Getting my arms around The Puzzle
I’m always thinking about the human condition, life on Earth and where we’re headed. Many believe we’re in a global crisis, with the health of the entire planet hanging in the balance. This may be true. I don’t know.
We now hear the call, from many quarters, for a great shift in human consciousness. Some groups are more than willing to lead this great shift, and they offer up a stellar slate of so-called leading-edge visionaries to serve as the pioneers. I do understand that a shift or change of consciousness is not possible without a new vision, leaders and participants. But I find myself resisting these group efforts.
For starters, some of the “visionaries” are highly questionable. I don’t get why people will simply believe what an author claims is true. You know, like having a conversation with God. Or that “Jesus” beamed a revelation into a psychiatrist’s brain for transcription. And while we’re on the subject of credible sources, it’s beyond my comprehension how people can believe that beings from other dimensions or universes are contacting Earthlings with important messages. Anyway…
I just don’t trust subjective experiences as truth. I want to know the facts, as much as we can know and understand them. I want stuff to be objectively proven. Or at least seem reasonable based on what we know. So I’m drawn to understanding the human condition through scientific study and research. Here’s a comment I wrote under Neuroanatomist Finds Nirvana, which prompted today’s post:
If you’re interested in human development and understanding the context for the varying levels of human thought and behavior (especially those we have now), I highly recommend studying Spiral Dynamics.
If you’re interested in learning about a fairly new, systematic approach to understanding and solving psychological problems, check out the Human Givens approach.
Both of these are grounded in scientific study and research. I’ve found these systems and approaches extremely helpful for getting my arms around some of the biggest issues of our time. Not that I understand everything, of course, but now I have a basic framework for hanging the millions of pieces of the puzzle (to me).
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the most interesting people i met in america last year believed that the shift had already happened. they ignored the status quo, ignored the news and politics, and went about their lives from the position of having already embraced “the new paradigm”. they weren’t waiting for anything to confirm, they were simply living from heart.
and of course here in asia, they simply don’t worry about such things
Yes, I agree that a large group of people have already shifted into a different consciousness. Once you’re there, you’re there.
Ah yes, the infamous “shift”. Frankly, I think the simple rise of the net as a primary source for news and information is the root behind this “shift”. People who choose to ignore the status quo do so at their own peril. At times there is a real change afoot, but the conversion at present is one of informational power - citizens are able to decipher their own interpretation of events and make thier own judgements.
Please define for me what the “old” state of consciousness was and what the new state looks like. I too am very doubtful of the many teachers arising to cash in on the level of uncertainty among many modern members of society.
Sitting through one of Eckhart Tolle’s sessions on Oprah is an exercise in observing human desperation.
I definitely agree that shifting the access to information is creating a shift in, guess what, our thinking and behavior. That’s all consciousness is — the way we think, react, behave, etc.
A newer way of thinking has recently emerged and it’s starting to be more noticeable. This “new” way attempts to remedy some of the problems of modern society. Our ongoing development is nothing new. It’s been happening since primitive humans became conscious. Spiral Dynamics provides a model for understanding this process, and then goes further by providing tools to create the changes we want.
I’m doubtful as well about all the so-called teachers coming forward to lead others into a new way of thinking.
gregory suggests that the net is an effect of a shift, not the cause of it. consciousness refines first, then life changes. individually, and culturally.
So, where is the consciousness coming from? Is that a mystery that you just accept, or what?
Are you past banging your head against the wall
a cool thing for me was understanding “eternal” at one point, very different than “infinite” or “really long time but with a before and an after” and somehow that little personal epiphany let me let go of thinking that things had a beginning
and i just noticed something in science the other day on the web, sorry, no link, that the cosmology guys are figuring out that there was a something before the big bang
“uncaused” is a term i have heard for being, or consciousness
the idea of time begins with the mind, i think… the cool thing about meditation is it lets the mind sort of lose its shape, the awareness without object thing… consciousness just sitting there being itself, and us, is not at all personal, it is the personal part that comes and goes, seems to have a beginning and an end… apparently, that’s us, but it is just an apparency … so “they” say
it does seem that whenever we learn something more, we realize we were asking the wrong questions… i expect that will continue
i love your questing spirit. a quote from ramana maharshi; when asked what was the purpose of creation, he replied, “to arrive at the point where you ask that question, then to enquire who’s asking”
it is amazing, but as soon as the mind melts a little bit, head-beating ceases.
I have a hard time wrapping my mind around all this, as you know, but I kinda get the concept!
Yes, that’s always the question for me: What is the something before the Big Bang? What caused the Big Bang? And WHY? (if there is a why to ask)
Some scientists think the universe operates as a computer. An information system — very cool and not too hard to grasp. But what’s really mind-blowing is the idea of the MEANING that goes with the information.
“Uncaused” is too hard for my brain to deal with. Waaaa!
Sorry - the net preceeded the “shift”. It was evolving slowly and as soon as commercialization took hold - boom! Same for the automobile, aircraft, telephone, domestication of animals, mass production, fire, etc. Humans are nearly infinitely adaptable. It has to do with evolution, a malleable intellect and some innate need for improving our chances of survival and comfort. I like Maslow’s work as a basis for understanding.
As for the “big” questions - I prefer to operate from the position of potential error.
“I simply don’t know and if I did I would consider that I am wrong.”
However, none of the consciousness mumbo jumbo to come out of organized religion or new wage feel-good hucksterism rings true for me. I think therefore I am. That serves for the moment as enough consciousness delving for me.