Most people don't read all that carefully today, especially in a
cyber-environment, and even I was obviously guilty of that slip.
One of the challenges even with these postings on the list-serv is to
make sure they're circumspect, because realistically, how much time can
we afford to invest in this sub-project alone? It's designed to be a
professional discussion board, and anything extraneous - even "fighting
academia" as traditionally understood - could detract/deflect from our
purposes here.
The fundamental purposes have been neatly delineated by Michael, and
the more "energy" we put in the direction of clarifying our thoughts
about environmental design and its link to (human) consciousness, the
better.
Larry Fike
-----Original Message-----
From: toyin adepoju <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Cc: [log in to unmask]; [log in to unmask];
[log in to unmask]; [log in to unmask]; [log in to unmask];
[log in to unmask]; [log in to unmask]
Sent: Thu, Jun 17, 2010 9:17 am
Subject: Re: FW: ACADEMIC-STUDY-MAGIC Digest - 13 Jun 2010 to 14 Jun
2010 (#2010-125)
thanks Larry.that is appreciated.The Nigerian community within which
the discussion originated in the first place will be suprised about the
wings it is growing.Academic figures are also likely to be struck by
the manner in which Monterey and yourself contextualise it.A particular
group moderator,a US full professor ,refused to post the imaginative
scenario on the claim that some people would not read the disclaimer at
the bottom and conclude it was completely in earnest,making him look
foolish.
thanks
toyin
On 17 June 2010 17:02, <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
In this case, I would request that, other than within this group, my
name be removed if you want to use it for other purposes, but I do
grant permission to use my remarks without reference to me - if you
think it will do some good.
Larry Fike
-----Original Message-----
From: toyin adepoju <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Cc: [log in to unmask]; [log in to unmask];
[log in to unmask]; [log in to unmask]; [log in to unmask];
[log in to unmask]; [log in to unmask]
Sent: Thu, Jun 17, 2010 1:38 am
Subject: Re: FW: ACADEMIC-STUDY-MAGIC Digest - 13 Jun 2010 to 14 Jun
2010 (#2010-125)
Could I please share our exchange on this subject publicly with
others?To protects respondents' privacy,I could remove your
email addresses.
Monterey's response indicates a sensitivity to the differences between
the climate of thought in contemporary academia and this idea of
the possibility of a magical initiation as central to an academic
program.Fike's response depicts a bold effort to align this idea with
an an actual academic context.Other responses I have received are not
as fulsome but suggest the idea can be explored from a number of
perspectives.I am particularly keen on passing on the idea and
the exchange to SOAS because a Dean there responded positively to
another essay I wrote on expanding the range of epistemic models used
in the Western academy.SOAS also has scholars who come to this subject
from a deep grounding in Africana spiritualities which inspired the
imaginative conception in the first place.Other exchanges on this
subject indicate its relevance to the integration of dominant and
marginalised epistemologies in the West.
Thanks
toyin
On 16 June 2010 15:56, <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
Ah. You got me. I re-read your blog and at the end you disclaim it
all.
Eff.
http://larryfike.blogspot.com
-----Original Message-----
From: toyin adepoju <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Cc: [log in to unmask]; [log in to unmask];
[log in to unmask]; [log in to unmask]; [log in to unmask];
[log in to unmask]; [log in to unmask]
Sent: Wed, Jun 16, 2010 3:13 am
Subject: Re: FW: ACADEMIC-STUDY-MAGIC Digest - 13 Jun 2010 to 14 Jun
2010 (#2010-125)
Wow!
I almost have the hairs of my body standing on edge at this level of
appreciation of something I did partly in fun,although with the
benefit of my passionate interest and research in comparative
cognitive processes and systems.
It so interesting how ideas travel.When writing that imaginative
scenario interpreting magical initiation in terms of consciousness
studies ,I would never have guessed that it would receive this kind of
attention.Joseph Nevadosmky,whose research on Olokun initiation was a
central inspiration for that imaginary course description,enthused over
it and requested to send it on to colleagues in the field.A friend
suggested I send it to Harvard,a suggestion I appreciated but took only
half seriously.Oddly,though,my email records do not show it being
posted direct by me to this group as it does for other groups I sent it
to.Anyone who wants to read it may also see the post at my blog Olokun.
The idea was inspired by the focus of my study of related ideas and
practices in relation to the cosmology and ritual of Olokun,understood
by the Nigerian Bini,Yoruba and Orisa devotees as the conscious
agency,spirit,of the oceans of the world.In mentioning Harvard,I was
trying to invoke a name that suggests the bastions of the Western
intelligentsia.The piece was actually written,half in fun, to make a
point about possible points of convergence between marginalized and
dominant epistemologies as represented by Africana(continental and
Diasporan) spiritualities,specfically,the veneration of Olokun.The
structure of ideas,however, can be applied to initiations of any
kind.The notion of transposing marginalized epistemologies in terms of
the frameworks and protocols of a dominant epistemology,while
maintaining the integrity of each epistemology as it perceives itself
or is perceived by its practitioners is applicable across the board in
terms of encounters between various civilisations,between Africa,Asia
and the West,to name the most prominent.
I find this comment from Larry very interesting: " Harvard might feel
that the "fancy language" is sufficiently seductive to draw talented
minds in" because I deliberately set out to do a half parody of
academic language in the contemporary Western academy.I have been
trying to understand the Western academy both from inside,as a person
brought up in it as the world's dominant academic model and from
outside,as a person who recognises the existence of other cognitive
models,from both outside and within the West, some older than the
dominant Western model.
My writing this is partly an effort to assert clear attribution to the
source of the imaginary course description that has so sparked the
respondents' imaginations,since I was pickled that my name was not
mentioned as the writer even though it clearly states that in the
essay.Please forgive any abrasiveness this might suggest.I am struck in
a fundamental way by the appreciation of Monterey and Larry Fike,by
their picking up the ball and indicating how one could run with it.Such
a project requires an input from several perspectives and
specialisations.I would be pleased ito participate.
Thanks
Toyin Adepoju
Central to this,however,in my view,is the study of magic as developed
by scholars
On 16 June 2010 07:24, <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
I think Paul makes some very good points. If you think anything like I
do, you downplay - a bit - Harvard's status. On the other hand, it is
Harvard, and people there tend, on the whole, to be circumspect. If
they have an M.Phil. in Consciousness studies (minus names of gurus),
there's no reason for us not to approach them that I can think of. Our
project dovetails with theirs, if we can figure out whether or not we
can speak with them.
Michael: We need a clear Statement of Purpose and Goals.
The program description (given what I've read below) puts forth a lot
of interesting names and ideas, but bullet-pointing it might be more
effective: for our purposes, and for theirs.
I hope I'm not stepping on toes, but it's always to be, "win-win."
They have needs (yes, even Harvard), and so do we.
Again, it's time to act. Ideas are great, but we have to implement
them. Harvard might feel that the "fancy language" is sufficiently
seductive to draw talented minds in. But we know better: if they
don't have relatively crystal-clear understandings of the problems
we're confronting, it's a sham.
So let's work.
I want to hear your ideas. (Blast me if need be.)
Larry Fike
http://www.larryfike.com
-----Original Message-----
From: M Monterey <[log in to unmask]>
To: Paul Wildman <[log in to unmask]>
Cc: Michael Monterey <[log in to unmask]>; Jennifer G
<[log in to unmask]>; toyin adepoju
<[log in to unmask]>; Larry Fike <[log in to unmask]>;
[log in to unmask]; Iona Miller <[log in to unmask]>;
[log in to unmask]
Sent: Tue, Jun 15, 2010 8:47 pm
Subject: Re: FW: ACADEMIC-STUDY-MAGIC Digest - 13 Jun 2010 to 14 Jun
2010 (#2010-125)
Paul, et al,
Thanks for passing along this fanciful flight of academic magical
thinking. I tend to think that the kind of course and criteria
envisioned would be part of a new, green paradigm reality worth
co-creating.
Why I'd even be able to skip the drudgery of doing undergrad required
credit courses, then use several extant works as dissetations for
multiple doctorates! Oh, my!!!
Such a thought would strike terror into the delicate egos of all
echelons of mediocracy. So, they'll probably keep refusing to think it
and go on with business as usual.
But such a program may be possible in colleges and universities less
beholden to the forces of dynamic conservatism, terminal boomeritis,
and the status quo. Unfortunately, it seems most of them are newage
degree mills so far beyond any reasonably balanced Pale that they would
shun such pragmatically primitive psychotherapy for being too
successful, thus making all the other disciplines look wimpy, silly,
and inferior by comparison, which might tend to cause a progressive
decline in overall tuition revenue or some other financially or
psychosocially calamitous disruption of comfortable routines,
investments, and entertainments on the part of the owners,
administrators, and/or the faculty culture -- in other words, throwing
the whole lot into pandemonium or some kind of sinister plot to make
life hell for the interlopers and whomever was foolish enough to let
them in and/or aid & abet them!
But - wait! I could probably develop something similar with the Naropa
Institute in Boulder, CO, using Himalayan Tantric Shamanic metaphysics
& techniques! Hmm...
Jennifer, would you like to dance?
Thanks,
Michael Monterey :: 760 500 6171
Custom green design, millennial sustainability, and ageless beauty for
the most livable future.
Ecotectura :: ecotectura.ning.com / michaelmonterey.wordpress.com
>>>
On Mon, Jun 14, 2010 at 6:04 PM, Paul Wildman <[log in to unmask]>
wrote:
Michael and Jenny fyi ciao paul ps thought this may be of interest
-----Original Message-----
From: Iona Miller [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Tuesday, 15 June 2010 10:33 AM
To: [log in to unmask]; [log in to unmask]
Subject: Fw: ACADEMIC-STUDY-MAGIC Digest - 13 Jun 2010 to 14 Jun 2010
(#2010-125)
Indistinguishable from an "Avatar" programming
what's taught at the top...
Blue skies,
Iona Miller, [log in to unmask]
http://ionamiller2010.iwarp.com
"May Your Lead Turn to Gold"
--- On Mon, 6/14/10, ACADEMIC-STUDY-MAGIC automatic digest system
<[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> From: ACADEMIC-STUDY-MAGIC automatic digest system
<[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: ACADEMIC-STUDY-MAGIC Digest - 13 Jun 2010 to 14 Jun 2010
(#2010-125)
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Date: Monday, June 14, 2010, 4:02 PM
> There is 1 message totaling 232 lines
> in this issue.
>
> Topics of the day:
>
> 1. INITIATION INTO OLOKUN PRIESTHOOD AT CENTRE OF
> HARVARD UNIVERSITY MPHIL
> IN CONSCIOUSNESS STUDIES:AN
> EXERCISE IN SCENARIO BUILDING
>
>
----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Date: Mon, 14 Jun 2010 11:44:47 +0100
> From: toyin adepoju <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: INITIATION INTO OLOKUN PRIESTHOOD AT CENTRE OF
> HARVARD UNIVERSITY MPHIL IN CONSCIOUSNESS STUDIES:AN
> EXERCISE IN SCENARIO BUILDING
>
> *INITIATION INTO OLOKUN PRIESTHOOD AT CENTRE OF
> HARVARD UNIVERSITY MPHIL
> IN CONSCIOUSNESS STUDIES*
> *
> *
> *
>
>
> AN EXERCISE IN
> SCENARIO BUILDING*
>
>
>
>
>
> Toyin
> Adepoju
>
>
>
> " The two year MPhil in Consciousness Studies at Harvard is
> centred on the
> practical exploration of expansions of consciousness
> developed in terms of
> animistic conceptions of sentience in relation to
> the global oceanic
> space.Developments in consciousness studies in the past ten
> years
> have developed an appreciation of the experimental value of
> modalities of
> expansion of consciousness represented by the kinetics of
> ritual and this
> course takes on board both this practical orientation and
> a
> reflexive engagement with these theories.Etic and emic
> perspectives,insider
> and outsider approaches, are deployed as the student
> immerses themselves in
> ritual and engages in the reflexive relationship with
> ritual.
>
> This immersive and reflexive activity is complemented by
> broad and deep
> training in the conceptions of consciousness developed by
> neuroscience,philosophy of mind, anthropology, philosophy
> of
> religion, among other disciplines. The arts of
> dance,literature and the
> fine arts are also engaged with as a method of
> exploring creative
> potentialities vitalised and stimulated by ritual
> action.
>
> The course is taught by experts who,as practitioners of
> immersive,experiential but reflexively,self examining
> critical scholarship have undergone initiations in centres
> of ritual
> activity in African spiritualities in
> Africa,Europe,the Americas and
> the Caribbean.Some of the staff are not only
> initiates they act
> as consultants for corporate bodies on issues of
> creativity,ecology
> and environment
>
> This course has proven most helpful to students in the
> development of both
> creativity and critical thinking.Harvard has become a
> centre for workshops
> in this emerging discipline as
> executives,politicians,writers, artists and
> people from various walks of life take part in
> weekend workshops developed
> through the course as a means of developing their
> creativity
> and critical thinking.
>
>
> *Admission criteria*: A first degree in any discipline.In
> the absence of a
> degree, comparable achievement in another field can be
> considered. Foreign students are especially encouraged to
> apply so they can
> enrich the course through their encounter with non-Western
> world
> views. Harvard's campus is a multiracial space
> where people of
> all nationalities feel at home".
>
>
> What is written above is a style used in academia.They way
> I have presented
> it is almost a parody .I translate it below into ordinary
> English.The
> translation is a rough approximation though:
>
>
> The two year MPhil in Consciousness Studies at Harvard is
> centred on
> initiation into the priesthood of Olokun, understood as the
> spirit of the
> world's oceans. *[ *That is what is meant b*y "practical
> exploration
> of expansions of consciousness developed in terms
> of animistic conceptions
> of sentience in relation to the global oceanic
> space"*].Developments in
> consciousness studies in the past ten years have shown
> that
> magical initiations actually work in opening the mind to
> new knowledge and
> we shall practice these initiations and do a critical study
> of them [ That
> is what is meant by "*an appreciation of the experimental
> value of
> modalities of expansion of consciousness represented by the
> kinetics of
> ritual and this course takes on board both this practical
> orientation and a
> reflexive engagement with these theories"*].
>
> While being initiated into Olokun priesthood,we shall
> relate
> the experience to relevant disciplines in
> the scientific and qualitative study of the mind.These
> include neuroscience,philosophy of mind, anthropology the
> philosophy of
> religion.Olokun initiation is also known to make one more
> creative
> and practical explorations in such arts as dance,literature
> and the fine
> arts are developed in workshops.In fact,Benin Olokun
> priests are known for
> their graphic and mud art and intricate dance forms.
> [That is what is meant by "*This immersive and
> reflexive activity is
> complemented by broad and deep training in the conceptions
> of consciousness
> developed by *developed by *neuroscience,philosophy of
> mind, anthropology,
> philosophy of religion, among other disciplines*. *The
> arts,dance,literature
> and the fine arts are also engaged with as a method of
> exploring
> creative potentialities as vitalised and stimulated
> by ritual action*".]
>
> Olokun initiation is meant to help the priest gain
> wealth, perhaps through stimulating creativity and so those
> who are pursue
> wealth,power and creativity come for Olokun
> initiation [That is what is
> meant by "*This course has proven most helpful in the
> development of both
> creativity and critical thinking. Harvard has become a
> centre for workshops in this emerging discipline as
> executives and
> politicians take part in weekend workshops developed
> through the course as
> amens of developing their creativity"*.]
>
> Foreign students are highly valued because they could bring
> their first
> hand knowledge of these practices to enrich the course.
> [That is what is
> meant by "Foreign students are especially encouraged to
> apply so they can
> enrich the course through their encounter with non-Western
> world views"]
>
> End of translation.
>
> Now,this course does not exist, as far as I know. I made it
> up.But
> I believe you get the idea.
>
> ------------------------------
>
> End of ACADEMIC-STUDY-MAGIC Digest - 13 Jun 2010 to 14 Jun
> 2010 (#2010-125)
>
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**
>
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