Note for Newsletter Subscribers:
This piece is longer than usual, ~3,700 words (16-19 min) vs my typical 800-1,000 (4-6 min). The topic needed more space. Bitcoin, here, is explored as myth symbol, and imaginal force. I only plan to write longform like this once per quarter at most.
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What if Bitcoin wasn’t invented—but revealed?

Throughout history, there are rare moments when reality gently shifts beneath our feet, quietly unlocking invisible doors that invite us to perceive with newfound clarity.

During these extraordinary intervals, the ordinary suddenly shimmers with hidden significance, vibrating softly with echoes of ancient mysteries. Symbols long buried awaken, myths once dormant stir in their sleep, and humanity finds itself poised at the threshold of profound transformation.

Bitcoin appeared precisely at such a luminous moment, less as a mere technological advance and more as a powerful archetype stepping forth, imbued with mysterious and visionary promise.

Consider the timing of Bitcoin’s arrival: it emerged exactly as humanity's trust in conventional financial systems began to unravel, revealing cracks in institutions once considered infallible.

As foundations of trust eroded, a symbolic portal quietly swung open, offering humanity a new form of incorruptible value—a glowing beacon of integrity amidst an era clouded by doubt.

In this way, Bitcoin transcends its economic and technological origins, manifesting instead as an imaginative revelation, whispering profound cosmic truths into a receptive world.

Beyond its direct economic influence, Bitcoin resonates with potent mythical imagery. It evokes age-old narratives of treasures concealed in plain sight, of alchemical miracles transforming ordinary substances into pure gold, and heroic quests embarked upon in pursuit of elusive wisdom.

Like the philosopher’s stone or the Holy Grail, Bitcoin symbolizes humanity’s enduring journey toward authentic value, casting radiant light upon pathways toward spiritual enlightenment and collective psychological evolution.

It calls us to deeply ponder themes of trust, sovereignty, and genuine wealth—guiding us inward on a journey toward profound self-realization and interconnected consciousness.

Could Bitcoin, then, be more than mere currency or technology?

Might it represent an imaginal signal, rising from the depths of human consciousness precisely when we stand most ready to perceive its significance?

What if Bitcoin’s true value lies not simply in the intricate code that powers it, but in the deeper consciousness it inspires—the invitation it extends for us to journey within, exploring our own inner landscapes and joining a collective transformation of humanity itself?

This contemplation beckons us forward, preparing our hearts and minds to delve deeper into the rich symbolic and transformative dimensions that Bitcoin unveils.

Myth and Archetype

Humanity’s greatest myths share a common rhythm: a mysterious figure emerges unexpectedly, provides an extraordinary gift, and then disappears into mystery, leaving the world forever changed.

Satoshi Nakamoto’s creation of Bitcoin fits perfectly into this ancient pattern, reminiscent of legends such as Prometheus giving fire to humanity or Hermes presenting alchemy to humans.

Like these mythical figures, Satoshi appeared at a critical historical moment—the financial crisis of 2008—and gave humanity a revolutionary digital tool. Then, Satoshi vanished, leaving behind only speculation, unanswered questions, and a symbolic fortune known as "Satoshi's Treasure," a million bitcoins left untouched. Tomer Strolight (a big inspiration for this article) highlights the moral dimension of this untouched fortune: "It stands there—forever—to show that a person can in fact sacrifice wealth, power, and fame to create and do what is morally good."

This digital treasure mirrors a mythical dragon’s gold—enticing yet perpetually out of reach, symbolizing the profound mysteries and potential still hidden within Bitcoin. Strolight clarifies, however, that the bitcoins themselves are not the ultimate prize: "This money is NOT in fact the real treasure of Satoshi Nakamoto. This is merely an incorruptible monument paying tribute to the real treasure."

Joseph Campbell famously described the universal narrative known as the Hero’s Journey, a structure found in countless myths worldwide. This journey starts with a call to adventure, urging departure from everyday life into a realm filled with challenges, trials, and transformation.

Bitcoin’s emergence serves exactly as this kind of call, inviting individuals to confront not only external economic systems riddled with corruption and inflation but also their internal struggles with ignorance, greed, fear, and dependency. Strolight echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the deeply personal nature of Bitcoin’s gift:

Bitcoin acts as a guardian of the threshold, requiring individuals to step into a new realm of radical self-responsibility and financial clarity.

Campbell identifies the central trial of this journey as confronting a dragon—a symbolic representation of chaos, evil, or hidden shadows within ourselves and society. Bitcoin forces us to face the metaphorical "dragon" of our economic and psychological structures.

Financial corruption, hidden inflationary theft, and centralized monetary control become clear adversaries under Bitcoin’s transparency. As Tomer Strolight thoughtfully said it, Bitcoin sparks an inner journey, compelling each person to wrestle with profound questions: "Who am I? What exactly am I? What is the pure me? What do I do with my time and my energy?"

In this way, Bitcoin goes beyond technology or currency—it becomes a catalyst for deep personal transformation and spiritual awakening. Strolight continues: “Quite unexpectedly, many people who study Bitcoin discover that it arouses within them life-altering spiritual journeys.”

This has certainly been my experience—one that continues to unfold and surprise me in profoundly rewarding ways (read more here if interested).

Alchemy adds another rich symbolic layer to Bitcoin’s significance. Medieval alchemists sought the Philosopher’s Stone, a legendary substance believed to turn base metals into pure, incorruptible gold, representing ultimate perfection and enlightenment.

Bitcoin symbolically fulfills this ancient quest, embodying purity and incorruptibility in the digital age.

Like the Philosopher’s Stone, Bitcoin simplifies complex financial interactions into a pure, trustless essence—a "gold standard" immune to corruption or debasement. Bitcoin acts as digital alchemy, converting collective human effort, trust, and technological innovation into an incorruptible form of value.

Historian and philosopher Yuval Noah Harari emphasizes that our myths shape our reality; well Bitcoin’s rise signals the birth of a new myth, redefining value and trust, guiding humanity toward deeper self-awareness and collective responsibility.

The ancient Greek concept of Logos further enriches Bitcoin’s symbolic significance. Logos, described by philosopher Heraclitus and later adapted into Christian theology, refers to the eternal, divine principle of order and rationality underlying reality.

Bitcoin, through its immutable ledger, serves as a modern technological manifestation of this timeless Logos.

The blockchain acts as a digital "Book of Life," an immutable record transparently and permanently capturing humanity’s actions. Every transaction recorded in this ledger reflects accountability, embodying a universal sense of cosmic justice and order.

Thus, Bitcoin is more than a currency—it is a transcendent symbol of truth, order, and integrity, expressed through technology.

Historically, transformative shifts have repeatedly occurred at critical points. Gutenberg’s invention of the printing press spurred the Renaissance by freeing knowledge from centralized control and empowering individuals.

Similarly, Bitcoin democratizes monetary power by taking it away from centralized governments and banks and placing it into the hands of ordinary people.

This decentralization mirrors the profound historical change sparked by Gutenberg, signaling a new kind of Renaissance—one focused on financial independence and collective awakening.

On an individual level, countless stories illustrate Bitcoin’s transformative power. People worldwide report significant shifts in their understanding of value, trust, time, and identity after deeply engaging with Bitcoin.

Entrepreneurs and creators inspired by Bitcoin reorient their careers toward building fairer and more transparent systems.

Bitcoiners discuss not merely financial gains but ethical awakenings and philosophical insights, highlighting Bitcoin’s role as a profoundly symbolic and spiritual phenomenon.

Ultimately, Bitcoin’s mythological and symbolic strength lies in its ability to spark profound internal and external change. It invites humanity on a unique journey toward greater transparency, accountability, and wisdom.

Just as the hero returns from the mythic journey bearing gifts for humanity, Bitcoin presents us with an invitation: Will we seize this chance to transform ourselves and our societies? Or will we hesitate at the threshold, unwilling to confront the dragons both within and outside ourselves?

Exploring Bitcoin compels us to ponder these deeper questions, recognizing our lives as interconnected stories woven from timeless symbols.

Bitcoin is not simply a financial instrument—it is a profound myth unfolding before our eyes, continually inviting deeper reflection and insight.

What new worlds could we create if we fully embraced this journey?

Imaginal Cosmology

The imaginal realm, as described by mystics Henry Corbin and Cynthia Bourgeault, is not merely an abstract realm of fantasy nor a world detached from reality. Instead, it represents a vivid, intermediate plane—an enchanted boundary where spiritual archetypes and symbolic truths become tangible.

Crucially, as Bourgeault emphasizes, "imaginal does not mean imaginary." Rather, it refers to a subtle yet objectively real dimension, which is "more real than our so-called 'objective' reality." Corbin vividly describes it as the space where "the spiritual takes body and the body becomes spiritual," suggesting a mystical transformation in which invisible spiritual energies crystallize into perceptible and transformative phenomena.

Within the profound echoes of this subtle dimension, Bitcoin emerges not merely as an invention but as a visionary revelation—an imaginal event that materialized into the physical world with remarkable synchronicity.

At the precipice of the global financial collapse in 2008, humanity stood at a critical juncture, a liminal moment calling urgently for renewal and a foundational shift in trust. Bitcoin’s arrival precisely at this tipping point mirrors the characteristics of a theophany—a manifestation of divine or symbolic truth appearing exactly when most needed.

It emerged quietly but with profound impact, much like dawn softly dispersing darkness, providing a glimpse into a new symbolic and economic paradigm.

Bourgeault further clarifies the power of the imaginal realm, highlighting its "generative" capability: it "can (and does) change the course of events in this world" by profoundly shifting consciousness. She likens its subtle yet pervasive influence to fragrance filling a room: "The imaginal penetrates this denser world in much the same way as the fragrance of perfume… subtly enlivening and harmonizing."

Bitcoin embodies this quality—it often engages the intellect first, inviting analytical minds into its elegant structure. But as understanding deepens, something unexpected happens: a doorway opens. What began as logical comprehension begins to stir deeper layers of intuition, recognition, and even awe. For many, the experience feels less like learning something new and more like remembering something ancient and deeply familiar.

Gently yet persistently, Bitcoin nudges humanity’s collective consciousness, realigning our understanding of value, trust, and interconnectedness.

This imaginal resonance becomes especially clear through the lens of Indra’s Net, an illuminating metaphor from ancient Buddhist cosmology. Indra’s Net is visualized as an infinite cosmic web, composed of countless jewels, each uniquely reflecting all others, creating an endless interplay of interconnectedness.

Bitcoin’s decentralized architecture mirrors this metaphor: each node in its network, akin to a jewel within Indra’s Net, contains a complete, holographic copy of the ledger. Thus, each node reflects the entirety of the Bitcoin ecosystem, maintaining unity through diversity.

This decentralized structure poetically captures Indra’s Net’s vision of profound interconnectedness and cosmic unity, suggesting that Bitcoin functions as more than mere technology—it symbolizes an imaginal manifestation of universal interdependence.

Further deepening Bitcoin's imaginal nature, consider how ancient mystics described imaginal revelations: they often appear subtly, cloaked in symbols and metaphors, conveying truths through poetic whispers rather than authoritative declarations.

Bitcoin, similarly, arrived without fanfare, introduced anonymously by the mysterious figure of Satoshi Nakamoto—an imaginal messenger cloaked in secrecy. This enigmatic origin story mirrors traditional mystical revelations, which typically conceal their sources in anonymity, emphasizing the message rather than the messenger.

Through the imaginal perspective, Bitcoin reveals itself as both mirror and catalyst—a subtle yet profound influence rippling through humanity’s collective consciousness. It reshapes core assumptions about wealth, value, and societal trust, not solely through force or intellectual persuasion, but via deep symbolic resonance.

Bitcoin engages the collective imagination, guiding humanity toward more coherent, harmonious relationships with value, scarcity, and abundance. As it gradually permeates human awareness, its imaginal fragrance subtly harmonizes diverse viewpoints, quietly reshaping society’s intuitive understanding of interconnectedness.

Ultimately, Bitcoin serves as a powerful imaginal symbol—a visionary manifestation crystallizing at the edge of consciousness, inviting humanity toward deeper coherence and integration. It encourages a shift from fragmented economic models to holistic interconnectedness, gently inviting us toward spiritual and psychological growth.

Like flowers blooming gently yet irresistibly after rain, Bitcoin expands subtly yet steadily within collective awareness, cycle after cycle, leaving behind transformed consciousness and renewed imagination.

Thus, Bitcoin’s imaginal cosmology is not simply an intriguing theoretical comparison; it vividly demonstrates how subtle dimensions of reality continuously influence our everyday experiences.

Bitcoin beckons humanity toward deeper symbolic encounters, promoting profound intuitive engagement beyond mere intellect. As we delve into its depths, Bitcoin invites us to reconsider the very fabric of reality, placing us at the threshold of an essential question:

What other imaginal revelations might quietly be emerging, waiting patiently for us to recognize them?

Developmental Psychology & Collective Transformation

Bitcoin’s arrival signifies more than just a technological breakthrough—it serves as a powerful developmental force, prompting significant psychological, existential, and societal changes.

To fully appreciate Bitcoin’s transformative impact, we should examine its effects through the perspectives of influential developmental theorists Robert Kegan, Ken Wilber, and Terri O’Fallon.

Steven Lubka succinctly captures Bitcoin’s mysterious influence:

Yet, Lubka notes, "I've seen it happen again and again. People change."

Robert Kegan's model of adult development highlights key transitions sparked by "disorienting dilemmas," moments when deeply held beliefs are disrupted, leading to profound personal growth.

Bitcoin often acts as exactly such a disruptive force. When someone truly grasps Bitcoin for the first time, it inevitably challenges core beliefs about money, trust, and societal organization.

Individuals accustomed to relying on centralized financial authorities must confront the unsettling reality that their trust might have been misplaced or misused.

Imagine a successful professional whose entire worldview is built around traditional financial stability. Encountering Bitcoin forces her to ask difficult questions:

What supports money if not governments? Who determines its value, and why? How reliable is our trust in centralized institutions?

These challenging questions can trigger a significant personal transformation—from what Kegan describes as a "socialized mind," reliant on external validation, to a "self-authoring mind," defined by independent thinking and personally determined values.

Lubka further elaborates on this dynamic: “Bitcoin, in some fundamental way, is an empty vessel—a kind of conceptual mirror. People project themselves onto it. And somehow, in that act of projection, they begin to change.”

This conceptual mirroring helps explain why engaging with Bitcoin often leads to deep introspection and evolution.

My personal experience mirrors this transformation.

Initially attracted by financial opportunity, I soon encountered existential dilemmas. Bitcoin's uniquely transparent yet anonymous nature challenged my assumptions about trust, truth, and power structures, prompting uncomfortable but enlightening questions:

This emotional upheaval was both painful and liberating, driving me toward greater self-awareness and purpose—exactly the "construct-aware" stage of consciousness described by Terri O’Fallon, recognizing systemic patterns and our place within them.

Ken Wilber’s integral theory emphasizes the capacity to shift collective consciousness from ethnocentric to worldcentric perspectives. Bitcoin fits nicely into this idea.

Historically, currencies reinforced national identities, encouraging pride and division. Bitcoin challenges this paradigm.

Decentralized and borderless, it transcends national boundaries and political loyalties, embodying global interconnectedness, transparency, and mutual empowerment.

Lubka observes that Bitcoin "has managed to weave together a patchwork coalition of individuals who, under any other circumstance, would never be connected—never be allies."

From rural El Salvador to vibrant Nigerian cities, Bitcoin offers a shared language centered around security, decentralization, and transparent consensus, fostering global empathy and interconnectedness.

Thus, Bitcoin acts as a catalyst for developing the global consciousness Wilber describes as essential for humanity's evolutionary advancement.

Terri O’Fallon’s STAGES model further highlights Bitcoin’s developmental promise. Her framework identifies transitions toward increasingly refined consciousness, marked by deeper systemic awareness and construct-aware thought.

Bitcoin’s paradoxical nature—transparent yet anonymous, decentralized yet consensus-governed—necessitates precisely these advanced cognitive skills.

Initial encounters that provoke confusion or skepticism evolve into sophisticated systemic insights, illustrating O’Fallon’s stages of maturation.

At a societal level, Bitcoin mirrors individual journeys, sparking widespread scrutiny of entrenched power structures and economic norms.

It provides societies facing economic uncertainty or authoritarian control with an alternative rooted in decentralized consensus and transparency, demonstrating systemic renewal and maturity.

Ultimately, Bitcoin invites profound reflection:

By exploring this question, individuals and societies advance along developmental paths, awakening to deeper interconnectedness and systemic accountability.

Bitcoin thus stands not merely as a currency but as a profound developmental catalyst, inviting humanity toward a more integrated, conscious future.

Lubka perfectly summarizes Bitcoin's enigmatic effect:

Bitcoin as Sacred Symbol of Collective Awakening

Beyond mere currency, Bitcoin emerges as a profound sacred symbol carrying deep transformative significance—a visionary sign of an emerging collective awakening.

Central to this vision is the concept of "Hyperbitcoinization," a scenario passionately discussed within Bitcoin circles. Hyperbitcoinization envisions a radical societal shift where Bitcoin's foundational values of decentralization, transparency, and integrity reshape global economic systems profoundly.

It anticipates humanity entering an enlightened financial age defined by fairness, empowerment, and collective prosperity, marking an evolutionary leap in our perceptions of wealth, power, and communal responsibility.

Historically, Bitcoin's potential resonates with pivotal transformative moments. For instance, the heliocentric theory proposed by Copernicus repositioned humanity’s worldview dramatically, placing Earth within a broader cosmic context and altering our self-perception. Similarly, Bitcoin situates central banks and fiat currencies within a larger, decentralized economic ecosystem.

This recentering of economic empowerment around individuals dismantles the myth of institutional omnipotence, promoting collective progress through individual agency and transparent accountability.

Bitcoin further embodies Enlightenment ideals—sovereignty, personal liberty, and rational thought. Through its decentralized architecture, Bitcoin revitalizes these principles, advocating rational economic governance, autonomy, and transparency to challenge contemporary financial secrecy and corruption.

Symbolically, Bitcoin echoes humanity's spiritual and religious heritage, resonating with timeless themes integral to human civilization. Its principles align with spiritual teachings that affirm the inherent dignity and autonomy of each individual. Bitcoin’s decentralization mirrors spiritual traditions advocating direct, unmediated communion with truth, free from institutional interference.

Philosophically, Bitcoin exemplifies the concept of "Logos," the eternal principle of order, truth, and coherence underlying reality. In Bitcoin, this Logos manifests technologically through its immutable blockchain—an incorruptible ledger transparently recording every economic transaction, symbolizing an eternal commitment to truth, accountability, and justice.

As humanity grapples with existential crises marked by financial instability and ethical breakdown, Bitcoin emerges clearly as a technology of renewal, signaling a societal covenant rooted in transparency, fairness, and collective awakening.

Jeff Booth and Robert Breedlove articulate this symbolic role powerfully. Booth frames Bitcoin as "the bridge to abundance," highlighting its transformative potential amid global uncertainty:

Breedlove emphasizes Bitcoin’s unique nature by pointing out:

Their insights position Bitcoin not just as currency but as a visionary guide toward societal renewal and collective spiritual growth.

This prompts profound reflection: If Bitcoin truly embodies symbolic forces capable of reshaping society, what new realms of human potential and spiritual awareness could it unlock?

Bitcoin surpasses technological innovation, presenting itself as a symbolic tapestry intricately woven by collective consciousness. It acts as an imaginal response to our era's existential questions, challenging us to confront internal shadows—fears of scarcity, loss of control, and resistance to change—inviting evolution toward more integrated, self-aware beings.

Bitcoin’s Evolutionary Invitation

The imaginal cosmology surrounding Bitcoin reveals a world filled with subtle yet powerful significance—a liminal space where possibilities ripple from the realm of imagination into tangible reality.

Like the legendary philosopher’s stone sought by alchemists, Bitcoin embodies the hidden potential within chaos, capable of transforming our fractured economic and social systems into reflections of deeper truth, interconnectedness, and integrity.

By engaging with Bitcoin, we participate in a grand alchemical process, transcending mere survival to genuinely thriving. In doing so, we redefine wealth not as mere accumulation, but as alignment with universal principles of transparency, freedom, and mutual trust.

From a developmental perspective, Bitcoin acts as both mirror and catalyst, reflecting our individual and collective states of consciousness while accelerating our growth toward greater maturity.

Its decentralized ethos guides us from egocentric competition toward genuine collaboration, gently but resolutely nurturing our progression toward a global consciousness and collective responsibility.

Personally, Bitcoin has shattered entrenched paradigms within me, prompting profound existential reflections about identity, value, and trust.

These inner transformations echo broader global awakenings, demonstrating vividly how deeply personal growth is intertwined with collective societal evolution.

Ultimately, Bitcoin transcends mere economic innovation, emerging instead as a sacred, prophetic signal—an invitation calling humanity toward greater authenticity, interconnectedness, and profound systemic maturation.

In an era defined by fragmentation and existential uncertainty, Bitcoin’s symbolic message is unmistakable: true transformation demands courageous exploration of both our inner worlds and external systems.

It reminds us that beneath our technological achievements lies humanity’s eternal quest for meaning, sovereignty, and genuine interconnectedness.

At this extraordinary moment in human history, contemplating Bitcoin invites profound reflection:

What does it mean to live fully aligned with integrity, imagination, and spiritual courage?

What truths lie dormant within each of us, ready to awaken through this unfolding imaginal revelation?

Perhaps Bitcoin’s greatest legacy will extend beyond economics, becoming profoundly spiritual and evolutionary.

By embracing Bitcoin, we step boldly into humanity’s unfolding mystery, becoming co-creators of a future defined by courage, imagination, and unwavering faith in the potential of our collective awakening.

In Wonder,
Matt