Prologue

I was an inquisitive child, joining the Finnish Association of Hypnosis at the age of 12—an unusual choice, but one that resonated deeply with me. My passion drove me to persuade my parents to let me travel alone to Helsinki for the meetings, undeterred by my mother's loving concern. Those three-hour train journeys were exhilarating, filled with awe and discovery.

Despite my curiosity, I often felt isolated in my interests. While my peers were preoccupied with skiing and ice hockey, I found myself engrossed in the works of Freud and Jung. My imagination wandered through the famed corridors of Salpêtrière in Paris, where Jean-Martin Charcot innovated with hypnosis, paving the way for modern medicine and psychology. Freud, his most notable disciple, became my intellectual hero.

Charcot's work with hysterical patients using hypnosis fascinated me—after all, I perceived much of humanity as bordering on hysteria. This awareness of consciousness and the subconscious led me to believe that psychology and hypnosis would equip me with the insights I sought into both myself and others.

However, my quest soon spiraled into confusion, akin to a tightly bound Gordian knot.

Diving Deeper into Consciousness

As I matured, my pursuit of understanding the mind intensified. I read voraciously and observed the behaviors of those around me, grappling with my own shifting thoughts. Although I was acutely aware, I struggled to comprehend the nature of my consciousness.

I possessed an intuitive ability to see through the facades that people construct to conceal their true intentions. Yet, this insight often felt like overwhelming noise rather than clarity. My library expanded to include texts on I-Ching, astrology, and tarot—each addition muddling the waters further. I was caught in a web of science, pseudoscience, and New Age ideologies. As the song from Hair suggested, “let the sunshine in,” yet beneath my tangled thoughts lay an ever-deepening void.

My journey to unlock the mysteries of consciousness took me from a curious 12-year-old to a searching 34-year-old man.

Finding My Inner Alexander

To alleviate my existential turmoil, I sought to discover my inner Alexander. On the dark evening of October 13, 1990, I attended an SGI Buddhist meeting, skeptical yet desperate for change, having lost nearly everything, including hope. Life felt like a dim, constricting tunnel.

As I lingered outside the meeting venue, mustering the courage to enter, my glasses fogged from the drizzle, my hands chilled. Just when I was about to turn back, I heard the resonant chant of "Nam-myoho-renge-kyo" emanating from within.

Upon entering, I was met with an illuminating sound, revealing that I was not trapped in a tunnel after all. Though my vision was obscured, I sensed a light emanating from within me—a universe of boundless possibilities. This moment brought me an overwhelming sense of relief.

Since that day, I have chanted daily, sometimes multiple times. The chant became my inner Alexander, severing the knots within my soul. I had opened the door to the universe and stepped inside—not through magic, but through dedicated practice.

Nichiren Buddhism and Consciousness

Modern fields such as neuroscience, quantum mechanics, and psychology have long grappled with the enigma of consciousness. Is it confined to the brain, or does it exist elsewhere? What truly is consciousness? Is it the mind, or does it encompass the soul?

“Quantum mechanics reminds us that the universe is ultimately a holistic, tightly integrated web, and thus it is not out of the question that no signals need to pass between brains… From a holistic perspective, all brains are already connected to everything from the get-go, and not just through space. Through time too.” — Real Magic: Ancient Wisdom, Modern Science, and a Guide to the Secret Power of the Universe by Dean Radin.

We often become blinded by the notion of a singular truth, rather than embracing a more comprehensive reality. Nichiren Buddhism emphasizes inclusivity; we exist as individuals within the universal life. The universe and we are intertwined, forming a singular entity rather than two separate ones.

In this tradition, we recognize not just one but nine consciousnesses that together shape the universe.

Understanding the Nine Consciousnesses

The first five consciousnesses arise from our sensory organs—each with its unique awareness. Our senses of smell, taste, sight, hearing, and touch gather information from our surroundings, each reacting to stimuli in its own way.

The sixth consciousness integrates sensory input, responsible for recognizing patterns—ensuring we don't confuse a stove with a chair, preventing us from burning ourselves.

The seventh consciousness pertains to the self, encompassing our emotions, thoughts, and subconscious. Despite its importance for individual survival, it often leads us astray, blinding us to the interconnectedness of all beings.

Next is the eighth consciousness, where all experiences are stored, often referred to as karma. This repository connects families, communities, and even the environment, influencing our interactions and understanding of one another.

Finally, the ninth consciousness embodies the universal life force that binds us all, presenting us with energy and potential. It represents the essence of the Mystic Law—a truth that transcends intellect. To truly grasp it, we must experience and embrace it, opening our hearts and minds. The Mystic Law instills hope, guiding us to recognize our individuality as part of the greater whole.

Nichiren Buddhism teaches us to engage in practice, chanting "Nam-myoho-renge-kyo" to penetrate the layers of karma and access the infinite potential of life itself. When I first encountered this mystical path on that rainy October night decades ago, it was not a grand religious epiphany but a flicker of hope piercing through my despair. Over the years, that light has only grown stronger and more radiant.

Enlightenment is not about isolation or escape; it is about fully engaging with life and helping others awaken their potential. The power of consciousness is limitless if we move beyond our egos, embracing the challenges of life with responsibility, compassion, and wisdom.

“Earthly desires are enlightenment, and sufferings of birth and death are nirvana.” — Nichiren Daishonin (1222–1282)

The Experiments of My Youth

I mentioned earlier that I would discuss the experiments I conducted as a teenager with hypnosis and their connection to the consciousnesses we've explored.

At around 15, my fascination with hypnosis deepened. I began to practice on classmates, learning from the Hypnosis Association and becoming increasingly enthusiastic about the subject.

One day, I gathered three classmates in a classroom after school. I had successfully hypnotized one of them, Rille, before and knew she could reach a deep hypnotic state. The other two served as my assistants.

Once Rille was deeply hypnotized, I suggested that I would place a glass of water in her hand and that any pain she felt would transfer into the water. I instructed her to indicate her pain level verbally.

I then handed the glass to one of my classmates, who took it across the room. I followed, retrieving a sharp needle from my pocket. As I gently pressed it into the water, Rille whispered, “Ouch.” When