2016}} This circuit appeared first in territorial vertebrate animals and is preserved across all mammals. It corresponds to the mammalian brain of [[Triune brain|triune brain theory]]. [[Robert Anton Wilson]] equated this circuit with the [[anal stage]] in the Freudian theory of [[psycho-sexual development]].

The first and second circuits both imprint in a binary fashion: trust/suspicion and dominance/submission.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://deoxy.org/raw1.htm |title=Archived copy |access-date=2012-06-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120619210542/http://deoxy.org/raw1.htm |archive-date=2012-06-19 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Thus there are four possible ways of imprinting the first two circuits:

*Trusting 1st circuit and dominant 2nd circuit. [[Transactional Analysis#Life positions|I'm OK; you're OK]]. Friendly strength in the [[Interpersonal Circumplex]]. [[Fire (classical element)|Fire]] in the [[Classical element|four elements model]].<ref name="auto1">Wilson, R.A. "Prometheus Rising" (1983). New Falcon Publications, Tempe. Page 73.</ref> Choleric in the [[Humorism|four humors model]].<ref name="auto1"/>
*Trusting 1st circuit and submissive 2nd circuit. [[Transactional Analysis#Life positions|I'm not OK; you're OK]]. Friendly weakness. [[Water (classical element)|Water]] in the four elements model. Phlegmatic humor.
*Suspicious 1st circuit and dominant 2nd circuit. [[Transactional Analysis#Life positions|I'm OK; you're not OK]]. Unfriendly strength. [[Air (classical element)|Air]] in the four elements model. Sanguine humor.
*Suspicious 1st circuit and submissive 2nd circuit. [[Transactional Analysis#Life positions|I'm not OK; you're not OK]]. Unfriendly weakness. [[Earth (classical element)|Earth]] in the four elements model. Melancholic humor.

===3. (Leary)The laryngeal-manual symbolic circuit (Wilson)The semantic time-binding circuit<ref>''Exo-Psychology,'' table of contents</ref><ref>''Quantum Psychology,'' pgs. 196-201</ref>===
This circuit is imprinted by human symbol systems. It is concerned with language, handling the environment, invention, calculation, prediction, building a mental "map" of the universe, physical dexterity, etc.

This circuit is activated by [[stimulant]] drugs such as [[amphetamine]]s, [[cathinone]]s, [[cocaine]], and [[caffeine]].{{Citation needed|date=December 2016}} This circuit supposedly appeared first when [[hominid]]s started differentiating from the rest of the [[primates]].

[[Robert Anton Wilson]], being heavily influenced by [[General Semantics]], writes of this circuit as the 'time-binding circuit'. This means that this circuit's contents&nbsp;– including human know-how, technology, science etc. - are preserved [[meme]]tically and passed on from generation to generation, constantly mutating and increasing in sophistication.

===4. (Leary)The socio-sexual domestication circuit (Wilson)The socio-sexual circuit<ref>''Exo-Psychology,'' table of contents</ref><ref>''Quantum Psychology,'' pgs. 196-201</ref>===
This fourth circuit is imprinted by the first [[orgasm]]-mating experiences and tribal "morals". It is concerned with [[sexual pleasure]] (instead of sexual reproduction), local definitions of "moral" and "immoral", [[reproduction]], rearing of the young, etc. The fourth circuit concerns itself with cultural values and operating within [[society|social networks]]. This circuit is said to have first appeared with the development of tribes.

===5. (Leary and Wilson)The neurosomatic circuit<ref>''Exo-Psychology,'' table of contents</ref><ref>''Quantum Psychology,'' pgs. 196-201</ref>===
This is concerned with neurological-somatic feedbacks, feeling high and blissful, somatic reprogramming, etc. It may be called the rapture circuit.<ref>Leary, T., "Neurologic" (1973). Starseed Publications, San Francisco.</ref>

When this circuit is activated, a non-conceptual feeling of well-being arises. This has a beneficial effect on the health of the physical body.<ref>Wilson, R.A., "Quantum Psychology" (1990). New Falcon Publications, Tempe. Page 198</ref>

The fifth circuit is consciousness of the [[Human body|body]]. There is a marked shift from linear visual space to an all-encompassing [[aesthetic]] sensory space. Perceptions are judged not so much for their meaning and utility, but for their aesthetic qualities.<ref>Leary, T., "Neurologic" (1973). Starseed Publications, San Francisco. Page V-1.</ref> Experience of this circuit often accompanies an [[Hedonism|hedonistic]] turn-on, a rapturous amusement, a detachment from the previously compulsive mechanism of the first four circuits.

This circuit is activated by ecstatic experiences via physiological effects of [[Cannabis (drug)|cannabis]], [[Hatha Yoga]], [[tantra]] and [[Zen meditation]]. Robert Anton Wilson writes, "Tantra yoga is concerned with shifting consciousness entirely into this circuit"<ref name="auto5">Wilson, R.A. "Prometheus Rising" (1983). New Falcon Publications, Tempe. Page 41.</ref> and that "Prolonged sexual play without orgasm always triggers some Circuit V consciousness".<ref>Wilson, R.A. "Prometheus Rising" (1983). New Falcon Publications, Tempe. Page 184.</ref>

Leary describes that this circuit first appeared in the [[upper class]]es, with the development of leisure-class civilizations around 2000 BC.

===6. (Leary)The neuro-electric circuit (Wilson)The metaprogramming circuit<ref>''Exo-Psychology,'' table of contents</ref><ref>''Quantum Psychology,'' pgs. 196-201</ref>===
''Note: Timothy Leary lists this circuit as the sixth, and the neurogenetic circuit as the seventh.<ref>Leary, T. (1977). "Neuropolitics". Starseed Peace Press, Los Angeles.</ref> In "Prometheus Rising", Robert Anton Wilson reversed the order of these two circuits,<ref>Wilson, R.A. "Prometheus Rising" (1983). New Falcon Publications, Tempe.</ref> describing the neurogenetic circuit as the sixth circuit, and the metaprogramming circuit as the seventh. In the subsequently published "Quantum Psychology", he reverted this back to the order proposed by Leary.''<ref>Wilson, R.A. (1990). Quantum Psychology. New Falcon Press, Tempe, AZ. Seventh Printing, (2003). Page 199-200</ref>

This circuit is concerned with re-imprinting and re-programming all earlier circuits and the relativity of "realities" perceived. The sixth circuit consists of the nervous system becoming aware of itself. Leary says this circuit enables [[Telepathy|telepathic communication]] and is activated by low-to-moderate doses of [[LSD]] (50-150&nbsp;μg), moderate doses of [[peyote]], [[psilocybin mushroom]]s and meditation/chanting especially when used in a group or ritual setting. This circuit is traced by Leary back to 500 BC.{{Citation needed|date=December 2016}}

===7. (Leary)The neurogenetic circuit (Wilson)The morphogenetic circuit<ref>''Exo-Psychology,'' table of contents</ref><ref>''Quantum Psychology,'' pgs. 196-201</ref>===
This circuit is the connection of the individual's mind to the whole sweep of evolution and life as a whole. It is the part of consciousness that echoes the experiences of the previous generations that have brought the individual's brain-mind to its present level.{{Citation needed|date=December 2016}}

It deals with ancestral, societal and scientific [[DNA]]-[[Ribonucleic acid|RNA]]-brain feedbacks. Those who achieve this mutation may speak of [[past lives]], [[reincarnation]], [[immortality]] etc.<ref name="auto4">{{Cite web |url=http://deoxy.org/cc-chap4.htm |title=Archived copy |access-date=2012-06-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303210037/http://deoxy.org/cc-chap4.htm |archive-date=2016-03-03 |url-status=dead }}</ref> It corresponds to the [[collective unconscious]] in the models of [[Carl Jung]]<ref name="auto5"/> where archetypes reside.

Activation of this circuit may be equated with consciousness of the [[Pan (god)|Great God Pan]] in his aspect as Life as a whole, or with consciousness of [[Gaia hypothesis|Gaia]], the biosphere considered as a single organism.<ref name="auto4"/>

This circuit is activated by higher doses of [[Lysergic acid diethylamide|LSD]] (200-500&nbsp;μg), higher doses of [[peyote]], higher doses of [[psilocybin mushroom]]s, yoga and [[meditation]].{{Citation needed|date=December 2016}}

The circuit first appeared among the [[Hindus]] in the early first millennium and later reappeared among the [[Sufi cosmology|Sufi]] sects.

===8. (Leary)The neuro-atomic metaphysiological (Wilson)The non-local quantum circuit<ref>''Exo-Psychology,'' table of contents</ref><ref>''Quantum Psychology'', pgs. 196-201</ref>===
The eighth circuit is concerned with [[Quantum mind|quantum consciousness]], [[Quantum entanglement|non-local awareness]] (information from beyond ordinary [[space-time]] awareness which is limited by the [[speed of light]]),  illumination. Some of the ways this circuit can get activated are: the awakening of [[Kundalini energy|kundalini]], shock, a [[near-death experience]], [[N,N-Dimethyltryptamine|DMT]], high doses of LSD and according to Robert Anton Wilson almost any dose of ketamine.<ref name="youtube">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DE0gRbyXllI&index=6&list=PL8F393A80E80263B3" Robert Anton Wilson - 8 Circuit Psychology 6/7] 01/12/2018.</ref> This circuit has even been compared to the [[Buddhist]] concept of [[Indra's net]] from the [[Avatamsaka Sutra]].{{Citation needed|date=December 2016}}

==Leary's contribution==
Leary stated "They [the theories presented in ''Info-Psychology''] are scientific in that they are based on empirical findings from physics, physiology, pharmacology, genetics, astronomy, behavioral psychology, information science, and most importantly, neurology." <ref>Info-Psychology, pg 8., seventh printing, 2011 or Info-Psychology, pg. 7, third printing, 1992</ref>

Leary called his book "science faction" or "psi-phy" and noted he had written it "in various prisons to which the author had been sentenced for dangerous ideology and violations of Newtonian and religious laws".<ref>''Info-Psychology,'' p7.</ref>

Although Leary propounded the basic premise of eight "brains" or brain circuits, he was inspired by sources such as the [[Hindu]] ''[[chakra]]'' system.

Leary claimed that among other things this model explained the [[Counterculture of the 1960s|social conflict in the 1960s]], where the mainstream was said to be those with four circuits active and characterized by Leary as tribal moralists and clashed with the [[counter-culture|counter-culturists]], who were then said to be those with the fifth circuit active and characterized as [[individualists]] and [[hedonism|hedonists]]. {{Citation needed|date=December 2016}}

Leary's first book on the subject, ''Neurologic'', only included seven circuits when it was published in 1973. ''Exo-Psychology'', published in 1977, expanded the number of circuits to eight and clarified the subject. In it, he puts forward the theory that the later four circuits are "post terrestrial;" intended to develop as we migrate off this planet and colonize others.<ref>{{cite book |last= Leary|first= Timothy|date= 1977|title= Exo-Psychology|url= https://archive.org/details/manexopsychology00learrich|location= Los Angeles|publisher= Starseed/Peace Press Inc.|page= [https://archive.org/details/manexopsychology00learrich/page/103 103]|isbn=0-915238-16-0}}</ref> Once we begin space migration, according to Leary, we will have more ready access to these higher circuits. ''Exo-Psychology'' was re-published as revised by Timothy Leary with additional material in 1989 under the title ''Info-Psychology'' (New Falcon Publishing).

==Other authors on the eight circuits==
[[File:ChaosStar.svg|thumb|130px|In [[chaos magic]] the eight circuits are sometimes related to the eight rays of the [[symbol of chaos]]]]
Leary's ideas heavily influenced the work of [[Robert Anton Wilson]]. Wilson's 1983 book ''[[Prometheus Rising]]'' is an in-depth work documenting Leary's eight-circuit model of consciousness. Wilson's published 1993 screenplay, ''[[Reality Is What You Can Get Away With]]'', uses and explains the model. Wilson, like Leary, wrote about the distinction between terrestrial and post-terrestrial life.

''Angel Tech'' by [[Antero Alli]], is structured around the Eight-circuit model of consciousness. Alli defines the word angel as "a being of light" and tech from the word "techne" meaning "art". The title is defined as "the art of being light".<ref>Alli, Antero. (1985) "Angel Tech: A Modern Shaman's Guide to Reality Selection" New Falcon Publications, Tempe.</ref> It includes suggested activities such as [[meditation]]s and construction of [[Tarot|tarot-card]] collages associated with each circuit and imprint.

The model is fairly prominent in [[chaos magic]]. This concept has been detailed in ''"Chaotopia!"'' by [[Dave_Lee_(chaos_magician)|Dave Lee]], a leading member of the magic society [[Illuminates of Thanateros]]. Leary and Wilson were also members of the society. {{Citation needed|date=November 2016}}

Rolf Von Eckartsberg also appears to have been influenced by the model.<ref>Von Eckartsberg, R. (1981a). "Maps of the mind". In Valle, R. & von Eckarsberg, R. ''The metaphors of consciousness''. New York: Plenum Press.</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.earthportals.com/Portal_Messenger/bohm2.html|title=Rolf Von Eckartsberg|website=www.earthportals.com}}</ref>

==Bibliography==
{{more footnotes|date=May 2010}}
*Alli, Antero. ''Angel Tech: A Modern Shaman's Guide to Reality Selection'', The Original Falcon Press; (1985)(Reprint - 2008). {{ISBN|978-1-935150-95-4}}.
*Alli, Antero. ''The Eight-Circuit Brain: Navigational Strategies for the Energetic Body'', Vertical Pool Publishing; (2009). {{ISBN|978-0-9657341-3-4}}.
*Leary, Timothy. ''The Game of Life'', (1979) (Second Edition, 1993), with contributions by Robert Anton Wilson. {{ISBN|9781561840502}}
*Leary, Timothy. ''The Politics of Ecstasy'', (1970) {{ISBN|1-57951-031-0}} 
*Leary, Timothy. ''Neurologic'', 1973, with Joanna Leary.
*Leary, Timothy. ''Exo-Psychology'', 1977.
*Leary, Timothy. ''Info-Psychology'', New Falcon Publications, (1987)(Seventh Print, 2011), {{ISBN|1-56184-105-6}}.
*Leary, Timothy. ''What Does WoMan Want?'', (1976), 88 books.
*"Leary's 8 Calibre Brain", ''Psychic'' magazine, (April, 1976).
*Lee, Dave. ''Chaotopia!'', Mandrake of Oxford. {{ISBN|1-869928-88-1}}.
*Valle, R. & von Eckarsberg, R. ''The metaphors of consciousness''. New York: Plenum Press.
*Wilson, Robert Anton. ''[[Prometheus Rising]]'', (1983), New Falcon Publications (Reprint - 1992). {{ISBN|1-56184-056-4}}.
*Wilson, Robert Anton. ''[[Quantum Psychology]]'', (1990). {{ISBN|9781561840717}}.
*Wilson, Robert Anton. ''[[Reality Is What You Can Get Away With]]'', (1992)(new introduction added, 1996).

==See also==
*[[Psychedelic experience]]
*[[Human Biocomputer]]
*[[Metasystem transition]]
*[[Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs]]
*[[Erik Erikson]]'s "[[Eight stages of man]]" (1950)
*[[Eight Consciousnesses]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110723133512/http://www.futurehi.net/docs/8circuit.html Leary's Eight Circuit Model of Consciousness]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20051016223821/http://www.phinnweb.org/neuro/8-circuit/ The 8-Circuit Model of Timothy Leary and Robert Anton Wilson]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20170914021547/http://deoxy.org/winlose.htm The Eight Winner and Loser Scripts]
*[http://www.bumblenut.com/drawing/art/totempill/index.shtml Totem Pill - Animated Interpretation of the 8 Circuit Model by Marc Ngui]
* [[b:Consciousness studies|Wikibook on consciousness studies]]

{{Robert Anton Wilson|state=collapsed}}

[[Category:Consciousness studies]]
[[Category:Psychological models]]
[[Category:Theory of mind]]
[[Category:Timothy Leary]]
[[Category:Robert Anton Wilson]]

[[de:Timothy Leary#Neuronaler Schaltkreis nach Leary]]