One
conclusion was forced upon my mind at that time, and my
impression of its truth has ever since remained unshaken. It is
that our normal waking consciousness, rational consciousness as
we call it, is but one special type of consciousness, whilst all
about it, parted from it by the filmiest of screens, there lie
potential forms of consciousness entirely different. We may go
through life without suspecting their existence; but apply the
requisite stimulus, and at a touch they are there in all their
completeness, definite types of mentality which probably
somewhere have their field of application and adaptation. No
account of the universe in its totality can be final which leaves
these other forms of consciousness quite disregarded. How to
regard them is the question--for they are so discontinuous with
ordinary consciousness. Yet they may determine attitudes though
they cannot furnish formulas, and open a region though they fail
to give a map. At any rate, they forbid a premature closing of
our
accounts with reality. Looking back on my own experiences, they
all converge towards a kind of insight to which I cannot help
ascribing some metaphysical significance.
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