• ZƎKTA

The total blackout end of the spectrum is called Aphantasia. It’s rare, only about 1% of people have this.

I have this. When people would say “imagine pictures or scenes in your head” to me as a child I thought that they were speaking metaphorically, like you imagine the idea or the feeling of a thing, but you don’t actually see anything. I had no idea that most people can really create these scenes or images in their heads all of the time.

I have a very presiding, governing inner monologue, which I would describe as a simulation of my voice in my head that I use to think with. When I found out that some people don’t have this, I was totally shocked;

“What you mean people don’t think?!” .. “Are they NPC’s?”… No, apparently you can be highly functionally cognisant, thinking, and articulate without having any voice simulation in your head.

I still don’t understand how people without an inner monologue read silently though? Maybe they just see the words and ascribe meaning to them somehow.

Although I do find it amazing that most people can create images and scenes in their minds, I can understand this because I imagine that they are able to create visual simulations within, just like I am able to create the simulation of my speaking voice within me.

It might seem shocking to people that I can’t remember the faces of loved ones, but when they are not there I just can’t see anything, so I don’t know what they look like until I see them again, then it’s instant recognition - it’s not the same as face blindness.

The term Aphantasia was only coined in 2015, and studies/discussions on inner speech are relatively recent too, considering humans have been using brains for ever. Recent viral discussion and debates on these matters suggest there is an increased interest in our inner experiences.

Clearly our inner cognitive cartographies can differ dramatically from each other, so what does this mean for the development of inner Knowing (Gnosis)?

Whether it’s continual inner chatter or persistent visualisation, either of these might become factors of distraction that lead us away from the core of our innate capacity to Know.

I believe the fact that I live in cognitive darkness might aid me in my search for the light within, and therefore I am relieved that I cannot create inner images because I think that they would only distract me, I have no use for them. I use my mind to think with, to make decisions, and to navigate the world, and I work to connect it to a deeper intelligence within and beyond me — that’s all I require.

Sometimes, very rarely during deep meditations, partial sleep-like states, or when I have taken psychedelics in the past, I have received visualisations in my minds eye. These are usually only fleeting, flashes, and I cannot consciously create them for myself. I once for instance saw the flower of life pattern vivid, crisp and clear after staring at the sun and then closing my eyes whilst on acid.

As we develop greater cognitive and intuitive capacities, whilst we transition into a new era, and ultimately into a new consciousness, a foundation in Knowledge will be built on the diverseness and the vast expression of our unique inner universe, each representing microcosms of The One, infinite creator.

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ZƎK. (Xegis)

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