This is a companion to the introduction post of the Metaplanetic Observation Method, which you can find here.
Plané, or Greek for “wandering,” is the root of Metaplanetic Observation, which is the structured method for observing and harnessing imaginative wandering. The method works in sessions, usually starting from a “seed thought,” or beginning iteration; the user allows the mind to rapidly and cyclically ruminate on the beginning iteration with the intent of connecting spontaneous ideas which emerge from the unconscious plané.
The Iterative Metaplanetic Observation Method Formula
\mathcal{I}_{n+1} = \int_{0}^{T} \mathcal{W}(t)\,\mathcal\,\cdot\, {O}\!\bigl(t,\mathcal{I}_{n}\bigr)\,dtHere the observer’s function at each step depends on insights from the previous iteration I_{n}.
Breakdown of the Formula
New set of insights after the (n+1)th iteration.
Definite integral taken from the start of the session t=0 to its planned end t=T. It aggregates the product of two instantaneous processes over the whole interval. Continuous accumulation over the observation period T.
Describes the wandering function of the psyche at time. This function models the spontaneous generation of thoughts, which can be nonlinear and chaotic.
Observer function, weighting the wandering based on the previous insights I_{n}.
Infinitesimal time element.
How the Formula Works
- Initialization (n=0)
- start with
W(t)and a basic observerO(t,I_{0}), OR a seed thought to base insights off of.
- start with
- Iteration (n→n+1)
W(t)generates spontaneous thoughts.O(t,I_{n})filters them, guided byI_{n}.
- Feedback Loop
I_{n}influences the next observer function. This allows insights to build on top of each other, each originating from n=0. Each iteration yields a more structured insightI_{n+1}.
The integral adds up the weighted contributions of wandering over time, producing I_{n+1}.
The dependence of O on I_{n} creates a feedback loop that refines the weighting each round.
If W and O remain well‑behaved, repeated application drives I_{n} toward a fixed point as n→∞.
The Metaplanetic Observation Method iteratively blends spontaneous “Plané” with purposeful observation; this progressively shapes raw imagination into coherent concepts while leveraging defamiliarization (ostranenie) to surface novel ideas.
The Metaplanetic Observation Method was first outlined in a forward for my play, Hang Man, which was used for writing dialogue of different archetypal characters. The method has been seminal for the future of my work as an artist due to its ability to bridge the gap between the conscious selective-mind and the subconscious sporadic-mind.