Phenomenal Perfectionism and the

Actualization of the Potential Self

by
Elias Jacob Singer
 The Institute for Phenomenal Perfectionism
www.phenomenalperfectionism.com

© 2021 Elias Jacob Singer. All Rights Reserved.

 Table of Contents

Introduction
The Axioms
Information as Order Potential
The Action-Observation Cycle
The Fractaline Timeline
Prioritizing the Objective Hierarchy
Actualizing the Potential Self
The Intractability of Perfection
Origins and Mechanism of External Objectives
Moments of Clarity and Conscious Awareness
Trance States and the Creation of Unconscious Memories
The Singularity of Consciousness and Nonlinearity of Reincarnation
Introduction
Nothing fantastic is meant by the use of the word phenomenal. In this context it
refers to anything which can be directly experienced by an individual. The word
perfectionism is not used in the neurotic sense, instead it represents our continual
striving towards an ideal state. Putting these two concepts together we arrive at
Phenomenal Perfectionism, the attempt to realize an ideal state using only
information gathered from our direct personal experience.

The phenomenal approach to perfectionism is in direct opposition to the more

widespread authoritative approach in which one relies on a set of prescribed rules to
guide their actions. While living according to a fixed set of rules certainly has its
advantages, real life decisions require much more flexibility than this approach could
ever provide.

Unfortunately, the challenge of making choices without an external authority is that

it requires an understanding of what conscious beings are actually struggling to
accomplish. The purpose of our lives within a sometimes seemingly random and
overwhelming universe is elusive. Why do our choices and actions matter? So far
history has only proved that this question is difficult to answer.

Often, we view our lives in reverse, identifying ourselves with past accomplishments
and failures. In taking this view, there is no room for change and an individual
becomes confined by their past choices and outcomes. A slightly better view looks to
the present moment for sanctuary from an anxious mind fixated on the past.
While it's true that bliss can be found in the present moment, a continuous search for
meaning this way quickly devolves into an unsustainable search for immediate
happiness. Awareness of the present moment is critical for self determination, but the
present shouldn't completely occupy our minds. The past should serve only as a
guide to choices ahead. It does not define us. And the future is more than a sequence
of events waiting to be revealed. In actuality, it is your true self.

Since trying to understand our purpose directly seems to yield little insight, an
indirect approach might prove to be more fruitful. What if we inquire instead into
the function of human consciousness? In other words, can we define exactly the
problem human consciousness arose to solve? A modern view of the universe suggests
that instead of a single future we have a multitude of potential futures branching off
from every moment. This is the labyrinth the human mind has arisen to navigate.
Our minds are probability engines facilitating the individual agency of consciousness.

With perfect knowledge of all past events, perfect wisdom of agency, and a perfect
understanding of the problem our mind exists to solve, making choices in life would
be an effortless task. Obviously, attainment of this kind of perfection is impossible
for us to achieve. But if this is the case, what benefit can this framework possibly
bring us? Surprisingly, we will find that in examining the ways we fail to achieve
perfection we can develop a deeper understanding into the meaning of life we are
searching for so desperately.
The Axioms
The human mind is
An information engine
Producing action

Information quantifies the amount of free entropy in a system

Information external to the individual is universal order

Information internal to the individual is order potential

Universal order is modified via action

Order potential is modified via observation

Action and observation occur in rapid succession in the action-observation cycle

 All of the moments
Realized from the present
The potential self

A single iteration of the action-observation cycle is a moment

The present moment is the action-observation cycle

an individual is currently experiencing

A moment is realized when a sequence of actions

cause it to become the present moment

A moment is attainable if it can be realized

from another through a sequence of actions

An isochron is the set of all attainable moments an equal number

of action-observation cycles from the present moment

The potential self is the set of all isochrons

Evaluating
Objective hierarchy
Against potential

Objectives are statements about the universal order

which can be determined to be true or false

Subordinate objectives are those that must be true

in order for another objective to be true

A primary objective is one which is not subordinate to any other objective

Priorities are weights against primary objectives for a given moment

Evaluation is the process of weighting primary objectives

against momentary priorities

Realization potential is the probability a moment

will eventually be realized from the present moment

Actualization is the expected evaluation across a given isochron weighted by

realization potential

Actualization potential is the total expected actualization

evaluated across the potential self
 Perfection eludes
Suboptimal heuristics
Must be used

The perfect action is the one which results

in the optimal actualization potential in a given moment

Understanding is order potential related to the axioms and their implications

Knowledge is order potential related to the state of objectives

Wisdom is order potential related to available actions

and their expected impact to the universal order

With complete understanding and infinite knowledge, wisdom, and time

perfect optimization is possible

Perfect optimization is intractable since order potential

and time in any moment are finite

The intractable nature of perfect optimization necessitates suboptimal heuristics to

be utilized to approximate evaluation
We only approach
Perfect optimization
Conscious awareness

Efficiency measures the maximum actualization potential a heuristic

can achieve relative to optimal actualization

The fundamental nature of an individual is to move toward perfect optimization

A heuristic is subverted if it does not optimize

actualization potential to its maximum efficiency

The cause of subverted heuristics is unconscious order potential

generated by external objectives

Awareness is the conscious evaluation of objectives

utilizing understanding, knowledge, and wisdom

The influence of external objectives can be

completely extinguished through awareness
Information as
Order Potential
Laid out before us
We observe the Universe
And select a path

Order in the universe can be quantified in terms of the information it contains.

Information is a measurement of the lack of entropy which exists in a system.
Although it appears on the surface to be only an abstract idea, information is not
merely conceptual. In fact, in simple situations the information contained in an
arrangement of objects can be determined exactly.

For example, we can measure the information contained in a given sequence of

numbers or letters or playing cards. But of course, on a larger scale it would be
effectively impossible to determine the exact amount of information in a complex
system -- like the grains of sand on a beach -- but it's there nevertheless.
You can think of information as a measure of unpredictability. Imagine a book which
consists of only a random sequence of letters. No matter how long such a book is, it
does not contain any surprises. It's very predictable in some sense, because each letter
is equally likely to appear next in the sequence. This is why a more useful book uses
sequences of letters called words, with words combined to make sentences, sentences
create paragraphs and so on. This type of book contains information on many levels.
In a similar way, buildings contain more information than piles of bricks and crystals
contain more information than clouds.

Define universal order as the information stored external to an individual. Just like a
book, information is stored in the universe via the arrangement of physical objects at
many levels. Similarly, define order potential as the information stored within the
individual. Internally, information is stored in our mind in the form of memories.
These memories are then used as inputs to selected heuristics to evaluate available
decisions. This process of evaluation is what allows consciousness to select an action.
The Action-Observation Cycle
 The mind without pause
Collecting information
To propose action

Living things utilize energy and universal order to create internal information called
order potential using the process of observation. Living things also utilize energy and
order potential to create external information using the process of action. These two
activities alternate so rapidly they seem simultaneous, so we will assume for the sake
of simplicity that they are distinct components of the action-observation cycle.
Define a single step of this cycle as a moment.

With every action there results in a change to the universal order. In actuality, an
action is a conversion of information stored as ordered potential within the mind
into universal order outside the individual. The goal of every action is to change the
state of an internal objective. Similarly, observation, which is the reverse of action,
utilizes energy to convert external universal order into order potential within the
individual. The goal of every observation is to increase the knowledge, wisdom, and
understanding within the individual.
The Fractaline Timeline
 Unearth your true self
Search along each isochron
Strata in the rocks

One moment is attainable from another if there exists a sequence of actions which
would bring an individual from that moment to the other. An isochron is the set of
all moments which occur at the same time across your timeline. The set of all
attainable moments from the present moment is your potential self. A fragmentation
point occurs in time whenever a decision is made. The fractaline timeline formed by
this fragmentation is the collection of all possible experiences which could be had
given all possible fragmentation points.
Whenever a decision is possible, under the current known state of arrangements,
consciousness moves into both possible states and at that point all communication
ceases between the two since order potential cannot contain both outcomes. It is this
ceasing of communication that causes the personal time interpretation of the
multiverse. The illusion of time is simply due to the fragmentation of the timeline. It
is not possible for information to pass between two present times across a
fragmentation point due to the fact that an event and the negation of that event
cannot coincide in a single location in spacetime.

This inability for information to travel along the isochron is itself the fragmentation.
The individual must become aware that they are not only the self they perceive in
present time, but also every manifestation of self across fragmentation points. Self
actualization takes on a new meaning under this framework of consciousness. We not
only need to actualize from the present moment along a single path, but must
attempt to actualize the entire potential self across all possible fragmentation points.
How can this be accomplished if we can only view one tiny compartment wherein
information cannot pass to other areas of consciousness? In order to answer that
question we need to return to the present moment and examine our objectives and
priorities.
 Prioritizing the
Objective Hierarchy
Ask of your actions
Are you taking me somewhere
That I want to go?

People often think of life in terms of goals they would like to accomplish. While it is
useful to think in this way, few people have fully examined their goals holistically by
placing them into a hierarchy describing their constraints and primary objectives. It
is a useful exercise to ask yourself, why do you take specific actions in certain
situations?

An objective is a statement about the universe which can be determined to be either

true or false. We call an objective constrained if it cannot be true unless another
objective is true. A constraining objective is called subordinate and the constrained
objective is called superior. A primary objective is one which is not subordinate to
any other objective.
Can you determine the primary objectives which drive your choices and actions? It
can be a difficult exercise to determine your primary objectives. In fact, you may even
find yourself in a situation where sequences of constraints are circular or find that
you have completely disconnected objectives which are not subordinate to any
primary objectives. The proper subordination of objectives is important because it
allows the individual to focus on a small set of primary objectives making self
actualization easier to achieve. For example, most of us are afforded the luxury of the
critical objective of existence to be subordinate to some higher sense of humanity.

A priority is a weight of importance for a particular objective in a particular moment.

We can represent the relative importance of objectives using priorities which can be
thought of as weights associated with each objective. Of course, people have different
priorities at different times in their lives. In an extreme example, objectives related to
immediate safety would be prioritized over all others if one found themselves in a
dangerous situation.

People also have different priorities from each other and we can represent this by
deprioritizing some priorities to zero that are associated with objectives that a
particular individual does not consider important. For convenience, we can assume
the priorities are weights that add up to one. Now that we have defined the timeline,
objectives, and priorities we have all the pieces we need to describe the calculation
behind how we evaluate our decisions and explore actualization.
Actualization of the
Potential Self
 As you climb the tree
One thousand branches above
Yet all within reach

The realization likelihood of a future moment is the probability it will be obtained

from the present moment. The sum of realization likelihoods for all immediately
attainable moments is one since some moment will be attained with certainty.
Actualization is the evaluation of objectives against priorities. Actualization potential
is the present moment expectation of the actualization of the potential self.
We define actualization as the evaluation of objectives relative to a set of priorities. In
other words, we look at how many objectives are true and weight them according to
their importance. Notice that actualization will always take on a value between zero
and one. Actualization represents how satisfied you are with the universal order at a
given point in time. If you have an actualization equal to one you are fully actualized,
although this is essentially -- although not entirely -- impossible. On the other
extreme, actualization only evaluates to zero if one does not exist or if existence has
been completely deprioritized by the individual.

Due to the sheer number of possible combinations of priorities, the possibility of

tangled or subliminal objective hierarchies, and the unlimited human imagination
the vast majority of people are nowhere near full actualization. To increase our
actualization potential we must utilize our actions to make meaningful changes to
universal order. A particular action can either increase, decrease, or be neutral to our
actualization potential depending on the priorities currently under consideration.
Maximization of actualization potential is the ultimate aim of human consciousness.
Actualization potential is the sum of the expected actualization resulting from a
possible set of actions since this implies that, in order to actualize, we should select the
action which opens up the most opportunity for future actualization across our entire
potential self. We must also choose the action which leads to the most actualization
long term and not settle for short term gains.
The Intractability
of Perfection
The perfect action
Always just beyond our reach
Keep moving towards it

Define knowledge to be the information an individual has about their objectives at a

given point in time gathered through observation. Wisdom is the information the
individual has about the expected change in the order potential when a given action
is taken. This information is gathered from past actions and their resulting impacts
to order potential and allow an individual to predict the effect of a given cause.
Define understanding as the awareness of the relationship between the human mind
and the universe which is necessary to successfully and efficiently actualize.

Perfect optimization of actualization potential would involve making a perfect choice

in every moment. Doing so would require perfect and complete knowledge of
universal order, the wisdom of all possible attainable future moments, and a
complete understanding of the evaluation framework. Optimization fallacies can
easily arise due to an imperfect understanding of what the individual is trying to
optimize.
A common fallacy occurs when we try to optimize present time actualization.
Another fallacy, which is even worse, is to evaluate actualization on our past
decisions. Beyond these common mistakes, we can even attempt to evaluate
actualization on alternative timelines we do not even occupy.

The perfect optimization of actualization potential would require perfect knowledge

of the universe, all possible events, the actualization function of every individual, and
the ability to predict the result of any given action. In other words, the optimization
of actualization potential is computationally intractable since it would imply that an
individual's experience contained perfect information concerning cause and effect
and perfect prediction of the outcome of any choice.

We strive for perfect information in order to optimize, however perfect optimization

is not achievable. Because of this you may think that the evaluation framework is not
useful, but in fact studying the negation of these requirements is what enables us to
understand how we fail to self-actualize. It is through an understanding of the
axioms that we can derive the foundational insight of Phenomenal Perfectionism:

Self actualization is not the attainment of any particular state but is the
continuous movement toward states of higher actualization potential.
The Origin and Mechanism of
External Objectives
 Somatic sequence
Along with the semantic
Form our memories

The sensory inputs experienced by our mind in addition to other perceptions such as
feelings, balance, orientation, and stress are called somatics. Our combined present
moment somatics are the somatic trace. The movement of somatic traces through
time is called the somatic sequence. We also experience single distinct thoughts in a
sequence and refer to the smallest unit of thought as a semantic trace and similarly
the chain of these semantics as the semantic sequence. Semantics are symbolic
interpretations of meaning imposed on somatic experience which exist as patterns of
neural activity in the brain. Semantics index of the entirety of our experience and it is
through them we retrieve traces from the somatic sequence. Similarly, somatics index
the semantic sequence allowing the recall of semantics based on remembered and
experienced somatics.

Somatic traces are encoded to semantics and semantics in turn are translated to
language. Language itself is stored as a somatic sequence since it involves visual,
auditory, and motor sensory experience. For example, you see a plant sitting on your
desk and think, "There is a plant sitting on my desk." You don't see the plant and
directly create the words, somewhere between the somatic trace and the language
used to describe it is the encoding of semantics. It's natural to think of semantics as
words, but they are not words. While many semantics easily suggest words, others are
subliminal in the sense that they do not directly index words. They may however be
connected strongly with other behaviors, modes of perception, or even particular
emotional states.

The chaining of semantics in the mind allow for complex control of the body and its
apparatus. It is also the control center of being and for that reason can cause the
entire system to involuntarily execute complex orders. The force which calls up
semantics in the mind is agency and the source of this agency is consciousness itself.
Herein lies the danger of releasing agency to an external operator. A control circuit
laid in place while in a hypnotic state can index semantics directly and in turn control
the mental apparatus of the individual.

The mechanism by which individuals are controlled are rogue circuits created within
our own minds. These circuits are implanted via posthypnotic suggestion (PHS) and
operate independently, manipulating our objective hierarchy, distorting our
knowledge of the world, and corrupting wisdom gained through our life experience.
These circuits subvert heuristics and the evaluation process and thereby influence the
choices we make with their ultimate goal being the actualization of an external
objective hierarchy at the cost of individual actualization potential.
Moments of Clarity and
Conscious Awareness
Cognitive bundles
Of which memories are made
Take inventory

The mind has the ability to build automated circuits which are triggered by semantic
cues. Upon close examination, the modern human mind is operating on autopilot
much of the time, with the controls handed over to implanted constructs operating
to fulfill their own agendas. If you are not aware of this fact or find this idea absurd,
you are likely under the control of a circuit right now. Contrary to the opinion of the
non-state theory of modern psychology, the hypnotic state is real and can be brought
about consciously or via external agency through a previously implanted
posthypnotic suggestion. While the mind is disengaged or otherwise occupied,
external agency can take control of the machinery of the human mind. Surprisingly,
all that is needed to regain this control is a complete awareness of the process of
evaluation, bringing to light these implanted circuits lurking in the darkness.
We have all experienced moments of clarity in our lives and it is in these rare
moments when we are fully in control of our actions. The deactivation of rogue
circuits is the ultimate goal of actualization in order to return the individual to a
state of pure agency. These rogue circuits are constructed from artificial memories
encoded directly to long term memory. They are activated via a posthypnotic
suggestion, which is in essence a hidden memory. One common way these hidden
memories are created is during a traumatic event. Because trauma itself is a hypnotic
state wherein an individual is focused intently on a somatic while semantic activation
is happening via an external agency.

All that is needed to retake control of your individual agency is to maintain complete
awareness of the process of evaluation. In other words, when one is observing the
somatic and semantic sequences directly, this is when the individual is maintaining
control of agency.

We define cognitive bundles as the combined somatic and semantic trace held in the
mind in the present moment. Memories are sequences of cognitive bundles which
trigger each other in a cascade from one to the next. Memories, and therefore
cognitive bundles, can be recalled via a semantic index or can be activated while in a
somatic state similar to the one under which the memory was created. Normal
experiences are stored in short term memory and then moved to long term memory,
or consolidated, at a later time during a period of meditation or sleep.
Trance States and the Creation
of Unconscious Memories
 Enter the trance state
Observe evaluation
Regain agency

When subsystems are overloaded and stop communicating or narrow their

communication with other subsystems a trance state can come about. Trance states
follow a continuum from sleep to just below the state of full awareness. The trance
state is entered when neural subsystems fail to communicate and coordinate. One
way for this to come about is to simply relax certain activities of the mind. Sit still, fix
your attention, close your eyes, and quiet the semantic sequence. However, this state
can also occur under the opposite conditions of confusion, distraction, and sensory
overload.

Examples of Trance States

Confusion Stress OBE

Dancing Trauma Premonitions
Exercise Drug Induced Sleep Deprivation
Driving Ecstasy Sex
Sleepwalking Psychosis Dreams
A hypnotic state is a trance state where the individual has given over, in trust, direct
control of their semantic sequence. With this control the operator can create, alter,
conceal memories, and create posthypnotic suggestions. Posthypnotic suggestions are
semantic sequences which enter the sequence via an unconscious triggered memory.
The memory is triggered via the somatic state since the memory cannot be recalled
directly, or at least not easily. Because the entire bundle is not recalled, there is a
danger that the individual will insert their own present time experience, existing
bundles, or new semantic links into the covert bundle thereby giving the post
hypnotic suggestion a new conscious avenue by which to be triggered while still
working covertly. In fact, for the most part, people are not even aware how much
their agency over their semantic sequence is being compromised. They will either be
entirely unaware of the posthypnotic suggestion or mistake it for their own agency.

Examples of Hypnotic States

Internal External

Meditation Television
Lucid Dreams Social Media
Prayer Reading
Chanting Hypnosis
Reverie Channeling
An experience had under a trance state is semantically encoded and stored directly to
long term memory using a process called consolidation. This is in stark contrast to
how long term memories are typically formed after an event. These experiences can
also immediately combine with existing memories. While it's bad enough that
subversive memories move directly to long term storage, the worst part is that some
of these memories may be covert and contain the semantic raw material to generate a
posthypnotic suggestion.

The memory of an experience created in a state of stress is hidden from the mind, it is
only the index of the original somatic state which activates the memory. The index
can also be blocked via a posthypnotic suggestion in a phenomenon known as
posthypnotic amnesia. The operator can simply tell the subject that they will not
remember and later on the subject does not remember even when questioned
regarding the events which took place under hypnosis. It is not the individual that
prevents the memory from being recalled, the mind simply does not retrieve the
information, much in the same way a traumatic memory is avoided. The amnesia of
the subject can be removed via a second posthypnotic suggestion in which a
command is given to remove the amnesia. After the removal, the subject is able to
remember the events which took place under hypnosis.
It is now understood that some memories are stored in our DNA through meta
information in the form of methylation. These memories are constructed in the very
wiring of the brain during its early development and are the cause of many universal
human fears and common phobias. It's fantastic to think, if our DNA is
extraterrestrial in origin does it mean we have memories from other planets? Is it
possible that DNA was sent into space purposely in order to colonize additional
planets with the buried instructions to build a sentient being? Or, is it simply the
design of the universe itself which allows for such a conscious entity? Faulty semantic
decoding of these prenatal genetic memories is also responsible for strange dreams,
irrational fears, and other enigmatic experiences. These underlying semantics then
become the foundation for new cognitive bundles as additional trauma is
reconsolidated into these ancient memories.

The ultimate goal of the individual is to enter a state of total awareness of evaluation
in order to extinguish the control of external objectives. External objectives have
origins that extend deep into human history in the unfulfilled objectives of
individuals. We must become aware of and remove these repressed objectives to take
control of our own destiny. We must move toward a state of increased actualization
potential and in turn toward universal actualization with which we are so
inextricably intertwined.
 The Singularity of
Consciousness and
Nonlinearity of Reincarnation
Each isochron holds
A multiverse but is a
Singularity

The apparent separateness of consciousness along any isochron is an illusion created

by the inability of the mind to communicate across moments with incompatible
information. In actuality however, these seemingly divergent aspects of our
consciousness are interconnected as a single entity. Difficulty in communicating
across the isochron is due to a lack of direct access to the minds and memories of our
alternate timelines. Only impressions can cross over the isochron. In other words,
consciousness can recognize but not remember.

You may be wondering, how are we expected to accept this as fact when only our
direct experience can be used when applying the phenomenal framework? You don't
need to accept this idea on faith alone. It is possible for each individual to directly
experience their singularity of consciousness. The everyday phenomena of déjà-vu is
a simple example of how we directly experience the isochron consciousness across our
alternate timelines. Many other experiences such as premonitions, synchronicity, out
of body experiences, and unexplained talents or abilities are further examples.
The idea that humans have a singular consciousness within the multiverse may seem
fantastic on the surface, but it is a widely held belief across many different cultures
and traditions. For most it's accepted on faith to be true and -- more importantly --
it's a required belief in order for there to be an afterlife. Unfortunately, the
many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics throws a monkey wrench into
this belief. If the universe splits in every moment for each possible event, what
becomes of our consciousness? The immediate thought is that it too must split apart
in every moment, however the reality of the many-worlds interpretation in actuality
is more complex than this commonly cited simplified view.

Imagine you're at home alone for the evening with the shades drawn. In one universe
you watch a movie and in another you read a book. Assuming no information
concerning the two events ever leaves your house, must the entire universe bifurcate
according to this choice? Occam's razor suggests not. It is only necessary for those
areas of the universe which contain information about the split to bifurcate. The
remainder of the universe remains intact and to external observers the two different
evenings you spent at home remain in superposition.

Two systems which share information are intrinsically linked while two systems
which share no information remain in mutual superposition to each other. In other
words, an entirely new universe is not created for each possible outcome of an event,
only the portion of spacetime which has lost or gained information due to the event
bifurcates. This is the concept of quantum decoherence. The bookkeeping our
consciousness would have to accomplish under this view is much more complex than
the simpler case requires. Again, Occam's razor suggests this is not the case. The most
parsimonious explanation is that consciousness is completely separate from
spacetime. While spacetime exists as a multiverse, consciousness is unfragmented
across both time and space and is only compartmentalized by the particular area it
inhabits.

Directly experiencing your singular consciousness contains a surprising bonus. It

implies the immortality of consciousness since there must be isochrons wherein the
mind of the individual both ceases and perpetuates. The mind halting in one
universe allows its consciousness to merge with the singularity. Consciousness
continues to persist in spacetime until we reach the isochron where the mind has
ceased in all timelines. In this final isochron our consciousness is completely
integrated with the singularity and contains impressions from all possible timelines
experienced. It is in this moment that our consciousness is finally released and free to
inhabit new spacetime if desired. Consciousness is inherently free from the
restrictions of spacetime and therefore the reincarnation of consciousness must be
both nonlinear and nonlocational. It doesn't matter where or when the new
spacetime your consciousness inhabits exists.

Awareness is the key to discovering your singular consciousness. Open your mind to
allow impressions to flow across the isochron. Release yourself from the order
potential within your own mind. It is here you will find your true identity.