Process Philosophy and the Left-Hand Path
The Ontology of Becoming
Feb 24, 2009 Frederick Veldman
Process Philosophy apposes a grouping of philosophical approaches, otherwise collectively known as the Euclidian Method, in which an event (whether material or spiritual) is described by means of strict scientific explanations (such as a mathematical equation).
The Euclidian Method
The Euclidian Method does not take into account those real-life characteristics that define or explain our existence or being. However, substantive evidence exists to show how the Euclidian Method provides information that explains the basic characteristics of an event/ events, such as electricity (i.e. the concept of Ohm, voltage, ampere, etc.), which in turn, are used to develop new and more complex approaches that are dynamic (i.e. such as the electrocardiogram, computers, cars, process philosophy, etc.). It is therefore derived that in the most conservative way the Euclidian Method describes the Self using either the assumption that the “environment in which it exists” is static and has a fixed effect, or that it is left from the equation.
P.D. Ouspensky and Process Philosophy
The groundbreaking work of P.D. Ouspensky in "he Psychology of Man’s Possible Evolution (New York: Hedgehog Press, 1950) and Tertium Organum: The Third Canon of Thought, a Key to the Enigmas of the World (Translated from the Russian by Nicholas Bessaraboff and Claude Bragdon. Rochester, N.Y.: Manas Press, 1920; New York: Knopf, 1922; London: Kegan Paul, Trench, Trubner, 1923, 1934; 3rd American edition, New York: Knopf, 1945) invoked euclidean and noneuclidean geometry in his discussions of psychology and higher dimensions of existence, forming the basis of what we know as Process Philosophy.
Conceptualization and the Self
Real-life situations are difficult to understand, and are highly unpredictable. Process Philosophy, also defined as verb using the term “conceptualization”, provides additional angles that could be used to improve our way of understanding real-life situations. Conceptualization is based on the premises that consciousness, as a process, and function of the Self, includes a cooperative combination of factors (i.e. an environment), whether internal (intellectual, carnal etc.) or external (environmental, societal etc.) to the Self.
Conceptualization and Consciousness
These factors exert a collective effect on the Self and as a consequence, have some form of influence. In statistics this will relate to the term “confounding”. It is important to accept that this condition does not imply that a given factor should necessarily exert a measurable effect. It is mere its presence that should be accepted as part of the process. Such is consciousness. Process Philosophy is therefore more advanced in approach, but also addresses more difficult questions. It defines the process using the following tenets:
- A process is complex;
- A process has structure;
- A process has temporal coherence and unity.
Process Philosophy and "God"
A significant characteristic of Process Philosophy is that it does not restrict our own individual perception to that of the Self, but even allows for the existence of a “second” party- deity or god-from. Process Philosophy even allows for additional individual perception of the qualities of this god or -form – whether it be a mere aspect of the sub-conscious, or an independent “God/ deity”.
Within the realm of Process Philosophy “god” is part of everything, however, does not take control of the situation. It is a self-centered approach. God is therefore not in charge of the actual process, though present! How does this relate to each of you? So what? First of all, it creates awareness. Awareness as a means to learn to know the Self and the process of that which gives us experience.
Process Philosophy, the Left-Hand Path and Xeper
In Higher Education there exist two distinct approaches to assessment. The one, the Product Paradigm, describes that the learning outcome is assessed based on the quality of some product (i.e. an essay, exam, art work, etc.). Its opposite, the Travel Paradigm, explains that assessment should be based on the individual route we follow in order to achieve a desired outcome. We can relate this route to the process. Research has shown that the Travel Paradigm gives ownership of content to the learner. We can relate this to Process Philosophy and Coming into Being.
As a Left-Hand Path (LHP) practitioners we know what the “destination” of our journey is - “to Become as a god”. Process Philosophy provides an opportunity in describing the process or “route” we take to Become as a God. It does not define the destination itself. As LHP practitioner it would therefore be inevitable that we link Process Philosophy with the process of Coming Into Being, or better defined by the Aeonic term "Xeper".
Process Philosophy can be used as a valuable tool to identify, define and give structure to the process of Becoming! Process Philosophy could therefore be considered as a tool for exploring the Self. It is highly personal. It also requires of us to become aware of those factors that interact with the Self. The process of Becoming could therefore be refined and hopefully, better directed!
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