John C. Lilly on limits « Entersection

John C. Lilly on limits

2-dimensional projection of exceptional simple Lie group E8

2-dimensional projection of exceptional simple Lie group E₈.
Image credit: Sebastian Chedal: Flower of E8

No Limits

When we use our biocomputer in this manner we discover profound truths about our self and our capabilities. The resulting states of being, of consciousness, teach us basic truth about our equipment.

In the province of the mind, what one believes to be true either is true or becomes true—within certain limits—to be found experientially and experimentally. These limits are further beliefs to be transcended. In the mind, there are no limits. The province of the mind is the region of our models, of the alone self, of memory, of the metaprogams. What of the region that includes our body, other’s bodies? Here there are definite limits.

Consensus Science

There is another kind of information in the network of bodies, which includes our connection with others for bodily survival, procreation, and creation. In the province of connected minds, what the network believes to be true, either is true or becomes true within certain limits to be found experientially and experimentally. These limits are further beliefs to be transcended. In the network’s mind, there are no limits.

But, once again, the bodies of the network housing the minds, the ground on which they rest, the planet’s surface, impose definite limits. These limits are to be found experientially and experimentally, agreed upon by special minds, and communicated to the network. The results are called consensus science.
— John Cunningham Lilly in Programming the Human Biocomputer, edited by Beverly A. Potter, (Berkeley, California: Ronin Publishing, 2004), p. 19. Originally published as Programming and Metaprogramming in the Human Biocomputer: Theory and experiments, (New York: Julian Press, 1968). Thanks to Plera for the lead.