11-02-2006
WORLD VIEW - 8
The Mysterious Subject of Consciousness
I didn’t intend originally to write a chapter about “consciousness,” primarily because of its complex difficulty as a subject. Indeed, it has been the subject of entire books by esoteric teachers, psychiatrists, psychologists, philosophers, and most recently, quantum physicists and neurophysiologists. (See list at the end of this section as well as “World View 6 - Recommended Readings). It is therefore far more than anyone could summarize in a brief discussion.
Nevertheless, I feel compelled to note a few points that relate to previous discussions, especially in reference to the “holographic universe.” If we peruse the many current studies referenced in the “recommended readings,” we shall find repeated studies of consciousness. That seems strange at first, but the far-reaching studies of these current scientists working at the very frontiers of science, all seem to move us toward the same conclusions, or at least speculative theories.
In The Field, Lynn McTaggart summarizes this point. She notes that theoretical biophysicist Fritz-Albert Popp drew the conclusion that “Consciousness was a global phenomenon that occurred everywhere in the body, and not simply in our brains. Consciousness, at its most basic, was coherent light.”
Then Edgar Mitchell, former Astronaut and founder of the Institute of Noetic Sciences, realized that a number of scientists--Puthoff, Popp, Beneviste, and Pribram--although working independently, had in effect developed “a unified theory of mind and matter.”
These “unified theory” studies have led to the hypothesis that “consciousness is likely to infuse all things in the cosmos, that it is just as fundamental as energy” (Laszlo, 2006). Whereas these scientists are seldom pressed to use the word “God,” the implication is there. Moreover, they suggest that this consciousness is expanding. Laszlo says, “The thesis [is] that the roots and potentials of the kind of consciousness I experience are inherent in every particle and every atom in the cosmos. It is the thesis that consciousness evolves: it takes on complex forms in complex systems.”
Now, if we can somewhat comprehend these statements and then recall the “nonlocality” theories of quantum physics, we now have at least a tentative explanation and confirmation of not only an omnipresent (non-local)God, but also an omniscient (all-knowing) God. In a commentary chapter in Laszlo’s book, Peter Russell, theoretical physicist and psychologist, notes, “If our own essence is divine, and the essence of consciousness is to be found in everything, everywhere, then everything is divine.” I agree with his additional comment that this understanding “raises my level of awe for the world in which I live.”
In the same book, Johannes Witteveen, a Dutch Professor of Economics and life-long student of universal Sufism, notes: “One of the most profound and fascinating developments in present day thinking [is] the reconciliation of science and spirituality.” He points out how the Sufi vision of creation comes close to the current understanding of quantum physics. “God is not a separate higher being but the all-pervading spirit that works in all elements, all atoms, plants, and beings of the cosmos, giving them energy, light, and direction.”
All of these new theories provide much for us to ponder. What would it mean to all humanity if ultimately we all came to realize our Oneness? In his introduction to The Self-Aware Universe: How Consciousness Creates the Material World, Amit Goswani, Ph.D., proposes that “We can develop a science that embraces the religions of the world, working in concert with them to understand the whole human condition.” This possibility is, for me, highly inspiring. I envision the paradigm of the future being an integration of science and spirituality, wherein the two large disciplines are no longer antagonists, but rather loving companions walking the same idealistic path.
As McTaggart emphasizes, “Far from destroying God, science for the first time [is] proving His existence . . . . There need no longer be two truths, the truth of science and the truth of religion. There could be one unified vision of the world.”
Additional suggested resources:
Annie Besant. A Study in Consciousness. (Theosophical Publishing House, 1938). An esoteric, psychological, theosophical approach to the subject.
Richard Maurice Bucke, M.D. Cosmic Consciousness. (E. P. Dutton, 1901). A classic study of the evolution of the human mind. (One of my favorite all time books).
Julian Jaynes. The Origin of Consciousness in the Break-Down of the Bicameral Mind. (Houghton Mifflin, 1976). A revolutionary psychological discussion. Very different and another favorite of mine.
Rudolf Steiner. The Evolution of Consciousness. (Rudolf Steiner Press, 1979). Lectures from anthroposophist, Steiner--very deep and esoteric.
Ken Wilbur. The Spectrum of Consciousness. (Theosophical Publishing House, 1977). Philosopher Wilbur compares views of consciousness from Christianity, Hinduism, Gestalt therapy, and classic philosophy.
WORLD VIEW - 8
The Mysterious Subject of Consciousness
I didn’t intend originally to write a chapter about “consciousness,” primarily because of its complex difficulty as a subject. Indeed, it has been the subject of entire books by esoteric teachers, psychiatrists, psychologists, philosophers, and most recently, quantum physicists and neurophysiologists. (See list at the end of this section as well as “World View 6 - Recommended Readings). It is therefore far more than anyone could summarize in a brief discussion.
Nevertheless, I feel compelled to note a few points that relate to previous discussions, especially in reference to the “holographic universe.” If we peruse the many current studies referenced in the “recommended readings,” we shall find repeated studies of consciousness. That seems strange at first, but the far-reaching studies of these current scientists working at the very frontiers of science, all seem to move us toward the same conclusions, or at least speculative theories.
In The Field, Lynn McTaggart summarizes this point. She notes that theoretical biophysicist Fritz-Albert Popp drew the conclusion that “Consciousness was a global phenomenon that occurred everywhere in the body, and not simply in our brains. Consciousness, at its most basic, was coherent light.”
Then Edgar Mitchell, former Astronaut and founder of the Institute of Noetic Sciences, realized that a number of scientists--Puthoff, Popp, Beneviste, and Pribram--although working independently, had in effect developed “a unified theory of mind and matter.”
These “unified theory” studies have led to the hypothesis that “consciousness is likely to infuse all things in the cosmos, that it is just as fundamental as energy” (Laszlo, 2006). Whereas these scientists are seldom pressed to use the word “God,” the implication is there. Moreover, they suggest that this consciousness is expanding. Laszlo says, “The thesis [is] that the roots and potentials of the kind of consciousness I experience are inherent in every particle and every atom in the cosmos. It is the thesis that consciousness evolves: it takes on complex forms in complex systems.”
Now, if we can somewhat comprehend these statements and then recall the “nonlocality” theories of quantum physics, we now have at least a tentative explanation and confirmation of not only an omnipresent (non-local)God, but also an omniscient (all-knowing) God. In a commentary chapter in Laszlo’s book, Peter Russell, theoretical physicist and psychologist, notes, “If our own essence is divine, and the essence of consciousness is to be found in everything, everywhere, then everything is divine.” I agree with his additional comment that this understanding “raises my level of awe for the world in which I live.”
In the same book, Johannes Witteveen, a Dutch Professor of Economics and life-long student of universal Sufism, notes: “One of the most profound and fascinating developments in present day thinking [is] the reconciliation of science and spirituality.” He points out how the Sufi vision of creation comes close to the current understanding of quantum physics. “God is not a separate higher being but the all-pervading spirit that works in all elements, all atoms, plants, and beings of the cosmos, giving them energy, light, and direction.”
All of these new theories provide much for us to ponder. What would it mean to all humanity if ultimately we all came to realize our Oneness? In his introduction to The Self-Aware Universe: How Consciousness Creates the Material World, Amit Goswani, Ph.D., proposes that “We can develop a science that embraces the religions of the world, working in concert with them to understand the whole human condition.” This possibility is, for me, highly inspiring. I envision the paradigm of the future being an integration of science and spirituality, wherein the two large disciplines are no longer antagonists, but rather loving companions walking the same idealistic path.
As McTaggart emphasizes, “Far from destroying God, science for the first time [is] proving His existence . . . . There need no longer be two truths, the truth of science and the truth of religion. There could be one unified vision of the world.”
Additional suggested resources:
Annie Besant. A Study in Consciousness. (Theosophical Publishing House, 1938). An esoteric, psychological, theosophical approach to the subject.
Richard Maurice Bucke, M.D. Cosmic Consciousness. (E. P. Dutton, 1901). A classic study of the evolution of the human mind. (One of my favorite all time books).
Julian Jaynes. The Origin of Consciousness in the Break-Down of the Bicameral Mind. (Houghton Mifflin, 1976). A revolutionary psychological discussion. Very different and another favorite of mine.
Rudolf Steiner. The Evolution of Consciousness. (Rudolf Steiner Press, 1979). Lectures from anthroposophist, Steiner--very deep and esoteric.
Ken Wilbur. The Spectrum of Consciousness. (Theosophical Publishing House, 1977). Philosopher Wilbur compares views of consciousness from Christianity, Hinduism, Gestalt therapy, and classic philosophy.
posted by Booktalk Gayl at 10:53 AM
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