Crossing Thresholds: From the Bardo of Death to Creative Emergence to Cooperative Community

Dear friends,

Speaking for myself—though I suspect for others, as well—these days are forcing me to dig deeper, relax my body more completely, settle more fully into my conscious core, and search my proverbial soul for the strength to meet the onslaught of global chaos, while continuing the adventure of creative emergence which is my life.

I wish to express my gratitude to our creative contributors, and to my fellow editors who make this journal happen every week. It is no small feat, amid the many other commitments everyone has, to keep showing up and doing the work, for little to no compensation in material terms. The only reason to do it is, it seems to me, is that it’s not just a means to an end, but it’s inherently worthwhile.

What happens in our encounter with true artistry is not only a meeting of minds, and not only the consumption of “content,” but what I’ll call (at the risk of pedantry) a kind of ontological communion: we are coming into contact with another conscious being, and thereby, a mode of Being itself. This is not only profound as an experience, but it’s existentially fulfilling—and I’d say it’s even, to some degree and perhaps ultimately, liberating.

This week in the journal, we explore not only some of the darker aspects of this encounter—taking a cinematic tour through the bardo realms of death—but also the dimension of creative emergence, and the deep community which emerges from this mutual encounter. We also share ways that you can connect with some of these artists (myself included) and participate more directly in the creative community experience.

Enjoy this edition of Metapsychosis! Here’s what’s new:

Featured This Week

A Long Road Out of Hell

In James Curcio’s mind-altering exploration of the 1990 film Jacob’s Ladder, we’re invited to consider how horror can reveal fundamental truths about consciousness and the bardo state. Curcio examines how the film “disorients, disassembles, and rewires, pulling the viewer into a space where narrative structure mimics the instability of our own experiences.”

Read “A Long Road Out of Hell: Thoughts on Jacob’s Ladder, the Bardo, Horror, and the Mundane”

Finding Your Literary Tribe

Chase Griffin interviews Mallory Smart, editor-in-chief of Maudlin House, about the vital connections that form through independent publishing. Smart shares: “Tribes are so essential to how we grow as humans, but ambition has that fickle way of fracturing them.” This conversation explores the vulnerabilities and joys of creating in community.

Read “The Kind of Tribe I Write About”

Upcoming Events

Ask the Author: L.E. Maroski — May 3rd, 12th, or 18th

Curious about consciousness, language, and paradox? Join philosopher Lisa Maroski for a discussion about her book Embracing Paradox, Evolving Language. Whether you’ve read the book or are just intrigued by the concepts, this is your chance to engage directly with the author who proposes nothing less than a transformation of language itself.

Register for “Ask the Author” with Lisa Maroski

Acousmatic Crossings Live Event — June 4th

Join us for our first-ever live Acousmatic Crossings session featuring composers Paul Dolden and Leonie Roessler. Experience “cinema for the ears” in community as we explore sound compositions that open portals to the imaginal realm. Headphones recommended for this avant-garde audio adventure.

Register for Acousmatic Crossings: Diffusion and Discussion

Community Spotlight

12 Notes for 7 Stories: A Hero’s Journey Through Sound

When COVID-19 severely altered Cosmos Co-op founding member Roger Dinardi’s hearing, he turned potential tragedy into creation. His new album weaves the seven universal story archetypes through sound, with compositions that explore the full spectrum of human experience—from epic quests to comic relief. As Dinardi notes, “No matter who you are, every day and every life is a collection of our own versions of these universal plots.”

Listen on Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube

Learn more about 12 Notes for 7 Stories

On a Personal Note

I’m excited to share that at the end of this month, I’ll be attending the Integral European Conference in Siófok, Hungary, on the shores of beautiful Lake Balaton. This transformation-oriented gathering brings together integral practitioners, scholars, and visionaries from around the world for a unique blend of intellectual exchange and community building.

On June 1st, I’ll be presenting a workshop titled “Poetry as Integral Practice in the Age of AI,” exploring how poetic consciousness offers a necessary counterbalance to our increasingly AI-infiltrated world. If you happen to be attending, please come say hello!

---

We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments, or join us in the deeper discussions happening at Infinite Conversations.

And if you value the work we do in nurturing these creative connections, please consider becoming a patron of Metapsychosis. For as little as $7/month, you’ll gain access to our private community forum, reading groups, exclusive author events, and the satisfaction that comes from supporting independent literature and arts.

In creative solidarity,

Marco V Morelli
Editor-in-Chief, Metapsychosis journal
Co-Creator, Cosmos Co-op