The Eight-Circuit Model of Consciousness is a psychological and philosophical framework originally developed by Timothy Leary, a psychologist and counterculture figure, and later expanded upon by Robert Anton Wilson in his book “Prometheus Rising.” This model suggests that the human brain operates on eight interconnected “circuits” or levels of consciousness. Each circuit represents a different level of awareness, intelligence, and perception, and contributes to the overall functioning of the human mind.

Here is an overview of the Eight Circuits:

1. Bio-survival Circuit: The first and most basic circuit is centered around survival, safety, and the fight-or-flight response. This circuit is activated from birth and focuses on the individual’s immediate needs, such as nourishment and protection.
2. Emotional-Territorial Circuit: This circuit is responsible for social dominance, territorial behavior, and emotional responses. It emerges during early childhood and helps individuals assert themselves within their social environment and establish their place in the world.
3. Symbolic-Conceptual Circuit: The third circuit is concerned with language, logic, and abstract thinking. It develops as children learn to communicate using symbols and words, enabling them to express complex ideas and engage in problem-solving.
4. Socio-Sexual Circuit: This circuit involves morality, sexual behavior, and the development of cultural norms and values. It emerges during adolescence and helps individuals navigate social and sexual relationships, as well as adhere to the cultural expectations of their community.
5. Neurosomatic Circuit: The fifth circuit is associated with heightened sensory awareness, bodily pleasure, and altered states of consciousness. It can be activated through practices like meditation, yoga, or the use of psychedelics, and is linked to feelings of bliss, ecstasy, and mind-body integration.
6. Neuroelectric Circuit: The sixth circuit is related to psychic abilities, intuition, and non-linear thinking. It can be activated through deep meditation, out-of-body experiences, or the use of certain psychedelic substances. This circuit allows individuals to access higher levels of consciousness and experience psychic phenomena.
7. Neurogenetic Circuit: The seventh circuit is connected to genetic memory, ancestral knowledge, and the collective unconscious. It can be accessed through practices like past-life regression, shamanic journeying, or the use of certain entheogens. This circuit enables individuals to tap into the wisdom and experiences of their ancestors and the human species as a whole.
8. Psycho-Atomic Circuit: The eighth and final circuit is associated with quantum consciousness, mystical experiences, and unity with the cosmos. It can be accessed through profound spiritual experiences, near-death experiences, or the use of powerful psychedelics. This circuit represents the pinnacle of human consciousness, where the individual merges with the infinite and transcends the boundaries of space and time.

The Eight-Circuit Model of Consciousness suggests that by understanding and developing these circuits, individuals can expand their awareness, intelligence, and perception, ultimately leading to personal growth and transformation.