This is a posting which Joseph Riggio, creator and architect of the MythoSelf^TM process (also referred to or referenced as the Mythogenic Self^TM Process), posted to the Deep Mind Yahoo Group.  It's a very good description of the process direct from the creator himself.

Hello all,

I've been following the spirituality thread for a while now. I've found it interesting in both form and content. Thanks for all the comments and thoughts I've enjoyed them.

This is an area we place a great deal of attention on in the MythoSelf™ work, i.e.: spirituality and the position of "self" that is transparent to "IT." I think Thilakshan refers to this sense of spirituality in his posting below ­ the dissolving of the experience of duality. I'd use the English word, "Being" to make this reference within the context of the work I am engaged in and the methodology we use to attain this state of spirituality I am referring to and that I believe Thilakshan refers to as well.

There are two aspects of "Being" that are present in most Western Philosophical disciplines. The first is the dualistic aspect where both self and other, this and that, here and there,past and future ... exist. This equates to "ordinary" perception in terms of cause and effect and linearity. The second aspect is the singularity where all sense of self and other, this and that, here and there, past and future ... collapse, what remains is the unified point of pure experience. The second aspect of Being expresses most closely what we aim at in the MythoSelf work.

In other words the experience of the experience as it unfolds without interpretation or filtering. The totality of the experience fills and floods the experience of the individual so completely that all sense of boundary dissipates and dissolves. In assimilating the experience time ceases to exist and the individuals stands at the center of the Universe while extending to its outermost edge. Like this ... all sense of self proper also dissipates and dissolves into that which is Greater Than Self (referred to in the MythoSelf work as GTS). The individual is left experiencing only the pure rush and exhilaration of the epiphany of Being.

The is organized in relation to the sense of the self at their best ... a pervasive sense of wellbeing ... what we refer to as the GDS (from Roye Fraser's "Generative Imprint-tm" Model), or the Generalized Desired State. The GDS is the state from which anything and everything is possible.

These two experiences are held in simultaneity and oscillated to generate the state of experience that contains and manifests both, what we call Intent. Intent manifests most evidently as a profound directionality in the individual's life, a sense of being on one's path ... living in accordance with one's purpose. We can equate this with Joseph Campbell's "Bliss" when one lives out the adventure of one's life ... responding to the "Call to Adventure" on their "Hero's Journey."

With this preamble in place I want to move onto the process/methodology used within the MythoSelf work itself ...

The initial consideration that distinguishes the MythoSelf work from many more well-known spiritual paths (both Eastern and Western) concerns us with the foundational premise they operate from. Many spiritual paths begin from and work with the "shadow" experience of the individual ... or put more simply what doesn't work in an individual's life. This orientation generates an awareness of limitation and in doing so presents to the individual that which must be transcended, which in turn creates the opportunity of transformation. The MythoSelf work begins from the most positive experience of the individual (this references the G.D.S. - which in turn flows from the origination in the Generative Imprint Model). We access the G.D.S. and use it as a lens to focus the experience of the individual towards the unfolding of awareness in relation to possibility (as opposed to limitation). Like this the individual experiences transformation in the instant of this awareness being present.

The distinction between transcendence and transparency also distinguishes the MythoSelf work from many other spiritual paths. Transcendence suggests a moving beyond or above the existing limitation. Transparency suggests the dissipation and dissolving of all limitation, or as we'd prefer to address it within the context of the MythoSelf work ... going to where limitation isn't. Transparency is a state of being that allows the individual to be present to the immediacy of the unfolding moment while fully and completely experiencing it ... creating the possibility of assimilating "IT" as well. This is beyond any boundary condition of duality.

The uniquely "Western" perspective of this approach makes this extraordinarily relevant within the context of this thread. The distinction between "Eastern" and "Western" never requires resolution when this perspective becomes operative. Yin and Yang exist and operate within this perspective and without requiring explanation or resolution. Some people refer to this perspective as a "Fourth Way" path of spirituality. Fourth Way spiritual paths refer to being in the world while pursuing spiritual awareness or enlightenment. This position remains uniquely different from those spiritual paths that emphasize moving away from or even exiting the world, e.g.: mediation, contemplation, hermitage ... while pursuing enlightenment.

Upon considering this position it becomes evident than that from a Fourth Way approach operating out of the experience of "What Works" makes great sense. It allows for the movement to enlightenment to operate within the domain of possibility as opposed to that of limitation. The outstanding question then remains, "How to I access the G.D.S. and then oscillate it with the G.T.S. to establish the position of Intent?"

We begin metaphorically or mythologically, by identifying the dominant metaphor or myth that drives the individual experience. This becomes evident by accessing the state as held in the physiology or the "somatic form." In other words, "When you consider yourself in terms of how you are at your best what are you aware of that true of you?" Thinking about a specific time when you experienced the world from the position of everything going well ... a position where you couldn't put a foot down wrong so to speak ... what event comes to mind? When you consider this event what are you aware of about yourself ... specifically in terms of your somatic experience? This becomes the basis of the entry into modeling the G.D.S., in most ­ if not all ­ cases this modeling can best be performed by a skilled facilitator as it remains virtually impossible without initial guidance for most people to notice themselves without going meta to their experience., which of course would mean you are no longer in your experience.

Once we've established the G.D.S. the dominant metaphor or myth that the individual associates with it becomes the object of attention. We use a process we refer to as eliciting "A Story Out of the Blue" (based on an exercise culled from the Generative Imprint Model). This story often represents the way the individual has organized themselves to experience their life and to make manifest the future experience of it that "hasn't happened - yet." So the question we use sounds like, "Like this ... (referencing the G.D.S. position ­ with a specific and precise reference to the somatic form down to the micro-muscular description) tell me Oa story out of the blue' ... a story that could be true of you ... from your past ... something you think about ... or have thought about ... even a story that appeals to you ... a fairy-tale or folk-tale ... a story from a book you've read ... or a movie you've seen ... the first one that comes to mind ... "Like this ..." (again referencing the G.D.S.)." Pay particular attention to the micro-movements that indicate access to the story and use that one ... if you are facilitating this process with someone else tell them to use "that one" ... the one that you calibrate them accessing first.

The trick in making the dominant metaphor or myth relevant to the individual exists in uncovering the subjective relationship for them. How this metaphor/myth has shown up and shows up regularly in the individual's life. It will be an orientation that can be obvious and direct or elusive and suggestive. Either way the metaphor/myth remains the organizing paradigm of the individual. The singularity of the individual's experience both remains and transports the individual beyond the boundary of duality.

This work can be seen from either an Eastern or Western perspective without interpretation or adjustment. It parallels spiritual work that can be found in both Eastern and Western approaches in antiquity. While no suggestion has been made that this work represents something new or even innovative, this approach has been organized in a way that makes it accessible within a modern context. The relevance of this approach within the context of this thread remains in association to the accessibility of it in reference to blurring of the distinctions between Eastern and Western ... and the updating of the spiritual ideas that were explored by humanity seen the dawn of consciousness to a modern, present day access taking advantage of the knowledge gained in the intervening eras of development.

I hope you've found this description and meandering approachable, interesting and valuable.

Best regards,

Joseph Riggio