Cosmic Consciousness: A Study in the Evolution of the Human Mind

by Richard Maurice Bucke, George Moreby Acklom (Introduction)

Overview

This classic study in the evolution of the human mind is a pioneering work as valuable today as when it was first published in 1901. At that time, it was enthusiastically acclaimed by both William James and P. D. Ouspensky. It has long been accepted as a landmark in the field of mysticism.

In reviewing the mental and spiritual activity of the human race, Dr. Bucke discovers that at intervals certain individuals have appeared who are gifted with the power of transcendent realization—or Illumination. Their experiences constitute a definite advance in man’s relation with the Infinite. Moreover, the author shows from available records that this transfiguring endowment of Illumination is on the increase, and he gives full details of practically all the cases on record up to the time when the book was written.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780140193374
Publisher:	Penguin Publishing Group
Publication date:	10/05/1991
Series:	Compass
Pages:	416
Product dimensions:	5.10(w) x 7.70(h) x 0.90(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Canadian author Richard Maurice Bucke (1837-1902) was a progressive psychiatrist who wrote numerous professional papers in addition to three book-length studies. Cosmic Consciousness is his best-known work.

Table of Contents

Dedication; Notice; List of books quoted; Table of contents; Part I. First Words; Part II. Evolution and Devolution: 1. To self consciousness; 2. On the plane of self consciousness; 3. Devolution; Part III. From Self to Cosmic Consciousness; Part IV. Instances of Cosmic Consciousness: 1. Gautuma the Buddha; 2. Jesus the Christ; 3. Paul; 4. Plotinus; 5. Mohammed; 6. Dante; 7. Las Casas; 8. John Yepes; 9. Francis Bacon; 10. Jacob Behmen; 11. William Blake; 12. Honoré de Balzac; 13. Walt Whitman; 14. Edward Carpenter; Part V. Additional - Some of Them Lesser, Imperfect, and Doubtful Instances: 1. The twilight; 2. Moses; 3. Gideon; 4. Isaiah; 5. Li R; 6. Socrates; 7. Roger Bacon; 8. Pascal; 9. Benedict Spinoza; 10. James Gardiner; 11. Swedenborg; 12. William Wordsworth; 13. Charles G. Finney; 14. Alexander Pushkin; 15. Emerson; 16. Tennyson; 17. J. B. B.; 18. H. D. Thoreau; 19. J. B.; 20. C. P.; 21. H. B.; 22. R. P. S.; 23. E. T.; 24. Ramakrisana Paramahansa; 25. J. H. J.; 26. T. S. R.; 27. W. H. W.; 28. Richard Jefferies; 29. C. M. C.; 30. M. C. L.; 31. J. W. W.; 32. J. William Lloyd; 33. Horace Traubel; 34. Paul Tyner; 35. C. Y. E.; 36. A. J. S.; Part VI. Last Words.