A Prolegomenon To An Enchiridion-AUTOANTHROPOPHAGY:
THE EUCHARIST OF THE GODS,
A Seven-Level Allegorical Encryption,
Noesis 58, February 1991, (c) 1988 R. W. May
The universe as a quantum vacuum fluctuation, i.e., as a “free lunch.” The biological basis of the Socratic imperative, “know thyself.” The meaning of the ouroboros: the self-devouring dragon-snake, which bites its own tail. Kafka’s story, “A Hunger Artist” provides an intimation. Autoanthropophagy: A scientific methodology and spiritual practice for the Age of the Apotheosis of Scum. Complete autoanthropophagy as an unreachable esthetic, moral and spiritual ideal, which can only be approached. Partial autoanthropophagy as attainable; the oracle at Delphi’s injunction: “Everything in moderation.” The attained percentage reduction in corporeal volume at a quantitative measure of moral development to be used in an ethical calculus. which will yield a mathematical science of true virtue. May spiritual autoanthropophagy be total? The ultimate self-immolation. May it be asked whether He also ate of the Last Supper? The symbolism of the phoenix which consumes itself “in fire,” only to regenerate itself; the actual nature of the phoenix-fire: autoanthropophagy. Relation to cosmology: the collapse of all mass-energy into a black hole during implosion phase of the cyclic universe theory as autocosmophagy. The universe consumes itself gravitationally. The relevance of the hermetic principle: “As above, so below.” Implications for the biological food chain and the concept of a higher being incorporating a lower being. The necessity of the seduction of breakfast. Prolonged fasting and the digestion of one’s own protein as the traditional, indirect/internal form of autoanthropophagy. Fasting preceded the enlightenment of the Buddha. Monastic austerities, asceticism, and “starvation” diets, etc. On the superiority of the “direct method” of autoanthropophagy for the modern age. Autoanthropophagy: the missing culmination of seppuku? The moral superiority of autoanthropophagy to cannibalism of the nuclear family. Beyond becoming one’s own mother: becoming one’s own breakfast. Self-actualization: you are what you eat and you eat what you are. Intellectual autoanthropophagy: eating one’s own words. “An Immodest Proposal”: autoanthropophagy and its twofold relation to world famine. Autoanthropophagy: an American approach to self-sufficiency. Eating closer to home: why eat cows? The ultimate practice of macrobiotics. The problem for vegetarians. Autoanthropophagy and its relation to Kashrut. A psychoanalytic view: the unconscious meaning of such idiomatic phrases as “Eating one’s heart out,” “Eating one’s words,” etc. The cryptic significance of fingernail biting. Are certain human sexual practices sublimations of autoanthropophagy with respect to object and aim? Kamikaze autoanthropophagy. Autogynecophagy: anorexic and bulimic aspects. Autolobotomy and its relation to autoanthropophagy.
