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This is one of Tool's most amazing songs, and really sums up the entire theme of Aenima. This song is about growing, changing, and moving towards the next level of human evolution and conciousness. It's deeply rooted in Jungian theory.

Basically, it's believed that there are three levels of human evolution and each has it's form of conciousness. There's the 1st level with 44 chromosones. These are primitve people's like the aboriginies in Australia who do not percieve anything outside of themselves. They only see one large conciousness with no distinguishment between organisms. Then there's the second level with 46 chromosones. That is us. We are a chaotic disharmonic conciousness that is basically used as a stepping stone between the first and third levels. The third level is 48 chromosones. (Or 46 & 2, with 2 being the sex chromosones x & y). This is the higher level of conciousness. Our destination.
But this is where the Jungian theory comes in. It is believed that you can not reach this third level of evolution without first delving into yourself and basically cleansing your conciousness for the next jump. That's where the Shadow comes in. The shadow is basically everything about that is unseen that you are uncomfortable with or hate. This is also known as the Anima (hence the name of the CD).

The last part of the song sums all of this up...

"See my shadow changing,
Stretching up and over me
Soften this old armor
Hoping I can clear the way
By stepping through my shadow,
Coming out the other side
Step into the shadow
Forty six and two are just ahead of me"

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So, while listening to Salival I had this idea that we humans should finally evolve to a higher level. Open up our chakras, and control them completely. But before doing so we shoul erase all the negative inside us.
How to do this? I still don't know, meditation and entheogens (if used properlly, not just for the sake of tripping your balls out) are probablly the key.
Am I right about this? I don't know, I belive I am

So anyway, what do you guys think?
I still haven't listened to Lateralus, and don't think anything about it. Will do soon I hope... in the mean time I guess I'll try and get my hands on some LSD, just to connect with the music.

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So crucify the ego, before it's far too late
To leave behind this place so negative and blind and cynical,
And you will come to find that we are all one mind
Capable of all that's imagined and all conceivable.
Just let the light touch you
And let the words spill through
And let them pass right through
Bringing out our hope and reason ...
-Tool - reflection

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Darcho said:
Cool stuff man.  Check out this following link, it seems as if the guy on this page figured out a puzzle regarding Lateralus:

http://www.livejournal.com/users/somms/52272.html?mode=reply

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Thanx  Though I already listened to both "holy gift" and "prophecy"  But I'm not conviced it's the real solution to the puzzle 
Guess I'll have to re-listen both ways all over.
The great thing about Tool (and A perfect circle, since I'm a fan of both) is:

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Tool's music is designed to make you think, not say something specific.

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But, spiritual evolution does not require mind-altering substances. The Dali Lama has specifically stated to abstain from drugs and alcohol to reach a state of enlightenment in Buddhism. Use them as a tool (heh) to help show you a path, but you don't need to only walk that path while intoxicated.

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of course I don't even smoke all that much (like once a month), still only discovering everything, and finding some help in it. I also spend a big deal of my sober time, thinking and quazi-meditating

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JacquesCousteau said:
You know something... I used to look down my nose just ever-so-slightly at those who seemed to almost worship tool... and I guess I still do, because I don't agree with worshipping the messiah, but the god he points to.

But this post was very different... by specifically addressing the spirituality involved, you've successfully moved the focus from the messiah (tool) to the god ("mystery").

And in a way it also opens my eyes to the fact that there are probably MANY out there who are "so all about tool" that have discovered these truths through the band.

Don't get me wrong, I like Tool... I just don't think they're "the best band ever" or anything.

The truth is, these same mysteries that Tool alludes to are also alluded to by a HUGE portion of all creators of any kind, including music, film, and literature.

It's really wonderful to see people finding the great mystery through tool... I just want to urge you all--now that you can perhaps recognize the "formula" or "template" of this mystery--to seek it out in all art forms you encounter.

You'll reach a point (or perhaps a peak ) where you feel like there's been this insane number of sources blaring the truth right in your face all along... trying to open your eyes.

When I "knew" the truth, I found I could look back on my history of musical choices and realize that they were all trying to get me to hear these exact same basic core messages.

It was as if the musicians themselves were a friend trying to help me in the right direction.

I'm pretty high right now, so this is probably all rambly... but fuck it.

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You'll reach a point (or perhaps a peak ) where you feel like there's been this insane number of sources blaring the truth right in your face all along... trying to open your eyes.

When I "knew" the truth, I found I could look back on my history of musical choices and realize that they were all trying to get me to hear these exact same basic core messages.

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