The Reddit Rabbit Hole: Tripping into the Looking Glass of Consciousness, From CIA Files to Existential Realizations
TL;DR: Consciousness is blowing up in the Reddit rabbit hole, from CIA files and philosophy to psychedelics and personal awakenings. But are we just here to consume new spiritual content, or are we ready for the real deal—radical transformation?
Diving into the Reddit rabbit hole is a modern-day trip that mirrors Alice’s surreal journey through the looking glass. Just as Alice found herself in a world where logic bent and reality shifted, today’s digital wanderers are pulled into endless threads of thought, debate, and wonder. In the 159 years since Lewis Carroll’s tale was published, the rabbit holes have only gotten deeper, now driven by the digital universe. These mind-expanding trips through Reddit would likely make Timothy Leary blush with envy. While he had psychedelics, we have an endless stream of consciousness that challenges, provokes, and expands the mind in ways he could have only imagined.
So, I wondered—what’s the deal with consciousness these days? Are people still interested, or have we all moved on to the next shiny thing? Naturally, I went down the Reddit rabbit hole to find out. I discovered a fascinating mix of scientific debates, mystical musings, and everything a wondering mind could hope for.
What I Found in the Reddit Rabbit Hole
On r/StrangeEarth, people dissected declassified CIA documents, pondering whether human consciousness could serve as a gateway to other realms. Yeah, it sounds like a conspiracy theory, but there’s a deeper question: could our minds be tapping into hidden layers of existence?
Meanwhile, in r/philosophy and r/askscience, the debate is much more grounded. Some wonder whether consciousness is merely a byproduct of neurons firing in our brains, while others, embracing the theory of panpsychism, suggest that consciousness might be a fundamental element of the universe itself. Can science solve this puzzle? Or are we asking questions that might go beyond what the scientific method can even touch?
Beyond the Mind: Stories of Awakening
This reminded me of Krishnamurti, the philosopher who, as a young man, experienced a profound silence of the mind, revealing a vast, timeless awareness. He believed our minds are like noisy rooms, full of distractions that prevent us from seeing reality.
And then there’s Ram Dass, who, after his first psychedelic experience, said he watched his sense of self dissolve, leaving only the observer. That shift sparked his spiritual journey, as he realized consciousness was far beyond his identity—a conversation that continues to unfold today in Reddit threads across spiritual and scientific communities.
Are We Seeking Experiences or True Transformation?
This got me thinking: What interests people about consciousness? Are we simply seeking to experience new spiritual encounters, chase psychic phenomena, and explore altered states? Or is there a deeper hunger for something more radical, like a full-on self-transformation?
In an interview, Adyashanti recalls his first awakening experience at age 25, which led him to a profound silence of the mind. His practice of meditation shifted from being goal-oriented to simply being in presence. He describes this transition as “letting go” of seeking, realizing that enlightenment is not about achieving states but about surrendering into the natural silence of consciousness. His experience serves as a reminder that consciousness isn’t something we can consume or grasp, but rather something we must surrender to.
This got me thinking: What interests people about consciousness? Are we simply seeking to experience new spiritual encounters, chase psychic phenomena, and explore altered states? Or is there a deeper hunger for something more radical, like a full-on self-transformation?
The Diamond Approach®, a modern spiritual path developed by A.H. Almaas, suggests that true awakening involves more than mystical experiences or fleeting states of consciousness. It emphasizes the unfolding of our true nature through a process of inner realization and integration. In this view, consciousness isn’t something we merely observe or tap into—it’s a dynamic, ever-evolving process that requires surrendering our ego-based identities and allowing the essence of who we are to emerge.
Reddit’s r/existentialism seems to capture the same struggle, where people reflect on the unsettling experience of being conscious in a vast, indifferent universe. One user’s meditation journey led to a profound realization: “I am not my thoughts.” That realization can feel liberating and terrifying—are we ready to let go of everything we think we are?
Awakening Isn’t What You Think
Another powerful example of radical transformation comes from a conversation between Adyashanti and A.H. Almaas, in which they discuss the process of living realization after awakening. They explain that the real journey of awakening is not just about the moment of realization but about integrating that shift into every aspect of life. Adyashanti reflects on how awakening often brings disorientation as the “human structure” adjusts to a new way of perceiving reality. This ongoing transformation mirrors the challenges described in The End of Your World, where awakening is just the beginning.
“Consciousness is a fundamental characteristic of the universe, not simply a property of the human mind. It is the context in which all experience arises.”
A. H. Almaas, The Point of Existence
And that’s where things get interesting. Adyashanti often discusses the concept of “The End of Your World”—the dissolution of the ego and all the identities we’ve built over time. It’s not a comfortable process. It’s often disorienting, like walking through a doorway where nothing you used to believe matters anymore.
But that’s the actual journey. Steve Taylor, a spiritual psychologist, has studied cases where people undergoing extreme personal challenges—things like life-threatening illnesses or deep grief—have experienced spontaneous awakenings. Their old sense of self dissolved in these moments, replaced by a boundless peace and clarity. They weren’t chasing mystical experiences; life hit them hard enough to break their illusions.
Are We Ready for the Real Thing?
This brings us back to Reddit. We love to discuss, dissect, and debate consciousness, but are we ready to face the profound implications of waking up? Are we willing to confront the fact that it might mean letting go of everything we know if we genuinely awaken?
So, what do you think? Is consciousness just an excellent topic to dive into after scrolling through memes, or is there something deeper here? Are we ready to face the “end of our world” for the sake of something bigger? Let’s talk about it.
John Harper is a Diamond Approach® teacher, Enneagram guide, and a student of human development whose work bridges psychology, spirituality, and deep experiential inquiry. He is the author of The Enneagram World of the Child: Nurturing Resilience and Self-Compassion in Early Life and Good Vibrations: Primordial Sounds of Existence, available on Amazon.