The Willing Suspension of Belief

Theatrical Idealism: Qbism, Crowley and Kastrup

The Willing Suspension of Disbelief

The term "willing suspension of disbelief" was coined by the English poet and philosopher Samuel Taylor Coleridge in 1817. It describes the intentional avoidance of critical thinking or logic when engaging with a work of fiction, in order to fully immerse oneself in the story. This concept allows readers or viewers to accept fantastical elements—such as magic, improbable events, or mythical creatures—that would otherwise challenge their understanding of reality.

In literature, theater, and film, creators rely on this suspension to convey themes and narratives that transcend ordinary experiences. By setting aside skepticism, the audience becomes emotionally invested in the characters and plot, enabling a deeper connection with the underlying messages.

A New Idea: Reality as a Cinematic Experience

Building upon the concept of the willing suspension of disbelief, imagine reality itself as all encompassing film in which we are both the actors and the audience. In this metaphor, life unfolds on the screen of our perception, and our beliefs and attitudes act as the lens through which we view this cinematic experience.

1. Scripted Narratives and Personal Stories: Just as films follow scripts, our lives are guided by personal narratives and societal norms. We interpret events based on our beliefs, values, and past experiences, effectively writing our own scripts as we go along.

2. Directors and Influences: Various forces—culture, education, relationships—act as directors that shape our perspectives and actions. They influence the plot twists and character development within our personal films.

3. Suspension of Disbelief in Daily Life: To fully engage with life's possibilities, we often suspend disbelief about what we can achieve or what the future holds. This openness allows us to dream, set goals, and pursue endeavors that might seem improbable.

4. Collective Cinema: Societies function through shared beliefs and mutual suspensions of disbelief. Money, laws, and social constructs exist because we collectively agree to believe in them, much like an audience agrees to believe in the world of a film.

5. Reality's Special Effects: Just as films use special effects to create awe-inspiring scenes, life presents us with moments of wonder—natural phenomena, human achievements, personal triumphs—that challenge our understanding and inspire us to explore further.

Embracing the Metaphor

Viewing reality as a film encourages us to:

• Actively Participate: Recognize that we have agency in our stories. We can make choices that alter the plot and lead to different outcomes.

• Stay Open-Minded: By willingly suspending disbelief, we remain open to new experiences and ideas that enrich our lives.

• Find Meaning: Understanding that we help co-create reality allows us to find deeper meaning in our actions and their impact on the world around us.

Conclusion

The metaphor of reality as a film underscores the power of perception and belief in shaping our experiences. By adopting the willing suspension of disbelief in our daily lives, we open ourselves to a richer, more engaging existence where the ordinary becomes extraordinary, and every moment is a scene in the ever-unfolding movie of life.

The Willing Suspension of Belief

While the willing suspension of disbelief involves setting aside skepticism to immerse oneself in a fictional world, the concept of the willing suspension of belief flips this idea on its head. It suggests deliberately setting aside one's pre-existing beliefs to experience reality from a fresh, unbiased perspective. This can lead to new insights, creativity, and a deeper understanding of the world.

In Both Cases: Disbelief vs. Belief

1. Willing Suspension of Disbelief:

   • Purpose: To engage fully with fiction by temporarily accepting the implausible or fantastical elements within a story.

   • Application: Allows audiences to become emotionally invested in narratives that defy logical constraints.

2. Willing Suspension of Belief:

   • Purpose: To momentarily set aside personal beliefs and preconceived notions to experience reality without bias.

   • Application: Encourages open-mindedness, critical thinking, and the exploration of new ideas or perspectives.

Metaphor of Reality as a Film

In the metaphor where reality is likened to a film, the willing suspension of belief plays a crucial role:

• Resetting the Lens: Just as a camera lens can be adjusted for clarity, suspending belief allows us to recalibrate our perceptions. We can observe the "film" of reality without the filters of our biases.

• Experiencing Unfiltered Reality: By setting aside beliefs, we watch the movie of life as it is, not as we expect or want it to be. This can lead to profound realizations and a more authentic engagement with the world.

Relation to QBism and Chaos Magick

1. QBism (Quantum Bayesianism):

   • Overview: QBism is an interpretation of quantum mechanics that emphasizes the role of the observer's subjective beliefs. It posits that quantum probabilities are personal and relate to an individual's expectations about measurement outcomes.

   • Suspension of Belief in QBism:

     • Personal Beliefs as Central: In QBism, an observer's beliefs shape their understanding of quantum phenomena.

     • Suspending Beliefs for Objectivity: By willingly suspending their beliefs, an observer can re-evaluate their expectations and interpretations of quantum events, potentially leading to new insights or theories.

     • Exploring Uncertainty: Suspended beliefs allow physicists to embrace uncertainty and paradoxes inherent in quantum mechanics without being constrained by classical intuitions.

2. Chaos Magick:

   • Overview: Chaos magick is a contemporary magical practice that emphasizes the pragmatic use of belief as a tool. Practitioners adopt and discard beliefs as needed, without attachment to any specific doctrine.

   • Suspension of Belief in Chaos Magick:

     • Belief as a Tool: By suspending their current beliefs, practitioners can adopt new ones that are more effective for their intentions.

     • Flexibility and Adaptability: This approach allows for a fluid movement between different paradigms, enhancing the efficacy of magical practices.

     • Breaking Boundaries: Suspended beliefs enable magicians to transcend limitations imposed by rigid belief systems, opening up possibilities for transformation and manifestation.

Connecting the Concepts

• Open-Minded Exploration: Both QBism and chaos magick value the suspension of belief as a means to explore reality beyond conventional boundaries.

• Subjective Experience: They acknowledge the role of personal perception and belief in shaping one's experience of the world.

• Creation of Reality: By managing beliefs, individuals can influence their interpretation and interaction with reality, much like directors influencing the outcome of a film.

Implications for Understanding Reality

• Empowerment: Recognizing that beliefs shape perception empowers individuals to consciously choose or suspend beliefs to alter their experience.

• Enhanced Perception: Suspended beliefs can lead to heightened awareness and a deeper understanding of phenomena that are otherwise filtered out by preconceived notions.

• Innovation: In science, art, and personal growth, suspending beliefs can foster creativity and the discovery of new ideas.

Conclusion

The willing suspension of belief invites us to temporarily let go of our mental models and approach reality with fresh eyes. In the metaphor of life as a film, this means watching without the script we've written in our minds, allowing the true narrative to unfold. In QBism, it enables a reevaluation of the foundational aspects of quantum mechanics through the lens of personal belief. In chaos magick, it becomes a practical method for effecting change by manipulating belief structures.

By embracing the willing suspension of belief, we open ourselves to a richer tapestry of experiences, unlock creative potential, and engage with reality in a more profound and meaningful way.

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Magick

Magick is often defined, particularly in the works of Aleister Crowley, as "the art and science of causing change to occur in conformity with one's true will." This definition emphasizes the purposeful use of willpower to influence reality. Magick, in this context, is not about performing supernatural feats but about aligning oneself so completely with one's true purpose that reality adjusts accordingly.

Integrating Magick with the Willing Suspension of Belief

When we incorporate this definition of magick into the concept of the willing suspension of belief, several intriguing connections emerge:

1. Harnessing Willpower Through Suspension of Belief:

   • Clearing Mental Obstacles: By suspending existing beliefs, especially those that limit our perception of what's possible, we create mental space to focus our willpower more effectively.

   • Directing Intent: Without the clutter of preconceived notions, our intentions become clearer and more potent, allowing us to align our actions with our true will.

2. Magick as Active Participation in Reality's Film:

   • Rewriting the Script: If reality is a film and we are both actors and directors, magick becomes the tool by which we edit the script to reflect our true desires.

   • Conscious Creation: Suspension of belief enables us to step out of passive roles and consciously shape the narrative, influencing outcomes through deliberate intent.

Connection to QBism and Chaos Magick

1. QBism (Quantum Bayesianism):

   • Observer-Centric Reality: QBism posits that the outcomes of quantum measurements are not fixed until observed, and that these outcomes are influenced by the observer's beliefs and expectations.

   • Magick and Quantum Mechanics: If belief shapes reality at the quantum level, then suspending and redirecting belief—as in magick—could theoretically influence physical phenomena.

   • Alignment with True Will: By focusing on one's true will and adjusting beliefs accordingly, an individual might affect probabilities in subtle ways, aligning experiences with intentions.

2. Chaos Magick:

   • Belief as a Tool: Chaos magick teaches that belief is a mutable tool rather than a fixed state. Practitioners adopt and discard beliefs to achieve specific results.

   • Suspension of Belief for Manifestation:

     • Flexibility: By suspending all beliefs, a practitioner becomes free to adopt any belief system that serves their purpose, effectively programming their reality.

     • True Will: Aligning with one's true will is central to chaos magick. Suspension of belief removes internal conflicts that hinder this alignment.

Magick, Belief, and the Film of Reality

• Editing Reality's Film: Magick can be seen as the editor's toolset for the film of reality. By suspending belief, we access the editing room, making cuts and additions that reflect our true will.

• Collective Reality and Shared Beliefs:

  • Societal Constructs: Money, laws, and social norms are collective agreements—shared beliefs that shape our collective reality.

  • Magickal Influence: An individual adept at suspending personal belief might influence collective beliefs subtly, contributing to shifts in societal norms.

Practical Implications

1. Personal Transformation:

   • Overcoming Limiting Beliefs: Suspending belief allows individuals to transcend self-imposed limitations, opening pathways to personal growth and achievement.

   • Empowerment: Aligning actions with true will through magick leads to a sense of purpose and empowerment.

2. Creative Endeavors:

   • Innovation: In art, science, and problem-solving, suspending conventional beliefs can lead to groundbreaking ideas and solutions.

   • Flow State: Artists and athletes often describe a state where they become one with their activity—a manifestation of aligning with true will.

3. Spiritual Development:

   • Mindfulness and Presence: Letting go of beliefs fosters a deeper connection with the present moment, a common goal in many spiritual practices.

   • Unity with the Universe: Magick, as the alignment with true will, often leads to experiences of oneness with the larger reality.

Conclusion

The willing suspension of belief becomes a powerful mechanism when combined with the principles of magick. By deliberately setting aside our preconceived notions, we tap into the ability to shape reality in accordance with our true will. This process echoes in QBism's emphasis on the observer's role in defining reality and in chaos magick's use of belief as a flexible tool for transformation.

Viewing reality as a film, we are not only the audience or actors but also the directors and editors. Magick empowers us to take on these roles consciously. By suspending belief, we gain access to the deeper layers of reality's narrative, allowing us to rewrite the script in ways that reflect our deepest intentions and desires.

In embracing this approach, we acknowledge the profound impact of belief on our experience of reality. We become active participants in the unfolding story of our lives, harnessing the art and science of magick to conform reality to our true will. This alignment transforms not only our personal journey but also contributes to the collective evolution of consciousness.