Model of the Mind, Part 2

The structure of the mind explained with five archetypes: The Inquisitor, Producer, Feared, Guardian and the Reliable.

We spoke in the previous article about how, empirically we have shown a correlation between certain processes and the nature of consciousness. We’ve seen how that process of information integration that seems to be at the heart of what we consider to be consciousness comprises of several sub-aspects. We also spoke about how it is likely that consciousness is the very process driving reality itself, and so understanding the structure of consciousness can help us maintain a reality in alignment with our desires.

Here we’ll introduce some archetypes to discuss how the different aspects of mind may be manifested and presented to us. These archetypes represent what our mind needs at any one time in order to continue to exist. As such, it seems likely that it will project or manifest them in various ways, in varying degrees, at all times.

As we’ll see, many of these must manifest as an other - and by that I mean an external thing, or being - one that we don’t seem to have control over. This may be necessary for certain characteristics simply because of they are incompatible with being controlled by their nature.

Our mind effectively constructs these others in order to satisfy the need for each of these aspects to be manifest for consciousness to exist. It projects them into what we consider to be others. Each of these others will express different aspects, sometimes by themselves and other times in combination with others.

Once you understand what these different aspects are, you should be able to identify them in the world seemingly around you.

So let’s delve in. Firstly, we’ll start with the Inquisitor.

This archetype represents curiosity, the need (often desperate need) to understand everything, and to know exactly why things happen. It seeks to uncover the causes for everything so that it can reduce them to causes. This isn’t necessarily an other, but can be when combined with an other archetype.

The Inquisitor the one trait that is generally seen as a negative. To understand why, you need to appreciate that causes are not an innate part of reality from an Idealist perspective. It stems from one very important fact: The only actual cause is mind. Imputing material causes, trying to find them and apply them to everything that happens, can quickly turn reality into a machine-like materialism that completely negates the agency of mind from the picture. It’s a bit like the difference between being in a car that you’re controlling, or one where the steering wheel breaks off. Or the brakes stop working.

We’ll touch more on this later, but it’s a critical dynamic to be aware of.

The next archetype is the Producer. This archetype represents what is novel, interesting and useful. It is, in general, the object of our desire. This represents the “Other”, because it must necessarily always be something you don’t have in order to be new. We meet them in many forms including our spouse - that opposite gendered, mysterious individual who continuously provides for us if not materially then spiritually. The purer forms of the Producer will provide without you understanding how they do this, in other words they can provide without the need for the Inquisitor to be present. (At the other extreme, the pure Inquisitor Producer is the ultimate deceiver, the devil).

Next is the Feared. This archetype represents the unknown, often in a negative way because of the intrinsic fear that will always exist when confronting the unknown. To be able to receive anything novel, anything from a Producer, the Feared must always be present. The more pure it is, the more Feared is present. It represents the Unpredictable. This also must be an “Other” for it to be unknown.

Next is the Guardian. This archetype represents security and strength. These are the things that you keep close to you, to maintain your characteristics. It is usually part of the Self, but when you meet one that is “Other”, you will want them to become your friend and incorporate them into your life, perhaps through imitation or forming a bond.

And lastly is the Reliable. This archetype represents consistency, predictability, wanting and needing everything to work the same way. Closely related to the Guardian, and easy to base off the Inquisitor and understanding. Where the Reliable lies, the Feared avoids. But if it is able to sneak in, it can quickly destroy everything.

Now we must always have these present in our lives. They largely manifest as other people because of their necessity to be other than ourselves, even if some must also be part of ourselves - including the Reliable and the Guardian. But sometimes the countertype manifests, perhaps reflecting an inherent weakness in that aspect, often representing the threat to that very characteristic that we want to maintain. And so we then manifest an archetype to complement and often negate that countertype.

The countertypes will also be “other” because they always represent the “feared” aspect of the other types. For example, the Guardian will always have a Feared as an “other” to represent a threat to the Guardian, reflecting the weakness you see in the Guardian.

The same with the “Reliable” - who you want to be predictable. The Feared again creeps into this, as the ability for the Reliable to be potentially unpredictable. Perhaps from a past bad experience.

Many of these countertypes arise because of the Inquisitor that always offers these other archetypes on its own terms. But because you are trying to rid yourself of the Inquisitor, certain aspects of the manifestations you have will always be on shaky ground, and then the lack of confidence you have in them manifests as countertypes in various forms.

The forms of these manifestations come from ideas that we construct either consciously or unconsciously. Often they are subtle modifications of existing ideas, changes that are made without consideration for the dependencies they impose - for example introducing a “Feared” aspect to what was otherwise a strong “Guardian” type, which stops us from being able to bring them closer to us.

There is one ultimate manifestation of Producer, Guardian, Reliable and even Feared - and this is God. God, though, would never be an Inquisitor, because the Inquisitor represents knowledge over faith, material causes, and all that is the basis of sin - that is, not being able to manifest your desired life except through your own limited understanding.

Recognizing these dynamics can help you manifest a more balanced and fruitful life.

The Inquisitor can also be seen as the Serpent in the Garden of Eden, and Adam and Eve becoming the Inquisitor by following him. Everything built on that foundation introduced anti-types. The temptation is always latent, because it is a part of our very existence. Yet it must always be tamed and put into place, and the very process of putting all other aspects over the Inquisitor is really the essence of salvation and living a fruitful, eternal life.

What is the countertype to the Inquisitor? Firstly, what of the person who looks for causes but actually doesn’t understand and provides what you consider to be false or implausible causes? This is likely a manifestation of a weakness in the very essence of Inquisitor, and your distaste for such characteristics likely reflect your general distaste for Inquisitor in general.

Another, more positive, example of an Inquisitor countertype would be the miracle worker, who produced miracles against all explanation. Such a person you would find appealing because it represents the defeat of the Inquisitor. In history you can see that Jesus was a great example of such a countertype to Inquisitor, and that characteristic continued through Paul’s writings in the New Testament. They do not try to provide any explanation for their acts, other than the faith of the person.

Let’s look at an example of a countertype to Guardian. Our security is important to us. Our home is our haven, our castle. Our family, likewise. But we can create negative feelings towards Guardian if we see it inhibiting us from accessing the Feared.

A similar thing can occur with Reliable. We have our routines, we know that certain aspects of reality will work like clockwork. But what if we start blaming that for making us feel bored, obstructing access to the Producer?

This is why it’s important to protect what ideas we come in contact with. One idea leads to another, so it is a path that we take. And we have to be aware that it’s possible the path we take leads us to being subject to countertypes that inhibit us.

Everything that we are confronted with has an underlying idea. Whether that is what you see on TV, what you read, even what music you listen to. What does it conjure? Does it promote the Inquisitor, or the Producer? The Guardian, or the Guardian countertype?

Modern day cultural movements that seek to blur the lines between the traits of masculine and feminine surely cannot help but counter the very archetypes we discuss here: the masculine figure is fundamentally how we see the Feared Guardian, and the feminine is in many ways the Reliable Producer - when we distort our experience of them, they lose their meaning to us.

What do the lyrics of music mean to you? Are they also raging against established power structures? Are these also countering the Guardian in your life? Or religions like Buddhism that tell you that wanting is the root of evil - how can that not chip away at your view of every Producer? Or the progressive, anti-traditionalist movements that take aim at routine - how can that not be an attack on every Reliable?

Evaluate what you subject yourself to. Open your eyes to see what path you are being pulled down, as this can surely have a significant impact on your ability to live your life to the fullest.