Thinking the Float Tank seeks to reconstruct through reflection and speculation the esoteric art of Lilly’s use of Laws of Form in the float tank, which is what Lilly referred to as the “void method.”
Google Slides excerpts: Laws of Form and Only Two can play This Game
With this aim, we hope to generate the essence of Lilly’s void method as well as a more robust cybernetic and phenomenological version of Lilly’s consciousness exploration and research by harnessing advanced philosophical energies and new techniques that were not available to Lilly in the early days of flotation. Given today’s new philosophical approaches to reality and virtuality, the new psychedelic renaissance, and novel technologies such as mixed reality, artificial intelligence, and DMTx, the ancient and perennial arts activated by the path of flotation may begin to re-enter the radical motivations and aims of the science of the flotation experience that were originally present at the beginning of its history, and that need to lead that research and activity of exploration forward. It is time to re-enter the original flotation context with renewed imagination and intelligence.
Thinking the Float Tank includes a workshop component dedicated to the reconstruction and further development of John Lilly’s use of George Spencer-Brown’s Laws of Form in the tank, which Lilly called the “void method.” The workshop, led by the conference curator Randolph Dible and by Jerry Swatez, one of John Lilly’s original workshop participants, will aim for the reconstruction of Lilly’s method(s) but also use that energy to build the path that is opened by the original hypotheses, or at least to open the door and let ourselves in.
In his books and in the conferences of the years following the AUM Conference, John Lilly identified his inner-tank methods built upon Spencer-Brown’s architecture as “the void method.” The 1974 and 1975 Form and Void Conferences continued the AUM momentum, and fifty years later we hope to do the same. On this page you will find some resources on Lilly’s use of Laws of Form in the float tank:
The American University of Masters (AUM) Conference at Esalen (1973)
At the 1973 AUM Conference, John Lilly and Alan Watts brought George Spencer-Brown to an interdisciplinary audience of luminaries including philosophers, psychedelic gurus, and scientists (see Kurt von Meier’s account). The contents of the lectures were recorded, transcribed, recently republished, but it is the broader context that we will look to now.
Audio: John Lilly on George Spencer-Brown’s Laws of Form
The relevant context of the AUM Conference can be found in certain of John Lilly’s books and in George Spencer-Brown’s books, especially his 1969 mathematical text Laws of Form.
Here are a few of the books we may want to consider first:
- Lilly, John. Center of the Cyclone. An Autobiography of Inner Space. New York: The Julian Press, 1972.
- Lilly, John, and Antonietta Lilly. The Dyadic Cyclone. The Autobiography of a Couple. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1976.
- Lilly, John. The Scientist: A Metaphysical Autobiography. Oakland: Ronin Publishing, 1988.
- Lilly, John, and Philip Hansen Bailey. The Quiet Center. Berkeley: Ronin Publishing, 2003.
- Spencer-Brown, George. Laws of Form. London: Allen and Unwin, 1969. Leipzig: Bohmeier Verlag, 2008.
- Spencer-Brown, George (pseudonym James Keys). Only Two Can Play This Game. Cambridge: Cat Books, 1971.
- Spencer-Brown, George. A Lion’s Teeth. The Tales of One Who Came Thus. 1995. Leipzig: Bohmeier Verlag, 2008.
We will focus on Lilly’s The Dyadic Cyclone and Spencer-Brown’s Laws of Form.
The Dyadic Cyclone
John Lilly was a passionate scientific explorer of inner states. He sought different methods and technologies to aid his quest. After experimenting with different external designs he settled on the flotation tank to facilitate his inner experiences. After experimenting with different internal techniques (belief systems), including psychoanalysis, yoga, biophysics, and even immersion in an esoteric school in Chile, Lilly came to attach great significance to the 1969 mathematical text by George Spencer-Brown, Laws of Form. That is the significance we will find in the motivation and aim of the AUM Conference.
In a chapter of The Dyadic Cyclone, called “States of Being and Consciousness in ‘Coma’ – The Quantum of Consciousness,” John Lilly describes his inner states experienced during a five-day period spent in a coma brought on by a bicycle accident. In a selection (1978: pages 136-145), he describes his inner adventure using Spencer-Brown’s Laws of Form, as well as a language called “topquantese” developed by Robert Edwards. The topquantese language only appeared in an appendix of an early edition of Edwards’ 1970 UCLA Ph.D. dissertation The Quantum Observer in a Neurally Engineered Prosthesis which has been removed since then, leaving no trace beyond Lilly’s discussion in this chapter. Rumor has it that Edwards went to work on covert things and disappeared. In a chapter of The Scientist: A Metaphysical Autobiography, “Control of the Brain and the Covert Intelligence Services,” Lilly illustrates the profound interest intelligence agencies and private military contractors had in the kind of work Lilly had been doing at the National Institutes of Health in the 1950s, which is also the kind of thing Robert Edwards worked on. The art and science of implanting electrodes in the brain has of course grown exponentially since then, which makes one wonder whether a corresponding development of the software-side has also thrived. An important aim of Thinking the Float Tank is to bring some real intelligence to this work.
File: The Dyadic Cyclone, John and Antoinette Lilly (1978), pp 136-145.
Lilly also included in The Dyadic Cyclone a chapter called “The Search for Reality,” which reflects on the earlier experimentation with Laws of Form in inner-tank experience. Here, Lilly brings up Wittgenstein’s Tractatus propositions about the linguistic expression of mystical experience in the context of Spencer-Brown’s own injunctive (instructional) language. Rather than remaining silent about the limit regions of the mind, Spencer-Brown’s text articulates the ultimate limit (the first distinction) and the unlimited (the unmarked state), and the primordial levels of being consequent upon indicating the first distinction in the unmarked state. For Lilly, as for Spencer-Brown himself (see Only Two Can Play This Game, Note 1, pages 123-133), the primary levels of mathematical operations correspond to perennial philosophical and theological expressions of levels of ultimate reality and ultimate states of consciousness. These primordialities are foundational ontological universal dynamisms. Identified with the most ubiquitous operations of mathematics, yet having their real being as cosmic creative forces that transcend existence and completely support its suspension in the void, these things are downright mystical. Here, Lilly uses the fairly contemporary mystic Franklin Merrell-Wolff to show this correspondence, before describing “Spencer-Brown’s doorway” (155, below).
In this reflection, mathematical entities and levels such as zero, infinity, the point, and the relation of identity are confronted with the idea of the self in the field of the float space (156-157). And finally, included in the same section is Lilly’s reproduction of the cybernetician Heinz von Foerster’s review (and summary) of Laws of Form:
File: The Dyadic Cyclone, John Lilly (1978), pp 153-158, and 171-173.
Are the contemporary legends indicated by the CIA’s own Project Stargate and Project Gateway, especially in their connections with such others as Project Janus and Lilly’s pre-SETI Order of the Golden Dolphin, really connected to the higher realms elucidated by spiritual scientific research? Do we sense within, so far as we might be experienced in Jimi Hendrix’s sense, and independently of the history and activity of mundane intelligence agencies and their controlled leak, that there is something much greater to us and to our world at every level connecting us to living cosmic creative forces that have activities and whole worlds of their own? Do we hope that in addition to the evil mundane forces that we fear in our paranoia that there are good ones and streams of pronoia that can power and amplify our own speculative scientific activity? Is it possible that the Central Intelligence Agency lives up to its name and idea and organizes the noesis indicated by our cognitive-conative agency?
Probably the CIA is a lug of thugs, but there are also embers of the light of true intelligence present in that tinder.* Perhaps, finally, the reality is that our planetary forest of material forces and hyletic matter has an inner ektropic life activity in the inner-workings, let us say a kind of ATP action, in the veins of the wood (ὕλη), and there is not only a fully functioning peripheral nervous system supporting the cognition that we see but also a hidden CNS at its core, and the speculative leap outward to the cosmic harmony that we also can see indicates an even greater CNS that necessarily connects the most economic organizations at all scales to the cosmic fireball radiation in the densely-packed region beyond the event horizon of the central Singularity.
*You’re smarter than you think and more ignorant than you’ll ever know.
Laws of Form
George Spencer-Brown’s 1969 book Laws of Form is unique in many ways. But allow me to get some of the essential content out first:
Be sure to check out the Spencer-Brown Society page for the Laws of Form Conference series. We held the inaugural conference in 2019 to mark the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Laws of Form:
The Unmarked State: Laws of Form 50th Anniversary Conference
You can find the program as well as links to videos of the presentations there. Also see the corresponding museum exhibit at West Den Haag:
ALPHABETUM III
LAWS OF FORM
GEORGE SPENCER-BROWN 28.09.2019 — 22.01.2020
In 2022 we held the Laws of Form 2022 Conference.
You can find a list of recent literature about Laws of Form here: https://www.lof50.com/books
And the corresponding West Den Haag page: http://www.westdenhaag.nl/exhibitions/22_06_Laws_of_Fom_22
When I first got into John Lilly’s work, I found a few references to Laws of Form in The Center of the Cyclone (originally published 1972), and much more in The Dyadic Cyclone (originally published 1976). All this context led me to Laws of Form, and to seek out its author. In about 2001, I found his phone number on his publisher’s website, and called George Spencer-Brown.
Here is the work itself; Laws of Form:
Excerpt: Front material for Laws of Form.
Laws of Form: Ch. 1, 2, 12, and the Notes:
Excerpt: Laws of Form Ch. 1, 2, 12, and Notes.
Form and Void Conferences (1974 and 1975)
Form and Void conference advertisements/ announcements (photos courtesy of the Heinz von Foerster Papers 1925-2005, University of Illinois Archives), and transcriptions:
FLOAT: An Association for Research and Communication, Big Sur, California 93920 USA, PERC: Phenomenology Experimental Research Center, January 31, 1975 (3/4/1975)
We are presenting our first seminar — FORM AND THE VOID — to focus on the activities of our experiential research group. in this weekend meeting we will integrate individual sensory isolation experiences with interaction in the natural environment. theory and applications will be presented in highly experiential form, including sensory/perceptual/movement metaphors for psychological and cosmological models.
We will explore the interface of form and voidness with two experiential tools: the Lilly-pool and the natural environment. the Lilly-pool is an isolation-relaxation environment, of the fluid-suspension type developed by JOHN C. LILLY. the BIG SUR woods, canyons and beaches are the natural setting for group and individual movement and meditation.
We will work with meditation and mentational exercises corresponding to, in the yoga system, the sixth and seventh chakras. the sixth is dealing with and resolving the basic dualities: GOD/individual mind/nature form/void actor/experiencer noesis/noema. the seventh is INTERPENETRATION =- or interdependence of the individual biocomputer with its sub-systems and with ALL. in addition, we will present an experiential introduction to the hologrammic-holophenomenal concept which is stimulating advanced developments in neuro-psychology, holistic systems theory, theology.
This will be an opportunity to introduce our current work and our evolving ideas – to meet and share the creative/clearing space where this world meets the fertile void. MARCH 1 and 2.
Yours sincerely,
Francis, David, Jane
FLOAT Jane E. Vennard, President/ Research Advisory Committee: Craig Enright MD/ Arthur Hastings PhD/ John C. Lilly MD/ Saul Kunitz MD/ Richard Price PhD/ David McElroy, Process Coordinator/ Francis J. Busco, Director PERC
FLOAT: An Association for Research and Communication, Big Sur, California 93920 USA, PERC: Phenomenology Experimental Research Center, April 15 (letter sent 4/21/1975)
FLOAT is exploring the human potential of freeing body/mind from structured environment — an area pioneered by JOHN C LILLY. we are especially dedicated to directing this knowledge to beneficent applications. current activities include design evolution of neutral-supportive environments based on dr Lilly’s famous “tank”, pilot studies in humanistic education and therapy; consulting; and “PERC” — a facility to give researchers and therapists access to the basic experiences. FLOAT will host a gathering MAY 2-4 to facilitate sharing of experiences and ideas. the seminar will reflect our theoretical orientation: interface of form and void.
Void is the background, the “space” in which things happen. and form, our perception reality, is best appreciated against the context of void. experience is continuum: from void, thru form, to content. moving on this continuum, to the balance point between form and void, mind is freed from content, releasing energy, enabling the mind’s imminent transparency, through which the WHOLE FORM is perceived.
Exploration of imminent transparency of mind is closely related to the holophenomenal model, a recent elucidation of the ancient Buddhist theory of interpenetration. here, anything exists not in relation to other things, but rather as reflection of everything. there is no time nor distance, as everything is intimately adjacent. taught perception of structured worlds inhibits this direct perception; achieving transparency of mind allows it. herein lies great potential for dissolving limiting belief/habit boundaries–facilitating self-actualizing trends.
In exploring form and void in a group, we are experimenting with a new vehicle of communication and synergy, emphasizing intuitive and trans-sensory modes, rather than verbal/symbol exchange. we will use the “natural space” on the BIG SUR coast, and formless deep relaxation in a sensory isolation environment. we will discuss theory and humanistic applications of the experiences. we invite you to come and share our learning space. a schedule of the week of MAY 2-4 is enclosed
BEST WISHES..
Francis Busco, Jane Vennard
FLOAT Jane E. Vennard, President/ Research Advisory Committee Craig Enright MD/ Arthur Hastings PhD/ John C. Lilly MD/ Saul Kunitz MD/ Richard Price PhD/ David McElroy, Process Coordinator/ Francis J. Busco, Director PERC
FLOAT / PERC ADVANCE ANNOUNCEMENT, February 1, 1975, FORM AND THE VOID II: a theoretical/experiential seminar, Friday-Sunday May 2-4 Big Sur, California
Schedule:
FRIDAY MAY 2 – arrive early for extensive personal experience
of suspension/relaxation/isolation
8 PM–optional theoretical session
10 AM–introduction
SATURDAY NOON–guided nature meditations–individual and group
SATURDAY 8 PM–group meditations and discussion
SUNDAY NOON- -guided individual and dyadic lilly-pool sessions
(suspension/relaxation/isolation)
group exercises and discussion
FLOAT ANNOUNCEMENT: A theoretical/experiential seminar: Friday thru Sunday May 2-4 1975, Big Sur, California 93920
Topic: humanistic applications of sensory isolation and neutral supportive environments schedule:
FRIDAY MAY 2 – – arrive early for extensive experience of suspension/relaxation/isolation
FRIDAY, 6 PM – – reception;
8-10 PM introduction (techniques, theories)
10 PM on, individual isolation sessions
SATURDAY morning – walking nature meditation and individual isolation
1 PM – . group meditation, exercises
3 PM on, guided nature meditations (bubble of perception, negative space, holograms)
SUNDAY .. dyadic sessions and small groups
1-3 PM – – theoretical session
5-7 PM – – experiential discussion and conclusion
7 PM on, more time for individual isolation practice
Suggested Reading: Carlos Castenada: Tales of Power (1974) — Heinz von Foerster: “Perception of Form in Biological and Man-Made ‘Systems,’” Journal of Industrial Designers Society of America, vol. 3, no. 3, pp. 26-40 (Sept. 1970); “Logical Structure of the Environment and its Internal Representation,” International Design Conference, Aspen 1962, R. E. Eckerstrom (ed.) 1963 — Hermann Hesse: Magister Ludi — Steppenwolf — The Glass Bead Game — John C. Lilly, M.D.: Center of the Cyclone (1972); Programming and Metaprogramming in the Human Biocomputer (1967); Simulations of God: The Science of Belief (to be published in April by Simon and Schuster — Alan Watts: Cloud-Hidden: Whereabouts Unknown “The Zero/One Amazement.”
randolphdible.com 