Conscious Universe

Science, Faith and Activism for A New Cosmology

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Suggested Reading List

Intelligent Evolution by Gary E Schwatz
http://www.shiftinaction.com/discover/articles/shift11/intelligent_evolution
Shift Issue  # 11

Faith, Science, And Life: Toward A Coherent Cosmology by Rabbi Kevin R Lind, PhD
http://www.shiftinaction.com/discover/articles/shift11/toward_a_coherent_cosmology
Shift Issue # 11

Embracing the Immaterial Universe
http://www.shiftinaction.com/node/2685
Bruce Lipton, PhD
Shift Issue # 9

Romancing the Cosmos
http://www.shiftinaction.com/node/2704
Richard Tarnas, PhD
Shift Issue # 9

Creating The Story of Tomorrow
http://www.shiftinaction.com/node/1748
Charles Johnston, PhD
Shift Issue # 6

Molecules and Choice
http://www.shiftinaction.com/node/1700
Candace Pert
Shift Issue #4

Mind and Healing: Psychology of the Future
http://www.shiftinaction.com/node/66
Stanislav Grof, MD
Shift Issue #

What Are Noetic Sciences
http://www.shiftinaction.com/node/140
Willis Harman
IONS Review # 63

The Power of Presence
http://www.shiftinaction.com/node/139
Steve Donoso
IONS Review # 63

Co-Intelligence: A Vision for Social Activism
http://www.shiftinaction.com/node/161
IONS Review # 62

The Practices of Essential Spirituality
http://www.shiftinaction.com/node/453
Roger Walsh, PhD
IONS Review # 58

Trusting the Web of Life
http://www.shiftinaction.com/node/459
David La Chapelle
IONS Review # 56

A Call To A Global Wisdom Society
http://www.noetic.org/publications/review/issue58/r58_Franklin.html
Wink Franklin Former President
IONS Review #58 2001-2

The Way of An Explorer
http://www.noetic.org/publications/shift/issue1/s1_way.pdf
Doris Lorn
Shift Issue #1

Joanna Macy article referenced in IONS Northwest January News
Dimensions of the Great Turning: An Expanded Definition of the Great Turning
"Coming Back to Life: Joanna Macy," a talk originally published in
TIMELINE, September/October 1999
Joanna Macy

IONS Most Recent Book Release on Personal and Collective Transformation

 

IONS 2007 Shift Report: Evidence of A World Transforming
About The 2007 IONS Shift Report
Purchase Here

IONS Founder, Captain Edgar Mitchell on Transformation as a Vital Aspect of Sustainability
Astronaut and IONS Founder Edgar Mitchell Audio Series on Transformation as a Vital Aspect of Sustainability

Suggested Videos on What Is Consciousness by Deepak Chopra
We recommend viewing this video on The Definition and Source of Consciousness on The Shift in Action Website.

In the first segment, Deepak explores the definition and source of consciousness. He discusses perception, the brain and how they relate to consciousness in a scientific yet humorous way.

We recommend viewing this video on The Simultaneity of Consciousness by Deepak Chopra on The Shift in Action Website.

In this segment, Deepak describes consciousness as a field of awareness which is “a-causal, non-local, quantum-mechanical interrelatedness” that operates with simultaneity. Although he studied a local biological model in medical school, there is another level at which our bodies operate. He says it can’t be explained logically how one double strand of DNA becomes the hundred trillion cells in our bodies after conception. The simultaneity of the bodily functions and influence from cosmic to local rhythms can not be explained by a reductionist model.

We recommend viewing this video on Consciousness: Discontinuity of the Universe by Deepak Chorra on The Shift in Action Website.

In this segment, Deepak defines consciousness as a mirror image of the supreme intelligence of the universe; a universe which constantly recreates itself. The discontinuity of the universe has been described by physicists as the universe turning on and off at quantum speeds. Deepak compares this to a film projection, which is actually a series of still images and our brains create the continuity. So what is in the ‘off’ of the universe? Deepak discusses five attributes of the off: 1. Pure potential, 2. Infinite correlation (inter-connectedness), 3. Creativity 4. Quantum leaps in evolution 5. Observer effect.

We recommend viewing this video on The Soul and Consciousness by Deepak Chopra on The Shift in Action Website.

Deepak describes the attributes of the soul and tells us that there is no more valuable quest for human beings than to find their soul. He says there is a rift in our collective soul and healing is the restoration of the memory of wholeness. We can not truly heal until we release the fear of death. Deepak lists the five reasons for human suffering from the Vedanta:

Not knowing the essential nature of reality

clinging to that which is changing and unreal

being afraid of that which is changing and unreal

identifying with ego

fear of death

He ends this lecture and video series with a poignant quote from Rumi.

Conscious Universe with James O'Dea and Interfaith Leaders

IONS President James O'Dea will be giving a presentation on this subject on 1/30/08 at Portland Unity Church, followed by a panel discussion. Though there is another open introductory evening for this event, this would be a great introduction to this topic. You can see more at this link Conscious Universe: Science, Faith, and Activism for a New Cosmology. We also like the work of Brian Swimme. IONA members can download his audios on The Shift in Action web site.

If you are a Shift in Action member you can download the audio of this teleseminar
on the Attention Revolution with Buddhist scholar B. Alan Wallace and IONS President James O’Dea dialoguing about advanced states of consciousness in "The Attention Revolution."

Wallace begins with the synchronistic events that led to him to meet his Buddhist teachers, start a period of deeply committed meditation and eventually become a primary translator for the Dalai Lama. He then explores the interface of science and spirituality, as well as diving deeper into the ground state of awareness, the part of us that remains unsullied and even blissful. This state is connected to clarity, creativity, and the spontaneous upwelling of insight. Drawing upon his years teaching meditation, he goes into subtle understandings of consciousness that balance stillness and motion, attention and service, the power of contemplative science. He also discusses quantum theory in relationship to consciousness in this fascinating exploration.

Audio of James O'Dea at the Global Consciousness Conference 2006

Astronaut and IONS Founder Edgar Mitchell 3 Part Audio Series on Transformation as a Vital Aspect of Sustainability
Captain Edgar Mitchell - Continuing to see our Earth as a literal and violent battleground for contending world views is a sure course toward the collapse of our civilization. The solution must begin with a change of individual thinking on a very large scale. Edgar opens dialogue and discussion of the ramifications, possibilities, responsibilities, and courses of individual action for sustaining our future, for the benefit of ourselves and our progeny.

Andrew Harvey 4 Part Audio Series on The Seven Laws of Sacred Activism
(sign up for trial Shift in Action membership $1/1 month and download).

Andrew Harvey - It has become increasingly clear that only Sacred Activism--the fusion of the deepest mystical knowledge, peace, strength, and stamina with calm, focused, and radical action in every arena of society, culture, economics, and politics--can be of help in our growing world crisis. Neither a purely "spiritual" nor simply "activist" approach can solve our enormous problems. The core teachings of all the major mystical paths make it clear that there is, within human beings, an enormous unused reservoir of pure divine power, the pure power of sacred wisdom consciousness, passion, and compassion--the power of what Jesus called the kingdom of heaven, and of when in Hinduism is known as bliss-consciousness. These core teachings also reveal that if we can learn how to use this power--or rather how to let it use us as its luminous instruments--we will harness the "energies of love" and discover for ourselves how a clear, focused, purified, divine passion devoted to transformative action on all levels can birth a new world.

Riane Eisler 2 part audio series on Creating a Caring Economics
(sign up for trial Shift in Action membership $1/1 month and download).

Riane Eisler - We can no longer wait for the world's leaders to act at this critical time when the old approaches are simply not working. It's not realistic to expect more caring, equitable, and sustainable policies and practices as long as these are culturally and systematically devalued by economic indicators and rules. Riane shows how every one of us can by a leader in both inner and outer transformation and in building a caring economics for ourselves, our children, and generations to come. All of us can raise our consciousness and take the practical steps for building a less violent, more equitable, and sustainable way of living and making a living.

Elliott Dacher, MD - 2 part Audio Series on Integral Health
(sign up for trial Shift in Action membership $1/1 month and download)

Elliott Dacher, M.D. - Our uppermost potential for health and healing is not fixed. The integral level of health transcends and embraces all earlier approaches, offering expansive and profound well-being. Elliott introduces the principles and practices of an evolutionary, holistic, and developmental integral health.

IONS Intention Download Series

IONS has some transcribed some articles from its Intention Download Series. Interviews with global spiritual leaders and luminaries who were asked the same 4 questions on Intention. Here is the link for those that are summarizes below. You can also use this link to download interview from many more. IONS has a promotion now where you can sign up for $1 trial.

Rupert Sheldrake
This scientist and pioneer of consciousness discusses intention as it relates to all living organisms in this engaging discussion with IONS’ Senior Scientist Dean Radin. Rupert’s morphogenesis theory shows intention to not be a unique trait of human consciousness, but an essential part of the nature of life in all biological systems.

Sequoyah Trueblood
The release of intention and the intellect is the message from Sequoyah Trueblood of the Choctaw Nation, in this enlightening interview with IONS’ President, James O’Dea. Sequoyah's epiphany came while imprisoned, when he shifted to acceptance, stillness and gratitude for every moment.

Charles Tart
Join the distinguished academic psychologist Charles Tart for an insightful and humorous exploration of intention and its relationship with mindfulness, will, and enlightenment.

John Hagelin
In this interview, quantum physicist and former Presidential candidate John Hagelin explains the difference between intention and consciousness, which opens the door on a fascinating discussion of how spending time in deep meditation in the “nuclear” level of thought can multiply the efficacy of intentions.

Babar Harihar Ramji
Founder of the Sonoma Ashram in California and a teacher at the Nine Gates Mystery School, Babaji (Baba Harihar Ramji) discusses a unique perspective on intention as a state of tension in which something is desired. Through experiencing a way of being that is aligned with the greater “wholeness” of life , we can allow things to manifest naturally from a place of acceptance.

Angeles Arrien
Anthropologist, educator and author, Angeles Arrien offers insights into her views on intention. At age 33 she set a conscious intention through prayer and affirmation to do work that had heart and fire and meaning. She has lived that intention for almost 40 years now, surprised sometimes at the synchronicity that has led her to do the work she loves.

Michael Murphy
In this interview, Esalen’s co-founder Michael Murphy explores the further reaches of human potential, ranging from the philosophy of Sri Aurobindo to the bodybuilding practices of Arnold Schwarzenegger. His perception is that we are always a complex mix of conscious and unconscious intentions, often pulling in opposite directions.

James O’Dea
IONS President begins this interview by clarifying the relationship between attention and intention, thereby creating a more integral perspective that includes inner and outer transformation. In his deeply heartfelt and poetic style, James contrasts a more materialistic understanding of intention with the summoning of purpose in a life such as we witness with a Mahatma Gandhi.

Edgar Mitchell
The founder of IONS has a unique vantage point to view intentionality, having witnessed and helped facilitate many new scientific studies, as well as developing a theory of quantum holography that can help explain “miraculous” results that some healers produce. In this interview, he delves into theory but also into his personal story, sharing how group healing contributed to eradicating his own cancer.

Barbara Marx Hubbard
Barbara long been a visionary leader, helping us all to imagine a bold and evolutionary future that we can co-create. In this interview with IONS President James O’Dea, she explores the power of entering into imaginal realms in order to link our creative intent with the power of the universe.