Cosmic Consciousness

*This book has been custom formatted and checked for typos. Includes an interactive Table of Contents.* Cosmic Consciousness: A Study in the Evolution of the Human Mind is Richard Bucke's magnum opus. He asserts that humans are evolving: from ancient animal consciousness, through present ego consciousness, to budding transcendent 'cosmic consciousness.' This a mystical state experienced by few to date, but it is the next stage of human development.

Bucke hypothesizes that 'cosmic consciousness' is slowly beginning to appear in humans and will eventually spread widely throughout the human race. He examines notable individuals throughout history who have demonstrated attainment of cosmic consciousness.

Such examples include Buddha, Plotinus, St. Paul, Jesus, Lao-Tzu, Dante, Francis Bacon, William Blake, and Walt Whitman. Whitman, an American poet and journalist described cosmic consciousness as "ineffable light, light rare, untellable, light beyond all signs, descriptions and languages."