SUBTLE ENERGY AND THE STRUCTURE OF SUBJECT-OBJECT CONSCIOUSNESS by GARY LEE BUCK A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN PSYCHOLOGY MERIDIAN UNIVERSITY 2010 Copyright by GARY LEE BUCK 2010 SUBTLE ENERGY AND THE STRUCTURE OF SUBJECT-OBJECT CONSCIOUSNESS by GARY LEE BUCK A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN PSYCHOLOGY MERIDIAN UNIVERSITY 2010 This dissertation has been accepted for the Faculty of Meridian University by: ______________________________________ Roberta Goldfarb, Ph.D. Dissertation Advisor ______________________________________ Melissa Schwartz, Ph.D. Dissertation Chair ______________________________________ Aftab Omer, Ph.D. Academic Dean For the liberation of all sentient beings throughout the vast expanse of conditioned existence. v ABSTRACT SUBTLE ENERGY AND THE STRUCTURE OF SUBJECT/OBJECT CONSCIOUSNESS by Gary Lee Buck This study explores ways in which attending with mindfulness to subtle energy patterning that underlies and structures subject-object consciousness enables openings and shifts towards participatory consciousness. The research hypothesis stated that by mindfully engaging the subtle energy patterns that solidify the subject-object structure of consciousness, this structure would be transmuted, breaking the segregation of the knowing subject from its objects, revealing the realm of participatory consciousness. Literature in Western Psychology about consciousness, human development, and research on Buddhist meditation, plus sources on subtle energy, Buddhism and Imaginal Psychology were reviewed. There was a gap in the literature regarding analysis of first person reports of expert meditators exploring the transition between subject-object and participatory consciousness, especially from the subtle energy perspective. The methodology used Imaginal Inquiry to explore the experience of expert meditators focused on hypothesized subtle energy boundaries between subject and object. The Cumulative Learning stated that mindfully inquiring into the apparent boundary between subject and object within the context of the Imaginal Inquiry research paradigm was an effective strategy for experientially exploring the transition between vi subject-object and participatory forms of consciousness including the variety of expressions of participatory consciousness. Learning One demonstrated that Buddhist meditators expert in both concentration and mindful inquiry techniques who focus on the apparent boundary between subject and object have easy access to this realm of participatory consciousness. Learning Two empirically demonstrated that the transition from subject-object consciousness to states where there is no longer a sense of separation between subject and object represents a range of discrete experiences that has a natural sequence. Learning Three demonstrated that expert meditators can detail the process by which subject-object consciousness shifts into participatory modes of experiencing, highlighting the role of attention. Learning Four demonstrated that expert meditators can detail the process by which primordial awareness expresses itself as subject/object consciousness. These Learnings demonstrated the efficacy of Imaginal Inquiry to explore the transition between subject-object and participatory forms of consciousness and offered empirical evidence for views held in Buddhist contexts. This research had implications for those studying perception, attention, projection, consciousness, and the psychological role of subtle energy. vii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This dissertation would not have been possible without the tireless sacrifice and support of my wife, Patharwadee Kulkeaw. To her my deepest gratitude. I wish to thank my Dissertation Committee, Roberta Goldfarb, Ph.D., Melissa Schwartz, Ph.D., and Aftab Omer, Ph.D. for their patient support and for allowing me to tackle an unusual, challenging, and difficult topic that was important to me. I owe a debt of gratitude to my teachers at Meridian University who skillfully opened my mind to the realm of Imaginal Psychology. Over the years I have been blessed to receive Buddhist teachings from some of the finest teachers on the planet. Of special importance relative to my dissertation topic are Christopher Titmuss, who first inspired my interest in Dependent Origination, the late Ajahn Buddhadassa, who nurtured that interest, and Joseph Goldstein and Steve Armstrong, who guided me during the three-month retreat where my own understanding of the relationship between Dependent Origination, the rūpa jhānas and ārippas, and the patterned activity of subtle energy all fell into place. I have especially benefited in more recent years from my association with the Dzogchen and Mahamudra practice lineages of the Vajrayana Buddhist tradition. Tibetan teachers in these traditions who have influenced my own development in ways that are reflected in this dissertation are the late Tulku Urgyen, the late Chagdud Rinpoche, Gyatrul Rinpoche, and Thrangu Rinpoche. Lama Drimed, who nurtured my interest in Dzogchen, Lama Thapkay, especially for his teachings on Mahamudra, and Lama Palden, for her ongoing support in many ways are Western Vajrayana teachers who have been influential and/or supportive in important viii ways. In the Zen tradition, Sasaki Roshi pointed me directly towards my topic with his use of koans. In the Theravadan tradition, Ajahn Amaro of Abhayagiri Monastery offered support and encouragement at a critical time. I have been fortunate to have found a Buddhist lineage of healing energy work, Reiki Jin Kei Do, which has helped me to cultivate my own sensitivity to, and understanding of, subtle energy as well as its relationship to visionary imagery. I want to especially thank Gordon Bell, who first attuned me to the Reiki of this lineage, Ann Pectal, who taught me its healing practices and introduced me to its more spiritual practice of Buddho EnerSense, and Ann’s teacher, Ranga Premratana, who, upon hearing of my experiences with subtle energy and Dependent Origination from Ann, encouraged me to write about that understanding. A letter I wrote to Ranga in response to this request became the basis for my description of my own experiences in Appendix 13. Numerous friends and colleagues have offered invaluable support along the way. Among them are Richard Miller, Ph.D., John Prendergast, Ph.D., Leslie Grant, and Tom Riddle, all four of whom volunteered their time to help me complete a pilot study to test my methodology which gave me the confidence to move forward. Leslie has been an especially supportive friend over the duration of my dissertation efforts, as has my fellow Cohort Seven member, Glenn Francis, on whom I could always rely for good advice and an understanding ear. My clinical supervisor, Brian Lukas, Ph.D., has helped me to stay afloat financially during my school years. Liza Ravitz, Ph.D., guided me through the emotional challenges of a dissertation, lending encouragement at critical times. Lastly I would like to thank my eight participants without whom this dissertation would not have been possible. Their generous offering of their time and expertise, as well ix as their sincere efforts in all aspects of their part in this research project were essential to its completion. x CONTENTS ABSTRACT . v ACKNOWLEDGMENTS . vii Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION . 1 Research Topic Relationship to the Topic Theory-in-Practice Research Problem and Hypothesis Methodology and Research Design Learnings Significance and Relevance of the Topic 2. LITERATURE REVIEW . 22 Introduction Western Perspectives on Consciousness Developmental Perspectives on Consciousness Recent Western Scientific Research on Buddhist Meditation Perspectives on Subtle Energy, Subtle Body and Subtle Sense Capacities Buddhist Perspectives on Consciousness and Subtle Energy Imaginal Approaches to Consciousness and Subtle Energy xi Conclusion 3. METHODOLOGY . 108 Introduction and Overview Participants The Four Phases of Imaginal Inquiry 4. LEARNINGS . 129 Introduction and Overview Cummulative Learning: Healing the Cleft in Consciousness Learning One: Opening from Two into One Learning Two: A Cartography of Participation: From Interconnectedness to Interpenetration to Insubstantiality and Beyond Learning Three: Depolarizing Attention: Opening to the Undivided Activity of the Cosmos Learning Four: Witness to Creation: Rending the World into Two Conclusion 5. REFLECTIONS . 189 Significance of Learnings Mythic and Archetypal Reflections Implications of the Study Appendix 1. ETHICS APPLICATION . 226 2. CONCEPTUAL OUTLINE . 232 3. CHRONOLOGICAL OUTLINE . 234 4. INFORMED CONSENT FORM . 239 xii 5. SCREENING INTERVIEW PROTOCOL . 242 6. MINDFUL EXPLORATION EXERCISE AND REPORTING PROTOCOL . 244 7. MINDFUL EXPLORATION EXERCISE DAILY JOURNAL FORM . 247 8. TEN-DAY SUMMARY REPORT FORM . 248 9. POST-DATA COLLECTION INTERVIEW PROTOCOL . 250 10. POST-DATA COLLECTION INTERVIEW RESEARCHER SELF-TRACKING FORM . 253 11. SUMMARY OF THE DATA. 254 12. SUMMARY OF THE LEARNINGS . 274 13. THE SUBTLE ENERGY DYNAMICS OF DEPENDENT ORIGINATION . 278 14. TABLE TWO: THE EARLY LINKS OF DEPENDENT ORIGINATION . 320 15. “WHERE HAVE ALL THE BOUNDARIES GONE? LONG TIME PASSING” . .324 NOTES . 331 REFERENCES . 394 1 CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION Research Topic This research project focuses on subject-object consciousness, its transmutation into participatory consciousness and the role of subtle energy activity in that