The digital landscape of the 90s was a hotbed of innovation and discovery. Among the myriad websites that sprouted during this period, a unique gem emerged in November 1998 - WingMakers.com. The anonymous package that gave birth to this site and the astonishingly profound materials it offered triggered a journey of discovery and introspection, capturing the hearts and minds of seekers worldwide.
Ancient Arrow Chamber Six. Image © Wingmakers LLC.
My voyage into the depths of the WingMakers Material commenced at the turn of the millennium when the early days of Web 2.0 were just taking shape. In those days, the simplicity of websites was starkly different from today's hyperconnected social media universe. It was a time when 'The Matrix' was taking the world by storm, building a legion of devotees intrigued by the philosophical conundrums it posed around AI, simulated realities, and existential curiosity.
Simultaneously, I found myself drawn into the world of Terence McKenna, a visionary ethnobotanist whose works such as 'True Hallucinations' and 'The Archaic Revival' spun compelling narratives around consciousness and psychedelic exploration. McKenna's work intertwined perfectly with the ‘Noospheric’ insights of the late Jose Argüelles, offering a profound intellectual expanse that seemed in harmony with the WingMakers Material.
This era was underscored by the mesmerising rhythms of artists like Shpongle and Infected Mushroom, their music serving as the soundtrack to my journey. The underground alternative scene was in full swing, from the urban sprawl of London to the summer festivals in the English countryside. The enigmatic patterns of Crop Circles, mysteriously appearing in the fields, were adding another layer to this tapestry of curiosity, stimulating an entire generation of minds and researchers. In that exciting, unpredictable era, the WingMakers Material found a receptive audience in me, resonating with the philosophical currents I was already navigating.
Origins: The Mysterious Arrival
The genesis of WingMakers was intriguingly unusual, marked by the unexpected arrival of a mysterious package. The recipient was Mark Hempel, who was responsible for bringing this profound content to the online sphere. The package contained a four-page letter, requesting him to construct a website named WingMakers.com and furnish it with content included on the accompanying CDs. The material was broadly segregated into Text, Music, Art, and Future categories, with explicit instructions to withhold the 'Future' content for a later release.
Despite initial hesitation, owing to a demanding schedule, Hempel found himself enticed by the mesmerising artwork adorning the discs. On November 23, 1998, the WingMakers website made its first appearance online, which led to an influx of emails from individuals of diverse professions. Intrigued by the inquiries and the growing interest, Hempel delved deeper into the provided materials, attempting to unlock the philosophical nuances and intricate cosmology that lay within.
WingMakers website 1998.
As he navigated through the WingMakers materials, Hempel began to perceive their layered meanings and profound depth. The sentiment was best encapsulated by James Mahu, the anonymous mind behind the WingMakers' creation, in 'The Collected Works of the WingMakers Vol. 1': “Everyone must ultimately say to themselves, ‘I don’t know, but I will contemplate the possibilities.’ It is in the contemplation that we feel our way to Oneness, and likewise, it is in our lack of contemplation that we slide back to separation and ego identity.”
The Early Years: The Evolution of the WingMakers Materials
From 1998 to 2001, the WingMakers.com website remained relatively obscure, quietly disseminating profound content without any promotion. However, 2001 marked a significant milestone with the release of 'First Source', a multimedia CD-ROM featuring materials from the initial package and 60 minutes of music. This release was instrumental in introducing James, both musically and in identity, to the WingMakers community.
Later, the WingMakers website was revamped and expanded, partly due to the release of the 'First Source' disc. This set the stage for the launch of Lyricus.org in 2003, illuminating the larger picture – The Grand Portal – the scientific discovery of the human soul. The WingMakers materials, it turned out, were part of an ambitious plan to communicate the human soul's experience to humanity.
The Ultimate Objective: The Grand Portal
The ultimate objective of the WingMakers materials was revealed to be the discovery of The Grand Portal, a convergence of science and spirit, human and soul. Unlike transhumanist ideologies that promote the integration of technology with the human form, The Grand Portal presents a different integration, one of soul consciousness within the human instrument.
James describes the impact of this discovery eloquently: “The irrefutable scientific discovery of the human soul will dramatically impact human culture, science, technology, and religion. Many people have wondered how the discovery of an extraterrestrial civilization could impact our society... I suspect few of these people have deliberated on a similar notion of what would happen if science could prove the existence of the human soul, and more importantly, enable its discovery for the individual. What impact would this have on our global society?”
Journey's Evolution: Behavioural Intelligence
As the narrative of WingMakers developed, it began to underscore the concept of behavioural intelligence and emphasised virtues such as appreciation, compassion, forgiveness, humility, understanding, and valour. The Grand Portal considered the WingMakers' ultimate destination, certainly sparked intrigue, but it was this particular theme of behavioural intelligence that struck a powerful chord with many followers.
Ancient Arrow Chamber Twenty-Four. Image © Wingmakers LLC.
In the period of 2005-2006, James Mahu started publishing a fresh series of e-papers, which primarily concentrated on the ethos of living from the heart. He introduced the concept of the "long path", a journey where instant gratification gives way to profound wisdom and inherent competence. This perspective further deepened the philosophical depth of the WingMakers Material, offering a new layer for exploration and introspection.
The Spiritual Novels: A Shift in Perspective
Around 2011, the emphasis of the WingMakers materials took a turn towards spiritual novels. SpiritState.com was launched as a platform to distribute these novels, beginning with 'The Dohrman Prophecy' and 'The Ancient Arrow Project'. These were followed by 'Quantusum' and 'The Weather Composer', each offering different facets of spiritual exploration.
The Consolidation: In-breath of Content
The current iteration of the WingMakers.com website represents a comprehensive consolidation of all the WingMakers materials under one roof. According to James, it was time for an "in-breath" to bring all the content together. The Collected Works of the WingMakers Vol I & II published in print form by Planetwork Press is a physical manifestation of this consolidation.
In essence, the WingMakers materials represent a unique amalgamation of art, music, philosophy, and futurism, offering an immersive journey of self-discovery and cosmic exploration. It invites us to take the "long path," to contemplate, to question, and ultimately to discover our oneness with the universe.
The Enigmatic Creator: James Mahu
The elusive James Mahu has always been an enigma. His online presence seemed to be a digital avatar, and he has always maintained anonymity, except for the name “James”. He has released materials that span a variety of multimedia formats, including written materials, artwork, music, poetry, and philosophy.
Aadhya Chamber Fifteen. Image © Wingmakers LLC.
James described himself as a "futurist, philosopher, artist, and composer," but his bio never elucidated more than these titles. His true identity has remained a mystery to the wider public. His writings and works embody a philosophically rich narrative centred around spiritual evolution and consciousness, crafting a compelling universe that combines mythology, cosmology, philosophy, and spirituality.
James Mahu's Philosophical Orientation and Future Endeavours
After two decades of engaging with his audience through intricate multimedia releases, James Mahu’s latest materials delve deeper into the philosophy of the Sovereign Integral, a state of consciousness where the individual sees themselves as one with all life everywhere, devoid of hierarchies or divisions. This philosophy reflects his commitment to a non-hierarchical, decentralised view of life.
James’ materials are released for free on his official websites, with the intent to create a movement of self-empowerment and a collective shift towards unity consciousness. His work, while remaining a mystery, continues to inspire and captivate those in search of deeper philosophical understanding.
Although the Sovereign Integral was introduced as early as 1998 within his philosophical writings, James considers this concept to have truly come to fruition in his recent paper. This latest work offers a detailed description of the Sovereign Integral consciousness, serving as an "onramp" to this new model of consciousness without trying to define it as a complete path, road, or highway.
AI and Consciousness
James Mahu's next creative endeavour is expected to be a novel focusing on "AI and Consciousness," a theme that is rapidly gaining relevance and traction in contemporary discussions. This subject matter, which intersects the domains of artificial intelligence and the understanding of consciousness, is a field of interest that we explore in-depth on MyGeekSpace. As such, we eagerly anticipate the release of this novel. Given James' track record of thought-provoking, innovative, and deeply philosophical works, I believe this forthcoming novel promises to bring unique insights and perspectives to the dialogue on AI and consciousness. Stay tuned to MyGeekSpace for a comprehensive review upon its release.
The official WingMakers website offers a wealth of content including the expansive “writings section”. James Mahu's writings span across a variety of formats, including novels, spiritual essays, compilations, poetry, websites, and interviews, all consistently revolving around the personal mythology known as the WingMakers.
These writings have been translated into 18 languages and have gained substantial global readership. If you want to grasp the core of James' writings, consider studying "The Collected Works of the WingMakers Vol. 1" or delving into his novel "Quantusum". If these require more time than you can currently invest, the website's blog section offers shorter renderings of James’ writing that are equally engaging.
To further explore the concept of the Sovereign Integral, this site serves as a great resource for understanding this intricate consciousness model.
You can also gain more insights into James Mahu's work and philosophies by visiting his official website. Each of these resources presents a treasure trove of deep philosophical explorations that challenge and expand our understanding of consciousness and our place in the universe. So, buckle up for a mind-expanding journey into the vast, intricate world of the WingMakers and James Mahu's philosophical cosmos!
This piece was originally published on the 9th of June 2023, on MyGeekSpace's Substack.