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Meaningful Mutations: Reflections on the Synchronicity of Evolution
Get PDFAlthough Jung made a connection between his concept of the archetype and mankind’s evolutionary history throughout his career, he remained notoriously tight-lipped about his own specific views on evolutionary theory. In the final years of his life, however, he finally went more into detail about this important topic, putting forward a most thought-provoking idea: the notion that synchronicity, or meaningful coincidences, had a role to play in the way evolution took shape. As I will argue in this paper, Jung’s comments on this topic present clear evidence that he did not think primarily along Darwinian lines, as has recently been claimed; rather, I will argue that he adopted what Wolfgang Pauli referred to as a third position—one that goes beyond both Darwinism and Lamarckism. This third position is strongly informed by the notion that evolutionary changes are not random but meaningful, and that synchronicity has a role to play in the way evolution takes shape. This suggests that Jung is not so much a kindred spirit to Neo-Darwinian evolutionary psychologists, but a thinker who is much closer in his intuitions and affinities to several evolutionary thinkers who have been influential in the field of transpersonal psychology, most notably Ken Wilber
Nature, Human Ecopsychological Consciousness and the Evolution of Paradigm Change in the Face of Current Ecological Crisis
Get PDFThis paper explores factors that contribute to the ecological crisis of the contemporary time, including philosophical, psychological, and spiritual beliefs that have contributed to the current situation. Recognition is paid to the role of reductionist Cartesian thought and centuries of attempted separation from nature. Contributions of Jungian, post-Jungian, depth, and transpersonal scholars fortify an understanding of the subtle perceptual shifts for change to become possible. Recognition of humanity’s interconnectivity with all life is proposed as a key factor in building motivation toward becoming agents of change, concluding with a call for co-created praxis toward regeneration of connection to life in all its forms
The Effect of Internally versus Externally Focused Balance Training on Mindfulness
Get PDFThe purpose of this study was to determine how alternative types of instruction provided during a 6-week balance exercise program affect mindfulness. A sample of 63 college students was recruited for the study. Group 1 (N = 33) received a 6-week balance exercise intervention instructed with an internal focus of attention (IFA). Group 2 (N = 30) received the same intervention, but exercises were instructed with an external focus of attention (EFA). Mindfulness was measured at baseline and at 6 weeks using the Freiburg Mindfulness Inventory (FMI). Baseline FMI scores between groups were similar (Group 1: 41.6; Group 2: 41.3), however, the difference in gain scores at six weeks was statistically significantly different (Group 1: 17.5; Group 2: 1.7; z = - 4.74, p = .0000, r = .55). The results suggest that internally focused instruction was more effective at increasing mindfulness than externally focused instruction during a 6-week balance exercise program and might be an alternative to meditation as a means of improving mindfulness
Sarath, Edward W. (2013). Improvisation, creativity, and consciousness: Jazz as integral template for music, education, and society. Albany, NY: State University of New York.
Get PDFThe Pribram – Bohm Hypothesis Part II: The Physiology of Consciousness
Get PDFA physiology of consciousness is elaborated, based upon implications of the Pribram-Bohm hypothesis (developed in Part I of this series). The model presented here is in sharp contrast to the prevailing conviction among neuroscientists that consciousness will eventually be discovered to be a physiological epiphenomenon of neuronal electrical impulses firing in the brain. In contrast, the Pribram-Bohm theory holds that consciousness, inherent in what Bohm views cosmologically as “the Whole,” manifests as a dynamic conscious energy resonance bridging the explicate space-time domain with the nonlocal, transcendent flux domain termed the “implicate order.” Presented in Part I, the Pribram-Bohm hypothesis posits a relatively infinite ether-like ground of innumerable quantum black holes, or “holospheres,” centrally located at every point in cosmological space. Being nonlocal, the implicate order is clearly a singularity, yet topologically accessible at each and every point with in space, connected everywhere below the Planck length of 10-35m. Bohm suggests that within the implicate order, consciousness is the primary awareness as contrasted with human mental cognition, a derivative in the explicate order (space–time). It is into these centers of the implicate order that information from space–time flows, and within which this information is eternally (non-temporally) stored. In this topology, consciousness is looking out from the implicate order center, everywhere, while simultaneously projecting form into the explicate order, space–time universe. Within such a topology of consciousness, human physiology would have evolved with structural aspects that provide feasible wavelengths (frequency bands) within which modulated information might be processed and stored isospherically in resonance with holoflux consciousness in the implicate order. Physiological candidates discussed as carriers of human consciousness processing and information storage (memory) include infrared radiation among erythrocytes in the blood stream, and the waveguide potential of microtubules for ultraviolet radiation throughout the neuronal system
COMMENTARIES ON DEEPAK CHOPRA AND MENAS KAFATOS’ BOOK, “YOU ARE THE UNIVERSE”; 2017, HARMONY BOOKS.
Get PDFArt, Vision, and the Embrace of Ecological Consciousness
No full textThis talk will take the audience on a visual journey to see how artists are embracing ecological consciousness. It draws mostly from three epic art shows in 2015: the Venice Biennale All the World\u27s Futures, Burning Man, and museum and civic arts expos and events in Paris during the UN COP 21 climate conference. The show includes: Banksy in Calais, Olafur Eliasson\u27s Ice Watch and A Gift for the Earth\u27s Blue Whale in Paris, and at the Venice Biennale, Chiharu Shiota\u27s A Key in the Hand, and Christian Boltanski\u27s 1969 film The Man Who Vomits.
This conference will bring together speakers on topics ranging from the roots of human experience in our conscious and unconscious minds, to the exploration of animal minds, the psychology of climate change, and the Earth Wisdom of diverse cultures, as well as dance and music. See full session descriptions here.
This conference is underwritten by the CIIS Center for Consciousness Studies and The Society for Consciousness Studies, with additional generous support by Navin and Pratima Doshi
Cultivating Resilience for Addressing Ecological Change
No full textWhile confronting ecological degradation requires external socio-political responses, ecological transformation also demands internal revolution. Negative states of mind arising from ecological concern include denial, despair, burnout, and grief. Emerging neuroscience research, however, demonstrates how contemplative practice can shift consciousness and promote resilience, thereby helping scholars, students, and activists re-engage with their ecological work. Contemplative practices are those that consciously direct calm, focused attention. Such practices can build internal resilience, by promoting a greater sense of calm and well-being, decreasing stress, and sharpening focus and concentration. In addition, contemplative practices improve relationships with other people, through increasing compassion and flexibility in thinking. They also strengthen relationships with the nature and the surrounding world by increasing our ability to question, explore, and cope with rapid change and complexity. In the environmental studies classroom, contemplative practices can strengthen engagement and focus. Drawing on classroom experience and a survey of the literature, this talk shows how contemplative practices, including mindfulness exercises, creative expression, and meditation, cultivate the well-being and resilience that are essential for sustainable ecological engagement in the face of daunting global ecological change
Creativity and Destruction
No full textRecently as I was walking down a sidewalk here in the San Francisco Bay area, I happened to read the headlines of an atrocious act of war. Before my mind had a chance to think, I found myself swimming in images of a strike force that would eliminate the evil-doers. As soon as I did stop to reflect, I realized I had already become one of them. Deeply discouraged, I wished I could mark the occasion by bursting into tears. Unable to express my distress in that way, I began to wonder about my own cosmology concerning annihilation. Had I unconsciously demonized it? Had I unconsciously convinced myself annihilation needed to be eliminated? Our knowledge now extends from the BICEP-2 experiment concerning the first instants of the universe\u27s existence all the way to EO Wilson\u27s announcement that we are in a mass extinction event. Does this knowledge of fourteen billion years offer us insights into annihilation? Is it possible to imagine a more complex, more interesting, more scientific view of the relationship between creativity and destruction
Healing is Not a Destination: Discovering The Beauty Even In Our Imperfections
No full textWhat happens when we stop trying to change, fix or even heal ourselves, and radically embrace ourselves exactly as we are today - flaws, fears, doubts and all? In this heartfelt talk, Jeff Foster shared the secrets of his own journey from suicidal depression and self-hatred to spiritual awakening. He helped us re-frame our path of healing, explaining why enlightenment is a present reality, not a future destination, and our fears, our pains, even our sorrows, are precious parts of us longing to be loved and embraced, not deleted. He guided the audience in his own down-to-earth, compassionate and humorous way back to the home we never left - the present moment, the source of all creativity, healing, and lasting peace