THE EIGHT-CIRCUIT BRAIN
Navigational Strategies for the Energetic Body
by Antero Alli (Vertical Pool Publishing, 2009)

A Book Review by David Jay Brown

 


 

I think that the 8-circuit model of the brain is the most scientifically accurate psychological model that there is because of its basis in chemistry. In chemistry, the generalization made by the British chemist J.A.R. Newlands in 1865 that, if the chemical elements are arranged according to increasing atomic weight, those with similar physical and chemical properties occur after each interval of seven elements. This became known as the Law of Octaves, and it is the basis for the Periodic Table of Elements. The law also applies to the color spectrum of the rainbow and the musical scale. Many process in the universe follow this rainbow pattern--from the life cycles of stars to the healing of wounds in the body.

It was Timothy Leary’s stroke of brilliance to apply this law to ancient mystical systems, evolutionary theory, and the development of the brain and consciousness, in an attempt to unify science and spirituality. Robert Anton Wislon developed this theory further, fleshing it out and bringing it to the attention of many people, and Antero Alli has helped to transform the theory into a practical alchemical tool for understanding, managing, and reorganizing the different parts of who we are.”

Antero Alli’s ingenious, entertaining, and practical book on “navigational strategies for the energetic body” creatively builds upon Timothy Leary and Robert Anton Wilson’s 8-circuit model of the brain--especially with regard to the relationship between the higher and lower circuits--and brings their valuable model into new and unexpected terrain. Expanding upon earlier ideas that he first developed in his praiseworthy book Angel Tech--and abandoning Leary and Wislon’s bias toward placing a greater value on the higher brain circuits over the lower ones -- Alli shares what he has learned over the years about the evolution of consciousness, and provides a master workbook for getting all eight circuits to hum together in healthful harmony.

Part self-help psychology and part revealing autobiography, The Eight-Circuit Brain also includes the complete course material and exercises from Alli’s popular class on this fascinating subject. Alli’s words rang true, through multiple dimensions, and I found myself absolutely loving this wonderful and honestly-voiced book. Jam-packed with hard-earned insights, mind-transforming perspectives, neurological tricks, magickal artwork, and practical mysticism, this book provides the psychological and shamanic tools necessary to rebuild, revitalize, and properly care for all eight levels of your mind.”

 

David J. Brown is coauthor of Mavericks of the Mind and Conversations on the Edge of the Apocalypse.