The American Mystic 'Mind Map' - A Golden Compass (The Golden Compass, based on the first novel in the His Dark Materials series by Philip Pullman, is the mysterious device from which the tale borrows its title. The golden compass, more formally referred to as the alethiometer, is an extraordinarily intricate device able to answer any question formed in the mind of the user. Created centuries ago by a metaphysical scientist, the truth-telling, future-seeing machine points not to true North like an ordinary compass, but to Truth itself.)
This is a 'mind map' that I developed for myself to understand cultural differences. This mind map is both a simple cross comparison of cultural symbols and a way to express the possibility of coordinating body energies. For me this is also a roadmap to remind of the teachings of the way to enlightenment by understanding 1) the impermanence of all things within cyclic existence, 2) suffering because of the nature of dualistic existence, 3) the reality of the link between actions and their results at all levels of being, and 4) recognizing this great opportunity in human existence with the freedom to choose any way to go - but more importantly find a middle way to reach 5) the most natural state of perfection which relieves the strong notion of self and introduces a gift of light from within.
By following the appropriate steps and practicing positive actions, not only will you understand cultures better, you will understand yourself better, and go further to realize all of your relationships in a more wholesome way. Because negative actions naturally find their way back to their true origin, the real need for judgment is the personal choice to get rid of bad habits and shoo away those ill wishing spirits that seek to inhabit our mind - and then work to choose with every step - the good road.
Overview Key :
This mind map reflexs both a complex and realistic model of conscious potential. Experiential views of time and space are compactly integrated in a simple form. Three levels from top to bottom: Super-conscious, conscious, sub-conscious. Five gross worldviews: Bagua, Kabbalah, Indian, Modern, and Tribal illustrating respectively - Virtue, Knowledge, Dispassion, Sovereignty, and Kinship. The first four modes represent the eastern goals to mature and develop an enlightened existence. The fifth, kinship, having emphasis couching relationship itself. Issues of time, space, relationship, and process can be modeled - for better understanding, for a variety of scenario.
Cognitive Mapping by Dai Scott
© 2001-2009 Dai Scott
There are two basic principles which will be interwoven in this thesis which I hope to convey to the reader; the first is the principle of focus, the second is the principle of perspective. Practicing the principle of focus will help personal development of sufficient resources to quell confusion and inner turmoil. Practicing the principle of perspective will help toward building the mental skills necessary to ‘think outside the box’ – in other words, it is a tool that will help enable a person to work free of habitual thinking patterns that might otherwise lead to an encrustation in flexibility of thought.
By no means are these concepts new, however the eclectic methods I use bring together a relatively modern rendition of ancient knowledge which I hope will benefit all people - at least to some small degree. I believe that ‘Cognitive Mapping’ may become a very necessary tool for modern understanding because our age continues to see an exponential shrinkage of the globe - due to modern travel, communications, and the internet.
Sometimes I liken my personal work (of fitting myself into the modern cultural dilemma of bursting knowledge and the contraction of mental space), like being an air traffic controller on a very busy day. All of these bits and fragments of information flying around are very wonderful, but at some point I need to know what is essential to keep for myself in order to be whole, and at the same time learn to safely accommodate others who might not think ‘precisely’ the way I do. By learning a variety of thinking styles from around the globe I benefit myself, and earn a bit of understanding about others.
In addition to addressing issues for personal improvement, I believe this work has three areas of potential impact. First, as a cross-cultural reference it may benefit think tanks as a concise tool to explore many types of relationships associated to cultural affairs. Two, because it is based on templates drawn from human thought processes, I think it shows promise as an additional model toward further development of artificial intelligence. Finally, because historically early cultural training was made with real experience and thought-out education for future generations, and since the mind has the capacity to creatively handle data at amazing rates of flow - this specific preparation can provide unique insights to the effects, and management, of psycho-kinesis in high-stress decision-making occupations.
Cognitive Model
In general, the diagrams of the cognitive model from left to right represent the classical development of these ideals: Virtue, Knowledge, Dispassion, Sovereignty, and Kinship. The first four are traits, as given in eastern traditions, which represent a process of unveiling and movement toward the demonstration of a fully mature being. Kinship is a trait of traditional tribal cultures, the ability to recognize the deeper connections between you and others.
In addition to mapping gross cognitive patterns it is possible to use this model to study individual patterning and interaction with environmental factors as adaptive psychophysics.