Get Happy, Be Happy, Stay Happy

Thanks to Thingy, I’m now in the possession of the provocative, ground-breaking, eyebrow-raising, heretical book Left in the Dark: The Biological Origins of the Fall From Grace, by Graham Gynn and Tony Wright.

Here’s an excerpt from the foreward by ethnopharmacologist Dennis McKenna (download the foreward for free here). I can’t wait to dive in. I can’t wait to see how it relates to what I understand about human development, neuroscience and consciousness.

“The progress of science, and indeed, of human knowledge, requires a dynamic tension between the mere accumulation of observations and ‘dusty facts’ and a synthetic process in which the accumulated results of scientific observation and inquiry are woven together into frameworks that, in the ideal case, create revolutionary paradigms that enhance human understanding of apparently discrete and unrelated aspects of nature. The hypotheses proposed in this book may well represent such a revolutionary paradigm. These ideas do not originate from the mainstream of academia, but rather are the contribution of two independent scholars. The history of science and intellectual inquiry teach us that, as is so often the case with truly novel syntheses, established scientific and intellectual institutions are too ossified, and too invested in the conventionally accepted worldview, to allow the introduction of a new paradigm without putting up considerable resistance.

“Resistance will more than likely characterize the response to this book; its authors will undoubtedly be denounced as mavericks, unqualified to comment on such a momentous topic as the evolution of human consciousness; the ideas put forth here will be condemned as heresy. Indeed they are heresy, in the context of what we think we understand about human evolution, particularly the anomalous evolution of the human brain and consciousness. But one is reminded of the famous observation of philosopher Arthur Schopanhauer: All truth, he said, passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed; second, it is violently opposed; third, it is accepted as being self-evident. We should be wary of rejecting out of hand the premises of a hypothesis that may one day seem self-evident.

“Evolutionary biologists have long been puzzled by what is perhaps the chief mystery of human origins: the explosive and rapid expansion of the human brain in size and complexity over a vanishingly small span of evolutionary time. There is also the mystery of hemispheric lateralization and the apparent de-integration of the right- and left-hemispheric functions that we humans suffer. In this work, the authors postulate that it was not always so; the universal myth of a pre-historic Golden Age, they maintain, is a racial memory that reflects our primate evolution in an arboreal, rainforest environment in which humans possessed mental and psychic abilities that have since become lost or atrophied in the profane ages that followed.”

Download and read the entire foreward.

“We could all be suffering from an evolutionary glitch
that has affected how we perceive, think and behave.”

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.

http://spiraldynamics.org

If you’re interested in learning about a fairly new, systematic approach to understanding and solving psychological problems, check out the Human Givens approach.

http://www.hgi.org.uk

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).

I started this blog post several weeks ago after reading “Consciousness is Nothing But a Word,” an article by Henry D. Schlinger in Skeptic Magazine. I enjoy reading about consciousness, which remains a mystery. I absolutely loved the article and Schlinger’s ideas about what consciousness is. To my delight, the article is now available online in the latest e-skeptic.

I believe we do have the ability to create the wonderful world we want.

I invite you to read the article and comment.

People often find my blog through google searches. Today two people came across my blog using the search terms “Course in Miracles + President 2008.” I was curious about what they might be looking for, so I checked out other search results for the query. Well, what an adventure it’s been!

For instance, on a message board at IsraelForum.com, I learned that beginning January 1, Oprah’s satellite radio program “Oprah & Friends” will offer year-long lessons from the Course in Miracles Workbook. Read the message board post, which presents former New-Ager and ACIM follower Warren Smith’s article, “Oprah and Friends To Teach Course on New Age Christ.” The article is also available here.

As a former Christian, I can understand Smith’s dismay over the Course’s infiltration into Christian churches. The teachings are, as he says, “the truth of the Bible turned upside down.” Even when I was a believer I couldn’t understand why so many Christians played fast and loose with their sacred scriptures. Apparently a la carte Christianity is an easier sell.

But aside from debating whether Christians should embrace the Course, what about the teachings themselves? On a practical level, are they helpful, or harmful? Do they present the truth about the nature of reality and consciousness? Is the Course’s guidance a key to changing the world, as Marianne Williamson claims? Is it the New Age Peace Plan that’s going to transform humanity? I guess it remains to be seen. (But I’m not holding my breath.)

I believe that human consciousness is at a crucial point in its development. We may indeed be ready to make a leap in order to deal with our current existential problems, as psychology professor Clare W. Graves theorized. Graves’ work serves as the foundation for Spiral Dynamics, a way for viewing human nature and how it changes.

Learn about Spiral Dynamics here.

Read chapter 1 of Spiral Dynamics by Don Beck and Chris Cowen.

Learn about Dr. Graves here and here.

“The psychology of the mature human being is an unfolding, emergent, oscillating, spiraling process marked by progressive subordination of older, lower-order behavior systems to newer, higher-order systems as man’s existential problems change.” –Dr. Clare W. Graves

I get very excited and filled with hope when I contemplate an evolving human consciousness. But then I start reading discussions like this one, A Report On Nazism in the New Age Movement, on IsraelForum and my hopes get dashed. It seems we have a long way to go.

If you decide to visit this forum, you might want to take some Dramamine before jumping on the dizzying ride.

Oh great Spiral Dynamics, please save us.