Evolution of Consciousness or Conscious Evolution?
June 1st, 2010 | 
Author: Consciousness and Evolution, these two concepts together can stimulate great discussion. Type them into your favourite search engine and you’ll find a rich assortment of groups and books and information.
When I was researching and writing “Vision Speak”, I was first struck by Jung’s theory of the collective unconscious and Campbell’s writings and dialogs on the topic, especially with respect to spirituality and mythology. I imagined that if we could relate at the same level of consciousness where dreams are possible but in a waking state, enabling us to connect to the vision source, we would be poised to evolve to truly spiritual and connected life forms. Ultimately, it could lead to a new era for humanity.
I’ve since uncovered more fascinating ideas involving the marriage of science and spirituality, how we are all connected in a quantum field of energy and the possibility of proving the existence of soul. So many wise writers and teachers, scientists like Hameroff and Penrose are responsible for influencing us all in these exciting new areas. Deepak Chopra, Lynn McTaggart, James Redfield, Gregg Braden, Eckhart Tolle, IONS, EnlightenNext…. just to name a few of the groups and thought leaders that are taking us on a new journey of consciousness.
So, I wonder – will we naturally evolve to a new consciousness as a people (if only we can live in peace) or do we need to first be conscious, present, aware and committed to moving to that next state? In other words, is it really conscious evolution that we must seek?
On the topic of “Conscious Evolution”, I recently read “The Celestine Prophecy” (over a decade late. I was too busy with kids and career at the time to even notice). I’m still musing over the Nine Insights that James Redfield unveiled to the world in his spiritual adventure. Whether or not one buys into these exact insights or progression isn’t essential. There’s good reason why this book caused such a sensation in the 90′s. Redfield’s Celestine books raised awareness for mysterious coincidences, human prayer-energy, channelling thoughts into a collective, dynamic force, and evolving towards a spiritual culture on Earth.
Notably, today, the work of “spiritual leader and cultural visionary” Andrew Cohen and his organization (Enlightennext) are all about consciously evolving. Check out them out at http://www.enlightennext.org/about/ I took their Evolutionary Wordview course. It was both educational and inspiring.
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Great blog 9/10! Bookmarked
Where does “ego” fit into your model of spirituality. Until we can tame that it seems to me there is little hope for the human race. And from the people I deal with on a daily basis, “ego” is still what drives their decision making and ultimately unhappiness.
A “spiritual” world is one we all dream about, but it is ultimately theory and not reality.
As human beings, I think it’s what we must overcome to reach a higher state. Being present and conscious, not letting the mind run you… sounds so easy but why is it so damn hard?
:0)
I don’t really have a model for spirituality but if I did, the ego would not be part of it!
I think Eckhart Tolle addresses this challenge well in “The Power of Now” and “A New Earth”.
Just as we must eat well, sleep, and exercise to keep our physical body healthy, I believe there is a rigor required to keep our inner beings healthy. It’s much easier to let our thoughts take over but with practice and commitment, we can find great peace and happiness. It requires setting the ego aside, not being run by it. If we get there (and I confess I am not yet), then we will feel a part of the greater life spirit in whatever form you believe that takes.
“I imagined that if we could relate at the same level of consciousness where dreams are possible but in a waking state, enabling us to connect to the vision source, we would be poised to evolve to truly spiritual and connected life forms. Ultimately, it could lead to a new era for humanity.”
This event has already took place; it has produced us and our spirituality.
Dreaming evolved with mammals. Dreaming is a primitive form of conciousness where implicit visual knowledge is made explicit by self-activation of the visual system and of the other sensory mechanisms. Human conciousness is a waking state dreaming. Reality is a real dream.