Defining Humanity’s Conscious Evolution
Defining Conscious Evolution So We Can Better Engage It
Conscious evolution is a term that has been around for decades but has gained little traction as a concept. Maybe this is because the average person simply doesn’t understand what it is. It’s quite straightforward—and quite necessary—so let’s dive in.
"Self-reflective consciousness brought with it the ability to direct our own destiny. Humanity is not bound to a long, slow adaption process through trial and error; rather, we can anticipate the results of our actions and consciously choose those that are most likely to take us where we want to go—as individuals and as a species. As a result, human evolution has taken a huge leap forward; so much so that we now appear to be in the midst of an unprecedented period of extremely rapid development." —Peter Russell, The Global Brain Awakens
It’s An Intentional, Collective Advancement of Our Species
While the universe has been evolving out of an originating state of hot gas and energy for presumably billions of years, furthering itself through various stages and constant improvements, this has occurred without the conscious participation of the physical universe itself.
Of this, some suggest our universe was created by an omnipotent God (although the evolutionary component to this tends to contradict many fundamental doctrines). Or, an originating Source of consciousness realized all things from Mind into physical form. Others suggest that evolution occurs “organically” within a system through complex processes of self-organization.
Whatever origination one subscribes to, the function of evolution has always been either administered from outside the system or as an intrinsic process of it.
But conscious evolution recognizes that evolution has continued to advance upon itself to the point that its application can occur independently of any external influence.
The cosmic foundations were first laid for the support of life; the biosphere advanced until it could support the human; and the human eventually broke away from all else by its greater physical complexity in order to advance to a higher cognitive level and corresponding level of consciousness.
All things have led to the human and now we lead the charge as agents of evolution from within the system.
One could say that evolution itself has evolved.
"Far from being swallowed up by Evolution, Man is now engaged in transforming our earlier idea of Evolution in terms of himself, and thereafter plotting its new outline." —Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, The Future of Man
Conscious evolution is an intentional means of advancement for our species. We “consciously” move toward improving our sustainability and finding the most effective means by which to advance ourselves forward.
It Follows The Principles of Evolution
Generally, conscious evolution in this regard follows certain principles of evolution. It mimics nature in its processes, recognizing the power of synergy, interconnection, complexity, holism, and so on. It understands the role of crisis and loss of equilibrium. It leverages laws of self-organization. It’s a science unto itself.
"The principle of Correspondence allows us to study general patterns of evolution through insights available to us on one level only, and thereby to apply our findings by analogy to other levels. From knowledge of cellular change we can formulate hypotheses about the transformation of individual or group consciousness." —Barry McWaters, Conscious Evolution—Personal and Planetary Transformation
It is precisely because of the fact that we have ignored nature’s rule of order that we are in our present state of great dysfunction. Our means of operation have depended almost exclusively on ego. But nature operates by the essential and expanded qualities of spirit. All things are connected and harmonious.
Ego withdraws from this state of consciousness in order to seek its own, individuated experience. This served humanity’s advance but ultimately was corrupted into a deeply dysfunctional state. And this quality of ego operates independently of nature and a spiritual state of consciousness.
Primarily with the discovery of the character of quantum reality, however, we are beginning to surpass such a Newtonian view of the universe. We are recognizing the interconnected and simultaneous qualities of nature and can now seek its wisdom even in the sciences.
This has presented a monumental means forward for conscious evolution.
It Requires Vision and Implementation
Conscious evolution does not just happen on its own—it requires our conscious participation. This means we need a powerful vision of what can be and passionate individuals to embrace and engage it.
"More than a decade ago Erich Fromm was warning that no great radical idea can survive unless it is embodied in individuals whose lives are the message. The transformed self is the medium. The transformed life is the message." —Marilyn Ferguson, The Aquarian Conspiracy
To this day, we’ve been quite anemic on either point.
There have been pioneers; visionaries with eyes focused upon the horizon, able to perceive beyond present limits to what can and must be. But their initial efforts have been nearly lost. It seems as though the momentum gained has stalled, its tradition of wisdom, insight, and courageous vision hanging but by a thread.
And yet the tradition continues.
Particularly in this age of instant, global communication and in our time of growing concern for our future, its renewal is sure. Humanity is ripe with suffering and existential uncertainty. Our search for meaning reaches to the dark like 8 billion tendrils seeking light.
This is certain, many souls are pinging with the wake-up call to serve our future. But more are needed and many more are required with the skills and determination to chart our courses and specific routes on this treacherous path through unfamiliar terrain.
By our higher consciousness and cognitive abilities, we have all we need to plan and execute programs of advancement by which we ensure both our sustainability and means of crisis resolution and commit to a long-term version of how humanity can advance to improve our quality of life, length of life, and even place of life (among the stars if we so choose).
All we need to do is get on the same page and put all the pieces together.
Guided By The Shift and Our More Functional State of Consciousness
It is this “getting on the same page” that has until now been the problem. By our egoic state of consciousness, we have been plagued with divisiveness and conflict rather than unification and cooperation. But this too is changing.
"Humanity is in an ongoing process of conscious evolution. At this time, we are taking a giant step in consciousness—a great leap in that evolutionary process." —Shakti Gawain, The Path of Transformation: How Healing Ourselves Can Change the World
Humanity is shifting in its state of consciousness, out of ego and into spirit (what I simply call a more essential and expanded state of consciousness). Our paradigm is changing to reflect the connection and complexity of nature rather than the crude, self-focused interest of ego.
This transition has already begun. Already we feel the pull of evolution’s gravity, drawing us across the event horizon of a new state of consciousness. Some call it the entering of the Age of Aquarius, some the Awakening, others the Shift. Many may argue it but for those who have experienced it, that we are shifting phases is sure. Like water transitioning from liquid to steam, we are becoming transformed, though perhaps only the first whisps are emerging.
And of this, we are becoming more united. Awakening reveals a remarkably similar understanding between all who are likewise loosed from slumber. We experience the same interconnected view of the universe and our role within it. It’s as though we awaken into the same shared dream, manifesting itself into the same shared future we expectantly await in our physical reality.
Aided By Technology
We have rapidly advancing technology, as well, by which to propel ourselves further. We are already curing diseases, living longer, and dwelling in orbit around the Earth. Presently, plans are already acted on to reach and inhabit Mars.
"Technology is the creative use of elements in the Universe to help make ourselves safer, freer, lovelier, more comfortable, more dynamic and transcendent within the Universe." —FM Esfandiary (FM-2030), Optimism One
By the technologies already here and the future ones to be developed, we shall lift ourselves figuratively and literally above former limitations.
And in this age of conscious evolution, we have the ability for recording and sharing information, instantly so that all others may benefit. All across the globe, we can mount and cooperate in real-time, just as the grandest armies of the world now do.
This is no less than war. Our enemies of destruction stand at the gate. By the unsustainable and self-seeking qualities of ego we have brought our own destruction to our borders. We have no one to blame but ourselves and our former state of consciousness.
But neither are we relegated to death. We have the weapons of war by which we can tap unquestionable power in our defense. Ours is not a plight fated with curses, but rather opportunities by which we can soar as a species in the pursuit of our highest potential.
(Interesting, isn’t it, that both our state of consciousness and immense growth in technology have presented themselves after billions of years, precisely when their introduction is needed most?)
It is go-time and all the team is assembling.
Aaron Force
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