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" In metaprogramming or neurological self-criticism, the brain becomes capable of deliberately increasing the number of signals consciously apprehended. One looks casually, in the normal way, and then looks again, and again. Dull objects and boring situations become transformed — partly because they "were" dull and boring only when the brain was working on old mechanical programs — and, without being too lyrical about it, the synergetic unity of observer-observation becomes a thrilling experience. Every experience becomes the kind of intense learning that usually only occurs in school when cramming for exams. This state of high and involved consciousness — called awakening by the mystics — seems perfectly normal and natural to the brain that has been programmed to watch its own programming. Since, in the existential world of experience, we have to make bets and choices, we are consciously "cramming" all the time, but there is no special sense of stress or anxiety involved. We are living time instead of passing time, as Nicoll said. "
― Robert Anton Wilson , The New Inquisition: Irrational Rationalism and the Citadel of Science