ISSN 1362-1211 | No 122 | 2016/3 Network Review JOURNAL OF THE SCIENTIFIC AND MEDICAL NETWORK

INSIDE A New Psychology of Human Well-Being p. 3 The NHS and Chronic Illness - p. 19 What can be done? Whatever Happened to the Tao of Physics? p. 8 NETWORK CALENDAR 2017 7-9 April Mystics and Scientists 40th Anniversary conference (Dr Fritjof Capra, Prof Ravi Ravindra, Dr Jude Currivan, Prof Marilyn Monk, Dr Merlin Sheldrake. See enclosed leaflet and details on website. 24 June Centenary Event – The Legacy of David Bohm and Ilya Prigogine, UCL (Prof Basil Hiley, Dr David Peat, Dr Vasileios Basios) 7-9 July (TBC) AGM, Plymouth 4-7 September Poland Continental Meeting with Institute of Archetypal and Religious Studies (ISAR), Shaping Influences: Fields, Archetypes and Cultural Complexes

October 28-29 Beyond the Brain in London LOCAL GROUPS LONDON - CLAUDIA NIELSEN – 0207 431 1177 OR EMAIL [email protected] We meet at 38 Denning Rd NW3 1SU at 7.30 for an 8pm start when parking restrictions are lifted. Nearest tube station is Hampstead (Northern Line) or Hampstead Heath (Overground). Cost is £10 for members and £12 for guests. Please confirm attendance so I can anticipate numbers. Friends and non-members are always welcome. For more comprehensive information on presentations (to include synopsis and biographies) plus summaries of past ones, go to the London Group page of the SMN site at www.scimednet.org. Please note that sometimes talks have to be rescheduled and information is sent via email so even if you are not in London but would like to be kept informed of changes, please send me an email and I will put your address on the circulation list. JANUARY Monday 16th Dr. Rupert Sheldrake - Is the Sun Conscious? FEBRUARY Monday 13th Dr Peter Moore - Science, Religion and the Future of the Afterlife MARCH Monday 13th Marianne Rankin – Experiences of Angels: Intimation of Ultimate Reality? APRIL Monday 24th Dr. Jude Currivan – In-formation at the Centre of Creation: Consciousness, Causality and Coherence OTHER GROUPS (SEE UPDATES IN EMAIL NEWSLETTER)

Winter sun and rising mist on Lac Montbel - David Lorimer

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Network Review 2016/3 Review Network

Greetings from the Chair Greetings Chairman ings Filmore, Paul Chris Lyons Remembering Lyons and Frank Fenwick Peter with the Network Years Looking Back - 30 David Lorimer Is Heaven for Real? The Significant Implications of Near for Real? The Significant Is Heaven Death Experiences Natalie Tobert Attractors and Love Evolution, Convergent David Lorimer and Sarum College Promoting Congress of Faiths The World Need Is Love!” We Spiritual Life: an interfaith perspective “All NEWS NETWORK MEMBERS’ NEWS NEWS LOCAL GROUP MEMBERS’ ARTICLES NEWS AND NOTICES SCIENCE/PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE PHILOSOPHY-SPIRITUALITY CONSCIOUSNESS STUDIES ECOLOGY-FUTURES STUDIES GENERAL BOOKS IN BRIEF An Exploration of the An Exploration of the PsychologyA New Well-Being: of Human Health of Mental and Physical Ego-soul Dynamics Barrett Richard of Physics? Happened to The Tao Whatever Clarke John Tribute a Personal of Physics: Tao On Re-reading The Emeritus ETH Zurich Pier Luigi Luisi, Prof. The Mystical Experience of Loss of Freedom Prisoner A Political Evidence-Based, Declaration for Integrative, End-of-Life Care that Incorporates Nonlocal Consciousness MD PhD, Larry Dossey, Schwartz, Gary E. A. Schwartz, Stephan which is failing to stem Could more be done to help the NHS, the tide of chronic illness? Mark O. Mathews Hope for a System of Humanising Healthcare: Patterns Under Strain Hannah Margaret Human Life Span - Soul Time in the The Vibrant Years Schwartz Geraldine Larry Culliford articles editorial 2 review section 38 reports 26 29 31 network news 32 33 33 36 37 40 MEDICINE-HEALTH 42 46 54 57 61 3 8 11 13 17 19 23 25

This is the taijitu - a symbol in Taoism representing the wholeness of yin It is and yang. rendered here in circuit boards to symbolise the interface of Taoism and science. p. 19 David Lorimer 4 Place Joseph Lakanal, Les Baillards, 09600 Montbel, France [email protected] www.scimednet.org The NHS and Chronic Illness - What can be done? p. 3 p. 8 ISSN 1362-1211 | No 122 | 2016/3 JOURNAL OF THE SCIENTIFIC AND MEDICAL NETWORK JOURNAL OF THE SCIENTIFIC AND MEDICAL NETWORK E-mail: Web Site: (Members may apply to the SMN Office for password to access the Members Only area of the web site). Editorial Board: John Clarke, Paul Kieniewicz, Denise Gurney Printed by: Kingfisher Print & Design Ltd, Devon The opinions expressed in Network are those of individual authors and not necessarily statements of general Network views. The Network is in no way liable for views published herein. Editor: is NETWORK REVIEW a year published three times Medical by the Scientific & in April, Network, generally August and December. Scientific and Medical Network Registered office: 151 Talgarth Road, London W14 9DA Tel: 0203 468 2034. Email: [email protected] Company limited by guarantee, registered No. 4544694 England Registered charity No. 1101171 UK All proposed contributions should contributions should All proposed as a the Editor by email be sent to PDF file. Word and/or guidelines please email: For further [email protected] Notice to Contributors Notice INSIDE PsychologyA New of Human Well-Being Whatever Happened to the Whatever of Physics? Tao Network Review 2 Network Review 2016/3 Greetings from the Chair

Dr Paul Filmore, Chairman [email protected]

editorial I’d like to wish you all a happy Christmas from the office, officers, and the Board. We hope you will continue your support in 2017 as we have an exciting programme of events. Your support also helps advance our work e.g., sponsorship for student ambassadors, projects such as the Extended Science project, development of white papers on key issues, and the scientist questionnaire. Finally, we are developing our website site so you can publicise your books and papers, have access to more talks and online learning material, and dialogue in a greater number of subject forums. We look forward to welcoming you at one of our meetings. Warmest regards for 2017.

Chris Lyons Dr Peter Fenwick, President, writes: I would like to express the gratitude of all Network members to Chris Lyons, who devoted so much of his life to being with and helping the Network. Chris, as many of you know, was a GP, and so brought a true coal-face experience to the Network. One of Chris’s greatest assets for us all is that he was a materialist with non-material leanings, always able to remind us of our commitment to science if it seemed that flakiness was gaining the upper hand. He helped us maintain the balanced outlook necessary for our survival and his contributions in both committees and conferences were always wise , positive and to the point. We discovered another area of his expertise, one for which we owe him a special debt of gratitude, when we became re-registered as a Charitable Company. One of the problems we faced was an urgent need to upgrade our accounting procedures and acquire a much tighter control of expenditure. It was not clear where this expertise could come from, where we could hope to find someone adequately trained who was also willing to do this on a voluntary basis. I still remember the meeting at which we discussed this and Chris rather tentatively offered his services. It seemed we were lucky enough to have as a council member probably the only GP in the country who was also an accountant. Then began a relationship with the Network, which was amazingly supportive to us all, and helped us achieve a more encouraging level of financial viability. When Chris finally retired from the Network after over 10 years the members, the Board and the Trustees all missed – and still miss - his wisdom, his balance and his company. Frank Lyons (brother) writes: I once had a clear ‘Telepathic-ish’ experience that involved Chris. Many years ago, Chris was in Australia (1985ish) and I was in the UK. I got a letter from him - he was going through tough times so I wanted to be close with him. At that time letters were taking weeks and international phone calls rare, plus he did not have a phone. Then I realised that he was doing medical training in hospital, so I called directory enquiries for the phone number of Sydney Hospital. They told me there were 12 hospitals. Chris lived in North Sydney, so I asked if there was a hospital there, she said there are two. So I took those numbers and called the first. I didn’t know what to say when the girl answered the phone, so as a long shot, I just said “can I speak to Dr Lyons”. She said, “Just a minute, I’ll put him on.” He said “Hi Fran, how did you know I was here?” I said I didn’t know where you where working, but I wanted to chat with you. He said “No, how did you know I would be walking past reception?” At the time we both shared the amazement of such a communication across the world. In his more rationalist years, though, he did not like me to relate that story.

to find a sack of 150 items of post, although many were conference Looking Back - 30 Years applications. Even this was a relatively light administrative burden with the Network compared with the torrent of emails we now have to deal with daily - it takes up to 2 hours simply to stand still and keep information overload at bay. And if one takes a couple of days off, then half a David Lorimer day has to be devoted to catching up, as we all know. In the summer of 1983, I was teaching modern languages and The first conferences I arranged were the 1987 May Lectures philosophy at Winchester College when I received a letter from on Emerging Models and Values in Western Science, with Arthur George Blaker inviting me to join the Network – I had never heard Ellison and Chris Thomson – over 150 people attended, with of it. The letter was accompanied by a photocopied sheet of paper very little publicity. In July, Larry LeShan spoke about Healing describing its aims and aspirations. I duly responded and sent off and the Clairvoyant Reality, while in November I arranged another my cheque for £10. It was not long before George contacted me to conference - Do We Need Enemies and Scapegoats? This would be invite me over for lunch in Ockley. We immediately became friends just as relevant today! Along with Dr Peter Fenwick, who had taken and he took me to the Crown at Capel. After about 10 minutes he over as chairman, I set up some autumn lectures at St Thomas’s told me that I was just the kind of person they were looking for to Hospital: Creativity and the Renewal of Civilisation, with William run the Network! I soon joined the Council, then chaired by Dr Peter Anderson, Beyond Reductionism in Evolution with Brian Goodwin Leggett, who also became a close friend and valuable mentor. and Psychoneuroimmunology with Dudley Tee. In 1986, George formally invited me to take over after I came I found a printer – A.J. Green - in Cheltenham, who produced back from giving a seminar in the south of France with Sir George Newsletter 32 in December 1986 (32 pages). I remember being Trevelyan. This was November 1986, and I was equipped with an mortified when I saw that I had missed a typo in the contents, electric typewriter - my first - although I had been an early adopter so wisdom appeared as widsom! As we did not have our first of a BBC computer in 1984, complete with floppy disks. I was then computer until 1988, Paul Filmore used to produce the labels living in Gloucestershire, and set up my office with the Network files and send them to me and we stuffed all the envelopes by hand. I and records. Member records were kept on individual cards, where remember that there were just over 400, and sometimes I would go subscriptions paid were also noted along with a few handwritten down to Cornwall to get technical help from Paul, especially when remarks by George himself. Accounts were for many years recorded we transitioned to having our own computer and database and had and reconciled in a book and the annual audit ordeal took place to produce the Members’ Directory, which was quite a task! at Lake House. Working with Network members since that time has brought me The post began to arrive, maybe 3 to 6 letters a day, including many invaluable friendships, and I have learned a great deal from application forms. I wrote to each new member, enclosing the basic conferences I have organised and attended and of course from the newsletter (No 31, 24 pages) and the Members’ Directory. Twice thousands of books I have read and reviewed. Since 1996, there a week, I would go down to the Northleach post office late in the are about 5,500 books on the database! In the meantime, I look afternoon to send all this out. In February 1987, I went to India for forward to another exciting year and send every Member my very a conference for three weeks and was taken aback, on my return, best wishes for 2017.

www.scimednet.org Network Review 2016/3 3 A New Psychology of Human articles Well-Being: An Exploration of the Ego-soul Dynamics of Mental and Physical Health Richard Barrett

The soul is not a popular category in academic psychology, although psychologists like Jung, Assagioli, Maslow, Grof, Wilber and others have elaborated their own models. Richard extends such analysis to the recent debate on happiness and well- being and provides a coherent developmental model evolving towards a recovery of soul consciousness and a motivation of service. See also my review of his book in the book review section.

My primary inspiration for writing this book was the following We feel anxious and fearful when we are unable to meet our statement from the introduction to the second edition of deficiency needs, but once they are met we no longer pay Toward a Psychology of Being by Abraham Maslow. much attention to them. The joy we experience when we can meet our soul’s desires leaves us wanting more. Maslow There is now emerging over the horizon a new conception points out the importance of satisfying our deficiency needs of human sickness and human health, a psychology that I as a foundation for satisfying our growth needs: find so thrilling and so full of wonderful possibilities that I yield to the temptation to present it publicly even before it is Man’s higher nature rests on his lower nature, needing it as checked and confirmed, and before it can be called reliable a foundation. The best way to develop this higher nature is to scientific knowledge.1 fulfil and gratify the lower nature first.2 What Maslow was courageously attempting to do, was Maslow also makes a direct link between the satisfaction of to establish the ground rules for a larger jurisdiction for our needs and health. He states: psychology. What I am attempting to do in A New Psychology of Human Well-Being goes further: I am trying to build a theory …satisfying our deficiencies avoids illness; growth of human well-being that unites psychology with spirituality satisfactions produce positive health.3 and science. To achieve this purpose, I needed to bring the soul back into psychology. In other words, when we can satisfy our ego’s needs, we stay well, and when we can satisfy our soul’s needs, we thrive. At the heart of the theory I am putting before you is what I Maslow goes on to state: refer to as the Seven Levels Model. There are two aspects to …deficit needs are shared by all members of the human this Model: the Stages of Psychological Development Model species … all people need safety, love and status from and the Levels of Consciousness Model. We grow in stages their environment … once satiated with these elementary, of psychological development, and we operate at levels of species-wide necessities ... development of individuality can consciousness. Under normal circumstances, the level of begin … each person proceeds to develop in his own style consciousness we operate from will be the same as the stage … development then becomes more determined from within of psychological development we have reached. I developed rather than from without … self-actualisation is idiosyncratic.4 this model in 1997. Since that time it has been used to map the consciousness of over 6,000 organisations, 5,000 Maslow called the moments we are consciously aware individuals and 25 nations. of satisfying our growth needs as “peak” experiences. He describes these experiences in the following way: Ego needs vs soul’s desires Maslow referred to the needs associated with the first three …the powers of a person come together in a particularly stages of psychological development, as “deficiency” needs, efficient and intensely enjoyable way, and in which he is more and the needs associated with the last three stages of integrated and less split, more open for experience, more psychological development, as “growth” or “being” needs. idiosyncratic, more perfectly expressive or spontaneous, or From a psychological perspective, the needs of the first three full functioning, more independent of his lower needs, etc.5 stage of development correspond to our ego’s needs, and the needs of the last three stages of development correspond to Here Maslow expresses two important ideas: the idea that our soul’s desires. Thus, we can state: self-expression links to the satisfaction of our growth needs; and the idea that aligning our ego motivations with our soul Ego needs = Deficiency needs motivations—becoming more integrated and less split— and allows us to express ourselves in a particularly efficient and Growth needs = Being needs = Soul desires intensely enjoyable way.

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We can conclude from these statements that the path to However, all the different areas of knowledge must have health and well-being involves satisfying our ego’s needs significant interrelationships. We need to identify and explore and our soul’s desires; if we are unable to satisfy the former it these linkages if we are to develop theories that unify will be difficult to satisfy the latter. Without a solid foundation psychology, spirituality and science. for operating in your physical, social and cultural framework of your existence, you will not be able to focus on satisfying The proposition I set out in A New Psychology of Human Well- your soul’s desires. In other words, satisfying your ego’s needs Being is that there is a unifying model. Furthermore, we can is a necessary foundation for satisfying your soul’s desires. only grow to understand this model by removing our blinkers, When you can satisfy your ego’s needs and your soul’s desires, embracing self-knowledge, and acknowledging the limits of our articles you will find personal fulfilment and experience a deep sense three-dimensional (3-D) physical perception. The unifying model of well-being. I propose transcends birth and death and leads us into an energetic dimension of reality where we encounter the soul. I believe what makes A New Psychology of Human Well-Being different compared to most modern books on psychology is that The problem with perception it explores the topic of human well-being from the perspective Even though the human mind/brain is surrounded by of the ego-soul evolutionary dynamic. You will not find this frequencies of vibration coming from a larger multi-dimensional approach in any scientific papers because the soul (sometimes energetic continuum, it is constrained in the frequencies it can called the higher-self or the inner core), for the most part, is intercept by the body’s five physical senses. Like the dials on ignored by the academic world. Let me recount an anecdote a radio receiver, the body’s senses can only register a narrow that illustrates my point. band of frequencies, thereby preventing us from intercepting and interpreting the larger domain of our existence: the four- In 2015 I gave an opening keynote address at a conference dimensional (4-D) energetic frequencies of the soul and the put on by one of the top business schools in Europe. My title universal energy field. What we are not aware of is still there, it was The Spiritual/Psychological Dimension of Creativity and is just not in our conscious awareness. Flow. The audience of close to 300 people was comprised of academics, coaches and business people. At the beginning Although mystics and shaman have been aware of the unity of of my speech, I conducted an experiment with the audience: the physical and energetic worlds for millennia, it wasn’t until I asked them to stand if any of the statements I was going to the early part of the twentieth century, with the development of make were true for them. the quantum field theory, that scientists began to acknowledge that there was a crack in our 3-D material interpretation of the I started by saying “I have a car”, and most of the audience world. Albert Einstein (1879–1955) was aware of this crack. stood up. Then I said “I am a car” no one stood up. Then I He fully recognised that we live in a 4-D energetic continuum. said, “I have an ego” and after that “I am an ego.” Most people He put it this way: stood up when I said “I have an ego” and sat down when I said, “I am an ego.” Then I said “I have a soul,” everyone stood up. The non-mathematician is seized by a mysterious After that, I said “I am a soul” and everyone remained standing. shuddering when he hears of four-dimensional things, by a feeling that is not unlike the occult. But there is no more What I had half expected, but was amazed to see, was that commonplace statement than the world in which we live is a everyone stood up for both of the final statements. Not just four-dimensional continuum.7 one, both of them! After jokingly pointing out the high level of confusion they must have about who they are, I suggested to Einstein was not alone in this way of thinking. Ervin László, a the audience that having a soul was the stage of development Hungarian-born philosopher of science, describes the two-world that preceded being a soul, but the ultimate truth was that your problem in the following way: he calls the observable, manifest, soul has you! Since that occasion, I have repeated this exercise physical 3-D world the M-dimension (M for material or manifest), with diverse audiences in many parts of the world and each and he calls the unobservable, energetic 4-D world—the world time I got the same result: the vast majority of people believe of the soul—the A-dimension. The A-dimension (Akashic or they have a soul, and they are a soul. energetic dimension) is a universal field of information and potentiality that is in constant interaction with the M-dimension. But it was what happened next that made me realise there is something wrong with the mainstream scientific approach. The … the A-dimension [energetic] dimension is prior: it is the next speakers, two very bright and influential academics were generative ground of the particles and systems of particles talking about neuroscience research. that emerge in the M-dimension [material] dimension.8

They had a statement on their first slide that read “Assumptions Max Planck (1858–1947), a theoretical physicist, who was we make: There is no soul.” When I saw this statement, I could one of the originators of quantum theory, is quoted as saying: not help smiling to myself. The entire audience of academics, “I regard consciousness as fundamental. I regard matter coaches and business people had just indicated that they as derivative from consciousness. We cannot get behind believed they not only had a soul, but they were souls. consciousness.”

What this experience clearly pointed out to me, and probably Even though we derive our sense of personal reality from the rest of the audience, was how the objective, scientific focusing our attention on the 3-D material world, what we are approach not only has a tendency to deny our inner knowing observing is just a thin sliver of a much larger energetic world. and our subjective experiences. One of the links we have to the energetic world is our thoughts. I believe there are two problems that arise from the objective Our thoughts are energetic impulses of positive, neutral or scientific approach: the dualistic notion that the body and the negative intention. Consequently, whatever thoughts you are mind belong to different realms, and the plethora of disciplines thinking not only influence the energetic vibration of your that keep our minds blinkered from the larger realities of life. In energy field (the body-mind) but the energetic vibration of the this respect, the following words written by Peter D. Ouspensky world around you. Fear-based thoughts make things feel heavy (1878–1947) early in the last century are almost as meaningful and serious, whereas love-based thoughts make things feel now as they were then: light and cheerful. This is because the energy of fear has a low frequency of vibration and the energy of love has a high- We fail to understand many things because we specialise frequency vibration. Love energy feels light because it connects too easily and too drastically, philosophy, religion, psychology, (people); fear energy feels heavy because it separates (people), natural sciences, sociology, etc. each has their special it goes against the natural state of energetic order. We feel “at literature. There is nothing embracing the whole in its entirety. 6 home” in our soul when we love, and we feel “separate” from

www.scimednet.org Network Review 2016/3 5 our soul when we fear. Feelings are the antennae that allow us Before restricting its consciousness so it can embark on a articles to tune into the status of our ego-soul dynamic. journey into 3-D material awareness, the soul is fully centred in 4-D energetic awareness—a world of abundance and When the fear-based energies of the ego-mind are juxtaposed love. By choosing to incarnate—restrict itself to 3-D material with the love-based energies of the soul-mind, you feel a sense awareness, it enters into a very different world—a world of of instability in your energy field and sensations of discomfort limitation and fear. in your body. As you release the fear-based energies of your ego-mind and align with the love-based energies of your soul- mind, the ego-mind and the soul-mind come into energetic Material awareness alignment, and your body feels vital and healthy. This following The fundamental properties of 3-D material awareness are quote from Maslow describes the process: time, space and matter. By conjoining time and space, we experience the illusion of separation; by conjoining time …the powers of a person come together in a particularly and matter, we experience the illusion of death and decay; efficient and intensely enjoyable way in which he is more by conjoining space and matter, we experience the illusion integrated and less split.9 of physical forms and mass. Together, taken as a whole, all of these concepts align with the interpretation of reality The key words here are “he is more integrated and less split”. explained by Newtonian mechanics and the First and Second In other words, when we raise the frequency of vibration of the Laws of Thermodynamics. ego-mind by releasing our fears, we align with the frequency of the vibration of the soul-mind. Energetic awareness The journey of the soul The fundamental properties of the soul’s world—4-D energetic awareness—are timelessness, omnipresence and energy. There are seven stages of human development that souls pass Because the soul has no awareness of time or space to through from the moment they enter into our three-dimensional give the illusion of separation, the soul experiences a sense material world (the moment of conception) and the moment of oneness and connectedness. Because the soul has no they leave our three-dimensional material world (the moment awareness of time and matter to give the illusion of death of death). I call these the seven stages of psychological and decay, it experiences a state of being (present moment development. These are shown in the following Figure. The awareness). Because the soul has no awareness of space first three stages are about the development of the ego, and and matter to give the illusion of form and mass, the soul the last three stages are about the activation of the soul. The experiences shifts in energetic vibrations (emotions). Together, fourth stage involves aligning the motivations of the ego with taken as a whole, all of these concepts align with the quantum the motivations of the soul. The seven stages of psychological mechanical interpretation of reality, which is explained by development are also shown in the following Table along Quantum theory. with the approximate age ranges when they occur and the developmental task of each stage. The soul’s desires Stages of Ego-Soul The soul’s purpose in incarnating is to attempt to recreate its Development Dynamic 4-D reality in a 3-D material awareness by a) fully expressing its unique character and gifts, b) by connecting with others in

Serving (7) ➤ unconditional loving relationships to make a difference, and c) by contributing, through acts of self-less service, to the good Soul Integrating (6) of humanity. These three “desires” are the motivations of the activation soul that drive the 5th, 6th and 7th stages of development. Self-actualizing (5) ➤ However, before these desires can be pursued, the soul must establish itself in 3-D material awareness: it must learn how (4) Ego-soul Individuating alignment to survive—keep the body alive; it must learn how to be loved so it can feel safe and protected; and it must learn how to be admired and recognised so it can feel secure in its 3-D Differentiating (3) ➤ material reality. The soul delegates these tasks to the ego. Ego Conforming (2) development The ego’s needs

Surviving (1) ➤ These three sets of “needs” are the motivations of the ego. They are the drivers of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd stages of development. Only when we have learned how to master Figure: The Seven Stages of Psychological Development and three evolutionary these three stages of development are we in a position to stages of the ego-soul dynamic. find the freedom and autonomy we need to enter the 4th

Stages of Age ranges Developmental tasks psychological development

Serving 60 + years Contributing to the well-being of future generations, humanity and the planet. Integrating 50 – 59 years Connecting with others in unconditional loving relationships to make a difference. Self-actualising 40- - 49 years Expressing your true nature by embracing your soul’s values and purpose. Individuating 25 – 39 years Discovering your true identity by letting go of your fears and your dependence on others. Differentiating 8 – 24 years Feeling recognised and respected by establishing yourself in a community that values who you are. Conforming 3 – 7 years Feeling safe and protected by staying close to your kin and your family. Surviving Conception to Staying alive and physically healthy by getting your survival needs met. 2 years

Table: The Seven Stages of Psychological Development, the approximate age ranges when they occur, and the developmental task at each stage

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stage of development. This is the stage of development When the rational mind takes over as the dominant centre where we begin to align our ego’s motivations with our soul’s of conscious awareness, the emotional mind becomes the motivations by letting go of the ego’s fears and dependencies subconscious of the rational mind; the body-mind becomes the developed during the first three stages of development. We unconscious of the rational mind, and the soul mind becomes have to become a viable independent human being before we the super unconscious of the rational mind. From this point can begin to align with the motivations of the soul. on the primary motivation of the teenager and young adult is to feel secure. The journey begins The soul’s journey into 3-D material awareness begins when The suppression of the soul articles it restricts its awareness to material existence by taking During the first three stages of development as the ego’s needs possession of the energy field of a human embryo during the assume greater prominence, the soul’s desires get pushed first few weeks of pregnancy. This is when the baby’s heart further and further into the background. If the ego’s motivations starts to beat. The heart and the soul are intimately linked: are strong and deeply embedded because of difficulties it had in The energy field of the heart is the access point of the energy getting its safety and security needs met, the ego’s motivations field of the soul. At this stage, you are totally heart-centred may stay dominant for the rest of your life. and the soul mind is the centre of conscious awareness of the embryo. Accessing the soul The fourth stage of development—the individuating stage—is The body-mind the stage you must master to reactivate your soul awareness Around five weeks later, towards the end of the first trimester at the 5th, 6th and 7th stages of development. The goal at the of pregnancy, the reptilian mind/brain (body-mind) which has individuating stage of development is to find freedom and been forming in the background, takes over from the soul autonomy—to let go of your social and cultural dependencies— mind as the dominant centre of conscious awareness. so you can become responsible and accountable for every aspect of your life. The period from conception to the age of 18 – 24 months, while the reptilian mind/brain is the dominant centre of The ego is not who you are; it is who you think you are. It conscious awareness, is known as the surviving stage of is the mask you wear to get your needs met in the physical, development. The job of the body-mind is to keep the body social and cultural framework of your material existence. The alive and functioning so the soul has a vehicle through which ego represents your sense of identity in relation to the physical, it can experience 3-D material awareness. The body-mind social and cultural context in which you live. You must remove keeps the body alive by controlling the homeostatic regulation your ego mask to find your soul self. of the body. Activating the soul: self-expressing When the body-mind takes over as the dominant centre The last three stages of psychological development represent of conscious awareness, the soul mind becomes the various stages of soul activation. If you have been relatively subconscious of the body-mind. From this point on, the successful in mastering the individuating stage of development, primary motivation of the foetus and baby is to stay alive. you will begin to feel the pull of the self-actualising stage of development in your early 40s. Your challenge now is to fully The emotional mind embrace your soul’s character and purpose by accessing your The limbic mind/brain (emotional mind) takes over from the inborn gifts and talents and thereby give your life meaning. reptilian mind/brain as the dominant centre of conscious awareness when the baby reaches 18 – 24 months. This If you failed to master your survival needs, the fears you is when the ego begins to form. The period from 18 – 24 developed about being able to exercise control over your months to about 2 to 7 years, while the limbic mind/brain is environment will make it difficult to master your soul’s desire the dominant centre of conscious awareness, is known as the for self-expression. conforming stage of development. Activating the soul: connecting The job of the ego-mind at this stage of development is to The next stage of soul activation—the integrating stage of keep the body safe and protected in its family/social development, which usually occurs in the 50s—involves framework of existence. The ego mind does this by attempting connecting with others in unconditional loving relationships so to build relationships which allow the child to feel loved, you can use your gifts and talents to make a difference in the accepted and protected. world. Your challenge now is to develop your social intelligence and empathy skills so you can connect and collaborate with When the emotional mind takes over as the dominant others and thereby use your gifts and talents to make a centre of conscious awareness, the body-mind becomes difference in people’s lives. the subconscious of the emotional mind, and the soul mind becomes the unconscious of the emotional mind. From If you failed to master your ego’s safety needs, the fears you this point on, the primary motivation of the infant and child is developed about forming relationships will make it difficult to to keep safe. master your soul’s desire for connection. The rational mind Activating the soul: contributing The neocortex mind/brain (rational mind) takes over from The last stage of soul activation—the serving stage of the limbic mind/brain as the dominant centre of conscious development, which usually occurs in your 60s—involves awareness around the age of eight and keeps on growing living a life of self-less service focused on future generations and developing until around the age of twenty-four. The ego and the good of humanity. Having learned how to connect, continues to develop during this period and remains dominant what you are now tasked with doing is making a contribution for the rest of our lives or until the soul mind is reactivated. to the common good. Your challenge now is to develop your The period from around 7 or 8 to about 24 years, while the compassion skills—to embrace the deepest aspects of your neocortex mind/brain is still growing and developing, is known soul’s intelligence and wisdom to help those who are suffering, as the differentiating stage of development. disadvantaged or are less well off than yourself. The job of the ego mind at this stage of development is to keep If you failed to master your ego’s security needs, the fears you the body secure and comfortable in its cultural framework of developed about being able to become a valuable member of existence. The ego mind does this by attempting to become a community will make it difficult to master your soul’s desire a recognised and valued member of a group or community. to make a contribution.

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Conclusions individuating stage of development, can you move to the self- articles actualising stage where you begin to activate your soul-mind. How well your parents, guardians and teachers support you during the first three stages of development—surviving, conforming and differentiating—not only affects your physical Mastering the self-actualising stage of development brings health and mental well-being, during your early life, it also meaning and purpose to your life. Mastering the integrating significantly affects your physical health and mental well- stage of development enables you to make a difference in being, during the latter stages of your life. your world. Mastering the serving stage of development enables you to find fulfilment in your life. By this time, your Only when you have learned how to master your survival, soul will be fully activated and you will be leading a life of safety and security needs and are successful in mastering the selfless service for the good of humanity.

Richard Barrett is an author, speaker and internationally recognised thought leader on the evolution of human values in business and society. He is the founder and chairman of the Barrett Values Centre, a Fellow of the World Business Academy and Former Values Coordinator at the World Bank. He is the creator of the internationally recognized Cultural Transformation Tools (CTT) which have been used to support more than 6,000 organizations on their transformational journeys. To date, more than 5,000 change agents, consultants and coaches have been trained by the Barrett Values Centre to use the Cultural Transformation Tools in over 50 countries Richard Barrett is the author of many books, including A New Psychology of Human Well-Being: An Exploration of the influence of Ego-Soul Dynamics on Mental and Physical Health (2016), What My Soul Told Me: A Practical Guide to Soul Activation (2012), Love, Fear and the Destiny of Nations: The Impact of the Evolution of Human Consciousness on World Affairs (2011), The New Leadership Paradigm (2010)). www.richardbarrett.net

Endnotes 1 Abraham Maslow, Toward a Psychology of Being (Second Edition) (Van Nostrand Reinhold: New York), 1968, p. 3. 2 Ibid., p. 32. 3 Ibid., pp. 33–34. 4 Ibid., p. 97. 5 Ibid., p. 5. 6 Peter D. Ouspensky, Tertium Organum: A Key to the Mysteries of the World (New York: Vintage Books), 1982, pp. 262–263. 7 R. W. Clarke, Einstein: the Life and Times (New York: World Publishing), 1971, p. 159. 8 Ervin László, The Self-actualizing Cosmos: The Akasha Revolution in Science and Human Consciousness (Rochester: Inner Traditions), 2014. 9 Abraham H. Maslow, Toward a Psychology of Being (second edition) (New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold), 1968, p. 97.

www.scimednet.org 8 Network Review 2016/3 Whatever Happened to The Tao of Physics? John Clarke articles Hear Fritjof at our Mystics & Scientists conference

An historian of ideas traces the development of Fritjof Capra’s thinking from the publication of his early bestseller on the parallels between Eastern mysticism and modern physics to his detailed articulation of a new holistic world view which takes advantage of important recent developments in the sciences but remains committed to a deep spiritual vision.

The counter-cultural revolution There is no doubt that The Tao of Physics captured the mood inevitably been dissenting voices. There have been plenty of of its time. ‘Bliss was it in that dawn to be alive, but to be critics ready to dismiss Capra’s thesis as on the one hand young was very heaven’; Wordsworth’s recollection of his little more than a set of vague comparisons between mutually experiences in Paris at the time of the French Revolution were contradictory methodologies, and on the other as involving mirrored in the sixties and the seventies when the dawning of serious misunderstandings of both sides of the comparison. a New Age of Aquarius was thought to be imminent. His persistence with the use of bootstrap theory, for example, has been questioned, and some have taken issue with As he tells us in the Preface his commitment to an organicist philosophy as contrary to to his book, Fritjof Capra was universally accepted assumptions of the natural sciences. In caught up in the spiritual spite of these reservations the book was generally received ecstasies of that time. He with enthusiasm and acclaim, and was seen world-wide as an tells the reader how, as he important contribution to serious issues of the time. Several sat beside the ocean one other authors followed in a similar vein, for example Gary day, he was overwhelmed by Zukav and Michael Talbot. And if you search ‘The Tao of’ in any a ‘beautiful experience’ of on-line book-seller you will discover that the phrase ‘The Tao nature as ‘a gigantic cosmic of…’ has became a formula for a whole publications genre. dance’, one which he came to Examples include; The Tao of Fully Feeling, of Dating, Running, see as, not only expressing Twitter, the Dude, Microservices, and many more, including of some of the mystical ideas course The Tao of Pooh which has become almost a rival in which at that time were popularity to its progenitor. I confess to having added to this permeating the West, but list, and offer thanks and apologies to F.C. on behalf of us all. which were also consistent with ideas currently emerging Capra might well have gone on to a lucrative career as a New from modern physics. Age guru, or perhaps as an orientalist scholar, but he chose instead to take up the challenge of elaborating his vision of The book which emerged in 1975 was an elaboration of this a new world view and world order, while at the same time insight. In it he set out to explore the idea that ‘the concepts continuing to teach, research and publish in his field of high of modern physics often show surprising parallels to the ideas energy physics. Though he was clear that ‘science does not expressed in the religious philosophies of the Far East’. This need mysticism and mysticism does not need science’, he was not just an interesting jeu d’esprit, but in Capra’s view felt drawn towards the idea that the relationship between it was an insight into a profound change in worldview that the two was intellectually and spiritually potent, and that the was taking place at that time, one which science had hardly new physics contained important but as yet unarticulated yet begun to comprehend, but which challenged contemporary philosophical and cultural implications. In the final chapter assumptions and pointed towards a radically alternative social of his book he concluded that we needed not only a new and economic order. world view but also a radically different social and economic structure, and much of his thought, writing and public speaking The original book cover informed the reader that the work during the decades following the publication of The Tao of was a ‘stunning exploration’ of these parallels, combining the Physics was devoted to drawing out the revolutionary ideas seemingly opposing domains of science and mysticism. But needed to achieve this transformation. as he himself was the first to explain, this sort of project was not new. He pointed to several leading physicists such Looking back to the period following the book’s publication, his as Bohr, Heisenberg and Oppenheimer who had already ambitious project must be seen in the context of a palpable given voice to it; Heisenberg for example had spoken of ‘the reaction in the nineteen-eighties and beyond against the relationship between philosophical ideas in the tradition of hopes and idealisms of the earlier age. The times they were the Far East and the philosophical substance of quantum indeed a-changing, but not in the direction that was hoped for theory’. And there had been other similar speculations in the by the advocates of the Aquarian Age. The Age of Universal thinking of such figures as C.G. Jung and Joseph Needham. Peace and Love has given way to the Age of the Universal Turing Machine, and aspirations have shifted from the art of From Capra’s personal and professional point of view, living to the art of getting and spending. This reaction also however, the book was a risky enterprise, and there have saw the rise of postmodernism and the rejection of grand

www.scimednet.org Network Review 2016/3 9 utopian narratives. It experienced too the painful rise of neo- chaos theory along with fractal geometry. The significance articles liberal economics which eclipsed the ideals of community and here for Capra lay in the startling discovery that simple sharing. And the assumptions of reductionism, materialism deterministic equations can lead to unpredictable complexity and mechanism became ever more firmly fixed at the heart and hence to the idea of an open universe where predictability of the academy. has inherent limitations, and where true novelty and creativity in nature become conceivable. In spite of this radical cultural shift, Capra held his nerve, and boldly continued to elaborate in a series of writings, as well An important influence on Capra’s thinking in this area came as in various enterprises and initiatives, his central thesis. from Humberto Maturana and Francisco Varela’s concept This quest for a new paradigm, as he came to call it, was of autopoiesis,. This concept takes the idea of dynamic clearly a project of daunting magnitude. While drawing on systems a stage further by seeing living systems, from the many diverse sources, for which he always gave generous cellular level upwards, as self-sustaining, self-organising and acknowledgment, he boldly undertook the task of applying self-regenerating. This clearly represented a radical shift his basic vision to a whole range of intellectual, social and away from the concept of living systems as constructed and cultural fields. operating on quasi-mechanical principles. As Capra points out, Kant had already noted that organisms, by contrast with machines, are self-organising and self-reproducing entities, The new scientific revolution but it now became possible to see this distinction applied in In The Turning Point, his first major work after The Tao of detail to a whole range of phenomena from bacteria to minds. Physics, he adopted a rather different tone and approach from the earlier work. The broad comparisons between traditional This advance also led to the conception of life as an emergent Eastern philosophical and mystical teachings on the other hand phenomenon, namely as generating features which combine and recent developments in physics on the other, became less lower level properties but are not predictable therefrom, and prominent, and in the new work he set out to show how the in a wider perspective as evolving to new and unpredictable traditional reductionist, mechanistic paradigm, originating in levels. Combining A.N. Whitehead’s process philosophy with the work of Descartes and Newton, had outrun its usefulness. burgeoning interest in the concept of emergence, Capra was That paradigm had certainly exerted a momentous influence, led to a view or nature, not only as dynamic and ever-changing not only on the development of the natural and the human – something he also drew from his earlier investigations into sciences in subsequent centuries but had impacted on the Eastern thought - but as involved in a ‘constant generation of whole range of cultural life, even up to the present time, but novelty’. Ideas about emerging levels of complexity and order, by mid-twentieth century was being seriously challenged. The as evident in organic evolution for example, enabled him to details of his argument can only be indicated briefly here, but take a further significant step away from the old reductionist, it stretched across many fields including biology, medicine, mechanistic paradigm and to see nature in terms of systemic psychology, economics and ecology. self-creation, to see creativity as inherent in all living systems.

The central theme in Capra’s paradigm-transforming enterprise Moreover he came to realise that this potent cocktail of ideas rested, not only on the broad holistic implications of twentieth applies not only to nature but also to the human level, for century fundamental physics but also on developments example in the cultural fields of politics, law and ethics as well in systems theory. General systems theory, as developed as to that of the individual, all of which he began to see as both in the years following World War 2, and primarily evident in emergent and self-organising. In the broadest terms, Capra’s living entities, looked at structures in terms of the mutual quest for a new paradigm led from principles relating to the interdependence of component elements such that the whole web of biological life towards the human and social world of structure cannot be reduced to the sum of its parts, and in a meaning and mind. It even led to the emergence of intrinsic way which, in situations of constant dynamic inner and outer purpose, a concept usually excluded from mechanistic style change, order and balance are maintained. Capra placed thinking except in theological contexts, though Capra was special emphasis on structures and interactions between careful to avoid any idea of an extrinsic cosmic goal or purpose. elements within a system rather than on the material stuff of which particular systems are made, and in this way it Emergence, however, is a rather elusive concept, not easy to was possible to gain a new understanding of whole complex define or explain, particularly in view of the related notion of entities ranging from individual molecules and organisms unpredictability and the possible conflict with the law of entropy. to highly complex phenomena such as social and political Capra addressed this issue, and questions about the creation systems, and hence for structures containing human, organic of novelty, by drawing on the idea of dissipative structures and non-living elements. He was able to draw further support developed by Ilya Prigogine. On this view new and emergent for this approach from various sources including the concept events arise at critical moments of fluctuation and instability of Gaia developed by James Lovelock and Lynn Margulis, and within a system, far from equilibrium, at the ‘edge of chaos’. the idea of symbiosis – co-operation between organisms - The problem of entropy is dealt with in terms of dissipative given new prominence by Margulis; these were both important structures which are ‘islands of order in a sea of disorder, influences on Capra in his construction of a model of life as increasing their order at the expense of the environment. involving systemic interdependence.

The application of systems theory was clearly an important Life, mind and spirituality step for Capra in building a clear methodological foundation for The original focus for Capra of these speculations was the his thinking, one which linked his argument back to The Tao of key question What is life? But as I have suggested this Physics, but also opened up new resources and possibilities inevitably led him beyond life in general and towards human for onward development. These new possibilities arose out of life, culture and mind. Much of his own creative energies have a number of interlinked developments in the sciences. From been devoted to the application of his work in the fields of Capra’s point of view these developments can be seen in science to the human world, to its problems and discontents. retrospect as evolving out of and progressing beyond general At one level this has involved a confrontation with the elusive systems thinking, and by which over the following decades issue of the nature of mind and consciousness. Influenced Capra was able to integrate into his new-paradigm thinking a by ideas originally outlined by Gregory Bateson, his approach variety of subject matters. was to avoid the ontological question of the so-called ‘hard problem’ – how can matter produce or link to non-material First and foremost these developments included complexity mind? - as well as the related dilemmas of Cartesian body- theory. This not only opened up new potentials for the mind dualism, and to speculate about the applicability of investigation of dynamic, evolving, open systems, but also systems, complexity and autopoiesis theories to the cognitive provided new non-linear mathematical tools for carrying out realm as well as to all other levels of life. This meant, as I such investigations. Linked to this was the development of indicated, treating mind, not as a thing but as a process, not

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as a visitation from another world but as a process of life. And Spirituality remained an important motivating factor for Capra. it entailed a view of consciousness as an emergent property Eastern elements, especially Buddhist and Chinese Taoist, of life, arising from but not reducible to the purely biological. clearly continue to hold an important place in his thinking, but And in the shape of ‘higher-order consciousness’ it pointed his dialogues with Father Steindl-Rast indicate an ecumenical towards the human capacity to map and control its internal outlook. His most recent major work, The Systems View of and external environment. Life: A Unifying Vision, authored jointly with biochemist Pier Luigi Luisi, is presented as a university level textbook, but this At another level, Capra’s commitment to the issues of human does not deter the authors from dealing with spiritual topics. social and political life go back to early days and reflect Indeed it boasts a chapter entitled ‘Science and Spirituality’

articles the idealism of the counter-culture period. This involved a in which they make it clear that they are not talking about commitment to Green politics, which led in turn to the project religion in the narrow sense, but are seeking to show that a of integrating this commitment into his broader philosophical purely secular concept of spirituality is not only compatible enterprise. In a series of books and public talks Capra argued with modern science and systems thinking, but ought to that since the systems approach to life necessarily involved play a role, along with ecological thinking, in education at all an integrated, holistic approach to the living world, and indeed levels. At both of these levels – spirituality and education its non-living environment as well, it was essential that we – the authors insist again on the fundamental vision of the should cease to treat the world as a set of dead objects, as interdependence of all beings, a point at which mysticism, an instrument for our utilitarian satisfaction but rather as a morality, politics and science converge. quasi-sacred living whole of which we humans are an integral part. Human life should therefore in some way be consonant In writing this summary of Capra’s work since the publication with nature’s own structures which have evolved to sustain of The Tao of Physics I have been aware that while much the web of life. of the widespread idealism of that period has become dissipated there are many aspects of its project which have The outcome of these developments was a series of proposals been sustained and advanced. As I see it, we have developed for addressing, inter alia, questions relating to planetary a much greater appreciation of the symbiotic nature of our sustainability. He argued that the unlimited expansion of relations with each other and with the natural world, of the human exploitative activity on our planet can only lead to importance of conservation, of recycling and sustainability, irreversible ecological catastrophe. Deep systems changes of global warming and global health, of the opening of minds are necessary at all levels of society if we are to ‘change the to world’s cultural and spiritual heritage in which we can all game’. Perturbations in the global environment, he points out, share, and to basic issues of human diversity including gender can lead either to global disaster or to the creation of a new and ethnicity. In these and in many other respects Capra’s sustainable life. within the web of nature. In Capra’s words contributions have been bold, deeply thoughtful, and inspiring. by way of summary: ‘My objective has been to develop a conceptual framework that integrates the biological, cognitive and social dimension of life, a framework that enables us to adopt a systematic approach to some of the critical issues of our time’.

John Clarke (author name J.J. Clarke) has written several books on the East-West dialogue including The Tao of the West: Transformations of Taoist Thought. Routledge 2000. His most recent book is The Self-Creating Universe: the Making of a Worldview. He is a Vice-President of the SMN.

References Books by Fritjof Capra relating to the article: The Tao of Physics, Shambhala, Boston, 1975 The Turning Point, Wildwood, London, 1982 With Charlene Spretnak: Green Politics, Dutton, New York, 1984, With David Steindl-Rast: Belonging to the Universe, Harper, San Francisco, 1991 The Web of Life, HarperCollins, London, 1996 The Hidden Connections, HarperCollins, London, 2002 With Pier Luigi Luisi: The Systems View of Life, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2014

The Austrian Alps, by Fritjof Capra

www.scimednet.org Network Review 2016/3 11 On Re-reading The Tao of articles Physics: a Personal Tribute Pier Luigi Luisi, Prof. Emeritus ETH Zurich

Hear Fritjof at our Mystics & Scientists conference

A book which is a classic is like an old friend: always there at The first part: The way of physics your disposal, and each time you open a page, even at random, you find an inspiration for life today. Which also means that a In Chapter 1. Modern Physics - a Path with a Heart, you find classic book never gets old; it has an eternal freshness. And some basic concepts about the progress of science, and so it is for Fritjof Capra’s The Tao of Physics: An Exploration of physics in particular, with quite important quotations from the the Parallels Between Modern Physics and Eastern Mysticism, founder fathers like Oppenheimer, Bohr, Heisenberg, which, although written in the 50s or 60s, already mention the and in these few lines I would like to convey to you this sense Buddha and Lao Tsu. of freshness that I experienced after taking again the book in my hands after more than twenty years. This shows that the basic intuition of the parallels between physics and the Eastern religious traditions was already in the The book was first published in UK by Wildwood House in air before Capra. And Capra, talking about Hinduism, Daoism, 1975, and the third edition by Flamingo states on the cover Buddhism, writes that contemporary physics leads to a world that over one million copies had already been sold in 43 view which is essentially mystical. editions in 23 languages. The fourth edition in English was published in 2000. There were of course some criticism (see The world ‘mystical’ may here may need some clarification: Google or Wikipedia for that). you should not think of ascetics, or of holy sages having transcendent visions of sainthood. As Capra says (p. 23): Regardless of these criticisms I believe that the most “when I refer to mysticism, I mean the religious philosophies of impressive thing of the book was its impact on the reader. Hinduism, Taoism and Buddhism”, adding that although these I knew of some people who stated that their life had been three Eastern traditions differ and differentiate themselves in changed after reading this book, and this holds for scientists a large number of ways, “the basic features of the world view as well as for lay people. This is the sign of a book which are the same”. has the power of opening up new horizons: you see the world All this brings us to the question: how can we see and know with new eyes, you ask yourself questions you never thought the world? This is dealt with in Chapter 2. Knowing and Seeing to ask, giving answers, pointing even towards a higher state where one of the main emphases is on intuitive knowledge, of consciousness. the direct experience of reality which, in Eastern mysticism, “transcends not only the intellectual thinking but also the You need to read the preface by the author to the first and sensory perception” (p. 36). Of course, physicists instead are second editions in order to have some idea of the climate mainly concerned with rational knowledge, but Capra shows surrounding the birth of the book. The main point here was that both types of knowledge may take place in both fields - that at that time, namely in the nineteen seventies, the idea science and Eastern traditions. of contaminating the holy grail of physics with the remote, odd and still unfamiliar traditions of Taoism, Buddhism and One major problem is language. In Chapter 3. Beyond Vedanta, was something completely revolutionary, a kind Language, he argues that language does not really correspond of blasphemy. This also explains two things about the first to reality. Here he uses the metaphor by Korzybski often publication of this book: it did not help Fritjof’s scientific career cited by Capra “The map is not the territory” which is he was at that time a researcher of high energy physics in an particularly to the point. Words are only a qualitative and important university in the States (he himself, an Austrian, coarse description of things. Light is light, but when we wish to had received a PhD in theoretical physics from the University describe it with words, it becomes either waves or corpuscles. of Vienna), and it did not help to publish the book right away. The problem is not the light, but our wordings; “The Tao that However, the book was received enthusiastically in the UK and can be told is not the real Tao”. Because of this limitation, USA, and then had an immense success all over the world. Capra emphasises the importance in science and Eastern tradition of logical paradoxes. “Whenever the essential nature The main message of the book, as stated above, is about of things is analysed by the intellect, it must seem absurd or the parallels between modern physics and Eastern mysticism. paradoxical” (p. 58). Why and how can these two things should have something in common? The first simple answer is that both science and Pier Luigi Luisi with Fritjof Capra in Cortona religious traditions are looking for the same thing: the truth. Or, to be a little more specific, they both want to discover the nature of reality. Another important point is that the Eastern religious traditions are not generally based on the idea of a creator God, as Christianity or Islam. As such, they avoid those forms of fundamentalism typical of monotheistic religions, typified in the ‘holy’ Christian Crusades, or, jumping to today’s problems, in the ill-digested Islamism of the IS murderers.

It is useful to remind ourselves of the argument of the book. It consists of three main parts: 1. The Way of Physics, 2. The Way of Eastern Mysticism, 3. The Parallels, plus a preface and an epilogue. Each of the three main parts is in turn divided into various chapters.

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All this is found in more detail in Chapter 4. The New in Chapter 11. Beyond the World of the Opposites, where Physics, combined with many examples of these paradoxes we find again the dual character of light, the dichotomy in the theory of relativity, the notion of time-space, and the yin/yang, the concept of complementarity, and the nature of light. uncertainty principle. The second part: The way of Eastern The rather robust Chapter 12 deals with space/time, and mysticism here we see that what in Newtonian physics were considered two clear, distinct things, become with relativity one unit (the This section of five chapters, starting with Chapter 5. Hinduism. famous curved space-time). And all of this is never static, but The term Hinduism, according to some Indian philosophers, is articles is instead the expression of a dynamic universe, discussed a term which should not be used, as it has been invented by in Chapter 13, where together with the transformation of the British colonialist to summarise the complexity of Indian particles, one into the other, or of mass into energy, (you may religious culture. But Capra succeeds quite well in illustrating remember the famous equation E= mc2), we also find again the main and common features of ‘Hinduism’, going from I Ching and the Buddhist notion of impermanence. There are the ancient Vedic traditions to the Bhagavad Gita, then the not things, but only events and processes. relation between Brahman and Atman, the notions of Karma, Maya and Yoga, and the many gods and goddesses. All these points are re-iterated in Chapter 14. Emptiness and In Chapter 6. Buddhism, he explains that The Hindu notion Form, where the notion of field, and in particular the quantum that all things are interconnected is also the basis of field, is emphasised. Here Capra dwells on the Eastern Buddhism. Here we find in the world of Nagarjuna the notion notion of form/emptiness, seen as two aspects of the same of emptiness, and the corresponding concepts of non-self, reality (p. 238). Movement, change and transformation are impermanence and compassion. We proceed then in Chapter emphasised in Chapter 15. The Cosmic Dance, where the 7 to Chinese thought with a description of the two main dance of Shiva is taken as a metaphor for the continuous schools, Taoism and Confucianism, with the notion of yin/ transformations of particles and mass/energy. yang, the I Ching and its hexagrams (famously commented on by C.G. Jung), and the Taoist Tao Te Ching, attributed to Lao One cannot talk about modern physics without mentioning Tsu (who possibly lived in the fourth century BC). To Taoism quarks, and here comes Chapter 16. Quark Symmetries Capra devotes the entire Chapter 8 as this is centred on (new Koan?), with a hard section concerning baryons and intuitive knowledge and intuitive wisdom, a notion particularly mesons, and a very interesting section on symmetry. Another present in Zen Buddhism. This is discussed further in Chapter challenging chapter for the common reader is the following 9, where it is characterised by learning through paradoxes, the one, Chapter 17. Patterns of Change, with a rich display of so-called Koan method, well known for its question: “What is Feynman diagrams, and with a link to the I Ching hexagrams. the sound of one hand clapping?”. Chapter 18. Interpenetration, is in a way a conceptual The third part: the parallels summary of all the previous concepts, with emphasis on the interconnection of matter, mass, energy, so that reality The common denominator of all these traditions, according cannot be reduced to solid building blocks with certain to Capra, “is the awareness of the unity and mutual fundamental properties, as in the Newtonian concept, but interrelation of all things and events, the experience of “has to be understood entirely through its self-consistency, all phenomena …as manifestation of a basic oneness.” as expressed in the “bootstrap theory”, so that Capra This general concept is very important for Capra, and is, concludes: “the view of nature came ever closer to the among others, the basis of his latest book, The Systems View of Life, written with myself. Eastern world view and is now in harmony with Eastern thought, both in its general philosophy and its specific view A closer look at the parallels forms the eight chapters of the of matter”. third part, which is of course the most challenging both for the writer and for the readers. Thus, Chapter 10. The Unity At this point, at the end of this article, the reader may say of All Things, treats the well known problem of the duality that it is not proper to condense a book like The Tao of between subject and object based mostly on the Copenhagen Physics in a simple article of only 1500 words. I couldn’t interpretation of quantum physics, which actually shows that agree more, and I would say: this is why you should get a this separation cannot hold. This touches on the notion of copy of the book and read it fully. objectivity in the traditional science tradition, and on the notion of experience, as the subjective dimension, in the Based on an article first published in the Wall Street Eastern religious traditions. This is taken up and expanded International Magazine (www.wsi.mag.com)

References F. Capra and P. L. Luisi, The systems view of Life, Cambridge Univ. Press, 2014 P. L. Luisi, The Emergence of life, Cambridge Univ. Press 2016 P. L. Luisi, Mind and Life, Columbia Univ. Press, 2004

Dr. Luisi, after his graduation at the Scuola Normale Superiore in Pisa, made his academic career at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zürich (ETHZ), Switzerland, where he became professor of Chemistry in the department of material sciences. Since 2003, till 2012, he has been working at the University of Rome3, Italy, as professor of Biochemistry. His research focussed in the origin of life, and the synthetic biology of minimal living cells. In Zurich he initiated the field of enzymology in reverse micelles, later the self-reproduction of micelles and vesicles. Author of over 500 reviewed papers, and a dozens of books, which include themes on philosophy of science and spirituality. The last books are resp. The systems view of life, with Fritjof Capra, and the second edition of his The emergence of life, both for Cambridge University Press.. At the ETHZ, he created (1985) the Cortona-week, an interdisciplinary residential week for graduate students, who are working with artists, psychologists, religious leaders, to open up their horizon and foster a new generation of world leaders with a more integrated and balanced view of life. See www.cortona-week and www.cortona-india.org. He has been associated from the start (1987) with the Mind and Life Institute, created by Francisco Varela and the Dalai Lama, devoted to the dialogue between modern science and Buddhism.

www.scimednet.org Network Review 2016/3 13 articles The Mystical Experience of Loss of Freedom by A Political Prisoner

This article was originally passed on by member Ann Wetherall, who is researching into mystical experience in prisons. It was first published in the Network Newsletter No 33 thirty years ago and proved so popular that we reprinted it as a booklet. I am reprinting it here again as its message is profound and timeless.

In recent years a number of book have appeared, in which the authors have described their experiences in Soviet prisons and punishment camps. Some of these eyewitness accounts are of particular interest because they deal not only with the outward effects of loss of freedom, but also with the deep processes of change which take place in the inner man in that fearful world of Soviet prison life. These descriptions of what happens in the hearts of people in prison contradict in many ways our thinking hitherto on the subject.

Let me say at the start that the phenomena here analysed are of revolutionary importance not only for psychologists and psychoanalysts in the Twentieth Century, for Marxists and for sociologists of the West, but for modern science in general, including philosophy. It must be emphasised that we are dealing with empirical phenomena, which were recorded by men who normally had nothing in common. That is what makes the unanimity of their experiences and testimonies so valuable and significant.

The most fruitful works to study are the first and second volumes of Solzhenitsyn’s ‘Gulag Archipelago’, Schifrin’s ‘Fourth Dimension’, Panine’s ‘Experiences in Solgdin’ and Siniovski’s ‘A voice from the Chorus’.

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The most significant paradoxes But man has the freedom to decide whether or not to follow the inexplicable yet so real inner voice To put it more clearly, Reading these works carefully, again and again we come the terrible experience of suffering in prison makes him across statements that seem paradoxical. For instance, all free. On that basis there is no contradiction. Unalterable the writers agree that arrest, imprisonment, the camps, in destiny and the highest form of freedom exist side by side. short the loss of freedom are the most important experiences It depends on the person himself whether he submits to fate of their lives. Moreover, they assure us that, although under or chooses freedom. these conditions they had to endure the worst forms of psychic and physical suffering, they experienced at the same If this is so – and the experiences described here confirm it – time moments of utter happiness, such as those outside the articles then the conclusions to be drawn from it must shake the whole camp walls could never imagine. Never before had they felt edifice of science, not only on man and his psyche, but also on love, hate and despair so strongly, never lived through such visible and invisible reality. If there are two worlds, which are interesting days and nights filled with the basic questions of not merged together, yet cannot be separated from each other human existence, never felt so at one with the universe, as i.e. the world of fate and the world of freedom; if a person lives during their time in prison. in the one world or the other, according to whether he obeys or disobeys that mysterious and sometimes unclear inner voice, On this basis, loss of freedom could be defined as particularly which neither reason nor science can explain, yet is separate concentrated and intensive living, and it is a fact that in and personal to every human being – then any science is prison, in spite of all the suffering – and not only according to senseless which starts from the assumption that there is only the statements of the writers we are studying – there is hardly one world, with one and the same laws valid for everybody, a ever suicide. world which can be mastered by an understanding of such laws that are independent of man. Another paradox confirmed by the writers is that only those can preserve their bodies and physical existence, who The experience of those who have known this (prison) life preserve their souls i.e. those who, obeying an inner urge, as the greatest freedom, teaches the opposite: neither the are prepared to lose their physical existence. Generally, one knowledge of the laws with which present-day science is assumes the opposite – that in a difficult situation a man concerned, nor the knowledge of these mysterious and so has to choose to save either body or soul. Yet these writers, far unexplained laws which, contrary to every expectation and who have lived through situations where both body and souls probability, save those who follow the dictates of their inner were threatened, affirm unanimously that those who try to voice – neither of these gives a man power. Moreover, to be preserve their physical existence at the expense of their saved, a person needs not power but freedom. And we find souls, lost both, while those who were prepared to sacrifice freedom not by knowledge but by faith. their bodies for the sake of their souls, by some mysterious law, and contrary to what they expected, had their bodies, i.e. Faith alone makes it possible to obey that inner voice, of which their physical existence, preserved. there is no ‘objective’ proof. In other words, to obey the inner voice, that is faith. Panine writes: ‘Here in this concentrated This means that it is now an incontestable experience life every teaching is tested under the harshest conditions.’ of life that in the depths of the human soul there swells Siniovski adds: ‘Here there is more intensive thinking than an unexplained force which is stronger – and not only in science’ and, speaking from personal experience he says symbolically, but empirically stronger – than all outward forces categorically: ‘Science is getting away from Truth’. of oppression and destruction, however invincible they may seem. Those who describe these happenings which have These man, completely cut off from the outside world, study the been repeated and confirmed hundreds of times under the Bible, which they carry around in handwritten extracts on scraps most frightful conditions of imprisonment – have come to of paper. They discover the forgotten basic truths of the Eastern the conclusion that powerful forms of psychic energy are Yoga teaching: they turn to Theosophy; in brief, they try by every dormant in every human soul, that the psychic world cannot means to master their personal experiences, which they cannot be separated from the physical, and that the thoughts and doubt even if they run contrary to any number of teachings, wishes of a person achieve far more in the outer, physical ideologies, doctrines and scientific theories. world that do his hands. Perhaps the most paradoxical and most optimistic conviction At the same time, the writers assure us that nothing in their of these men, who have experienced the concentrated force of lives happened by chance and that, contrary to all their efforts evil in their own bodies, is that the power of good is stronger and plans to decide their own fate, everything ran along pre- than anything else. Panine writes that the world resembles a arranged lines. This seems contradictory: on the other hand, white tablecloth with black spots rather than a black tablecloth mysterious powers are supposed to be given to a person, with white spots. which in some inexplicable way affect the outer world, and on the other hand there is some kind of Predestination before Not political which the person is powerless. From what we have said so far it is clear that the battle between the individual and the powers of evil and destruction is not at But the contradiction is only a seeming one. If a man, against all a political one. The battle being fought in the totalitarian all outward circumstances, against his own wishes and plans, states today is in reality not political but religious, even if in spite of the threat of physical destruction and against all this is not always clear to those taking part. Solzhenitsyn the dictates of reason – let alone public opinion – if he obeys is right when he says that it is precisely the Christians who that voice which, deep in his soul, is subject to no rational represent a truly political force in the USSR, because they rob control, then roads open up to him of their own accord which the totalitarian system of its basis, namely the belief in the lead not only to the preserving of what he thought he had priority of the visible world and the dependence of man’s inner given up by obeying this mysterious inner compass, but also world on the outer. to the fulfilment of his most secret wishes. If the outer world is stronger than the inner, then the oppression If, on the other hand, a man seeks to realise his own plans of man cannot be removed by political reforms. If, however, the and desires, to save his life and escape physical destruction outer world obeys the inner forces of the human soul, then by actions in the visible world that are contrary to the man’s fate depends on himself. Then there are no innocent commands of his inner voice – some call this voice the sufferers. Then all trials and sufferings are deserved and just. instinct for freedom – then fate, das Fatum, takes its course But equally the way is open to a life of freedom in which a and sooner or later brings to nothing what was to be achieved humane political system is but the outcome of the inner freeing against the inner voice. of the soul.

www.scimednet.org Network Review 2016/3 15 articles While the question, whether man obeys the outer world or The relationship to the inner force vice versa, is of purely theoretical interest for most people, ‘There is a tremendous force living within us,’ Panine for those whose experiences we are studying here, and for asserts, and goes on to say that the whole universe is in millions of others in the same position, it has very practical some mysterious way linked to the depth of our soul. ‘Each significance. Whoever follows his inner voice and saves his of us is the centre of the universe’, writes Solzhenitsyn. They soul, learns empirically that, so long as the soul is not lost, did not come to this conclusion by abstract thought, but have the most important is not lost. From this knowledge comes again and again experienced the effect of this unknown force belief in the immortality of the soul: to obey the inner voice in their own bodies. means nothing less than to define actions in time in terms of eternity. Solzhenitsyn writes of a strange inner warmth that seems to come from another world and saves a person from freezing Such an experience is, however, not only for those living in a glacier ice. Panine tells of a mysterious, unknown force under extreme conditions of loss of freedom, but for all which brought him back to life after forty days. who have lived and will live on this Earth. It is extremely important to realise that prison and punishment camp, He who lets go of all outward trappings and decides from i.e. the uncontrollable caprice of the powers of the visible then on to obey his inner voice – which is only another world, sooner or later await everyone, and that we cannot name for faith – and then discovers to his amazement this escape the decision whether we will submit to death and to mysterious yet real force at work not only inside himself but total physical and psychic destruction or whether, contrary in the outer world, realises at the same time that he is not to all ‘realism’, objectivity and common sense, we will master of this force and cannot use it as he wishes. On the courageously follow our inner voice. Illness, catastrophes, contrary, he begins to understand that everything in his life, accidents and death are only another form of arrest, trial, indeed life itself, is entirely dependent on the mysterious prison and punishment camp. Nobody can escape them. inner power, which, in the language of religion, is called God.

The first and most important factor In their attempts to discover more about this mighty, mystical What happens to a person who is suddenly torn away from power and its relationship to man, prisoners have tried out his normal life and falls into the hands of merciless forces various methods of developing their inner life. Not from who only want one thing, to destroy him? Can he defend abstract or theoretical considerations nor as scientific himself? Everything that has so far made up that person’s experiments, but simply and solely in order to be able to life, everything he possessed – freedom, friends, work he meet the frightening and unavoidable danger of death, they enjoyed, property, body, life itself. All this he cannot protect; have tested the effects of prayer, of meditation, of yoga and it is now in the power of Evil. And if he tries to defend himself even exorcism. Alongside the Old and New Testament – in by means which belong to the world in which he has lived so far as these were available in the form of single texts hitherto, he is doomed to failure from the start. Whatever committed to memory – everything connected with the these outward forces take away from him, he cannot protect teaching of Yoga, parapsychology and theosophy became for in his own strength. them a highly important and very necessary practical help in their attempt to preserve body and soul while they tried It is at this decisive point, immediately before his complete to influence directly their outward circumstances by their destruction, that the person begins to realise that there spiritual efforts. is something which is beyond the reach of the outward, seemingly invincible forces and that, even if nothing else Panine confirms the real effect of prayer. Solzhenitsyn speaks can be saved, there is one respect in which resistance, fight of an inner ‘relay system’, which advises him unerringly on and victory are possible, namely, when it is a question of the qualities of each person he meets. Others testify to the preserving his soul. Whoever trusts and obeys the inner complete reliability of what is commonly called ‘instinct’. A voice of freedom has a chance of emerging victorious from person’s character is, however, also reflected in his eyes. the battle against evil and oppression. But first he must What the eyes say ‘is better than a passport’ in the view of renounce everything which the forces of the visible world Schifrin, Panine and Solzhenitsyn. can take from him. The most important mystical law ‘Above all, don’t cling to life’, writes Solzhenitsyn, and If it is true that a mere thought can bring about certain again, ‘Possess nothing, free yourself from everything, even results, then it is not to be wondered at that in totalitarian those nearest to you, because they too are your enemies.’ systems ‘thinking differently’ as Schifrin calls it, is regarded Panine confirms that the struggle demands separation as the worst kind of crime. Or that Solzhenitsyn writes: ‘A from everything – except the soul. Only he who renounces mere thought was punishable’! everything becomes completely free – i.e. freedom begins where there is nothing more to lose. A story told by Solzhenitsyn in the first volume of Gulag Archipelago is the best illustration of the mystical law of When a man has got rid of all that ties him, a mysterious which we have been speaking. An astrophysicist in solitary thing happens to this outwardly unfree, but inwardly at last confinement tried to avoid going mad by thinking out specific utterly free person. In the depths of his soul there rises up astrophysical laws and problems. At one point he could go a mighty force, which not only endows his totally exhausted no further because he did not know by heart some of the body with incredible powers of resistance, but, in strange dates and figures he needed. The mental exercise which ways which we do not yet fully understand, also begins to enabled him to keep sane, came to a full stop. In his despair affect the visible world. i.e. to determine events over which, he began to pray. He did not know as yet to whom, whether I repeat once more, he can, as far as we know today, have to God or an unknown power. no influence, but which becomes his salvation. A miracle happened. By mistake a text book on astrophysics, That is why Panine writes: ‘Who saves his soul, saves his which he could never have dreamt would be available in such body too.’ That is why Solzhenitsyn says repeatedly that only a place, was brought to his cell from the prison library. When the spirit can save, only the spirit can preserve the body, two days later the mistake was discovered and the book and all four writers confirm that the body, as they have seen taken away again, the astrophysicist had already looked up again and again in themselves and others, responds with and learned by heart all the dates he needed. His mental incredible toughness to strong spiritual concentration, while work could go on, and not only saved him but also helped the loss of the spiritual leads to physical disintegration. him to discover a new theory.

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Schifrin also mentions cases of strange interventions in events A final word which were threatening his inner convictions. Thus, during a camp search several improbable ‘chance happenings’ saved ‘How can we free him, who is unfree in his soul?’ asks the the only copy of the Bible and a handwritten text of the book of author of the Gulag Archipelago’, and Schifrin replies: ‘He Exodus, in whose translation and dissemination Schifrin saw alone is free, who frees himself from the wretchedness of his life work. Here too, it was not the thought which had the inner slavery’. effect. It was rather the mystical law, responding to a person’s strong, inner concentration on a particular goal and bringing The experience of loss of freedom has proved that every human about the effect in an outside world seemingly beyond the being is in a position to create for himself a stage of complete freedom, and that it is within his power to change the world on articles person’s influence. Neither the thought, nor the magical power of thought in the outer world, produced the desired result, the basis of the mystical law. Experience has further shown that but as Solzhenitsyn assumes in the second volume of Gulag the fate of men is not decided by earthly powers, by outward, Archipelago ‘Heaven heard the prayers and intervened’. physical forces, but only by the mystical power which from time immemorial has been called ‘God’, and whose relationship to It can therefore be said that any deviation from the prescribed man seems to depend on man’s relationship to his inner voice. way of thinking – a punishable offence under totalitarianism – This is nothing less than the glorious confirmation of the is not the cause but the result of an inner philosophy of life, a ontological and empirical freedom of every human being. philosophy which is dangerous to the ruling powers because Man can hardly experience any greater happiness than the it is ‘inside’ and hence uncontrollable. It is not so much the knowledge that he can influence events in the world, against thoughts that are punishable, as the inner set of values. The and in spite of the mighty influence of Evil. This freedom, born strong inner concentration on a particular goal sets off events of obedience to the inner voice, the soul, cannot be taken away in the outer world, which set the stage for the realisation of from man by any outside force. He can only betray it himself. the inner goal. This is the mystical basic law which changes the whole of human thinking and dynamites the ideas forming The recognition that the invisible world is a reality must change the foundation of science. the whole human thinking and learning of our age. However, there is no guarantee that man will draw the right conclusions At the same time, this inner striving is not voluntary. It is not from these experiences The authors of the remarkable books dependent on the desire or will of the person concerned. All we have quoted seem by no means certain when it comes that depends on the person is whether he wishes to follow to generalising and making available for others their prison the inner impulse or not. Yet as far as the outer world is experience of freedom following obedience to the inner voice, concerned the decision to follow in future the call of the inner that what saved them must also save others. voice is an act of complete freedom, and we are reminded of In their view it is not from within, as their experience teaches, Berdyaev’s words that it is not man but God who desires the but from without that the freedom of the individual and of freedom of man. mankind will come. Solzhenitsyn thinks in terms of a human form of authoritarian society, whose ideological basis will be Solzhenitsyn stresses again and again that it was only the the Orthodox faith. Panine places his hope Church and the weak who fell into the hands of the NKVD, out of fear. And classical church organisation. Schrifrin in esoteric teachings. here we have an interesting discovery of Grossman’s. He found that those prisoners who opposed the totalitarian Yet they are precisely the men who ought to know that the system and fought against it until their arrest, i.e. those who salvation and liberation of man cannot be guaranteed by any obeyed their inner voice, believed in the innocence of all the form of organised society, by any church or ideology, by any prisoners, while those who had been careful to avoid incurring esoteric or exoteric teachings, but only by the mighty power any guilt towards the rulers and yet landed up in prison camp, which guides both the inner and the outer world of man. Only believed that only in their case a mistake had been made, and when man obeys the voice of that power will he be free, even that all the other prisoners where in fact guilty. Only suffering in the face of death, like Daniel in the lion’s den. As far as the brought them to the realisation that very few bore any guilt inner voice is concerned, it is different for every single person, towards the rulers, but that they themselves were guilty before and there are no outward securities to guarantee it, such as their own souls, which demands they had neglected in order reason, science, the Church or any teaching. But anyone whose to serve their earthly lives. eyes have been opened has no more need of these securities than a man with a compass need laboriously to figure out This shows that we can never, even temporarily, in order to where North or South will be from any future position. deceive the evil powers and save our own lives, deny our inner voice without paying a price, or as Solzhenitsyn says, we ‘He alone enters the Promised Land, who does not know where cannot ‘in order to live, not live’. he is going,’ says Lew Schestow – and I believe that too.

You only have power over people so long as you don’t take everything away from them. But when you’ve robbed“ a man of everything, he’s no longer in your power - he’s free again. Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn www.scimednet.org ’’ Network Review 2016/3 17 Declaration for Integrative, articles Evidence-Based, End-of- Life Care that Incorporates Nonlocal Consciousness Stephan A. Schwartz, Gary E. Schwartz, PhD, Larry Dossey, MD

This Declaration, as you will see below, follows up the Manifesto for a Post- Materialist Science, which we reprinted in Network Review 115, Summer 2014, pp. 4-6. A volume based on this will be published early next year, with 18 contributors and entitled Expanding Science: Visions of a Post-Materialist Paradigm.

Introduction Declaration for Integrative, Evidence-Based, In February 2014, a group of internationally known scientists End-of-Life Care that Incorporates Nonlocal from a variety of scientific fields (biology, neuroscience, Consciousness psychology, medicine, psychiatry) participated in a summit on post-materialist science. Co-organized by Gary E. Schwartz, PhD 1.  Twenty-first-century medicine and healthcare pride and Mario Beauregard, PhD, of the University of Arizona, and themselves on being evidence-based. Whether Lisa Miller, PhD, of Columbia University, the summit was held at the therapies are conventional, complementary, or Canyon Ranch in Tucson, Arizona. The purpose was to discuss integrative, in all instances the explicit philosophy the impact of the prevailing mechanistic-materialist ideology guiding their use is their grounding in the best available within science and the emergence of a post-materialist paradigm scientific theories and outcome research. This same for science, spirituality, and society. The resulting Manifesto for philosophy ostensibly guides end-of-life care. a Post-Materialist Science was published in Explore [2014; 10 2.  And yet, the nature of consciousness has been largely (5): 272-274] and on the Open Sciences website, which also explored only from the assumption that it is a poorly resulted from the summit (http://opensciences.org/about/ understood neurophysiological process entirely resident manifesto-for-a-post-materialist-science). in the human organism. Its inherent physicality has become an ironbound axiom. However, a growing body In September 2015, a second meeting was held in Tucson, of experimental and clinical research now challenges called The Final Transition Conference. Organized by this assumption. The conference faculty was composed consciousness researcher Stephan A. Schwartz, the purpose of therapists, clinicians, scholars, and researchers from of the meeting was to explore the questions: What happens the US, Europe, and Asia all of whom are involved in when we die, and what constitutes humane, decent care of the some way in the processes of human death. Many of dying? The conference faculty was composed of therapists, those who attended felt that an exclusively materialist clinicians, scholars, and researchers from the US, Europe, and model of consciousness — the view that consciousness Asia all of whom are involved in some way in the processes is produced entirely by the brain and that physical of human death. Many of those who attended felt that an death annihilates it — cannot account for the rich and exclusively materialist model of consciousness — the view variegated experiences they see in the dying who are that consciousness is produced entirely by the brain and that the focus of their research and healing service. Although physical death annihilates it — cannot account for the rich and the consensus of the authors and co-signers of this variegated experiences they see in the dying who are the focus Declaration is that the collective evidence points toward of their research and healing service. this conclusion, other consciousness scientists believe that the current evidence is not definitive enough to Their views were nuanced but on the existence of a nonlocal conclude this with certainty. aspect of consciousness they agreed, and there emerged from the faculty of the Final Transition Conference the Declaration for 3. Today, there are seven stabilized experimental protocols Integrative, Evidence-Based, End-of-Life Care that Incorporates used in laboratories around the world, each of which Nonlocal Consciousness. It was first drafted by Stephan A. requires the existence of nonlocal consciousness to Schwartz and Gary E. Schwartz (no familial relationship), be successful. All seven protocols have independently who invited Larry Dossey to become the third drafter. They produced six-sigma results, meaning that the odds then submitted it to the faculty. This Declaration represents against a chance explanation of the experimental finding a consensus view of the undersigned faculty of The Final are roughly a billion to one, or above a 99.999999 Transition Conference and others. percentile of certainty. 4.  In addition, there are now five areas of consciousness This Declaration is an application and extension of the 2014 science that are directly linked to the processes of Manifesto for a Post-Material Science to the greatest issues death that also support the existence of a nonlocal, non- anyone faces: the origin, destiny, and nature of human physiologically dependent consciousness. This research consciousness, and how these considerations affect the care includes (1) near-death experiences (NDEs); (2) after- of humans at the end of life. death communications (ADC); (3) death-bed vision and physical phenomena at the time of death; (4) laboratory Anyone interested in joining us, and affixing their name to the studies with research mediums; and (5) reincarnation Declaration, please contact Stephan Schwartz at: saschwartz@ research, particularly involving young children. earthlink.net

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5.  We believe that the question, can consciousness exist perspective affirmed by many philosophical and religious that is not physiologically based? has been answered in traditions for millennia. If consciousness pre-exists the affirmative, and that it is time to move on — time to physical birth, and continues after corporeal death in incorporate these findings into clinical applications and a cycle whose dimensions we do not yet know, then public policy, and integrate them into evidence-based, liberty, respect, and justice require that an individual end-of-life care. have autonomy over when to terminate their corporeal existence. We believe this process is best served when 6.  We believe that everyone involved in end-of-life care — every aspect of end-of-life palliative care representing patients, providers, loved ones, administrators, insurers, the integration of sciences and humanities is available policy makers — should be educated in a non-sectarian, articles to that individual. evidence-based manner concerning these findings, and how they can be integrated in the care of individuals at 10. We emphasise that all of the above considerations have the end of physical life. substantial economic implications for family members, health care providers, insurance companies, and 7. Programs should be developed that prepare patients and societies. their loved ones for the journey following death, based on the evidence provided in 4. This can have major effects 11. We see nonlocal consciousness as existing within the in reducing the fear of death in both patients and their broader context of the emergence of a new paradigm loved ones. Science, one which incorporates consciousness. We recognize, however, that acknowledging non- 8. The current practice of keeping severely ill patients alive, physiologically based consciousness has the potential against all odds of meaningful recovery as judged by to evoke emotional responses that challenge deeply held medical experts, needs to be rethought in light of this beliefs in both mainstream science and religions. It will research. Important factors in this decision also include take a commitment of courage, compassion, and integrity a patient’s Living Will, the quality of his or her final days, to address the wealth of implications and opportunities and the desires and wishes of loved ones when a patient afforded by integrating the research findings supporting is no longer conscious or responsive. a consciousness inclusive model with end-of-life care 9. The new consciousness research points to the existence — more accurately, end-of-physical-life care. Now is the of an individual’s immortal, nonlocal consciousness, a time to advance this integration.

Stephan A. Schwartz Neal Grossman, PhD Diane Hennacy Powell, MD Columnist, Explore Associate Prof Emeritus of Philosophy Psychiatrist Author, The 8 Laws of Change University of Illinois at Chicago Author of: The ESP Enigma Gary E. Schwartz, PhD John Klimo, PhD Linda G Russek, Ph.D. Professor, University of Arizona Professor, Argosy University Heart Science Inc. Author, The Afterlife Experiments Co-author of: Handbook to the Afterlife Marilyn Schlitz, MA, PhD Larry Dossey, MD President Emeritus, Institute of Executive Editor, Explore Stanley Krippner, PhD Noetic Sciences Author, One Mind Professor of Psychology and Author, Death Makes Life Possible Integrative Inquiry, Saybrook (book and film) Co-signers listed in alphabetical order University Mel Schwartz Loyd Auerbach, MS Co-editor of: Varieties of Anomalous Experience Psychotherapist President, Forever Family Foundation Author of A Shift of Mind: Adjunct Professor, JFK University Louis E. LaGrand, Ph.D. A Quantum Approach to Life Mastery Adjunct Professor, Atlantic University Director of Loss Education (Spring 2017) Associates Eben Alexander III MD Charles Tart, PhD Neurosurgeon Author of Healing Grief, Finding Peace and Love Lives On Professor of Psychology Emeritus Author of Proof of Heaven and University of California – Davis The Map of Heaven Elizabeth E. McAdams, Ph.D. Author of: The End of Materialism Callum E. Cooper, CPsychol. FHEA President, International Foundation for Survival Research Patrizio E. Tressoldi Ph.D. Psychology Division Dipartimento di Psicologia Generale University of Northampton Jeffrey Mishlove, PhD Università di Padova Barbara Dossey, PhD, RN, FAAN Author of: The Roots of Consciousness Pim van Lommel, MD Co-Director, International Nurse Cardiologist Coach Association Vernon M. Neppe MD, PhD Author, Consciousness Beyond Life International Co-Director, Fellow Royal Society (SAf) Nightingale Initiative for Global Health Ohkado, Masayuki, PhD Peter Fenwick, MB BChir FRCPsych Professor, Graduate School of Neuropsychiatrist Emeritus Institute Global Humanics, Faculty of General of Psychiatry, Maudsley Hospital Education, Chubu University Author, The Art of Dying

I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how “ you made them feel. Maya Angelou, Poet www.scimednet.org ” Network Review 2016/3 19 Could more be done to help articles the NHS, which is failing to stem the tide of chronic illness? Mark O. Mathews

The increasing incidence of chronic illness is presenting the NHS with one of the biggest challenges ever. It is not something that can simply be put down to the fact that people are living longer. A large part of it is due to the fact that the bodies in which we live have not had the opportunity to evolve and adapt to the different environment and lif styles that we follow in response to the high tech world in which we now live. There is evidence to suggest that part of the problem is a result of medical interventions themselves, such as the drugs and procedures intended to restore health in the first place. Applying a more holistic approach to healing based on natural medicine could provide a safe, efficient and economical way to ease the burden which is threatening the ability of the NHS to cope.

The history of science has been a story of competing ideas as every bit of food that they were able to find (2).Children whose different scientists have come up with ever clearer hypotheses mothers smoked during pregnancy experienced changes in to enable them to get a better intellectual understanding their DNA which could affect their health for the rest of their about how things work. Due to the financial benefits that the lives (3). Such examples fall into the sphere of what is now legal patenting and copywriting of one invention or another termed ‘Epigenetics’. can have in the market place, these competing interpretations of meaning have taken on ever increasing economic and Neuroplasticity is defined as the ability of the brain to political significance. Eventually, reconciliation of the conflicts reorganise itself by forming new neural connections throughout between competing theories has come through and expanded life. It allows the neurons in the brain to compensate for our knowledge of the universe. injury and disease and to adjust their activities in response to new situations or to changes in their environment (4). For instance, Lamarck suggested that organisms could In their book ‘Neurobehavioral Disorders of Childhood: an adapt to prevailing conditions and that these adaptations Evolutionary Perspective’ (5), Robert Melillo & Gerry Leisman could be passed on to their progeny. Then Darwin’s theory provide extensively well-researched scientific evidence that of natural selection suggested that changes occur through the ability to change and adapt is much more then was ever genetic variance. Those that enable a recipient to survive in thought possible (5 p. 257), and state that it is commonly a more effective way in prevailing environmental conditions known that the major cause of illness and death in adults are would pass it on in their genes to future generations. Those lifestyle disorders such as heart disease, cancer, arthritis and that do not adapt to their environment die out. The scientific depression (5 p. 244). community then dropped the Lamarckian hypothesis in favour of Darwin’s concept of natural selection and survival of the The capitalist system of economics, if played out in a free fittest. Two recent discoveries have brought these theories market place, could be seen as a Darwinian system of natural closer together again: epigenetics and neuroplasticity. selection and survival of the fittest. This could be regarded as a dominant left brain approach to thinking. At a time when some international corporate businesses have become so Epigenetics and neuroplasticity large, monopolistic and powerful that they are able to exert In contemporary terms it seems that people only express disproportionate amounts of influence, sometimes behind the a small part of their genetic potential. The expression of scenes, even on national governments, it is obvious that the different genes can be modified as a result of environmental rules of natural selection no longer apply. influences. The environment in which genetic expression is realised is diverse and variable. According Prof Marilyn Monk Ecology and health (1) genetic reprogramming can still have an impact on future A world that is controlled via currency that we call money, which generations, including epigenetic modification from ancestors, is bartered in a kind of international gambling casino between pregnancy, birth and upbringing, all of which can affect us players with influence on nearly all the elements on which our in many different ways. An example of this is found in the lives depend, has become completely out of touch with reality. children born to Dutch women who were starved by the Nazis The world is manifestly failing to reconcile capitalism with the during the first trimester of their pregnancy. These children human, moral and ecological realities of Man’s ability to live had an increased risk of obesity in adulthood as the result of peacefully together as a community in a sustainable way on epigenetic changes that their mothers experienced. It was a this magical planet floating in the universe, that we now have biological response to help them store and make the most of the privilege to call home.

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creativity, work, Carol Bellamy, ➤

➤ production, ➤ Executive Di- distribution and rector of UNICEF Fraternity stated, “It is no consumption, it is Economics the natural resources Production longer a question of Distribution treating severe deficiency of the earth within the Consumption in individuals. It is a question context of the greater Universe of reaching out to whole that are able to sustain life and populations to protect them against contribute to a sustainable future: i.e. the devastating consequences of even one of liberty, equality and fraternity, as the French moderate forms of vitamin and mineral deficiency.” put it so succinctly. (16). Practitioners who are in touch with the basic principles of natural health will not be in the least surprised about Today’s society is paying a very heavy price for the combined these concerns. effects of consumerism, poor diet (6) (7), inadequate exercise (8) (9), information overload, insufficient sleep, toxic World Health Organisation recorded a worldwide epidemic environments, unhealthy lifestyles (10) and the fragmentation fourfold increase in the incidence of diabetes since 1980 (17). of local communities. The World Health Organisation, when 11% of the world’s population now suffer from it. 90% being it was first set up, described health as “a state of complete type two which related to the change in life styles, diets and physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the reduced physical activity (18). In the UK it takes up 10% of the NHS budget (19). absence of disease or infirmity”. Many of us who work in the sphere of natural health will be aware that some of Over 150 years ago, when orthodox medicine involved bleeding the patients we see, having first been to see their medical people, or prescribing laudanum, the founder of osteopathy, doctors, were simply prescribed a drug to hide a symptom A.T. Still, said that “osteopathic lesions could be primary or for which they were seeking help (11). This would seem to be secondary … The list includes mental shocks, bereavement, based on the presumption that the symptom that they had is loss of property or friends, poor diet, overeating, extremes of due to the absence of a drug. weather, poisons-including micro-organisms and their toxins and medical drugs.” (20 pp. 158-159). Current concerns By far the biggest contribution to health that has occurred in The average spending of the NHS per capita is now around the last two hundred years has been due to improved housing, £2,000 per year (12). The growth of chronic illness is now clean water, better sewage management, improved working costing about 70% of the NHS budget and rising unsustainably conditions, fewer accidents, periods of relative peace and (13). In association with this there has been a steep rise in access to better diets. Other than in cases of acute injury, the number of children suffering from conditions that have trauma and/or infection, which traditional medicine has been impaired their health, behaviour and ability to learn, such as very successful at helping to resolve, most people will have autism. Statistics from the USA demonstrated a 6-fold increase the symptoms for which they needed assistance as a result in diagnosed cases of autism between 1990 and 2010 (14). of their own unique combination of accumulated imbalances which conventional medicine is unable to reach. The ability of the educational establishment, the health services and social services to work together to help the next generation Symptoms are usually the way the body is signalling that it of growing children is failing miserably. According to a report needs help; simply repressing them with a drug for example, may provide some temporary relief. Unfortunately, it usually from the Westminster Health Forum (15) almost 18% of pupils results in greater underlying imbalances which accelerate in schools have special education needs. An estimated 32% the downward cycle into chronic illness which is now growing of girls and 11% of boys aged 15 self-harm, and 75% of adult into a crisis of epidemic proportions (21) (22) (23). One of mental health problems begin before the age of 18 and 50% the principles of medicine is to “first do no harm”. It seems by the age of 14. “the failure to intervene early in preventing that conventional medical approaches to treatment, being mental health and other social problems costs the Government largely based on the study of illness rather than health, have £17 billion a year and the annual short term costs with child simply been unable to control this downward spiral or may with mental health problems are 1.58 billion, the long term have actually, in some cases, contributed to the unnecessary costs 2.35 billion. In an average class of thirty 15-year olds, suffering that it causes (20 p. 86). three could have a mental disorder. Things could be in danger of becoming very much worse. Another matter that is not often mentioned but is of international Imperial College have sent out in March 2016 a letter to their concern, is the fact that for all the convenience the disposable alumni requesting a donation for £1,000 to confront one of consumer society offers us, it has not improved people’s health, the most pressing challenges facing humanity: “antimicrobial welfare and sense of personal fulfilment throughout the world. resistance which is a global threat that could send modern

www.scimednet.org Network Review 2016/3 21 articles medicine back to the dark ages. Microbial resistance is here Here is just one example of hundreds of cases that could be in our hospitals now and growing at an alarming rate. If we fail quoted from the parents of a child who have been through the to tackle it, simple infections could become life threatening, Sunflower Programme: cancer treatments ineffective and routine operations like knee replacement impossible” (24). There is no magic and this approach is not miraculous; it is just applied ecology: helping to create the right environment Healing is the innate tendency of all living things to be whole physically, physiologically, mentally and emotionally to allow given the right environment. Each person will have the difficulties the innate tendency of nature to get on with the job it knows that they experience for their own complex combination of best how to do, which is one of the underlying principles of reasons. Expertise is the ability to make finer distinctions and to osteopathy clearly illustrated by A.T. Still (20 p. 336). This match needs specifically in the most efficient way. A functional approach to healing is verified by research and academic approach, using a combination of natural medicine matched validation (25). individually to each person in measured ways, together with changes in lifestyle, has proved to be very much safer, more Responsibility and efficiency demand that you first do effective, and fulfilling for all of those involved. the least you need to do in the safest way possible. The knowledge is there for anyone with a good medical training, Indeed, I have had phenomenal success with children using given the interest, open mindedness, and determination this approach. Over the past 30 years, I have developed a to learn. We need to encourage a health system that is measurable series of tests and therapeutic treatments –The underpinned by a concern to keep people well and one Sunflower Programme - based on the founding principles of that has scope to include natural therapies as part of an osteopathy. This is now the copyright of a registered charity, the intervention and prevention mentality. This would improve Sunflower Trust (www.sunflowertrust.com). overall health and wellbeing and save a great deal of suffering and money in the process. The Sunflower Programme balances brain and body to help children be the best that they can be. It has demonstrated As members of a healing profession we have a duty to our convincingly that it helps children to become balanced and patients to take into account not just the structural and integrated, ensuring they feel better, increase their ability to functional aspects of the body but also the influence of concentrate, improve their performance, and enable them to external environmental factors, emotions, behaviours, diet, get on better with others. and lifestyle choices.

Evidence-based medicine relying on a case history, observation of some orthopaedic tests and palpation is not exactly a quantifiable, measurable clinical basis on “Dear Mark, which to assess the amazing variety of factors affecting many different aspects of the integral health of each and To say you are a miracle worker every individual patient. Long before conventional doctors understood the relationship between the musculoskeletal, the motor sensory system, the autonomic system and the is an understatement. The changes auto-immune system, A.T. Still had worked it out (20).

in M are remarkable. He as more We are holistic beings and nothing happens in isolation. Using functional neurology, combined with principles of confidence, talks and keeps eye natural healing, it is now possible to establish what these variables are. It is then possible on an individual basis to contact. He is more engaged and discover what the relationship is to the structural, nutritional, mental and emotional factors that even classical osteopathy, concentrates when he needs. although aware of, was unable to do. It is then possible to address each of these and many other factors with exactly the right mixture of natural approaches to healing and to I could go on and on. Thanks assess the outcome measurably.

for making our family happy and Functional neurology is something that professionally trained registered practitioners can learn. It enables those with enjoyable. the skill to enhance their delivery of appropriate natural approaches to healing in ways that their patients are able to experience immediately with the inevitable effect of enhancing the worth and reputation of their clinics.

Yours sincerely, S.” Prevention is by far the best policy for health. I would urge everyone to learn more about this pioneering approach and help to reverse the trend of increasing the incidence of chronic illness.

Mark Mathews has been practising as an osteopath for 36 years. In addition to being principal of the Rêve Pavilion Natural Health Clinic he has also founded The Sunflower Trust (www.sunflowertrust.com), a charity that seeks to help young people with developmental or behavioural issues to achieve their full potential using osteopathic principles. He has written and contributed to numerous articles for national newspapers and appeared on television discussing his work.

Discovery consists of seeing what everybody has seen and thinking what nobody else has thought. “ Jonathan Swift ”www.scimednet.org 22 Network Review 2016/3

References 1. Conscious Constructive Control of the Self: Epigenetic Reprogramming and the Alexander Technique. Monk, Marilyn. Guildford : The Scientific and Medical Network, 2015. 2. Meadows, Sara. The Science Inside the Child: The Story of what Happens when We’re Growing Up. s.l. : Routledge, 2015. 3. Davey-Smith, George (epidemiologist). Life Science. s.l. : BBC Radio 4, 01 03 2016. articles 4. Taupin, Peter. Adult neurogenesis and neural stem cells of the central nervous system in mammals. s.l. : Nova Biomedical Books, 2007. 5. Melillo, Robert and Leisman, Gerry. Neurobehavioral Disorders of Childhood - An Evolutionary Perspective. s.l. : Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, 2009. 6. Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Trends in intake of energy and macronutrients. MMWR Morb Mortal Weekly Rep. 2004, Vol. 53, 4. 7. Alwan A, et al. Global Status Report on noncommunicable diseases. s.l. : World Health Organ, 2011. 8. LeRoy L., et al. The agency for healthcare research and quality multiple chronic conditions research network: overview of research contributions and future priorities. Medical Care. 2014, Vol. 52, S15-S22. 9. Lee I., et al. Effect of physical innactivity on major noncommunicable diseases worldwide: an analysis of burden of disease and life expectancy. Lancet. 2012, Vol. 380, 9838. 10. Ganna A., Ingelsson E. 5-year mortality predictors in 498 103 UK Biobank participants: a prospective population- based study. Lancet. 2015, Vol. 386, 9993. 11. Hilmer, Scott I. et al. Reducing innappropriate polypharmacy: the process of deprescribing. JAMA J AM Med Assoc Intern Med. 2015, Vol. 175, 5. 12. NHS Confederation. Key statistics of the NHS. NHS Confederation website. [Online] 15 1 2016. [Cited: 09 04 2016.] http://www.nhsconfed.org/resources/key-statistics-on-the-nhs. 13. Department of Health. Improving the health and well-being of people with long-term conditions. National Archives. [Online] 01 January 2010. [Cited: 20 February 2016.] http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130107105354/ http://www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/@dh/@en/@ps/documents/digitalasset/ dh_111187.pdf. 14. Fombonne, Eric, MD.The prevalence of autism. 1, s.l. : JAMA, 2003, Vol. 289. doi:10.1001/jama.289.1.87.. 15. Westminster Health Forum s.l. Improving children and young people’s health outcomes: integration, public health and policy priorities . Westminster Health Forum, 2016. 16. Micronutrient Initiative/ UNICEF. Vitamin & Mineral Deficiency- A Global Progress Report. UNICEF. [Online] 2004. [Cited: 20 February 2016.] http://www.unicef.org/media/files/vmd.pdf. 17. World Health Organisation. World Health Day 2016: WHO calls for global action to halt rise in and improve care for people with diabetes. WHO Website. [Online] [Cited: 06 04 2016.] http://who.int/mediacentre/news/ releases/2016/world-health-day/en/. 18. NHS. Type 2 diabetes. NHS Website. [Online] [Cited: 06 04 2016.] http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Diabetes-type2/ Pages/Introduction.aspx. 19. Diabetes.co.uk. Cost of Diabetes. Diabetes.co.uk. [Online] [Cited: 06 04 2016.] http://www.diabetes.co.uk/cost- of-diabetes.html. 20. Lewis, John Robert. A.T.Still: From the Dry Bones to the Living Man. s.l. : Dry Bone Press, 2012. ISBN-13: 978-0957292703. 21. Cockburn, Alexander. When half a million Americans died and nobody noticed. The Week. [Online] 27 April 2012. [Cited: 19 February 2016.] http://www.theweek.co.uk/us/46535/when-half-million-americans-died-and- nobody-noticed. 22. Bhattacharya, Shaoni. Up to 140,000 heart attacks linked to Vioxx. New Scientist. [Online] 25 January 2005. [Cited: 19 February 2016.] https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn6918-up-to-140000-heart-attacks-linked-to-vioxx. 23. Stengler, Dr. Mark. Acetaminophen linked to death risk. Best Health Nutritionals. [Online] 26 03 2015. [Cited: 19 February 2016.] http://www.besthealthnutritionals.com/blog/2015/03/26/acetaminophen-linked-to-death-risk/. 24. Imperial College London. Antimicrobial Resistance. Imperial College London website. [Online] [Cited: 06 04 2016.] http://www.imperial.ac.uk/giving/what-to-give-to/ARC-appeal/. 25. Mathews, Mark O., Thomas, Elizabeth A pilot study of applied kinesiology in helping children with learning disabilities. s.l. : British Osteopathic Journal, 1993.

www.scimednet.org Network Review 2016/3 23 Humanising Healthcare: articles Patterns of Hope for a System Under Strain Margaret Hannah

Why is there such widespread concern about our healthcare systems today? Quite simply, the inexorable rise in healthcare costs around the world is becoming unsustainable. That is true whatever the financial systems and organisational structures in place. In most developed countries healthcare inflation runs at about three or four percent per year, which as an exponential figure doubles the cost every 20 years.

Pressures in the system The NHS, as an example, is rarely out of the headlines. It ‘Nuka’ is an Alaskan native word for a strong and extensive faces formidable funding issues, staff are routinely stressed, living structure. The Nuka system of healthcare sees staff and efforts to move things on to a more sustainable footing and patients as participants in a web of life. This web is seem less and less effective. In 2010 David Nicholson, the strengthened and enlivened by quality relationships between Chief Executive of the NHS in England, sent a letter to all people built by open, honest and dynamic conversations. healthcare providers saying that £20 billion (out of an annual These take place at every level in their system between budget of £100 billion) would have to be saved over a five- patients, staff, politicians and the wider community. In year period to 2015. This was the biggest saving challenge the Nuka system, they see the person not the condition. it had ever experienced. But it was largely achieved through As they put it, “Diseases don’t have people, people have efficiency measures familiar to anyone who runs a business diseases.” They also recognise that the ‘person’ is more than - freezing pay, increasing pension contributions from staff, an individual and includes their family, friends, community, reducing the number of managers and administrative staff culture and history. Staff working at Southcentral Foundation and delaying maintenance work. are trained to work in this way and are conscious that they too are on a healing journey in their lives. But the underlying driver to healthcare inflation has not gone away and five years on, Nicholson’s successor, Simon Stevens, Changing culture described an even bigger saving of £30 billion now has to be made by 2020. In his Five Year Forward Plan he set out plans These insights helped NHS Fife along with partners in social to undertake further efficiencies and to reconfigure services care, voluntary organisations and social enterprise to get – again very familiar strategies for cost cutting in the private started on changing the culture and pattern of care. Our first sector. Stevens estimated these strategies could achieve initiative involved finding ways for older people to thrive, not £22 billion in savings, but he also asked the government for just survive, at home; to explore what matters to them in their an extra £8 billion because he couldn’t imagine any other way lives and then address those aspirations by developing quality to bridge the gap. relationships and co-create solutions with them, their families and their community. Another way is possible It was slow work. After a year, we had worked in this way with It seems like a perfect storm is brewing. Unrelenting demand just six patients and were very unsure whether we should for healthcare, pressures on funding, an over-stressed continue. But staff were keen. Each new story of an older workforce and options running out for addressing these person finding something meaningful and valuable in their issues effectively before the system collapses. Is another lives had a knock-on effect on the staff who helped them to way possible? I believe there is - but not without deeply achieve this. As one of them said, “A little bit of hope goes examining underlying assumptions and being bold enough to a long way”. transgress the cultural norms of the dominant system. What follows is a short summary of work I have been involved in After five years, we are now working with over 15,000 patients which is beginning to grow a new culture of healthcare better in this way and have extended the work from older people’s adapted to the changing circumstances described above. care to other areas including physiotherapy and podiatry. The change is subtle but profound: shifting from deficits to assets, The work started with a series of conversations with senior problems to solutions, standard assessments to unique clinical managers at NHS Fife based on a framework called conversations and from clinical to relational practice. Three Horizons (www.iffpraxis.com/three-horizons). This helped us to describe our aspirations for a future health system which was sustainable and effective. In the course Reciprocity and mutuality of these discussions, we heard about the “Nuka” system at Our assumptions have been challenged in ways we couldn’t Southcentral Foundation in Alaska and thought this was the have imagined when we started. We know now that we can’t kind of healthcare system we were hoping for. facilitate change in others if we are not willing to change

www.scimednet.org 24 Network Review 2016/3

ourselves. We now work differently, in a more integrated way cost effective. This is because good quality conversations and where possible in real partnership with our community. help people identify what they value in their lives, not what In addition to our professional training we recognise our inputs they can get from staff. In Fife we are finding some need for good conversational skills to explore people’s hopes patients saying they have achieved what they wanted from for the future – what matters to them, what gives them joy their contact with us and are telling staff they don’t need to in their lives, helps them thrive, not just survive. Another come back any more. shift has been to recognise that we don’t always have to be busy doing something with patients. Good quality This is a novel experience for staff – being discharged by conversation is itself of value and an important service to the patients and not the other way round. We are also

articles another human being. finding patients are keen to help others – volunteering in the day hospital, or in one case, passing on a copy of The work is beginning to show that healthcare can renew the local newspaper to their elderly neighbour, as they did itself if we are prepared to go beyond the constraints of the before they went into hospital. Meaningful and social thinking which has led us to this point. It is not a magic fix, activities are important for keeping well and generate mutual but working creatively and expanding what we consider as gains for those involved. This is a new type of sustainable a resource for ourselves offers some hope to people healthcare, where the key characteristics are reciprocity, working in a system under huge strain that another way is mutuality and diverse solutions. By drawing on these indeed possible. insights, we can grow a system of health and social care that is financially sustainable and highly valued by patients, Challenging the deep assumptions that drive modern families and staff alike. healthcare helps staff explore new possibilities with patients and their families and shows signs of being highly

Dr Margaret Hannah is Director of Public Health in NHS Fife and Honorary Senior Lecturer at St Andrews University. She is author of Humanising Healthcare: patters of hope for a system under strain.

www.scimednet.org Network Review 2016/3 25 The Vibrant Years - Soul Time articles in the Human Life Span Geraldine Schwartz

Our youth-oriented culture undervalues life as years pass. such behaviour in a five year-old, concerned about “Mummy’s Nature images abound: we are a seed... a bud... a flower… feelings” when he was in personal danger. I have seen it in a wilted blossom… dry petals crumbling… dust to dust. We a young woman working selflessly to save our country, and in are compared to seasons: born in spring, flourish in summer a seventy-two year-old person willing to share his life to save at our prime, fade in autumn, die in winter, what an over- the planet. The criterion is not the chronological age, but simplification! We are not plants, concerned only to survive the maturity and the wisdom that underlies the person’s and propagate the next generation. We are born. We grow. value system. We grow and grow. Some of us decline at an early time; others continue to grow and learn and make a contribution But it is more than a value system. The age in which we to the next generation over a lifetime. Milton Erikson, who live is too dangerous, and the matters at hand too urgent identified the stages of human life almost a half century for the luxury of armchair philosophising. Values need to be ago, called the stage of life I am about to describe the age expressed in action. Such action must be outward looking, of “generativity,” the time when concern moves from focus embracing the larger, longer perspective about the critical on personal gain to the larger issues of life, to see the long issues of our time‒peace, the environment, and the new view, the fuller picture, to contribute to the growth of the next learning and thinking we will need if civilisation is to flourish generation. It is this time of life I would like to call “the age of in a new century full of discontinuities. the soul.” It is in these years that we enter soul time. Action in the face of urgency and danger takes courage. Here Unlike our physical maturity, we do not enter this time within we come again to the issue of a person’s age. It is not that a particular chronological age range, as one enters puberty or years of living are required to act the mensch, but that many menopause. Nor is it certain everyone will reach this time. of us use our years of experience to become less fearful. In fact, some young people live a good portion of their lives in We learn how to exercise our powerful minds and spirits soul time, while some very old people retreat from their prime more readily. to such self concern that their childish behaviour defeats even their most generous caregivers. We can enter this “prime This phenomenon has a practical outcome for each of time of our lives” at any age, and we can stay vibrant and us. Unlike the plants of earlier reference that exist the vigorous so long as we continue to engage the soul wisdom, same in millions of copies, we are unique. Our learning, sometimes called intuition, to know the right thing to do. Here our life experience and hard won successes mean that the is where human consciousness, which is ageless, makes us contribution of each of us is a specialised piece or thread so different from the plants of my first metaphor. of an eternal tapestry. Woven together, the fabric creates a mighty and awesome picture. This has an important lesson At any time of our life we can choose to act with the vigour of for leaders. Wherever we can collaborate, cross-fertilise, work youth, tempered with the wisdom of soul to participate in right as part of a team, we can maximise the effect of our effort. acting, sometimes in a leadership role, but also comfortable Working together creates “emergences” of higher order. All in followership. As we act in cooperation with others, in over the world we see the truth of this. The peace process concert, in coherence, our mind and spirit engages the body’s in the Middle East and Northern Ireland inches forward as immune systems to pour the neurochemical messengers of ancient enemies learn to work together. The environment strength, power and good health into the part of our body that benefits as groups on both sides of the issues cooperate. is ageless, the inner spirit that is truly us. We are continuously Businesses flourish as they harmonise their efforts to serve renewed and refreshed with a vibrancy that lights our way and the needs of their clients. shines out to light the paths of others. Thus, to live vibrantly every day of our lives, to live in soul Welcome the Mensch and the Old Soul time, we need to engage the ageless wisdom of our highest Various names have been given to people of any age observed and noblest selves, and we need to do this in the company of to be living in soul time. One of these is the Jewish concept like-minded others. Such a cohort of leaders will evolve the of “a mensch,” a decent person who sees human higher consciousness of our species and create a legacy of hope for possibility in all people, who can be counted on to do the the next millennium. right thing, regardless of personal cost. A mensch is a person who sees the mensch in others, soul to soul. Another name Geraldine Schwartz, PhD is “old soul,” a person who acts in a way that displays human *From Journeys of Second Adulthood - A Woman’s Search nobility, sometimes even in the face of treachery. I have seen for Higher Ground

Dr. Geraldine Schwartz is the Principal and Senior Psychologist of the Vancouver Learning Centre in Vancouver, Canada. She is also the co-founder of Creative Learning International and the Institute for Ethical Leadership and the founder and President of the International Foundation of Learning, all located in Vancouver. She is the author of Journeys of Second Adulthood: A Woman’s Search for Higher Ground, which includes a collection of her essays and poems.

www.scimednet.org 26 Network Review 2016/3 Is Heaven for Real? The Significant Implications

reports of Near Death Experiences 29–31 July 2016 Natalie Tobert

This marvellous event at University of Winchester, was hosted by the Institute of Theological Partnerships, in association with the Scientific and Medical Network. The conference was the original idea of Shirley Firth based on her research into anomalous experiences, and it was introduced by theologian Prof Lisa Isherwood. The aim was to explore near death experiences, religious experiences, and the nature of consciousness, then discuss implications for theology and other disciplines. The topic was of particular relevance to those working with the sick, dying, and bereaved (and of course I considered it had implications for mental wellbeing).

David Lorimer’s talk covered the beginnings between mind and brain. In the past the of New Thought in the Western world, old reductionist assumption was that it was starting with the USA in the late 1800s, with impossible to experience consciousness ideas about the primacy of consciousness. during cardiac arrest, when circulation There was an assumption that Western and breathing stopped. In earlier times culture lost sight of the inner world. David patients were reluctant to mention NDE, noted that in the West we learn much as they believed their physicians wouldn’t about physical laws, but we don’t seem understand. Today with our better to know as much about the spiritual or resuscitation techniques, when people have moral laws which govern existence. He cardiac arrest, they don’t die but report explored Empathetic Resonance, with its concepts of shared visions. He suggested ELE (deathbed visions) may be identical consciousness, morphic resonance, telepathy, connection, to NDE, and called them spiritual transformative experiences and psychometry, with some discussion of non-local mind. ‘STEs’, which are culturally and religiously ubiquitous. He gave examples of Western writers and their ideas about consciousness, subconscious, and super consciousness. Pim presented four prospective studies with 562 patients He considered the current chaos in the outer world (in UK who were all survivors of cardiac arrest. In a study of 344 and USA) was a manifestation of inner fear, and we might patients, 82% had no NDE, while 18% (62 patients) had an learn to modify our thought patterns. NDE. In a longitudinal study, there were significant changes in people with an NDE: enhanced intuitive sensitivity and After supper we watched a film by paranormal experiences. He mentioned a few negative anthropologist Marilyn Schlitz: “Death experiences and noted the fear of being sectioned if one Makes Life Possible”. She suggested talked about experiences. that if we contemplated our death it would allow us to live life more completely. He claimed out of body experiences were not hallucinations, If we face our own mortality might this delusions or illusions: they were veridical perceptions. inspire us to live more fully, and reduce our Elements that occurred during cardiac arrest included OBEs, fear of death? life preview, life review, deceased relatives, understanding the thoughts of bystanders, clairsentience, clairvoyance, and The film suggested death was our birthright: it occurred loss of the fear of death. Thoughts were not wiped out with like a leaf falls from a tree which fertilises the ground. It lack of brain activity. explored life and death, and the nature of consciousness, from various cultural perspectives. We saw interviews with Pim noted the impact of consciousness on health care, end of mental health experts and cultural leaders, discussing how life care, terminal illness and prolonging life, euthanasia, and we might live without fearing death, with one inspiring story organ donation, and he commented on striking similarities of a man who was facing his own early demise. between those with near death experiences, and people sectioned for psychosis and schizophrenia. I wondered The following morning, we listened to Dutch cardiologist whether the symptoms of those diagnosed with psychosis Pim van Lommel speaking on non-local consciousness: or schizophrenia, were having anomalous experiences, but he was conducting full-time research on the relationship with anxiety and distress?

www.scimednet.org reports

27 www.scimednet.org Network Review 2016/3 Review Network said it was good for Christians Badham said it was Paul to be concerned with near death experiences experiences to religious he wanted and as life be part of the Christian message, belief. Christian to central was death after Beliefs in resurrection of the dead stem from it and while some believed rising, Christ’s would happen to all people in the future, unique. Christians others Jesus was believed talk about resurrection of the body and the and wanted to demonstrate that religious experience played played experience religious that to demonstrate and wanted widespread was and an important role in human behaviour, narratives about their people’s He collected in all cultures. 3,000 narratives sent that people and was experiences, the archive holds Today speak about before. had not dared He and searchable. which is online 6,000 narratives, over received and universal, were experiences religious believed research. Prize for his the Templeton Sunday through the cemetery morningEarly I walked by on Sunday summer grasses, by overgrown the graves past the University, sun the as flowers on settle bees and butterflies watching rising. was immortality Resurrection soul. the of immortality and need continuity as a bridge. as the soul provides each other, and are important for a future life, of offer evidence NDEs that evidence provided religion: to die is not to expire. They a real base in history. the Christian story actually have may and his glass of water, over knocked At one point Paul the lecture hall carpet an ablution. He mentioned the gave commonalities with other cultures and in other continents, those shaped by ideas of a future life were where people’s who actually had experiences of NDEs. different to things different meant God word the noted Paul Tibetans, Muslims, people. NDEs matter for Christians, in a way suggest they because Hindus and Buddhists, He said lives that humans can grow and develop. between exploring information about the pre-existence of the were we can and he noted we rather than about reincarnation, soul, religious experiences are of sound argue that those who have Paul grateful Membersmind. stable and were audience the of work lecture. moments of his in a few a lifetime’s had covered stunning with talk for me to hear a refreshing This was with clarity of presentation. scholarship and a crisp intellect, is it possible that those who are It made me think again, Emerging themes on themes arising from the conference, During the discussion of an increasing sense noted there was the speakers humans; and interdependence between interconnectedness mind/brain relationship and how to of the an awareness of experiences; a greater awareness communicate evidence taboos and transformation;of spiritual experience and fewer against speaking out. transform can material This death to approaches our dying.and our care of the subject of euthanasia: On the time of death; fear issues around choice and there were and the need for of death; problems of over-medication; patient autonomy. Participants a need for greater discussion felt there was experiences, can spread the word about these on how we so students learn more about it in universities and medical concepts, to challenge old paradigm wanted schools. They is a problem if death and address a younger audience. There whereas NDE material suggested is equated with extinction, is the phenomenology Another issue of religious continuity. compared to peopleand spiritual experience and NDEs can be been diagnosed with psychosis. who’ve spoke about the NDE she she the NDE about Garland spoke Tanya the birthhad during of her first child when she She thought in full labour. she was a voice and heard calm, but was dying, was When she opened ‘ask for help’. saying: her centre of perception she found her eyes the room ceiling. close to the saw She was and observedfrom above the heads of the but the voice told her to return to nurses, The experience and her children. her baby Peter from Croatia, Speaking remotely mentioned his workFenwick Near with slideshow a Experiences. He gave Death illustrating the history of near death experiences including the works of Michael Ring, Moody and Kenneth Raymond and Bruce He noted NDEs Greyson. Sabom, not necessarily at time, could occur at any Interspersed death. jokes, gentle his with in the late Marianne Rankin spoke afternoon. She has written the most comprehensive book on Religious and she noted people Experiences (2008), an did not need to be near death to have also called spiritual or which were NDE, religious experience. In the Alister Hardy examples many society archive there were had a profound effect on her and was life changing: she life changing: she on her and was had a profound effect a spiritual being. She had heightened realised she was she nobody was there but clairsentience, and awareness it. would talk to about arrival start the At spooky a experienced we time question of This on Skype. calling in remotely who was Fenwick, of Peter who had been caused much merriment in the audience, sitting for two hours without a break. us video clips of interviewshe showed with people who had common those of profound light, including had experiences, to people undergoing the dying process. learn about consciousness after death? What What can we is the significance of these transformative experiences? were experiences intense of 4% that us reminded Peter although people with negative from people with psychosis, questionnaires on not to respond to tended experiences had had a horrific experience. He suggested NDE if they of (and causes different have may that negative experiences course developments I disagreed with this). He noted new more understanding with of spiritual crisis in psychiatry, medicated which used to be identified with schizophrenia, and drugged. a that psychosis was he appeared to assume However, different. are assumptions My delusion. a or hallucination I assume the terminology used depends on an observer’s the enhanced consciousness and intuition beliefs. Perhaps comparable he mentioned is also part of spiritual awakening, or with psychosis sectioned symptoms of those the to schizophrenia? There seems to be a fast changing attitude of thinking ways amongst some medical professionals to new Stockmann 2015). (Razzaque 2014, phenomenology and in the content is the difference What experiences, negative and positive have who people of what is the relationship with psychosis? If people are are their anomalous and suppressed oppressed, repressed, manifest with distress and be to likely experiences more 2016a)? identified as psychosis and schizophrenia (Tobert of religious and spiritual experiences (which she called RSE). had a profound experience of light. People She introduced Sir Alister Hardy as a biologist who believed a natural partthe spiritual was of consciousness. He his life to enquiring about deeper understandings devoted reports www.scimednet.org way of dying by going into unconsciousness, with this clarity The thirdBardoisoneofintrinsicreality. Ratherthanthe old to thegroundluminosity. intowisdominallsentientbeings,is transferred whosurrender thoughts disappearandconsciousness fades. Consciousness there istheinnerdissolutionofawhiteexperience, whereour visions, while consciousness dissolves into space. Then body’s outerdissolution, andatthistimepeopleexperience The secondBardoisofdyinganddeath.Thisinvolves the the momentofdeathhesays thegroundluminosityarises. forspiritualgrowth, theopportunity andat Human lifeoffers that there are many livesandacontinuum of consciousness. is ofcompassion, selflessness, andwisdom, withtheview delusion ofseparateness”.ThemessagetheBuddhistpath same state.Patrick said“we areheretoawaken fromthe realised thatallhumanshadthepossibilitytoachieve that Buddha experiencedastateofprofoundpeace, andhe same phenomenaasreligiousexperiences. ofspiritualawakening,visual experiencesarepart andarethe and They areclaiming theirauditory by psychiatricservices. thatthey have beensectionedormedicated media areangry religious experiences?Today, thousandsofpeopleonsocial diagnosed withpsychosisorschizophreniaareexperiencing 28 anomalous experiencesandmentalwell being recent bookCulturalPerceptions onMentalWellbeing of (2016)exploresspiritualinterpretations hospitals, (India, medicalschoolsanduniversities Sweden, Switzerland, UK, andUSA).Hermost trainingonSpiritualandCulturalEqualitiesinMedical anthropologistDrNatalieTobert offers ■  ■ ■  ■  ■ “ people: thosewhodothework andthosewhotake thecredit. Symptoms inMedicalPractice, JessicaKingsley Publishers Tobert N(2016b)CulturalPerceptions onMentalWellbeing: of SpiritualInterpretations Tobert inmedicineandhealth, N(2016a)Knowledgeframeworks NAMAH, Volume 23Issue4 peer-supported-open-dialogue-project/ MadinAmerica Blog, https://www.madinamerica.com/2015/10/the-uk-national-health-service- OpenDialogueProject, Peer-Supported Stockmann T(2015)TheUKNationalHealthService Gateway? Watkins Publishing Razzaque R(2014)BreakingDownisWaking Up:CanPsychologicalSufferingbeaSpiritual Rankin M(2008)AnIntroductiontoReligiousandSpiritualExperience, Continuum Mygrandfather oncetoldmethatthere were twokindsof Network Review2016/3 He toldmetotry tobeinthefirst group; there wasmuch during ourlifethroughdeath. ourexperiencesThere isonethatcovers ofdifferentstrandstheBardo. importance through lifeanddeath.Hementionedthe transitional realitieswhichoccurcontinually Book oftheDead, presentingaseriesof Patrick Gaffney spoke abouttheTibetan Indira Gandhi, Indianprimeminister less competition. (Tobert 2016b). my new bookonCulturalPerspectives onMentalWellbeing concern, andIdiscussthismany alliedpointsofview, in either post-natal, This is my or pre-incarnational. particular apsychoticexperiencehavewhat istermed atraumatrigger, Bardo statewithoutbeingdead?Itseemspeoplewhohave left wondering, coulditbethatsomepeoplecanaccessa with theclarityandrangeofspeakers. ThoughIamstill event gratefultobepresentatthisparticular I was very state ofbeing. like standingon the edgeofBardo, gettingapreview ofthat and thefutureofhumanity. Patrick asked ifanNDEwas ourlifeanddeathexperiences,transform ourfuturelives The pointoftheBardowritingsisthey offerusatoolto time andspace. relatives; experienceofthementalbodytravelling through clearlightafterdeath;seeingoftunnels ofdarkness; There aresomesimilaritiestothe near deathexperience: and develop a new life, by experiencing ground luminosity. to a life review. Then we become connected to a womb days asafuturelifeapproaches, thereissomethingsimilar and atthistimethelivingcanhelpthroughprayer. After21 For 21days we receiveimpressionsofourprevious life, dead, somemay develop alongingforphysical body. realise we have died, butwhenwe becomeaware we are if wepatterns believe they are real. Sometimes we don’t bydetermined ourpastkarma, whichmay set perpetuate Thedirectionwe moveand thespacebetween inis births. tendencies arereawakened: thementalbody, themind, to be liberated. At this point the seeds of our habitual beforedawn,of mindarrives andwe have fouropportunities ”

reports

29 www.scimednet.org Network Review 2016/3 Review Network dimension of information and attractors where a blueprint th in this dimension can interact with attractors so an intention examples for future is an attractor for the present. He gave latter the – a nest and birds house a planning of humans purposefuture of example an as out pointed He nature. in that 4 random changes are much more likely to lead to to lead to that 4 random changes are much more likely and adaptation demonstrates epigenetics while entropy He also stressed the centrality of co-creation improvement. in global mind change. as far back as the 1930s by Max Planck and Sir James Jeans, Sir James Jeans, Max Planck and as far back as the 1930s by among others. Phoebe referred to the one Cosmic Mind Thought New by all participate, an idea elaborated in which we and Thomas Troward Trine, such as Ralph Waldo thinkers Charles years Haanel more than a hundred Archetypes ago. can be understood as ordering principles of our inner that astrology Phoebe proposed gives a broad framework reality. of meaning. relationship between Bohm’s A more recent model is David (unfolded) ordersthe implicate (enfolded) and explicate where unity and connectedness is primary and separation coherence conveys The implicate order reflects and secondary. The latter as an evolutionary and convergence. well trend was worth de Chardin. This trend is well articulated Teilhard by reportedrecalling in the chaos of the events – daily in the news fragmentation and assertion of separate identities. The reality also of holons balances separateness with integration. Fractals illustrate this part-whole resonance. Observer effects imply a co-creative and and experimenter participatory of reality rather than a sharp view distinction subjective and objective – I already referred to this inbetween Discussions on these themes within terms of inner and outer. the Network go back more than 20 years and are also well of the Passion articulated of Richard Tarnas’ in the epilogue Brian by Mind and in the Goethean science developed Western Stephan Harding at Schumacher College. The and Goodwin workthedemonstrates also lab PEAR Princeton the at PK on of intention as focused thought. This is arguably a non- power material influence on the material world. postulating a this theme of intention, Orbach developed Tuvi 5 This in turn implies an underlying as stated intelligence

Convergent Evolution, Evolution, Convergent Attractors Love and David Lorimer David Lorimer the key is that there is no sharp distinction between the key what we call inner and outer; reflect and interactwhat we rather they so synchronicity is an expression of this. with each other, One important Phoebe Wyss was explained by theme scientific standard The coincidence. meaningful or synchronicity are coincidences so purposeexcludes view meaning, and final causality is set (Aristotle’s simply random chance events in Cosmos and Richard Tarnas aside). As also elaborated by Psyche, with a particulara with This consciousness. of nature the on focus the of nature turnin spiritual the about implications has human being. In this brief reflection I highlight some of the main themes themes main the of some highlight I reflection brief this In and discussions. presentations the conference from emerging about extending our ideas Network meetings are always the limitations of scientific materialism, about reality beyond In 1941 the mathematician Luigi Fantappiè introduced a new introduced In 1941 the mathematician Luigi Fantappiè The evolution. and life of explanation the into causality of type and specialequations which combine quantum mechanics retrocausality is also addition to causality, in relativity show that, an ingredient of our universe. Whereas causality is governed retrocausality is (diverging tendency), of entropy the law by leads to the increase of which a symmetrical law by governed complexity and structures.the two Combining differentiation, and tropos=tendency Fantappiè Greek words syn=converging in order to describe the retrocausal coined the word syntropy tendency of evolution the converging action of attractors, A similar a final unifying cause which he named love. towards de Chardin and named Teilhard by developed description was who called Pauli, Carl Jung and Wolfgang and by Omega Point The aim of the conference is to promote the it synchronicity. sharing of contributions in this domain both in the scientific field and in the humanities and arts. The 2016 Network took place in Rome at Continental Meeting members, some 25 attended by the end of September and was of themesa wide range on two days over with 14 presentations its genesis in the(see abstracts online). The theme had conference the Brain presentation given at the 2015 Beyond on Syntropy Dr Ulisse di Corpo and Antonella Vannini given by in broad terms:– the paragraph below describes the theme https://explore.scimednet.org/groups/rome-meeting-convergent-evolution-attractors-and-love-sept-30th-2nd-oct-2016/ 30 Network Review 2016/3

Both Christian McMillan and Paul Hague referred to the journey and compass direction for our efforts. Deunov said: “Love is from separation to wholeness. Bergson criticised finalism necessary for the transformation of the world. It is the only as another form of determinism – if materialism pushes force which can bring peace between the nations, each of deterministically from the past, finalism pulls deterministically which has a mission to accomplish on earth.” And former from the future. This idea excludes creative novelty, a point Congressman Dennis Kucinich sums it up well: that exercised Whitehead and leads David Ray Griffin to reject precognition in principle, despite a proliferation of evidence. The world is multidimensional. The new vision is a holistic one Ulisse would see this in terms of attractors from the future that understands the power of intention and the power of co- reports – in this sense a vision of the future is also an attractor operation, of mutuality, of trust, of seeing the world as one. towards which we are trying to move, although the path is not That vision then becomes our outer reality. Ours is the ability, predetermined. For him, synchronicity is a pull from the future. through our consciousness, to create peace, to create love. He highlighted the following key polarities or complementarities: The organ of transformation is the human heart because there is nothing - no weapon ever made - that is more powerful than ■ Entropy/Syntropy a human heart.

■ Cause/Attractor The Love and Fear Loops: source, www.internationalfuturesforum.com ■ Divergence/Convergence In our final session we reflected that the prevalence of ■ Visible/Invisible the mechanistic paradigm is at the root of our crisis. ■ Unconscious/Superconscious Correspondingly, extended states of consciousness are not understood by academe.

Fields were mentioned by a number of speakers as formative Among emerging recommendations from the conference that and ordering principles, including the akashic field from the work have wider implications for the Network were: of Ervin Laszlo; also family fields from family constellations. Perhaps both are ‘knowing fields’. Fields connect us in various ways. For Ulisse, increased influence of the invisible world ■ Realise that we live in a co-creative universe results in more synchronicities. If we align ourselves non-dually ■ Our intentions and visions can manifest in outer with the Universe, then we can reach our full potential and reality expression as a human being. Richard Blasband also referred to the power of the invisible in the role of the etheric body in ■ Work in a homoeopathic way – small scale to the genesis and recurrence of disease – if the cancer pattern  begin with is still in the etheric, it is more likely to recur. ■ Pay attention to synchronicities in terms of keeping Pier Luigi Luisi reminded us that complex systems are on track networks of interactions and relationships where there is no ■ centre of command. He found the Buddhist view congenial in Think about the role of social media in the SMN this respect. Here there is co-dependent arising and feedback, networking global mind change with no initial cause. Dynamic interactive processes reflect ■ Think and act out the box – cultivate your creativity impermanence and transformation at all levels of life, including humans. This view reminds us of the importance of processes ■ Live your life mindfully and lovingly – engage mind, and relationships, also within the Network; also that health is heart and will expressed as dynamic balance. ■ Live what we want to move forward – be the change Hardin Tibbs showed how time cannot in fact be detected we want to see or measured. From his angle as a futurist, he remarked that most of his colleagues were Newtonian or Laplacean with a rather deterministic idea of the future. However, we Diagram 3 know that there are intrinsic limits to prediction, especially with nonlinear or wicked problems. Many policy makers are systems illiterate – universities specialise in linear critical Control analysis. Hardin also asked what it would be like if we knew the consequences of our actions in advance, holding up a Abstraction Alienation ‘moral mirror’ corresponding to reports of the life review Homogenisation where we re-experience events multi-dimensionally, not simply from our own point of view. With anticipatory hindsight we might choose differently in either case.

Our orientation to the future exhibits both fear and anxiety as well as hope and trust. Christos Sideras reviewed the history of hope, drawing on a number of sources. Christians live in the hope of renewal and forgiveness, and despair (desespoir Participation in French where espoir is hope). We are more familiar with the politics of fear than hope, with its emphasis on negative campaigning. These polarities recall the fear and love loops Diversity Belonging of the International Futures Forum, created at Schumacher Intrinsic value College by Brian Goodwin and his students in the wake of 9/11 (see diagram below and www.internationalfuturesforum.com ). To live in hope is also to live in the unknown, in humility.

Both Ulisse and I spoke about the invisible force or energy of love – with reference to syntropy and the work of Peter Deunov, Gandhi and Pitirim Sorokin. We underestimate the power of love even though we all experience it. Deunov’s vision was one of a culture of love and wisdom that can act as an attractor

www.scimednet.org Network Review 2016/3 31 The World Congress of Faiths reports and Sarum College Promoting Spiritual Life: an interfaith perspective “All We Need Is Love!” Photograph of Thomas Merton. Used with permission of the Merton Legacy Trust and the Thomas Merton Center at Larry Culliford Bellarmine University.

Peter Fenwick welcomed Paul Filmore as our new Chair and from full-time teaching at the University of East Anglia. His presented him with the glass plaque ornamented with the names book The Unselfish Spirit describes his thesis. He explored the of his predecessors and entrusted it to him for the duration of importance of ‘doing’ in times of spiritual crisis. He described his period of office. Paul received it and suitably responded. his own personal journey and how he could make his interior experience relate to wider society. He had been influenced by Peter Fenwick paid tribute to the late Karl Pribram (1919- the teachings of Buddhism, J. Krishnamurti and Carl Jung. He 2015), an honorary member of SMN. A prominent and creative spoke of the transformative role of our imaginative capacity. He neurophysiologist, his vision of a holographic universe led him to quoted Jacob Bronowski’s remark that ‘The imagination is like discern in one part of a brain the possibility of seeing the whole. a telescope in time’, and from Humberto Maturana, ‘Everything Unusually for a brain surgeon he moved on into neurological we do is a structural dance in the choreography of co-existence’, research. He authored over seven hundred books and scientific and Buckminster Fuller ‘I seem to be a verb’. papers, The Holotropic Brain being of particular significance. A time of silence in his memory was observed. He drew further on Herbert Marcuse and on Carl Jung. These and others had pointed out that industrial culture had lost sight Peter also reported on the recent Conference in Tucson, Arizona, of the inner world of myth, ritual, connectedness, spirituality, where the original theme of previous conferences had been and the numinous. In the light of crises in his own journey amended from ‘Towards a Science of Consciousness’ to ‘The Mick told of his visit to Jung’s tower at Bollingen and of further Science of Consciousness’. He noted that new theories continue significant experiences that had led him on both personally to emerge. He drew our attention to the work of Jeffrey Martin of and professionally. He invited us to reflect on the question as to Harvard on happiness and awakening, and ‘Finders’ courses he the reality of our daimon and our relationship with it. He wanted had instigated. Peter would be running an internet based course to define eudaimonia as ‘blessing’ rather than just happiness, before too long. and that ‘doing’ was as vital as ‘being’, and that ‘doing in depth’ He noted two proportions had emerged which he commended was the key. too is. The first: For every philosopher there is an equal and In the shorter session we heard a fascinating presentation from opposite philosopher. The second: All philosophers are wrong. Degard on her development of ‘Aetheric’ Art using example of Richard Irwin reported on the development of the SMN website her own work of portraiture but stressing the application of her which the Board hoped would be more helpful and informative concept of ‘Aethericism’ in all the arts. Marilyn Monk, a stalwart to all. Later an instructive detailed presentation was made for of the work of SMN, spoke on the Alexander Technique and its interested members. Janine Edge reported briefly of the work importance in the evolution of consciousness. Your reporter, of the SMN Charitable Trust and detailed procedures for the whose bi-location techniques are somewhat rusty, did not hear members Form at the AGM on Sunday. the presentations of Clement Jewitt and Edi Bilimoria (the latter standing in at short notice for a speaker who was unable to On Saturday morning we had two talks. Chris Thomson spoke attend) but was assured that were of interest and stimulating on Conscious Evolution: from the Esoteric to the Exoteric. to those who attended. John Poynton, whose book on Michael He discerns five significant trends in our evolution (which he Whiteman was reviewed in Network Review No.120, spoke on defines as hereditable successful adaptation) of which we can Evolution and Psychic Ability. Drawing on his professional insights be conscious and have profound implications for science. He as a zoologist he raised issues on the alleged psychic abilities sees changes that can be discerned in or physical organism; our of animals, but more importantly on ethical and social questions consciousness and intelligence; knowledge and understanding; that might arise if psychic abilities became more widespread in character development toward greater truthfulness and our culture. Might such trends be a revolution in the making? capability; growth in capacity and ability. He illustrated these with verbal and pictorial examples. He summed up by suggesting that Richard Irwin introduced us to a healing meditation through we may be able to observe the following: the growth of self- recorded music of his own composition which related to determination, the impossible becoming possible, the complex the chakras through the ancient modal scales. A welcome becoming simple, the esoteric becoming exoteric, and the opportunity to experience rest at deeper levels after a busy and paranormal becoming normal. stimulating day. He envisaged future evolution as manifesting the combination On Sunday, after the formalities of the AGM, Mick Collins of both physical and non-physical consciousness; deeper introduced the Members’ Forum with an exercise involving us understanding reconciling science and esoteric knowledge; in groups of two. Under the firm hand of Janine Edge (who individuals with the courage to be as they really are; and greater restrained members of the Board from pre-emptive strikes) we and more widespread demonstration of practical and embodied then engaged in a discussion of a wide variety of topics. Creative wisdom bringing ideals into concrete manifestation. and constructive ideas on the future of the Network were aired. Peter Fenwick drew this part of the proceedings, and then the Dr Mick Collins’ title was Doing and the Next Evolutionary Gathering, to a close with his usual panache, thanking all who Threshold. Mick is an Occupational Therapist, recently retired had taken part.

www.scimednet.org network news www.scimednet.org to be‘comeout’ in thisrespect. in public.Ifthisproves tobethecase, we hopeitwillhelpscientists that scientistsaremoreopenthan they aregenerallywillingtoadmit isthatitmayReview well inApril.Thethoughtbehindthesurvey be on our website,will appear in due course in the as well as an article Christmas, andwe hopetopublicisethemintheNew Year. Ananalysis in France and900 inGermany. Theresultswillbeavailable around Ipsos MORIandwillbecompleted by 1,000peopleintheUK, 1,000 outby isbeingcarried the spiritualpracticesandbeliefs.Thesurvey scientists, andmedicalprofessionalstofindoutmoreabout engineers of asurvey from theSalviaFoundation toundertake support Sheldrake,The Network, attheinstigationofRupert hasreceived and Beliefs ofScientistsSpiritualPractices Survey Richard Irwin, [email protected] David Lorimer, [email protected], Chris Thomson, [email protected] funding, please contactoneofus. If youwouldlike tobeinvolved and/orhave any suggestionsfor ofscience. outside thepurview consideredtobe thatarecurrently of knowledgeandunderstanding obsessionwithmaterialism,current anditcouldalsoopenupareas society as a whole. For example, it could help to take us beyond our has far-reachingimplications, notonlyforscience, butalsofor thatthisproject members There isprobablynoneedtotellNetwork flow new methodologies. From ofevidence (itsepistemology). thesewould anditrules ontology) two significant things would have to change – its core assumptions (its received, suggestthat, ifscienceistoextend intheways we envisage, already done onthis,The work andthecontributions we have sofar in2017. plan topublishareport We areconsulting widely with the sciencecommunity and beyond, and ■ Esotericknowledge intheuniverse ■ Inherentmeaningandpurpose ■ Paranormal phenomena ofconsciousnessandperception ■ Unusualforms ■ Consciousnessbeyond thebrain accommodate. Theseinclude: unable,topics andquestionsthatitiscurrently orunwillingto is tofindpracticalways toextendscience, sothatitcanaccommodate hassetupaCommissionforExtendedScience.Itsremit The Network Commission onExtendedScience 32 back toyouassoonwe can. are10.00amto5.00pmMondayOffice hours -Thursday. Pleaseleave amessageifnooneis available totake yourcall. We willget n  n  n  forconferences-ithelpsyougetaplace n bookearly n  n  run smoothlyandsohelpyouefficiently: Please helpyouradministrationofficeto respond helpfully(andalways remembertotelluswhoyouare-we backwithnonameatall!) sometimesgetforms remember we’re anetwork, anditoftentakes timeforallrelevant peopletobecontactedsowhenmakingrequestsgiveustime conference fees, things. etc..)-itmaximises fundsavailable formoreimportant help ussave money; whenever possiblepay andremembertogiftaidwhenyoumake in£sterling apayment (subscription, what it’s numberonback, forandmembership even whenaccompaniedby abookingform always forconferencesandorders: toScientific&MedicalNetwork; add(legibly!)detailsof ensure chequesaremadeoutcorrectly forbooks, etc. andorders forms services numberwhenever youcontactus,use yourmembership andwriteitontoallcorrespondence, conferencebookingslips, subscription when yourdetailschange(address, telephonenumber, emailaddressetc.)pleasemake surewe know Network Review2016/2 ATTENTION MEMBERS! Personal NumbersandOfficeProcedures and, occasionally, dabblinginphotography, beachfishing andcooking. For recreationheenjoys walking, traditionalarchery, reading, music with themeditationpracticesof pre-SocraticGreekphilosophers. and the esoteric since his teenage years, working and is currently charitable organisations. He has had a keen interest in spirituality andtreasurerofanumber heistrustee his professionalwork He isalsoaqualifiedbutnon-practicinghypnotherapist. Outside other thirdsectorclientsaswell asgeneralaccountancypractice. Accountancypractice specialising incharityand based Chartered 8. 7. 6. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1. send [email protected]@scimednet.org. member wouldbeinterestedincoordinatingoneofthese, please but they were relativelyinactive.They are appended below. Ifany day. Ontheprevious website, we didhave onspecifictopics, forums Recently, this includes the Rome meeting and the Conscious Ageing available,are forums andthateachconferencehasitsownspace. whoareregisteredonthenew websiteMembers willknowthatthere are youinterested? Online Forums – Science andEsotericKnowledge Evolution Parapsychology andParanormal Science Holistic MedicineandHealing andQuantumPhysicsCosmology andResearch Subtle EnergiesTheory Philosophy ofScienceandReligion Transpersonal andConsciousnessStudies Psychology He is a director of, in, and taxpartner a Devon and aFellow oftheFederation ofTax Advisers. of PublicAccountants(Melbourne, Australia), Accountants,Financial a Fellow of the Institute of Treasurer. David isaFellow oftheInstitute has joinedtheSMNBoardandtaken therole We arepleasedtoannouncethatDavid Jaques David Jaques New BoardMember-- network news 33 his yearly visit www.scimednet.org Prof Ravi Ravindra during Ravindra Prof Ravi 2016/2 Review Network create a world create authority enough with government disarmament enforce alleviate and to abolish war, concludes: ‘in my ‘He disease and poverty. famine, literary held up universal peace within a works I’ve world new structure canthat hope of vision a as in a betteryounger generation to bring inspire the world the I’m grateful to for our grandchildren. work, body of for recognising my Gusi Foundation day philanthropic vision will one my that hope and the lives of all humankind.’ improve CLAUDIA NIELSEN – 0207 431 1177, [email protected] to the go read reports from other meetings, To the REPORTS page of the London Group page of in London but live If you don’t website. Network’s please drop wish to be advised of London events, theme an email and I shall add your e-address to circulation list. September of welcoming pleasure had the we month This again to the UK. Ravi is an honoraryto the UK. Ravi member of the Dalhousie at Emeritus Professor is SMN and he where Scotia, Nova Halifax, in University, served years as a professor in three for many Departments: Philosophy, Comparative Religion, the addressed he evening This Physics. and theme of Eternal Wisdom. LONDON GROUP www.youtube.com/watch?v=os4NrcAcwks www.nicholashagger.co.uk/nicholas-hagger-gusi-peace-prize-2016-for- literature-acceptance-speech. October who is amongst other things heard Charles Jencks, This month we scientist and historian. This evening an artist, landscape designer, The Universe as Artisthe presented the inspiration to his work, . understandingan that the Universe Plato, This idea goes back to as artist as immense and ugliness as well is the author of violence inspiration the is dimension its all in Nature harmony. and beauty and social which he describes as metaphysical for Charles’ work, pictures and what emerged the talk with many realism. He illustrated LOCAL GROUPS Considering that he was speaking to people interested in science and speaking to people interested Considering that he was startedscientists both all are Ravi we that out pointing by spirituality, striving to understand live. the world in which we and philosophers, tend to seek out and trust statements of the we said, Ravi As a rule, warybe should we of stressed, he leadersspiritual and scientific but, accepting such accounts as ultimate truth. Especially when it comes he suggested to understanding fundamental questions of meaning, “truth” the find to need ourselves. within Eternal we that Wisdom intellectual it is not rational, experience internally, is something we an extension think, may as we knowledge. The word eternal is not, he to time. As an example, it is at right angle says, of time. Ravi does love but marriageout that pointed time, in extension an has intersectsnot. Love marriage and other relationships at different or The eternaltime. in extension has no it but timeless. is all times, at the mind. It is through direct Eternal Wisdom cannot be grasped by see this wisdom expressed learn about it. We experience that we and different cultures will express music, painting, through poetry, which language etc., philosophy, it differently according to the history, constitute their cultural framework. The object of Eternal Wisdom is spiritual mystery and this is which is rather than universal, experienced at an individual level, referringwhen solution at aim to we Whereas science. of level the cannot be solved - the right spiritual mysteries scientific mysteries, word is dissolved. The path for this dissolution is spiritual practice of consciousness. There different which helps us to enter other levels operate and in order to understand those and see things of spirit laws need to undergo a radical internal transformation.we The aim of this transformationrepeatedly is to obtain freedom from ourselves. Ravi find it out for yourselves what I say, stressed the point: do not believe focusing the attention on your inner world and listening to the quietby voice within!

Future-fit business is aboutis business Future-fit www.ffla.co Giles Hutchins – Future Fit Leadership Academy Pioneering research shows us that today’s leadershipmainstream organisational and approaches are no longer fit- development for-purpose.brings FitFuture The Academy expertsbest-in-class way a unique in together norm’ ‘new leadershipfor bespoke support, It is good news when the latest developments in latest developments when the It is good news in neuroscience and self-care are disseminated Supported a grant by a clear and accessible way. William Bloom – to Support Website New Carers Uses the Latest in Neuroscience and Self-Care Hyperscanning, the recording of the EEG of two the recording of the EEG of two Hyperscanning, will be the main method people at the same time of gathering information. be This EEG data will analysis (PSI) index slope phase to subjected causative coupling.to show the degree of Alain – Fenwick Dr Peter Study on Research Hyperscanning Nicholas was awarded this prize in the Phillipines. He has written awarded Nicholas was literary a in books 40 over years. 60 spanning his career used He a plea for a democratic world state – notacceptance speech to make thinking could Order – ‘Such new World in the New the kind envisaged Nicholas Hagger – Prize for Literature 2016 Gusi Peace MEMBERS’ NEWS MEMBERS’ facilitation, exploration and implementation for organisations serious organisations for implementation and exploration facilitation, becoming future-fit. Visitabout creating the conditions conducive for ourselves and our organisations road the on wheels the keeping while life-affirmingin flourish to ways in these challenging times. from Awards for All, the Spiritual Companions Trust led by Member Member led by Companions Trust the Spiritual for All, from Awards video website. William Bloom has just launched a new EveryoneCares.com is dedicated to supporting the eight million plus family and volunteer carers in the UK. professional, It hosts fifteen short videos and their core message is twofold. First, into other are hardwired that the instinct and skills to care for each and easy that there are straightforward our mammalian DNA. Second, strategies that work neural and endocrinal systems to through our and general health. wellbeing boost our strength, William asks that members of the Network to the bring the website in caring. know who is involved they attention of anyone http://everyonecares.com Forget, who can transfer light, will be studied with a student who will be studied with a student who who can transfer light, Forget, the channels of possible informationcan “see” the light and transfer cues will movement visual and eye Facial, them investigated. between changes relating to arousal all be measured. Other general bodily heart be will respiratoryand rate GSR, recorded; be also will rate, set of the teacher and student is importantanalysed. The mental giving and receiving/not receiving stimulus so a pairwise giving/not Subjective reportsprotocol will be used. after each will be collected will allow the subjective effects of session. The design of the study from that of the energythe “light” to be separated and transmission social media face time and video studies. through distances, over A fundamental part cerebral of the study is the question of new process. the light giving during – generated – gamma activity rhythms it accurately and This will require EEG source modelling to localize identification The subject. the of MRI the on foci or focus the placing will allow us to explore how this of which brain structures are involved activity relates to activity in other parts will of the same brain. We models ‘non-local’ necessary, if and local, data to the to fit attempt anticipate that our effortof the underlying processes. We will provide important and potentially insights about this novel new mode of humans. information transfer between network news www.scimednet.org 27 heldon ofthemeetingScientificandMedicalNetwork Report SYDNEY GROUP –JEAN INGMAN www.atheistspirituality.net. and mentionedthathisfullideasareavailable onhiswebsite on whoselistofvalueshedeveloped hisownthoughtsonthesubject, achievement. GeoffquotedAndréComte-Sponville asthephilosopher ratherthan spiritual parameterofmeaninginlifeasinterpretation ofthe andexplainedhisunderstanding its beautyandhorror adequate hypothesis, pointedoutthemoralambiguityofnaturewith human spiritualnature.Hecritiquedtheuseofphysicalism asan of fortheunderstanding naturalism andmeaningasparameters towards aninclusivespirituality,In hiswork Geoffexploredemergence, ofNatureortheCosmos,part manifesting inhumannature. subjective componentofhumannature, orwhetheritisobjective, a isa onwhethervirtue between people.Heofferednocertainty astheconnection intrinsic tohumannatureandcanbeunderstood and encouraged.God, hesays, is isexogenous andconversely virtue such askindnessandgenerosity, canbemeaningfullydiscussed social, political, etc., wherevirtue, noforum butthereiscurrently He pointedoutthatweinvariouscontexts, seetheworld economy, iswheretheistandatheistspiritualitymeet. Virtue which isvirtue. of religion.Itisbasedonsomethinghemaintainswe canallshare, to bridge thereductionism ofsecular atheism and the remoteness had mystical experiences, i.e.themajorityof the population.Itaims the majorityofpeoplewhohave withreligionorhave notruck never This fact inspired him to develop a modeldesigned to beuseful for few peoplehave experiencesofthatnature. points outthatonlyvery acknowledges therelevance ofreligiousandmystical experiences, but asmyth. theBiblevaluableifunderstood He religion andconsiders by positioninghimself,Geoff started statingthathedoesnotdismiss in Symbiosis. of An Enlightened Philosophy: Can and Atheist Believe Anything? and Atheist Spirituality, thetitleofthisevening’s talk.He istheauthorof Anglican Church, developed amodelofspiritualitywhichhecalls and who, followingare-evaluation ofhisrelationshipwiththe corporations, withinternational working career inbusinessstrategy The November presentation was givenby November widebreadthofknowledge. of topicswithinCharles’ onavariety followed by mostinterestingquestionsandobservations atall’,meaning, isnoart hesays! Itwas afascinatingpresentation, meaning makingbeings, whichdoesnotcommunicate andany art as symbolicandenigmatic, ‘We abounds withmeaning. humansare which,wonderful garden aroundthetheme of themultiverse aswell but alsopolluted.Afterdueclearingandcleaning, createda Charles coalcompany.belonged toabankrupt Theareawas notonlydesolated This was acommissionby theDuke ofBuccleuchonasitewhich istheCrawick inScotland. His mostrecentwork multiverse of pictures. Many of his creations reflect scientific principles. his landscapeswhichheshowed usinawonderfulsequence in explained the symbolism and meaningCharles portrayed other countries. Maggie, andwhichnowhasmorethan20centresinBritain Maggie Cancer Centres, in1995 with his late wife which he started istheforcebehind Charles but hedoesnotacceptcensorship. no lessthan6times!Hesays thathedoesnotmindbeingcritiqued, whichwasof hisworks broken by ananonymous person disgruntled more robustmaterialhadtobeusedreplaceanelementinone meaningful, itisalsopolemical, ashighlightedby thefactthata enigmatic icons, architecture.Aswell asignatureofpost-modern as architects amongstotherplaces, inLasVegas. includes Hiswork for aestheticsandheillustratedthisshowingbuildingsby famous architecturewhichtendstodismissmeaning,of modern andgosolely science, cosmology, philosophy, as well as psychology. He is critical humanity asoneoftheeyes oftheUniverse, inhisworks heportrays onewas adepthofmeaningandsymbolism.Takingin eachandevery 34 the Guringailanguage groupoftheGarigalAboriginal Clan. the newest ancientmedical treatments.Heopenedby acknowledging speaker was The explanationoftheScientificandMedical Network. giving ashort and themeetingby welcoming everyone apologies. Jeanstarted The meetingwas attended by 14peopleandtherewere two A ManagerialPhilosophy ofTechnology: Technology andHumanity th August2016. Network Review2016/3 ,Patrick Bradbury who talked about Mindfulness, one of Geoff Crocker, who has a

lively discussionensued. outlined theprinciplesregarding MomentarinessandContinuity. A relations andtranslatingthemintolinear, causalseries.Lindsay apparent subject/object relations or apparent substance/quality tool forrefusingaseparateselfbutalsoasmethodofdenying notonlyasa (real &causalvsunrealconceptual)whichserves andhisexclusivedichotomy andthe‘DisproofofSelf’ Abhidharma on todiscuss theMajorArgumentsfromTreasury ofthe (Hindu)positions.He wentargues withnon-Buddhist, Orthodox who composedmany onthemainBuddhistschoolsandalso works He then talked about Vasubandhu, Buddhist philosopher anearly Lindsay began by quotingthesongby NeilDiamond, “Iam..Isaid”. Beyond Duality-Towards Transformation. Aberdeen. Hugh recently completedhistrainingto becomeaSound November, HughCameron, amusicianattheCamphillSchoolin Ten gatheredtolistenourspeaker localgroupmembers in With HughCameron The HealingPower ofSound GRAMPIAN GROUP -NICOLAMILLER At themeetingonNovember 26 present. We interestingafternoon. thanked Patrick foravery As usualthemeetingcontinuedwithanimateddiscussionamongstall well asthebody. healthier andtoslowtheagingprocess.Itcanaffectmindas lead betterlivesamongotherthingsandhelpsustobehappier help peoplewithdepression, canhelpathletes, thoseinprison to how mindfulness and meditation can change the brain, how it can fromtheCatalystprogrammewhichshowed interesting documentary We thenbroke teawhichwas forafternoon followed by avery how of catastrophe the old followed can be the destruction by renewal. then followed onmindfulness, meditation, thepower ofthemindand the present), trust, non-striving, acceptanceandlettinggo.Discussion which were, non-judging, patience, mind(therichnessof beginners Patrick talked aboutseven features/characteristicsofmindfulness of theheadwhichhelpedustorelax. was tothetop afullbodyscanfromthetipsoftoesandfingers abdominal breathingwhichstillsthemonkey mind, andthesecond We then embarked on two mindfulness exercises, was the first choose tobehealthy. We decideaboutourhealthandwellbeing andshouldallmindfully failure.Mindpower! afterfromheart seriously illthatshediedshortly the seniorphysician, whocouldnotbecontacted, hadsaidshewas meant by TSwas Tricuspid Stenosisbuttheladywas soconvinced had aTerminal explainedthatwhatwas Situation!Thetraineedoctors when asked whatwas wrongshesaidthatthesurgeonhad left. Thepatientsuddenlychangedandbecameunwell andstressed, patients venerated, cameinandsaidthispatienthasTSthen well. Thesurgeon,examining apatientwhowas doingvery whothe fromthebookwhereagroupoftraineecardiologistswere a story stress, and how the power of the mind affects us all. He related Zinn, which covers the subject of how mindfulness helps reduce Patrick talked aboutabook, FullCatastropheLivingby Dr. JonKabat- sultana. Thesewere powerful exercises. of allthepeopleandprocessesinvolved intheproductionof The secondsultanawe were asked tochew slowlywhilstthinking it whileallthetimebeingmindfulabouttexture, tastefeelingetc. our teethandthenintomouthsslowlycarefullychewed it carefully, thentodescribewhatwe saw. We thenputit between sultanaheaskeddemonstrate mindfulness.Thefirst usto look at Patrick asked us all to take two sultanas, which he used to lead betterlives. thousands of people affected by illness, both patients and carers, to in itforme?”Resultshave shownthatmindfulnesshashelped helpful.Thequestionarises,very “Why practisemindfulness?What’s hasfound thepracticeofmindfulness onthecourse since embarking and for cancer patients and their carers to a mindfulness course of medical problems. Whilst at the hospital he was introduced buthebecameawareyears of“Mindfulness”followinga couple He explainedthathehadbeeninterestedinmeditationformany he was having lunchinarestaurant. of timesandalsowatching intohisvehicleas assomeonereversed mindfulness onthejourney tothemeeting, having beenlostacouple by recountinghowhehadneededtopractisePatrick started who youareandwhereare. What does mindfulness mean? Awareness and acceptance, accepting th , Lindsay Mell spoke on thetopic

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35 www.scimednet.org Steve Jobs (1955 - 2011) Jobs Steve Network Review 2016/3 Review Network Looking out upon the global village surrounding us, Don remarked remarked Don village surrounding the global out upon Looking us, world the still of ignorance, are still in the depths that most to egoic thinking. economic system, The whole by being dominated to live must find ways and we on greed, is based give an example, more harmoniously. of noted the experiments Don science, physical-world Still within light light. Indeed, living cells produce that all revealed which Popp, another in Maybe, communication. of means world’s physical the is and for love, the spiritual energy of light is the carrier wave analogy, being a human are the receivers. Jesus was world, in the physical we, he could embody to a stage where evolved with a consciousness that love. “If some underlying Bernard realm of Haisch asked Astrophysicist reality holding up our universelight is the fundamental does how the universe Relativity of space and time appear to a beam of light? theory clear: is see at the speed of light you would if you could move point and all time collapse to an instant. all space shrink to a single of light itself there is neither space nor So in the reference frame Testament gives an insight into what the New time. This realisation refers to as eternal or everlasting life. It is perhaps better termed there is no time or is that spiritual viewpoint ‘timeless life’. So the space but only oneness. spirituality are is that science and religion or The popular view but at the cutting edge of science there is as much mystery opposed, is a case in point: as in religious thought. Consciousness itself get a handle on it at all. scientists can’t Don Another area of science is currently seeing a lot of input, is a residual field said. Even at absolute zero temperature there physics. any by of quantum fluctuation which cannot be eliminated but for some time suggesting this, were realms of study Various together the various threads. Eventually it nobody tried to draw seemed that an energy should all reality in the background of source Field. and it is now known as the Zero Point May be acknowledged, and assert the shade of Plato here, his invoke the local convener articles unpublished in us, told Don fact, In relevance? resurgent an inexhaustible have one day may journals suggest we physics top energy supply from the fundamental field. that microtubules are an One of those areas of research revealed ‘internet global coherence of light throughout of the body’. There is a Both short term and long term memorythe body. are not in the the brain being merely the reader Field, brain but in the Zero Point and Don finished his talk with the remark of these external records, is currentlythat it seems to him that spiritual illumination pouring ideas are everywhere. minds. New into our planet through many but the is exempt, which no-one confusion from chaos and There is a new world from the dualism of bad and good towards is moving of wholeness. One of the signs is the trend towards era of oneness, offered mindfulness lessons meditation practice. One friend of Don’s to teach her course at the allowed to a local school. She was with an amazing response from the school troublemakers school, prominent among her students. Our vision of earth’s who were future will be realised through the holding of the mind steady in the light of the soul. as yet, has, Wales and West here in Lampeter The local convener some will materialise before planned for 2017. Perhaps no events the Spring. CAMBRIDGE GROUP – RICHARD MICHELL CAMBRIDGE GROUP aspects of moral philosophy, Michael Langford introduced some key over had have beings human that difficulties real the illustrated which the centuries in trying a sound basis for ethical thought and to find through Aristotle, and Plato from thread a fascinating spun He action. J.S Mill to Bentham, St. Augustine and Thomas Aquinas to Jeremy the confused contemporary picture. This is clearly a fearsomely the ability to find and yet vitally importantinvolved topic: after all, corresponding or indeed develop instincts, tenable ethical guidelines, of individuals and societies. The tells us much about the evolution monolithic monism and ensuing discussion brought in Spinoza’s touched upon the patterns of similar striving underlying the major religious traditions and secular humanistic views.

’’

Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living – which by dogma be trapped Don’t life. waste it living someone else’s don’t time is limited, so Your “ WEST WALES GROUP – ERIC FRANKLIN GROUP WEST WALES to us around the subject Don MacGregor spoke Rev On 1 November and here at He often thinks in analogies, of light and spirituality. this wide-ranging not a centre of science but of humanities, Lampeter, very which included a few approach was to his audience, appropriate Don students and about a score of hearers of mature years. Light, for both spirituality and science. He quoted the is fundamental said, first truth, chapter of our Bible as a description not of physical-world truth metaphorical of but divine a is see The Universeus. for we which of nature by do indeed discern laws emanation. Around us we no no space, the Universe operates. Before the Big Bang there was a thought that there was should say but perhaps we no things, time, a poetic have in the divine mind. In that first chapter of Genesis we infer that all it and we description of a creation with a mind behind are told see has emanated from another plane of existence. We we and in our current scientific the first created essence, that light was that are including the wavelengths indeed light energy, paradigm it is that is fundamental. Everything to us, is energy. invisible We light. frozen is said, he matter, All well. it put Bohm David extremely dense light. It is being, in our physical are ourselves, is, sense, metaphysical unsurprising metaphorical, a in light that and is used as its symbol. fundamental to spirituality, similarly, - described his Jesus - some of us would give his name as Yahshua as the Light embodied in himself, own theological understanding, refer to God from all the traditions, All religious texts, of the World. and Don pointed out the close correspondence between as light, “I am come that you says light. Jesus understanding and physical mean? all this does What abundance”. in light and life have may in a variety of analogies. Rainbows only Don described his own view feel the pains of life as we and rain: light both is there appearwhen but others joyful, perhaps, Some colours as the joys. seem sad, well it is the whole of life that is imbued with the divine. Returning per cent of us that about seventy to science Don reminded universethe darkof composed be to thought now is darkand matter of the Universe but 95 percent galaxies, can see myriad We energy. questions the fundamental similarly, register at all. And, can’t we our knowledge. concerning beyond our own consciousness also seem Healing Practitioner with the College of Sound Healing. College of with the Practitioner Healing of A number training. during his On volunteers, as willing him, us had assisted more about the to find out keen were we completion, his successful of sound. healing power sound healing is the Healing, the College of Sound According to of a frequencies to the body/mind application of sound therapeutic person harmony them into a state of intention of bringing with the to demonstrate some basic aim in his talk was and health. Hugh’s principles concerning how voice and musical instruments could be by with the help of a monochord, He began, used therapeutically. of and the association harmonics, intervals, talking about octaves, Hugh this, with different harmonics. sounds Following different vowel some finding it easier a vocal toning exercise, then guided us through than othersto hear the harmonics the changing that accompanied sounds. vowel voice his uses he how us showed then he volunteer, a of help the With sensitive to changes talking of the need to be to scan a human body, each partin his voice as he scans of loudness of the body; changes for example. At the end sounds themselves, or changes of the vowel treated to a very were of the talk we relaxing experience (lying or use a variety of instrumentsthat he may sitting) while Hugh played a pan marimbas, during a sound healing session. These included and violin. He brought with him a broad psaltery, didgeridoo, drum, to find to be of interest to those wanting selection of books likely those all offered and sound of use therapeutic the about more out two local group note, present a free 1:1 taster session. And on a final one members came to the session feeling more than a little jaded, home feeling verywith a headache. Both went much better than they had arrived—and the headache had gone! had when they please visit: to find out more, those wanting For www.collegeofsoundhealing.co.uk www.hughc.yolasite.com withthe results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice. out your own inner voice. opinions drown let the noise of other’s Don’t thinking. of other people’s withthe results know what you some how already They intuition. to follow your heart and And most important, have the courage truly want. Everything else is secondary network news www.scimednet.org 36 ih seil mhss n h eprec o te huh of thought the of experience the on awakening (bodhicitta) andthe cultivation ofvirtues(pāramitā). emphasis special a with with the spiritual practice of the aspirant to awakening (bodhisattva) The Bodhicaryāvatāra (BCA) is a relatively short Buddhist text dealing Francis Brassard(10pp.) Śāntideva’s Bodhicaryāvatāra PHILOSOPHY/SPIRITUALITY Alexander Vonlanthen isthe SwissJoaodeDeus. Reinhold Ritter(2pp.) Alexander Vonlanthen ofthe healing medium The SourceofHealing:work Number 10, 2015, pp.593–597 MedicineVolume andComplementary 21,of Alternative Peter J.Mansfield, MA, MB, BChir(6pp., fromTheJournal Health: TheNo-Man’s-Land Between Physics and Biology pp. 583–585) MedicineVolumeand Complementary 21, Number10, 2015, James L.Oschman, PhD(3pp., ofAlternative fromTheJournal Good Healthkeeping Makes Sense:ButisAnyone Interested? and StrannikLightTherapyofTherapy). (aunique form Scanning(amedicalscreeningtechnology) elements: StrannikVirtual medicine. Itcomprises two basic completely unprecedented in modern brain integratestheflowofpathologicaldatafromviscera.Thisis onset, and (iii) aunified, ofhowthehuman multi-level understanding relationship between brainfunction, colourperceptionandpathological of(i)whatthebraindoesandhowitit,an understanding (ii)the European Commission’s EUR1.2BNfundedHumanBrainProjectfor The Strannik Technology meets the key aimsand objectives ofthe Graham Ewing(10pp.) Strannik MEDICINE/HEALTH Pier LuigiLuisi(7pp.fromWSIInternational) Why isLifeCellular? Chris Thomson(10pp.) Science oftheWhole-IntegratingMatterandSpirit thinking epigenetically, we shouldcheckwhatphysics cantellus. Nowthatwe areatlast genes toaccounteventually foreverything. been blind to thecausationof organic form, untilrecentlytrusting whatmakesno nearertounderstanding ushomosapiens.We have haveManifold advancesingeneticsthepast60years broughtus Dr Peter MansfieldMAMBBChir(Cantab)(6pp.) The Emperor’s New Genes oftheuniverse. history the leapsthatmark rhythm intheemergenceofevolutionary precisespiral reveals theexistenceofavery surprisingly This article (50pp.) Jose DiazFiaxat Beyond Darwin Endophysics, Time, QuantumandtheSubjective;547-566 Vasileios Basios(20pp., fromR.Buccherietal.(eds.); (Pre)Epistemology Encountering Complexity: the Need for a Self-Reflecting Vasileios Basios(15pp.) Complexity, Interdependence&Objectification Fritjof Capra(5pp.fromResurgence) Imagination Werner Heisenberg - Explorer ofthe Limits of Human SCIENCE Available fromtheeditororthroughlinks–[email protected] ARTICLES OFINTEREST MEMBERS ARTICLESAND Network Review2016/3 July/August 2015|112:4|275 Eben AlexanderIII, MD(8pp., fromMissouriMedicine| Near-Death Experiences-TheLastWord Eben AlexanderIII, MD(8pp.fromMissouriMedicine) Nature ofReality Near-Death Experiences, TheMind-BodyDebate, and the Science, Volume 1Issue3-October2016) A KMukhopadhyay andBehavioural (12pp.fromPyschology Molecular Links Systems Psyche: Science, Volume 1Issue3-September2016) A KMukhopadhyay andBehavioural (5pp.fromPsychology Complex Inter-phaseinbetween: From toScience Narrative Systems-bound andSystems-independentConsciousness Hint-It-s-Not-Your-6791280.php http://www.sfgate.com/opinion/chopra/article/Who-Controls-Your-Mind- consciousness (6pp.fromSanFrancisco Chronicle) Deepak ChopraonAKMukhopadhyay’s supracortical Who ControlsYour Mind?(Hint:It’s NotYour Brain) PSYCHOLOGY/CONSCIOUSNESS STUDIES 2011, 15(3):13–32) of Futures Studies, (20 pp. from Journal Hardin Tibbs March Changing CulturalValues andtheTransition toSustainability Paul Hague, November 2016(12pp.) oftheUniverse The OriginandPurpose Paul Hague(3pp.) andScienceofPanosophyIntroduction totheArt flow.and theself,versus evolution, changelessnessversus andeternal change themany,spiritual traditions:theoneversus whatonemightcall‘no-self’ Looks atthreeproblemsthatareofteneitherimplicitorexplicitinmany Younghusband Lecture-DrIainMcGilchrist(18 pp.) Pier LuigiLuisi(7pp.fromWSIInternational) Science andSpirituality:theNeedforComplementarity Ian was amember andpioneerofTranspersonal Psychology. (8pp.) Ian Gordon-Brown–Interview Newsletter 79) Auckland, Oct.2016(3pp., fromTheosophy/Science Group Richard Silberstein, talkto ScienceandSpiritualitySeminar, Has ScienceDiscovered the‘ethericbody’? Dr. BarbaraMango(6pp.) Non-Local ConsciousnessandtheNear-deathExperience Steve Minett(3pp.) reviewReviewed by inthelastissue–afurther The AncientOriginsofConsciousness Paper No.2006-1) McCreery,Charles DPhil(36pp., OxfordForum Philosophical Perception andHallucination -TheCaseforContinuity No. 4, pp.601–620, 2015) ofScientificExploration,Etzel Cardeña(fromJournal Vol. 29, 21st Century The UnbearableFear ofPsi:onScientificSuppressioninthe andSpirituality) Psychology (14pp., E.Schwartz 14pp,Gary fromOxfordHandbookof Empirical andExperientialApproach Consciousness, Spirituality, andPost-materialist Science:an Mauro BergonziandPierLuigiLuisi(11pp.) The ConsciousnessofSpace, theSpaceofConsciousness totally different, and, inmany ways, theoppositeofdreamcontent. power andtransformative ofNDEsare The phenomenologicalproperties its Structure, OperationandPossible

network news 37 www.scimednet.org Network Review 2016/3 Review Network The Psi Encyclopedia is a new collection of articles collection of is a new The Psi Encyclopedia and case of psychic the scientific investigation studies about psi research, more reliable information much than phenomena. It provides The guerrilla skeptics. by over taken been has which Wikipedia, largely thanks to the generosity of Nigel Psi Encyclopedia exists Psychical for Society to the money of sum a willed who Buckmaster, Research with instructions works to publish the that would make for psi and survivalevidence better known. Buckmaster phenomena in their the subject after he and his sister, became interested in anomalous experienced synchronous separate homes in London, of the death of their mother in 1966. experiences at the time of Psychic Phenomena Scientific Investigation Psi Encyclopedia | The contemplative centre a new Bonnevaux: the to make and meditation retreat to help world more peaceful. for Christian Meditation Community the World In the past 20 years, builds meditation that shown have outreach, its secular Meditatio, and is an inspirational opportunity home, its new Bonnevaux, community. this work to the next stage. Contemplative centres through to take servedhistory always as places of peace and reconciliation. A have thousand years ago a Benedictine monastery built in Bonnevaux, was are going to On these ancient foundations we in France. near Poitiers for the 21st century. a contemplative centre develop will contribute to the peace-building and mutual Bonnevaux As a meditation understanding in our world so much needed now. to all yet open and the Christian tradition deep in roots with its centre people for meditation of potential the show will it spirit, inclusive an in heal divided beliefs and backgrounds to unify minds and of all ages, hearts. Bonnevaux With its focus on a simple and universal teaching, Christian life and also will deepen the contemplative dimension of bring the fruits other religious or secular of meditation to people of will be shaped to address beliefs. A wide range of retreats and events the needs of participants diverse from cultures. site which still retains parts is a beautiful Bonnevaux the original of with a spirit of monastery It is an ideal space, built there in 1119. for a contemplative retreat centre attuned deep peace and beauty, project can and building to the needs of our time. A main renovation give birth to this vision. more information visit http://bonnevauxwccm.org/ For NEWS AND NOTICES NEWS AND PSI Encyclopedia: New Research for Psychical Society

Engaging Proactively with the Risk of World Misleadership Engaging Proactively with the Risk of World vs Clinton and the potential of carpe diem in the Trump democratic process? https://www.laetusinpraesens.org/musings/avoiding.php Elitist Groupthink? Radical Disaffection Engendered by the Forces Democratic rehearsal battle between of the final of Light and Darkness https://www.laetusinpraesens.org/musings/reframe.php Engaging an Opposing Ideology via Martial Arts Philosophy and Jihadism as Reframing the challenge of Trump worthy opponents https://www.laetusinpraesens.org/docs10s/martarts.php Scheme as a Ponzi of Truth Global Economy implication in globalization? cognitive Personal https://www.laetusinpraesens.org/docs10s/ponzi.php Global Challenge of the Global Challenge In-quest of a decision-making framework appropriate to a world in crisis? https://www.laetusinpraesens.org/docs10s/challeng.php ONLINE ARTICLES JUDGE ANTHONY FROM her paintings. Decribes Degard’s new philosophy of art philosophy new with illustrations from Decribes Degard’s Symmathesy -- A Word in Progress: Proposing a New Word Word a New Progress: Proposing in -- A Word Symmathesy that Refers to Living Systems book below) of her review (22 pp. – see my Nora Bateson Paper Conscious Ageing White (ed) – summary Lorimer David conference. from 19 November to Conscious Ageing Introduction A Mystic’s pp.) John C Robinson (5 Aethericism Degard (26 pp.) GENERAL will the next Where 200 Memes and Agents-of-Change: 2017 TOP thought- 500 (12 pp.) – a ATCA come from? From DISRUPTION list! provoking book reviews www.scimednet.org 38 I metDavid Skribinaatthe80 science science-philosophy of concepts of techne background, goingback totheGreek extensive historical and philosophical of the book provides an part The first traditional metaphysics.’ facts alone, itisladenwithelementsof specific endsofhumanlife.Bythese related tospecificsocialidealsand ideaofprogress…. andalso certain ideaofnature, ofacertain ofa born isahistoricalphenomenon ‘technology wasas 1973, writingthat Henryk fact escapemetaphysics. Asfarback that wereminds readers cannot in and relativelyuncritical.However, he isitselftechnological about technology David points out that much thinking (genetics, nanotechnology, robotics). - here called GNRnanotechnology and the development of genetic and below, asthey relatetothesingularity in thebooksbriefunderscience technological books that I review It hasdirectrelevance forthevarious rather thanotherphilosophicalaspects. book onthemetaphysics oftechnology study. Amazingly, thisisalmostthefirst bold and philosophically revolutionary Henryk’s influenceisapparentinthis of Michigan,at the University and together inthephilosophy department in Poland -they hadbeencolleagues Skolimowski celebrations for Henryk and operatingas afundamental law of intelligence along the way (p. 202) higher levels oforder, complexity and driving evolution forward, creating the both humans and nature. In this context, forcepresentin asaworld technology pantechnikon – the Greeks already saw conceptisthatof theoverriding two.Animportant amalgam ofthefirst thattheworditselfisan observing a 5%commissiononallsalesifyoulogthroughourweb site! willreceivea10%commission.Inaddition,Amazon.co.uk andtheNetwork receives theNetwork web site(www.scimednet.org)Books inthissectioncanbepurchasedviatheNetwork from book reviews pantechnikon process is a universal – ISBN978-1-138240-0-25 Routledge 2016, 311pp., £34.99, p/b David Skrbina TECHNOLOGY THE METAPHYSICS OF David Lorimer Future Technology andthe Network Review2016/3 , logos and theos, th birthday birthday is technicaldamage, whichwe can see Man-made damagetotheenvironment end(p.236). becomes aself-serving thinking): technological advance nature (this also reflects mechanistic with little regardforhumanity or for thesake ofitsowndevelopment, havingfirst sacrificed human well-being development. David as seestechnology the consequences of technological The followingchapteraddresses thesis. refutations ofthedeterministic chapter discussesrepliestoand and organisationalprinciples.Afurther devices, butalsoprocedures, rules composed oftools, machinesand the technologicalsystemisnotonly Ellul andRoszak.David recallsthat implications, of especiallyinthework andits of technologicaldeterminism on toamoreextensivediscussion problem oftechnology. Thisleads people thinkingthereisnophilosophical speculates thatthismay bedueto from themid-1980s, andDavid few systematiccritiques there arevery his ecologicalcritique.Interestingly, and Illichthe70sSkolimowski with Aldous Huxley). The60sbringMumford (interestingly thereisnomentionof Whitehead, Spengler, EllulandOrwell critiques since1900includingVeblen, Thoreau, Nietzscheandmorerecent Rousseau, Kant, Goethe, Carlyle, classical critiquesfromAthensto andBorgmann.DavidJaspers covers thinkers includingHeidegger,German for oropponentsoftechnology, notably thinkers who have been proponents andotherof leadingphilosophers There isagreatdealofdiscussion the singularityexpect. Thisiswhatexponentsof self evolving. willbecomeselfmakingand technology - andthesecondautogenic, when dependence withoutcontrol anthropogenic-first and determinism, the technological development postulates two phases of aspect ofDavid’s thesis.He Here liesanalarming automation, thenautonomy. powerfully. we Atfirst have and imposingitselfever more pressing forward relentlessly expanding and evolving, an intrinsicintentionality, inexorable. Itseemstohave nature -bothautonomousand case we can’t catchupagain. and we darenotgooff-lineonholiday in throughput, thisinformation to service immediate. Ittakes anhourortwoaday and theexpectationthatreplies willbe overload burden ofconstant information a technological, psychological and time the oddtelephonecall.Now, we allcarry onceaday,arrived andonerespondedto had agreatdealmore time. Thepost life. Whenonelooksback30years, one improves ourqualityof which technology fundamental questionistheextentto health and exploding populations. A environmental destruction, declining signs ofdecay of allaroundinterms outstripped theirwisdom.David sees themselves whentheirtechnology such as Atlantis have in fact destroyed speculate that previous civilisations . Some people go so far as to Century by LordReesinhisbookOurFinal and are highlighted, among others, present over thepastfew decades themselves –variousthreatshave been technological societieswilldestroy David if it is inevitable wonders that and humandestiny. inthebook, Earlier The finalchapterdiscussestechnology hence dangerous. but ratherpowerful andindifferent, isevil,does notmeanthattechnology processes andmoralautonomy. This and eroding our critical thinking and psychological basis of our humanity attackingthemoral functions asavirus goes asfararguingthattechnology David surveillance. as almost universal ofcyberwarfare,crime interms aswell Thenwedisorders. have of new forms attention deficit, addictionandsleep within frontofscreenscorrelated is thepsychologicaloftoomuchtime examined inaseparatesection, as onhealthis technology information rates ofdepression.Theimpact cancer, obesityandrising to humanhealth, including numeracy. Finally, the risks on improving literacyand which hashadnoeffect of educationaltechnology, theeffects case considers term benefit.Thesecondterm planet for our own short- organic wholenessofthe fact done is disrupt thefact doneisdisrupt nature. What we have in that we can improve on is basedonourconviction all aroundusandwhich book reviews 39 www.scimednet.org also developed by by also developed this idea, which was which was this idea, explanatory of power many pointers to the pointers the to many argues in his book argues in his book are there Mind, One As Larry also Dossey world in the same way. world in the same way. manifested our existing manifested our existing we have dreamed and dreamed and have we so in order to dream it so in order to dream it into existence. After all, collectively choose to do to choose collectively for all of us but we must for all of us but we create a future that works imaginative power to to imaginative power having innumerable bodies. innumerable having collective the have We evolutionary biology. Quantum theory Quantum evolutionary biology. primacy the direction of the points in as yet but consciousness, of mind and arrivednot has our is it that idea the at reality. mind that is projecting own united in terms a tendency to think There is still ‘only Comella, minds. For of individual this dream into the mind can weave mathematically precisethe interlocking, (p. see out in the world.’ patterns we the imposes that mind the is It 173) begins andorder before the theorising are partscientists themselves of this continual creative process. Comella applies these ideas to the Next, evolutionary elements of Darwinian key definition Natural selection is by biology. but he argues that a mindless process, the argument is the second step in of a certainsimply a statement set of conditions (not an ordering mechanism) Here after the production of variety. enhanced his analysis he could have including the work of Lovelock by and Margulis that postulates a co- evolutionary organism between process through a complex and environment is it words, other In process. feedback imposing environment simply the not conditions on a passive organism. Once evolutionary biology its again, provides theorisingown mind component through uneasy about the was - Ernst Mayr use of the word selection as implying addition, intelligence. In kind of any Richard including by much theorising, is a thought experiment Dawkins, from the outcome orworking backwards result to postulate a plausible mindless mechanism. The last part explores the implications of the one shared universal mind for our collective future. hypothesis that a critical number of the extent To will future the arriveus insight, this at be transformed to one of peace and brotherhood. Comella is optimistic about this prospect on the basis of his do indeed share one that we conviction the inherent capacity mind and so have Walter to realise this. Interestingly, conclusion, identical an reaches Russell citing as a fundamental misconception separate minds that human bodies have and souls instead of the One-Mind Soul Network Review 2016/3 Review Network exactly the proposal of Walter Russell Russell of Walter the proposal exactly author does not books (the in his many that we work), of his aware seem to be a creative than rather creating in a live world creating of process the that and bothin identical is desire mind through the universal minds. individual and can understand through our this We or events of planning own experience or worksimagining and materialising of art. of mind is suggested The power but also not only through dreaming, synchronicity, through hallucinations, effect. placebo the and psychokinesis experiencefascinating a quotes Comella himself coming of Goethe when he saw himself on a horse in an towards to find himself on unfamiliar suit only eight yearsthe same path later wearing The mind has the suit he had seen. up multiple the capacity to conjure of which will only one possibilities, actually happen. central Comella’s In relation to science, and extremely significant point is that by postulating a mind independent world, no reality left itself has no mind, ‘physical and no means to organise itself purpose, into the mathematical harmonies that 79) This obliges (p. constitute nature.’ scientists to come up with theories to independent explain how a hypothetically world created itself from nothing. This creates a paradox: ‘material science then but matter, from mind separates which by proceeds to catalogue the laws this mindless matter organised itself to Matter is the limit of mathematical order. of nature are brilliant.’ dumb but the laws theory ‘the mind of God is that Comella’s is the origin of both the material world and the scientific theories that seek to (p. 79) operation.’ explain the world’s minds the God, of mind the Without theories to provide of scientists have assumptions, their with consistent in the case of multiverses and which, of violate the law worlds theory, many to attempt a desperate in parsimony postulating a universal mind. As avoid matter organising the author points out, itself into the symmetries of nature leads to a fine tuning problem and ultimately either to the multiverse or an which the intelligent force in the cosmos, premise of scientific materialism already if one assumes excludes. Moreover, that both matter and of nature are the laws then there is no given, need to explain what has been assumed. This all leads Comella to the conclusion that beyond must rise ‘we the misperception that world has anthe physical independent existence of the mind in order to a unified theoryachieve of the cosmos. (p. 142) the then examines He implications of his theory and for quantum physics reviewed reviewed Beyond Brief Peaks Philip Comella 379 pp., 2014, Rainbow Ridge Books, p/b – ISBN 978-1-937907-21-1 $19.95, David Lorimer David THE COLLAPSE OF MATERIALISM The Real Dream in No 118, p. 52. Instead, he proposes p. 52. Instead, in No 118, are the one a universal mind: we are dreaming the world. and we mind, the a philosophical point of view, From is thatinteresting implication of this view the charge of solipsism it overcomes against traditional forms levelled always of idealism. The postulate of a shared we universal mind can explain why project and perceive the same reality. Materialism assumes that our essence but our is a body rather than a mind, immediate experience is as a conscious creative mind that also has the capacity proposal Comella’s Hence to dream. that both our dreams and everyday the experience share a single source, mind. Sir James Jeans is famous for his remark that the world is beginning a great thought than look more like to and here he is quoted a great machine, that ‘creations of an individual as saying reasonably be called less mind may substantial than creations of a universal although arguably the same mind’, this is Interestingly, process is involved. The ideologyThe materialism scientific of but has not only dominates science, far-reaching implications for society leading 1930s, the since Yet, well. as asserted have the primacy physicists while our of mind and consciousness, understandinghas itself matter of been totally transformed. In this well Philip Comella lawyer argued book, issues a fundamental challenge to this assertingdominant worldview by that the assumption of a mind independent world as also proposed in Bernardo is flawed, Kastrup’s So do we have to accept an inexorable an inexorable to accept have we So do proposes future? David technological reconstruction creative of act an of retrenchment with a dramatic a contemporary the technosphere, global population reduction, substantial the of majority a of restoration the and to true land wilderness. He Earth’s path to a long- sees this as the only he although termfuture, sustainable will follow we that optimistic not is this, Against proposal. his on through are assured that technology not is we and it is the solution, the problem, to continue relentlessly must we that capabilities. In advance our technical this will expose us and the view, David’s rapidly peril: entire planet to increasing advancing technology will be combined quality of life. This with rapidly declining radical outlook certainly gives pause for thought and encourages readers a more critical stance towards to take technology and its alluring promises. book reviews www.scimednet.org 40 came uponawoman whosenamewas stripmall,magic shopinarun-down he his bicycle--searchingfora particular when --asascaredandlonely boy on life-changing moment manifested age. The fatefully magic from an early describes beingdrawn to thelureof and humiliation of extreme poverty, he Doubtless tohelpescapetheshame unsafe andunpredictablechildhood. most likely wouldhave resultedfroman Jim was that sparedfromfamilypatterns meeting whenhewas twelve old, years Thanks toaserendipitously“disruptive” Stanford —ofwhichheistheDirector ResearchandEducationat and Altruism CCARE —TheCenterforCompassion the heart,in2005JimDotyestablished To of neuralcorrelates studythosevery heartbeat.”move inrhythm withevery the brainisexposedyoucanseeit Touchingly, andtellingly, headds, “when Velcro tearingaway fromitssource.” ripped offaskull—like alargepieceof sound thescalpmakes whenit’s being a four-year-oldboy. “There’s acertain medulloblastoma -- from the brain of removal ofamalignanttumor-- difficult“detail the“excruciatingly however, beginby describinginsome parts, making an inspiring read. It does praised volumearedividedintothree ofthishighly- chapters The thirteen MD, FACS, FICS, FAANS. into the future James Doty,morphed magically failed grades--nevertheless resulting in truancy, violence, and suicidal mother--understandably alcoholic fatherandseverely depressed our times.Achildhoodshapedby an Magic Shop teaching ofmindfulness, Intothe memoir,Part confessional, part part medicine-health think again. into thisprobingbookwillmake readers seem plausible, the careful thought put sense and science make naive realism or philosophy. Eventhoughcommon ratherthanbiology and parapsychology emerge fromacombinationofphysics Comella suggestsismostlikely to of abreakthroughinthedirectionthat ago.Thebestchance hundred years the New Thought movement over a Feb 17) h/b - ISBN: 978-1-59463-298-3 (p/b Avery, New York, 2016, 288pp., $26, James R.DotyMD. Heart and theSecretsof Mysteries oftheBrain Quest toDiscover the — A Neurosurgeon’s INTO THEMAGIC SHOP Judith Asphar the Heart of The NeuralCorrelates Network Review2016/3 is a paradoxical story of is a paradoxical story

Mercedes too. Hooked by thespeedof Porsche, Range-Rover, Ferrari, BMW, and thePacificoverlooking Ocean–with alone in his 7,500 square-foot home private islandinNew Zealand, andliving father. Owner of avilla in Florence, a then divorcedand facing failureas a Stanford, amulti-millionaire, married, Chapter 9 —he is a neurosurgeon, at Fast and by forward to age forty-four costly mistakes ahead. would become, hadmany of moreyears arrogant, egotisticalneurosurgeonhe admission, thatthe hestillhadtolearn magic madehiminvincible. Byhisown he recounts, was hisbeliefthatRuth’s experience. Whatdiddiethatnight, acceptance ofanNDE—anear-death thetotal he hadexperiencedfirst-hand back tolifeby apin-pricktohisfoot, the pure white light of Love. Brought biography --drawn ever deeper into split-second, slow-motion, illuminated unforgettable blacknesstothetell-tale, above his body, he was moved through a patient.Watching from thesurgery abdominal injuries, thedoctorbecame Close to bleeding to death from almost themselvesintheprocess. into a tree, totaling the vehicle and an oldFord, they crashedheadlong a car-loadoffellowresidents.Piledinto -- hewas kicked outofastrip-clubwith alcohol, cocaine, and half-naked women abandoned hismindfulnesspracticefor hospital rounds--atatimewhenhe’d fateful. After grueling proved particularly all smoothsailing, though;onenight Medical CenterinBethesda, MD. Not at Walter Reed, theNational Military residencyandnineyears neurosurgery wasin New Orleans followed by a Tulane Medical School University in LA,Acceptance atUCIrvine and Porsche, andmansion. -- alongwiththeaccompanying Rolex, amilliondollars doctor andearning to evolve intodreamsofbecominga and attention, hislowlybeginningswere Ruth’s toolsofvisualization, intention, extricating himselfby incorporating Graduallyand collegetrainingyears. a challengethroughouthisschool plightwhichremained spell onhisearly followed “Ruth’s Magic,” itcastno onJimconscientiously Although early andClarifyingYourthe Heart; Intent. Relaxation; Taming theMind;Opening of thebookwith:Breathand They part wrapupthefirst that highlight“Ruth’s Tricks.” set offby gray-colored pages shop, are chapters fourearly daily visitstothemagic fromhisfaithfullearned gloss over pivotallessons To don’t besurereaders indelibly shapinghisworld. potential andended up prescience identified Jim’s An avatar for him, Ruth’s warp and weft ofhisstory. Ruth. Herinfluenceisthe machine learning, androbotics: intelligence,research involving artificial the cuttingedgeofcompassion in adistinguishedpaneladdressing March 2016, which of EdinburghhostedatStanford in collaborative event withtheUniversity MercerinGlasgow and aStewart Not least, in 2014 with CARE’s Dr. programs. and certification and itsfar-reachingresearch, courses, the establishmentofStanford’s CCARE contribution toa substantial personal endeavor, HisHolinesschosetomake impressed by Jim’s groundbreaking the SchoolofMedicine, anddeeply the DalaiLama.Afterspeakingat a now a close relationship -- with profoundly throughameeting--and of his field of influence. It grew most instinct” becomesthecoremission definition of compassion as “an innate eyes ofaneuroscientist, theDoty magic toothers.” Now through the Ruth asked metodo, toteachher started, withthe“way ofdoingwhat Into theMagicShopendswhereit Kindness andonceagain…Love. Gratitude; Humility; Integrity; Justice; Dignity; Equanimity; Forgiveness; Compassion;intention incorporating: theday with powerful reminder tostart one amnemonic—CDEFGHIJKL lesson. This a further practice offers and Stanford, Jim’s deepeningpersonal andresearchinbothNew Orleans work and recommitted to his neurological Happily remarried, withanew family, for this entrepreneurial physician. longings proved tobemostmeaningful andlove’sand theheart greatest on the unified intelligence of the mind near-death experience, hisreflections and there. But, prompted by his own descriptions ofsurgeriesappearhere occasional --somewhat graphic-- increasingly revealed andunderstood, of brainfunctionsasthey became Peppered withapplicabledefinitions happiness ifgivenaway. by itwouldonlybring understanding wealth to fund his future philanthropy crash. Somehow, heregainedenough — embroiledhiminthedot-com companyedge radiationoncology His rescueofAccuray —acutting- -- hadwonandlosttensofmillions. invented abrainmonitoring electrode — whohadincidentally Silicon Valley start-ups, his one-night-stands with namelesswomen were punctuated through thewee-small hours byhours checkingthe markets andwatching his fortune fluctuate. his fortune Unimpeded by having no backgroundin business, “oneof the most successful Orange County” neurosurgeons in “will culminate pharmaceutical approachestohealthpharmaceutical between naturopathic and allopathicor tensionexample oftheunderlying therapies isahighlypoliticised conventional andcomplementary The debateaboutcancer between beforeit’sourselves toolate! ones atSciMedcansave usfrom each other?!Hopingthatallyouwise blameat in the process busily hurling over the cliff,(and life on Earth) and, humanity that aresoswiftlyhurtling shapes theseoff-kilterbrainsofours lack -- has on anything! Mostly how it effect thatlove -- ormorecommonly, its entities. Endlesslycuriousaboutthe environmental & renewable energy Hudson Valley Hospice; plus various Science ofHumanConnection; Jung Foundation, NY;SuzanneZeedyk’s Sciences; TheOmegaInstitute;CG Friends oftheInstituteNoeticfor: Healthy Livingmagazine.Volunteered environmental) magazine intheUSA.Afounding (and andResurgenceMedicine Network; York TheBiological OpenCenter; of LauraAshley N.A.;TheNew of SciMedNet — was a: PR Director Judith Asphar—newly, agreatfan http://intothemagicshop.com http://www.caremeasure.org the-university-of-edinburgh/ thinking-from-stanford-university-and- perspectives-on-compassion-new- http://ccare.stanford.edu/events/ empathy, thearts, andsocialchange. onaprojectinvolving working currently Studies atStanfordUniversity, whois Religious LifeandProfessorof the Rev. Professor Jane Shaw, Dean for can adapt themselves to people, and focuses onbuildingmachineswhich ofEdinburgh,the University whosework Oberlander, ProfessorofEpistemicsat include Jondistinguished scholars and10books.Other over 100articles intelligencein andartificial learning who hasexploredcomputer-based of Edinburgh,The Principal of University be anchoredby SirTimothy O’Shea, Nightmare, orSolution? This panel will The CompassionateRobot:Myth, given, p/b- ISBN –978-1-5262-00327-5 ZeroSumGame, 2016, 309pp., noprice (www.yestolife.org.uk) contributors and 37expert Patricia Peat REVOLUTION THE CANCER p/b –ISBN978-1-78180-761-3 Hay House, 2016, 318pp., £14.99, (www.thetruthaboutcancer.com) Ty M.Bollinger ABOUT CANCER THE TRUTH David Lorimer Cancer Monopoly? Beyond the editor of Hearst’s book reviews 41 www.scimednet.org case for integrating case for integrating complementary approaches into the treatment, overall but that in itself completely cannot political resolve the the tension between approaches outlined since one is above fundamentally about the management of disease symptoms the other the and promotion of health and a resilient immune system. extrapolation from the case histories, histories, case the from extrapolation preventive the overall though even valid. The be generally may strategies is that of his argument bottom line not be a death sentence, cancer need do may therapies that conventional and that there more harm than good, to consider. other avenues are many an takes The Cancer Revolution and less altogether more measured referring early confrontational stance, reflecting on to integrative oncology, integrative overall the role that an of range a within play can approach Peat Patricia possible treatments. as an oncological has a background to notice the benefit and began nurse, patients through to some of her alternativeadopting is modalities. She the patient passionate about putting in charge of the treatment process. The strength of this book lies in the expertisecontributors37 other the of is It skill. editorial Patricia’s as well as although primarily aimed at patients, carers benefit also can families and enormously from the content. Readers are given advice according to the stage and progression of the cancer, and there are a series of therapeutic targets mentioned throughout the book, detoxification, balance, as pH such oxygenation and immune stimulation. a variety by Among the topics covered of contributors are types of therapy, lifestyle, and diet on advice detailed consumption, water exercise, including and food raw of value the juicing, means of managing stress. Readers are also given advice about how to handle consultations and hospital Expertsroutines. their what describe interventions to be expected can while the appendices give achieve, information on international clinics, appropriate find to how and scans practitioners. All this is given considerable careful thought with the reader very mind. The book much in is also beautifully produced. The conventional relationship between and complementary therapies is potential including handled, delicately courses in tensions treatment of not or may where antioxidants may depending a constructive role, play said on the circumstances. Having strong a make does book the that, Network Review 2016/3 Review Network

and medicine. It is a striking historical historical It is a striking and medicine. the incidence yearsfact that 100 ago, and 1 in 80, in the US was of cancer (moreover, 2 in 1 to nearer now is it are now in the US costs of treatment It is of $200,000 a year). in the region important and how this to consider why but also to understand has happened, background. On the biological research development the have we hand, one the germthe of theory with disease of on the other the emphasis and Pasteur, the called Bechamp Antoine what on would now call we which ‘terrain’, the internal ecosystem in which the disease arises. Germ theory on its own while mode, represents a reductionist the terraintaking into consideration as In embodies a holistic approach. well the American medical system addition, through fundamentally altered was the Flexner report which of 1910, encouraged the professionalisation of medicine and the development of conventional orthodoxy conventional of primarily This based on drugs and surgery. the pharmaceutical of to the rise led the dominates which still industry, the journals and the profession, regulatory authorities. tells the story Bollinger of In his book, alternative approaches such as Rife, and Gerson being sidelined Hoxsey and suppressed in spite of promising and sometimes spectacular results. An important theoretical approach is which is now finding more flavour that cancer is primarily a metabolic a condition, genetic a than rather Seeger Paul championed by view and 1931 Nobel Prize winner Otto as He quotes Warburg Warburg. that ‘cancer has only one prime saying cause… The replacement of normal an oxygen respiration of body cells by the is This respiration.’ cell anaerobic result of a mitochondrial dysfunction damaged cellular characterised by metabolism where otherwise healthy cells switch to an anaerobic state and this Interestingly, cancerous. become encouraging process feeds on sugar, fermentation. to book point Bollinger’s of Critics the confirmation bias inherent in and it is certainly his sample, true that complementary are therapies not uniformly successful. However, stress books these both the importanceof in termsprevention of lifestyle factors including detoxification diet, of avoidance and as as well environmental electromagnetic toxins. a Bollinger describes large number of possible interventions with practitioners comments by who have and those benefited from them. Readers to need will exercise a certain caution and discrimination in any editor of Hearst’s Hearst’s of editor ZeroSumGame, 2016, 309 pp., no price 309 pp., 2016, ZeroSumGame, p/b - ISBN – 978-1-5262-00327-5 given, Patricia Peat Peat Patricia and 37 expert contributors (www.yestolife.org.uk) Hay House, 2016, 318 pp., £14.99, £14.99, 318 pp., 2016, House, Hay p/b – ISBN 978-1-78180-761-3 THE CANCER REVOLUTION Ty M. Bollinger Ty (www.thetruthaboutcancer.com) David Lorimer David THE TRUTH ABOUT CANCER Beyond the Beyond Cancer Monopoly? The debate about cancer between The debate about cancer between and complementary conventional therapies is a highly politicised example of the underlying tension naturopathic and allopathic or between pharmaceutical approaches to health Healthy Living magazine. Volunteered Living magazine. Volunteered Healthy for: of the Institute of Noetic Friends Sciences; The Omega Institute; CG Zeedyk’s NY; Suzanne Jung Foundation, Science of Human Connection; various plus Hospice; Valley Hudson energy & renewable environmental entities. Endlessly curious about the its -- or more commonly, effect that love it how Mostly anything! on has -- lack shapes these off-kilter brains of ours that are so swiftly hurtling humanity and, on Earth)life (and the cliff, over hurlingbusily the process in blame at each other?! Hoping that all you wise us from ones at SciMed can save too late! ourselves before it’s The Compassionate Robot: Myth, Myth, Robot: Compassionate The will panel This or Solution? Nightmare, O’Shea, Sir Timothy by be anchored of University The Principal of Edinburgh, explored computer-based who has learningand artificial in intelligence 100 articlesover and 10 books. Other scholars Jon distinguished include Epistemics at Professor of Oberlander, whose work the University of Edinburgh, machines which focuses on building and people, to themselves adapt can Dean for Shaw, Jane Professor Rev. the of ReligiousReligious Life and Professor who is University, Studies at Stanford currently working on a project involving and social change. arts, the empathy, http://ccare.stanford.edu/events/ perspectives-on-compassion-new- thinking-from-stanford-university-and- the-university-of-edinburgh/ http://www.caremeasure.org http://intothemagicshop.com a great fan Judith Asphar — newly, Director PR a: was — SciMedNet of N.A.; The New of Laura Ashley Center; Open The Biological York Medicine Network; and Resurgence magazine in the USA. A founding (and environmental) book reviews love of thesubjectandadevotion objective accountthey showalifelong There aresignstoread. By every a Foreword by DrWayne W. Dyer? Times, editedby David Lorimerwith What isthecasewithProphetforOur meaning ofherprofounddoctrines. research withoutaclueabouttheinner from thestandpointofabitacademic books;ornonsensical orscurrilous life asapropforproducingtheirown used the exotic circumstances of her whothan her fair share of writers whohasattractedmore contemporary) Blavatsky (incidentally, Peter Deunov’s seem togotogether)forexample, on share of‘types3.andA.books’, (they readmorethanafair unfortunately the moon where it is pointing)? I have between gazingatthefingerandnotto to inwords(theproverbial distinction never beimprisoned, butonlyalluded towards thatineffableessencecan their symbolicsenseasalways pointing intuition wherethewordsareseenin on thepage?orB.Withanawakened ofthewords and aliteralinterpretation with literal facts,concerned so-called, it: A.Thepurelyintellectual, leftbrain say, has he approached his subject: Is what planeofconsciousness, soto a book.Mysecondquestionis, from so must, perforce, find expression in and theteacherthatknowsnobounds, or 4.fromadeeplove ofthemessage 3.todenigratethesubject; a library? researchin the backofsomecursory wide sale?2.outofidlecuriosityon publicity andattendantroyalties viaa it: 1.From desireto gain apersonal author, oreditorwritingthisbook?Is motive behindthisbook;why isthe to myself. is, Thefirst ‘whatisthe www.scimednet.org 42 philosophy-spirituality teacher Ialways puttwoquestions p/b –ISBN978-1-781805-91-6 Hay House, 2015, 285pp., £12.99, Foreword by DrWayne W. Dyer Edited by David Lorimer (SMN) of Peter Deunov The Life&Teachings OUR TIMES: PROPHET FOR Edi Bilmoria A ScienceforLiving Network Review2016/3 This book presents This bookpresents us withanosegay of the teachings of onewhom Einstein said, ‘All the world renders renders the world homage tome and Irender homage to the Master Peter Deunov [Beinsa Douno] from Bulgaria’. When perusing a book abook perusing or religious about asage dipped into the self-same inkwell of all have beenwrittenwiththepen uniqueandindividual,utterly but ofthegreatsagesareThe works spring (page160). smallest evil fromwhichall otherevils forgiven butthelie–never. Itisthe canbe All sinsandcrimesofaperson breathing and purity. For Peter Deunov, movement, prayer and mindfulness, fasting, sleepandexercise, and work conduct. Rulesforlifeincludedietand muscular pump), will(power), and ignored by science, otherthanasa consciousness, (sorely mind, heart his ‘spiritualanatomy andphysiology’: the standpointofhisbodyandthen The humanbeingisconsideredfrom living areofdeepestconsequence. andconductforrighteous the rules mean by ‘humanbeing’, theterm plus onwhatexactlydowemiddle chapters deity, cosmos, natureandMan, the this completelyorganicexpositionon with Nature;andTheNew Epoch.From Recommendations forLife;Relations types, Page 118); Methods, Rules and Human Being(includingastrological Fundamental PrinciplesofLife;The The DivineSchool;MasterandDisciple; on:God;TheNoeticWorld;chapters The bulkofthebookcomprises toaMaster.mortals, butnormal toordinary powers (siddhis)paranormal control ofanenlightenedbeing, arethe consciousness and, whenunderthe tothehighestreachesof pertaining calls miracles, butinfactarefaculties witnessed accountsofwhattheworld there arethenumerous, authenticand and should go hand-in-hand. Then andspiritualitycan,that scholarship is a prophet and why not?Afterall, Peter Deunov onScienceandEducation,dissertation other sagehaspublishedadoctoral peoples’ minds. But which corrupting (yes,clergy andaccusedof clergy) persecuted, inhiscaseby theBulgarian hewas allgreatteachers Like virtually realmsofexistence. interpenetrating life, mission and consciousness on insights intoPeter Deunov’s personal The Introductiongivesinvaluable religious subjects. themselves authoritiesonspiritual and whofancymanner ofsomeauthors and thenpolishingoffabookinthe not justabitofreadinginlibrary of many ofintenseapplication, years what we have beforeusisthefruit writings. Allthismakes itobvious that fromPeter Deunov’smaterial harvested Then, thecarefullychosenrangeof orembellishments.interpretations for themselveswithoutinterfering directness oftheteachingstospeak background allowingthesimplicityand inthe commentary their personal circles). Next, keep theauthors idolisation alltoocommoninreligious say devotion, not that starry-eyed, to Peter Deunov, their teacher (I did for our timesshowingus

Facebook followingof475,000. 59,000 Dalai Lamaasitspatronandnow hasa 2011 intheUKwithHisHoliness the for Happiness(AfH)was foundedin circumstances,external orboth?Action thoughtsandstateofmind,internal or humanhappiness:ourdetermines Let ussidestepandask what governments thesedays? ofthat seem to be the sole concern money, commerceandeconomics does Peter Deunov have tosay about existence, nottobebelittled?What What about the nitty-gritty of mundane he calledhisOccultSchoolin1922. explain why Peter Deunov openedwhat again is a demonstrable fact and might consciousness, for thatmatter).This that ismatchlessonevolution (and Science, notmaterialisticscience, Occult School’(1923), Sofia.ItisOccult in‘Rulesofthe this aphorismappears emanation ofMan.Unsurprisingly, and fully demonstrated, the divine since timeimmemorialhasaffirmed, overesoteric philosophertheworld sageand to Darwiniantheory. Every from thelineageofapesaccording not thephysical body)have notcome beings (meaningMantheThinker, carethathuman of God.Notewithevery human beings–theimageandlikeness archangels –theanimals; finally came them [theplants]camethesonsof process issummarised:...After Next onpage223, theevolutionary approach divinity, physically. embodied can mortals the closestthatordinary Soul andBody, andthephysical sunis biochemical factory. TheSunhasSpirit, any morethanahumanbeingisjust helium (itsmaterial/chemicalaspect), tons ofhydrogen persecondinto fusingsome620millionmetric furnace thermonuclear is notjustanenormous thus…. Thepointhereisthatthesun sun never comes to grief. Pray to him to thisthe secret. He who worships Ramayana: before theGreatWar intheIndianepic Agastya whoappearedtotheLordRama communicated by the Vedic Sage the AlmightyFormula (Aaditya Hrudaya ) Whilst contemplating the above, note as insight. direct experience of its truth to explainit, awholelifetimetoget divinity. A whole book may be needed the essenceofman’s relationshipto is the “I” in me’ – this, puttersely, is of Peter Deunov): TheGodinthesun of Paul (also a contemporary Brunton this toanextractfromtheNotebooks of God’s love (my emphasis).Relate sending uslight.Physical lightisasign shines onusthatshowsGodis Light isasignoflove. Whenthesun Attainments’ (1927), Sofia, we read: On page224quotingfrom‘Possible wisdomtradition. sync withtheeternal Peter Deunov’s teachingisentirelyin trove ofwisdomtodemonstratehow pithy aphorismsfromthistreasure Iwillcitejusttwo truths. universal O Rama!Listencarefully book reviews 43 www.scimednet.org too, though in the though in the too, past, our ancestors our ancestors past, may have had access have may to a more holistic to a more holistic form of knowing and form of knowing and acting - and Wilson acting - and Wilson saw the apparently the apparently saw unrepeatable feats of, unrepeatable feats of, say, the Pyramids, as as the Pyramids, say, evidence of this - this of this - this evidence knowledge led to a knowledge led to a static form of life. Our conscious evolution Our conscious evolution requires a more dynamic, requires a more dynamic, conscious relationship to the unfolding universe; the unfolding universe; thus, the long journey of of journey long the thus, knowledge and living performance. So psychology, the occult, crime, sexology, sexology, crime, the occult, psychology, archaeology He science. and literature, as advice not to write Eliot’s ignored T.S. Gary as in shows Lachman and, much this exemplarythis biography, intellectual a guiding shaped by was veritable flood concernsset of core corresponding and as it not see reality do we Why ideas. really is? misconceive we because First, the simply not is It perception. by organisation and reception passive but impressions association of sense apprehending of a reaching out and co-creates whatreality that intentionally because this tendency is seen. Second, is passivity mistaken a towards that partby reinforced that our mind of ‘robot’. The robot Wilson dubbed the have It handles the need we has utility. break down the world to to analyse, deal in simple into manageable chunks, cause and effect and help us navigate, of features many habitual, and make runour everyday on the rails lives so we But this helpful servantof certainty. has imagine a tendency to overreach itself, off more holistic, close itself dominant, vivid and ultimately meaningful ways of seeing. Wilson comes to locate this differentiated mental life in the two because Third, brain. the of halves less efforthabit is comfortable, is required and the vast majority of us appear disposed to laziness! Fourth, inhabit a culture that has because we identified the world seen only through ‘the real world’ as eyes – the robot’s fragmented and meaningless - a vision world the of he what in found Wilson dubbed the old existentialism of Sartre Such a or in the literature of Beckett. self- cultural subscription becomes an effort make fulfilling - why if the effort is ultimately futile? But there are positive reasons too. As found in Bergson argued and Huxley the brain as his mescaline experience, filter. limiting necessarily a is whole a be The world seen without a filter may of intuitive knowledge a dazzling display plates in Huxley’s or the lively unwashed but significance untold of being sink be equally disabling unless this may translated into forms of assimilated Network Review 2016/3 Review Network

$26, p/b – ISBN 978-0-399173-08-0 p/b – ISBN 978-0-399173-08-0 $26, BEYOND THE ROBOT: THE ROBOT: BEYOND of The Life and Work Colin Wilson Gary Lachman (SMN) pp., 400 2016, Pedigree, Tarcher Living beyond the the Living beyond Robotic Nicholas Colloff What if the world ‘as it really is’ is the one you see when in your most your When mind? of state joyous perception reaches out and dances; the even everything you see, and, is full of its own most mundane thing, resonating harmoniously? And life, without or within us, what is it, if so, there that inhibits our ability to dwell permanently? in and Believing articulating reality the of the first proposition a seeking and answer comprehensive to the second was life’s Wilson’s Colin work. That work was carried out as a writer, working in both fiction as and non-fiction, lecturer and television The work presenter. fifty poured forth, over and explored a years, wide range of subject matter - philosophy, In closing, it seems to be the fate of allof fate the be to seems it closing, In of bird free the that teachings religious enquiry getsindividual exploration and and generations succeeding by caught airlessan in suffocated becometo cage religion whereupon fixed ideologies; Christianity into religiosity, degenerates also science hasinto ‘Churchianity’ (as of The Founders become scientism). out the living message religions gave of timeless truths – the Science of word-drugged Life – but their followers, the living message into fossilised have not That this may a dogmatic creed. Deunov of Peter happen to the teachings The signs are is our ardent desire. the Bulgarian sageauspicious. Because instead few has attracted the select of other religious of the mass appeal appears his message so far teachers, been diluted and dissipated not to have here!), Entropy of to the Law (allusions and remained in loving but to have worthy – no finer than the writers hands of this inspiring and eminently practical ‘scientific Deunov’s Peter on based book not mere theory, experiments’ (page 15), on the art and science of living ‘for our of precepts the to according times’, esoteric Christianity freed from the rusty shackles of theological dogma. consultant a is Bilimoria Edi Dr the of and student pianist engineer, perennial wisdom.

) 2 the internal state, or either the internal state, . AfH has helped launch ‘happy helped launch ‘happy . AfH has 1 Beinsa Douno (2016), The Teacher, The Teacher, Beinsa Douno (2016), Positive Positive The Happiness Movement, Volume I, The Dawning Epoch, Shining Epoch, The Dawning I, Volume p. 144. See Network Review, Press, World 45-46. pp. No 121, 2 1 pp. 2016, first quarter, Issue 84, News, 22-25. people in 168 countries have taken its taken have countries in 168 people and create more happiness pledge ‘to in the worldless unhappiness around me’ cafes’ and 1000 happiness clubs all clubs all 1000 happiness cafes’ and run-down in many country, the over American counterpartareas. An is has 1.6 millionProject Happiness which seems to fans. The movement Facebook What is itsbe gaining global momentum. that underlying In a nutshell, message? know ourselves (not just our the more we and happy bodies) the more connected will be. Unsurprisingly the movement we for adversehas attracted criticism, article Guardian negative a example headed ‘The sad truth about the Action reader a by movement’ Happiness for clinical) psychology in clinical (note, who at the University of East London, assumption flawed a is it that maintains that the source of unhappiness lies the that implying heads, our inside that solution lies at the individual level; the real problems are structural to do with income inequality first. Further scorn has (understandably) been a those who maintain that heaped by person riddled with financial and health worries and sleeping on the streets in a difficult a cardboard box would have job thinking about happiness (but never personally witnessed have I that mind smiles on the faces of countless poverty peasants in the villages of stricken India and not one on the face of cigar- smoking millionaires in their chauffeur- flaw the real But Rolls Royces). driven binary left-brained, is the iniquitous, argument: the external conditions. counsel Deunov’s What then is Peter and prosperity? It is about wealth from ‘The quoted page 65, found on 1947, Sofia, Thought’(1932), New Remember that it is not material wealth Real … life to meaning gives which is hidden within great souls … wealth I am advises, Deunov Peter (Elsewhere I recommend not recommending poverty. mental physical, three types of wealth: said When Christ wealth. spiritual and 6: 19-21) “Collect treasures” (Matthew he meant such kind of treasurers. There is no denying the role of monetaryThere is no denying and economic factors. But it is the that, level the individual change at engenders that positive collectively, economic and political the at change the outer is the projection of the level; to (even Is it not blatantly obvious inner. clinical psychologists) that an unhappy mind-set will only create political change that reflects the mind-sets that created it; so the change is bound to be unconstructive? 44 Network Review 2016/3

differentiation (and alienation) such Meanwhile, it must be said too that There is a demographic revolution narcissistic descent into spiritual navel- that in stepping back from the world, Wilson was never lacking in self- going on in the Western world. Several gazing, while on the other, it could be a we are propelled towards finding a more confidence, an attribute, that Lachman decades back, the label of ‘spiritual healthy flood of spiritual passion out of creative, dynamic relationship in and to confesses, is part of the reason that his but not religious’ (SBNR) did not exist. religious institutions into the world at reality. Ultimately the task was to be home country – where self-depreciation Now surveys suggest that up to a large. In Linda Mercadante’s view (and so in control of one’s transcendental and disguising your intellect are the quarter of the population endorse that mine too) it’s probably both. ego (to use Husserl’s nomenclature) somewhat stultifying norm – has option. Linda Mercadante, a professor as to be able to navigate between found it so difficult to embrace him. of theology, has done a major study Olly Robinson is Senior Lecturer at clear seeing and conscious acting such Lachman’s biography, it is hoped, will in the US to find out more about this the University of Greenwich and author that you stepped permanently beyond go some way to addressing this. It is group and what they believe. This of “Paths Between Head and Heart: the robot or, more accurately, that the a balanced, sympathetic, and highly research is presented and summarised The Seven Harmonies of Science and robot’s necessary functions became lucid one and of a man who obviously in accessible form in Belief without Spirituality”, to be published in 2017 by wholly transparent within a wider field exerted a significant and acknowledged Borders: Inside the Minds of the O Books. of apprehended meaning. influence on the author; and, they share Spiritual but not Religious. the ability to convey complex ideas Living the Law of Love The book is set up in a subtle way These ideas were informed by Wilson’s simply without ever being simplistic. David Lorimer that makes the distinction between book reviews own experience of breakthrough to this Wilson, also, emerges as a generous more vivid reality and by an informed writer willing to help and promote the spirituality and religion both relevant and experimental practice and work of others. and problematic. It is problematic THE ROOT OF WAR IS Lachman gives us wonderful examples in that it is often over-simplified as FEAR – Thomas Merton’s of both of these. So, for example, in the It was probably not the place then to “religion = dogma and convention” advice to peacemakers latter case, learning from Maslow that make a critical assessment of Wilson’s and “spirituality = experience and Jim Forest individualism”, and this problem is the act of remembering a prior ‘peak ideas rather than provide sympathetic Orbis, 2016, 223 pp., $25, p/b – experience’ as being a gateway into a exposition but in closing I, myself, do compounded by the fact that SBNR ISBN 978-1-62698-197-3 new one or through paying intelligent want to suggest a missing dimension. individuals tend to over-simplify in attention to the clues of synchronicity Wilson’s emphasis on the active, on the this way. In fact, the distinction is far learning better to navigate one’s will, concentrating its way to liberation messier than that. Religion contains In the final chapter of this powerful and purpose. Most especially too in is understandable as is his criticism of liberal, critical and highly individualised inspiring book, Jim Forest, himself a lifelong peacemaker who met Thomas engagement with a host of thinkers the potential passivity of our everyday forms of belief and worship as well as Merton as a young man, comments and imaginative writers. An early life but it does so sometimes at the risk more exclusivist and dogmatic forms, that ‘we now find ourselves in a state wrestling with the Romantics (broadly of simply devaluing the receptive, the while spirituality contains varied of fear driven permanent war’, enacting conceived) that he immortalised in influx of creative grace, gift, that as an formulations, some of which have a ‘The Outsider’, his at first lionised then form of dogmatism and exclusivism the agenda of a Project for a New essential part of the phenomenology of American Century with its mantra of the denigrated book, was followed by the of their own in being cocksure of their consciousness as Husserl’s out going war on terror as a way of driving arms- key influence of Husserl (on perception, superiority. I appreciated Mercadante’s intentionality. Intention and reception driven economies fomenting conflict intentionality and phenomenology), of approach to this breaking this are the yang and yin of becoming around the world – depressingly, the Gurdjieff, Ouspensky, Shaw, Wells and distinction down – it was considerably (and being whole). Likewise, though a arms companies overwhelmingly Whitehead (on conscious evolution) happy Cancerian and loving husband more nuanced than I have found in most other books on the subject. supported Hillary Clinton in the recent and James, Maslow and Frankl (on a and father, love and compassion as US presidential election. If you carry on positive and meaningful psychology) to a cultivator of real seeing and acting making weapons - and I understand that name but a few! tends to be more noticeable by their Mercadante categorises her SBNR interviewees into five types. Dissenters the US is currently developing smarter, absence (as does in Wilson’s key smaller nuclear arms - they have to This is the great virtue of Lachman’s thinkers and writers, unless I am intentionally stay away from institutional religion and are critical of it. They tend be used, otherwise there is no need book - to anchor it in Wilson as a mistaken, any women)! But then we to produce any more and, it is argued, thinker and explorer about the nature simply have to recognise that our ways to reject particular theological positions, and select a personal worldview that the arms industry is key to exports and potentiality of consciousness, to liberation are, in truth, more manifold (and employment) not only in the US, both in its positive direction, and than any person can, or indeed should, is intentionally contrary to the religion that they grew up with. Casuals are but also in the UK and France. Clinton Wilson was undoubtedly an optimist, encompass – even as one as gifted and was involved in the record-breaking $80 not so bothered. Spirituality is neither and in his realistic assessment of the companionable as Wilson. billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia and something that captures their attention ways its evolution and development seemingly quid pro quo donations to nor organises their life. They dip in ‘as could be side tracked or thwarted, Nicholas Colloff studied theology, the Clinton Foundation. Such systemic needed’. Spiritual practices are for them that, for example, forms the basis of philosophy and psychology at London and widespread corruption is rather primarily a way toward better health, his, undoubtedly relished, interest in and Oxford. He is the director of the discouraging. crime and sex! Argidius Foundation. stress relief and emotional support. Explorers show a fascination Had Thomas Merton been alive now, he It is true that not everywhere Wilson with all things would have been a vociferous critic of took his explorations will have the Seeking the spiritual. They the climate of fear that continues to be same value for every reader. We tend to try one manufactured by the media. The title of Essence of thing out and may doubt the validity of archaic lost “Spiritual but not this book corresponds to an essay he civilisations of telepathic Neanderthal then another, wrote in the early 1960s, at the height (though personally I am perfectly Religious” seeking novelty of the Cold War. One of the great ironies happy to entertain the speculation Oliver Robinson and new is that what Merton was arguing in and assess the evidence) or we experiences. 1962, and for which he was censored, may want to sidestep the criminal BELIEF They have no had become by 1965 the official policy mind as a diversion (or descent) too WITHOUT plans to settle of the Catholic Church. He remarks that far though Wilson would maintain anywhere, Pope John XXIII would not have got past only one of degree not of kind. BORDERS: enjoying the the censors if he had not been Pope - Nevertheless, anyone seriously Inside the journey without and Pope Francis is a worthy successor interested in our human potential Minds of the any hope of a in that respect. Jim tells us that two should find somewhere to inhabit in Spiritual but not destination. of the Americans he most admired, Wilson’s capacious landscape and, in Seekers are besides Lincoln and Martin Luther King the company of this witty, intelligent, Religious much like are Merton and Dorothy Day. serious and accessible interlocutor, Linda A. Mercadante explorers, but wrestle with a fascinating constellation Oxford University Press the difference Throughout the book, Merton’s of ideas. They will emerge challenged USA, 352 pp., £19.99 - is that they are emphasis is on being true to gospel and enriched. ISBN 978-0199931002 looking for a of love in the New Testament and

www.scimednet.org book reviews 45 www.scimednet.org correspondinglymealy- of sceptical justifying compromises mouthed while not recognising especially violence, ‘men He writes that our own complicity. not persons. become objects have is there because complain Now you for is the proper state war but a war, a world which men are a series of in that state the is War bodies. numbered of philosophy now perfectly fits your life: you deserve for believing the war Insofar as I tend the things you believe. act and things same those believe to I am part lies, according to such of for the the complex of responsibilities arm we (p. 9) Paradoxically, too.’ war and war ourselves avoid to order in enemies but make preserve peace, becomes that war in the process so Mertonunavoidable. is very clear that itself. is war war the only winner in this is an externalisation Moreover, if we so of our thoughts and desires, change to have we world, new a want our predominant thoughts and desires, crucially and cultivating a climate of love trustprevalent the overcome to order in climate of fear. All this led Merton to embrace action. He could not stand nonviolent and passively and fatalistically, by this created a huge tension with the arguing authorities tried to gag him by a much better that he would make and prayer through simply contribution an ideology refuses He life. monastic movement, quantity, power, matter, of instead embracing force, and activism a ‘life that is essentially non-assertive, and peace’ a life of humility non-violent, as a statement of his position. He felt that adopting such an attitude ‘implies no no extraordinary insight, no heroism, and no unusual special moral qualities, but it does mean intelligence (p. 93), a Sermonthe embracing Mount, the on of forgiveness and non-retaliation, way which Christians throughout the ages found so difficult to practise. have word the of development the liked I as pacifist, than rather peacemaker the former implies an active approach of embodying peace and renouncing violence in our own thinking and feeling. MertonAt the time the Vietnam, felt that ‘our external violence in Vietnam is rooted in an inner violence which simply ignores the human reality of those whom we be to claim (p. helping’ point a - 169) graphically illustrated photo a in immediately beneath this quotation. Fascinatingly, he had a deep encounter with Thich Nhat Hanh, the Vietnamese around at monk, Network Review 2016/3 Review Network

ISBN 978-1-62698-197-3 Living the Law of Love Living the Law Lorimer David IS OF WAR THE ROOT Merton’s FEAR – Thomas advice to peacemakers Jim Forest p/b – $25, 223 pp., 2016, Orbis, narcissistic descent into spiritual navel- spiritual into descent narcissistic a be could it other, the on while gazing, passion out of flood of spiritual healthy world into the religious institutions at (and view Mercadante’s Linda In large. probably both. it’s mine too) at Olly Robinson is Senior Lecturer the University of Greenwich and author and Heart:Head Between “Paths of Harmonies The Seven of Science and to be published in 2017 by Spirituality”, O Books. In the final chapter of this powerful and In the final chapter of this powerful himself a Jim Forest, inspiring book, who met Thomas lifelong peacemaker Merton comments as a young man, now find ourselves in a state that ‘we enacting permanentfear driven of war’, the agenda of a Project for a New CenturyAmerican of the mantra its with of driving arms- on terror as a way war driven economies fomenting conflict the around the world – depressingly, arms companies overwhelmingly supported Hillary Clinton in the recent US presidential election. If you carry on - and I understand that making weapons currentlyUS is the smarter, developing to have smaller nuclear arms - they need no is there otherwise used, be it is argued, more and, to produce any the arms industry to exports is key US, in the only not employment) (and Clinton but also in the UK and France. in the record-breaking $80 involved was billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia and seemingly quid pro quo donations to Such systemic the Clinton Foundation. corruption widespread and rather is discouraging. he Had Thomas Merton been alive now, been a vociferous critic of would have the climate of fear that continues to be the media. The title of manufactured by he this book corresponds to an essay height at the the earlywrote in 1960s, One of the great ironies of the Cold War. is that what Merton arguing in was censored, and for which he was 1962, policy official the 1965 by become had remarksHe Church. Catholic the of that got past John XXIII would not have Pope - the censors if he had not been Pope is a worthy successor Francis and Pope that two us Jim tells respect. that in admired, most he Americans the of besides Lincoln and Martin Luther King are Merton Day. and Dorothy Merton’s Throughout the book, is on being trueemphasis to gospel and Testament in the New of love

why. Overall, the book has a strong the book has a strong Overall, why. and evaluation balance of description, one of only a as yet, criticism and is, major empirical studies on the few SBNR revolution. Mercadante does a good job of arguing for and against the worth of the SBNR a as be could it side, one On label. are those those are Immigrants home. spiritual spiritual a new to moved who have land and trying identity to adjust to new while still identifying and community, this Mercadante found as SBNR. strugglinggroup constancies the with that and suggests life, of religious and independence the about something designation may freedom of the SBNR loyalty group and commitment the make difficult. of a religious community veryIn the context of a hazy division what spirituality and religion, between Despite the does define being SBNR? and individual prize attached to being the SBNR world, in the unconventional cleara interviewees showed study the in in their beliefs. and common heritage of unaware often however, were, They thinking that their own this heritage, unique. In even and new were ideas on ideas and drawing were they fact, Swedenborgianism, from language Romanticism, Transcendentalism, Theosophy, esotericism, spiritualism, They religions. Asian and Thought New on the Protestant drawing also were lineage of individual interpretation and of criticism to be partallowance of faith. in themes key the of analysis her In particularlyas out picks she belief, Firstly, ethos. SBNR the in common spirituality is based on a hero myth structure the ego of overcoming through a quest of self-improvement, undertakingwhich requires a host artistic of therapeutic, and spiritual exclusivism – the practices. Secondly, idea that one idea has the truth – is of a “perennialist” rejected in favour spiritual all sees that approach but the mystical concepts as relative, experience as absolute and truth-giving. Experience in this belief set is the interpretations so ultimate touchstone, and concepts should follow it. Thirdly, the choice to be SBNR is based on perceived ethical shortcomings in including prejudice, religious groups, homophobia and fear of the other. there is the belief in the validity Finally, of syncretism - the bringing together of diverse ideas and practices and integrating them in an individual and personal system. The improvised postmodern values of uncertainty, subjectivity and relativism fluidity, but are all richly espoused in SBNR, a worldviewtypically within that places spirituality as a higher expression of that seems It religion. than sacred the slightly as a Christian, Mercadante is, she that superiority the irritated by espoused SNBR’s behind hiding sees and one can understand pluralism, book reviews put forward by Kabat-Zinn andWilliams, standard definitionsofmindfulness as Much lessprevalent isthemore of mindfulness.about this“version” is refreshingtohave somuchwritten that Langerisoneoftheeditors, butit given mindfulness. Thisisunsurprising definition andconceptualisation of handbook isthatinclusiveofLanger’s Overall, whatIlike the mostaboutthe mindfulness practitionerorteacher. www.scimednet.org 46 studies consciousness insane andfeverishly impatient.’ becomingrapidly more ever inaworld witness forpeaceismoreurgentthan Rowan Williams comments, ‘Merton’s minded people, whocanmake them.As we ourselves, withotherlike- working but they aresignificant inthatitisonly individual contributions may be small, Ourwe may ourselves take heart. to theyoungJimForest andfromwhich Such was theadvicegivenby Merton rightness, itself.’ ofthework thetruth ‘not ontheresultsbutvalue, the authority,external ourwork pursuing the voiceofconscienceratherthan deep’. (p.56)Thismeanslisteningto renewal, uninterrupted, continuous, and Church depends precisely on ‘spiritual writesthatthevalidityof Merton byI was apassagewhere struck climateoffearandviolence. pervasive become caught up in responding to the lives where it is so easy to own everyday oflivingthelaw oflove inour importance our own time and a reminder of the All ofthisisapowerful messagefor in exactlythesameway.’ (p.163) nationality, becauseheandIseethings than many nearertomeinraceand this time‘heismoremy brother ISBN 978-1-118-29487-1 Wiley, 2014, 1,186pp., £185, h/b– and E.J.Langer Edited by A.Ie, C.T. Ngnoumen, MINDFULNESS HANDBOOK OF THE WILEYBLACKWELL Dr AlisonArmstrong An East-West Balance being of practical support toa being ofpracticalsupport Network Review2016/3 and research, ratherthan and empiricalideas theoretical is presenting reader, andit to thelay very accessible accessible very is probablynot academics. It academics, for is written by handbook two volume This edited high standard I expect from Harvard high standard I expectfromHarvard are Harvard-based, andthe the editors as goodtheresearchdesign. Allof empirical results, which canonlybe for beingabletoaccurately interpret methodology, since this is crucial see atleastanodtowards exploring to cover that, butitwouldbeniceto problem, asit isnot abook claiming on methodology. Thisisnotstrictlya nothinginthebook There isvirtually known inthemainstream. that arepossibly less wellperspectives is a good showcase for views and most feelfresh, andthehandbook (Ch. 12), but Theory Determination the ratherover-done writingonSelf- feel likechapters that here, such as existing researchandviews. Some are available elsewhere, andregurgitate together inoneplacemany that papers edited volumesseemtosimplybring this is a key selling point. Many other conceptualised forthisvolume, and feel newlyMost chapters written or reducing suffering. interested inhumanfunctioningand This makes thebookrelevant toanyone is“mosteffective”. which intervention definition ofmindfulnessis“best”, or far beyond theargumentofwhich This makes thebookrelevant tothose explicit and central to the discussion. This isnotnew, butitisnicethatso handbook of mind-body connection. There isastrongthreadthroughoutthe a lackofflowingnarrative. problematic, butdoesattimesresultin these volumes. This isnotnecessarily stanceof other tosuittheparticular ofthe inaperspective and shoe-horns orWesterneither anEastern framework, inauthor hasadeepunderstanding occasionally feel though as though an ofmindfulness. Itdoesperspectives andWesternEastern definitionsand includes, comparesandcontrasts handbook is that it also explicitly The other overarching feature of this ■ ■ ■  ■ that include: based onsocialpsychologicaltheories onmindfulnessisLanger‘s work of increasinglevels ofmindfulness. emphasising meditationasthemeans without meditation”ratherthan is that she writes about “mindfulness should beheardmore.Akey difference less commonlyquoted, butinmy opinion mindfulness perspectives, Langer’s is much common ground between the Whilstthereismindfulness writing. and this is unusual in contemporary perspectives and anawareness ofmultiple A sensitivitytodifferentcontexts, todistinctions alertness An opennesstonovelty, andan An orientationinthepresent capacity humanMindfulness as a universal

the handbook, butnonetheless a This isarelativelysmallsection of Organisational Behaviour and Leadership section oncreativity. in the would sit more comfortably of mindfulnessandcreativity, butthat And thereisaninterestingexploration be better placed in another volume. Ch. 20ontime, whichwouldperhaps only marginal links tomindfulness, e.g. whilstinteresting,Some chapters have there isnotmoreherethatnovel. is perhapsalittledisappointingthat previously been written on these, so it These arenotnew views, andmuchhas the related concept of self-regulation. is aconsiderableamountwrittenabout effect ofseveral otherprocesses.There that itself is described as the combined in oneasthekey process, even though reductionism, deautomatisationisgiven sources. Inararemomentof range oftheoreticalandempirical mindfulness works, drawing from a onhowThere arealsochapters inherent interest. practicing somethingthathaslittle encouraging studentstocontinue facedwiththedifficultyofteachers tomindfulness,comers andalsoto could beofimmensehelptonew- is breathawareness. Thisinformation one ofthecoremindfulnesspractices thereasonswhypsychological terms highlights includebreakingdowninto psychological infocus.Some this section, whichisunashamedly in There aresomeexcellentchapters and Emotion Consciousness, Cognition, mindlessness!). the discipline (which itself would imply being entrappedincategorieswithin psychological field. It stepsoutof of Langer’s within the perspective psychology, andtheclearsiting in the dismantling of silos within psychologist myself, I took pleasure on psychologicalparadigms.As enjoyed thechapter I particularly different perspectives. with anopennesstobeinginclusiveof andconcepts arepresentedclearly Zinn/Williams approaches.Butthecore given thedominance of theKabat- approach, whichisunderstandable tojustifytheLanger like itistrying context.Itslightlyfeels contemporary mindfulness anditsapplicationinthe about thedifferentapproaches to readingifyouhave beenconfused worth This sectionisexcellent, and definitely Origins andTheory which Iwilltake inturn. There are five sections in the handbook American perspective. It isaslightlydominatedby aNorth academics isreflectedinthechapters. book reviews 47 www.scimednet.org stages of psychological stages of psychological In this way, the seven the seven In this way, universal energy field.’ universal energy field.’ with the energetic reality reality energetic the with of our souls and the brings us into alignment brings us into alignment conquers all because it conquers all because it (p. 452) Hence ‘love (p. 452) Hence ‘love conscious awareness.’ conscious awareness.’ recreate their 4-D reality recreate their 4-D reality of connectedness in 3-D 4-D entities attempting to to attempting entities 4-D in our 3-D reality is simply in our 3-D reality is simply as bonding and cooperation breaking work by Richard Barrett, where Richard Barrett, workbreaking by the soul happiness and the ego seeks meaning. As readers article of his above a Seven develops he seen, have will Model incorporating Levels in growth psychological development stages of at correspondingand operation of levels model of health andconsciousness. His satisfying the ego’s involves well-being desires soul’s the as well as needs process building in a developmental on the work Abraham Maslow. of One of his important is innovations of the 3-D ego the contextualisation energetic field of operating within the how importantthe 4-D soul. He shows one as stage each master to is it one’s maintain to order in progresses health. psychological and physical chapters 15 The context larger a explore and perception filtering psychology, for motivations of the ego awareness, of psychological stages and the soul, understanding needs and development, with a corresponding theorydesires, of emotions and feelings. Then there is considerable discussion of the nature of energetic instability and the impact of psychology at the various on physiology stages. This leads finally to a summary of his model. Each chapter contains an admirable summary of the main points. are the ego of needs deficiency The safety and security. seen as survival, Once one has addressed these issues, shifting for individuation, one is ready life from ego to the soul the axis of one’s and focusing more on transformation. Then the fundamental desires of the soul are for self-expression, connection and contribution. Richard broadly with aligns this development so that one would age progression, of level typically reach the seventh service The reader 60s. during one can appreciate that fear and lack tend to dominate the concerns of the ego, into while the soul is already tuned and connectedness. Numerous love show that some longitudinal, studies, is the most giving and receiving of love fundamental human need and is also correlated with longevity. that the soul already Richard believes and of love lives in a 4-D awareness recognise we connectedness where ourselves as individuated aspects of the same universal energy field of light and that ‘what we he says Significantly, love. perceive Network Review 2016/3 Review Network Ego-Soul Dynamics Lorimer David OF A NEW PSYCHOLOGY HUMAN WELL-BEING Richard Barrett (SMN) 478 2016, Fulfilling Books, p/b – ISBN no price given, pp., 978-1-326-59145-8 I was glad to see that there were several several were that there to see glad I was chapters for to mindfulness devoted particularlyis This staff. healthcare important be working will in as many there is and situations, highly stressful for self-care. Mindfulness strong need offers also engagement active more a by of healthcare, in the provision listening, active encouraging empathy, diagnoses. by and not being bound and Coaching Creativity, Education, and I would This is a small section, to read more. I especially loved have opportunity a missed felt there was to reviewing here to give more space workthe theories and empirical around popular and controversial Langer’s is now which book Mindful Learning, nearly years 20 This book is as old. important contemporary in education and I when first published, as it was section this in more wanting left was that would build on and reflect on the perspectives on learning and education offered in the book. I particularlyOverall, recommend this who is sceptical handbook for anyone or is fed up with it about mindfulness, being cited as a cure for all ills. It is not a book trying you to practice, to convince you that mindfulness is or to convince a valid concept outside of its religious available or that it should be roots, workplaces all in schools. all in and written well Instead it is a balanced, and approachable presentation of a wide range of facets of mindfulness. It Eastern/of inclusive refreshingly feels Buddhist and Western/psychological that can without the evangelising views be so nauseating in mindfulness books. Dr Alison Armstrong is a mindfulness She offers facilitator and researcher. employees to and privately mindfulness specifically for stress reduction, She and greater well-being. resilience, currentlyis Coping on book a writing based on her extensive and Resilience, research on the subject. Her PhD explored mindfulness in relation to sustainable consumption behaviours. an she was Earlier in her career, and engineer working on fluid systems, is a qualified yoga teacher. Much contemporary discussion on focused has well-being of although the work happiness, Martinof positive in Seligman psychology extended has an interesting to meaning, with this ground comparison valid and interesting one. I am not not I am one. interesting and valid the perspective by convinced wholly than (rather on organisational which feels mindfulness, individual) to risk management, an approach like that has been or resilience leadership, current to fit into the called mindful 22). This (Ch. popularity of mindfulness up in the veryin fact is backed next herself Langer where is quoted chapter, mindfulness as defining organisational in terms of individual leaders being and in promoting mindful themselves, and harnessing mindfulness among their staff in a form of distributed an rather than claiming mindfulness, can be mindful. organisation itself slightly more a perhaps, This highlights which stance, cultural and sociological the from change refreshing a makes dominance of psychology. the best chapter in this Possibly section is titled Mindfulness at Work. bringing for made is case compelling A which mindfulness into the workplace, is possibly of most use and interest to mindfulness teachers who are trying formulateto of benefits concrete the mindfulness to individuals in language might persuadethat to staff HR commission mindfulness interventions! There is a great chapter on Mindfulness placeof out feel does it sadly but Law, in be better in a and would possibly here, volume dedicated to mindfulness within specific work contexts. and Performance Well-Being, Health, This section is the largest in the well-known some book. There are contributorshave really not do who not to share that is new anything places other many in about written (such as Kristeller on mindful eating). And there are some topics very familiar who has done some reading to anyone such as mindfulness on mindfulness, There and anxiety. PTSD, for trauma, is far less written on depression than is normal for a publication of this it because perhaps is that but nature, is a topic very already, covered widely and also might be a reflection of the embraced not has which context, US (MBCT/ UK the in as widely as MBCT Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy is an intervention aimed at specifically recurrent depression). Probably most interesting in this section areas discussed for applying is the new and female mindfulness; diabetes, sexual dysfunction are two examples. on stress, take There is also a new Art “The encouraging and Stressing of which seems much more Mindfully”, realistic than suggestions that life can/ should be stress-free. This chapter the and mind-set of the effect explores which corresponding stress, on effect opens to a discussion on employing a mindful strategy which includes stress. acknowledging and welcoming book reviews www.scimednet.org ofthesoul. includes theperspective being, all the more so because it contribution totheliterature of well- hence growth.Thisisanimportant greater freedomofexpression and educational possibilities leading to their deficiencyneedsandexpand policies thatenablepeopletosatisfy disagree withhisrecipeofpromoting authoritarian regimesanditishardto which tends tobe discouraged by individual psychologicaldevelopment, Realdemocracyencouragesrule. ofenactingthegolden the importance life andconsciousnesshenceforth one isaware unityof oftheunderlying centred insoul consciousness where direction oftravel istowards being development, but I do agree that the differentstagesof people areatvery events have madeitonlytooclearthat parallels withhisownmodel.Recent ofSpiralDynamicstoshow on thework evolution arelinked, andRicharddraws It isclearthatindividualandcultural have reached.’ met atthestageofdevelopment they togettheirneedswith thestruggle no longerbearthepainassociated to commitsuicide‘whenthey can of development wherepeopletend his chapteronsuicideandstages more critical.Thisequallyappliesto needs andthesoul’s desires iseven although thefulfilmentofego’s the emotionsisakey inthisrespect, Richard showshowmanagementof pain andleadingtoenergeticinstability. and angerresultinginaccumulating stages, toletgooffear itisimportant Atallon brainrelateddisorders. to livecanhave apreventative effect andwilla strongsenseofpurpose active contribution and maintaining seems thatcontinuingtomake an of theuppermentalfield–here it andtheuse toservice corresponds stage ofpsychologicaldevelopment to age. For instance, the seventh the leadingcausesofdeathinrelation later.some 5to10years Heanalyses diseasesmanifesting corresponding stageofdevelopment and a particular connection between not mastering one wherehespeculatesaboutthe originalchapteristhe A particularly inner longingsharedby many. represent caringforthesoul.Thisisan process ofhealingcancorrespondingly tolove andthefrom fearthroughtrust level,On apersonal thismeans moving a fundamentalimpulseinChristianity. by bringing heaven to earth, which is consciousness. Thisiswhatmeant the 4-D reality of the soul in 3-D ofdevelopment aretherecovery 48 Network Review2016/3

mind relate, says Claxton, ismistaken. The wholediscussionofhow brain and out ofthebody’s working. The mindandconsciousness ‘well up’ and body. It is all one intelligent system. there isnodividinglinebetween brain physically, we aremade for action, and operations ofbody. We have evolved mind orsouldistinctfromthecomplex Platonic realm, no Higher Source, no nowhere else, inhisview. Thereisno all intelligence.Reasoncomesfrom For Claxton, thebodyisbasisof the coremessageofbook. reclaim thewisdomofbody–thisis Weof wisdomorcleverness. needto displacing thebodyasfoundation and academically, we have been reasoning ormemory. Insum, culturally activity andinsteademphasiseabstract little if any or physical bodily work now. Intelligenceteststypicallyrequire away fromthebodyforsomecenturies philosophy have beentakingintelligence microwave. Meanwhile, and psychology ripping off a lid and putting a tray in a cooking, for many now simply involve involve complexbodilyaction, suchas disembodied. Eventhingsthatusedto over time, and its pastimesever more society hasbecomemoresedentary of thewholebody. Claxtonrelays how ideas onhowintelligenceisafunction in the Flesh to readGuyGlaxton’s bookIntelligence Given thispassionofmine, Iwas excited self-concepts. from thefictionaljunkofmy cognitive release embodied selfandatemporary feels like arememberingofmy true workshop and fullofemotion.Every feel physically alive, vital, real, present other ecstaticdanceworkshops, tohelp as Icanto‘5Rhythms’ classes, or solve this problem.I go out as regularly cause imbalance. I use dancing to help of bodily movement is tailor-made to of heavy-duty rationality and a lack and environment. Thiscombination matter, and hence away from my body isusuallyin some cognitive at work away fromthecomputer, my attention unnatural posture.EvenwhenIam and body stuck in a fixed and rather tapping away atkeyboards, withmy eyes of staring at computer screens,hours rather unhealthy. Itinvolves countless Idoasanacademicisreally The work ISBN 978-0300223477 344 pp., £12.99, p/b- Yale Press, University 2016, Guy Claxton thinks more thanit your bodymuch your mindneeds THE FLESH:Why INTELLIGENCE IN Olly Robinson make Clever Bodies Busy Bodies , which synthesises his and eachother. connecting usintimatelywith the world seamlessly insideandoutside thebody, physical body, flows whileinformation ofsystems thatincludethe parts and technologiesbecomeseamless in adaptiveandfunctionalways. Tools withthis Embodied intelligenceworks sentence spoken sends it out.every eventlearning draws in, information and Every inside intotheoutsideworld. breath out expels atoms from one’s intous, atoms fromtheworld andevery breathindraws no clearedges.Every porous nature – accepting that it has of thebodymeansopeningtoits beyond ourskin.To opentothewisdom whole. We flowoutintotheworld ofthematerial world, butintegralparts in the physical rational souls inserted are onewiththecosmos, beingnot albeit aradicallyimmanentone.We provide foraspiritualsenseofunity, phenomena,or paranormal does much ifany roomforGod, transcendence Claxton’s materialism, whilenotleaving beyondinformation ourken. operation ofmatterandphysical bubble. Theunconsciousisjustthe ‘Mind atLarge’beyond ourconscious model orHuxley’s. There isnoextended an unconsciousthatisakinofJung’s This does not leaveworkings. room for our lackofconsciousaccesstoitsfiner unconscious depthsofthebodyand is nootherunconsciousthanthe is going on in its inner depths. There about whatthat the body constructs cognition theory, isaseriesofstories Thinking, fromtheClaxton’s embodied all toocommoninacademia). intelligence (which, inmy experience, is creates akindof‘clever-stupid’ Any divorce ofthought from feeling confused andlosesitsnaturalwisdom. expressed,not properly itbecomes and demandexpression.Iffeelingis a kindofaction-focusedalignment, They bringthe whole organisminto keeps theembodied system together. Feelings andemotionsarethegluethat a directorate. The brainismorelike achatroomthan physical intuition–theirgutfeelings. decisions whenthey rely ontheir studies showthatpeoplemake better intestine. Hence to bacteriainour our thoughts respond response tothoughts, sugar changesin and more.Ourblood circulatory systemcirculatory immune system, nervous system,nervous that incorporate the that incorporate total bodily events are expressionsof and concerns alland concerns intuitions, values Thoughts, feelings, not justthebrain. mind’s substrate, The body isthe book reviews 49 www.scimednet.org Renaissance and Reformation heavens Reformation and Renaissance heavens excellent a really surprisingly, with, and Swedenborg. chapter on cathedral mediaeval French Any of message powerful the conveys usually and hell, heaven judgement, on a graphic portal. Theologically, storya this is and redemption, sin of The human choice and responsibility. as essentially being is considered and opinions if not depraved, flawed varysaved. be best can we how on Jansen and the Protestants Augustine, while on grace, put a huge emphasis argues the case for human Pelagius priority of worksresponsibility and the and faith. Afterlife grace over prospects in early thought are uninviting, European of development and it is only with the thought in Greek the soul the divinity of that things begin to look up. However, view dualistic a to rise gives then this to leading philosophy, has plagued that the modern scientific denial of the soul and its insistence on the fundamental in generating activity role of brain as maintained in the consciousness, second book. more obscure The reader will find many of in the evolution covered thinkers Samuel instance for ideas, these and 1660 attack on hell, Richardson’s the free thinking of Thomas Burnet (1637-1715) arguing against eternal punishment. The trend has been universalismgreater a of towards considers Purgatorysalvation. Casey inspiration happiest as perhaps Rome’s but it is also true house, as a halfway of amount huge a to rise gave it that corruption in the sale of indulgences, of the Church. reinforcing the power an important it also provides However, role for the communion of saints and the idea that the dead are in a sense as reinforcing a still with us as well psychology of repentance. is equally The section on heaven with erudite so that readers come away a sound understanding of the various doctrines promulgated. This includes but thinkers, Protestant main the de also the response from St Francis the workSales and 17th-century of the One of the first people Richard Baxter. the immortalityto deny of the soul ‘mortalism’espouse and Richard was his has Overton Watts Isaac 1675. in as does Thomas vision, own heavenly Burnet On already mentioned above. have could Casey side, the sceptical by mentioned the influential essay Hume. David with come to Swedenborg, Next we describes as his ‘detailed what Casey his effrontery’. said this, Having treatment is very and he sympathetic, as ‘a frank, recognises Swedenborg curiously matter-of-fact in genial man, wonders the of accounts his has he own my also experienced’ (this was which argues in initial impression), Network Review 2016/3 Review Network Egypt, Mesopotamia and Mesopotamia and Egypt, Rome, Greece and Israel, Christian beginnings, predestination Dante, Calvin to Augustine from finally and beyond, and the decline of hell. Then shorta there is chapter on Purgatory the before third part exploring the history of conceptions of beginning again heaven, also but Egypt, with discussing the nature of body, putative spiritual any through Dante to travelling 2 DVDs, 207 mins 2 DVDs, www.lifeafterdeathproject.com AN ATHEIST IN HEAVEN AN ATHEIST and Gary Davids E. SchwartzPaul Allison with John 469 pp., 2016, Publishing, Hat Yellow h/b – $29.95, ISBN 978-0-9890242-4-2 The Life after Death Project It is unlikely that there will be agreement that there will be It is unlikely life in relation to about the nature of as time soon, a possible afterlife any on largely depend subject this on views and educational cultural assumptions traditions have background. Faith modern while stories, own their and religious both eschews science parapsychological sources for different in my possible, however, reasons. It is, certain to draw inferences from view, again there although base, evidence an exactly about disagreement be will inferred. be cannot or can what My own contribution to this debate is 1984 book Survivalsummarised in my of Light the in Death and Mind Body, - will tend Psychic Experience. People ways: in two evidence to approach any sceptics will tend to use the analogy of that there is insisting bucket, the leaky no perfect case and that all are flawed, while those open to the possibility will tend to use the of valid evidence arguing that, bundle of sticks analogy, be not may case individual each while evidential cumulative a is there perfect, effect. My own predilection is for the latter approach. These three books are very different: the first is a historical and conceptual of heaven, exploration of the notions hell and purgatory; the second makes as the case against the afterlife, the title suggests; while the third is for evidence as the ultimate presented which no single book life after death, can really claim. gives a magisterial overviewJohn Casey tradition eschatological Western the of and hell heaven judgement, – death, lucid and sympathetic – providing different of range a vast of summaries and at times conflicting sources that is a real pleasure to read. Dark Futures describes the history of hell in

Rowman and Littlefield, Rowman and Littlefield, £54.95, 675 pp., 2015, h/b – ISBN 978-0-8108- 8677-3 Edited by Michael Edited by Martin and Keith Augustine THE MYTH OF THE AFTERLIFE AFTER LIVES John Casey 468 pp., 2015, Oxford, – ISBN 978- p/b £19.99, 0-19-997503-7 The Context of Life Lorimer David learn to re-engage with our bodies and their extraordinary capacities. Like that the whole body is I believe him, memoryindeed the locus of feeling, I Claxton unlike thinking.and However share and I don’t am not a materialist, there all is physical the that view his and it comes to intelligence when is, consciousness. I expect that is also readers trueNetworkthe of many of given that the Scientific and Review, NetworkMedical partis in large about exploring alternatives to scientific going to materialism. But if I was read a book that had a philosophically it would be this materialistic foundation, and wise one. It shows just how healthy materialism can be. In the final two chapters, the book book the chapters, final two In the whether and how embodied discusses and what it can be taught, intelligence make do we education. Why means for class, stock still through children sit intelligence benefits when Claxton, says gestures? around and from from moving those kids pathologise And then we around as having to move who want This is disorder! an attention deficit one and importantan such message, throughout be echoed to needs that including higher the education system, forgotten also have we where education, of learning through action. the power Materialism, New a for calls Claxton importance the embraces which of in the doing and moving making, world. physical we that considersClaxton ways various can rehabilitate our somatic intelligence of effects the reviews – he briefly meditation, mindfulness biofeedback, dance. I did feel tai chi and exercise, a little short changed that dance only coverage, of a page half about got and exercise only three pages. I felt the book missed out on a chance of extensively exploring the research that is out there on the benefits of exercise, Claxton’s given And dance. and yoga hoping was I expertise Buddhism, on book. the in spirituality on more bit a for basic thesis is Claxton’s Overall, important must We and convincing. book reviews www.scimednet.org 50 have doesnot even risetothelevel of evidence thatwe actuallysurvival Augustine. Hispositionis that ‘the reflected in the introduction by Keith as of thephilosophical terminology thoroughgrasp have editors avery forthisvolume,reverse although the evidence’ -thesamecouldbe said in adequate consideration of contrary proponents ‘that are untempered by ofbooksbythe vastnumbers survival volume asa vital counterbalance to seetheir body andbrain.Theeditors in factentirelybiologicallybasedthe thesis - what we call the mind or soul is dependence ratherthanindependence instead ofsurvival, andmind–brain ofanexpositionextinctionterms with aclearideaofwhattoexpectin thebook dubious. Sothereaderenters presupposing thebestevidence isonly tendentiousin isclearly final part the word‘dubious’inrelationto Theuseof evidence forsurvival. models oftheafterlife, anddubious difficulties forsurvival, problematic annihilation, conceptualandempirical empiricalargumentsfor four parts: inlife afterdeathwith30chapters tome explicitlymakingthecaseagainst The Myth of the Afterlife judge ourselves. and hellisfinallyanimageofhowwe in concludingthatourimageofheaven ethics -andCasey may well beright order relatingmetaphysics with loss ofadimensioncosmicmoral of thisandsecularisationisthe demythologisation. A consequence Instead, hefocusesontheological influence ofTibetanBuddhism. and theon our ideas last 40 years the impactofneardeathexperiences although hecouldhave considered next lifedeveloped inthe20thcentury, there were afew new ideasaboutthe Wallace. Thefinalchapterreflectsthat mentioned theroleofAlfredRussel Lodge; however, hecouldalsohave World War, on Sir Oliver particularly exploration oftheimpactFirst Research isbalancedandfair, withan origins oftheSocietyforPsychical His treatmentofspiritualismandthe a representationoftheheavenly state. as inthespiritualworld and marriage Swedenborg’s ideasonconjugallove they have died.Casey discusses arising frompeoplenotrealising people to comment on the problems Swedenborg was alsooneofthefirst predestination discussedelsewhere. criticism ofvicariousatonementand andhis with theProtestantreformers Swedenborg’s ofconversations reports Casey couldalso have mentioned drawing onhisownwiderperception. was an evidence-based approach, also covers. For Swedenborg, his spiritualistic sources, whichCasey Swedenborg andmore modern mewere theparallelsbetweenstruck Whatoriginallythan acharlatan. rather favour ofhisbeingavisionary Network Review2016/3 is a massive

under lax conditions while ignoring and conductinghisexperiments would guarantee a positive result of designinganexperiment that into thethirdbook.Heis accused provides a good transitionSchwartz ofGary A scathingcritiqueofthework amounting tosome2,400. and specificityofthecaseevidence eight pagesfailstoaddresstheweight case, the selective engagement in yearcollege students.’fourth Inthis on researchmethodsgiventothirdor requiredincourses ofwork the sort todifficulties. Itdoesnotcorrespond errors, flaws, gaps, messesand pretty insulting: (it) ‘is full of serious dismissive framingandconclusion which Stevenson worked, Ifoundthe sticks. Giventhethoroughnesswith to theleaky bucket andthebundleof case-againoneisback watertight and thedifficultyoffindingatotally himself, includingpossibleerrors these were discussedby Stevenson questions, manyraise important of the critiquesofIanStevenson’s work classified ashallucinationsandwhile many of thisReview. readers NDEsare forthat willbemostcontroversial Three, part in Part but it is thefourth models oftheafterlife, asdiscussed Thereareindeedproblematictruth. and thatoursensesreveal thefinal areimplausible,bodies andworlds philosophical assumption), thatastral closure (causalisitselfa violate physical laws andcausal physical), thatnonphysical souls (there may bebodiesotherthan is inconceivable disembodied afterlife metaphysically impossible, that a is that survival of their authors: essays indicate the strong positions but againsomeofthetitles ismorephilosophical,The secondpart indeed itdoes. the brainproducesconsciousness, if -weformulation don’t how understand ofthehardproblem the sameistrue its mechanism; however,understands that no one unfalsifiable and remarking James and others, claiming that it is hypothesis advanced by William They arenaturallycriticalof thefilter strong soastoamountcausation. aresufficientlyview thatcorrelations correlation, tendtotake butwriters the question aboutcausationand Naturally,to survival. itraisesthe analysis of many arguments related provide withasophisticated readers Having said this, the volume does living persons. unknown toreveal specific information wrong instatingthatmediumsnever materialistic –explanations;andheis eager todismissconventional -i.e. many are too psychical researchers but whichhemakes on thebasisthat with whichIfundamentallydisagree toexplainit’-anassertion or superpsi requiring ustopostulateeithersurvival genuinely open-minded position, II scepticism.Type Irepresentsthe distinction between Type IandType project and analysis of the important adds hisexperienceofthe current measurements oflight.To this, he with aprogrammeenabledto register experimental setup on a computer deal. This includes an interesting experience, has a great which Gary of evidence aswell aspersonal theideaonbasis have supported aware, many distinguishedscientists will beatheistic position. As readers this hasimpactedonhisownoriginally consciousness beyond deathandhow theideaof of researchthatsupport the image.Heanalysesvarioustypes assumption thattheTVsetcreated and removal testsdonotjustifythe showing how correlation, stimulation anditslogicinsomedetail,theory four criteria.Hediscussesthefilter sceptical re-evaluation ofthefirst experience,personal andresponsible community of credible believers, direct and theory, scientific evidence, a based onfivecriteria:reason to parapsychological phenomena approach presentsascrupulous Gary the book. sometimes lessdigestiblematerialin immediacy totheextensiveand himself. TheDVDs bringahuman was initially as sceptical as Ackerman addition, thefilmmaker Paul Davids of chance. Inbe dismissed in terms is strikingenoughand cannotintoto the reader to decide, but the material evidence forlifeafterdeathisupto Whether thisrepresentstheultimate about Ackerman andhis personality. blind, significantfactualinformation case anddifferentmediumsproduced, on the to all those working occurred on thefollowingpage.Synchronicities again- a sentence that then appears totheinkblot of thesentencereferring in a magazine into a proofread article extraordinarily, ananomalousinsertion down, objectsmoving and, most computer screens, falling papers weird phenomenaassociated with forensically analysed, butinclude an inexplicableinkblot, whichisthen They beginwiththeappearanceof ofAckerman. some form in without postulating the survival of which are striking and inexplicable details over 140oftheseevents, many Theappendixthrough computers. through mediumsandcommunication physical, synchronistic, information describe fourtypesofphenomena: sceptic andatheist.Thebookfilm J Ackerman, who had been a lifelong Forrest luminary of Science Fiction to aseriesofevents afterthedeath The atheist in heaven of the title refers accusations in a broad framework. frameshisresponsetothese Gary its findingswere bogus.’ (p.612) experiment was notscientificand or downplaying validcriticisms:‘the

book reviews 51 year. year. www.scimednet.org rd aware and accepting accepting and aware and of our mortality, strengthen our sense sense our strengthen of death transcendence of death transcendence in non-destructive ways, such as connecting as connecting such to future generations, generations, to future passing on our genes, values and possessions values and possessions and offering them them offering and and teaching innovations in vital subjects. Or else else in vital subjects. Or we can consider the the can consider we Epicurean cure (341-270 BC) which asserts that as dead people are devoid dead people are devoid their sensations, all of condition is no different condition is no different from never having existed. having from never Brief but potent advice… The authors’ own attitude to mortality to identify seem but they is not stated, selves, themselves with their physical hence no question of survival of any detachment and objectivity kind. Total particularly but, with are impossible, personal a clear attitude subject, this I can’t would be needed. Lacking this, help wondering whether their own fears to carry occasionally didn’t them away scholarly the detriment of their work’s claim when they for instance standard, that concerns about mortality influence everything, including “what you eat for you put on how much sunscreen lunch, you voted for in whom at the beach, your attitudes about the last election, and whom shopping…whom you love seriously considered Having you hate.” the and lunch today’s of choice my I disagree. love, permanent object of my claiming the persistenceIn the final part, the authors quote of the terror of death, about death as famous line Hamlet’s country“the undiscovered from whose returns”. bourn But that no traveller is no longer true. Ironically enough in just before the three authors 1975, “Life book, Moody’s Raymond first met, in era, new a up opened Life”, After which the near-death experiences of clinically dead but resuscitated patients who did return–travellers from that bourn perspective – put an entirely new death and a possible on physical of afterlife. Since then an avalanche important eminent authors books by David such as Elisabeth Kuebler-Ross, Ring and Ken Fenwick, Peter Lorimer, has begun others too numerous to list, to change our individual and collective ideas about death. Over 13 million pioneering “Life copies of Dr Moody’s been sold worldwide, After Life” have death, focus on physical offering a new Worm “The light, that In terror. from free at the Core” can be seen as a splendid the age-old to monument all-embracing but one terror-struck attitude to death, that has begun to lose its validity. Beata Bishop is author of A Time to and is in her 93 Heal, Network Review 2016/3 Review Network This chapter chapter This a highly readable readable highly a

on

century the A.D. th all spiritual strivings strivings all spiritual mentioned are solely create to tools as well-being emotional death and lower anxiety.) under the Part 2, heading of Death Through the Ages, lists various efforts achieve to literal or symbolic The immortality. range is wide: in the 4 Chinese needed a Chinese needed a lot of gold to make they an elixir that, would believed, protect them from death. Being short physical of the to hoping turned to alchemy, they stuff, convert base metals into non-corroding neither the know, all we gold. From gold nor the immortality elixir ever this ancient attempt materialised. Yet seems less bizarre than some of equivalent efforts. example, For today’s at the Alcor Life Extension Foundation corpses deep-frozen kept are in Arizona, awaiting in liquid nitrogen canisters, that the technological development to be brought back them will allow At long that will take. however to life, time hardly $200,000 per person, matters. Those of more limited means brains and heads their only have may in the hope preserved for $80,000, body will be that at de-frosting a new for them. provided Symbolic immortality can be built on achievements great and lasting fame, are Great the Alexander and (Keats a fertile family line prime examples), or the acquisition of a huge fortune, of God’s sign “a as seen is which intentions.” benevolent reader the takes tour d’horizon, bringing together cultural tour d’horizon, and much philosophy psychology, history, more – indeed so much that the terror of death almost vanishes from sight. Death in Modern Times, Part 3, bang. a with back it brings Human from destructiveness and cruelty, is Hussein, Saddam to Hun the Attila quoted as proof that fighting “the other” own sense of safety; strengthens one’s already Thucydides stated that through “their people strive to overcome warfare mortal alliance” condition”. The “uneasy body and soul reminds us that between will die, creatures who are physical we tryso we to distance ourselves from ranging ways, our bodily nature in many transformativefrom the cosmetics to “the mortification sex, Even flesh. the of is linked most pleasurable of activities”, to the body and therefore to death. this with live to we are how So The authors advise us to awareness? more become self-esteem, cultivate Allen Lane, 2015, 229 pp., £20, h/b - £20, 229 pp., 2015, Allen Lane, ISBN 978-0-241-21725-2 Sheldon Solomon, Jeff Greenberg Jeff Sheldon Solomon, Pyszczynski & Tom How Grim is the Reaper? How Grim is the Beata Bishop THE AT THE WORM Role of CORE - On the Death in Life The title comes from William James, the The title comes from William James, and the central theme worm is death, extraordinaryof this claim and is book the terror of death being the motivation admit I must of all human activity. firsttenet was this to reaction my that negative for two reasons: it sounded and and all-embracing, too sweeping the term “terror” seemed exaggerated, but then in recent years that word and acquired a bloody its derivatives have the earlyin exist shadow which didn’t then Eighties when the three authors, young experimental psychologists at began to the University of Kansas, explore the subject. workthe by aroused was interest Their academic Ernest Becker of the maverick human activity is all that claimed who unconscious efforts driven by to deny basic the neutralise somehow and this terror of mortality; in fact, that, behind the power the motive terror was science, religion, art, of development economics and much of human ideas, Becker’s Expanding behaviour. the three authors formulated a “Terror Management Theory” however, which, the psychological rejected by was Establishment. Without some hard their ideas told, were they evidence, seriously. would not be taken and thirty took up the challenge, They present years later in this book they wealth a and of 500 studies results the supportingresearch additional of Terror their central theme. In Part 1, the detailed studies Management, suggest that making people think of their own death immediately changes judges their behaviour: for instance, harsherorder punishments in set-up individuals become more hostile cases, consider others whom they towards show they different from themselves, to charismatic leaders, more devotion and greater faith in the existence of God. (Throughout the book religion and while representatives of Type II are II are Type of representatives while of manipulation for the responsible entries on parapsychology, Wikipedia apparently damning including the work. Overall, of Gary’s indictments survivalvaluable addition to book is a research literature. of an I am reminded In conclusion, on survival essay the philosopher by he concludes that where Broad, CD his if see and wait to have will he consciousness survives or, death and not see. wait alternatively, book reviews www.scimednet.org 52 well-known cases asAnitaMoorjaniand “miraculous healing”), including such medicalscience (so-calledcurrent thatareinexplicable byin NDEers include tenfascinatingcasesof healing of body, authors andviceversa.The distance perceivedtheNDEer being out ataincluding several inwhichothers body experiencesarethenreported, having of NDEers out-of- observations cases) are then shared. Seven and withpeoplefamiliartothem(6 (5cases) withbothstrangers NDEers After-death communications(ADCs)of declared clinicallydeadforthreedays. case ofGeorgeRodonaia, whowas Here they recounttheextraordinary telepathic awareness ofthe NDEer. alternatively, wheresomeonehada in relationtosomeoneelse, or the NDEerhadatelepathicexperience telepathy areexaminedwhereeither Fourcardiac arrest. robust cases of duringdocumented casesoccurred awareness –many ofthesewell- incompatible withany conscious case ofPam Reynolds, duringconditions perceptions, includingtheoft-discussed Next they describe36casesofsuch the patients’physical environment. such perceptions beyond the range of Then they progressthrough18casesof patients’ immediatebodilyenvironment. perceptionsofthe extrasensory begin with 14 cases ofThe authors worthwhile, read. make thisbookarefreshing, andvery of possiblematerialistinterpretations objective assessmentandrefutation The qualityofempiricaldata and the such conscious experiences. support neuroscience) was innoconditionto to theacceptedprinciplesofmodern during NDEs, whenthebrain(according over 100casesofveridicalperception lengths tomake anobjectiveanalysis Rudolf H.Smithave gonetogreat authors, and TitusRivas, AnnaDirven expanded intoanEnglishedition.The in2013andrecently the Netherlands Does NotDie, originallypublishedin book,NDEs inanew landmark TheSelf appreciate therichpresentationof True skeptics willthusgreatly death experiences(NDEs). lensofnear- through theextraordinary brain connectionasitisrevealed themind- tobetterunderstand trying skepticism isour greatestallyin True open-minded ISBN 978-0-9975608-0-0 no pricegiven, p/b– IANDS, 2016, 366pp., H. Smit andRudolf Dirven Rivas,Titus Annie NOT DIE THE SELFDOES Eben Alexander Soul the Realityof Science Supports Network Review2016/3

of Heaven and and authorofProof is aneurosurgeon Dr EbenAlexander book. this remarkable truth, asitisobjectivelyrepresentedin western paradigmtowards thedeeper explanations willnudgetheprevailing inadequacies ofmaterialistpseudo- withtheongoing the sheerfrustration the available evidence. Sooner orlater, more reasonableinaccountingforall of primordialconsciousness)isfar (i.e., as a receiver thatthe brain serves physical matter. Rather, thefiltermodel brain produces consciousness out of production model, whichstatesthatthe These empiricaldatarefutethe we mustrejectthematerialistposition. that to reach a deeper understanding, Physicalism, etc.), itbecomesclear (e.g. onthemind-brainrelationship works included inthisbookandrecent As onestudiesthescientificevidence expression. on thephysical brainforitsconscious the soulexistsanddoesnotdepend fundamental intheuniverse, andthat scientific view thatconsciousnessis totheemerging empirical support significant and timelybookthatoffers The SelfDoesNotDieisanimportant NDEaccounts. remarkable generally dismisssomeofthesetruly position whichtriestodeny, ignoreand feeble counterclaimsofthematerialist towards eliminating onceandforallthe In short, this book goes along way debunk my bookProofofHeaven). to extreme tacticsinvolved in trying (including extensivediscussionofthe phenomena areillogicalandinadequate and www.eternea.org ebenalexander.com See www. The MapofHeaven. Irreducible Mind and Irreducible nations forsuch materialist expla- pointing out the They concludeby dreams afterNDEs. and precognitive psychokinesis (PK) perception (ESP), (ADCs), extrasensory communications such asafter-death psychic abilities, of paranormal they cover fourcases Benedict. Finally, Mellen-Thomas

Beyond

becoming a he callsconsciousness-basedhealing, change hismedicalpracticetowhat the raw materialofhiscapacity to thattheseexperiencesarelearns of abuse and addiction. Hein terms patterns connections tohiscurrent memories of two previous lives with own experience.Very unusually, hehas better in the light of his to understand a difficultrelationshipbuthecomes encounter hisfather, withwhomhehad and theDivine.Heistaken abackto tohisownself,if heistruthful God willtakethat theUniverse careofhim to breakthiscycleofanger, andistold before him.Henowhasanopportunity he had experienced and his father and abuseonhiseldestson, justas ofpressure has continuedapattern and selfishhehasbeenhow dramatic. He realises how materialistic His journey in the other realms was his stockmarket position. themonsothathecancheck hurrying he hasbeenwithmany ofhispatients, his experience, herealiseshowcallous was ostensiblyunconscious.After Parti a joke he had made while reporting However, his surgeon by he surprised dying fromsepsisanda105°fever. serious seventh operationwhenhewas himself hasafterwaking upfromavery fashion,in hisnormal anexperiencehe a patient’s NDE, disregarded whichParti of book beginswiththepoignantstory material advancementatany cost.The sacrificed his health and humanity for cardiac anaesthetist.Hehadeffectively high-pressure lifestyleasasuccessful mansion andexpensivecars, livinga in materialisticvalues, withhislarge case, was steeped DrParti particular the titleofthisbooksuggests.In the wideranddeepercontextoflife, as to wake us up to is trying spiritual world healing, love andwisdom.Itisasifthe with the same essential message of a classicofrecentNDEliteratureand and of joinsthelikes story This extraordinary Proof ofHeaven by DrEbenAlexander Dying tobeMeby AnitaMoorjanias p/b –ISBN978-1-78180-726-2 Hay House, 2016, 222 pp., £10.99, withPaulDr RajivParti Perry DYING TOWAKE UP David Lorimer Deep Transformation healer ofthesoul. He receiveshismost important guidanceimportant from whatheperceives to bethearchangels Michael andRaphael in whichheistold that thepurelove and intelligence he is experiencing‘is the basicreality, the underlying fabric, ofeverything It isthesource in the universe. book reviews 53 www.scimednet.org idea of judgement as idea of judgement as interpretation of the struck the re- by liberation. I was liberation. I was a simultaneous simultaneous a that is paradoxically that is paradoxically time of disintegration time of disintegration so there comes a a comes there so a phase of integration, integration, a phase of order. Just as there is is Just as there order. wholeness and deeper and deeper wholeness into a larger sense of of sense larger a into finding, integrating integrating finding, appreciation for the life life appreciation for the lived. This corresponds to ‘a God who corresponds This who God lived. ‘a to carries and nurtures who is pleased me, who consoles when I reach home, and gentle is who tender, is and me I found this such a beautiful and warm.’ are we that us reminding image, moving and able and lovable, ultimately loved and to forgive ourselves. Forgiveness reconciliation are important themes, reach peace do not people since without going through this process. also emphasises this in Bronnie Ware her book on the five main regrets of some years which I reviewed the dying, by impressed repeatedly is She ago. ordinaryfor is it difficult how to people but observes forgive themselves, that reaching nearly end, the in do all they peace and an ability to let go. Then they their transition. can make primordial trust overcomes Ultimately, but the latter needs to primordial fear, be acknowledged in our vulnerability in to fellow human whether relationship, the Monika, For Divine. the or beings find our way question of whether we to a spirituality of relatedness is the culture. Western for question fateful This transcends our tendencies towards self-determination and self-protection, She sees us as the quest for power. healed, part ‘held within, of a whole, On the basis based on and connected.’ that concludes she research, her of every affects experience spiritual real relativises us, us personally: ‘it shakes and initiates relatedness and our ego, is ultimately (p. 130) Truth maturation.’ greater than guilt and facilitates a sense of self-reconciliation. she the end of the book, Towards idea that humans quotes Karl Rahner’s are a question into a limitless darkness, raising the question of identity: who am I and who am I meant to be? She reminds us that identity is in fact a termrelational being on depends and for who recognised or seen and loved but also by humans, not only by are, we expresses it, as St Paul God. Mystically, The but Christ within me.’ this is ‘not I, and personalthe individual of ground is the universal and transpersonal. When are open to hope, we realise this, we and renewal: love transcendence, grace, a sense of deep connectedness beyond the fear and isolation of the ego - such message of this is the reassuring profound study. Network Review 2016/3 Review Network

In the Liminal In the Liminal Sphere Lorimer David GRACE HOPE AND Monika Renz 192 pp., 2016, Jessica Kingsley, p/b – £14.99, ISBN 978-178592-030-1 Death - a Transition. It is a study Death - a Transition. of spiritual experiences in severe severe in experiences spiritual of on a illness and dying based distress, survey of all the patients in the author’s totalling period, one-year a care over of whom 135 had one or several 251, Significantly, spiritual experiences. an hour of 135 died within 22% of the such an experience. 56% had conveying while 53% experienced pain less fear, ordered attitude towards an and relief a new life and death. 50% developed and divine God/the towards attitude Interestingly, identity. spiritual a new reported spontaneously 44% their all a which says spiritual experiences, great deal about the quality of spiritual care. As for preceding therapeutic most the interventions, spiritual and important music at 73% then was religious support at 63% and empathy at 62%. or love of sphere the is sphere liminal The and transformation betweenness where the structures its of the ego and are dissolved. The controlling software as the basic title is defined hope of the human condition and openness into either from without which grace enters, innermost our being. within, from or the caregiver This can be offered by the patient, patient. For and attained by the focus of hope gradually transforms and experiencing good from getting well to living of hope the from then times, from the hope the hope of dying well, oneself beyond hope a to oneself for presence of of quality The 51). (p. the caregiver is critical. According to must be willing to endure they Monika, the powerlessness in an empathic way as engaging of their patients as well with their struggle through nothingness from God - their remoteness and absence. In her case, characterised by the choosing sensitively means this interventionform and timing of any given her background in nursing, music and psychotherapy theology, The reader cannot fail to be therapy. the variety and timeliness impressed by of her pastoral and therapeutic of many interventions which are patients, with described in considerable detail. She encounter we that us reminds also necessarily encounter patients as who so there is an accompanying are, we transformative process in the carer. and freedom are only found Peace the ego with its characteristic beyond denial and control. modes of struggle, go, letting surrender, is there Here This book follows on from the on from the This book follows this time last year one I reviewed – service work offered with gratitude, The book conveys an essential and essential and an book conveys The can all which we inspiring message, to apply to our lives without having undergo an NDE ourselves. For him, death proves to be an awakening, awakening, to be an death proves him, For of principles own his applies he and his to healing and love forgiveness, son, his with especially relationships, whom he had been pressuring to follow his footsteps into medicine. He also a series of five lessons from the draws he is trying light. During this period, has who Naresh, friend his help to Nareshapply the same insights. cancer, but his death is does die in the end, remarkablea into opening an shared death experience. In the process of the Parti his religion - has discovered story, - and his calling as a kindness and love healer performing what the Indians call seva, There is one serious error in the book, notified to the publisher which I have so that it can be corrected in future that Jung editions. Parti (p. 123) says around the time had an NDE in 1913, It is true to of his break with Freud. spiritual regarded Freud that say but the experiences as fantasies, experience he refers to took place and did indeed lead to an in 1944, work. important of Jung’s expansion This experience has an immediate andThis experience has professional and lasting effect on Parti’s his wife Arpana and turnspersonal life, supportiveincredibly be to out she once has come to terms with the implications the house downsize for her family - they cars;and get rid of the expensive he resigns his position in the hospital, to the amazement of his colleagues, to constructbegins and life. his new free from hospital On his first day he holds a funeral for commitments, his old self and writes a series of three extraordinaryfatherhis letters God, to about poem a with along himself and Parti finds Eben, Like wife. his for love that meditation gives him access to a he and guidance, of source continuing articulatescallshe what points of seven affirming a his Near Death Manifesto, of life. spiritual view to God. of all creation, the creative force force the creative creation, of all tell him that They of the universe.’ a person comes when enlightenment is everywhere that love realises matters, only thing that and is the reach that ‘most don’t commenting the leave until they that realisation Hence the importance of this Earth.’ and it is one message for the reader, Alexander Eben by emphasised equally and Anita Moorjani. book reviews www.scimednet.org 54 do whilehidden fromtheview ofcitizens actually governments andcorporations of what‘an insiderperspective This initiativehasprovidedinformation. of WikiLeaksandthecontrol of he presentsafascinating analysis of sociability. Inhisnew introduction, free expressionandchoosing forms sitesasameansofselling network special attentiontotheriseofsocial new communities.Castellspays andcreateintroduce new concerns to the opportunity gives everyone calls networked individualism that tocreatewhatheon theInternet in decline, aregenerated new forms ofcommunityaretraditional forms openness andtransparency. Although comesatrendtowardsinformation is freedom, andwiththisaccessto saying that the culture of the Internet in There isnodoubtthathecorrect their interaction. communication aredecisiveinframing power andprocessesof inwhichforms dialectic between power andcounter In thisrespect, Castellspostulatesa institutionalised power relationships. thatmostdirectlychallenges Internet culture offreedomgeneratedby the It isfreecommunicationandthe and self-selection of information. involving self-generation, self-direction calls mass self-communication operate, withtheriseofwhatCastells ways inwhich power relationships hasdeeplymodifiedthe the Internet various channels, and the advent of communication ismediatedthrough intimidation orviolence.’ (p.xix)This than thesubmissionofbodiesby ofdomination decisive andlastingform The shaping of minds is a more through communicationprocesses. inpeople’slargely constructed minds the institutions that organise society, are ‘power relationships, thefoundationof change. Thecoreargumentisthat forsocialcommunication networks andfinallyreprogrammingnetworks power, programming communication the digitalage, ofmindsand networks society,the network communication in powerare five extensive chapters: in introduction to the2013 edition. There and penetratinganalysis, withanew to theexerciseofpower inthisbrilliant in relationcommunications platforms distils theimplicationsofnew society,network Manuel Castells on theBuilding on his previous work studies ecology-futures p/b –ISBN978-0-19-968193-8 Oxford 2013(2009), 574pp., £14.99, Manuel Castells POWER COMMUNICATION David Lorimer Culture ofFreedom andthe The Internet Network Review2016/3 contractors orlobbyingcontractors forthem. of whomwere withmilitary working media tocoordinatethemessage, many analystsoperatinginthe 75 military while thePentagon simultaneouslyhad patriotism, self-defenceandrescue, war activating a fear frame, onterror agenda-setting framesinclude the different pointsinthecampaign.These wereframes ornarratives usedat appearances). Heshowshowdifferent Powell andRicein125separatepublic made by Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, the reasonsforUSwar inIraq of 237misleadingstatementsabout containsasearchabledatabase Report respect totheIraqwar (TheWaxman manipulation ofpublicopinionwith a tellingillustrationby usingthe evaluation orsolution.Castellsgives interpretation, to promoteaparticular the centralissuesinsuchaway as aspectsof means highlighting certain media-driven process, which, politically, Framing the public mindislargelya according to their cognitiveframes. People alsotendtoselectinformation action accordingtothebeliefsinvolved. andmobilise both shapeunderstanding Inthisway,neural networks. framescan frameswillactivatespecific certain through metaphoricalconnections, so ofassociationaccessiblenetworks motivations. Frames areneural and frommoredirectemotional both asaresultofframedreasoning Decisionsaremade previous patterns. we tendtoprocessevents accordingto images inthebrain, andwe knowthat creation andmanipulationofmental beliefs andpolitics.Thisinvolves the the roleofemotionandcognitionin ofAntonioDamasio,the work about chapter, much of which is based on conveying thesubstanceofthird within thepoliticalcontext, itisworth Before consideringthisinmoredetail independent oftheircontrol. monitored by autonomous networks are nowunderconstantfearofbeing ofpower’ butpowerful peopleheart secrecy continues‘becauseitisatthe China). To be sure, the practice of inRussiaand to controltheInternet vigorous fashion(hediscussespolicies so they have actedtogetherina found deeply threatening, which governments have of independentjournalism, practice and a new form as adecisivedemocratic xxxvii) Castellsseesthis heights ofsociety.’ (p. power inthecommanding rootsof threatens thevery as aconstitutionalright access to information of free the assertion which requiressecrecy, control ofinformation, power isbasedonthe point that‘as crucial he makes the really and clients.’ Then

Further analysisofthedigitalsuccess Further have tensofmillions ofsupporters. online campaigning groups that now many othercauseschampioned by Thisalso appliestothe Internet. the interactivecapacityoffered by through mass citizenparticipation mass audiencetowards stimulating has moved beyond reaching out to a citizens. Theenvironmental movement among thatraiseconcern narratives media for attracting audiences through showing that global warming is a good as forces in the media while also movement and critics of globalisation of theemergenceenvironmental Castells presentsa lengthy analysis multimedia communicationnetworks. now takes place in self-organising The battleofimagesandframes change.’ (p.303, italicsintheoriginal) to shapetheprocessofsocial world capacity ofcivilsocietiesaroundthe communication andtheautonomous betweensynergy theriseofmassself- communication inthe‘potential strong upsidetotheadventofdigital If this is the downside, there is a (p. 289, italicsintheoriginal) scandal intheconductofpublicaffairs’ of mediapoliticsandthe be directlyrelatedtothedominance can and thedeclineofpoliticaltrust between exposuretopoliticalcorruption Castells concludes that ‘the connection politics andpoliticalinstitutions. inthrough a decline of public trust creating acrisisofpoliticallegitimacy Scandal politicshasthewiderfalloutof are documentedinanappendix). to unseatpoliticalfigures(many cases through broadcasting juicy information of themediainattractingaudiences which isagoodfitfortheinherentrole This bringsustothepoliticsofscandal, the twoorthreemostdamagingitems. this basis, iscreatedusing anadvert expect throughpollingcompanies.On testing therelativedamageonecan then political hitmendiggingupthedirt Castells explainstheprocessof recent US Presidential campaign. politics, as has been apparent in the weapon eraofpersonality inthecurrent character assassinationisapotent intentions thanpositiveimages, hence have a more powerful effect on voting established that negative images established thatnegativeimages The chapteronpro- gramming communication networks discussesnetworks media politics, scandal politics andthecrisis of democracy. Castells reminds readers ofreminds readers his thesis that ‘power relationships are largely relationships arelargely based ontheshaping of thehumanmind by theconstruction of meaningthrough image-making.’ (p. 193) Ideas are ‘images inourbrain.’ He has already

book reviews

55 www.scimednet.org other. This is where mutual learning mutual learning is where This other. contexts and within living between name the given is and in comes so struck this I was by symmathesy. it on the Internet that I sourced essay to a number of friends. and sent it two defined in Symmathesy is first as ‘an entity formed over ways: learning contextual mutual time by is what the (this interaction’ through International would call Futures Forum process and secondly the an integrity), learningof contextual mutual through evolution sense, interaction. In this emerges in interrelationality rather arrangement of outcome the being than live is to To and mechanistic function. learnlearning a mutual in that context of idea and the is inherently complex, parts and wholes is misleading in co- systems with multiple contexts. evolving helps readers to see that The essay mutuality is primary rather than agency are words addition, In individuality. and a limited and abstract form of linear for a povertyexposition that can make of description. Under implications and applications of perhaps education is the symmathesy, most important, but also intractable currentour within is it as educational learn to think the contexts that we specialist largely in linear, do, we way terms. analytical and Understanding and interacting with complex living systems is necessary for our survival. our ‘as it stands, As Nora comments, us seeing “knowledge” often prevents the interdependencies of our complex disrupt to – them therefore we world, that and well-being our of detriment the (p. 190) live within.’ of the biosphere we more aware to become much need We are making sense of our worldof how we in terms of our underlying patterns of thought. When applied to institutions, ‘appear to be equally entwined in they preserving self the pattern holding of dysfunction that stymies all attempts to survival for the even of instigate change, (p. 192) These institutions our species.’ their own ecology totality of or have patterns of interrelationship that require the so that rehabilitation’ ‘contextual discourse becomes one of overarching and interdependency, interconnection, This relationship. through interaction be more importantcould not point as still operating within a mental are we silo of separate nation-states each pursuing Whether interests. own their are in a mutual we it or not, know we into the process of learning our way receive will inevitably future where we efforts our on feedback hopefully and and creative for capacity our enhance in the interests adaptive improvisation of the planet as a whole. This seminal relational book will give you a new lens on life. Network Review 2016/3 Review Network

we should be be should we talking about holons and holons and be wary of the exact meaning meaning exact of these words of these words - diagrams - diagrams with boxes and with boxes and arrows make arrows make things out of things out of processes. processes. Linear planning planning Linear in a systems in a systems context is an context is an abstract illusion abstract illusion as all the elements the as all are constantly constantly are changing both in changing both in themselves and themselves and in relation to each in relation to each parts and wholes when think about the relationship between the relationship between think about daughter. Interestingly, it turns out it turns out Interestingly, daughter. is in phrase ‘the evolution that the even comes from William, the context’ Gregory. often attributed to though it is feast as a whole is a rich The book short more reflections and with poetry, the termsextended pieces introducing and symmathesy. transcontextuality corrective a is It excessive the to the in individualism on emphasis ‘”I” carries the suggestion that West: independent, I am somehow individual, - is the law’ when interdependence containing within our own bodies even organisms and without 10 trillion over Transcontextuality cannot live. which we understandingreminds us that an of more than oneliving organisms requires to understand are context of study if we world of the of Perception their vitality. which separate, them makes things can assign some form means that we ‘when the larger However, of agency. intertwinedin focus, contexts are This turns to out agency is diffused.’ as Nora explains be a crucial point, on leadership within the in an essay there is no her, For paradox of agency. such thing as an isolated individual consequently require a new and we understanding of leadership based leadershipsince interdependency, on contexts. itself is the product of many is system a within happens Whatever an expression of the patterns of that means there is no which entire system, blame and everyone is responsible. In of the book about Thomas review my Merton, I think he understands this point. In our current global situation, can no longer afford to think in we as solutions singular and linear terms, cannot come from such a narrow way of thinking. Nora is One danger highlighted by that our vocabulary may change but underlyingour patternsthinking of remain the same - it is easy to think mechanistically about systems or else stress the centrality of oneness when of process a is insight essential the often We uniting requiring relationality. Nora Bateson p/b £15, 211 pp., 2016, Press, Triarchy – ISBN 978-1-909470-96-5 David Lorimer David SMALL ARCS OF LARGER CIRCLES Symmathesy as Mutual Learning Readers of this Review will will Readers of this Review probably be most familiar workthe with Gregoryof be not may but Bateson, that his father William aware biologyof professor at was Cambridge and coined the term genetics in 1906. months few a only Then Mary I reviewed ago, book Catherine Bateson’s Composing a Further her have we now - Life a half sister Nora, as as well filmmaker continuing an author, intergenerational the family reflections on the pattern that with a connects, her by foreword Reading this book gives a vital insight Reading this book gives a vital insight into the nature of changing patterns of more and, and communication, power importantly individually and into what we collectively can do in order to shape a more positive future. The network itself which is a metaphor of connectedness, to generation rising the enable may maintaining a think and act differently, culture of freedom while coordinating for more general social and environmental in order for this to And, improvement. of outrage and the emotions happen, fear in order to overcome anger have to mobilise action for social change, become self-sustaining well which may through enthusiasm. In his conclusion, Castells rues the In his conclusion, a as violence political of prevalence form on our acting of communication of death to instil minds through images the war In the US, fear and intimidation. and Act, on terror enabled the Patriot images are daily bombarded with we of violence perpetuating a culture of nine of In the recent US election, fear. armsten largest the gave companies campaign, Clinton the to donations to perpetuate presumably in order and proxy wars business as usual with covert the world. operations around All continuing pursuitthis represents the of narrow of self-interest at the expense the politics of the whole. Interestingly, is itself process globalisation the leading to a resurgence of nationalism, self-interest of the on is it as based corporations and their leaders. of the 2008 Obama campaign as as Obama campaign 2008 the of of reprogramming another example networks.communication book reviews www.scimednet.org book, butitisclear thattheinnerstate that oneexpectstofindina business or innerknowing-thisisnot aword andorganisationalgnosis of personal He seestheoverall processinterms number ofchapters. Giles’s bookand whichheappliesina strengthofgreater detail, aparticular of thesecharacteristics is explainedin Each values led and life supporting. optimising, adaptive, systems based, willalsoberesilient,regenerative firm anddiagram onpp.34-35.A chart helpful of the future, with a particularly on tohischaracterisationofthefirm This leadsvalue and deeper purpose. and a sense of real aligned to service logic is both regenerative and resilient, the immediatetaskathand.Hisnew and keeps underpressuretofocuson surely putsadamperoncreativity beings insuchanenvironment, which mind-set.’ Nordo we flourishashuman defensive and reactive firefighting obsessed, siloed, control-based, up inatop-down, hierarchical, KPI- organisations findthemselvescaught comments that‘toomany oftoday’s to dealwithourvolatiletimes.He ability complexity gapinourleaders’ is representedby whathecallsa and organisationally. Thedanger mind-set isrequiredbothpersonally ofmeans that a transformation turbulenceanduncertainty Current beginning ofeachchapter. atthe a bulletpointexecutivesummary are souseful.Inaddition, heprovides reflective questionsandcaseexamples is why Giles’s practical exercises, tips, enough -itneedstobeembodied, which is no longer Theoretical understanding Graham Leicester’s book below. -seemyFutures Forum review of ofthe International a central concern logic, alsoafford touse20th-century companiescannolonger 21st-century the book, clearthat itbecomesvery of systems-based ones.Inthecourse from oldlinearways ofthinkingtonew ofthetransition a clearunderstanding diagrams so that the reader can gain and he summarisesinexcellentcharts deal ofessentialthinking, somewhich has synthesisedandorganisedagreat Gilesorganisational transformation. and a brillianthandbookforpersonal in a highly practical manner, providing togetherbrings thesetwoconcerns The Nature ofBusiness, and here he This followed onfromhis2012book ago in these pages.couple of years book realised that I had reviewed his earlier Laszlo Institute in Italy in July, and I metGilesataconferenceofthe 56 £17.99, p/b–ISBN978-1-530-153435 Self-published, 2016, 308pp., Giles Hutchins(SMN) FUTURE FIT David Lorimer Regenerative Logic The IllusionofSeparationa Network Review2016/3

business studies. in science, psychology, spirituality and route map based on the latest thinking written book provides an invaluable refreshingly straightforward andclearly process,in atransformative andthis and professionally, we areallinvolved Personally benchmark. corresponding organisation aswell asdetailsofa health checkquestionsforafuture-fit wise action.Thereisthenaseriesof to befinelybalancedandembodiedin how thequalitiesofYinandYang need with areflectiononalchemy, showing The book ends transformation. further criticism as aspur to using constructive hosts withintheirorganisationsand catalysts, operatingasconvenors and listeners, coaches, and facilitators aregood Suchleaders leadership. as well asfivequalitiesofconscious tofocuson areasforleaders important of logic, andGileshighlightsfive is essentialtomakingthistransition Leadership, asalreadymentioned, service. in thedirectionofcollaborationand of the futurewill be advancing the firm consistently attheseventh level, but few companieswillbeoperating very developmental tasks.Needlesstosay, are ateachlevel, withcorresponding what organisationalactionsandneeds of thefuture.Thismeansknowing development towards becoming afirm mapping seven stagesoforganisational and review elsewhere in this issue) by (seearticle model ofRichardBarrett this chapter, he uses the seven levels Attheendof andcirclesoftrust. inquiry listening, openspace, appreciative processes suchascouncil, deep implemented inapracticalway using soulful, butGilesshowsthesecanbe small steps, social, synchronicity and stillness,surprising: self-organisation, key attributes and qualities might seem relationships. Here again, some of the anditsoutside processes withinthefirm Organisational gnosis affects both trust, courage, humilityandreverence. environments: gratitude, surrender, that we can embody in challenging work suggests somesignificantqualities the feelings, breathandbody as before.Gilesgivesexercisesfor by theboard, sothingscontinueon frequently, this is exactly what goes back andregeneratethemselves.Too if they aregoingtobeablestand schedule reflective time intotheir week function. Crucially, needto leaders iscriticaltothewayof leaders they – H1 - represents current dominant– H1-represents current horizon Thefirst horizons framework. conceptual tool,a crucial the three reader isintroducedtowhatI consider Imagination comesnext, and herethe in my accountofourRomemeeting. fear and love, whichthereader will find focus. Thentherearethetwoloopsof connection -summarisedasholismwith and separationtowholeness new, and moving from fragmentation processes soastomake spaceforthe enabling ustocompleteandclose about, taking acyclicalview oftime the emergingintegritythatitbrings ofrelationshipsand dynamic pattern our contextoflearning, respectinga to be valid knowledge and therefore universe, expandingwhatwe consider inarelational subjects andparticipants as are fiveprinciples:seeingourselves Herethereapproaches toknowing. and rapidchange, we needflexible connectivity, overload information ofboundlessGiven ourworld not yetreadytobescaled. andtheprojectis slightly longerterm scalewhentheeffectsare short-term the needtomeasureoutcomesona tooldpeople.Onetensionis support adaptable way ofproviding careand analysis oftheevolution ofamore this point, the reader will find a useful spirit even inthefaceofsuccess.At end; and maintaining a pioneering integrity andcoherenceofmeans revealing hidden resources;maintaining committed withourfullself;responsible; grounded;personallylearning; and a processrootedindiscovery pioneering by perspective; a longer term inspiringandhopeful;informed world; operating inboththeoldandnew from IFF praxis: balance, of in terms innovationtransformative derived It outlines10characteristicsof being, doing, enablingandsupporting. onknowing,six chapters imagining, the introduction, the book consistsof innovation thatshakes itup.Following the existingsystemanddisruptive sustaining innovation thatfixes for the future.’ This contrastswith of viability in tune with our aspirations ‘fundamental shifttowards new patterns Transformative innovation representsa processes overlearning this period. many ofitskey insightsintosocialand of represents anexcellentsummary andit internationalfuturesforum.com) Futures Forum (www.International ofthe the15thanniversary to mark in EdinburghAprilatareception This inspiringbookwas launched – ISBN978-1-911193-00-5 Triarchy Press, 2016, 117pp., £15, h/b Graham Leicester INNOVATION TRANSFORMATIVE David Lorimer Strange Attractors book reviews 57 www.scimednet.org what he called a second simplicity, simplicity, a second he called what less than Eliot said cost not which TS In a case. everything; true in Paul’s Times from the Sunday recent piece shortly had after Paul Review, News the journalist he describes how died, him to provide his daughter had asked on which he wrote with a piece of paper morality, which were: words, down a few compassion, simplicity, kindness, gratitude, empathy, forgiveness, What equality. understanding, patience, with the message a list! In common experiences, from other near death for a true a recipe and deeply have we can something to which we human life, a tragic element, all aspire. There is also he reports reflected in the conversation one of his mentorsas a young man with about him asked He Curzon. Clifford Sir ‘consolation’, music: of significance the he said. ‘Consolation for what?’ asked he replied. life’, ‘For Paul. is a remarkable journey one by Paul’s brought up in a standards. He was any was and his father in Oxford, caravan a radical Marxist. He encountered the when some violin at the age of eight, offered at his school. free lessons were the instrumentAs soon as he picked up, familiarity of feeling strange had a he (he later had flashbacks of being on stage as a violinist at a different time immediately that and place) and knew which to become a violinist, he wanted he duly announced to his parents on returningthe vast home. He recognised and devoted amount of work involved, himself single-mindedly to perfecting his technique. When it came to the time that he needed a proper instrument his father going to cost £80, that was that kind did not have told him that they but he could try pools. He the of money, filled out card using the fingering of a Mozartcurrently working was he piece it seems, and duly won £80! Later, on, had a much more substantial win they buy and house to move able were and another as a rental property. When he meets his first important asked is he Parikian, Manoug teacher, to become an amateur if he wants of – ‘a professional or professional some sketches He replies. he course’, wonderfully amusing vignettes involving who spared no effortManoug, and tryingin expense English an to become incidents these of some - gentleman literally made me laugh out loud. There are some equally entertaining episodes connected with learning how to take has a wonderful tea with Curzon. Paul for the absurd. The reader also eye learns about his encounters with other Brendel, Heifetz, as such musicians Marriner and Menuhin. His parting he that time the around Manoug from QuartetMedici the established was extraordinary but it was acrimonious, that he suddenly had an impulse, a happy to visit him. It was years later, and he heard on the radio that reunion, Manoug died the next day. Network Review 2016/3 Review Network David Lorimer David SOUNDSCAPES foreword RobertsonPaul (SMN), Fenwick Dr Peter by – h/b £15.99, pp., 266 2016, Faber, ISBN 978-0-571-33188-8 A Musician’s Journey Journey A Musician’s Death through Life and to ask for permission, we just need to to just need we for permission, to ask do it. Pioneersin every field will find a rich resource this book Many readers will remember Paul at at readers will remember Paul Many one or more of his appearances on Network platforms. While he had a he came to Oxford Fellowship, NESTA partita in D minor and performed Bach’s dancing improvised while a Eurhythmist him - the to accompany movements in fact written as dance music was the piece again in music. He then played where Bath, in a conference at a church he also interviewed Sir John Tavener about the creative process in music. of creation the to led encounter This Silence, Towards one of his final works, able to eventually was which Paul the in the interim, perform. However, main artery in his heart ruptured and was John Sir nearlyhe Meantime, died. heart serious a with hospital in also condition. describes all this in the book, Paul and the incredibly hard and long road inch. He inch by literally to recovery, the violin play he would never told was and beautifully And most did. he again; poignantly at two more Mystics and one in the last conferences, Scientists 2015. He explained how life had been describing essentials, its to reduced general systems and business as usual; the the as usual; and business systems H2- is a patternsecond – of transition some of and innovations, activities while others prop up H1, which may horizon transition to the third enable the our deeper aspirations– H3 - embodying These are represented for the future. the manager, the respectively by The the visionary. entrepreneur and beauty of this framework is that it can be conversation used to set up a creative and patterns of potential scenarios too attached without people becoming to a single perspective. H3 provides help and may some imaginative space the present as we resolve dilemmas in of both worlds.seek to attain the best in encapsulated is process whole The encouraging cards’ ‘prompt the of one a future consciousness us to ‘develop to inform (attractors present’ the pull from the future). and the human system Being involves a embody to seek patternsits we as bringing transformative response by together what the IFF calls a creative integrity configured around personal commitment and expressing wholeness axes principal Its relationship. and are being and doing and it moves and integration, autonomy between creating a distinctive focus and holism, culture. Social learning is an iterative reflection. and action involving process just an abstract this is not Importantly, in learning but is embodied technique, from experience – hence the learning of as an essential component journey doing on chapter The process. IFF the strategies of also explains Jim Ewing’s which have Impacto and Implemento, been used successfully in a schools’ of a sequence project. This involves urgency, steps to consider purpose, path and success destination, emphasis on with an commitment, clarity of purpose that can then be reflected in clarity of communication. vision compelling a entails Enabling of the third horizon while supporting pioneers trying to implement the realistic a involves also This process. forms of policy landscape and new view - how does one flourish in of evaluation the presence of the old? Finance has its own challenges due to the nature and timing of transformative innovation present fact of continuous and the ever If contexts. evolving and change these insights resonate with your own to then you might like challenges, consult a further set of resources at . www.iffpraxis.com can give ourselves permission we Finally, a provides Graham and going, get to nice frameworkbased originally for this government reinventing on Al Gore’s programme. The permission slip gives us authority and responsibility an systems towards to help shift our aspirational third horizon vision of the ourselves a asked have future after we series of pertinent are If we questions. need don’t then we yes, able to answer book reviews www.scimednet.org 58 timing, theonly apparent audience was Langham Place.Duetoanoversight on beforetheirdebutatAllSouls, concert wherehedescribesapreparatory story devotion tothehigheststandardsina The reader already hasan idea of Paul’s Beethoven, especially his late quartets. significantfigureis another enormously If one ofPaul’s great loves was Bach, process describedafterhisillness. toletgoof.Thisisthevery to learn an almightyego, whichhewouldhave complete person, but that he also had requiredtobecomea had everything meeting, DrRolestellshimthat he Evenattheirfirst and hislove of truth. Paul describeshispresence heart. through the door the feeling the truth knowing the truth, while conscience is Society. For him, consciousnessmeans life was Dr Francis Roles of The Study influenceinPaul’sAnother important with it.’ (p.6) myself joyfully inordertobecomeunified I saw andshedthewholeof eternity – beautifully, ecstatically, transcendently. it: ‘asIlay therewaiting, Ifeltmyself die and lettinggooflifeitself.AsPaul puts Ultimately, this means dying to the ego success andpublicrecognition.’ (p.71) abiding needforsuchthingsasacareer, thedeepand attachments, ‘particularly powerful way ofsheddingunnecessary he foundthatbeingillwas avery control things, whilemoregenerally to being in the flow rather than trying musical level, represents surrender in hisdecisiontosellviolin.Ata go. This is most graphically illustrated conveys andlet istheneedtosurrender lessonthatPaul important A further way itis.’ we call‘I’.That’sthat smallerpart the consciousness andtheotherexpresses onelevel reflectsanall-knowing work; is always a moral consciousness at the universe, justasinourselves, there He concludes(p.174)that‘throughout life isprimarilydefinedasamoralforce. 112) For him, thismeansthat human Selves.’relationship with our true (p. which we howbesttoexpressour learn is ‘essentiallyamoralexplorationby withothers lives. Hefeelsthatourwork always our a moral balance underlying of dying,is a key and that there is part integrity. Heis convinced that judgement ofrare his self-appraisalwhichisamark players. There isasearinghonestyin him to disregard the needs of his fellow andambitionhadled how hisarrogance andrealises his timewiththequartet period ofhisrecovery, helooksbackon integrity andbeauty.’ (p.122)Duringthe and ofcreativityisthesourcedepth, ofliving inescapable flaw attheheart unachievable and yet, for Paul, ‘the means thatperfectionisinherently play intunetogether. Thiseffectively to accomplished musiciansintrying difficulties encounteredeven by Pythagorean gapasthesourceof Paul devotes someanalysistothe Network Review2016/3 representing a structured course which which course representing a structured present instructions this the authors awaken potential.” their true To achieve body, heart, andsoulfullyengaged ready to step into their lives with mind, meaningful living;womenwho are finally the calltogreatness, authenticity, and womanwho feels that it:“…isforevery for women.Inthebook’s blurb, we read empowerment trainings running careers women whohave had successful ofthisbookareboth The authors equality. gratitude, patience, understanding, compassion, forgiveness, empathy, morality,of paper: kindness, simplicity, repeat hismessageonthatpiece and inclosingcandonobetterthan to readthebook for themselves human condition. I encourage everyone depths andrisingtotheheightsof through music and life, plumbing the moving aswell journey asinstructive Overall, thisisarich, intenseanddeeply Quartets). order the Medici Complete Beethoven Ensemble recording, but do also intheHilliard (you canfindasummary the way withchorales they intertwine and symbolism of theviolinpartitas Professor HelgaThoeneonthehidden of he explainsthefascinatingwork divine mechanismoftheuniverse, and writes about becoming locked into the sense ofSelf.’ (p. 242) Elsewhere, he dividedunification ofournormally himself inthemusica‘wonderful altogether –Paul isabletolose Playing Bachisadifferentexperience within themusic. the preciseemotionalstatescarried tension. Thisenablesthemtoconvey to generate the necessary discomfort to be in a willing state of maximum oftheplayers,on the part who have demandadeepsacrifice these quartets of Opus130and131, how remarking the reader with some detailed analysis two more recording them. Paul provides themand they learning spentthreeyears - subsidise theirstudyofthequartets Queen ElizabethHallraises£45,000to deep.Anunusualauctionatthe dig very real odyssey requiring all the players to isa theBeethovenLearning quartets Council. a DeputyDirectoroftheArts out to be – Eric Thomson turns support his been listeningcomesupandoffers on playing. Attheend, amanwhohad three tramps and a dog but Paul insisted Love andLead Upgrading HowYou Live, MYSTERIAL WOMAN - THE WAY OFTHE Gunnel Minett Is ThisJustforWomen? 63152-081-5 www.shewritespress.com pages,paperback, £17.32, ISBN 978-1- She Writes Press, 2016, 306 Cannon andSusan Suzanne Andersson

appreciation of the intimacyinvolved the a greaterrespectforbeautyof and/or of the1960’s failedtocreatedgenerate altogether. Likewise, thesexualliberation even sacrificingtheirrolesasmothers to adoptamasculinelifestyle, sometimes Successful businesswomenoften have able to find their right place in society. really meantthatwomenhave been despite the best of intentions, has not many countries women’s emancipation, as individuals.Asthebookhints, in aspects oflifewhichbestsuitthem self,to seektheirtrue the pursuing been bettertoencouragebothgenders ‘empowerment forwomen’itwouldhave Rather thanusingphrasessuchas which we allhave, bothmenandwomen. on feminine/masculinecharacteristics I’d arguethatthetimehascometofocus in thedescriptionofwomenbook). many menwouldrecognisethemselves have appealedtobothsexes(Iamsure have kept itslanguagesuchthatitwould liked thebooktomake thisclearerandto The sameappliesformen.Iwouldhave leader whojusthappenstobeawoman. political or business to the ruthless women, timidmother-type fromthevery a wholerangeofdifferencesbetween a simplemale/femaledivide.Thereis there aremorenuancesingenderthan have comealongway inrecognisingthat etc… We and assertiveness self-worth both sexestodealwithissuesaround forward, wherewe recognisetheneedfor would arguethatwe needafairerway to thedisadvantageofwomen.Still, I between menandwomen, generally that there’strue still alot of inequality not kept up throughout the book. It’s in theintroduction, thedistinctionis psyche. Butdespitethisclarification rather aboutthefeminine/masculine talking aboutbiologicalmen/womenbut pointoutthatthey The authors arenot focus ontheseasexclusivelyforwomen. book: Idonotregarditasprogressiveto described with a feminine focus in the these aspects of the human psyche are ‘flame’ theirhero, maidenandcrone.All issues, mother and father issues, to to deal with their Yin-Yang polarity are forwomen.They encouragewomen the general theme and all the exercises of speaks onlytowomen.Thisistrue objections. Mymainissueisthatit Despite this, Ifoundthathadseveral be appreciated by many readers. elaborate language, thatsurelywill professional andelegantway, using its message in a The book delivers Mysterial potentialwithin”. whoareawakeningover theworld tothe the book is dedicated to“womenall capacity”.And develop moreleadership feminine values… who are seeking to green, socially responsible, and more at womenwhoare“…characterisedby mysticism.Eastern Thebookisaimed psychotherapy andtransformational is influencedby Jungianalchemy, at home. The language of this course the reader can follow, by themselves, book reviews 59 www.scimednet.org the Upanishads. If you look around, you around, If you look the Upanishads. that everywill realise you see in object and that thought, a once house was your from the process proceeds the creative from idea to manifestation. inside out, and critical is attitude inner Our implicit formalso constitutes an of Among the most spiritual practice. focus andimportant attributes are faith, an openness to possibility gratitude, than a focus and abundance rather a central plays also on lack. Feeling sense of worth. as a real role as well Hence the importance of our dominant this needs to beself-concept. Then all not just efficient action, put into bold, probably involves thought about - which thethat is settings; default changing our anthat suggests evidence but part, hard becomes aactivity pursued for 21 days habit. The book combines mental, new a into aspects spiritual and emotional the of instance, for speaking, synthesis, need for growth and a higher purpose in is the quality tune with the infinite: ‘Love of thought and emotion that will propel us into a state of bliss and achievement. on the good, is all there is. Focus Love the constructive and the the great, beauty of life. See the best in all there is. Look for the good that occurs in the (p. 42) world.’ concise70 than lists more chapter One of success in terms of metaphysics laws These include laws and philosophy. authenticity, intention, thought energy, constructive thought, regeneration, humility, boldness, empathy, integrity, others. Readers balance and many will find different ones more or less significant in accordance with their own concisea by followed is This experience. summary in of spiritual empowerment that can immediately be applied a way to life. Half measures do not work in need to be ‘a focused this area as we person filled with belief’ in order to make As Napoleon Hill full use of our capacity. definiteness of purpose emphasised, and - knowing what you want is key yourselfdedicating also Mentz Here it. to instructions;helpful and detailed gives real the books, self-help many with as lies in excellent application rather key onto the next book. He than just moving reminds us that it is not only our actions but also our inactions that constitute He ends with a series of character. writers from quotes inspiring the through ages. I particularly appreciated Epicurus enjoy but what we have, – ‘not what we Goethe constitutes our abundance.’ been truly‘all – have thoughts wise times; of thousands already thought must them really hours we but to make again honestly until they think them over personalour in root expression.’ take – ‘the gift of mental power And Tesla we if and Being, Divine God, from comes we truth, that on minds our concentrate become in tune with this great power.’ practical and potentially life- A wise, changing book Network Review 2016/3 Review Network - Minett - Steve -at-Stars- message for all women. women. for all message In Europe for instance, for instance, In Europe a better have where women chance of combining workchance of and motherhood, thanks tothanks and motherhood, proper child care facilities facilities care child proper and better rights to take rights to take and better time off work for child care, time off work for child care, type of their need for this empowerment is probably is probably empowerment less than in the USA. On On less than in the USA. the other hand, in Asia in Asia the other hand, and Middle East, women’s women’s and Middle East, focus is to achieve even the even achieve to is focus Gazing Co-Creative Living Lorimer David QUANTUM BLISS George S. Mentz pp., 111 2016, Hunt), (John Books O 978-1-78535-203-4 p/b – ISBN £9.99, ebook Gunnel Minett is author of Breath and Spirit. most basic equality before they can can before they most basic equality start form of further thinking about any empowerment. this book I am sure all this, said Having with a number of has an audience the world.women (and men) around more on how to change care for *For future generations see ‘Gazing at the Minett www.amazon. Dr Steve Stars’ by co.uk/ For some years I have been interested been years some have I For studied Thought and have in New the work of writers such as Ralph Charles Thomas Troward, Trine, Waldo Hill, Napoleon Wattles, Wallace Haanel, Earl Nightingale and Goddard, Neville global and lawyer others. by book This management consultant George Mentz a superb summaryprovides and practical of thinking and introduction to this way recognising outside, inside to from living of thought and the creative power imagination. My only real quibble is dreamed which I suspect was the title, the publishers on the strength ofup by brand. The subtitle even the quantum refers to the quantum mechanics of abundance and health. There happiness, but I’m not is a mechanics involved, that it is quantum mechanics. convinced The various chapters explain and give capacities, on inner practical guidance paths spiritual and success exercises, means of success, laws to prosperity, and steps of spiritual empowerment is insight essential The fulfilment. to think are and become what we that we and this determines our well-being mental condition. It and spiritual – are microcosms presupposes that we canof one Universal Mind with which we cooperate and co-create. In the course of other the ideas of many his exposition, including to bear brought are thinkers Plato, Emerson, Aurelius, Marcus Lao Tsu and Meister Eckhart, Aristotle, sexual act. Indeed, has act. Indeed, sexual newa in resulted often forkind of suppression women, and men young pressured who are their environment by activity sexual into are with which they not comfortable. And men for many equally, ofthe ‘empowerment women’ has forced them into questioning the words, other In identity. male their swung too have pendulum seems to rather than much in both directions it is time Perhaps finding its right place. recognise our male/female that we in have as what we differences as well common and start working as a ‘team’. The book briefly indicates the (sometimes far from ideal) scenarios for women in different parts of the world along with the authors’ vision as to how the ideal world mind-changing alone would look. But, (no matter how fervent and sincere) will in which not change the environment women live. My second issue with this practical of lack the therefore is book women suggestions as to how to make in their (and men) more ‘empowered’ daily life. By this I mean a discussion of how to deal with the practical day-to- problems that both men and women day often face in modern societies. Foremost at least) among these (for most of us, is child care. Without the help and support of the wider society (something which seems to be eroding on a daily and adequate a secure basis) providing in which to successfully environment children will raise psychologically healthy empowering be problematic. So, always via the most powerful even women, will not be effective if the training, act to having by restricted is life women’s care and attention for alone in providing with societies in even And children. her differences in good child care facilities, men and women between earning power out if women are to be evened have empower a real chance to going to have if more attention all, themselves. Above good care in society is paid to providing of the many for future generations, will book this in described problems themselves*. disappear by My final reservationis that although the the book is dedicated to “women all over world” it comes across as being focused on American women. This is not to say that the exercises would not work for world. the a more is It over all women lack of recognition of difficulties caused differences women experiences the by more of lack a and world, the around for change for suggestions practical the is, it As situations. difficult in women women suppressed be seen by book may from as too far away their culture, by With the massive their immediate reality. differences in attitudes to women in different parts I would think world, of the the same have impossible to to is next it 60 Network Review 2016/3

Inspire the World The second part enables plants to present his CASTLE - six David Lorimer inspiring ways of being entailing courage, authenticity, service, truthfulness, love and effectiveness. He gives THE SPARK, THE FLAME AND THE TORCH examples of each quality, and I was particularly struck by Lance Secretan the encounter between a 31-year-old social worker who was The Secretan Center, 2010, 234 pp., $29.95, h/b. accosted at knifepoint by a teenage boy. By approaching the situation in a totally nonthreatening way, he finishes up Lance Secretan is a well-known leadership speaker and coach in the US. Here he has summarised an integrated body has having dinner with the boy and finding out more about him. been teaching for the last 35 years in an accessible and Ironically, he asks him to pay at the end of the meal as it is applicable format. The title indicates the format of the book he who has the wallet. He then gives him $20, and the boy and the sections answer the questions why are we here, how actually gives up his knife in return. The moral of the story is will we inspire and lead (how will we be?), and what will our that if you treat people right you can only hope that they treat legacy be, in other words what will we do? Why, be, do. you right. Then the punchline: ‘it’s as simple as it gets in this complicated world.’ Another story relates the encounter, Lance feels that we have a crisis of inspiration and is devoting years later, between air combatants from the Second World book reviews himself to addressing this. He reminds us at the beginning, War. In the chapter on effectiveness, Lance reminds us that that we experience the world not as it is, but as we are. He

efficiency is about things and effectiveness is about people. sees inspiration as a step beyond leadership in the normal sense and the first step is setting our intentions. This entails All these qualities are related to each other, as the story of having an ambitious vision underpinned by love, growth and the solo climber John Bachar suggests. a desire to enhance the condition of the world. In order to do this, we need to go beyond our social self and tap into our The last part discusses legacy and sharing our wisdom essential self. As Giles Hutchins also suggests in his book, the with others, with a quote from Albert Schweitzer about the

inner state or being of the leader is a crucial variable. Lance importance of those who rekindle the inner light when you’re then guides the reader into defining their destiny, character and feeling discouraged. Here Lance makes a useful distinction personal calling statements, with some inspirational examples between motivation driven by fear and material rewards to draw on. These are very useful exercises, which I carried out and inspiration as intrinsic. The first lights a fire under with a group out here in October. He defines a calling as the pursuit of an inspiring vocation, someone, while the second lights a fire within. This is all living one’s dream in service to others. He embodied in what Lance calls values centred leadership involving learning, empathising, listening and delivery. quotes Rumi to the effect that we need ‘‘ to remember the deep root of our being, This means enacting shifts from me to you, things which is what we are here to express, to people, broke through to what the Japanese call as Richard Barrett also suggests in his kaizen (continuous improvement), from weaknesses book. He presents his own five dynamics to strengths and from competition, fear and hostility system of exploring, exciting, examining, to love. All this is best achieved through example, executing and evaluating, all of which is which emphasises the importance of personal and related to the relative intensity of energy, hence commitment. In this context, leaders professional development. Readers can also follow are called to identify, realise and sustain this book up on his website – www.secretan.com - what he calls the One Dream - interestingly, after the year we have experienced, inspiring and sustaining this accounts for 70% of the effort instructive books like this are even more important required. to read. Why Less Is More? 10 Minimalist Quotes from the Tao Te Ching: In dwelling, live close to the ground. In thinking, keep to the simple.” If you want to become full, let yourself be empty.” If you want to be given everything, give everything up.” If you realize that you have enough, you are truly rich.” When there is no desire, all things are at peace.” Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the ‘‘whole world belongs to you.” In the pursuit of knowledge, every day something is added. In the practice of the Tao, every day something is dropped.” The Master’s power is like this. He lets all things come and go effortlessly, without desire. He never expects results; thus he is never disappointed. He is never disappointed; thus his spirit never grows old.” I have just three things to teach: simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest treasures.” The Master has no possessions. The more he does for others, the happier he is. The more he gives to others, the wealthier he is.”.

www.scimednet.org Network Review 2016/3 61 books in brief books in brief David Lorimer

Note: many of these books are now available in downloadable electronic form

therefore susceptible to artificial emulation when uploaded into SCIENCE/PHILOSOPHY OF a different format. Among others, Susan Greenfield challenges SCIENCE this assumption, maintaining that neurons are dynamic rather than mechanistic and discussing more sophisticated types of intelligence, understanding and even wisdom. One idea Artificial Intelligence I found strange in Chalmers (p. 48) is that just because we Jerry Kaplan have no idea how a nonbiological system could be conscious Oxford 2016, 165 pp., $16.95, p/b. and we have equally no idea how a biological system could be This book is part of a new series entitled what everyone needs conscious, then we should assume that both biological and to know. It is an excellent overview informed by the author’s own nonbiological systems can be conscious. The volume raises viewpoint while setting out the issues in an impartial fashion. profound questions about the nature of identity, especially in The format means that each chapter is divided into questions the light of how one might upload the brain into an artificial that form its subsections. They are just the kind of questions vehicle. Daniel Dennett reflects that we already controlled by that an intelligent enquirer would ask. He covers definitions, the Internet, while Ray Kurzweil observes that our intelligent the history and philosophy of the field, law, then the impacts devices have already become part of who we are and we are of artificial intelligence on human labour and social equity, gradually becoming a hybrid of biological and nonbiological ending with a discussion of possible future impacts. Kaplan is intelligence (p. 312). For those who seriously want to engage sceptical of the wilder claims of AI advocates, but does point with the philosophical issues raised by the Singularity, this out that there are many functions that are better and more volume is essential reading. rapidly performed by machines. Interestingly, his own view on the will and consciousness leads him (on the basis that brain Marconi produces consciousness) to the conclusion that either people Marc Raboy and computers can free will or neither can – although he does not think that the notion of consciousness can be applied to Oxford 2016, 841 pp., £25, h/b. machines. The chapter on the impact of artificial intelligence Subtitled ‘the man who networked the world’, this is the first on human labour is a fascinating one, citing a study from really major biography of Marconi, and it is an extraordinary the Oxford Martin School from 2013 concluding that 47% achievement. Marconi emerges as a multifaceted individual of today’s jobs are at high risk of automation, and another - inventor, entrepreneur, statesman and diplomat. He had a 19% at medium risk. One hyped concern is the possibility of special sense of himself and his capacity from an early age, runaway super intelligence, which the author regards as pretty sensing that he would one day do something new and great. remote and speculative. However, he does recommend the He did not shine at school, but in his late teens, having read establishment of professional and ethical standards for the about Hertz’s experiments, he became fascinated with the development and testing of intelligent systems. In addition, idea that electromagnetic waves could be used as a medium the employment trends require urgent attention in view of the of communication, and conducted his own first successful large numbers of young people – especially the unskilled – experiments in the summer of 1895 at the age of 21. unable to find work. This may require a wholesale redesign of our economic systems. Readers of this Review will be interested in the exchange with Sir Oliver Lodge, another pioneer in the field and a detractor as The Singularity well as competitor of Marconi. His work was of interest to the Society of Psychical Research as mental radio was a common Edited by Uziel Awret metaphor at the time. In 1898, Sir William Crookes was Imprint Academic 2016, 426 pp., £29.95, p/b. president of the Society as well as of the British Association This hugely informative volume on the Singularity - the – he recognised the significance of telegraphy and telepathy. idea that artificial intelligence can and will outstrip human Regardless of the controversy surrounding the invention of intelligence - considers this possibility and its implications wireless, the author observes that Marconi was undoubtedly very seriously. The structure is based on a brilliant keynote the man whoput it into practice - hence the subtitle - the founder essay by the philosopher David Chalmers, with interdisciplinary of the field that led to mobile telephony, Wi-Fi, social media commentaries from authoritative figures in philosophy, physics, and cloud computing. It was he who mobilised commercial futurism, AI research, neuroscience and ethics. It begins with and political forces and used wireless technology to change a sceptical essay by the journalist Bryan Appleyard then a very the world. The author comments that this makes him more thorough and considered introduction by the editor. Among like Edison or Franklin than Galileo or Einstein. All this brought the nearly 30 distinguished contributors are Daniel Dennett, Marconi numerous honours and a Nobel Prize in physics in Susan Greenfield, Frank Tipler, Ray Kurzweil, and the book is 1909 at the age of 35. We are left with the reflection that endorsed by Lord Rees. The Chalmers essay is a model of clear technology promotes on the one hand contact and openness, exposition, laying out the issues in a systematic way. One key but it can equally become an instrument for domination, general assumption, supported by many in the field including manipulation and control. It is fitting that when he died, radio John Searle, is that the brain is a biological machine and stations all over the world went silent in his honour.

www.scimednet.org books in brief www.scimednet.org 62 into anew and hybrid speciesthat Itskov callshomoevolutis modifications suggestthatwe have the capacitytoevolve microbiome -thehugevariety ofgutflora.Somepotential begin tothinkaccordingly. Anobvious exampleisthehuman is the realisation that we are all ecosystems and should of the Human Genome Project in 2003. A major implication projectsunderwaymajor international sincethecompletion oflifeandanaccountthe genomics onourunderstanding ofthebroaderimpacts This bookgivesanoverview Oxford 2016, 196pp., £9.99, p/b. Dawn andNeilDavies Field Biocode roletoplay.important specialisinginpracticalethicshavethat philosophers an Itishere respect tomodifyinghumanbrainsorembryos. more sotoensureanunpolariseddiscussionespeciallywith a pace that it is difficult for the public to keep up and still to thisprocess.Thesedevelopments areproceedingatsuch methane productionincowssoastoreducetheircontribution theinterestingprospectofmodifyingwarming andoffers awareness. Theauthorseesourgreatestchallengeasglobal capacity to make and use tools guided by our self-conscious the prospectsforaredesignedplanetbasedonourhistoric chapter (followingregeneratinglifeandasamachine)on detail, theauthorlooksatanumberofscenariosinhisfinal scalpel’. Afterdiscussingthevarioustechnologiesinmore with refinements such as ‘molecular of the same metaphors genetic engineeringtechniques.However, itisanextension This issaidtobemorepreciseandefficientthanearlier to cuttheDNAandpasteothercodeintogenome. editing -forinstanceCRISPR/CAS9whereanenzymeisused with cutting-edgeadvances, literallyinthecaseofgenome book brings the reader right up-to-date This highly informative funding. to provide anargumentforfurther exaggeratetheseinorder abuse incaseswhereresearchers or medicalbenefits.Eventhebenefitsargumentisopento harm, whileattheotherthey promisesignificantagricultural 229). Atoneextreme, they couldbeusedwithevil intentto these powers aretobeusedinaresponsiblefashion(p. questionsabouthow whileposingcrucial the naturalworld that provides uswithunprecedentedpowers tomanipulate related tothesingularitydiscussedabove, thisisasituation likely tobeintheformer. Aswithtechnologicaldevelopments the latter camp, while those favouring harmony with nature are manipulation. Mostlifescientistsandtechnologistsarein andthescienceofcalled thescienceofunderstanding control it for human benefit. (p. 31) This is what Schumacher andthose who thinkweworld should actively manipulate and believe we thenatural shouldmerelyseektounderstand there hasbeenalong-standingtensionbetween ‘thosewho and synthetic biology.cell technology As the author observes, emphasisongenomeediting, optogenetics,particular stem latest technologicaldevelopments inthelifescienceswitha As thetitlemightsuggest, thisbookcovers someofthe Oxford 2016, 352pp., £22.99, h/b. John Parrington Redesigning Life temperament ofDirac. Newton andLeibniz, Einsteinandhisprofessors, andthe involvedthe characters andtheirrelationships, forinstance rethought as physics advances, but also gives an insightinto theory. Itshowshowbasicconceptshave tobecompletely through toMaxwell, Einstein, thequantumvacuumandstring ofthephysics ofnothingfromthe17th-century the history about thephysics ofnotstuffratherthanstuff, andrelates This is allempty space is full and absence has structure. asonereviewerand thatnothingreallymatters; putit, This engagingaccountshowsnothingisinfactsomething Templeton Press2016, 196pp., $26, h/b. James Owen Weatherall Void –TheStrange Physics ofNothing Network Review2016/3

connected world. actions to bring about a morealso lead to corresponding of connectioncan of various forms how anunderstanding at the end, useful summary showing expand. There is a very the wordtantraderivesfrom arootmeaningstretchor ofdesire.Interestingly, ortheenergy and refininglifeenergy on the alchemy of sex and spirit as a way of channelling masculine andfeminineprinciples leadstoachapter connections. Hisdiscussionoftheinterplay between the Sheldrake’sRupert fieldsandtelepathic onmorphic work andincreasingcoherence, alsohighlightingopening theheart to Keith Critchlow. ofexercisesfor Hegivesanoverview -hecouldalsohave of hisfriendMalcolmStewart referred role,plays animportant andhere Patrick draws onthework also electromagneticfields.Sacredgeometry from harmful asaway ofprotectingusplate connectedtotheEarth, partly usingacopper ofbreathing,forms andalsofor‘earthing’ through special guidance abouthowtoincreasevitalenergy critical variableinthenew systems-based medicine.Hegives The positivestateofourmind-bodyconnectionisanother which Patrick experiencedonaZenretreat). disconnection (deeploveofconnection, istheultimateform we have off from this higher power, cut ourselves the ultimate becauseoftheirownexperience.Asaculture,doubt partly 57% believed inGodorahigherpower orconsciousness, no a peakexperienceorprofoundofunity, while highest inhis100%healthquestionnairethat47%had on some research based on the hundred people who scored Hereports intheRSAjournal. Branson inarecentarticle these substances, also, incidentally, backed by SirRichard andarguesforaradicalrevision ofsocial attitudestofilters how these sacred plants remove perceptual our normal from atheoreticalstandpointandhisownexperience His chapter on entheogens is highly instructive, and he shows connection, connection and the ultimate connection. heart discussconsciousconnection, of theform The fourparts and experience, notbelief.’ system upgrade, science a‘radicalreframingbasedontrue interests.Herightlyarguesthatwepharmaceutical needa The sameappliestomedicine, dominatedasit isby inadequate, notonlyphilosophically, butalsoethically. bringing forward evidence thatsuchanapproachisquite the materialisticassumptionsofatheisticscientism(AS), criticalof andstress.Heisvery in astateofhighalert disconnectedandmany of usarelivingwe areinfactvery In his introduction, he shows how, despite our technology, to the ultimate experience of living in a state of connection. socialandself;intellectualspiritual,earth; allleading ofconnection:sexual,forms sensualanderotic;body and initiationsonhisownpath.Hedistinguishesfivemain connection anddraws freelyonawiderangeofexperiences invites totake readers thejourney fromdisconnectionto on health and nutrition over He the last 30 work years. Patrick Holfordhasbecomewell-known forhispioneering Hay House2016, 275pp., £12.99, p/b. Patrick Holford ofConnection The Chemistry MEDICINE-HEALTH in theindex. thatthewordepigeneticdidnotappear found itsurprising to themorereductionistbiologicalway ofthinking, andI ofcomplexityandsystems to bringinabetterunderstanding Genome Project,respect to the Planetary we would do well oftheimplicationsouractions.Withfull understanding - we atanincreasingpacewithouta areterra-genoming as a whole is concerned note of caution where the Earth dosoundais moredescriptivethancritical.Theauthors it isinTheSingularityreviewed above; indeed, thetone an upload. However, none of this is unpacked intheway as and conjuringuplifeextensiongenomicimmortality

books in brief 63 www.scimednet.org Network Review 2016/3 Review Network the Nobel Prize for physiology for his work for physiology Prize the Nobel cancer that showing and that getting into the cell too little oxygen results from modern diets, alkaline environment; an in thrive it cannot overloadelectromagnetic ainto us shift tend to and stress of key book looks at a number acidic state. The susceptible ions, negative hydration, Vitaminselements including C and E, turmeric, charcoal, selenium, iodine, fatty acids, essential Then there are appendices on fasting and blood cleanse. lifespan. and lengthening healthy slowing the ageing process segment of explanation is followed Each scientifically-backed of for instance the amount and timing recommendations, by the importance drinking, and the role of food water of raw on guidance and conclusions his summarises fasting. Keith by dosages on p. 82 – this is followed p. 74 and lists his daily a comprehensive chart interesting point of pH foods. Another which means and cancer cells, fungal is the similarity between treatments. fungal respond to some also may cancer that A further section deals with earthing and the importance of the earth, with bare feet on which means that the walking human body ‘forms oscillator that is in harmonic a coupled this practical book conveys All in all, resonance with the earth.’ for optimum health.much more than its title – it is a handbook What’s Up with your Gut? What’s and Professor Julian Walters Jo Waters p/b. £11.95, 244 pp., Hammersmith 2016, This is a very suffering from useful handbook for anyone IBS a variety of gut-related disorders such as bloating, The authors combine sensitivity. and gluten (as above) specialist knowledge with journalistic expertise. The figures speak for themselves: up to one in five GP consultations visit their is for gut symptoms while 41% of patients never 18 some 2014 In complaints. digestive to discuss doctor prescribed in GP practices million laxative products were which accounted for a staggering 666,287 for constipation, be factors may Many hospital admissions in the same year. including drug side effects, responsible for this situation, changes in diet and correspondingly in gut flora. And as 80% sortingof our immune system is in the gut, out our digestive symptom- problems is essential for good health. The book’s guide. it veryled approach makes useful as a user’s Irritable Bowel Syndrome Irritable Bowel Dr Megan Arroll and Professor Christine Dancey p/b. £14.99, 187 pp., Hammersmith Books 2016, of the authors, This excellent book is based on the experience a way It provides both as patients and as health specialists. with sections on living and recovery, towards of navigating nutritional medical treatments, diagnosis, managing life, self- approaches, and behavioural psychological treatments, It friends and family. help strategies and some guidance for currentwithin issue the situates also research.for directions authorsthe that evident area, is this It in qualified uniquely are making characterise as a biopsychosocial disorder, which they highly instructiveit harder to treat in individual cases. A and helpful guide.

www.keithfoster.co.uk This clearly written book is consistent with much of the new of cancer, thinking emerging around the genesis and prevention is an electron deficit that cancer the hypothesis putting forward supports Keith Dr Mercola, condition and not a disease. Like who received the metabolic theory Dr Otto Warburg, by outlined Keith Foster (SMN) Foster Keith given – no price 140 pp., Sagax Publishing 2016, The Answer to Cancer – The Answer An Electron Deficit Condition see Prevent and Cure Diabetes and Prevent Dr Sarah Myhill and Craig Robinson p/b. £14.99, 267 pp., Hammersmith Books 2016, excellent book on sustainable medicine in Sarah’s I reviewed points but the same general the last issue – this one makes particularly applied is starting Her diabetes. to that is point what she calls metabolic have the vast majority of Westerners only not driving is that addiction carbohydrate or syndrome heartas such conditions other also but diabetes disease, this means that the body is Technically, and cancer. Alzheimer’s a to leading sugars with energised primarily carbohydrates, and treatments, Conventional levels. blood sugar loss of control over allow the disease to progress leading to simply she maintains, greater use of prescription drugspremature death. As a and it is clear that she has been able to reverse this practitioner, the NHS a fortune saving in the of her patients, process many the 1931 process. She reminds us of the work of Otto Warburg, whose work suggested that physiology, Nobel prize winner for Sugar also cancer is a metabolic disease hungry for sugar. encourages inflammation and fermentation in the system. inand diagnosis, of description detailed a out sets book The before particular sugar and refined carbohydrates, the role of treatment and reversal of metabolic on to prevention, moving syndrome. Sarah describes how she persuades people but also applied partlyto change, through fear and vanity, which is largely a matter common sense in altering lifestyle, furtherwith dealing appendices 12 then are There habit. of detail and a table on page 97 advising on a daily routine based diet where the body is fuelled from fats and on a ketogenic this provides book, vegetable fibre. Combined with her previous lifestyle. essential guidance on a sustainable healthy The Heart Field Bair – www.heartcenteredwellness.com Dr Christine p/b. no price given, 191 pp., 2016, Self-published in many has a background of this helpful book The author studies, and religious philosophy nursing, including disciplines, which she brought psychologycounselling and spiritual direction, more She says at Holos University. together in a doctorate found but I would have the book, background later in about her personala as follows.beginning the what at for useful context it HeartWhat she calls the Field phenomenon is an energetic understoodbest part as multi-dimensional new the of As as an experience of unity. as well vibrational medicine balance are central. We and harmony coherence, love, such, interconnected as functioning beings spiritual essentially are thefrom expansion of one is path our and interdependent, and perspective embracing more the to ego separate heart,the of Christine with ancient spirituality. science thus integrating a new clearly nature of the heart explains the field and how to access and emotional mental, physical, including respects, various in it of perception our represent feelings her, factors. spiritual For and are messengers from our own state of energy integrity, need to understand vibrational function. their so we the soul, is nature’s that resonance She quotes Edgar Mitchell as saying of principle her explains and transferring of information, way heart practices. So the with accompanying centred wellness lies not only in the reading but also in dedication to practice key not only as the only possible means of transformation. We but also heartfulness, the integration of need mindfulness, masculine and feminine principle. books in brief www.scimednet.org 64 of SoulForce ofthinking, interms feelingandwilling: powerful fortheremoval formula ofcurses, asarepresentation andblood,and thewill.Inachapteronnerve thereisvery nutrition, various organs, digestion, imagination, emotions as thelecturesmove aroundthebodyconsideringembryology, analysis. Italsorelatesphysical ofanatomy, withsubtlerforms with this approach, which includes visualisation as well as covered, alreadyfamiliar thisisanomissionexceptforreaders in atchapter1.Giventheesotericnatureofmaterial Oddly, thebookcontainsnointroduction, butplungesstraight encyclopaedic, the background for these lectures. and forms since 1992.Assuch, hisknowledgeofSteiner’s is work programme attheRudolfSteinerCollegeinSacramento The authorhasbeendirectoroftheconsciousnessstudies Books2016,Lindisfarne 231pp., $25, p/b. Dennis Klocek Disease Esoteric Physiology –Consciousnessand ofthefield,overview thisbookcannotbebettered. Forself-diagnosis ontheInternet. anyone lookingforaconcise issues, whichincludeandageingpopulationthe roleof publichealth, and international tocurrent theauthorreturns so-called diseases of civilisation.After a chapter ontropical and epidemiologicallifestyle transition factors towards the In the20thcentury, thefocusinWest was theriseof ofdisease. theory sanitation andthedevelopment ofthegerm of theBlackDeath.The1800ssaw considerableprogressin Greeks andRomansonwards anddescribingthedevastation of public health from the a fascinating chapter on the history as well assugarischangingdependingonlocation.There while the profile of other issues such as tobacco and alcohol issues suchasobesityandimplicationsofincreasedmobility including inequality. Economic advances have brought up new toindividual social and community lifestyle issues factors the variousaspectsrangingfromculture, environment and recent reports, andprovides someusefuldiagramsillustrating The bookbeginsby defining publichealth, drawing onsome of developments inpublichealthaswell trends. asofcurrent As such, shehasanencyclopaedicknowledgeofthehistory ofLondon. inPublicHealththeUniversity Centre forHistory The author book of this is director concise andof the informative Oxford 2016, 138pp., £7.99, p/b. Berridge Virginia Public Health be heldbackby these unconsciouspatterns. about change at a subconscious level. Too frequently, we can inharmony’,conscious mindsworking enablingustobring that ‘hypnosis istheoneway ofgettingtheunconsciousand we mightuseitwill dependonthereader, butthereisnodoubt to enhanceperformance, forinstanceingolf.Theway inwhich now usehypnosis butalso notonlyfortherapeuticpurposes of questions, withpracticalexercisesincluded.Many people series answers afurther meansthatthesechapters The format your daily life, and potentially make a better place? the world of Can it change your life? How it can become part purposes? of hypnosis? What areitsmain Howdoes it reallywork? answering a series of key questions: what is the essence usefulbookintheWhatIsseries, basedonAnother very Watkins 2016, 140pp., £7.99, h/b. Tom Mayer Fortes What isHypnosis? Thank You. So beit, Itisso, Letitbedone. From thistimeforward, rightnow, for ever. To totheSourceof all things bereturned To beabsolvedby thetruth To berevealed by thelight And mustleave menow Are found, boundanddefeated Whether ancient, hiddenorrepeated, By thepower oftheLivingChristallcurses, Network Review2016/3 pretty robustanalysis. he concludesthatWilson’s secularisationmodelisstilla reputations by opposing the positions of their predecessors, thatacademicsfrequentlybuildtheir and 2014.Observing religious affiliationrosefrom16.1%to22.8%between 2007 US, notingthatthepercentageofpopulationdisclaimingany devotes considerable space to developmentsBruce inthe from Muslim presence, especially since the turn-of-the-century. charismatic movement and the controversial issues arising in Methodism.Wilsondidnotanticipatetheriseof 21% intheChurchofEngland, andeven moredramatically between 1982and2010, withfiguresincreasingfrom5%to were neither. Theordinationofwomen hadadramaticeffect 10% saying they were both–thisleaves 48%saying they of a2013pollsaidthey were spiritual, with8%religiousand spiritualityarestillrelativelylow,for alternative although15% Church attendancehascontinuedtodecline, whilethe figures declineinweddingscorresponding from70%toaround30%. the ChurchofEnglandfrom55%in1962to13%2008, and One instanceisthedeclineofbaptismEngland’s infantsby looking atthecontinuation of trends discussedby Wilson. interestingin Thesecondappendixisparticularly terms. secularisation thesisinhistorical, empiricalandtheoretical appendixdiscussescriticismsofthefor life.Thefirst Schweitzer ofanethicreverence inhisformulation Albert privatisation andrelativisation, anissuealsoaddressed by ofmoralityandits about thelossofacommonunderpinning Likedenominational alternative. many, Wilsonwas concerned America, thereligiousresponse, andfinallythesectarian England andelsewhere inEurope, in itscontrastingpattern ofsecularisationin thepattern The bookfallsintofourparts: philosophy andscience. leading tomorequestioningoftraditionalthinkingintheology, individual liberty. encouraged tolerance, Liberalism in turn due inWilson’s and view largely to increasingsocial diversity Western society, thissituationhasnowradicallychanged, centreofthelife and institutionswere oncethevery from thehistoricalsituationthatreligiousthinking, practices thesis anditsdevelopment Starting over thelast50years. to consider the secularisation and provides an opportunity of Religion.Thisnew editionisintroducedby Steve Bruce, SocietyfortheSociology President oftheInternational and a Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford in 1963. He was ofLondonandbecameReaderinSociology the University school at13butsubsequentlygraduatedineconomicsfrom family,(1926-2004) was intoaworking-class born left Wilson publication ofthisseminalbookin1966.Bryan interestingtoreflectondevelopments since the It is very Oxford 2016, 258pp., £27.50, h/b. Wilson(editedby Steve Bruce) Bryan YearsFifty On Religion inaSecularSociety– PHILOSOPHY-SPIRITUALITY are focusedon relationshipsbetween scienceand spirituality, andscience,relationship between Christian theology whilewe Itfocusesmoreonthe but notidenticaltothatofthe Network. looking backwards andforwards inthefield, whichisadjacent Templeton of Ittakes theopportunity Prizeforhis work. Peacockeby Rev inDr 1975Arthur - he went on to win the of theScienceandReligionForum lastyear. It was founded conference This volumeemergedfromthe 40thanniversary 2016,Cambridge Scholars 225pp., £34.99, p/b. Edited by NeilSpurway andLouiseHickman YearsForty ofScienceandReligion Is anotherbookputit, whatisintheway istheway. thatwehis remark shouldnever waste agoodobstacleinlife. andIlikedof Fugue.Thewholebookinvolves alotofinnerwork while hewas studying itspentalotoftimelisteningtoTheArt Interestingly, the author likens this mantra to a Bach fugue, and books in brief 65 www.scimednet.org Network Review 2016/3 Review Network . This book, subtitled History. This book, Philosophy of Western You are THIS You J.M. Harrison p/b. £10.99, 175 pp., Mantra Books (John Hunt) 2016, The interest in non-duality and universalis a spirituality certainly and than prevalent more time, feature of our striking 30 yearsof this book and the next one is ago. The message veryin termssimilar universalthe recognising of within self to the living presence of your soul’), (the subtitle is ‘awakening thought without thought. Indeed, in the present, immediately, of THIS. Reading about it, of being aware gets in the way is paradoxical as it is not an experience of THIS! It however, reminds me of the old story lectures people prefer that many the author In the course of the book, to heaven. on heaven terms:coins a number of useful new the ‘mego’ is individual a human consciousness that denies our essential Oneness, part of the Whole. Then ‘One-duality’ as the without awareness Edited by David Edmonds David Edited by h/b. £12.99, 250 pp., Oxford 2016, Practical selection from The volume is a This stimulating of consisting (www.blog.practicalethics.ox.ac.uk) Ethics Blog as such issues of variety a wide on contributions 60 over health and guns and war, terrorism, crime and punishment, animals moral emotions, language, sport, sexuality, medicine, and are items, reflections on news are and the future. They rather than being related to events therefore intrinsically constructed test moral moral dilemmas using scenarios to authorsThe logic of issues probe development. ethical and readers stimulating deeply to think more and consistency, about the matters example is neuroscience in hand. One the brain with two entries about whether and responsibility, already This is a slipperyis to blame for decisions. slope, courts. Singer discusses countering present in the law Peter recognising that an appeal to reason, Islamic extremism with Another such arguments. by not be swayed some people may as its point of departure takes essay a recent Australian study showing that all its putative effects can be on homeopathy - a conclusion still explained as nothing more than placebo cheapest the that inference the to leading but - debated hotly importantmost the is cost as used be should remedy factor if none of them works. The Spirit of Spinoza Huston Smith by Neal Grossman – foreword p/b. $17.25, 274 pp., 2014, ICRL Press, heard of Spinoza (1632-1677) while readers will have Many of chapter the from perhaps work, his about little knowing Russell’s to his thought and a‘Healing the Mind’ is both an introduction considering that the essence of his practical application of it, couldwork understanding an emendation of the so that we was means of union by reach ‘supreme and continuous happiness’ with the Mind of God. There are five chapters: metaphysics, and freedom from bondage, desire and emotion, the mind, readers enable that exercises 32 with along transcendence, to gain a first-hand understanding of the process involved, One of Spinoza’s especially in relation to the emotions. since determinisma for is arguments termsin desires, our of Although this is true, our choice reflects the strongest desire. working backwards the argument is circular as you are always an is there said this, from what actually happened. Having excellent analysis of the kinds of social programming and make conditioning that fundamentally influence the choices we of these is freedom hold. Becoming aware and the beliefs we example is the priority we from bondage - and one Western and also to competition over appreciation, give to analysis over cooperation. The culmination is union with God and spiritual are eternal and feeling and knowing that we of God, love the longing embedded in the personality hence overcoming is call Spinoza what is This source. the from separation as a message also knowledge of the third kind or blessedness, found in the contemporary below. books reviewed Philosophers Take on the World Philosophers Take which allows us Lebenswelt, and the inner Lebenswelt, access to an interpersonal form of reality that is irreducible. not simply about ritual and doctrine, religion is Scruton, For This is also but rather a sense of real and lived presence. as opposed to the functional and the area of the covenant impersonal contract. he argues that easily on a wide range of sources, Drawing ‘the overreaching intentionality of interpersonal responses presents us with meanings that transcend the domain of any when its most poignant is at His argument science.’ natural place in he discusses our experience of music. Music takes which with its own intentionality and language, the space, Given Rachmaninov. and Bach Beethoven, from illustrates surprised to read his assertion I was the subtlety of his mind, of survival no evidence have of consciousness beyond that we applied his own cognitive he could have death (p. 186). Here, admitting on the one hand that death is the dualism by while on the other that some body, dissolution of the physical he does hint at form so, of inner life might continue; even may we such a possibility that in surrendering the gift of life, emerged’ find ourselves‘to the place whence we in transition there. and might hope to be welcomed Sir Roger Scruton p/b. £13.95, 205 pp., Princeton University Press 2014, based on the Stanton Lectures This beautifully written book, asks what is left of our spiritual and delivered in Cambridge, naturalism. The aesthetic aspirations in the light of scientific and the transcendent author defends the reality of the sacred this In understood be science. of cannot lens that the through dualism cognitive a calls he what forward puts he respect, worlds: two in live humans as worldnaturalistic the we where of science (Welt) The Soul of the World science and mysticism and science and consciousness. The and consciousness. science and and mysticism science first two parts and formal are papers conference, from the the current Alister McGrath, wide range of themes. a cover a provides science and religion, chair at Oxford for holder of the and narratives levels into multiple perspectives, useful insight of understanding He also relationship. the ways different as concernvery common writes a and clearly scientism, about of it. The unaware are for those who philosophical blinder papers. in many is evident influence of Ian Barbour Fraser that I found particularly first, interesting were, Two which also Philosophers, Epiphany reflections on the Watts’ include Rupert as the and Chris Clarke as well Sheldrake tookwho (1904-2000), Emmet Dorothy philosopher Whitehead their partin a couple of our seminars in the 1990s. Unusually, aspect of Christianity and, on the contemplative focus was open to parapsychology were as well they groups, many unlike The report in biologyas forging radical ideas and physics. of a survey of secondary students about what teenagers school verysoul was about the believe as one could see intriguing experience as their own by shaped how their thinking was of Some philosophy. and science from considerations as well of the limitations of a scientific perspective aware them were Another stimulating reflection came confined to the physical. Harrison Peter questioning the thesis by from Michael Fuller, science that advocates of constructive between dialogue the perpetuationand religion are unknowingly complicit in of very provides book the overviewgood Overall, conflict. the of science and religion. in relationships between state of play books in brief www.scimednet.org existence ispredicated onparadoxicity-we can’t have theyum accept thatourexperienceof life isbothgoodandbad, since to depending onthecircumstances. Timencouragesreaders of theshow;lifeistobeenjoyed, butattimesalso endured, can choose.We speck andthestar arebothanirrelevant is separate and we all exist as individuals whoeverything isjusthappening, but ontheotherhand one andeverything on non-duality:hethinksthey insaying arecorrect thatallis impliedinmanyHe criticisesthedepersonalisation teachings awakening requiresindividuality. its richness, inviting thereadertoengageasalover oflife: is both liberating and refreshing since it celebrates life in all an obstacle, asexpressedinmany spiritualtraditions.This an aspectofreality, seeingtheegoasaheroratherthan both-and, soherejectstheone-sidednessofchoosingonly of ThisiswhatTimcallstheparalogicalstructure knowing. but alsoofseparation, ofdepthandsurface, knowingandnot To bedeepawake oneness, istobeconsciousoftheunderlying subtitled ‘wake uptoonenessandcelebrateyourindividuality.’ and reflectionaboutthenatureofhumanjourney, andis This wiseandbalancedbookdraws onmany ofreading years Watkins 2016, 204pp., £9.99, p/b. FrekeTim –www.timfreke.com Deep Awake inspiration. awareness ofwhowe reallyare.Apowerful sourceoftrue points for deeper gems like this, as starting which can serve unless anduntilwe seeitsBeauty.’ Therearemany beautiful see theRealityofaperson, place, thing, conditionorsituation easy when you realise there is only One Self.’ Then ‘we won’t words on each page. Here is another nice insight: ‘tolerance is The book can be opened at random, as there are only a few ago: 700 years reminds oneofMeisterEckhart,thesamemessagebutover presentmoment.Theextractbelow which isalsousinthevery a reminderthatthereisonlyOneConsciousness, OneMind, as words, Thecontentsserve butenlightenedunderstanding. are limitingus.Astheauthorsuggests, we don’t justneed that of Onenessinordertotranscendthementalconstructs conscious awareness of Truth through our own experience Nature orTrue Identitythroughdirectexperience.We needthis illusion ofseparationfromone’s Self-realisingone’s true True through meditationandhelpingthereaderawaken fromthe contains 250 statements of TruthThis inspiring work revealed O Books2016, 254pp., £13.99, p/b. Octavia Williams(www.centerforlivingtruth.com) Muse The Morning of spiritualunfolding. A perceptive and penetrating account containing all the others. Each ofthesefinelychiselledstatementsislike ahologram Non-duality isAwareness experiencingitself, whichisduality.’ it is the Sole Cosmic Constant… Fulfilment follows surrender…. when loverandom, isforgotten….Consciousnessappears yet of asingularConsciousness….Fear arisesinconsciousness Soulsareuniquepatterns andsimultaneouslytrue… truths partial Soul beexpressed….Alloppositesarecomplementary Thus, of the ‘only through Oneness can the unique persona paradoxically, which the author expresses towards theend. can only be articulated one comes to appreciate that the truth two, of psychological patterns,part is the deconstruction and oftheprocess, part explainedin that allisone.Animportant the non-dual in the duality of the world, while ever conscious next stageofevolution towards the‘Unividual’, onewholives 66 God iswalking asyou. You’re notwalking, Spirit isbreathingyou. know thatyou’re notreallybreathing, abide there, livethere, breathethere– Rest intheawareness ofIAM Network Review2016/3

well asreceivelightinherentlydivinebeings. to have fireintheirlives, tobeindomitable, andtotransmitas philosophy in a concentrated lyrical form, encouraging readers of awakening toexpresshis -thissectionalsoenablesHenryk inspiring visioninamoreconcentratedform, callingforthelight provides an inrelationtofoodproduction.Thepoetry ecology reflections onsustainability, especially ProfSinghonagro- itself agateway tothedivine.IsinterestingreadsomeIndian consciousness asanawakening toselfreflectiveintelligence, contributionwithhisessay onthecoherentlightof important consciousness andislight.Paul Hagueprovides expound thephilosophy oflight, remindingusthatlightis embodied intheideaofcosmocracy. Anumberofauthors calls sophocracy, vision to amore universal corresponding reader the basis of right politics must be wisdom, which Henryk black-and-white. The book conveys a radical tone, reminding the of light -itisapitythat this last section isin finally the art ethics andsustainability, and thenasectiononeco-poetry and thephilosophy oflight, moving ontoecologicalintegrity, discussesthelightofphilosophy part of possibilities.Thefirst thatexpandoursense terms coined anumberofimportant content withthelimitationsofexistingvocabulary, hehas Skolimowski callslumenosophy andlumenarchy. Never This volume emerged from a meeting in India on what Henryk Press2016,Creative Fire 291pp., nopricegiven, p/b. SinghandZlaticaPlasienkovaEdited by Vir Philosophy forLivinginEvolution integration. Essentialreadingforspiritualaspirants. of the soulandengaginginaprocess ofrefinementand description ofthelifereview ofgoingdown theshaft interms opening uptotheflowoflife.Thereisalsoanextraordinary life andasksofuswhatwe perspective, candofromuniversal connectedness.Thisgivesatotallynew outlookon universal journey frompower tofreedomafterhehadarealisationof Hehimselfmadea become anexpressionoftheuniversal. andhelpthemenlargetheconsciousnessto from theirfears who worked with people around the world, seeking to free them also forthereader. healerandsage TheSeerwas aremarkable a revelation andinitiationinitself, notonlytotheauthor, but I wouldrecommendreadingtheentirework, bookis thisfirst the summerof2015, andisnowpublishedseparately. While setatMontsegur-thatIreviewed in -partly work extraordinary volume of TheOManuscript This book is thefirst Watkins 2016, 151pp., £8.99, p/b. Muhl(www.larsmuhl.com)Lars The Seer it persists beyondit persists thedeathofbody. notionoftheselfandextenttowhich vital totheunderlying throughtimeis Ouridentityandmemory and infiniteknowing. one handtimeitselfandyetnot intime, tofinite corresponding anxiety andultimatelydeath.For Heidegger, theselfison intentionality in)one’s ownexistence, of forinstanceinterms time alsoconstitutesaquestioning ofthecharacter(and into andanenquiry points outthattimeistheground ofhistory theme istherelationshipbetween timeandtheself.Theeditor imagination, time.Oneespeciallyinteresting andinternal and eternity, thetimeofbody, selfandtime, timeand a relatively technical level covering themes such as being Husserl, Levinas andRicoeur. Assuch, the discussionison and AugustinethroughtoSpinoza, Kant, Kierkegaard, Heidegger, ofphilosophy,of timeinthehistory going backtoPlato, Plotinus This volumebringstogetherseven essays discussingaspects 2016,Cambridge Scholars 130pp., £45.99, h/b Edited by MarinaMarren On Time love inlife.’ iswhatreallymatters present. Finally, whenwe aredeepawake, ‘itisobvious that always good-we canalways seekoutthegoodthatisalso without theyuk.Thismeansthatwhilelifemay bebad, itis

, aquite books in brief 67 www.scimednet.org Network Review 2016/3 Review Network was published to great acclaim published to great was Red Book (Liber Novus) itself contains many extraordinaryRed Book itself contains many mandalas as Consciousness and the Source of Reality Consciousness and the Source Robert G. Jahn and Brenda J. Dunne p/b. $19.95, pp., 380 ICRL Press 2011, readers will be familiar with the workMany of the Princeton was This Unit. (PEAR) Research Engineering Anomalies around 30 years.initiated in the late 1970s and ran for It constitutes the most important on sequence of evidence is which of all perception, remote (precognitive) and PK book. It begins by documented in this comprehensive fully including context of the research, considering the overall studies. consciousness and medicine currentbiology, in ideas the PK and remote perception on to consider It then moves all is This implications. its with along detail, in research giving summarised with admirable detail and conciseness, as readers individual cases as well the chance to evaluate patterns. overall the results of such research pose As readers will be aware, and assumptions, physicalist existing to challenge major a advancing the authorssections, consider this in the final two remind us that our their own model in the process. They ideas are the outcome of both sensory and philosophical contending for their partfiltering, that ‘mind is the ultimate through its ongoing that creates reality organising principle (p. dialogue with the unstructured potentiality of the Source.’ spectrum of a kind analyse this to reactions of They 293) recommending an extension of the range of science research, quote They and limitations. dichotomies existing to alleviate on limits impose questions our that effect the to Jung from out of the fullness her from answering Nature and ‘prevent of her possibilities since these possibilities are restricted its take to science for time high is It practicable.’ as far as off and recognise that scientific ideas themselves blinkers ‘are inescapably an activity and product of the human mind’ and to integrate subjective and objective dimensions into a wider scientific view. PSYCHOLOGY-CONSCIOUSNESS PSYCHOLOGY-CONSCIOUSNESS STUDIES Jung Book of C.G. The Red Boechat Walter p/b. £19.99, 138 pp., Karnac Books 2016, Jung’s published two articles we Roger by time, in 2009. Around that Sonu The editor, a review. as as well on the book, Woolger Walter Here, group. London the to a talk gave also Shamdasani, what the book means in termsBoechat reflects on of the especially theoryfuture of psychological psychotherapy, and imagination. He own method of active as an example of Jung’s various the structure, its book, the of gestation the explains the edge of creativity the margin at it, heroes depicted in and the search for the the legacy of the dead, and madness, Jung was Hesse, of individuation. Like centre in the process the by fascinated Gnosticism and was greatly influenced by Demian. who also appears in Hesse’s Janus figure of Abraxas, The the ego and the the midpoint between symbols of the centre, An importantunconscious. part our moving is journey our of of figure the by him for represented Self, to self from centre importantAn book. the in depicted is who part Philemon, of with its his activity at Bollingen, his search for wholeness was carving, tending the fire simple activities of chopping wood, and cooking. way I think the author is right in highlighting the written express was and the time at which it in which the book is still going on as which a radical cultural crisis in the West, a planetary seek to achieve we vision of wholeness with a corresponding ethic of interconnectedness. www. sergiomagana.com Caves of Power Caves Sergio Magana Ocelocoyotl p/b. £10.99, 190 pp., House 2016, Hay tradition of ancient third book on the Toltec This is Sergio’s detailed a healer and medicine man with is Mexico. He tradition that has theoretical and practical knowledge of this It is essentially a its own map and understanding of reality. refer to the hidden of power practical guide where the caves the realm of dreams and underworlds. aspects of the inner self, The book is focused on energy techniques directed towards which also form its rejuvenation and manifestation, healing, understanding human the of structure.Toltec the explains He energy system and numerologyunderlie that practical the only a verytechniques. Although these are described in detail, which are to pursue the exercises, dedicated reader is likely best learnedprobably first-handwith expert There guidance. is also the question of speaking a foreign language when it to formulae.comes readersInterested consult can also Secrets of the Lost Mode of Prayer Gregg Braden p/b. £8.99, 153 pp., House 2016 (2006), Hay wisdom blessing, of beauty, Subtitled ‘the hidden power tradition with its on the Navajo and hurt’,draws this book into the as on pilgrimages emphasis on beauty as well a higher power monasteries of central Tibet. It postulates field or presence in which 95% of the characterised as a force, the Tibetan Abbot’s struck by I was believe. population world’s the spirit in in other words remark that ‘feeling is the prayer’, aligning human consciousness which it is made. This involves for rain as pray pray do not so much from the inside so that we overcoming builds up inner strength by rain. The practitioner In corresponding energy. challenges and transforms blocked into can move can be a release and we blessing this sense, state of gratitude where the universea new can respond to become and feel. what we Morning III Homilies Francis Pope p/b. $18, 191 pp., 2016, Orbis Books, shorta gives and Mass Everysays homily Pope the morning, Martha’s St of chapel the in guests and residents fellow for the period covers he lives. This volume where Guesthouse, February 2014 and is reported to June in the third person is also referred to as direct quotations. The Pope with many read best are These Rome. of Bishop the and Father Holy the as short relating the Bible reflections delivered, were as they obstacles all experience everydayto the spirituality of We life. here is not the challenge and patience and humility, requiring to become drifters and what he calls lifestyle to stand still, readerstourists. He encourages to open both their hearts beyond encourages us to move he all, and minds. Above and to expediency, beyond casuistry, abstraction and moral zealotry the as the quietism avoid as well of revolutionaries he conveys expect, as one might in all, of contemplatives. All good sense. a great deal of spiritual books in brief www.scimednet.org thatshapeus. consciousness andreality thepatterns of willfind thatitexpandstheirunderstanding other readers find this book of special interest for its clinical content, while our spiritualbeingmanagesthe mind.Psychotherapistswill ‘vitalitybeing’forthatentitymanagesthebody,term while the deceased.Rolf’s suggeststhenew theoreticalframework the professionalwas abletocommunicatewiththemindof a problemfortheliving, asexplained inanothercasewhere attention. People whodo notrealisethey have diedcanbe as well asmentalfieldsestablishedthroughintentionand useful,his misconceived guilt. The idea of mental files is very contact with his companion of the time and release him from man whodiedinaclimbingaccidentandwas abletomade in aprevious life, andthereisafascinatingcaseinvolving a new tolerance level. Sometimes, lies the root of the pattern accepted and integrated, thus establishing what he calls a relive experiencesuntilthey losetheirchargeandcanbefully the root of traumas, and here Rolf encourages his clients to involved getting toconsciousness. Agooddealofthiswork reachesof discussionofthefurther a highlyinformative spirits andspiritualhyperspace, thereaderisdrawn into ESP, and imagination, memory of souls and the Internet with reflectionsonthemessuchasthemechanicsof calls MindWalking. Usingmany casehistories interspersed boundaries of the known through a process that the author circumstances, willreachbeyond whatwe considertobethe consciousness infactknowsnoboundsand, inconducive experience,As thetitlesuggests,tooureveryday andcontrary Shaker Media2016, 364pp., nopricegiven, p/b. Rolf UlrichKramer(SMN) Unbounded! –Vol 1 reconsider theirviews afterreadingthislucidbook. reader whoalreadythinksthatthey thisareawill understand spirituality. Itisahighlyoriginalandengaginghypothesis -any a reconciliation of materialism and idealism, science and Sir RogerPenrose ontheroleofmicrotubulestopropose Hameroffand ofStuart zero pointfieldalongwiththework draws onLaszlo’s akashicfieldhypothesis inrelationtothe place locatedinspaceandtime.’ (p.190)Thefinalchapter and thenprojectedoutwards tocreatetheillusionofareal iscreatedinternally,‘our modelofthephenomenalworld otherconsciousness.Thismeansthat go along, asisevery picture isthatwe aswe areallcreatingourownuniverse within itselfthewholeuniverse, pastandfuture.Theemerging and thethirdthatimplicateorderholographicallyfolds the secondthattheremay bemany orspaces, parallelworlds suggeststhatrealityiscreatedbyfirst theactofobservation, ofquantummechanics.The the ImplicateOrderinterpretation Copenhagen interpretation, theMany Worlds and interpretation In the excellent chapter on physics, Anthony discusses the lifenowseemslike adream. suggest thatearth and thatcommunicationsfromthespiritualrealmsbeyond bandofreality narrow basedonavery isaconstruction world perceptionofthephysicalis easytoforgetthatournormal spaces, whichcanaccountfordiscrepanciesinperception.It is mentioned here, and involves the idea of multiple parallel the positionofphysicist andmystic MichaelWhiteman, who experience, ajourney intoinnerspace.Thisisalsobroadly the OBEisnotsomuchanecsomaticasintrosomatic neurology, psychedelics and quantum physics, arguing that Anthony extendsthiswithanup-to-dateconsiderationof ago.However, publishedabout20years McCreery Charles ofCeliaGreenand also hypothesised work intheearlier astral travel are all elements of the same phenomenon, as lucid dreaming, outofbodyexperiences, remoteviewing and The thesisofthisfascinatingandwide-rangingbookisthat Watkins 2011, 222pp., £10.99, p/b. anthonypeake.com/forum Anthony Peake Laszlo–www. (SMN) – foreword by Ervin The Out-of-BodyExperience 68 Network Review2016/3 thoughts, findingandexpressingthe divinewithin. in ordertochangetheworld, we literally needtochangeour man’s thinkingmakes it’-so Itiswhatourworld thinking. situation, world current that‘man’s isthesumtotalof world in hisownwords.Itissobering tobereminded, inview ofthe Tapped . Here you have the Secrets of the Universe his story book abouthimby calledTheManWho GlennClark the short Wilson’s work. 350 bookreviews. Itisanidealintroductiontothisaspectof books, 600essays, 162introductionstootherbooksand moving tribute, thatWilson’s observing extendedto180 work the related essays as well. on psychology He also provides a by summarisingandquotingfromninebookslistingall consciousness. Theeditordoesthereaderagreatfavour unnecessarily whenwe couldbelivinginagreatlyexpanded that we tendtoseerealitytoonarrowly, confiningourselves therefore ofourinnerlives.ItisarefraininWilson’s work thequalityofourperception,central indetermining and psychology. In this respect, is the intentionality of Husserl his own existential on Reich and Jung as well as articulating withAbrahamMaslowandhiswork correspondence early of the foremost Colin Wilson scholars, beginning with his books byprovides one a distillation from his many important This excellentprimeronColinWilson’s writings onpsychology Books2016,Karnac 123pp., £17.99, p/b. Colin Stanley Psychology Leap–ColinWilsonon An Evolutionary help toprobeandelucidatethekey ideas. Lucius. Thecontentisinevitably technical, butthedialogues bridgefortheentrepreneur provides animportant his work other. Rupert’s aliasinthenovel isRolandSmethwick, and interconnectedness couldchangetheway we relatetoeach minds, whilethecentralcharacterfeelsthathisinsightinto ofseparate in technicalapplicationssuchasthenetworking results aremixed–andtheentrepreneurismoreinterested have expected, thereactionsto successfulexperimental about life. As the proponent might observations and wry The writingisengagingandclearwithmany ironicasides which aresubsequentlypublishedinaprestigiousjournal. and the results of experiment testing his work fund a crucial meets aninterestedentrepreneurwhowas preparedto of a novel in the form where the theorist explains his work Sheldrake resonance. Herehe onmorphic of Rupert work for over interesting parallels to the 35 years,theory with very andduplicationentanglement, themechanismofmemory on his ideas involvingNick has been working quantum Self-published 2016, 167pp., nopricegiven, p/b. Nick Greaves (SMN)–www.mindandmemory.net Mind outofTime in the past recommended his books and hehadbeenpronounceddeadby threephysicians. Ihave hadalreadyarrived himself atapointwhentheundertaker immediate knowledgeofthehealingprincipleonspotto asheappliedthe from bubonicplagueisquiteextraordinary ofhismiraculoushealingrecovery beyond Thestory thinking. within him giving him knowingthe supreme force working isapure expressionofgeniuswith and scientist.Hiswork illustrator, painter, sculptor, author, architect, philosopher all. This did not stop him becoming musician and composer, Consequently, heleftat10andhadnospecialisttraining littleuse. atschoolwasrealised thatwhathelearned ofvery hadablissfulexperience and the ageofseven whenhefirst in 1946, ofhisinnerlife, andexplainsthestory goingbackto bookisadaptedfromatalkgivenby WalterThis short Russell 1993, 66pp., $7, h/b Science and PhilosophyUniversity (www.philosophy.org) Walter Russell The SecretofWorking KnowinglywithGod The Secret of Light and books in brief 69 www.scimednet.org Network Review 2016/3 Review Network ECOLOGY-FUTURES STUDIES ECOLOGY-FUTURES Will Transform Change How Population the World Sarah Harper h/b. £14.99, 234 pp., Oxford 2016, This highly informative reading for anyone book is essential world in understandtrends to differential the wanting to the debate and analysis is devoted population growth. Much numberscombination of rising consumption. Here and rising on the different stages of demographic the emphasis is more birthhigh from transition of rates lower to rates death and childbirth leading to ageing populations. and lengthening lives, struggling still is Africa fertility, reduce to speaking, Broadly terms in challenges greatest the faces East of Middle the while advanced unemployment, youth bulge and therefore and the US face ageing populations. economies in Europe for instance in terms of a role at all stages, Migration plays higher have to tend immigrants that fact the and supply labour which in turnbirth will lead to a different population rates, a detailed table on composition. All this is summarised in are to the fundamental challenges the author, page 12. For to reduce inequality across the lifespan, maintain wellbeing generations. within generations and ensure equity between Harper analyses the historic drivers of population growth nutrition and medical health, public in terms of sanitation, advances. She introduces the term epidemiological transition, chronic is replaced by where death due to infectious diseases tends to account degenerative diseases of civilisation. She partlylatter the of rise the for lifespans extended through rather than stressing the importance of lifestyle in maintaining the countries are now below of the world’s health. Two-thirds per woman of children of 2.1 replacement level population which 2.5, the European figure was childbearing age. In 1950, to the education of 2010. In addition had fallen to 1.5 by parta attributes author the rise the to trend this of women, burden grey of individualism. She discusses the so-called but I and disability, with some interesting figures on longevity will for longevity wondered if some of the extrapolated figures the rise of obesity and diabetes. be curbed by for demographic Middle East shows the greatest The employment highlighting the need to provide insurgency, opportunities that applies across an issue for the young, increase because of to advanced countries and is likely robotics. Harper shows how the youth bulge can in some While dividend. demographic economic to an lead cases discussing countries where fertility she is still too high, from 16 extrapolation does not question the cites Niger and the end to 55 million in 2050 to 140 million by million today of the century in a country where half are already without wildly surely it is figure for 2050 adequate food. Even the wrong. The final chapter considers policy options in relation to with a useful the various interconnected challenges outlined, table on page 164. The real difficulty is knowing how these factorsof overall view loops in complex feedback will create age-structural changes and the continuing digital revolution. figures on by The scale of our collective challenge is revealed the next 15 years, over learn that, where we the last page, 2 billion children will need some 2 billion babies will be born, to start1.2 billion young adults will need to find school and work in a world where the fastest growing age group will be James read from Oxford’s 60s. A thought-provoking the over Martin School.

400,000, based on a high rate of saving and which of course of which and saving of rate high a on based 400,000, Psychology of Success Price Alison and David p/b. £6.99, 230 pp., Icon Books 2016, going back to the work of books on success, There are many clearly is one This set early the in Hill Napoleon century. 20th the essential out using all letters of the alphabet to convey this kind read Even if you have points in an actionable way. Among the it servesof book before, as a useful reminder. modelling, learn, goals, fear, effort, chaptersare activation, visualisation and pressure, under self belief, preparation, as as well zeal. Each section has a ‘try it now’ element, all tend to procrastinate and remain vague useful tips. We especially in terms of the important about our goals, but not urgent. The authors the most help readers to make without neglecting the need for productive use of their time, recuperation. Highly recommended. Being in Balance Dyer W. Dr Wayne p/b. £8.99, 141 pp., House 2016 (2006), Hay and this book is about recovering As the title suggests, maintaining balance in everyday life while making maximum and of the mind in a state of harmony positive use of the powers kind of balance: alignment. Each chapter looks at a specific desires and achievement, enjoyment dreams and habits, prosperity and scarcity, appetite and health, and addiction, of practical advice spiritual and material. It is full of the kind the author. to expect from has come insight that one and transforming monitoring and beliefs our involves often This ourselves reminding we that resistance, accompanying any So dwelling not. it or want we whether about think we what get on shortage and scarcity is incompatible with abundance. of programming implicit the beyond going means also It reinforces the social fabric. Ulisse helps readersreinforces the social fabric. Ulisse helps become and intertwiningmore sensitive to the interplay of visible and aspects of life. invisible system of giving red envelopes containing money on significant on money containing envelopes red giving of system especially marriage. that think to It is amazing occasions, 2250,000 and between Chinese spouses receive on average 2 is essentially a state of and our reactions to it. Heaven news which includes our habitual view mind rather than a location, of others. The Invisible Force of Love of Force The Invisible Ulisse Di Corpo p/b. 25, 53 pp., 2016, Omega Interculturale at the 2015 Ulisse spoke readersAnd some will recall, organise us helped and conference, Brain the Beyond he account, engaging this In Rome. in meeting recent our arrivedhe how describes important his at involving insights nonphysical and physical between interface and the syntropy head and the heart. the worlds, visible and invisible energy, he which examples of synchronicity, He illustrates this with past. the from causality while future the from comes feels a further provides Jobs The experience of Steve interesting to follow your own inner voice, instance and encouragement heartthe compass of the on the title - the invisible based that when we He expresses this in a theorem force of love. ourselves, to equal are we universe the to united are love, in of wealth accumulation not apply to any but the same does fascinated to learn of the Chinese guanxi was I and power. books in brief www.scimednet.org author hasextensive knowledgeandexperience ofdifferent and when collaboration, insider or outsider tactics? The and thepower of advocacy – when does one use confrontation ofthebookdiscusses civilactivism, The lastpart leadership brings onebacktotherealities ofpower to. already referred about thebehaviour ofcompaniesorinstitutions, andthis and effectively. nottomake generalisations Itisalsoimportant organisations operate, so as to be able to navigate skilfully toknowhowthesevarioussystemsand important andtargetsofchange. Itbecomes asdrivers corporations systemsshapechange,international andtransnational law, accountability, andthemedia, how politicalparties of history, discussinghowstatesevolve, of themachinery dealswithinstitutionsandtheimportance The secondpart within socialsystemsinsuchcases. ofpressures mutilation. Onecomestoabetterunderstanding offemalegenital for instanceinrelationtocultureandnorms time. Throughoutthebook, hegivesrelevant casestudies, evolved is also highly significant, as they change over clearly and offormed hownorms ideas andinterests.Understanding thatresistancetendstocomefrominstitutions,observing between power within, power with, power to, and power over, withthem.Hedistinguishes andwork it criticaltounderstand frequently ignoredby changeagents, buttheauthorshowshow and abletobroker relationships.Therealitiesofpower are have tobeflexible, strategic, opentofeedbackand failure, reality ofpower Changeagents andshiftsinsocialnorms. systems approach, onsystemsthinking, withchapters the adviser toOxfamGB.Hebeginsby outlininghispower and on hismany ofexperience, years asseniorstrategic currently accountofhowchangehappens,proposes aworkable based theoretical and practical book,In this remarkable the author Oxford 2016, 268pp., £16.99, h/b. Duncan Green How ChangeHappens implications ofthisdevelopment. readthisbookifyouwant the tounderstand should certainly Industrial Revolution here to stay, is clearly Fourth and you recent controversiesinvolving Uber. Whathasbeencalleda Thislastpointhashadthemostvisibilitywith of work. impact, regulationandconsumerprotection, andthefuture of economic looks at the effects in terms The second part he callsblockchaineconomieswithrespecttovaluecreation. andwhat peer-to-peer exchange.Hethendiscussesplatforms the digital, thedigitalisationofphysical anddecentralised oftheconsumerisation interms the backgrounddrivers new modelsuchasAirbnb,andLyft. Heoutlines Kickstarter developments andthemajorexponentsof of allcurrent if musicisimmediatelydownloadable.Theauthorabreast toownacaroreven anexpensivemusicdevice for everyone shift toanasset light economy where itis nolonger necessary inthisprocessanda One canrecognisecreativedestruction answers arecomplex-abitofboth. empowered entrepreneur orthedisenfranchiseddrone?The Doesitrepresentthedoes itdestroy jobsorcreatework? are seeminglyparadoxical:isitcapitalistorsocialist, online communicationandcollaboration.Many ofitseffects interesting implications is the based evolution on of trust resources, suchassparerooms, andoneofthemost freelance labour. It is based on the exploitation of underused the foremoststronglyinaccommodation,and transport professional, gift and market economy and is coming to thedistinctionbetween andon demand;itblurs personal model. Thenew systemisdecentralised, peer-to-peerand centredare alreadyimpactingonthetraditionalcorporate emerging new ways oforganisingeconomicactivitythat capitalism’, thisbrilliantandelucidatingbookdescribesthe Subtitled ‘the end of employment and the rise of crowd-based MIT Press2016, 240pp., £19.95, h/b. Sundararajan Arun The SharingEconomy 70 Network Review2016/3 of ourchildrenandgrandchildren. level,personal we eachhave aresponsibilitytoactonbehalf activists, nowsupported, significantly, by Pope Francis. Ona ofclimatedemocracy involving network theworldwide we need, suggest, astheauthors amassiveinterventionist legitimacy ofpower canbequestioned, anditisclear that put pressureongovernmentstochangetheirpolicies.The that itreallyonlytakes 5%ofthepopulationtomobilise well asunderground strategies. Theencouraging message is real hopehastolieincitizenactivismusingsocialmediaas inpolitical,to leadership mediaandothersectors, butthe aredevoted differentimplications.Anumberofchapters very election ofTrump andhischoiceofdirectortheEPA has Committeemeeting,Platform althoughthesubsequent was passed almost unanimously at a full Democratic Party motion todeclareaWorld War IIstyleclimateemergency is essential. However, it was encouraging to read that a -andLesterBrownmoregenerallythink that theauthors much hardertogalvanisethekindofWorld War IImobilisation emergency ratherthananimmediatecrisis, whichmakes it natural systems. The problem is that climate change is a long as usual, with puttingusonaneventual collisioncourse ‘deadly delay’ asgovernmentscontinuetopromotebusiness from Paris, whichlooksincreasinglylike anotherepisodeof pages last year. aIt year builds on on the final chapters on climatechange, Unprecedented, whichIreviewed inthese This isapracticalfollow-uptoDavid Griffin’s seminalbook Clarity PressInc2016, 144pp., $14, p/b. Elizabeth Woodworth andDavid Ray Griffin Unprecedented ClimateMobilization the unskilled-tofindwork. along withthehugechallenges foryoungpeople-especially toaddress, trendforgovernment highlighted animportant economy context. However, in an international the author has matter torevitalise thejobgenerating capacitiestheUS solutions are far from comprehensive, and it is no simple attheendofbookargue,two commentators Eberstadt’s is alsosymptomaticofalargercivicdisengagement.Asthe is difficultforsuchpeopletore-enterthelabourmarket. It the highestincarcerationrateperheadinworld, andit also containsmany menwithprisonrecords– theUShas amountofdisability benefit,draws and adisproportionate leisure asmoreimmediatesourcesofgratification.Thegroup morethandoubleonsocialising,but ofcourse relaxing and asemployed men,time oncaringforhouseholdmembers the group’s use of time, finding that they spend the same ofmenwithoutjobs.Theauthoranalyses the maincategory to ageingeffects, andthiseconomicallyinactivegroupisnow ofthischangeisnotdue unemployment rate.Threequarters figure islargelyhiddenbecauseitdoesnotappearinthe for USmen20andolderfellfrom85.8%to68.2%.This than in1940, andbetween 1948and2015, rate thework rate of men betweenwork 25 and 54 was lower in 2015 not seekingany toafigureofsome10million.Theactual and rise inthenumberofmenUSwhoareoutwork Subtitled ‘America’s invisible crisis’, thisbookdescribesthe Templeton Press 2016, 206pp., $12.95, p/b Nicholas Eberstadt Men withoutWork insights containedinthisbook. you areinvolved in, youwillundoubtedlybenefitfromtherich the bookforactivistorganisations.Whatever kindofchange strategies as well as discussing the overall implications of looking atdomainsofchangeandadaptation opportunity. The last chapter pulls the arguments together, ofadvocacyandhowtomakeforms themostofwindows books in brief 71 www.scimednet.org Network Review 2016/3 Review Network Foresight Allan Feller Sherman and David W. Lawrence Edited by p/b. £12.99, pp., 179 Cambridge University Press 2016, This fascinating interdisciplinary volume began as a series attempts how asking on foresight, lectures College Darwin of it rather than simply to foresee the future actually change simplynot is ‘foresight it, puts contributor one As it. predicting but anticipating future change and acting on looking forward, ableare as we wrong, be may foresight course, Of that vision.’ it can still be valuable. It can also but to appreciate in hindsight, There are two chapters be related to self-fulfilling prophecy. anddreams omens, where ancient civilisations, in foresight on and wisdom with relationship their and up, come divination prudence is discussed. giving an discusses foresight in journalism, Bridget Kendall a period of time Putin change over example of how she saw but it is easy to spot errors of judgement, – with hindsight, she feels that foresight is itself a judgement. On the whole, ‘seek tojournalists are not that good at foresight because they back up assumptions with reasoned and fact-based arguments’ although she does give rather than making leaps into the future, 2008 financial anticipating the a good example of Gillian Tett of her training in anthropologybecause probably rather crisis, than her expertise foresight cover economics. Other essays in foresight in the scientific method with a discussion and fiction, a is there Then weather. space and music Karlof Popper, particularly interesting lecture on a longitudinal study showing a lack of self-control in children withdistinct correlation between readilycan reader The 138). (p. foresight financial of lack later world turbulent our in foresight accurate of value the appreciate the last examples over and it is not hard to think of a few what is also months where it has been lacking.few However, lacking is a compelling vision of a positive future embodying what one might call constructive foresight. GENERAL Self-Tracking Nafus and Dawn Gina Neff p/b. £11.95, 233 pp., 2016, MIT Press to apps use to fashionable quite become recently has It hours orbilled day, a in taken steps for instance self-track, people turn their experience into way, people friended. In this purposes. monitoring and evaluation quantifiable data for By sensors will be a huge 110 million wearable the end of 2016, technology, This trend is clearlyshipped worldwide. driven by but the authorsbiomedicalisation in terms also attribute it to is chapter a whole - moods even or body the measuring of point to various forms to this. The motivations devoted of self- such data can health. At the same time, including improvement, manufacturers interests so as and commercial be collected by targeted advertising,to improved issues so interesting privacy arise from this. The authors self offer their own advice on getting going with including not being too ambitious about measuring tracking, as to fall off, things – otherwise there will be a tendency industry by evidenced data indicating that 60% of these fall into disuse within 6 months. Speculating about devices authorsthe fact the on comment tracking, self of future the that elements of surveillance and control are mixed with Access to and control of and playfulness. empowerment and much of the future lies in the hands of data is critical, users. A 2014 Symantec report on security and privacy of could easily be turned into found that they activity trackers user data to and that the apps sent surveillance trackers, users with few of five different Internet domains, an average of this. This informative book gives pause for being aware reflection about an important emerging technology. Bill Vandenbush p/b. £14.99, 290 pp., Clairview Books 2016, near death experience on the This account of a soldier’s battlefields of Vietnam in the 1960s is both harrowing and inspiring. The reader learns about the training regime and the including psychological effects of being in a battle situation, killing people and seeing people killed. This has an emotionally so soldiers focus on their own eventually numbing effect, are no longer survival, realising at the same time that they the author took a direct hit from a fully human. Is April 1969, the remains of his right eye piece of red-hot shrapnel and saw and at that point had down to die, drop into his helmet. He lay a near death experience where he encountered his grandfather verythrough him sustained This Spirit. Great a and dark times rate due but this proceeded at an unexpected of his recovery, scene where to his inner state. There is an incredibly moving and dies is fatally injured, not liked a man he had previously but he is shot again in the chest, in his arms. Just afterwards, parting in man the tells place. beautiful a to go will he that life and challenges, The book goes on to describe the author’s recounting how he returns to the values of the light and follows his life on track. This involves the guidance of Spirit to keep embracing the whole of life and being of service – it is a familiar but no less valuable for that. message from the NDE, If Morning Comes Never DEATH AND DYING DEATH Viva Marilyn Barry p/b. given, no price 191 pp., 2016, Inner Way the story book tells This beautiful and empowering of Vivian Bailey Alice of student and teacher psychosynthesis a King, passing who struggled after a near fatal car crash, to recover herof background the gives Marilyn yearstwo some later. over and friendship chronicling her journey work, life and friend’s letters important on moving some are There process. the in how the explaining one to her physicians and principles of life, vehicle disabled and beside car crash that left her physical honk, hornthe didn’t focus, didn’t headlights ‘the road: the the car is After almost 2 years, turn.’ and the wheels didn’t veryhad she - move doesn’t and spluttering physical still little on. She time to move decides that it is and eventually capacity, her own funeral (pp.contributes some wonderful insights to are opportunitiesexperiences our of all including that 83-5) to particular so our reaction is more importantdevelop qualities, she refers than the circumstances themselves. Interestingly, to internalising the external birth world between and death, internalised so have externalising we what death, after then, worldinner our that worldouter our becomes Marilyn103). (p. and her fellow triangle meditators report fascinating many post-mortem state as a experiences connecting with Vivian’s a more formless realm. As atowards teacher gradually moving world servers many of one constitute they todedicated group, the transformation of human consciousness. This work in itself an inspiring message. conveys Companion Plants and How to Use Them Plants and Companion Gregg and Richard B. Helen Philbrick p/b. £8.99, 138 pp., 2016, Floris Books The first versioncame out as early of this book 1943 as observation the on based is and certain that seem plants and othersto affect a favourable in both them near growing improve This knowledge can enable us to manner. unfavourable losses due and reduce and flowers the quality of our food Plants are understoodto pests and disease. as metabolic influences. to environmental specific ways systems reacting in The format can be consulted by is an A-Z compendium that farmers and gardeners challenges. One according to their learns that that nasturtium broccoli from aphids, can protect raspberry as can celery benefits from leaks growing nearby, is also an extensive table of insect pestsfrom tomatoes. There page 70. Readersand plant controls on will be able to test and confirm the suggestions for themselves. books in brief www.scimednet.org 72 know nothing or the afterlife willbe apleasantstate.Inold know nothingor theafterlife about the prospect of death, commenting that we will either philosophical faults ofcharacterrather thanof age. Heisvery many oldpeopleareinfact negativeperceptionsof(grumpy) that if we have this through our actions. He observes earned his case, especiallyvines.We canonlyexpecttoberespected continue tocultivatethemind aswell asour garden -andin limitations,can maintainanactivelifewithincertain andcan against commonsuppositionsaboutoldage, thatwe affirming one buildsupone’s characterandinnerresources.Heargues ofagoodold agebeginsinyouthwithgoodchoicesas harvest pointthatthesowingfora it. Ciceromakes theimportant Latin textisontheleft-handpage, canreferto soscholars about lifeandoldage,The andisfullofwiseobservations. he hadjustlosthis daughter. 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Interestingly, blue such as representativeofprogressivethoughtandservices black -andthenfallsoutoffavour untilre-gainingmomentum ofLutherin -thereisaportrait of theProtestantReformation of love, and beauty. glory It saw a decline with the austerity Cardinals), SantaClaus, thefiresofhellanditssymbolism of Christ, flag, theredofpower therevolutionary (including inourculture.Oneonlyneedstothinkoftheblood primary associations ofthe colour, andinthiscaseredhasbeen be onyellow. Byreadingit, onebecomesaware ofthemany written historiesofblueandgreen, andhisnextbookwill book is a historian at the Sorbonne, who has already The authorofthisbeautifullyillustratedandfascinating Press2016,Princeton University 213pp., $39.95, p/b. Michel Pastoreau ofaColour Red –theHistory Athought-provoking collection. for theirsurvival. secular ones, dependonsacrifice, commitmentanddevotion thatallsocieties, thesacredremarks including on conserving state-sponsored councils.Evenmoreseriously, thelastessay art, defendedbyand posturinginherentinmuchmodern between politics, languageandspinaswell asthepretence shallowness ofso-calledBritishvaluesandtherelationship peopleontheother.of frustrated Otheressays exposethe ofmodestattainmentsontheonehandandmasses persons celebrity culture asa contract betweenThen heconsiders andisnotreticentinconfrontingcomplacentviews. terrorist celebrity. 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Network Review2016/3 through ourlove.’ puts it, ‘Iseethatwe areallhere towake eachotherup andbuildscommunity.relates love withtruth Astheauthor inclusive spiritual path that recognises interconnectedness, with.Ultimately,work tantra-literallymeaningweaving -isan candoes somany suggestionsthatreaders constructive reading on its own,relationships is worth containing as it love inone’s closerelationships.Thechapteronconscious andmakingaconsciouscommitmentto opening theheart can meeteachotherthehighestpossiblelevel. Thismeans well sothatwe asarealactivationofcreativity andenergy inevitably agreatdealofhealinginvolved onthejourney, as either bedonealoneorwithapartner, andthereisalmost andreachtransfiguration. 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His view of the age, we canbegratefulforourblessingsandhopefullywise Even in elder time Let the 3rd voyage, the heart fire burns The Journeys of Elderhood, with all that is left begin. to do… to be… Yes… to become… to purpose and intention, to passion and No time for stopping now, compassion, when flagging energy to good memories, creates a shorter day. to new planning, to learning and reading, Instead, to writing stories and Stoke the inner fires poetry. with seasoned wood, withThe sharpest Journeys mind ofYes… Elderhood and experienced heart. to children and grandchildren, To tackle to concerts and the elusive… graduations the impossible… and celebrations. and even just the hard to do. Yes… to loving deeply, Gather to friendships old and new, All the deep to generosity, soul strength to sharing well earned for lift off. wisdom.

Engage deeply. Yes… Champion right causes. to being, Proceed with the to the truth nd fearless courage that of the soul 22 Anniversary elder age allows. and the spirit www.positivehealth.com and the sacred. The leading Complementary Health Magazine The stakes are higher now. PositiveHealth Online The time is shorter. Yes Integrated Medicine for the 21st Century Strive higher. to life Yes le(3) chaim! * Greatness, even the heroic, to life. does not come to those who take excuse in aging. Geraldine Schwartz

*​Ancient Hebrew toast meaning “to life!” **​Yes (1) and Yes (2) have been included in Journeys of 2nd A Few Recent Topics Adulthood by Geraldine Schwartz. • Social Stories – Communication for People on the Autistic ***​At different stages of life journeys the “yes” poems reflect the Spectrum or with Learning Differences Music Maestro Please underlying positive theme that drives life’s action. “Yes (3)” is the • current one. • Stress in the Workplace as Experienced by Men & Women • NLP Sports Techniques • Overcome the Fear of Flying • Healing Spices • Coronary Thrombosis Theory of Heart Attacks: Science or Creed? • Strategic Confusion in Health Issues • 6 Surprising Benefits of Probiotics for a Healthy Heart • All You Need To Know About Chia Seeds • The Ultimate Gluten Free Guide • Intermittent Fasting: A Woman’s Diet Guide to Fat Loss • Lordosis – the Mother of all Distortions • History & Development of NeuroCranial Restructuring® Promote your Practice or Services on the PH Website with a Practitioner Listing – an affordable way to advertise [email protected] www.positivehealth.com The Scientific and Medical Network is a leading international forum for people engaged in creating a new worldview for the 21st century. The Network brings together scientists, doctors, psychologists, engineers, philosophers, complementary practitioners and other professionals, and has Members in more than thirty countries. The Network is a charity which was founded in 1973 and became a company limited by guarantee at the beginning of 2004.

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