Affected Quote by Terence McKenna
“We are, in fact, hyper-dimentional objects of some sort which cast a shadow into matter, and the shadow in matter is the body. And at death, what happens basically, is that the shadow withdraws, or the thing which cast the shadow withdraws, and metabolism ceases, and matter which had been organized into a dissipative structure in a very localized area, sustaining itself against entropy by cycling material in and degrading it and expelling it, that whole phenomenon ceases, but the thing which ordered it is not affected by that.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Interview on consciousness, 1995
We are multidimensional beings whose essence projects a temporary physical form that dissolves at death, while the underlying ordering principle persists.
In simple terms: Our true self is beyond the physical body and continues after death.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the distinction between material existence and deeper consciousness.
Themes
existence
consciousness
death
physics
Mood
curious
speculative
thought‑provoking
Type
philosophical
scientific
spiritual
When to use this quote
- personal reflection
- philosophical discussion
- spiritual contemplation
- scientific inquiry
Key Concepts
multidimensionality
entropy
dissipative structures
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you define the “ordering principle” beyond the body?
- What evidence supports consciousness persisting after death?
A Different Perspective
The claim of an unchanged ordering principle is speculative and lacks empirical proof.
