The Cosmic Journey of Duality: An Exploration of Unity and Consciousness

• Introduction
• The Journey to Level Four Unity
  • The Moment of Self-Realization
  • Alan Watts' Influence
• The Illusion of Eternal Bliss
  • Depth Perception Distortions
  • The Conflict of Pleasure and Pain
• The Revelation of Cosmic Perfection
  • Embracing the Duality of Existence
  • The Cosmic Joke
• The Creation of Universes and the Role of Pain
  • The Yin and Yang of Creation
  • The Game of Existence
• The Final Realization: Returning to the Self
  • The Circle of Consciousness
  • The Experience of Sobriety
• Conclusion

Introduction

This article chronicles a profound journey of self-realization, exploring themes of duality, unity, and the nature of existence. The narrative explores a shift in consciousness, facilitated by the influence of philosopher Alan Watts, which leads the experiencer to a state of deep understanding about the nature of the universe and the self. This journey examines the balance between pleasure and pain, good and evil, and how they coalesce in the grand cosmic design. The account reveals the process of transcending ordinary perception to enter a state of absolute unity with all that exists, culminating in a realization about the nature of existence itself.

The Journey to Level Four Unity

The Moment of Self-Realization

The journey begins with a profound moment of unity—a realization that the boundaries between the self and the universe have dissolved. The experiencer feels that they are no longer separate from the cosmos but, instead, the universe itself. This state of "level four unity" is described as one of total connection, where the experiencer perceives themselves as both the creator and the observer of all that exists.

In this moment, the experiencer felt as though they had designed the universe, crafting every detail of existence with the intent of experiencing this one specific moment. The contrast between the young, energetic couples dancing in a music video and the inevitable mortality described in the lyrics—“time will pass and reduce to ash our bones”—created a deep tension. The realization that all things, even the vibrant lives in the video, would eventually end, triggered the experiencer's transition into a state of deeper unity.

Alan Watts' Influence

As the journey continued, the voice of Alan Watts echoed through the experiencer’s mind, offering profound wisdom that deepened the understanding of the experience. Watts’ voice, coming from the laptop, suggested an intriguing thought experiment about the nature of bliss:

"Let’s suppose that you were able every night to dream any dream you wanted to dream... You would fulfill all your wishes. You would have every kind of pleasure you could conceive."

This idea set the stage for a further exploration of the limitations of eternal pleasure and the need for balance between contrasting forces.

The Illusion of Eternal Bliss

Depth Perception Distortions

As the experiencer continued watching the music video, perceptual distortions intensified, reflecting a deeper sense of the duality of existence. These distortions were similar to the absurdist visuals in Monty Python sketches, where reality bends and warps in exaggerated ways.

In this altered state, the experiencer imagined themselves living past lives—one in particular, as an Egyptian ruler sunbathing. In this imagined life, they were surrounded by unimaginable wealth, luxury, and the fulfillment of every desire. Yet, despite having everything they could ever want, something still felt missing. This experience led the experiencer to the realization that the pursuit of eternal bliss, without contrast or challenge, was ultimately unsatisfying.

The Conflict of Pleasure and Pain

The realization came that seeking a life of endless pleasure and the absence of pain was a futile endeavor. To desire only white without black was to seek an incomplete existence. The balance between pleasure and pain was essential, and without one, the other lost its meaning. The experiencer understood that the true satisfaction of existence lies not in the pursuit of perpetual bliss, but in the full experience of both ends of the spectrum.

The Revelation of Cosmic Perfection

Embracing the Duality of Existence

The next stage of the experience was marked by a profound acceptance of the universe as it is—perfect in its balance of good and evil, pleasure and pain. The experiencer realized that, if they had the power to change anything, they would not alter a single thing about the universe. It was already perfect in its imperfection. Pain and pleasure, good and evil, were understood as two sides of the same coin, inextricably linked and interdependent.

As Watts continued to speak, the experiencer’s realization deepened:

"And after several nights, of 75 years of total pleasure each, you would say ‘now let's have a surprise… let's have a dream which isn't under control’..."

This further emphasized the importance of unpredictability and contrast in life’s unfolding journey.

The Cosmic Joke

The experiencer’s mind then expanded to the notion of a cosmic joke—a playful game where they were both the creator and the creation, designing universes and scenarios with complete freedom. These universes, while filled with both extreme pleasure and pain, were ultimately designed for entertainment and learning. The experiencer found satisfaction in tricking themselves, creating absurd scenarios that seemed to separate them from their divine nature, only to eventually realize that all of it—pain, joy, suffering, and laughter—was part of the same divine game.

In this state, the experiencer recognized the masochistic and sadistic nature of their cosmic humor. They were both the one who suffered and the one who caused suffering, perpetuating a game of infinite creation, destruction, and rebirth. The balance of yin and yang, pain and pleasure, was not something to avoid, but something to revel in.

The Creation of Universes and the Role of Pain

The Yin and Yang of Creation

The experiencer envisioned the creation of countless universes, each one meticulously designed with an equal distribution of pain and pleasure. Every aspect of existence, from the smallest detail to the grandest cosmic event, was shaped with duality in mind. It was this balance that made the experience of existence meaningful. The yin and yang were not to be feared or avoided but to be embraced as the very essence of life itself.

The Game of Existence

The game of existence, as designed by the experiencer, was one of infinite possibilities, where every scenario—no matter how tragic or joyful—was part of a larger, self-imposed cosmic design. The game could only be played fully if one accepted both the pleasure and the pain, the light and the dark, as equally necessary components of the whole.

The Final Realization: Returning to the Self

The Circle of Consciousness

At the culmination of the experience, the experiencer imagined themselves back into their current life—a twenty-year-old human in the present moment. It was as if the journey had come full circle. The experiencer felt as though they had tripped so intensely that they had circled back to sobriety. In this moment, they understood that the experience of being human was itself a part of the cosmic joke.

The Experience of Sobriety

The aftermath of this profound experience left the experiencer with an altered sense of memory. While their long-term memory returned, their short-term memory was noticeably impaired, a lingering effect of the deep journey they had undergone. Despite the cognitive distortion, the experiencer was still in a state of unity and shared their experience with a friend, remarking that "2c-b is a great therapy drug," offering a humorous acknowledgment of the transformative nature of the journey.

Conclusion

The journey described here is an exploration of the nature of reality, consciousness, and the balance between opposing forces. Through a series of profound realizations, the experiencer comes to understand the universe as a carefully designed cosmic game, where pain and pleasure, good and evil, and life and death are all interconnected and essential. In the end, the experiencer embraces the inherent duality of existence, recognizing it as both the source of meaning and the ultimate cosmic joke. The experience, while intense, leaves the experiencer with a deep sense of unity and acceptance of the vast and intricate design of the universe.