JOURNAL OF THE SCIENTIFIC AND MEDICAL NETWORK ESTABLISHED 1973 Paradigm Explorer

INSIDE PAGE 4 Pandemic as Opportunity

PAGE 12 The Light of Hellenism

PAGE 20 The Eco-Philosophy Mandala

ISSN 1362-1211 | No 132 | 2020/1 Paradigm Explorer 2020/1 NETWORK CALENDAR 2020

May 12 Webinar, 6-8 pm – Barbie Dossey PhD and Deva-Marie Beck PhD - In Florence Nightingale’s Footsteps—Individual to Global: Nurses and Midwives in the COVID-19 Crisis and for the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) May 16 Webinar – Anaiya Sophia (10-12) and Christine Page MD (4-6) - The Power of the Sacred Feminine June 9, 6-8 pm Webinar with Jules Evans and Dr Tim Read – Breaking Open – Finding a Way through Spiritual Emergency July 4, 10am – 1 pm Webinar with Dr Andrew Fellows on Gaia, Psyche and Deep Ecology

Dates for your diary: August 25, 6-8 pm Webinar with Sir Jonathon Porritt, CBE – Hope in Hell September (tbc), 6-8 pm Webinar with Dr Merlin Sheldrake and his new book, Entangled Lives October (tbc), 6-8 pm Webinar with Dr Anne Baring – Awakening to a New Story – The Evolutionary Imperative of our Time October 17-18 Rescheduled Synchronicity and the I Ching, Oxford and Cambridge Club, limited to 30 people – fully booked. November 6-8 Beyond the Brain, University of Westminster. Speakers: Prof Kim Penberthy, Prof Ed Kelly, Prof Janice Miner Holden, Noelle St Germain-Sehr and Amanda St Germain-Sehr, Dr Oliver Robinson, Dr Tamara Russell, Prof Harald Atmanspacher, Tim Freke, Analaura Trivellat, Dr Peter Fenwick

LONDON - CLAUDIA NIELSEN 0207 431 1177 or preferably email [email protected] Until further notice our talks will be online. Bookings are made on the London Group page of the SMN website and the Zoom link will be sent out 30 minutes before the talk. Cost is £10 for a regular ticket and £5 for concessions. Information is circulated to the London Group as well as a wider list. 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.

UPCOMING EVENTS - 2020 M AY Monday 18th Dr. PHILIP GOFF Is Consciousness Everywhere? Foundations for a New Science of Consciousness JUNE Monday 1st Prof JERRY KROTH Can you be sure that all Crop Circles are Fakes?

JULY Monday 6th LAURENCE FREEMAN OSB The Contemplative Path in a Time of Crisis

AUGUST Monday 10th Prof JOHN CLARKE Beyond Nihilism: what can we learn from Nietzsche

SEPTEMBER Monday 21st Dr. MICHAEL BROOKS Cardano, the Quantum and the Cosmos

www.scimednet.org Paradigm Explorer 2020/1

Notice to Contributors All proposed contributions should be sent to the Editor by email as a Word CONTENTS and/or PDF file. For further guidelines please email: [email protected] EDITORIAL PARADIGM EXPLORER is published Material Crisis as a Spiritual Opportunity Dr Peter Fenwick, President 2 three times a year by the Scientific & Medical Network, generally in April, ARTICLES August and December. Editor: David Lorimer Pandemic as Opportunity Ervin Laszlo 4 2 Chemin de la Chaussee, Early Large Dose Intravenous Vitamin C Richard Z Cheng, MD, PhD; 6 11230 St Colombe sur l’Hers, is the Treatment of Choice for Hanping Shi, MD, PhD; Atsuo France 2019-nCov Pneumonia Yanagisawa, MD, PhD; Thomas E-mail: [email protected] Levy, MD, JD; Andrew Saul, PhD. Web Site: www.scimednet.org Ideas Arising from an Exchange with John Reed 9 William Ophuls (Members may apply to the SMN Office for password to access the Members The Light of Hellenism Athena Despoina Potari 12 Only area of the web site). What’s Wrong with the Perennial Philosophy? Jules Evans 16 Editorial Board: John Clarke, Paul Kieniewicz The Eco-Philosophy Mandala – Henryk Skolimowski 20 Printed by: A new world view and Paul Kieniewicz Kingfisher Print & Design Ltd, Devon

The 5 Living Generations’ Call to Protect Joan Skolimowski 23 The opinions expressed in Network the Earth and all Beings are those of individual authors and not necessarily statements of general Visioneers International Network Desmond Berghofer and 24 Network views. The Network is in no Geraldine Schwartz way liable for views published herein.

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE Paradigm Explorer Registered office: Not an Obituary – a voyage around Stephen G. Wright 25 Scientific & Medical Network, Ram Dass (1931-2019) c/o Dawe, Hawken & Dodd, 52 Fore Street, Callington, REPORTS Cornwall PL17 7AJ Tel: 0203 468 2034. Beyond the Brain 2019 John Clarke 27 Email: [email protected] 20th Anniversary Meeting of the Spirituality Larry Culliford 30 and Psychiatry Special Interest Group (SSIG) Company limited by guarantee, registered No. 4544694 England Registered charity No. 1101171 UK NETWORK NEWS Network News 33 JOURNAL OF THE SCIENTIFIC AND MEDICAL NETWORK ESTABLISHED 1973 News and Notices 34 Paradigm Members’ Articles 36 Explorer News Items 37

BOOK REVIEW SECTION Science/Philosophy of Science 38 Medicine/Health 41 INSIDE PAGE 4 Pandemic as Philosophy/Spirituality 45 Opportunity

PAGE 12 Psychology/Consciousness Studies 52 The Light of Hellenism PAGES 20 The Eco-Philosophy Mandala Ecology/Futures Studies 56 ISSN 1362-1211 | No 132 | 2020/1 General 59 Cover: Pear Blossom in Campsaurine Books in Brief 60 David Lorimer

www.scimednet.org 1 Paradigm Explorer 2020/1

Message from the President Material Crisis as a Spiritual Opportunity

Dr Peter Fenwick

From a scientific point of view, it is all materialistic view of science (which the Greetings! I hope you are too easy to see that the genesis of the Network’s Galileo report highlights) and all keeping safe and are virus is at least partly due to the way our exploitation of nature. we handle our food and the system that The Network has been set up always to we use to feed people on this planet, reasonably well fed! be at the cutting edge and to query the overcrowded as it is. Our business materialistic view that science has today. Elizabeth and I are holed model, extended by Ayn Rand in the We have had great success in this with early part of the 20th Century - that we the setting up of the Spirituality Special up in our house in the can do anything as long as it is in our Interest Group in the Royal College of own interests - is now outdated. This Scottish Highlands, Psychiatrists, carried out by Dr. Andrew Western capitalist system with its two Powell and colleagues. David Fontana looking out of the window aims of plunder and profit contains the with his colleagues was also successful seeds of its own destruction. Farming in establishing a trans-personal at the wonderful snow- is essentially driven by profit measures Special Interest Group for the British rather than the care and health of the capped mountains, and the Psychological Society. Both show how animals we eat. Battery farming has we have managed to change, in my view been largely given up in Europe, but wild life which is simply in a very important way, the academic not in other countries, and in these view of spirituality in these subjects. superb. It’s not too easy circumstances the crossing over of This is continuing with the publication pathogens from one species to another to find something either of the Network’s Galileo Report, is very likely. Indeed, there have been which puts forward a strong case that a several such crosses in the last few years. positive or cheerful to say materialistic science is far too limited. It only took more aggressive viruses at the moment, but I do like Ebola, Mers or Sars to move from There is a huge change in the way we local infection and to spread widely and understand consciousness. We have hope that none of you rapidly around the world. The planet now begun to learn about non-duality. have lost loved ones or is overcrowded and society is set up in There are methods on this planet and a way that favours transmission. Those courses which we can attend which will been taken ill yourself. But scientists with the sensitivity to see have make some of us non-dual. In the non- predicted that another pandemic must dual experience, ‘you’ and ‘the thing let’s start by looking at the follow, which indeed it has. out there’ are one, just one. And that of course means that we will lose a lot Corona virus from one or The climate emergency is only one of the difficulties which have brought factor pointing out the downside of about the situation that we see both in two different angles. And our abuse. Systems designed to exploit our science and in the way we behave the planet are plentiful - plastic in the doing it this way, I have to each other. Of course, if one is part sea, the annihilation of species - are of everybody, then we have to change called this talk all symptomatic of the fact that we and the aims that we have, have to don’t feel sensitivity to the planet or be modified, so that we look after the ‘Opportunity’. life on it and these lead to a continuous whole and not just ourselves. degradation of our physical resources. A simple remedy is difficult without The Network can be a positive influence a major change in the way we behave in the process of change. “You are to each other, and in our reductionist, not a human being having a spiritual

2 www.scimednet.org Paradigm Explorer 2020/1 experience. You are a spiritual being part of our wider conscious experience. it won’t be then same as it was before. immersed in a human experience”. And we must do our best to foster We can draw many parallels between (attributed to Teilhard de Chardin), and inter-connectedness and to recognise the our present situation and that of that is very much like it. This doesn’t importance of human kindness. Let me Britain during and after World War fit with science’s view of this dead sum up, again with a quotation from 2, which was responsible for some of world around us, where ‘matter’ is just Teilhard de Chardin. the most radical social changes in our physical matter, where consciousness country’s history. Many of us, sadly is excluded because we can’t explain it and inevitably, are going to lose people scientifically. We of course have lots of ‘The day will come when, we love and many who we know. But correlates. The idea that consciousness we will also see and experience the life- after harnessing space, arises from, and just is the brain, is enhancing kindness of the neighbours clearly wrong. So we are not human the winds, who will offer to shop for you when beings having a spiritual experience. the supermarket home deliveries are the tides, We are spiritual beings immersed in a overwhelmed, and the smiles you human experience. We are all struggling and gravitation, exchange with strangers, simply because to de Chardin’s Omega point and the you both recognise that we are all in we shall harness for God the extension and evolution of our own the same boat. So let us take a more energies of love. consciousness, and this pandemic may positive view of this pandemic as an be the opportunity we need to help the And on that day, opportunity to change our behaviour evolutionary process forward. And towards each other and our planet. for the second time in the history of in this, I think, the Network has an the world, enormously important part to play, to So in our Network conferences, when go out, as was hoped by those who we start exploring these issues in much we shall have discovered fire.’ founded us, to support the expression of more detail, I do hope that we can keep It’s the fire of love, which motivates consciousness in everything and indeed, this in mind. We have no idea what the the ground state of the universe. to show that spiritual experiences are changes in society will be when all this is not just brain experiences but are in fact over, but of one thing we can be certain;

View from Dalcrombie, the Fenwick's House in Scotland

www.scimednet.org 3 Paradigm Explorer 2020/1 Pandemic as Opportunity

Ervin Laszlo

A global pandemic is an Even if some people are depressed millions dying of starvation and and do not see the light at the end penury - and through epidemics opportunity for global of the tunnel, the pandemic we are and violence taking further millions change - for rapid and experiencing is temporary; it will with them. Hordes of displaced pass into history as all the previous refugees tearing apart the fabric of effective change to a better pandemics did. But the change it more and more societies. Droughts world. brings may be lasting. It can be turning fertile verdant land into change for the better, or change arid, lifeless plains. Rising sea for the worse. Making it a change levels flooding a third of the human for the better is an opportunity we habitations on the planet. Violent cannot afford to miss. storms destroying the homes of rich and poor alike. And local conflicts We are in the midst of a escalating into regional wars and “bifurcation” - the process turning into a global nuclear scientists call a sudden forking in confrontation. The list could be the evolutionary trajectory of a extended, but the conclusion is clear. complex dynamic system. We are The unsustainable processes we have living the global systems-shift we created could reach fateful tipping have discussed and anticipated for points - points of irreversibility. years. We have learned a few things We either learn to live sanely and about such a shift. It is one-way, sustainably, or we leave the stage it cannot be reversed. But it is not of history. This is a lesson we have predetermined - it allows choice. learned on the level of theory. Now In a bifurcation, we can choose we are facing it in practice. the way we go. For the first time in history, we can consciously and Returning to business as usual, to purposefully choose our destiny. the norms and practices and the This could be a bright destiny; the values and assumptions of the past, dawn of a new era of sanity and would be suicidal. Fortunately, it flourishing. But whether it will be is not possible. This is just as well: that is not determined. It is up to us. another way is now open for us. The social, economic, political, and Bifurcation creates crisis, and crisis, cultural systems that have been as we know, is both danger and framing our life have been shaken opportunity. Either way, it is a to their roots. Disruptive change prelude to change. The challenge is happened, and it is a prelude to to choose the change that leads to a fundamental change, whether sane and flourishing world. This is a constructive or destructive. real but non-recurring opportunity. Failing to seize it means returning In a way, the pandemic is a blessing to where we have been: facing the in disguise. It made us realise that prospect of our collective demise. we are a single global family: an Because for the past several decades interdependent and either co- we have been exposed to a plethora evolving or co-devolving living of crises, and these are likely to system. If we fail to make good use be as global as the pandemic, but of the opportunity this gifts us, we not necessarily as temporary. They expose ourselves to a plethora of include conditions as bad or worse crises. But if we make good use of than a pandemic. For instance: it, we can create a better world.

4 www.scimednet.org Paradigm Explorer 2020/1

There is an important lesson to learn here. In his Inaugural Address, president Franklin D. Roosevelt told us that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself. Applied to the condition of the world today, this conveys a relevant and true message. We can build a better world if we stop being fearful. A better world is available to us; it is waiting to be built. There is nothing to fear but fear itself. What is it then, that we need to do? It is clear that we need to think constructively - dare to hope, and dare to act to realise our hope. But we also need to act differently; act as if we were part of the web of life on the planet. Because we are that, even if most of us neither realise nor act like it. We have been harming the planet, and so Ervin’s House in Tuscany harming ourselves. We have ignored the interdependence and ultimate oneness of life. We need to adopt We must ensure that our that is good for us, and good for better goals. It is not “our people, technologies are safe, and that the world. Living in harmony with our nation first” - not even all of they serve our needs. This means others and with nature is healthier, humanity first. It is the web of life achieving a healthy balance that happier, and more rewarding than first, as it exists and evolves on allows all life on Earth to flourish in chasing after self-centered short- Earth. When that web is safe and harmony. It is a monumental task, term satisfactions. but in tackling it we need not rely sound, we are safe and sound. Then When it comes to deciding the only on the limited wisdom of our we can flourish, instead of having to ways of our life and the path to authorities and institutions. Our fight crisis after crisis. our destiny, there is a new bottom real guidance does not come from line. We can take our life and our Our body is healthy when it is above and beyond - it comes from destiny into our own hands. We whole, and the body of humanity is within and below. It is the guidance can be the change we wish to see in healthy when it is whole - when it deriving from our sense of who we the world. In a global bifurcation, embraces and values all the beings are, and how we relate to each other we are masters of our destiny. This that walk the Earth. We know and to nature. The authority we we must realise, and this we must this, and we have always known can and should follow is deep and put into practice. Our health, our it. But in the modern world we wise. It is our own deep self. Being wellbeing, and our very survival have suppressed this knowledge, a part of the web of life, whatever depends on it. buried it in our desperate scramble force or impetus forms and informs for money and power. We have that web is “in” us - it is in our We can thank the pandemic for used the fabulous fruits of the conscious and in our subconscious opening the way to a global human genius mainly to achieve mind. And so, instinctively and transformation. Now the way is short-term mercenary ends. We intuitively we know that life is not open to creating a better world, a have developed amazing energy just a jungle where the strongest world that lives up to the power and information technologies, and survive, but a system of mutual and the potential of the human are using them single-mindedly, to harmonisation, guided by empathy, spirit. When the pandemic subsides achieve our ends without regard for a sense of belonging, and ultimately and passes into history, creating a the consequences. As a result, our by unconditional love. This is not better world will be our epochal technologies respond to our short- just what religious prophets and task. There has never been a more term wants, but are indifferent to spiritual masters are telling us exciting or more important task in our long-term needs. today; it is what down-to-earth the history of humankind. quantum physicists, quantum Some of our technologies have biologists, and transpersonal Prof Ervin Laszlo is Founder and developed a life of their own. They psychologists are saying. President of the Club of Budapest; are shaping human life and the Founder and Director of the Laszlo human world. This is a dangerous The guidance of our inner self Institute of New Paradigm Research; his development: it could lead to a is healthy, far healthier than the most recent book is Reconnecting to the variety of “collateral damages” - relentless pursuit of riches and Source (St. Martin’s Press, New York, even to the creation of quasi-living power. We are social beings, and we 2020). organisms such as malignant viruses. can live like such beings. Living like

www.scimednet.org 5 Paradigm Explorer 2020/1 Early Large Dose Intravenous Vitamin C is Richard Z Cheng, MD, PhD the Treatment of Choice for 2019-nCov Pneumonia Richard Z Cheng, MD, PhD; Hanping Shi, MD, PhD; Atsuo Yanagisawa, MD, PhD; Thomas Levy, MD, JD; Andrew Saul, PhD.

I emailed Richard Cheng after seeing his recent online presentation to the NIH and other reports from the front line in China. An updated version of this article was published in Medicine in Drug Discovery (2020), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.medidd.2020.100028 - there is also a compilation of 90 peer-reviewed articles entitled Vitamin C evidence for treating complications of COVID-19 and other viral infections – this can be sourced on the Internet but let me know if you would like the link.

6 www.scimednet.org Paradigm Explorer 2020/1

The 2019-nCov (coronavirus) Cytokine storm seems a logical step and can be epidemic originated in Wuhan, Coronaviruses and influenza are applied to these deadly pandemics, China and is now spreading among the pandemic viruses that without the lengthy waiting for to many other continents and can cause lethal lung injuries pathogen-specific vaccines and countries, causing a public fear. and death from ARDS [3]. Viral drugs, as is the case of the current Worst of all, there is no vaccine or infections cause a “cytokine 2019-nCov epidemic. specific antiviral drugs for 2019- storm” that can activate lung As a matter of fact, large dose nCov available. This adds to the capillary endothelial cells leading to intravenous vitamin C (IVC) has public fear and gloomy outlook. neutrophil infiltration and increased been used clinically successfully in A quick, rapidly deployable and oxidative stress (reactive oxygen viral ARDS and also in influenza accessible, effective and also safe and nitrogen species) that further [10]. Fowler et al described a treatment is urgently needed to not damages lung barrier function 26-year-old woman developed only save those patients, to curtail [3]. ARDS, which is characterized viral ARDS (rhinovirus and the spread of the epidemic, but also by severe hypoxemia, is usually enterovirus-D68) [3]. She was accompanied by uncontrolled very important in the psychological admitted to ICU. After failure to inflammation, oxidative injury, and assurance to people worldwide, routine standard management, she the damage to the alveolar-capillary and to the Chinese in particular. was placed on ECMO on day 3. barrier [4]. The increased oxidative High dose IVC (200mg/kg body/24 Acute organ failure, especially stress is a major insult in pulmonary pulmonary failure (acute respiratory hour, divided in 4 doses, one injury such as acute lung injury every 6 hours) was also started on distress syndrome, ARDS) is the key (ALI) and acute respiratory distress mechanism for 2019-nCov’s fatality. ECMO day 1. Her lungs showed syndrome (ARDS), two clinical significant improvement on day 2 Significantly increased oxidative manifestations of acute respiratory of high dose IVC infusion on X-ray stress due to the rapid release of failure with substantially high imaging. She continued to improve free radicals and cytokines etc. is morbidity and mortality [5,6]. on ECMO and IVC and ECMO the hallmark of ARDS which leads In a report of 29 patients confirmed was discontinued on ECMO day 7 to cellular injury, organ failure of 2019-nCov pneumonia patients, and the patient recovered and was and death. Early use of large dose 27 (93%) showed increased hsCRP, discharged from the hospital on antioxidants, especially vitamin a marker of inflammation (and hospital day 12, without the need of C (VC), therefore, plays a key oxidative stress) [7]. Transcription supplemental oxygen. One month role in the management of these factor nuclear factor erythroid later, X-ray of her lungs showed patients. We call upon all those in 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a complete recovery. Gonzalez et the leadership, and those providing major regulator of antioxidant al (including one of the authors, direct assistance patients, to bravely response element- (ARE-) driven Thomas Levy) reported recently a and rapidly apply large dose cytoprotective protein expression. severe case of influenza successfully intravenous vitamin C (IVC) to The activation of Nrf2 signaling treated with high dose IVC [10]. help those patients and to stop this plays an essential role in preventing 25-year-old MG developed flu- epidemic. cells and tissues from injury induced like symptoms which was rapidly by oxidative stress. Vitamin C is an deteriorating to the degree that, 2019-nCov is a rapidly essential element of the antioxidant about 2 weeks later, the patient developing epidemic with a high system in cellular response [8]. barely had the energy to use the morbidity and mortality. toilet. He was placed on high dose Part of vitamin C’s biological effects IVC (50,000 mg of vitamin C in Wang et al reports 26% ICU in critical care management are 1000 ml Ringer’s solution, infused admission rate and a 4.3% well reviewed in a recent article by over 90 minutes). The patient mortality rate in their 138 Nabzdyk and Bittner from Mass immediately reported significant confirmed cases [1]. Chen et all Gen Hospital of Harvard Medical improvement the next day. On report that out of 99 confirmed School on World’s Journal of day 4 of IVC infusion he reported 2019-nCov patients, 17 (17%) Critical Care Medicine [9]: to feel normal. He continued oral patients developed ARDS and, VC (2,000 mg twice daily) [10]. among them, 11 (11%) patients Antioxidants, especially large Another story has been widely worsened in a short period of time dose IV vitamin C (IVC) in the circulating on the social media and died of multiple organ failure. management of ARDS. that large dose IVC reportedly It’s clear that increased oxidative was used in 2009 to save a New stress plays a major role in the Zealand farmer, Alan Smith (Primal Increased oxidative stress, an pathogenesis of ARDS and death. Panacea). One of us (Thomas Levy) underlying “cytokine storm,” Cytokine storm is observed in both was consulted upon in this case leads to ARDS which is the key viral and bacterial infections [3]. [11] [12]. Hemila et al reported that pathology of high mortality of Cytokine storm leads to increased vitamin C shortens ICU stay in their these pandemic viral infections. oxidative stress, ARDS and death 2019 meta-analysis of 18 clinical Cytokine storm-induced ARDS seems to be a common and non- studies with a total of 2004 ICU is the key pathology leading specific pathway. This is important patients on the journal Nutrients to death of these patients [2]. in clinical management. Since [13]. In this report, 17,000 mg/ Intravenous vitamin C effectively the prevention and management day IVC shortened the ICU stay by counters oxidative stress. targeting increased oxidative stress 44%. Marik et al reported their use with large dose of antioxidants of IVC in 47 sepsis ICU cases. They

www.scimednet.org 7 Paradigm Explorer 2020/1 found a significant reduction in For further reading mortality rate in the IVC group of Coronavirus Patients in China to be Treated with High-Dose Vitamin C patients [14]. http://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v16n10.shtml As of the date of Dietary antioxidants (vitamin C publication of thie Orthomolecular Medicine News service Release, Dr. Cheng and sulforaphane) were shown to is in Wuhan facilitating IVC treatment for hospitalized coronavirus patients. reduce oxidative-stress-induced Vitamin C and its Application to the Treatment of nCoV Coronavirus acute inflammatory lung injury http://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v16n09.shtml in patients receiving mechanical ventilation [15]. Other antioxidants Hospital-based Intravenous Vitamin C Treatment for Coronavirus and (curcumin) have also been shown to Related Illnesses have promising anti-inflammatory http://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v16n07.shtml potential in pneumonia [16]. Nutritional Treatment of Coronavirus High dose IVC has been clinically http://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v16n06.shtml used for several decades and a recent NIH expert panel document states clearly that high dose IVC References (1.5 g/kd body weight) is safe and Vitamin1. Wang CD, ProtectsHu B, Hu C, Against Zhu F, Liu Coronavirus X, Zhang J, Wang B, Xiang H, Cheng Z, Xiong Y, Zhao Y, without major side effects [17]. Li Y, Wang X, Peng Z. Clinical Characteristics of 138 Hospitalized Patients With 2019 Novel http://orthomolecular.oCoronavirus-Infected Pneumoniarg/resources/omns/v16n04.shtml in Wuhan, China. JAMA. 2020 Feb 7; Summary 2. Chen N, Zhou M, Dong X, Qu J, Gong F, Han Y, Qiu Y, Wang J, Liu Y, Wei Y, Xia J, Yu 2019-nCov pneumonia is a rapidly T, Zhang X, Zhang L. Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of 99 cases of 2019 novel developing disease with high coronavirus pneumonia in Wuhan, China: a descriptive study. Lancet Lond Engl. 2020 Jan 30; morbidity and mortality rate. The 3. Fowler III AA, Kim C, Lepler L, Malhotra R, Debesa O, Natarajan R, Fisher BJ, Syed A, key pathogenesis is the acute lung DeWilde C, Priday A, Kasirajan V. Intravenous vitamin C as adjunctive therapy for enterovirus/ injury causing ARDS and death. rhinovirus induced acute respiratory distress syndrome. World J Crit Care Med. 2017 Feb Coronaviruses, influenza viruses 4;6(1):85-90. and many other pandemic viral 4. Meng L, Zhao X, Zhang H. HIPK1 Interference Attenuates Inflammation and Oxidative infections are usually associated Stress of Acute Lung Injury via Autophagy. Med Sci Monit Int Med J Exp Clin Res. 2019 Jan with an increase oxidative stress 29;25:827-35. leasing to oxidative cellular damage 5. Yan X, Fu X, Jia Y, Ma X, Tao J, Yang T, Ma H, Liang X, Liu X, Yang J, Wei J. Nrf2/Keap1/ resulting in multi-organ failure. ARE Signaling Mediated an Antioxidative Protection of Human Placental Mesenchymal Stem Antioxidants administration Cells of Fetal Origin in Alveolar Epithelial Cells. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2019;2019:2654910. therefore has a central role in the 6. Hecker L. Mechanisms and consequences of oxidative stress in lung disease: therapeutic management of these conditions, implications for an aging populace. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol. 2018 01;314(4):L642- in addition to the standard 53. conventional supportive therapies. 7. Chen L, Liu HG, Liu W, Liu J, Liu K, Shang J, Deng Y, Wei S. [Analysis of clinical features Preliminary clinical studies and of 29 patients with 2019 novel coronavirus pneumonia]. Zhonghua Jie He He Hu Xi Za Zhi case reports show that early Zhonghua Jiehe He Huxi Zazhi Chin J Tuberc Respir Dis. 2020 Feb 6;43(0):E005. administration of high dose IVC 8. Liu Q, Gao Y, Ci X. Role of Nrf2 and Its Activators in Respiratory Diseases. Oxid Med Cell can improve clinical conditions of Longev. 2019;2019:7090534. patients in ICU, ARDS and flu. It needs to be pointed that pandemics 9. Nabzdyk CS, Bittner EA. Vitamin C in the critically ill - indications and controversies. World J like 2019-nCov will happen in Crit Care Med. 2018 Oct 16;7(5):52-61. the future. Specific vaccines and 10. High Dose Vitamin C and Influenza: A Case Report - ISOM [Internet]. [cited 2020 Feb 9]. antiviral drugs R&D take long time Available from: https://isom.ca/article/high-dose-vitamin-c-influenza-case-report/?from=groupmes to develop and are not available sage&isappinstalled=0 for the current nCov epidemic 11. Levy T. Primal Panacea. MedFox Publishing; 350 p. (Kindle Edition). and won’t be ready when the next pandemic strikes. IVC and other 12. Levy TE. Primal Panacea. Medfox Pub, 2012. Kindle, 2017. antioxidants are universal agents 13. Hemilä H, Chalker E. Vitamin C Can Shorten the Length of Stay in the ICU: A Meta- for ARDS that can be rapidly Analysis. Nutrients. 2019 Mar 27;11(4). applied clinically. Given that high 14. Marik PE, Khangoora V, Rivera R, Hooper MH, Catravas J. Hydrocortisone, Vitamin C, dose IVC is safe, can be effective, and Thiamine for the Treatment of Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock: A Retrospective Before-After we call on the involved leadership Study. Chest. 2017;151(6):1229-38. and healthcare professionals to 15. Patel V, Dial K, Wu J, Gauthier AG, Wu W, Lin M, Espey MG, Thomas DD, Jr CRA, Mantell look into high dose IVC without LL. Dietary Antioxidants Significantly Attenuate Hyperoxia-Induced Acute Inflammatory Lung further delay. More clinical studies Injury by Enhancing Macrophage Function via Reducing the Accumulation of Airway HMGB1. of the IVC and oral VC (such Int J Mol Sci. 2020 Feb 1;21(3). as liposomal-encapsulated VC) 16. Zhang B, Swamy S, Balijepalli S, Panicker S, Mooliyil J, Sherman MA, Parkkinen J, are needed to develop standard Raghavendran K, Suresh MV. Direct pulmonary delivery of solubilized curcumin reduces severity protocols for the current use and of lethal pneumonia. FASEB J Off Publ Fed Am Soc Exp Biol. 2019 Dec;33(12):13294-309. future uses are urgently needed. 17. High-Dose Vitamin C (PDQ(r))-Health Professional Version - National Cancer Institute We hope when the next pandemic [Internet]. [cited 2020 Feb 9]. Available from: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/ strikes, we won’t be so helpless and cam/hp/vitamin-c-pdq we’ll be ready.

8 www.scimednet.org Paradigm Explorer 2020/1 Ideas Arising from an Exchange with William Ophuls

John Reed

“Where there is no vision, the people perish.” (Proverbs 29:18)

There are many reasons for coming And this should come as no surprise. Six years ago, after reading to this conclusion but perhaps the 2600 years ago, in his Four Noble his book Immoderate most striking one is witnessing the Truths, the Buddha came to this degree to which the human psyche realisation and proposed an Eightfold Greatness. Why is currently under duress and has Path as a means of remedying the Civilisations Fail, I had a clearly reached the limits of what existential discomfort that he called it can tolerate in its present de- ‘dukkha’ (Sanskrit for suffering). brief exchange with scholar spiritualised condition. Depression Five hundred years later, Jesus Christ and environmentalist and mental illness - in epidemic inferred as much when he told us that proportions in the West - are only ”Man does not live by bread alone” William Ophuls that I the more apparent symptoms of the (Mathew 4:4). In fact, the essential reproduced in my book emptiness of life dedicated to egoic message of all the spiritual teachings self-interest alone. But the inner since the dawn of time, in one form Time is Running Out. corrosion goes far deeper. Many or another, is to tell us that we are years ago, in Memories, Dreams and made in the image of a universal intelligence/energy that we refer to as Reflections on the Modern Reflections C.G. Jung wrote…”The ‘God’ (for want of a better word to World. What I learned then decisive question for man is: Is he describe the indescribable) and the (and have since better related to something infinite or not?” meaning and purpose of existence is We are now in a position to answer to recognise and abide by that truth. understood) is that we both that question. Without defining what Jesus and Buddha concur in saying predicate the survival of it is in precise terms, all the evidence that when we surrender our egoic at hand points to the fact that we are selves, we will be ‘set free’ from the civilisation and, perhaps, intimately connected to the infinite bondage of illusion that prevents us and that this connection is what from being ‘whole’, which is to say, humanity itself, on the defines us as human beings. How do from being who we are in essence. evolution of human we know this? Because a lingering This is so fundamental a truth that inner emptiness (that, at times, take everyday experience reveals that we consciousness from the the form of bitterness and anger) are either the beneficiaries of that secular to the spiritual. accompanies us the length of our reality or the victims of ignoring it. lives where there is a failure to make Furthermore, the suffering, strife and EDITORIAL NOTE: See that connection….and, increasing discord that constitutes the story reviews of both books prosperity, counter-intuitively, is of humankind is all the evidence causing this condition to metastasise we need to know that we have below. across the planet. disregarded this fact for far too long.

www.scimednet.org 9 Paradigm Explorer 2020/1

Losing your soul everything that makes us human. (and, eventually, flying) cars, the The problem is that for millennia, William Ophuls rightly identifies colonisation of space, bio-engineered having dispensed with this message, hubris (a figment of the egoic babies of our choice, in-vitro cloned we conducted our lives, first in consciousness) as the principal food, endless leisure and life spans survival mode, and later, when the villain. It has brought down all of 200 years! Such a breath-taking material quality of life on earth prior civilisations, he explains, and, prospect, however, did not prevent improved, in the ceaseless pursuit in an entirely predictable manner is Stephen Hawking, a scientist of our individual and collective now doing so again. himself, from sensing the obvious derangement of such a vision and self-interest. This was the principal In his more recent book declaring, on the contrary ….” that ‘motif’ of what I referred to in my (appropriately titled, Apologies to we are at the most dangerous point book as the ‘egoic consciousness’. the Grandchildren) he sombrely in human history!” And during this whole time there concludes that…”Civilisation is, by has been little digression from that its very nature a long-running Ponzi It is incomprehensible that a path. Where has it now taken us? scheme. It lives by robbing nature supposedly intelligent, numerous In the last 250 years under the and borrowing from the future…. and influential segment of society auspices of the system of economic While it still lives, it generates a can handily overlook the evident organisation we call capitalism - a temporary and fictitious surplus that challenges humankind faces in its system designed almost exclusively it uses to enrich and empower the fast deteriorating psychospiritual to furthering our egoic aims - the few and to dispossess and dominate condition and entertain the notion material and technological progress the many. Industrial civilisation is that such a prospect is not only we have made has been nothing the apotheosis and quintessence possible but desirable for humanity. short of spectacular. This success, of this fatal course. A fortunate It is, however, a striking indication however, has come at an inordinate minority gains luxuries and freedoms of how dangerously distanced price. Jesus asked the fundamental galore, but only by slaughtering, we have become from our souls question we should now be asking poisoning and exhausting creation.” and how pressing is the need to ourselves: ”what does it profit a In a similar vein and as far back as re-connect to the infinite. What is man to gain the whole world if the early 70’s, Ivan Illich considered demonstrably wrong about these he loses his soul?” (Mark 8:36) that by the abandonment of our delusional reveries is that they don’t Obfuscated by the material gains souls we had become ‘inmates in a hold up, even in a scientific sense. that have been made, this Faustian technological asylum’ diminished by Not only is the impossibility of bargain has come at enormous an inner desolation and the addictive infinite growth of this nature on cost. In fact, the price of losing our needs that technology itself creates. a finite planet a well-established collective souls as we pursue our The alarming thing to note is that cliche but the ravages of entropy egoic ends, is almost incalculable. when he made that statement 50 (resulting from the Second Law of Not only does it destroy us from years ago only the tip of the iceberg Thermodynamics) will not permit within, robbing us of so much that had appeared. Our condition has a ‘machine civilisation’ or even a makes life potentially beautiful but become far worse since then. ‘digital civilisation’ to endure. And it has put us on a collision course even if it did, as Ophuls points with respect to the environment Technotopia? out…”humanity might survive, but that has now been taken to Of course, not everyone will agree it would no longer be recognisably such an extreme that the delicate with this view. Many scientists, human.” geophysical parameters that rationalists and non-believers permitted the human race to exist would consider that (aside from What can we do? on this planet in the first place, are the inconvenience of climate in the process of being modified… At this late hour, is there a remedy change) we are living in a time of for a world threatened by climate with possibly irreversible extraordinary promise. Having consequences. change, the end of fossil energy, given us the miracle of the Internet, our fragile psychological condition In the search for an explanation technology now rains down on and the likely systemic collapse of for this folly, it is important to us a cornucopia of ‘indispensable’ a global financial system that has understand that if our history is gadgetry, along with a vista of become a casino for the rich fuelled one of violence and oppression endless possibilities brought about by central bank money creation and and if we are now jeopardising the by the digital revolution underway. financial sleight of hand? There is favourable climactic conditions This widely-held secular faith in much risk here. The unbridled thirst we have enjoyed until now and technology (dubbed the Singularity) for profit we are witnessing today that may not be available to embraces the belief that we will has turned the world of finance our grandchildren, it is because find a technological ‘fix’ for all our into an insufficiently regulated problems. Rising to a crescendo of ‘we know not what we do’, as free-for-all; wildly over-leveraged, optimism, we can look forward to Jesus stated. This is the nature global, dangerously interdependent a future determined by computing of human consciousness when it and, as a result of the cascade of power a thousand times more is disconnected from its spiritual money creation from nowhere powerful than the human brain that roots. But what gives particular (euphemistically referred to as will provide us with an artificial urgency to what is happening in Quantitative Easing) untenable form of ‘intelligence’ (AI) greatly the world right now is that we are and now almost virtual. As a surpassing our own that, for many result, industrial civilisation finds for the first time simultaneously of us, will render work in the arriving at the limit, not only of traditional sense, obsolete. itself in a terrible quandary. “It what the planet can withstand if it cannot continue moving forward is to remain habitable in the future In the fullness of time it is believed, for very much longer, because it but also of what our humanity can we will enjoy a technological utopia is encountering multiple physical, tolerate without the destruction of of gadget-laden homes, driverless biological, economic, and systemic

10 www.scimednet.org Paradigm Explorer 2020/1 limits to growth …. Nor can italics) In my book I have given to climate change, would we have industrial society stand still, because a particular definition to that last Greta Thunberg? Could it be that its political, economic and social sentence. Taking Charles Darwin’s the sheep are now arriving in wolfs viability requires continuous statement “It is not the most clothing? One thing is certain, growth”, Ophuls writes. intelligent of the species that survive. business-as-usual is a discredited It is the ones most adaptable to and spent force, the culmination of So what can be done and how? change,” I have suggested that, given thousands of years of human egoism, the circumstances we would be likely a flaying beast on its last legs. For Small is beautiful to face in the future, ‘those most this reason, we are witnessing a My conviction, shared by William adaptable to change’ would be the crucial moment in human history. Ophuls, is that egoic overreach must men and women with the necessary The pressure on mankind to alter urgently be tempered by moderation spiritual resources. course is growing by the day. The and a vision of life animated by the need for change is now palpable notion that ‘small is beautiful’. What In the meantime, I would like to and more and more people are does such a vision imply? Nothing suggest that there is something answering the call (some even in less than the (spiritual) transition to going on in the world that is both the form I have described above). a non-egoic state (outlined briefly in mysterious and oddly promising. Whether they are too few, too late or my book) of wanting less, being less Good and bad now stand in stark whether the few today will become (ambitious, proud and competitive, opposition to each other. This the many tomorrow is impossible to that is), sharing more and polarisation, I sense, is not arbitrary; know. discovering for the first time that the it is necessary and beneficial. To aesthetics of frugality and ‘rigueur’ paraphrase William Butler Yeats, Addressing his grandchildren (moral discipline) are sources of joy, ‘Thing fall apart: the centre cannot directly, Ophuls writes…”We live in dignity and fulfilment. The dynamic hold, the worst are full of passionate a civilisation that produces goods in of wanting more but giving less and intensity….. the best, however, are abundance but not the Good.…… less value to the more we have (the NOT lacking in conviction’. This is a So we bequeath you the monumental case at present and the source of harbinger of hope. In the richest and task of re-establishing civilisation the wasteful abundance that exists) most unequal society on earth (the on principles that are sane, humane, would be replaced by its opposite, United States), witness the herculean and ecological.…..Be inspired by needing less but attributing greater combat for social justice of 78 year- the beauty of the cosmos to invent value to the little we have. Contrary old contender for the democratic a way of being devoted to feeding to what most people believe, human nomination, Bernie Sanders. the soul …. Rediscover the spiritual happiness and satisfaction are Choosing to sacrifice a well-deserved abundance that reside in material birthed at such moments. retirement, his health and possibly, simplicity. Learn again that the his life (he has already had one only wealth worth having lies in the The transformation in human heart attack), this valiant old fighter treasury of the human heart… While attitudes I have just described, is, is giving every ounce of energy he we have left you with little in the of course, of a spiritual nature. possesses to tackle the ills that are way of resources, your task is not You don’t arrive at such a vision by destroying the fabric of American hopeless. in the end civilisation is not means of reason or conventional society. If he is nominated and wins something material, it is spiritual.” good sense alone. Unfortunately, this the forthcoming election, it will be a (my italics). is not and never has been a given. game-changer that will reverberate On the contrary, this understanding across the world. We must pray for I wholeheartedly agree with every of life is predicated on a degree of this. word. self-awareness that is comparatively By way of expressing my own rare and an ‘awakeness’ that infuses In the balance feelings and intuitions about what all we do with a particular kind When expressing his reaction to lies ahead, I would like to end this of meaning. For this reason, the good or bad news, Zen master essay with these few words from an words ‘chopping wood and carrying Hakuin (1686) would answer by unknown source. water’, highlighting two menial, saying…’maybe yes, maybe no’… quotidian tasks, have come to suggesting that we can rarely ‘What the caterpillar thinks is the symbolize Zen Buddhism and the interpret the deeper meaning end of the world, essential simplicity of a spiritual life. of events as they occur. Let me In practical terms and with respect The butterfly knows is only the take three examples. Could the beginning.’ to our present situation, it would depredations of Donald Trump be mean discarding the superfluous the price we pay for the emergence and adopting a less complex, less Over a span of fifty years,John Reed of someone like Bernie Sanders as has had a keen interest in the spiritual technological, more localised way a presidential candidate or, for that of living characterised by acquiring traditions of East and West. In his books, matter, the remarkable Alexandra he has emphasised the need to banish skills that enable us to take more Ocasio-Cortez and her ‘Green direct responsibility for our needs. the barrier separating the secular from New Deal’ ? Will the coronavirus the spiritual. It is now time, he believes, Ophuls describes this as follows spreading across the world (as I ..“If they want to thrive, or even to recognise that ‘spirituality’ has an write) oblige us to re-evaluate the immediate and practical application survive, our grandchildren will merits of globalisation and the need to be like the tough, hard to our everyday lives and will be an precariously inter-dependent world increasingly vital resource as the effects working, cooperative, Jacks and of business and commerce? And, Jills-of-all-trades that built industrial of climate change and the ever more by extension, will sinking stock precarious socio-political conditions of civilisation in the first place. markets make us take a new look However, even more than technical society oblige us to alter the way we live. at the workings of capitalism? He divides his time between the United skills and practical knowledge, the Without our lethargic approach right mindset will be critical.” (my States and France.

www.scimednet.org 11 Paradigm Explorer 2020/1 The Light of Hellenism

Dr Athena Despoina Potari

Summary Persian magi in Babylon for another of Hellenism reveals that whatever In Ancient Hellenic language, 12 years, before starting his debut we think of as the cradle of Western ‘El’ stands for the Light of Being as a spiritual teacher in Greece and civilisation is integrally constituted - or spiritual Light. As its root- southern Italy. by what we consider as the sine quo non of the East: Spirituality and the syllable expresses, (H) El-lenism In addition, what is also not widely is a worldview, a civilisation and acknowledged is that Hellenism’s possibility of Awakening. A more a spiritual tradition which centers core concept of Reason (Logos) - so thorough exploration unveils that around the ontology and practice highly acclaimed in our modern this tradition is another fascinating, of Light. The Sciences, and above discourses and their correlated albeit unique, variation of the all Philosophy, are methodical political societies - has little to do spiritual teachings of awakening, routes towards self-liberation and with its parochial anachronistic divine devotion, purification, virtue, the realisation of Light. Focusing interpretation as a mind-based non-duality and self-realisation that around the notions of eros and faculty or discursive abstraction we find in abundance in spiritual universal consciousness, Hellenism resting upon the use of purely traditions of the so-called East. is, in its very essence, a path of En- rational and linearly logical With that understanding, the East- lightenment. methods. Reason as Logos, in its West divide collapses. original sense, refers to the essence Second, since Logos - as the Hellenism or substance of Consciousness that realisation of Being or universal What most people know about everything is made up of and which consciousness - dwells at the Hellenism is that this ancient permeates the entirety of cosmic heart of science (episteme) and civilisation, born in the heart of creation (alike the notion of Atma). philosophy, then the widely held the Mediterranean, is the cultural Epistemologically, it is a state of view of philosophy as a rational, cradle of western civilisation. Its consciousness beyond discursive argumentative, arm-chair vocation heritage is marked by an impressive knowledge, where individual removed from direct experience devotion to scientific research and experience merges with the all- appears as an outdated caricature. the pioneering commitment to pervasive wisdom of being. Despite In fact, what we nowadays refer Reason or Logos - notions which it its linguistic affinity, Logos is at to as ‘the philosopher’ is closer to invented. All of the above justify its once the defiance, the transcendence what the ancients referred to as ‘the status as the birthplace of sciences, as well as the culmination of ‘logic’. sophist.’ The sophist is the detached but also politics, democracy, and of Its essential meaning cannot be scholar who compares, juxtaposes course, Philosophy. more conveniently described but as and analytically dissects concepts, universal Consciousness revealed to Beyond its more well-known trying to rationally grasp that which us through and as non-dual, unified, descriptions, however, what many transcends fragmented rationality, awareness. people don’t know about Hellenism “using the power of persuasive is that its tradition developed over A few intriguing repercussions speech” to construct “discursive thousands of years in an on-going follow from the above. First, if semblances, or phantasms, of true co-creative dialogue and exchange Hellenism is used (as it widely is) as being”, without having any direct with the numerous Eastern the cultural and epistemic landmark experience of being itself (Plato, traditions of the pre-Christian demarcating the West from the Sophist, 234c). On the other hand, world. The Hellene sages held East, then we evidently stumble the philosopher, in the original strong ties with their Egyptian, upon the very exciting, radically sense of the term, is the eros-struck Persian, Babylonian, Hindu and subversive, realisation that the seeker who works actively for her Buddhist counterparts. Pythagoras, myth of the West-East division is purification (catharsis), awakening for example, was educated in the severely undermined once we start and ongoing integration, using not revered esoteric schools of Egypt, delving deeper into the purported only logos but, very importantly, where he served as a high priest root-tradition of the West. A closer intuition or divinely inspired insight for 22 years, then studied next to study into the precepts and history (Plato, Phaedrus, 244- 245)

12 www.scimednet.org Paradigm Explorer 2020/1 intimately experiencing the nature others which man should live.”1 Nothing around changes, nothing is of being; she walks on the “path gained or lost, nothing happens, but That is how Socrates’ teacher of initiation” until she reaches this one event, which is, really, a - Diotima, a female teacher, a “the ultimate revelation to which ‘non-event’: a shift in perspective; priestess and well-known ‘shaman’ the philosophical teachings lead: and not even a shift; a perspective, a of her times - summarises the the vast ocean” of oneness (Plato, view, simply is - revealed. philosophical path: as a path of Symposium 210d). eros, beauty and goodness. In In and from that view, what I see, as Therefore, Hellenism is essentially a Greek, ‘kalos’ (which is the word experiencing, or experience as a spiritual tradition of equal caliber used for ‘beautiful’) means both form of seeing, is the stripping away as Yoga, Advaita Vedanta, Tantra beautiful and benevolent. Divinity, of all knowledge, all science, all or any other practice of self- Benevolence and Beauty coincide as objects; the very self, its sensations realisation. Hellenic philosophy, the one and the same ‘thing’ (which and the objects of its sensations, all which literally means ‘the state of is a no-thing): they are the main dissolve into a “a vast ocean” of falling in love with wisdom’, is an qualities of Being itself. “singular being” which “always is” intimate, self-transformative, “in-itself, by-itself”, and which The path of philosophy is a path of experiential path towards ‘feels’ like an “ocean of pristine eros and light. awakening to the unity of all beauty”. This is the view/experience experience and the experience of The quest of self-realisation is here of Being, ‘the Good’, or Divinity that unity as one’s true Self. presented, essentially, as a love in-itself. affair - a divine love affair (‘erotiki Aristotle refers to this Divinity (God The Light ~ EL (Eλ) pedagogy’). It is a relationship of or First Principle) as Universal eros, where eros means ‘merging’, Consciousness which is in a pure The View and merging implies the dissolution state of being aware of (being aware “He who has been instructed thus of all separation, the vanishing of) itself: it is pure energy of far in the path of eros, and who of duality. The process of this self-awareness (noesis noiseos) has learned to see the beautiful in affair involves an ever-increasing (Aristotle, Metaphysics, 1074Β due order and succession, when he expansion of the radius of one’s 20-1075). He also identifies it as the reaches towards the end, he will eros, until that circle of love ‘prime cause’ or ‘prime mover’: that suddenly come to view a nature comes to include and encompass which perpetually sets everything in of wondrous beauty: a nature everything. The philosopher is motion, therefore in existence, which is everlasting; which is not patiently trained to be in love with therefore in life. And why does ‘it’ born nor perishes, which does not everything, because the ultimate do so? What is the motivation or grow nor decay, which neither intimacy emerging from merging end-goal behind Divinity’s activity waxes nor wanes; a beauty which with everything is the realisation as a prime mover setting into is not beautiful from one point of of oneness. Through successive motion, thereby manifesting, view and ugly from another, nor ascensions in the quality of eros existence? sometimes beautiful and sometimes that the philosopher experiences, not, nor beautiful in relation to the end-goal is reached suddenly, Aristotle’s explanation is at once this and ugly in relation to that, unexpectedly, in the strike of a astonishing and completely nor beautiful here and ugly there, lightening: the spiritual seeker mystical: the prime mover moves in nor beautiful for some and ugly reaches “the view of the vast sea of order to be the beloved - in order to for others. Neither will this beauty Beauty (the Good)”. be the object of eros (“os appear to him in the likeness of a eromenon”). Consciousness’ No words can really describe this face or hands or any other bodily teleology is entirely erotic. It experience. “We are talking about part; nor as any form of speech, manifests the world in order to an inconceivable, indescribable or knowledge, or science, nor as merge back to itself by self-realising beauty” (Republic, 509). Socrates’ existing in any other being, such as pure love. description reminds us of the notion as for example, in an animal, or in of Tao “that cannot be told”; “the The love affair of philosophy, as earth or in heaven, or in any other nameless” which is “the beginning seeking of knowledge, leads the place; but only it, in itself, by itself, of heaven and earth”. The devoted lover beyond knowledge, eternal singular being, absolute, experience of this ‘view’, in Greek, beyond science, beyond subject and separate, simple, and everlasting, is called ‘theoria’, what we object duality, to a view of Being as and all other things beautiful (are so nowadays call - only consciousness-aware-of-itself. The because they) in some way partake end of Eros is the view of and the homonymously - ‘theory’. in it, such that when they come- merging within the vastness of to-be and perish away, that neither Theoria: ‘theon oro’ - which means, Being. But, aporetically, the end- increases nor diminishes, nor I see (oro) the Divine (theon). goal of Being manifesting itself, is changes and nothing happens to it. Theoria means ascending to the also eros, eros for itself - the divine He who from these beautiful things, View of the Divine, where the veil self-eros of Divinity. Does the ascending in the path of true eros, of ignorance drops and the cosmic philosopher substantiate the begins to perceive that beauty, is play is revealed as what it is: the teleology of cosmic manifestation? not far from the end. This, my dear miraculous, mysterious, ever Is our urge for merging with Socrates (…) is that life above all indescribable play of Oneness. oneness, an expression of oneness’

www.scimednet.org 13 Paradigm Explorer 2020/1 urge for merging with - or returning to - itself? Or is perhaps our eros for Being, Being’s eros for itself, since we and it are one? Eros is the thread that unites the outward movement of Being with the returning to its source; it is the thread of Unity between One and All. It is the energy of universal consciousness.

Eros as Light and Seeing The path of philosophy is a path of eros and light. According to Orphic Theology, Eros is Light. He springs forth from the unfathomable vastness of ‘Chaos’, which symbolically represents the experience of logos) through his ‘species’ is required, a kind of primordial ‘void’, the amorphous, famous Simile of the Sun in the mediating ‘ether’: an invisible or undifferentiated unmanifest state Republic (507a-509c). Seeing is spiritual Light that both imparts of Being. Eros is here referred to as here compared to ‘knowing’ (i.e. consciousness with a content ‘Phanitas’. This term comes from spiritual understanding) and the Sun the root syllable ‘pha’ (literally and awakens or enables spiritual is compared to Being, or the form of meaning light,– hence the terms, awareness to arise. Plato refers to ‘the Good’. phenomena qua appearances, this ‘intelligible’ Light as ‘aletheia’ - photography, Pharaoh) and stands In the visible world of sensory truth: Truth is the Light of Being. for the ‘appearer’, the ‘manifester’ experience “the power of seeing Just as light and seeing resemble the or, more broadly speaking, that and of being seen necessitates the sun, but are not identical with it, which initiates cosmic manifestation existence of a third ‘species’: light” similarly knowledge and the light as appearance. The essence of (507e). The source of light is the of truth resemble Being, but are not manifestation as appearance is sun: “the eye draws its power of identical with Being. Being illumines Light. seeing from the sun, as something the spiritual realm, it is the source that emanates from him”. “The sun of truth (as light/consciousness) and Eros is Phanitas: the revealer of is not itself sight, nor is it identical knowledge (as seeing/vidya), but Light, the Light Bearer. It is that with what we call the eye in which itself ‘extends’ beyond them. ‘force’ or modality of being which sight resides; it is the cause of sight mediates between the unmanifest and becomes seen by the sight and the manifest. Before it manifests which itself causes” (508b). Truth as the Light of Being into seemingly differentiated Plato’s teachings on the sun-likeness appearances, Being is already In a manner of analogy, the of Being, are also encoded in the the womb or birthplace of light, same triangular constellation of first vessel of sacred teachings - but in itself amorphous, beyond relationships exists between (i) the Hellenic script. There we find manifestation, beyond light - truly, Being or ‘the Good’ - which is, perhaps the first articulation of metaphorically speaking, the ‘Sun’ beyond description. Eros reveals the the ontology of Light, which is so of the spiritual/ intelligible realm; vastness of being (“chaos”) into a central to Hellenism. vast ocean of light (“phaos”). All (ii) the ‘eye of the soul’, which refers forms that come to be are merely to the soul’s knowing capacity; Particularly, three key syllables serve spectacles of light. Even what we and (iii) the intelligible objects of to express the different ‘modalities’ call matter is light, but only in a spiritual knowledge. or the tripartite stratification of (seemingly) denser form. Being or ‘the Good’ provides the Light: Al (ΑΛ) which stands for the unmanifest light; El (ΕΛ) which To come in contact with the light power of knowing to the soul, and stands for (invisible) spiritual light, as the essence of being is to arrive at the same time, imparts truth, or the manifest light of Being; and at experiential knowledge, in the meaning and intelligibility to that Il ( ), which stands for solar sense of gnosis (higher spiritual which can be known. It relates to ΗΛ light (hence the word helios). As knowledge). This idea is remarkably knowing and the objects of spiritual we saw, the visible light ( ) is at similar the notion of ‘vidya’ in knowledge in the same way as ΗΛ once a reflection and an analogy Sanskrit: to see is to know. the physical sun relates to vision and visual objects. Just as the eyes of the invisible light - Truth (ΕΛ). Plato’s Sun Analogy cannot see in the absence of the In its turn, the light of being is sun, likewise the soul cannot have a in some way a reflection and an Plato establishes the inherent genuine understanding of experience analogy of the all-containing interconnectedness between light, unless it is exposed to Being. Yet, void, the unmanifest light of pure seeing and gnosis (as the direct as with visual perception, a third consciousness (ΑΛ).

14 www.scimednet.org Paradigm Explorer 2020/1

According to the Hellenic tradition, therefore, truth is a form of spiritual light. Similar to the nature of light, truth does not manifest as anything in particular (e.g. a particular set of ‘laws’ or ‘precepts’), yet it is ‘in’ everything that is revealed to us as awareness. It transcends concepts and words, for it is already that which imparts concepts their meaning, intelligibility, form and energy. No notion can express it thoroughly, because truth is the preexisting substratum on which notions are born. Knowledge (vidya), understanding and concepts - all pulsate in an eternal dance of meaning, but only as ‘symbols’, witnessing that there is something before them, within them, beyond them, invisible and dimensionless, As a child or emanation of the The Light of Hellenism is a living subtle and ever-present, from which cosmic “eternally-living” fire, truth spiritual path which reminds us they emanate as expressions of the is also a fiery luminosity. It can that we can all be the seers of Light, sacred ritual of Consciousness - the be experienced, beyond discursive because we all are the Light of Being. Mystery of Being. knowledge, through a blazing eros with Logos, which purifies the mind As with every light, truth too implies and thus enables us to enter into the Dr Athena Potari received her PhD from a Fire. The unmanifest light (ΑΛ) peaceful citadel of all-encompassing, the University of Oxford, specializing is on some occasions described by all-knowing silence. As fire, Truth in Political Philosophy. She also holds ancient sages as a burning fire - for has the power to ignite our soul, an MA in Political Theory summa Socrates, the “Sun of God” and to set it on fire, melting away the cum laude from the London School of bondages of suffering by burning for Heraclitus “the eternally-living Economics and Political Science (LSE). up the illusion of separation. This She is Lecturer at the University of Fire” (αείζωον πυρ). As the mystic secret fire swallows up separate Heraclitus (the philosopher of fire), identity, suddenly, unexpectedly, in Toulouse (1 Capitole) (Athens branch). states in one of his sutras (fragment the strike of a lightening leading to Dr Potari has previously taught Ancient 30): the experience of our true nature: Greek Political Philosophy and Political Pure Love, Oneness, Divinity, Theory at the University of Oxford, This cosmos, Void, Completeness. In one word, the University of Patras, University the same for all, Eudaimonia. of Athens and the Hellenic School was made neither by gods nor men, of National Defence. In between her but always was To realise that the entire ensemble of forms and structures which academic studies, she also worked as and is, and will be appear to us as ‘the tangible researcher in the House of Commons, Eternally-living Fire universe’ is merely the playful UK, and the Hellenic Parliament. igniting in measure manifestation of the primordial Her interests lie at the intersection as by measure burning away. Light of which everything is made; between Ancient Greek Philosophy, to realise the nature of the world Epistemology and Consciousness, with The Light of Hellenism as light and experience oneself as a strong interest in interdisciplinary As its core root syllable El (ΕΛ) that primary light source, which at study. She is particularly interested in once manifests and permeates all witnesses, the entire spiritual how the ancient Hellenic tradition can and epistemic tradition of (h) experience - that is the end-goal of philosophy. This is also the meaning be re-read and creatively interpreted Ellenism is both linguistically but in ways that reveal its significance in also essentially centered around of en-lighten-ment. But it is also the contemporary philosophical, political the concept, the ontology and meaning of Hellenic: Hellenes are, practice of Light. Its teachings are literally, the ones who have seen or and scientific debates. Her work focuses an initiation into truth, as the light realised the Light; the seers of Light. on Ancient Greek Philosophy as a non- of Being, that aim to expand our Now we can finally begin to see dual wisdom tradition which combines initially limited experience of the the message of Hellenism. To be scientific reasoning with the experiential world as an amalgam of sense- Hellenic has little to do with an realization of Logos and Being as perceptions and bridge it with our ethnic identity; it is not merely a Eudaimonia. true nature as consciousness. ΕΛ (el) description of a nationality or a is therefore a beam of light - a light- culture: above those, it is primarily path - which leads us back from a spiritual description. Hence why Footnotes the visible to the invisible, from the Hellenism is said to be ‘universal’ or 1 Plato, Symposium, 210d-211b emanation to the Source, until the ‘ecumenical’, and why its sages had very distinction between the two always sought it to be so. drops away.

www.scimednet.org 15 Paradigm Explorer 2020/1 What’s Wrong with the Perennial Philosophy?

Jules Evans

Aldous Huxley’s Perennial Rudiments of the Perennial to awakening involves daily training Philosophy is a huge influence on Philosophy may be found among in contemplation, recollection, non- the rapidly-growing ‘spiritual but the traditionary lore of primitive attachment, charity and love. When not religious’ demographic. It’s peoples in every region of the one has achieved ‘total selflessness’, faced serious criticisms, but we can world, and in its fully developed one realises the true nature of still learn a lot from it. forms it has a place in every one of reality. There are different paths up the higher religions’. the mystic mountain, but Huxley When I was a teenager, I came suggests the peak experience is the across Aldous Huxley’s 1945 book, As Huxley argues, there is a lot same in all traditions: a wordless, The Perennial Philosophy. I was of agreement between proponents imageless encounter with the Pure so inspired by its array of mystical of classical theism in Platonic, Light of the divine. jewels, that, like a magpie, I stole it Christian, Muslim, Hindu and from my school’s library. I still have Jewish philosophy over three main How do we know it’s worth that copy, sitting beside me. Next, points: God is unconditioned following this arduous path? We I devoured his 1954 book The eternal Being, our consciousness is have to take the great mystics’ word Doors of Perception, and secretly a reflection or spark of that, and we for it. Huxley writes: ‘the nature converted to psychedelic mysticism. can find our flourishing or bliss in of this one Reality is such that is It was thanks to Aldous that I the realisation of this. cannot be directly and immediately refused to get confirmed, thanks apprehended except by those But what about Buddhism’s theory to him that my friends and I spent who have chosen to fulfil certain of anatta, or ‘no self’? Huxley our adolescence trying to storm conditions, making themselves suggests the Buddha meant the heaven on LSD, with mixed results. loving, pure in heart, and poor in ordinary ego doesn’t exist, but there Huxley’s Perennial Philosophy has spirit.’ However, we can try the first is still an Unconditioned Essence stayed with me through my life. steps up the mountain and see what (which is arguably true of some He’s been my spirit-grandad. And sort of empirical results we get. forms of Buddhism but not others). yet, in the last few years, as I’ve I suspect scholars of Taoism would Whatever else it is, The Perennial researched his life, I find myself object to equating the Tao with Philosophy is an extraordinary increasingly arguing with Grandad. the God of classical theism. As for work of synthesis. Huxley was What if his philosophy isn’t true? ‘the traditional lore of primitive incredibly well-read, considering The phrase ‘perennial philosophy’ peoples’, I’m sure Huxley didn’t he was half-blind and either had was first coined by the Renaissance know enough to say. to read with a magnifying glass humanist Agostino Steuco in 1540. or be read to by his long-suffering Still, he has a point: one can see It referred to the idea that there wife Maria. His brother Julian striking similarities in the mystical is a core of shared wisdom in all recalled: ‘How Aldous managed to ideas and practices of the main religions, and to the attempt by absorb (and still more to digest) the religious traditions. The common Marsilio Ficino’s Neoplatonist colossal amount of facts and ideas goal is to overcome the ego and school to synthesise that wisdom which furnished his mind remains awaken to reality. Ordinary ego- into one trans-cultural philosophy. a mystery…He was apparently centric reality is considered to be a able to take [books and articles] in This philosophy, writes Huxley, trance-like succession of automatic at a glance, and what is more, to ‘is immemorial and universal. impulses and attachments. The path remember their essential content.’

16 www.scimednet.org Paradigm Explorer 2020/1

Huxley’s book injected a global expats faced a lot of criticism back it renders contemplation possible spirituality into mainstream in Britain for their ‘desertion’ to for its members’. This looked western culture. He condemned Hollywood. ‘Gone with the Wind an unlikely prospect, so Huxley the ‘theological imperialism’ that Up’, read one headline. The strain withdrew to the Mojave desert to only appreciates western texts, and led to another breakdown for try and become a saint. introduced many readers to now- Huxley. familiar non-western teachings – the I suspect the mystical expats felt Mysticism for the masses Bhagavad Gita, the Upanishads, the deeply guilty at abandoning their Alas, total selflessness turned teachings of the Buddha, Chuang friends and families in Europe. This out to be hard to achieve. The Tzu, Rumi. Still, it’s quite an is apparent in some passages of The Perennial Philosophy is a splendid idiosyncratic selection of quotes. Perennial Philosophy, which was encyclopedia of mysticism, but There’s a lot of Vedanta and written during the war: that’s not the same as first-hand Mahayana Buddhism, and plenty of mystical experience. Huxley’s male Christian mystics, but hardly Agitation over happenings which son Matthew wondered, after his any female mystics, only one line we are powerless to modify, father’s death: ‘Did Aldous ever from Jesus, and no quotes from the either because they have not yet achieve [transcendence] or not; Quran. In what sense, then, is it occurred, or else are occurring that’s the question I’m raising. universal? at an inaccessible distance from Or is it all intellectualized, put us, achieves nothing beyond the down in technical terms and other inoculation of here and now with These fragments I have shored people’s words as in The Perennial against my ruins the remote or anticipated evil Philosophy?’ Although Huxley wrote that that is the object of our distress. the Perennial Philosophy is Listening four or five times a day It was only in May 1953 that ‘immemorial and universal’, the to newscasters and commentators, Aldous felt he finally had a mystical book was a product of a particular reading the morning papers and experience. And that was when he time and place in his life. Huxley all the weeklies and monthlies took mescaline, a psychedelic drug was known in the first half of his – nowadays, this is described as found in the peyote cactus. He life as an irreverent mocker of ‘taking an intelligent interest in discovered a ski lift up the mystical religion, ‘the man who hates God’ politics’; St John of the Cross would mountain. Psychedelics, he believed, as one newspaper headline put it. have called it indulgence in idle gave ordinary people a glimpse of He was the grandson of Thomas curiosity and the cultivation of experiences once confined to saints, Huxley, the famous Victorian disquietude for disquietude’s sake. and helped intellectuals like him scientist, who ridiculed Christian The Perennial Philosophy was go beyond conceptual thinking. He superstitions and suggested Huxley’s desperate response to the also got out of his head through evolutionary science could be war. This explains the book’s deep somatic practices like Tantra, something like a new religion. political pessimism – he had tried Gestalt therapy, the Alexander Aldous’ cynical exterior broke to stop the war and failed. Modern technique. He even celebrated down in the 1930s. He could no civilization, he writes, is ‘organized ecstatic dance. He seemed to relax longer handle living in a materialist, lovelessness’, advertising is ‘the and become more at peace with organized effort to extend and himself in the 1950s – friends like meaningless universe. But rather th than convert to Christianity, as intensify craving’, the 20 century is Isaiah Berlin came away struck by peers like TS Eliot did, he turned ‘The Age of Noise’. Most people are a sense of his goodness. With this to the scientific spirituality of his in thrall to various forms of idolatry relaxation came an optimism that friend Gerald Heard. Heard was and ersatz-religion – worship of civilization might not be headed the BBC’s first science journalist. progress, worship of technology, for collapse. Perhaps the Perennial He thought that psychology and and above all worship of the nation- Philosophy might become popular other sciences could provide an state. These, for Huxley, are all after all. empirical evidence base for spiritual forms of ‘religions of time’ – which techniques like meditation. This put their faith in future triumphs. That’s precisely what happened empirical spirituality appealed to Abrahamic religions are also, in the years after his death. the grandson of Thomas Huxley. largely, religions of time (he argues) Throughout the 1960s, the which is why they have led to so perennial philosophy was Huxley and Heard became leading much bloodshed. championed by figures like Huston figures in the pacifist movement Smith and Ram Dass, both of them of the 1930s. But they abruptly ‘The reign of violence will never come to an end’, Huxley writes, friends and fans of Huxley’s. It abandoned hope in Europe, and was promoted in places like Esalen moved to Los Angeles in 1937. For until ‘most human beings’ accept the Perennial Philosophy and (the Californian college / ashram, a while they, along with the novelist inspired by Huxley) and celebrated Christopher Isherwood, became recognize it as ‘the highest factor common to all the world religions’. in pop culture by everyone from prominent members of the Vedanta John Coltrane to the Beatles. Before Society of southern California The only way we can wake up from the nightmare of history he died in 1963, Huxley became a (Vedanta is a form of Hindu is by focusing on the ‘Eternal hit on US campuses, lecturing on mysticism). They were nicknamed Now’. This requires a complete mystical experience to thousands of ‘the mystical expatriates’ by another overhaul of society to install a new fascinated students. He appears on mystical expat, Alan Watts. infrastructure of contemplation: ‘a the cover of Sgt Pepper, and even When war broke out, the mystical society is good to the extent that inspired a band name – The Doors.

www.scimednet.org 17 Paradigm Explorer 2020/1

Today, the fastest-growing religious all just stay in our lane. The great narcissism and thrill-seeking group in the United States is the mystics were themselves syncretistic (this is all too obvious in the ‘spiritual but not religious’, who pick n’ mixers – Augustine loved psychedelic community). It can be account for 27% of the population Plotinus, St Teresa of Ávila loved self-validating – the proof of the (up 8% in five years, according the Stoics, Rowan Williams loves philosophy is the special experiences to Pew Research). Like Huxley, Buddhism. Why shouldn’t we be of the saints. This ignores what this group practices spiritual syncretistic too? Katz ignores the Ian Hacking calls ‘looping effects’ techniques from many different extent to which mystical traditions – mental and somatic experience religions – yoga, mindfulness, may be shaped by our common often takes the form we expect it to plant-medicine – and seeks to test neuro-psychology (mystics were take. Huxley, for example, decided out these methods with empirical the great psychologists of their day, on one LSD trip that love is ‘the science. A majority of American Huxley suggested). Many mystical primary and fundamental cosmic Christians, again according to practices are based on the cognitive fact’. But that’s what he expected, Pew, now believe other faiths can theory of the emotions – the idea or hoped, to discover. As his friend lead to heaven. There’s been an that our ordinary self is constituted Bertrand Russell retorted, why extraordinary contemplative revival by habitual automatic beliefs, declare one state of mind ultimate – one in three Americans have tried which we can notice, explore, and and not another. yoga, and a quarter of Brits have change. It’s not surprising they Finally, Ferrer argues that tried meditation. There’s also been a discovered similar techniques for perennialism is objectivist and renaissance in psychedelic research self-transformation. essentialist – it insists there is a in the last decade, inspired by The second major critique of reality of spiritual Facts waiting Huxley’s once-scandalous assertion perennialism came in 2002, out there to be discovered. This that psychedelic drugs can lead to with transpersonal psychologist is a form of ‘subtle Cartesianism’, mystical experiences. Jorge Ferrer’s book, Revisioning Ferrer says, which ignores how The ‘mysticism for the masses’ Transpersonal Theory. Ferrer humans construct reality through which Huxley prophesized seems points out that perennialism is our bodies, our rituals, our words, to be coming to pass. According hierarchical and thereby potentially actions and cultures. to surveys by Gallup and Pew, the intolerant. All religions are true, but The alternative Ferrer puts forward number of Americans who say some are truer than others. is ‘participatory spirituality’. they’ve had one or more mystical This ranking of religions is apparent Humans co-create reality in a experience rose from 22% in 1962 in Huxley’s writings. He insists participatory interaction with to 49% by 2009. It’s likely they will that ultimate mystical experiences the Mystery. This takes place become more common if and when are moments of non-dual pure not through ‘experiences’, which psychedelics are legalized. consciousness – beyond any happen in an individual’s head, but concepts of ‘I’ and ‘You’, beyond through events and encounters, The problems with perennialism emotion, beyond language, image which may involve many people And yet, for all its popular and culture. That’s important (think of the Pentecost), and influence, some scholars of for his political goal of uniting which may go to many possible religion have dismissed Huxley’s humanity under the Perennial destinations: ‘the various traditions perennialism. The first counterblast Philosophy – all nations and colours lead to the enactment of different was made by the philosopher Steven will bleed into one in the Pure Light spiritual ultimates’. Instead of Katz in his 1978 paper ‘Language, of the divine. ‘many routes, one peak’, he epistemology and mysticism’. Katz suggests ‘one ocean, many shores’. pointed out that mystical traditions But in fact, many famous mystical It’s reminiscent of the Marvel are actually very different. They are experiences are highly emotional multiverse: ‘You’re going to the rooted in differences of language, I-Thou encounters with the divine in Pure Lands? Great, I’m off to symbolism and culture, and if a particular form: Jehovah, Krishna, Valhalla!’ you try and remove ‘mystical the angel Gabriel and so on. This experiences’ from that local soil and is troubling for Huxley, because create a global synthesis, you end it opens the way for disagreement Beyond naïve perennialism Ferrer’s participatory turn is up with something stripped of a lot and conflict, so he insists that ‘there fascinating, and very influential of its meaning. Christian mystics are good mystics and bad mystics’. in intelligent New Age culture have Christian mystical experiences, Good mystics like Meister Eckhart today. But it has limitations. Buddhists have Buddhist mystical experience ego-dissolutions into Perhaps this is a product of San experiences, and so on. the Pure Light, while bad mystics Francisco, where Ferrer’s California have passionate I-Thou encounters. It is true that Huxley equates ideas Institute of Integral Studies is By this definition, Moses, Jesus, that are, on closer inspection, often based, but his philosophy tries Mohammad, St Theresa, St Francis, quite different. And his global, so hard to be tolerant and non- Rumi, and anyone in the tradition transcultural spirituality is very hierarchical, it ends up in a ‘open, of devotional mysticism are Bad individualistic and deracinated permissive horizon of transpersonal Mystics. This is a bit rich from – there’s no sense of the mystical encounters’. This sounds less like someone who never had a mystical life being rooted in communities, God’s banquet, more like a swingers experience except on drugs. with particular practices, rituals party. As in the Dodo’s race in and guides. At the same time, Katz Perennialism also over-emphasises Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, suggests we can never escape our individual experience, according to ‘everybody has won and all must cultural conditioning, and should Ferrer, which can lead to spiritual have prizes’. If you can’t handle

18 www.scimednet.org Paradigm Explorer 2020/1 any hierarchy then you end up in a better than others, and that will lead liberal relativism which can be just to judgement of some people’s choices as intolerant as more traditional – I am intolerant of human sacrifice, theories. for example. It’s probable you will think your path is better than others. Ferrer is aware this is the weak Otherwise, why follow it? point of his argument, and repeatedly insists we can still However, any literate or curious evaluate between different choices person can’t help but notice the - between, say, joining a Quaker interesting similarities between group or Charles Manson’s different traditions’ spiritual Family - by assessing a tradition’s techniques – I am struck by the ‘emancipatory power’. How well similarities between Stoicism does it combat egocentrism, how and Buddhism, for example. We well does it ‘counteract dissociation can learn from other paths and from the body and other aspects travelers we meet along our way, of the whole person’, and how and recognize the wisdom (perhaps effectively does it ‘foster ecological divine wisdom) in other traditions. balance, social and economic We can meet practitioners from justice, religious and political other faiths in friendship, as the freedom, class and gender equality, Dalai Lama meets with his friend and other fundamental human by contrast, is Being Itself, The Desmond Tutu. rights’? Unconditioned Eternal Essence from Crucially, we can always remember In short, how well do spiritual which existence derives and on that God / Ultimate Reality is traditions fit with the values of San which all universes depend. greater than any of our religions, Francisco liberalism. Why pick Being could take many forms, that human understanding is these values rather than others? If depending on our state of mind limited and prone to error and there is no ultimate reality, no truth, and cultural expectations, it could sin (particularly the sins of why are these the criteria for our play with those expectations. But over-certainty, arrogance and spiritual choices? He is betraying a it is still One, the Unconditioned, intolerance), and we will probably western, liberal bias. Some sort of which we can encounter not just all be surprised along the way. ranking or hierarchy is probably through mystical experiences, but Inter-religious dialogue isn’t just a inevitable if one is to avoid also through logical deduction nice extracurricular activity, in this complete relativism. from the strange facts of Being and view – it’s an essential part of our journey beyond our biases, deeper Secondly, I am uneasy with his consciousness. into truth. suggestion there are many ‘spiritual Still, it is only possible to find ultimates’, rather than the one agreement between all religions on Not everyone will accept this sort ultimate reality suggested by most such lofty abstract principles which, of inclusivism. Some will insist on spiritual traditions. What about as professor Keith Ward says in a stark choice between Jesus or the afterlife – do we all experience Religion and the Modern World, Hell, the Quran or Hell. In some the afterlife we expect? Do are ‘too vague to be the basis of ways, over-certain exclusivism is humanists get born once then die, real religious commitment’. Even a much better marketing strategy Christians get born once then go perennialists don’t agree on one than sympathetic inclusivism. to eternal heaven or hell, Buddhists version of the perennial philosophy. But if just some of the world’s get born repeatedly? Ferrer says Huxley himself shifted during his population opened their mind to reality is co-created by humans life, from a more austere Vedanta- the wisdom of other religions, and ‘the Mystery’ but his multiple influenced perennialism to a more without having to leave their own realities seem very human-made, relaxed, body-accepting Mahayana faith, I think the world would be diminishing the divine in its Power, / Tantric perennialism. a better, more peaceful place. And, Glory and independence from us. like Aldous Huxley, I still believe in the possibility of growing spiritual It is useful here to bring in Sympathetic inclusivism convergence between different an argument made by David Professor Ward suggests a way religions and philosophies, even if Bentley Hart in his 2013 book, forward, in a world of competing right now the tide seems to be going The Experience of God. It’s a religious faiths, which treads a line the other way. surprisingly perennialist book for between intolerant exclusivism and an Orthodox theologian (it credits anything-goes relativism. One could Huxley’s Perennial Philosophy call it ‘sympathetic inclusivism’ Jules Evans is a research fellow at the as an inspiration). Bentley Hart (that’s my term, not Ward’s). Centre for the History of the Emotions at Queen Mary, University of London. argues that critics of theism confuse This view suggests that it’s good gods with God. The spiritual He’s written several books, and is co- to have a spiritual community to editor of new book Breaking Open: multiverse may be full of many practice with, and one spiritual path different powers and gods which Finding a Way Through Spiritual to commit to, otherwise you end up Emergency, which is published in we can connect to and manifest in splashing around in the shallows, different ways. But they are not April 2020. His website is www. never really getting anywhere. It’s philosophyforlife.org ultimate, they are temporary beings inevitable you think some paths are or powers, like the rest of us. God,

www.scimednet.org 19 Paradigm Explorer 2020/1 The Eco- Philosophy Mandala – Henryk Skolimowski A new world view

Henryk Skolimowski

Paul Kieniewicz Edited by Paul Kieniewicz

Each of us had exactly ten minutes because it has become ecologically In June 1974 I was invited to deliver his message. Instead devastating, but mainly because of analysing the shortcomings of it has forgotten its basic function, by the Architectural the Ecology Movement, I decided namely that all technics are, in the to make a leap forward and ask last resort, the tactics for living. Association School of myself, “What is most troubling in Because modern technology has the foundation of our knowledge, failed us as a set of the tactics for Architecture in London to and what other foundation should living, it has also proved in the be assumed so that it can carry process to be economically counter- participate in a symposium the edifice of new thinking and a productive and ecologically ruinous. new society?” The sketch which I entitled: “Beyond delivered was entitled “Ecological This indictment also affects Alternative Technology”. Humanism”. In it, the major ideas Alternative Technology. Alternative that became the backbone of Eco- Technology started rather vigorously, We were already Philosophy were formulated. It captured the imagination of many, happens rarely that one is aware of and is now fizzling out. Why? convinced, at this time, the exact point of a new departure. Because Alternative Technology has It was perhaps a coincidence that not taken itself seriously enough, that that the Ecology the Architectural Association is, as a new set of tactics for living. immediately published my text. And When pushed to an extreme, Movement had somehow it was by a fluke of a chance that I Alternative Technology has either kept one copy. become an idolatry of new kinds burned itself out. Building of gadgets, or else a crass ideology 1 Ecological Humanism: An of the New Left : a feverish process windmills and insisting on perpetuating itself. Alternate soft technology was not answer to “Where do we go from Technology has been waning because here?” it did not go to its roots; it did not enough. So four of us took Oswald Spengler has written that confront itself with the ultimate task ‘Technics are the Tactics for living.’ of all technics: to become a set of the to the floor to ask This is a very useful phrase. I shall tactics for living. take advantage of it, while stating Tactics for living are not merely new ourselves, “Where do we our dilemma and searching for uses of old instruments. Culture is a go from here?” possible solutions. fundamental part of the tactics for Modern technology, or better - living. Thriving and healthy culture Western technology, has failed us not provides a set of dynamic structures

20 www.scimednet.org Paradigm Explorer 2020/1 for living. Within the Western world, as based on the ideal of the techniques for the refinement of particularly during the last 150 years, Protean human and the idea of the the soul; and especially during the last 50 appropriation of Nature (with the years, culture (as well as religion) has tacit acceptance of both present - it sees values not in pecuniary been systematically misunderstood, sciences and present technology), are equivalents, but in intrinsic terms mystified, misread and distorted, simply incompatible with the idea of as a vehicle which contributes to and taken to be an anachronism harmony between the human species a deeper understanding of people of the pre-technological era. But and the rest of Nature. by people, and a deeper cohesion culture is an inherent part of the between people and the rest of human strategies for survival and Now, let me spell out some of creation; well being. Now the culture of the the consequences of Ecological Humanism. On the practical level, as - and it sees all these above post-industrial era cannot be a simple mentioned elements as a part of resuscitation of some traditional I have already mentioned, Ecological Humanism spells out a new kind the new tactics for living. “A man’s cultures, for it will have to meet new reach should exceed his grasp, or contingencies of life, which means: it of technology based on the idea of what’s a heaven for?’ (Browning). will have to rethink the products of frugality, recycling, reverence for the human mind and spirit within a Nature. It signifies a new economy, differently conceived world. of which reverence for Nature is not 2 A new concept of the human a spurious ornament, but an intrinsic It was clear to me from the start I have chosen to call this new set part of a new design. that a philosophical reconstruction of the tactics for living, which which attempts to provide a new encompasses New Technology, On the level of the individual, philosophical foundation for our New Culture and New Ideology- Ecological Humanism signifies inner civilisation, and which aims at the Ecological Humanism. Ecological exuberance instead of the restless creation of a new philosophy, must Humanism is not a new label for outward activity; empathy and simultaneously address itself to old things, nor simple pouring old compassion rather than ruthless the structure of reality (thus must wine into new bottles. I must point competition; understanding in depth create a new metaphysics, or a new out, in particular, that Ecological rather than merely handling of Cosmology), to the phenomenon of Humanism has little to do with information. man and to the problem of values. traditional humanism; and it On the level of the entire culture, Against the mechanistic world view, quite sharply separates itself from Ecological Humanism signifies or cosmology, we must create a Marxist or Socialist humanism, a fundamental switch from the new conception of reality, a new which calls (along with other traditional idiom, in which humans cosmology. An appropriate name humanism) for the appropriation of assert themselves against things ‘out for this cosmology is, of course, Nature to man. there’, and try to impose themselves Eco-Cosmology. Eco-Cosmology on the world, to the idiom, in which attempts to redefine the structure of Traditional humanism has the Cosmos in new terms. From this emphasized the nobility of the humans mesh themselves with the things ‘out there’. overall structure must clearly follow human being, the independence of that a symbiotic, cooperative, and humans, indeed the greatness of It is by now clear to you, I hope, that equitable structure of the human humans who are cut in the Protean no New Technology can provide world is not an aberration, but a mold. This conception of humanity a solution by itself; that no New natural consequence. went hand in hand with the idea of Culture can provide a solution by appropriating Nature to the ends itself; that no New Ideology can Thomas Berry has actually addressed and needs of humans. Marx fully provide an answer by itself, but that this cosmological question very accepted this conception of humanity each must become an aspect of a well and extensively in his various and the idea of the appropriation of larger paradigm, an aspect, in other writings. Quite rightly, he insists that Nature (or simply using Nature) to words, of a new set of the tactics for ours is not only an environmental human advantage. living. crisis, is not only a religious crisis, but above all, a cosmological Ecological Humanism is based on In the realm of ideology, Ecological crisis. The old cosmologies, the reversed premise. It calls for the Humanism points towards social conceived under the auspices of appropriation of humans to Nature. relationships based on the idea of traditional religions and traditional We have to see the human as a part sharing, and stewardship, rather philosophies, are clearly insufficient of a larger scheme of things: of than owning things and fighting and act as straitjackets. Nature and Cosmos. We have to continuous ruthless battles in open The importance of the cosmological transcend and abolish the idea of and camouflaged social wars. the Protean (and Faustian) human. dimension is by and large not The consequences of this reversal In short, Ecological Humanism is sufficiently appreciated by various are quite far-reaching, and I will based on a new articulation of the schools of Eco-Philosophy, and just touch on some of them. On the world at large: certainly not sufficiently addressed practical level, Ecological Humanism in their writings. Deep Ecology, - it sees the world not as a place for Social Ecology and Eco-Feminism signifies, among other things, pillage and plunder, an arena for frugality, recycling, the reverence are certainly lacking in this respect. gladiators, but as a sanctuary in I should mention, however that for Nature, which are really three which we temporarily dwell, and different aspects of the same thing. there is a dim outline of a new of which we must take the utmost cosmology in some new writings I must emphasize that Ecological care; on Eco-Feminism, as they attempt Humanism is not just another fancy - it sees humans not as acquisitors to reconstruct our world view by name for saying that we should and conquistadors, but as restructuring our reality in the be less wasteful, but it signifies a guardians and stewards; image and characteristics of the fundamental reorientation of the goddess, with her female, inclusive, multitude of things. Not many - it sees knowledge not as an compassionate and cooperative people, Marxists in particular, are instrument for the domination qualities. But this dim outline is not aware that traditional humanism, of Nature, but ultimately as yet a cosmology. There is a sort of

www.scimednet.org 21 Paradigm Explorer 2020/1

Holistic Analytical Approach Spiritually alive Seeking Wisdom Spiritually dead Seeking information

Objective Engaged Concerned with Ecological Ecologically indifferent Problems Integrated with the Integrated with the Oriented to Oriented to life economy of the quality Philosophy economy of material Ecophilosophy language Of life today progress

Unconcerned with physical Concerned with physical Politically Aware Apolitical And spiritual health And spiritual health

Engaged with social Uninterested in social Tolerant regarding Intolerant regarding problems problems paranormal phenomena paranormal phenomena

Proclaims individual Does not speak of individual responsibility responsibility implied cosmology in the writings of importance of wisdom, and especially degeneration, ecological crisis and Deep Ecology philosophers. But this ecological wisdom or ecosophy. the search for meaning? What system is only implied, not spelled out. Wisdom is not the possession of a do we need to link life and thought? set of permanent principles, and The results of my deliberations was As to Murray Bookchin’s cosmology, therefore not to be found in the the book, Eco-Philosophy, Designing as expressed in his Social Ecology, Upanishads, the Bible, the Bhagavad- New Tactics for living, published in the situation is perhaps even less Gita the Koran or in Dante’s Divine 1981. The kernel of the philosophy satisfactory. He is a staunch believer Comedy. Wisdom is the possession is in the two mandalas, showing the in secularism. And he is also a of right knowledge for a given state contrast between eco-philosophy and staunch believer in science and of the world, for given conditions of the dominant analytical philosophy. technology, which are (for him) society, for given articulation of the (See figure above). the main forces of change and human condition. Insofar as the state social amelioration. In accepting Eco-philosophy is par excellence, a of the world changes, insofar as the philosophy of life, and that requires secularism, science and technology conditions of society change, insofar (with all their blessings), indirectly translating abstract philosophical as the articulation of knowledge categories into forms for life. The Bookchin accepts the mixed bag of goes on, insofar, therefore as the our rational, scientific, technological most essential ideas are presented articulation of the human being in the form of the above mandalas. civilisation. What is lurking behind proceeds, insofar as the human mind Bookchin’s writings is the old- Mandala thinking enables us to and human sensitivities become see how ideas are connected in an fashioned mechanistic cosmology refined, we cannot embrace one which, by its consequences, has organic form, one following from structure of wisdom for all times, but the other; how they participate in the wrought so much damage to the we must seek a different structure, a natural and the human world. meaning of each other. It also enables different form of balance appropriate us to grasp immediately in one Another dimension of a viable for a given time. picture, a very complex set of ideas Eco-Philosophy must be a new Wisdom is therefore a historical and their relationships. Mandala concept of the human. Again, category: not a set of permanent thinking is dancing thinking. Thomas Berry addresses this question forms, but a set of dynamic excellently, when he insists that we structures; always to be rebuilt, Henryk Skolimowski (SMN) was must re-invent the human on the restructured, re-adjusted, re- a philosopher and ecologist who species level. In my own writing, articulated. Evolutionary wisdom is inspired generations of ecologists and I propose the idea of Ecological the understanding how the human conservationists. He was professor of Person in contrast to the Faustian condition changes through centuries, philosophy at the University of Southern Man, the Technological Man, the millennia, eons of time. Only such California, and the University of Homo Faber, and also in contrast a conception of wisdom can aid Michigan in Ann Arbor where he taught to the Rational Man. Ecological the human race in its evolutionary his system of eco-philosophy. The author person is the creature of evolution. voyage. The concept of the of over two dozen books in English and It emerges at a certain juncture of Ecological Person is not sufficiently in Polish, he conveyed the vision of the human evolution and will disappear addressed in the literature of either world as a sanctuary. He taught that a at another juncture, when evolution Deep Ecology or Social Ecology. society must be grounded in its ecological (through us) will transcend itself Nor is the importance of ecological context in order to grow and to flourish. further. Ecological Person recognises wisdom sufficiently recognised and He would refer to himself as “a dissident the redeeming and necessary nature incorporated into thinking of the son of western civilisation”. of suffering, of compassion, of love, majority of Eco-philosophers. of wisdom. Paul Kieniewicz (SMN)is a geologist, astronomer and writer. He is the author Ecological Person envisages the 3 The eco-philosophy mandala of Gaia’s Children, co-author with human condition as defined by at What sort of philosophy should Andrew Glazewski of Harmony of the least the four above-mentioned we construct that could deal Universe. He lives in Poland where along components. Perhaps what needs with the large number of burning with his wife Amber, he heads the Sichow to be emphasised in our times is the issues, individual alienation, social Educational Foundation.

22 www.scimednet.org Paradigm Explorer 2020/1 The 5 Living Generations’ Call to Protect the Earth and all Beings

Joan Skolimowski

The winds of change are arising as world is following the example of Lastly, here we are on one planet we live in a time of great climate affluent communities throughout and yet we humans are divided in change. The voices of alarm come the globe on this path to oblivion. age-old concepts of cultural and from scientists, children, ecologists, If no global effort is made to bring ethnic differences, cultures which philosophers, parents, endangered about a reversal of humanity’s have fought and competed for communities across the globe. harmful way of living, then so be it millennia. Time is up. It is now - gradual extinction of living beings. these 5 generations spanning 14-84 Ecologists and Eco-Philosophers Even those wealthy bunkering away that need to unite as one people. have been working to guide to survive can only delay the result. This is the challenge like no other; humanity for some 40 years. The biological system and humanity one that will need us to put aside Gradually, small groups have are dependent on each other. our differences for the sake of gathered to sound the warning Mother Earth. that life as we know it is in peril. What is the alternative? It is the With increasing droughts, floods, coming together of 5 generations: This will be difficult for unaware or hurricanes, tornados, and fire the baby boomers, Gen X, Gen Y, small-minded leaders of countries storms, humanity is now awakened Gen Z, and Gen Alpha. In other to work together to spawn this to the problem. words, people in their teens to those worldwide effort. In the end, it in their eighties coming together to is the choice of the people of the It may be too late to return even figure out rapid, sustainable living world to make this monumental with great effort to the climate as and CHANGE within a 12-year change for the betterment of all we have known with fluctuations time frame! Are we up to this? living beings. Inaction and division within an adaptable range. Can we work together and preserve will bring about doom to all sooner However, there is time, a short life? or later. Unity and action will give period of time, for humanity to rally the chance to ensure continued life to bring about a moderate reversal If various countries can land on the on our planet. The choice is ours by eliminating the use of fossil fuels moon and eventually land on Mars, and it must be NOW. and carbon into the atmosphere. then the people of the Earth can do this. It is what life has done for Juanita (Joan) Skolimowski, multi-life/ An undertaking of this magnitude billions of years: ADAPT. work experience: translator, director of would seem to be unimaginable to center for young children, social worker, many accustomed to the present It is a question of adapting in a poet, sculptor of figurines, writer, mystic, mode of living with carbon use/ short amount of time for the greater Eco Philosophy practitioner, Buddhist emissions and mindless ways good: preserving all life. We are all practitioner of life based on continual yet linked in the web of life: humans, unsustainable progress. All the animals, plants.

www.scimednet.org 23 Paradigm Explorer 2020/1 Visioneers International Network

Geraldine Schwartz PhD and Desmond Berghofer PhD, Vancouver, Canada

The Visioneers International and inviting others of like-mind to The Visioneers International Network has created a Web of to build a global Web of Good Work Network Web of Good Work Good Work and Virtual Exposition and create a new community of 21st to celebrate and showcase these century changemakers. is a meta project that provides outstanding projects and people, and Their work is showcased on a Virtual to connect the incredible community Exposition of Good Work www. the opportunity to participate of changemakers to empower them thevisioneers.ca/virtual-expo. A 90 to collaborate, mentor, create and on a global, next-generation second video www.thevisioneers. online platform celebrating, inspire each other as they create the ca provides a succinct summary potential for a quality future never of the mission and purpose of the showcasing, connecting and before seen on Earth. Network: https://www.youtube.com/ collaborating with people It was imagined in 1992 in a novel watch?v=uUzhUKhFV54 The Visioneers: A Courage Story and projects that illustrate about Belief in the Future, written The invitation. . . human nobility as models by Desmond Berghofer. In this story, We invite our fellow members of Visioneers act to overcome evil and the Scientific and Medical Network and examples of an evolving corruption and go on to connect to explore the website www. human consciousness. people across the global commons in thevisioneers.ca and to participate a six-day event called the Congress of in building this global community of the Global Mind. It is a monumental positive changemakers. An Invitation to Participate accomplishment inspiring people In the teen years of the 21st century, everywhere to embrace a mantra Courage and boldness are requisites science has demonstrated, albeit at the of Why Not? as a cry to overcome of current generations to protect the margins, that humanity can learn to problems and provide solutions that future. cooperate around a sense of unity, and had hitherto seemed impossible. The Visioneers International Network that we are all connected energetically. provides the structure for dynamic Operating under the illusion of our Now in 2019, as the teen years of the 21st century come to an end, action to make the difference. The separateness, we have built our key task for those who participate civilisations and fought innumerable the founders of the Visioneers International Network have used is to add their own contributions wars, and we have now come to a and become fellow builders of the dangerous time where our industries the connective power of the digital technology not available in 1992 Network by inviting others of like- and institutions are destroying the very mind in their own communities to life systems of the planet. to actualis what was then a fantasy, by creating a global community become part of the Network, while At the same time, a new kind of of people who understand that we also nominating worthy projects global commons is emerging with inhabit the Earth as one evolving and people so that the Web of Good thousands of projects and the people human family. Work Virtual Exposition grows into who create them across all areas of a positive force for our evolving human activity that express human The central mission of the Visioneers humanity that can be shared planet- nobility, courage and boldness. These International Network is to connect wide. projects and people represent the us as friends, partners, colleagues antithesis and antidote to the smog and mentors, both in person and For further information about the scope of negativity, conflict, violence and online, as we showcase and celebrate and possibilities of the Visioneers greed polluting the discourse and our good-work projects, connect, International Network contact Desmond consciousness about our prospects for collaborate and create together. We or Gerri at [email protected] the future. are growing the network by sharing or [email protected].

24 www.scimednet.org Paradigm Explorer 2020/1

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE Not an Obituary – a voyage around Ram Dass (1931-2019)

Stephen G. Wright

The web is awash with obituaries healing conversation when he took of Ram Dass, full of the facts of his a packet of incense I had brought, life in which he became a mighty tucked it under his nose and did spiritual teacher known to millions a Charlie Chaplin impression. and influencing millions more. When I asked about the food in his There’s a good film of him and his accommodation at Tiburon after his old buddy Timothy Leary “Dying to stroke -“marvellous” in front of the Know” on YouTube for those who cook; screwed up face when she was want more backstory. He “went out of sight! Once as I left, after we Home” on December 22nd aged 88. talked about spiritual power and my inclination to put him on a pedestal, Now I’m done with the facts. This is he he knelt before me in mock personal. worship. Everything a teaching, He eschewed labels or roles. Revered everything a laugh. as a guru by some, he was clear that My great Soul Friend Jeannie (Sayre- he was not. As teacher he was a true Adams) knew Ram Dass and had e-duc-ator…through wisdom and worked with him in the 70’s in San loving presence, he awakened in Francisco. I was in spiritual crisis us that which was already there. I and she called him. - “Bring him remember him telling a story about along this afternoon”. Thus I found teaching, how everyone would nod myself before his patient listening when he hit the spot – why? Because Then we took a break, Jeannie sat as I babbled my story, sitting in the in the porch and I returned and sat like all good teachers he showed us living room of his very ordinary San what we already know! alone with him in another room. Anselmo home. This time he did all the talking. So We shared the same sense of Then he stopped me and told me much of the detail has now left me, humour and he had the rascally three things I had to do. (I learned until at one point, and this I will ability to lurch from the most something about spiritual direction remember until I die and perhaps profound discourse into raucous then, that sometimes it really is beyond, he explored how I was in belly laughs. That’s what I loved directive) At the time I was livid danger of distorting the truths being about Ram Dass, his integration of with him (did he know?). He was revealed to me. At that point his eyes things, the absence of separation supposed to be some new age ‘do rolled to the back of his head, he between the plunge into the depths your own thing’ kind of guy…how leaned into in the couch, raised one of truth and cracking hilarity. One dare he tell me what to do? palm above, the other towards me time we’d just gone through a deep and said “After all, it’s a case of ‘not

www.scimednet.org 25 Paradigm Explorer 2020/1

there was a time when I was really angry with you? “Angry with me? You were angry with ME?” He replied, with mock outrage. I told of my feelings about his response to the dilemma with my son. We smiled and both knew. That too taught me humility, we can still be learning into very old age. Then there was the time in San Francisco a year after his stroke and I phoned him from a café in Noe Valley, disappointed that I could not meet him in person. There was my will but Thine’.” At that point retreat with him for a week on Maui some awful row going on in the he let out a long drawn out breath (with Jeannie) our relationship had back ground, I think with Peter his and closed his eyes.. For a second shifted. It was like two old friends then partner, I heard him say that I thought he was ill, then I felt talking. We went to the beach with Peter had to stop it, because his impelled to sit on the floor in front him. Took the ritual swim out to behaviour meant that people could of him. the buoy (‘Oh buoy, oh buoy, oh not visit him. He apologised and buoy!”- we chanted) then afterwards we ended the call. I suddenly felt What happened next is nigh on a long lunch with friends where he fearful and called him back “Are impossible to detail, but I felt like wept when someone read a passage you safe Ram Dass. Are you able the heat in the room was turned up. from Steve Jobs’ biography about to say over the phone if so?” He My eyes were closed but there was how important Ram Dass had been was, it was all OK, and we saw him a blast of light. I sat there reeling to him. And as I sat next to him the next day with a group in San for what seemed like an age. Then I I detected also a degree of what? Rafael. I learned something then opened my eyes to find him looking Loneliness? That all around him (was there ever a moment when I did at me, we stood up, I was groggy were people who honoured and not lean something with Ram Dass) afoot, he held onto me, told me he admired him, but maybe not always about the ordinariness of him, that loved me and that “You are a lovely people who were just being with him he experienced problems just like man”, and it was time to go. The as friends, as just another guy. anyone else, about my inclination next thing I know we are in the drive to project my stuff onto him about In the midst of his paralysis I found talking about his MG Roadster (blue what it was to be spiritual/above him more available than ever. as I recall) and our mutual love of the swampy lowlands of ordinary Once we sat there for half an hour MG’s. Then with an embrace and humanity. appreciation Jeannie and I drove off. or more, not sure, time had no meaning, and simply looked into His great gift to me was his I was barely coherent and a few each other’s eyes. I felt like I was extraordinary ordinariness. His miles on we had to stop while I sunbathing. I asked, “What just great heart. His fiery intelligence. got out the car and just sat at the happened?”. He said, “This is what His unconditional love. His roadside watching a deer approach happens when soul talks to soul”. relentless willingness to pursue his me. “Thy will be done” is on my authentic self, and to help others With Ram Dass it was always soul mother’s grave, it has been a prayer do likewise. His profound humility talk, I need hide nothing or fear mantra with me ever since and the and willingness to surrender into judgement from him. Deep love. deer was one of my shamanic guides. realisation and to see that potential Deep trust. A role model for my own Just seeing the latter earthed me. in all other people. He has been the life. most important (male) teacher in my I visited him half a dozen times after I once took a painful time with life and still is. He played a huge part that, plus occasional phone calls. I my son to him. He gave me all the in helping me to know who I really asked once about that first meeting textbook spiritual answers, but I am. I know he is gone physically, (from a phone booth in the bowels felt something was missing, that he but in my heart he is still with me. of Grace Cathedral San Francisco) didn’t understand the love between Soul is still talking to soul across the “It was shaktipat, wasn’t it?” He father and son. I thought, but did unbreakable Wi-Fi of love. said, “Some call it that. It wasn’t me, not say, “You don’t know what it’s I think it was John Cassian writing you know.” The matter was closed. like; you don’t have a child”. Years in the 6th century that said it was That’s one of the things he was clear later as we drove to the beach he important to forget about miracles about, it was not he, it was what said, “I’ve got some news for you. or great deeds or works, rather the was working through him – his guru I have a son. Then told the story measure of a person was "How does Maharaj-ji; love. of a brief affair in the 60’s and of he love” Oh how Ram Dass fulfilled a woman who did not tell him There are many tales to tell, too this. Oh Buoy! Oh Buoy! Oh Buoy! - many. Each encounter was both the child might be his. Over 50 did he, does he, love well. Just Being terrifying and life changing. years later that man, now a father, Here Now. Terrifying because I knew he’d prick discovered the possibility and sought my ego bubbles; each time nudging out Ram Dass. (DNA tests affirmed it). As we drove along Ram Dass Stephen G. Wright is a Visiting Professor me onwards into transformation and and Honorary Fellow of the University my path of service. told of how his son was troubled and I asked if that bothered him. of Cumbria, a spiritual director at Twenty years later and ten years “No”, he said, then a long pause…. the Sacred Space Foundation (www. after his stroke on a (residential) "Not!”). Later I said. “You know sacredspace.org.uk), author and poet.

26 www.scimednet.org Paradigm Explorer 2020/1 Beyond the Brain 2019 Further Reaches of Consciousness Research University of Westminster 1st-3rd November 2019 with pre-conference workshop 1st November 2019

John Clarke

What can the sciences teach us of direct experience, discussing spiritual ritual and transcendent about our innermost conscious how each contributes towards a aspiration, and which contribute selves and our final destinies beyond complete understanding of the to the expansion of human death? These are topics that have topic. And in her workshop in consciousness beyond the everyday typically been avoided by scientists the afternoon Prof Betty Kovacs as well the improvement in mental devoted to a purely materialist and discussed the question why the health and general happiness. reductionist worldview. But times early Roman Church waged a These involve such commonplace are changing, and this conference centuries-long campaign to destroy activities as the enjoyment of opened up a range of new Classical culture and all previous nature, of community singing, approaches from within the sciences spiritual traditions, a crime that has sports, pilgrimages, festivals and which are beginning to challenge contributed towards the pervasive pets, extending towards the recital traditional methodological pathology of Western culture. of prayers, degrees of asceticism, boundaries, and daring to address fasting and rites of passage. In his introduction to the conference fundamental issues of life – and on the Saturday morning David Dr Marjorie Woollacott described death. Lorimer pointed to the systemic her own personal evolution from a The conference itself, organized limitations of the materialist science-based materialism towards in collaboration with The Alef approach. The SMN, he argued, a more spiritual outlook following Trust and The Academy for the was one of the leading advocates of a powerful spiritual awakening Advancement of Postmaterialist an evidence-based postmaterialist which opened up a completely Sciences, set out to expand our science which emphasizes the new perspective on life and which typical conference format by integration of the human psyche enabled her to feel ‘at home’ in the adding an extra opening day of within the cosmic whole without world for the first time. This led her workshops on the Friday led by reducing it to a product of to engage in a research programme two of our conference speakers, and matter, and thereby opens up the of clinical study of the cerebral in the evening by a pre-conference possibility of an investigation of the activity of subjects undergoing deep showing of the film Journeys to transcendent level of reality from a meditation practices, and later to the Edge of Consciousness, which scientific standpoint. the study of NDEs. She was also featured the psychedelic experiences led to a study of the ‘placebo effect’ Dr Rupert Sheldrake’s talk focused of Aldous Huxley, Timothy Leary which took her via clinical studies on the spiritual practices which he to the conclusion that, not only are and Alan Watts. sees as arising out of traditional these clear evidence of the healing In her Friday morning workshop mysticism, but going beyond them powers of the mind, but also Prof Marjorie Woollacott led in a way that takes account of strongly suggest that the effect can participants in an in-depth the increasing secular outlook of work inter-personally, for example exploration of the nature of our times. These include everyday between doctor and patient. In consciousness from both the practices which perpetuate the general terms she was led by these scientific perspective and that underlying and timeless need for clinical studies to a belief in the

www.scimednet.org 27 Paradigm Explorer 2020/1 primacy of consciousness and its scaffolding for his explorations he information was received about the fundamental role in nature. made use of a fourfold distinction dead person which was unknown within the world of experience to the receiver. With the benefit of The first session on the Saturday comprising mind and body with the latest research methods Chris afternoon introduced us to the individual and collective factors. and his colleagues are carrying out a controversial question of the use Mystical experience, he argued, detailed survey in this field by means of psychedelic drugs for clinical represented a transcendence of this of an on-line questionnaire which he purposes. It was led by Amanda quaternal world, the emergence of described for us in some detail but Fielding, creator of the Beckley a type of consciousness which has whose results will take some time Foundation, a UK-based think-tank access to a single underlying reality, yet to analyse and assess. with UN-accreditation, dedicated to the ‘ground of all being’, a unity activating global drug policy reform, beyond all opposites, a kind of ‘non- Prof Betty Kovacs’ talk on Death and initiating scientific research local consciousness’ as he put it. and the New Consciousness took into psychoactive substances. This the very different form of a highly work included the use in clinical The following morning began with personal communication about contexts of for example psylocybin an introduction by Dr Peter Fenwick her own experiences of death and ayahuasca, and she argued that who talked about various states of within her family. Her thinking clinical data indicated a significant consciousness which accompany about these experiences - which success rate overall. She also claimed death, and cited evidence for the are too complex and personal to to observe significant parallels view that NDEs can plausibly be be recounted here – arose from her with traditional descriptions of understood as typifying the state early interest in the mystery religions the mystical experience of oneness of consciousness that accompanies of the ancient Greek world, such as with the All when under treatment, death itself – ‘End of Life those associated with Eleusis, and in addition to an earthly boost in Experiences’ (ESEs) - and could from a reading of C.G. Jung’s Red cognitive performance. Amanda’s thus be considered as premonitions Book, both of which contrast the approach was supported in a – near or far – of the experience of world of common perception and dialogue with Dr David Luke transition from life to death. He also habit with a more secret symbolic, who argued that in strict clinical pointed out that the drug Ketamine spiritual world that lies behind the conditions the use of psychedelic has helped in bringing together everyday façade of life. She spoke drugs has been shown to enhance our understanding of these two with optimism about the possibility creativity by the drug’s capacity to phenomena, NDEs and ELEs. of recovering something of these increase the activity of lesser-used This was followed by Prof Chris ancient mysteries, and Jung’s highly parts of the brain and to increase the Roe on Investigation of the personal recapitulation of them, in intra-neuronal connectivity of the Phenomenology and Impact of our own spiritually impoverished brain. Spontaneous and Direct After- lives today, not through the victory For the final session of the day Ken Death Communications. (Evelyn of the one over the other however Wilber joined us from the USA by Elsaesser was due to accompany but through discovering their videolink and was interviewed by Chris on the platform but was essential complementarity. David Lorimer. ‘Interview’ may not indisposed and unable to attend, The talk by Dr Steve Taylor be the right word since one question though we exchanged greetings on Spiritual Science: How a from David was enough to set Ken with her by videolink). In his Panspiritist Perspective can help running without interruption for talk he explained his professional make Sense of the World moved us more than an hour. He used the involvement in the field of ADCs – in yet another direction by means time to explain his intellectual and After Death Communications – in of a careful elaboration of the spiritual development, how early on which living persons believe they difference between ‘panpsychism’ in life he was attracted by the sheer have encountered the dead, whether and ‘panspiritism’. The former is variety of spiritual and philosophical recent or not, through some sort of the fairly common conception of traditions, both as worldviews and verbal communication. Scientific conscious mind being present at as ritual practices, and how he investigation of ADCs go back to some level of development in every rejected the possibility that only one the nineteenth century when they material entity from atoms upwards. of these ways could be the true and were discussed by the Society for The latter, a new coinage of Steve’s correct one. Psychical Research which in 1894 he assured us, conveys the sense collected reports of seventeen What he sought instead was a that mind is in some way present in thousand such communications. way of integrating these traditions reality as a whole, that a spiritual into an integrated spectrum of Several other such surveys have quality is a primary aspect of reality consciousness, a worldview which been carried out more recently. like an elemental force such as combined the infinite variety of Most of these demonstrate that such gravity that pervades all of nature. mind and world yet which pointed communications are surprisingly The importance of this idea lies in to their ultimate unity, a unity which common, they usually convey its capacity to render something becomes ever more developed, but positive feelings of affection, spiritually significant about the never complete, a dialectical process and they have often been greatly universe as a whole, and as living in which higher stages integrate yet appreciated by the receiver, even beings such as ourselves whose transcend the lower. As a conceptual life-changing. In some cases new being and meaning are integral to

28 www.scimednet.org Paradigm Explorer 2020/1 this spiritually ordered universe. of all the unwarranted claim least with the agreement that they This way of thinking, by contrast that all valid explanations go shared a common position about with a materialist worldview, allows downwards to the lowest possible the limitations of reductionist us to begin to make sense of a whole level, and secondly in the case arguments, and no doubt range of experiences from mystical of mind/consciousness fails to contributed thereby to the force of awakening to NDEs, from altruism appreciate that there are radically transatlantic resonance at a time to the emergence of rational mind. different conceptual structures at when it appears to be much needed. work between these levels which The videolink talk by Prof Stephen exclude simplistic mechanistic Much needed physico-spiritual Braude from the USA, Mechanistic reduction; his key example was relief at this mentally demanding, Errors in Consciousness Research, the incommensurability between somewhat left-brain, conference was while sharing a similar basic outlook remembering the face of a friend provided by Fabio Garces’ Sonic to the previous talk, adopted a on the one hand and related brain Enchantment, and by a Movement much sharper focus by examining traces on the other. and Sound Meditation by the a fundamental error in arguments URUBU School of Transformational which seek to reduce mental A surprise was in store at this point Arts. phenomena to more fundamental in his talk where Stephen mentioned material states. A typical example in a criticism he had made some years Prof J.J. Clarke’s most recent book, science of this kind of mechanistic ago of Rupert Sheldrake’s idea of The Self-Creating Universe: the reduction is, he argued, from the morphic resonance. Whether by Making of a Worldview, seeks to macro phenomena of heat to the pre-planning or not, Rupert was bring science and spirituality to- micro phenomena of molecular in the audience and so sprang to gether within the framework of an motion, involving what he neatly his own defence. This gave rise emergentist cosmology. called ‘the small-is-beautiful to a lively debate between the assumption’. This involves first two which, as I read it, ended at

Beyond the Brain 2020 - see www.beyondthebrain.org

www.scimednet.org 29 Paradigm Explorer 2020/1 20th Anniversary Meeting of the Spirituality and Psychiatry Special Interest Group (SSIG)

Larry Culliford

24th September 1999 marked the suggested, boundaries are there to first meeting of the SSIG, founded be explored carefully. Reflecting originally by four psychiatrist on much fruitful work already SMN members* together with a achieved, he recommended as the past-president of the Royal College best way forward the making of (Andrew Sims) and one other good interdisciplinary maps of keen supporter (Chris Holman), the territory. His own conclusion all still living, with four present at about mental health? That it is, this anniversary celebration day ‘A state of well-being in which the conference, which was also attended individual gives attentive awareness by a bursting full house, a total of to self and others in the context of 137 psychiatrists and guests. The transcendent reality’. His paper was SSIG currently numbers 3,865 greeted with hearty applause. members, about one-fifth of the full Andrew Powell Founding Chair of the SSIG, College membership. psychiatrist Andrew Powell, marking his retirement from the The first speaker, Psychiatry accepting that significant conceptual Professor and Anglican priest, Executive Committee, then took and methodological questions in Christopher Cook, spoke of how the stage in conversation with the importance of spirituality and research, and challenging clinical Chris Cook about the genesis religion for mental health had dilemmas over professional and early days of the group. become increasingly recognised, boundaries, remain. Rather There was concern at the time researched, disputed and debated; than acting as fixed barriers, he that overemphasis on scientific

30 www.scimednet.org Paradigm Explorer 2020/1 materialism could deprive French woman known to her, psychiatry of its soul. The aim suffering an enduring psychotic was to establish respect for diverse illness, was apparently completely opinion, to champion the value of healed and still fully well at personal experience, and to offer six-monthly follow-up. Several SSIG members the opportunity similar cases were also described. to speak freely in questioning the In brief summary, patients (who nature and purpose of the human were not Buddhist, nor did they spirit in health and sickness. understand the languages used) Contributions from three of went into a deep hypnotic state. To Andrew’s specially invited co- the accompaniment of continuous founders added colour to the singing and the chanting of proceedings, and David Lorimer’s Buddhist instructions and prayers, presence confirmed the importance they ‘died’ symbolically, and were of the Network in bringing such later ‘reborn’ whole, reunited like-minded psychiatrists together. with the 19 ‘souls’ from their past life that had gone missing. They The third speaker, Baroness Sheila entered, in other words, a ‘liminal’ Hollins, another past president of state, crossing over and returning the Royal College, spoke of her yet to be widely implemented’. He from the boundaries between work as Chair of the Scientific went on to speak at some length conscious and unconscious, worldly Advisory Committee at the about identifying the core elements and spiritual realities, life and Centre for Child Protection at the of transcendence, and the positive death. Pontifical Gregorian University. outcomes transcendent experience An appointee of Pope Francis brings. These were just the kind of to the Pontifical Commission borderlands Christopher Cook had for the Protection of Minors in In a refreshing interlude entitled been exhorting people to explore Rome, she is also a member of ‘Compassion - the heart of what we and map out in his paper, seeming the UK’s All Party Parliamentary do’, psychiatrist Sarah Eagger then to add a further tribute to the Group on Adult Survivors of conducted a 30-minute workshop, pioneering courage of both those Childhood Abuse. Her presentation encouraging delegates to discuss who set up the SSIG and those emphasised spirituality as relevant the topic of compassion together who will be taking it forward. to the healing of people who have in pairs. Nuggets of wisdom that This presentation thus brought been abused; also the problems of emerged during the subsequent serendipitous closure to a splendidly on-line abuse, extortion, sexting, plenary discussions included: upbeat milestone event in what cyber-bullying and harassment; Compassion involves sharing pain will hopefully be a very long and and concluded that too few health (from the Latin, cum + passio = to increasingly fruitful journey for the professionals and pastoral workers suffer with); You’ve got to feel it SSIG and its members. were skilled at dealing with abuse, before you can heal it! There remained only the final despite safeguarding requirements Self-compassion: Caring for plenary session, to which all becoming better established in previous speakers contributed, others requires caring for recent times. They tended to be responding to comments yourself. problematically bureaucratic and and questions from the floor, process-oriented, ‘tick-box’ rather Compassion includes attending, together with a well-deserved than open, compassionate and understanding, empathising and gift presentation to Andrew with friendly. then helping. It requires both warm thanks for his dedication During the lunch interval, delegates courage and wisdom. to the SSIG over the past twenty had the opportunity to take in years, before the celebratory drinks Sarah also quoted a memorable seven excellent poster presentations reception and the cutting of a short poem: on a range of spiritually relevant magnificently decorated cake to topics. Afterwards, Professor John When the sunshine of loving- conclude a most memorable day. Peteet from Harvard Medical kindness * Andrew Powell, Peter Fenwick, School, president of the American Julian Candy & Larry Culliford Psychiatric Association’s Caucus Meets the tears of suffering, on Religion, Spirituality and The rainbow of compassion Larry Culliford (SMN) is a retired Psychiatry, spoke about the US appears. psychiatrist and author of several books, experience, expressing some envy The final paper of the day was articles, and a long-running blog, on at how well the Royal College was topics such as happiness, personal devel- doing, for example regarding the presented by psychologist Dr Sylvia Mohr from Switzerland, who has opment, spirituality, and wisdom. He is existence of the SSIG, and notably a former Chair of the Thomas Merton been working at Siem Reap in its role in the publication of the Society of Great Britain & Ireland. His Cambodia. In this region of over 1 College’s 2013 Position Statement, latest title, The Big Book of Wisdom, million people, there are only three ‘Recommendations for Psychiatrists was published in March 2020 by Hero on Spirituality and Religion’. psychiatrists and no psychiatric Press of London. Larry's website: www. Referencing the considerable hospital. Dr Mohr’s presentation ldc52.co.uk Email: [email protected]. volume of research on religion, was particularly remarkable because spirituality and mental health, for it described, with video footage, example that led by Harold Koenig a three-hour ritual ceremony in at Duke University, he admitted a Buddhist pagoda that she had that in USA, ‘Most advances are attended, during which a young

www.scimednet.org 31

Paradigm Explorer 2020/1 Network News

Rescheduling of Events ATTENTION As reported in the electronic newsletter, the pandemic crisis has obliged us to reschedule all our events up to July. The I Ching weekend has been MEMBERS rescheduled for the weekend of October 17-18, while the Mystics and Scientists has been postponed until next April, with the same programme PERSONAL NUMBERS and at Horsley Park over the weekend of April 11-13. The residential AND OFFICE annual meeting has also been cancelled, but Dr Andrew Fellows will give PROCEDURES his talk on the morning of Saturday, July 4 as a webinar. We will be in communication about the exact timing of the actual annual general meeting. Please help your administration office to run smoothly and so We had over 90 people attending sessions at our Mystics and Scientists help you efficiently: Extra Session entitled One Mind, One Planet, One Health - New Dimensions of Interconnectedness with Dr Serge Beddington-Behrens, ■■ when your details change Alasdair Philips, Shakti Caterina Maggi and Dr Larry Dossey. The Zoom (address, telephone number, format enabled these contributions to be made from Majorca, Scotland, email address etc.) please make Italy and the US, and we also had participants from around the world. sure we know Recordings are available to purchase at www.mysticsandscientists.org. ■■ use your membership number As you will also see from the calendar on the inside front cover, we whenever you contact us, and are arranging monthly evening webinars and, hopefully, one Saturday write it onto all correspondence, webinar a month – the one for May 16 has already set up and I am conference booking slips, working on June and July. subscription forms and orders for books, services etc. ■■ book early for conferences - New Format Newsletter – Towards a New it helps you get a place Renaissance ■■ ensure cheques are made out We hope that you received a copy of the new format newsletter released correctly to Scientific & in the middle of April. If not, please check your spam box as we know Medical Network; for that the mailing system has been diverting our emails, which has been conferences and orders: always the case with myself as well. We are therefore switching to a different add (legibly!) details of what provider. The new newsletter features blogs and video links as well as a it’s for and membership podcast recommendation and a book review read out loud and posted number on back, even when online on I-Tunes, Spotify and Red Circle under the same title as the accompanied by a booking form Newsletter. We hope to send these out roughly twice a month. ■■ remember we’re a network, and it often takes time for all relevant people to be contacted Dr Vasilieios Basios Joins the Board so when making requests give Dr. Vasilieios Basios is a senior researcher at the us time to respond helpfully Physics of Complex Systems Department of the (and always remember to tell University of Brussels, conducting interdisciplinary us who you are - we sometimes research on self-organisation and emergence in get forms back with no name complex matter as well as aspects of the foundations at all!) of complex systems. During his formative years he worked within the team of Ilya Prigogine (Nobel ■■ help us save money; whenever laureate) at the Solvay Institutes for Physics and possible pay in £ sterling and Chemistry in Brussels. He is interested on the history of ideas in remember to gift aid when you science and their role in the transformation of science beyond the make a payment (subscription, prevailing mechanistic world-view. He also maintains a keen interest conference fees, etc..) - it in contemporary research avenues that have started to lead us to a new maximises funds available for renaissance, concerned with the renewal of a “re-enchanted” nature. more important things. Office hours are 10.00am to For the future Vasileios envisions helping create a “mycelium’ of research 5.00pm Monday- Thursday. labs, people and networks capable of launching collaborative outreach Please leave a message if no one projects that can bring forth a self-reflecting interdisciplinary science of is available to take your call. consciousness. And to help in bringing forth a fundamental shift in our We will get back to you as soon understanding of nature which at the same time will herald a fundamental as we can. shift in this very nature of our understanding.

32 www.scimednet.org

Paradigm Explorer 2020/1

Appointment of Directors, PROF FREEMAN DYSON, FRS, 1923-2020, 2020 Honorary Member Nicholas Pilbrow writes: During Freeman Dyson was one of the greatest scientists and the past year Dr Vasilieios Basios, mathematicians of his generation as well as a best- Ms Molly Hackney and Mr Jose selling author. I met him at a meeting organised by Montemayor were co-opted as John Cornwell on Science and Human Dimension at director and Dr. David Leech resigned Jesus College, Cambridge in 1995, so he has been an in February 2020. honorary member since that date. My other indirect Each year one third of the member connection with him is through Winchester College, appointed directors, who have served where I taught in the 1980s, and where Freeman the longest, retire by rotation and grew up as his father Sir George Dyson was Director of Music and he all the co-opted members. They are, subsequently went on to become the Director of the Royal College of if they wish, eligible for re-election Music. or co-option. The directors retiring The Institute for Advanced Study (IAS), which was Dyson’s academic by rotation are Mr Paul Kieniewicz home for more than 60 years, announced his death. (2015), Dr. Paul Filmore (2016 – Chairman), Mr. Richard Irwin (2015) “No life is more entangled with the Institute and impossible to capture- and those resigning as directors architect of modern particle physics, free-range mathematician, co-opted during the year Dr Vasilieios advocate of space travel, astrobiology and disarmament, futurist, Basios, Ms Molly Hackney and Mr eternal graduate student, rebel to many preconceived ideas including Jose Montemayor. All those retiring his own, thoughtful essayist, all the time a wise observer of the are eligible for re-election or co- human scene,” stated Robbert Dijkgraaf, IAS Director and Leon Levy option and all have indicated their Professor. “His secret was simply saying ‘yes’ to everything in life, till wish to continue. The remaining the very end. We are blessed and honoured that Freeman, Imme, and Directors are Dr. Joan Walton (2017), their family made the Institute their home. It will be so forever.” Mrs. Jacqueline Nielsen (2005), Mr. Dyson was awarded the Templeton Prize in 2000 and in his address at Tuvi Orbach (2014) the ceremony, he called for more respect and understanding between There are now up to four possible scientists and theologians, noting: vacancies for Directors to be elected at the Annual General Meeting and “Science and religion are two windows that people look through, four further vacancies available by co- trying to understand the big universe outside, trying to understand why option by the Board. we are here. The two windows give different views, but they look out at the same universe. Both views are one-sided, neither is complete. Members who wish to be considered Both leave out essential features of the real world. And both are for these vacancies are requested worthy of respect.” to apply by the end of May, 2020 by sending their C.V. and a short Weaving together reflections on history, ethics, genetics, and theology, note on how they see themselves he proposed a poetic principle for the universe as he saw it: contributing to the aims of the “When we look at the glory of stars and galaxies in the sky and the Network. This will enable the Board glory of forests and flowers in the living world around us, it is evident to consider how they would match that God loves diversity,” he said. “Perhaps the universe is constructed the tasks to be performed and, where according to a principle of maximum diversity. The principle of appropriate, make recommendations maximum diversity says that the laws of nature, and the initial to the members. The members conditions at the beginning of time, are such as to make the universe as of the company will follow the interesting as possible.” [taken from the Templeton Foundation notice]. recommendations of the Network A comprehensive obituary on the website of the Institute for Advanced AGM, unless there is good reason not Study: https://www.ias.edu/press-releases/2020/freeman-j-dyson- to do so. Applications should be sent 1923%E2%80%932020 by email to the Manager, Andrew Polson, [email protected]. Credit: Dan Komoda, Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton, NJ USA Credit: Dan Komoda, Institute for Advanced Study,

PROFESSOR architect include the Krishnamurti of Chartres Cathedral and his Centre, Brockwood Park, publications include publications KEITH CRITCHLOW, Hampshire and the Sri Sathya include Order in Space (1969), Sai Institute of Higher Medical Islamic Patterns (1976), Time 1933-2010 Sciences in Puttaparthi, India. Stands Still (1979), The Hidden Professor Keith He developed the Visual and Geometry of Flowers (2011) and Critchlow was Islamic Traditional Arts (VITA) Golden Meaning (2014). A short an architect programme now housed at the film about his work was shown and co-founder Prince’s Foundation in Shoreditch. at the 70th Birthday Celebrations of Temenos in Keith gave a number of memorable of HRH the Prince of Wales, 1981, and later illustrated lectures at Mystics and who is Patron on Temenos. This President of Scientists conferences, always can be seen at https://www. the Temenos seamlessly using two alternating temenosacademy.org/professor- Academy. The many beautiful slide projectors. He had deep keith-critchlow-2018/ where you buildings Keith designed as knowledge of the mysteries can also find a full obituary.

www.scimednet.org 33 Paradigm Explorer 2020/1

communication. An activity which parallels petitioning prayer are the candles we light in churches. They may LOCAL GROUP be coping mechanism but, he said, it works. Rupert NEWS considers meditation as the inbreath and petitioning prayer as the outbreath. He ended his presentation talking about the three-fold aspects of spiritual LONDON GROUP practices: the ‘I am’ – which is the presence, the Logos, which is the content and Spirit, the flow, the movement, the breath. CLAUDIA NIELSEN 0207 431 1177, ■■ FEBRUARY [email protected] This was the last presentation before the lockdown. We hosted To read reports from other meetings, go to the NICHOLAS MAXWELL who REPORTS page of the London Group page of the entitled his talk Can Universities Network’s website. If you don’t live in London but Save Us from Disaster? Nicholas wish to be advised of London events, please drop taught Philosophy of Science at me an email and I shall add your e-address to the University College London for circulation list. thirty years and is now Emeritus Reader. He has devoted much of his life arguing that we need to bring a revolution in ■■ JANUARY universities so they come to seek and promote wisdom We started the year with a and not just acquire knowledge. Nicholas described presentation from RUPERT the difficulties we are facing globally at the moment, SHELDRAKE on his latest book from climate change to destruction of natural habitat, Ways to Go Beyond: and Why inequality of wealth and power etc. The reasons for this, They Work. Rupert is a biologist he argues, comes from the fact that the aims of inquiry and author of 8 books and more are fundamentally flawed. And the blame lies in the way than 85 technical papers. He is a universities conduct their research. He says humanity’s Fellow of the Institute of Noetic problems are twofold: understanding the universe and Sciences in Petaluma, USA and understanding self and nature. Whereas in his opinion also an Honorary Member of we have solved the first problem, the second he says, has the SMN. not been addressed and this constitutes the fundamental Rupert started by talking about spiritual practices and problem. He identifies two kinds of inquiry: knowledge religious practices, pointing out that spiritual practices inquiry and wisdom inquiry. Knowledge inquiry is well are understood as having a more secular connotation developed in the universities but Nicholas argues that than religious practices. Religion and spirituality as wisdom inquiry is not. Humanity needs to learn to concepts are often conflated or separated in ways become civilised, and the role of universities should be which creates confusion in people’s minds. But in this to help us in this endeavour. talk Rupert addressed practices which are available Nicholas suggests we must get clearer on the methods for scientific research in other words spiritual practices of science to understand the natural world, to generalise which have measurable effects. His first book on methods so they can be useful to any endeavour, not this theme – Science and Spiritual Practices - was on traditional spiritual practices; this one is on non- just science and then get those methods to address traditional ones. Rupert pointed out that spiritual problems of society. Problems of living he argues, and practices have as their aim to quieten the mind, and not problems of knowledge should be at the heart of many meditative techniques aim to do so by bringing academia, and the basic aim of inquiry should change the mind into the present. In sports, an activity not from growth of knowledge to growth of wisdom. normally associated with spiritual practices, the mind Nicholas’ enthusiasm and passion for his ‘crusade’ were of participants is concentrated on the present moment clear to see however there was scepticism voiced by to the exclusion of everything else. This reduces the academics present with respect to the viability of his activity of the Default Mode Network (DMN) the proposals. part of the brain involved in rumination and internal ■ dialogue. Many people who take part in sports games ■ MARCH Rupert told us, have spiritual experiences. Dangerous This month’s talk had to be cancelled due to the sports in particular, require the person to be absolutely pandemic which struck early in the month. in the present and a high tight-rope walker told Rupert, ■■ APRIL he feels closest to God when performing his skill on the As the weeks went on, it became clear that we could tight-rope, often walking across the void between two do our presentations online so we readjusted our high-rise buildings. Being in such a flow, shuts down the programme accordingly. Providing the presentation as a DMN and the mind quietens down. webinar online meant that we could have a much wider Another spiritual pursuit of benefit is fasting, which is reach than just London. Having emailed a large SMN not only healthy for the physical body, but also gives list, we signed up 100 people from all around the world greater clarity of mind. Next we heard about meditation who wanted to hear Gary Lachman’s talk on Dark Star and prayer, in particular petitioning prayer. This type Rising: Magick and Power in the Age of Trump. This of prayer depends on a belief in the transcendent, unusual spelling of the word was introduced by Aleister God, angels, ancestors or other beings. It involves Crowley and means ‘the science and art of inducing the belief that the mind is transparent to the being change in conformity to the will’. And it is in this sense prayed to in terms of both the form and content of the that Gary Lachman uses it.

34 www.scimednet.org Paradigm Explorer 2020/1

GARY LACHMAN is the author of attitude is. Chaos magic was also brought into this mix, 22 books on consciousness, culture a type of magic that affects reality without the use of and western esoteric traditions, formal means, by using the chaotic nature of events. which have been translated in 12 Lachman mentioned Trump as a natural chaos magician languages around the world. He also pointing out the chaotic nature of Trump’s early months writes for various journals in the UK, in office evidenced by the sackings and moving of people the US and Europe. in the Administration. The talk was a fascinating Chaos magician talk of reality not being stable. And perspective on what might have assisted the election of this links in to the current post-modernist paradigm. Donald Trump in 2016. Through his attention to detail Lachman reminded us that Nietzsche foresaw and was Lachman noticed material that showed up in the media concerned about the impending advent of nihilism. following Trump’s election and followed it up with Heidegger also questioned the Platonic pursuit of truth meticulous research. He noted that Richard Spencer, a and we have Derrida arguing that reality is a construct. leader of the ultra-right group National Policy Institute There naturally follows current post-modernism, in started a conference with the words ‘hail Trump, hail which there is no Reality and no Truth. our hero, we made this happen’. Lachman’s research led him to identify the connection between this utterance Amongst others, we heard the name of Steve Bannon as and New Thought. The concept of New Thought is someone who was an active element in this movement associated with Positive Thinking. It goes back to the (which spans the globe) associated with Putin’s Russia 19th century and a number of well-known names such as and the Rasputin-like figure of Alexander Dugin. This William James and Ralph Waldo Emerson have written particular topic will be part of the new book Lachman is about it. At the root of this thinking is the idea that the writing on Russia. mind is powerful and that ideas can manifest in reality. Lachman went on to talk about memes and their The interface between inner and outer reality is porous. influence via the internet, the character of Pepe the Frog We heard in great detail how writers, thinkers, leaders which acquired a Trump face, and the concepts of Tulpa representing various ideologies have used these and Egregore, visualisations which become externalised principles to influence their followers, some aiming to in lived reality. induce positive changes in people’s health and living The ideas of positive thinking and chaos magic are but others focusing more on power and control. Trump considered ‘low magic’ because they are developed himself is an adept of these principles which he learned for personal gain. Gary’s presentation provided us from the Rev Norman Vincent Peale. As a young man with a lens to look at Trump’s behaviour which rather he was taken by his father to hear Peale’s sermons. than unpredictable and random is in fact coherent Trump’s own books reflect those principles, as do his and consistent with the tactics of chaos magic which attitudes and utterances. He is forever positive even enhance his power. in the light of unrealistic expectations and does not entertain negativity. Everything is possible and what he The talk is available as a video recording for purchase dreams of will become reality. Facts are not important, for £8 at the link bit.ly/LachmanDarkstar.

MEMBERS’ ARTICLES AND ARTICLES OF INTEREST Available through links or from [email protected]

COVID-19 Stephen A. Schwartz BMJ Rapid Response ■ Covid-19 and The ■ Comments on Vitamin D, There has been the inevitable Documented Failure of 17 pp. avalanche of articles and among the American Illness Profit the most interesting are: System, 7 pp. Nicanor Perlas ■ Covid-19 Pandemic: The Charles Eisenstein Frontline Critical Care Working Philippine Experience ■ The Coronation, 20 pp – a Group The Case for a Precision brilliant and penetrating ■ Recommended Protocol for NY Quarantine and Immunity analysis. Hospitals including high dose (PQI) Approach - A Briefing Martin Winiecki, Tamera intravenous Vitamin C, 4 pp. Paper, 38 pp. Community Paul S. Anderson A. K. Mukhopadhyay, MD ■ Searching for the Anti-Virus ■ Intravenous Ascorbic Acid ■ Post Covid-19 Worldview: – COVID-19 as a Quantum (IVAA) for COVID-19 Science, Economics, Psychology Phenomenon, published in Supportive Treatment in and Behaviour, 7 pp. Kosmos Journal and looking Hospitalized COVID-19 at the possibilities for a A. K. Mukhopadhyay, MD Patients (Based on use in ■ radical transformation - China and US settings), 4 pp. Life-Form A Matters- https://www.kosmosjournal. Syncytium: Deep Science org/kj_article/searching-for- Professor Kylie O’Brien PhD and for Matter Correlates of the-anti-virus-covid-19-as- Professor Ian Brighthope MBBS, Conscious States, 16 pp. quantum-phenomenon/ FACNEM Anne Baring ■ Nutritional Medicine: Not a ■ Soft Approach to Combatting My view of the situation – COVID-19, 5 pp. blog for Ubiquity University, 1 page – very succinct.

www.scimednet.org 35 Paradigm Explorer 2020/1

B Les Lancaster Jess M Mulder Ravi Ravindra ■ The Third Narrative: Corona ■ The Limits of Reductionism ■ Knowing and Being, 8 pp. and the Collective Psyche, – 14 pp, Godel Essay Prize Addresses the key question 4 pp. Winner of greatness of being and knowing in sages and George Ellis, FRS Neil Howard, University of Bath scientists respectively. ■ Organising for the Future ■ Why Reductionism Does Not Beyond the Coronacrisis: a Work - Godel Essay Prize Paul Hague UK Perspective, 25 pp. Essay, 28 pp. ■ Mapping the Cosmic Psyche, 18 pp. Roger Nelson Nisha J. Manek, William A. Tiller ■ Global Consciousness Jaume Agustí-Cullell ■ A New Perspective on ‘‘the Project network reactions to ■ Reflections on Human and Placebo Effect’’: Untangling coronavirus and market news, Artificial Intelligence, 6 pp. the entanglement, 6 pp. 4 pp. The Global Consciousness Nisha J. Manek GENERAL Project (GCP) network is ■ Symmetry States of an instrument designed to the Physical Space: An Alex Evans capture evidence of a possible Expanded Reference Frame ■ A Larger Us (Collective unconscious interconnection for Understanding Human Psychology Project), 22 pp. that we think may be Consciousness, 10 pp. from A very important paper – see fostered by resonant sharing JACM, 2012 also my review of Alex’s book. of emotions among large John Kapp Prof. J. Leroy Hulsey PhD, numbers of people. ■ Was Jupiter the father of the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Dr Jude Currivan planets? 3 pp. Zhili Quan PhD, Fen Xiao PhD ■ Healing our Worldview, 1 Symmetrical Impermanence, ■ A Structural Reevaluation of page. 4 pp the Collapse of World Trade These articles build on the Center 7 – 125 pp. A ground- work of John’s father, R.O. breaking four-year study that SCIENCE/PHILOSOPHY OF Kapp. systematically demolishes the SCIENCE Proof of Astrology, 2 pp. official NIST Report. “The – comments on planetary objective of the study was Steven M. Rosen alignments for March. threefold: (1) Examine the ■ Quantum Gravity and structural response of WTC Taoist Cosmology: Exploring CONSCIOUSNESS STUDIES 7 to fire loads that may have the ancient origins of occurred on September 11, phenomenological string Harald Walach 2001; (2) Rule out scenarios theory, 27 pp. from Progress ■ Inner Experience – Direct that could not have caused in Physics and Molecular Access to Reality: A the observed collapse; and (3) Biology. Complementarist Ontology Identify types of failures and their locations that may have Steven M. Rosen and Dual Aspect Monism Support a Broader caused the total collapse to ■ Pauli’s Dream – Jung, Modern Epistemology, 14 pp. from occur as observed.” Physics and Alchemy, 21 pp Frontiers in Psychology and Steven Jones, Robert Korol, from Quadrant, 2014, 44 (2), developed from the Galileo 49−71. Anthony Szamboti and Ted Commission Report. Walter Amrit Sorli Srecko Stephan A. Schwartz ■ On the Physics of High-Rise ■ Intuitive Intelligence in ■ The transformation - nonlocal Building Collapses, 6 pp. Physics, 84 pp. consciousness becomes a Refers to 9/11 WTC Collapses Amrit Sorli Srecko and Stefan fundamental in our reality, including Building 7 referred to above. Celan 3 pp. ■ Integration of Life and Stephan A. Schwartz William Ophuls (see also review Consciousness into ■ What would the world be like section and www.ophuls.org) Cosmology, 9 pp. from if the matrix of consciousness ■ Disruption, 8 pp. Journal of Advances in were recognized? 4 pp. Apologies to the Physics Vol 17 (2020) ISSN: Grandchildren, 23 pp. 2347-3487 Ravi Ravindra ■ Yoga and a Future Science Simon Evitts, Brendan Seale, European Parliament of Consciousness, 6 pp. Dylan Skybrook ■ Effects of 5G Wireless first published in 1999 in ■ Developing an Interconnected Communication on Human the Network volume Wider Worldview: A Guiding Process Health, 11 pp. Horizons. for Learning, 98 pp.

36 www.scimednet.org Paradigm Explorer 2020/1

ONLINE ARTICLES BY ANTHONY JUDGE

■ Symbolic Disconnection from the Stars and the ■ Cognitive Engagement with Spike Dynamics of a Universe? Polyhedral Coronavirus Surreptitious global implementation of full- Alternation between assertive arrays and systemic spectrum dominance and shielding patterns of comprehensible coherence https://www.laetusinpraesens.org/docs10s/starlite. https://www.laetusinpraesens.org/docs10s/polyspik. php php

■ Reimagining Coronavirus in 3D as a Metaphor of ■ Alternating between Complementary Images of Global Society in Distress Coronavirus Crowning pattern that connects spiky organisms, Requisite variety to enable viable strategic satellite constellations, nuclear explosions, and engagement egomania? https://www.laetusinpraesens.org/docs10s/ https://www.laetusinpraesens.org/musings/corona.php covimage.php

■ Social Distancing under Conditions of Overcrowding? Weaponising mass distraction from overpopulation denial? https://www.laetusinpraesens.org/docs10s/socdist. php

NEWS Pari Perspectives The Pari Center in Tuscany was founded by late honorary member F. David Peat, and his daughter Eleanor is now the president, with Shantena August Sabbatini vice president. You can apply to join the Center as a Friend and you will then receive the superbly produced quarterly Pari Perspectives, subtitled ‘ideas in science, the arts, spirit and community. I have the second issue in front of me, which is themed on the Quest for Wholeness. It contains a significant article by Basil Hiley on his 30- year collaboration with David Bohm which provides a corrective to the mainstream view of his work as noted in my review of a new book by Lee Smolin below; there is also excellent article by Bohm himself between natural and biochemical approaches, the on a New Order for Physics. Other features include first emphasising the importance of immune system Theology for the Third Millennium, Goethe’s Delicate status, and the second drug intervention developed Empiricism and Chris Todhunter on the work of by the immensely powerful pharmaceutical industry Christopher Alexander. The magazine is large format that dominates policy, medical education, government and beautifully illustrated. Much of the physical committees and journals. However, the anti-viral, programme of the Center has moved online, and I anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of joined one of their community calls recently. www. Vitamin C have in fact been well documented over paricenter.com many decades from the 1940s. It turns out that white blood cells depend on Vitamin C and are capable Vitamin C and the treatment of Covid-19 of accumulating it. There is an excellent briefing The editor of Caduceus, Simon Best, alerted me to online on the Facebook page of Dr Andrew Saul the use of high-dose intravenous ascorbic acid in - https://www.facebook.com/themegavitaminman/ videos/617212055523422/ the treatment of COVID-19, and I have listened to a number of presentations - including Dr Richard Then this from Alliance for Natural Health - https:// Cheng whose article we feature - as well as reading www.anhinternational.org/news/call-for-concerted- many articles on this topic (see especially www. action-on-vitamin-c-in-cstarvstard-crisis/ orthomolecular.org). The research approach was developed by Linus Pauling, one of the very few Finally, this compilation contains 90 references on Vitamins C and D: people to receive two Nobel prizes, one for chemistry and the other for peace. It is not popular with https://docs.google.com/document/ mainstream medicine but this could be a watershed d/1uLormkjoKO5JMkQh80-nGiKk- moment in what amounts to a paradigm war X5Ik5idi3gWqwd_Up4/edit

www.scimednet.org 37 Paradigm Explorer 2020/1 book reviews

energy, information and Spirit (the Books in this section can be SCIENCE-PHILOSOPHY text is supplemented with helpful purchased via the Network web OF SCIENCE illustrative cartoons). Psychoenergetic site (www.scimednet.org) from phenomena include distant healing, telepathy, spoon bending, Amazon.co.uk and the Network THE POWER OF INTENTION remote viewing, mind/machine will receive a 10% commission. interaction and psychokinesis, David Lorimer all of which will be familiar to In addition, the Network receives most readers of this journal and a 5% commission on all sales if ■■ BRIDGING SCIENCE beyond the frame of reference of conventional neuroscience that you log on through our web site! AND SPIRIT restricts consciousness to the Dr Nisha Manek brain. The author suggests that Conscious Creation LLC, 2019, ‘looking for physical explanations 437 pp., $18.99, p/b – ISBN of consciousness is like attacking a 978-1-950599-00-8 piano with a sledgehammer to get at the concerto imprisoned inside.’ Although I had heard of Tiller’s work, (p. 90) The brain is more like a user I was unfamiliar with any detail until interface where the conscious mind reading this excellent introductory imparts meaning to information. The book on his physics and information author also draws on David Hawkins medicine. The author is a physician to suggest that consciousness is a who has spent a lot of time with Bill continuum of levels – interestingly, Tiller and also in close study of his Tiller’s book Psychoenergetic Science work on psychoenergetics. The book tested at a level beyond the intellect begins with a quote from Tiller that into the realm of the heart his work is designed - Tiller does not divide to ‘help build a these in himself. reliable bridge of understanding A basic contention is for humans that that the intention is a seamlessly joins process of conscious the foundations of creation - with which traditional science we are all immediately on one end, extends familiar. For Tiller, through the domains science is a verb not a of the psyche, noun, an activity and emotion, and mind means of enquiry that and is firmly planted performs useful work in the bedrock of Spirit whereby ‘work means at the other end.’ The [that] consciousness book consists of seven via intention must be pillars and 52 short a source of energy’ chapters covering such - a key contention areas as mind beyond in terms of energy brain and levels of and thermodynamics being, thermodynamics, lies in the work of Shannon entropy and information, experiments demonstrating that information is on human intention, space and as important as energy and matter, light, subtle energy and information while the observer is inextricably medicine, and the energy of love in linked to the system. This leads to evolving towards homo spiritus. an innovative formulation whereby there is a form of Gibbs free energy The ‘bridges of understanding’ ΔG that can be ascribed to mind, constitute general unifying principles emotion, consciousness and intention. emerging from detailed observations This represents an inside-out science leading to greater understanding and where the protocol begins with a coherence. In terms of health, the powerful intention statement that is proposition is that humans are not experimentally applied to water; the just chemistry, but rather a mix of protocol includes a physically written

38 www.scimednet.org Paradigm Explorer 2020/1 intention, visualisation, writing energy medicine in a combination of effects on human health and indeed equations and the affirmation ‘Thy D- and R-space while information on cell life in general - this was openly will be done’. medicine is exclusively in R-space admitted in a Senate hearing in and informed by Spirit, effectively answer to a question by Sen Richard The experimental question is whether representing Universal Mind. This Blumenthal. Another key issue is that such an intention can be stably leads to a fascinating comparison FCC and ICNIRP safety guidelines imprinted on an external device, between the field effects of relics and are based on the outdated and indeed which Tiller calls the Intention Host a Tiller IHD in terms of capacity scientifically discredited criterion Device or IHD. Alongside this he set for conditioning space leading to an (see e.g. www.5GSpaceAppeal.org) up a control unimprinted electronic experiment whereby the IHD energy measuring only thermal heating device (UED) - the intention was information is successfully transferred via cell phones. Both the FCC and to change the pH of the water to the UED (p. 291), ‘a reduction ICNIRP have in my view been sample. However, he found a in entropy by the loving-kindness captured by the telecoms industry case of ‘macroscopic information information.' (see pp. 74 ff.) in connivance with entanglement’ whereby the water in governments who want to maximise the UED was also transformed! After We arrive at a conclusion that science associated economic growth two months, the pH of the water had is a path to self-knowledge and that associated with a ‘smart’ Internet decreased by one unit in accordance ‘Science and Spirit are a necessary of things which at the same time with the stated intention – rather unity.’ At the time of writing, people enhances the capacity for surveillance a staggering result. This led him to are coming together to meditate and potentially for digital control. postulate that human intention can whereby we create a field ‘raising affect empty space, which seems to the symmetry of space’ and creating In this authoritative treatment be related to a DC magnetic field an atmosphere that is coherent and based on over 70 pages of scientific polarity effect (p. 208). Here he palpable in sacred places. In the references, the author provides a distinguishes between the familiar case of advanced saints and sages highly informative account, beginning four-dimensional world of matter like Padre Pio, this may even result with a basic understanding of EMFs governed by electromagnetism and the in the physical body becoming then moving on to ways in which they gravity as ‘direct space’ (D-space) and incorruptible, somehow transforming cause cellular damage to the body a second dimension that has magnetic the very matter normally subject to and contribute to the development wave information characteristics entropic decay. All this gives pause of disease. He then explains how we but not material stuff, which he for thought, while the book as a can repair EMF-related damage and calls reciprocal space or ‘R-space’. whole points way beyond our current how to reduce our EMF exposure. He also defines a mathematical conceptual limits. One of his overall arguments is that relationship between these two spaces the telecoms industry is following the tactics previously used by the tobacco with Fourier transform geometry AN INVOLUNTARY whereby ‘the R-space’s pilot waves industry in denying adverse effects guide D-space particles and matter HEALTH EXPERIMENT ‘and funding low-risk studies that assure a positive result.’ The industry such as electrons, parallel to the ideas David Lorimer developed by Dirac and de Broglie then claims that the science is with the difference that these waves ■■ EMF*D inconclusive -‘doubt is their product.’ The author shows how our exposure are superluminal and magnetic. Dr Joseph Mercola to EMFs has progressively increased Hence, the virtual R-space is a high- (www.mercola.com) over the last 100 years (by a factor resolution blueprint of information Hay House, 2020, 339 pp., of 1018), and that the implementation overlaying our world.’ (p. 219) The $24.99, h/b – of 5G is an order of magnitude R-space ‘is the medium whereby increase in pulsed EMF exposure, the information is transferred’ and ISBN 978-1-401-95876 Joseph Mercola is a physician representing a massive involuntary entails information entanglement health experiment. In this sense, 5G is through what he calls ‘deltrons’. whose website is the most visited for natural health and who issues a daily an addition to existing capacity, not Insofar as I understand the technical a replacement of it - it is attractive to details, this seems to me a major newsletter. As it happens, there is an article today about the industry because theoretical advance, highly relevant to no installation of parapsychology. the signing into law of the 5G Act in the cables is required, We humans are capable of field US, which will ‘force while Mercola himself effects, for instance using the Americans to receive recommends the power of intention and emotion unprecedented exposure adoption of fibre-optic in the imprinting process. Here to the millimetre wave cables (p. 56) instead. there is an interesting theoretical (MMW).’ These shorter The fourth chapter example where a man succeeds in wavelengths will in explains in detail conditioning the space of his garage turn require many how EMFs damage so that he manages to create an more transmitters, and the body, explaining over-unity energy machine. However, as I write SpaceX has the significance independent replication fails because already launched 400 of voltage-gated of the different quality of R-space of a projected 42,000 calcium channels partly conditioned by emotion in satellites designed to (VGCCs) that the original space. This seems like a provide blanket 5G facilitate cellular form of experimenter effect. This also coverage – and EMF damage through provides a context for distant healing exposure - for the whole increasing oxidative as well as higher energy systems planet, with 1 million stress by creating present within the physical body, base stations currently free radicals, and pointing in the direction of the future approved. As those in particular peroxynitrite, information medicine at different already up to speed on the topic will that can cause inflammation and levels. The author proposes that know, no prior industry studies have damage ‘cell membranes, proteins, chemical medicine sits in D-space, been carried out on the potential mitochondria, stem cells and DNA.’

www.scimednet.org 39 Paradigm Explorer 2020/1

(p. 91, and see www.bioinitiative. SAND (Science and Non-duality) of the thinking mind.’ (p. 28) A org for a 650-page report containing when presenting in Italy last summer number of contributors relate 1,800 new studies documenting the (my presentation is on their YouTube this to the limitations of a purely health effects of EMFs). Earlier, the channel, along with an interview). I objective approach to a science of author had explained how ionising share the view expressed by Fritjof consciousness. Pete Russell suggests and non-ionising radiation both cause Capra in endorsing this book: that we need to question our cellular damage, but in different “Human civilisation will only survive basic assumptions in this respect ways. Appendix B lists the principal if we are able to create communities and takes the view that the brain categories of harmful effects in terms whose members do not find happiness ‘merely determines what appears in of cellular DNA damage, lowered in excessive material consumption, consciousness’ – a similar thought fertility, neuropsychiatric effects, but in relationships among each other is expressed by Donald Hoffman cell death, free radical damage, in and with the entire community of in his discussion of how we have endocrine/hormonal effects and life. This book of many voices shows evolved a user interface where three- cancers. Plants, trees, animals and beautifully that Maurizio and Zaya dimensional space is our desktop: insects are also affected, but the have created such a community.” It ‘Space-time is not a fundamental population most vulnerable to was just this sense of community that reality. It’s a data structure that EMF damage is children (p. 109). I briefly experienced at Titignano and we evolved. We are living in the The next chapter explains in more I would recommend the community matrix of our data structure’ and detail the research into EMFs and online gatherings on a Saturday in a world where consciousness is disease, including tinnitus, disruption evening European time (www. fundamental - this is a realisation to the blood-brain and intestinal scienceandnonduality.com). that increasing numbers of people are barriers, impaired sleep and increased now coming to. Bernardo Kastrup susceptibility to degenerative and The book consists of seven parts also characterises the brain as the neurodegenerative conditions. and nearly fifty short pieces localisation of consciousness. Then there is a small percentage of on contemporary spirituality, people who are electromagnetically metaphysics, consciousness, nature, Charles Eisenstein writes about the hypersensitive (3%) - EHS, which the body, intimacy, the shadow, and ecological initiation, which is not recognised by the medical doorways to heaven. we are also experiencing establishment. Anecdotal evidence In his foreword, in terms of the reset that that I have read recently about 5G in Deepak Chopra is likely to come about streetlights in Birmingham suggests already draws out following lockdown. strong adverse effects within this group. the importance Many have interpreted the of understanding virus as a message from The next two chapters are devoted to and experiencing the Earth and a reminder help and advice for repairing EMF- that “I am That”, that we need to treat all related damage and reducing EMF awakening to life as sacred and not exposure, which is aligned to other choiceless awareness simply as a resource to lifestyle factors and partly represented and returning our be exploited for our by maintaining NAD+ levels within allegiance to the benefit. Many books on the body. The first thing to know source. Given the science and spirituality is sources of EMFs, for instance in format, readers are would not address the computers, wireless connections, provided with many body as teacher, the cell phones, microwaves, portable glimpses of insight heart of intimacy and phones and baby monitors. The that can be further exploring the shadows. author recommends various meters followed up in books However, all these are and forms of shielding in an extensive or practices. The important dimensions resources section. Interestingly, major editors remark that of our humanness insurance companies including Lloyd’s ‘There is no ultimate while constituting elements of London have excluded EMF claims truth. No teacher, no scientist will of our interconnectedness. Gabor from their policies. Reading this book give us all the answers. Let us simply Mate warns that we neglect our can be a first step in becoming better bow to the intelligence of our hearts, fundamental unity at our peril, informed about this unprecedented drop into not knowing, keep our observing that our current capitalist challenge to our health and steps we minds open, cherish the questions, system is based on separate and can take to mitigate this. For those and let answers arise and evolve, all competing individuals and a who are already familiar, it provides the while celebrating this mystery corresponding materialistic medical a wealth of background scientific called life.’ (p. 3) The spirit of enquiry philosophy. We need to extend its information. A must read in the pervades the contributions where our evidence base and remember his current circumstances. very questions are necessarily ‘rooted message - so poignant at this time in the structure of consciousness’ as - of the human need for contact, Adyashanti observes. Some of the connection and communion: what CONVERGING ON essays in the first part can be used as Thich Nhat Hanh calls inter-being. UNITY a point of departure for self-enquiry, Those in intimate relationships will David Lorimer such as those from Jeff Foster, Rupert Spira and Dorothy Hunt, who quotes find much nourishment in this section ■■ ON THE MYSTERY OF Ramana Maharshi as saying ‘The Self that can help us go deeper, seeing beyond the separate self and even BEING is only one. If limited it is the ego, if unlimited, it is Infinite, and it is the discovering that our true nature is Edited by Zaya and Maurizio Reality.’ This says it all…. love. Eric Baret comes straight to the Benazzo point when he writes that ‘the ego Mauro Bergonzi makes the subtle cannot love, people project onto you Reveal Press, 2019, 224 pp., observation that ‘the thinking mind the answer to an expectation… The $16.95, p/b – can grasp only concepts, but not nature of things is love.. Love isn’t ISBN 978-1-68403-395-9 the awareness that perceives it as an exclusive, it’s inclusive.’ We are now I had the pleasure of meeting the object. The “water of awareness” being presented with some aspects editors who are also the founders of can never be detected by the net of our individual and collective

40 www.scimednet.org Paradigm Explorer 2020/1 shadows, and this may even generate This story is told in full in the second spoke eight languages, as well as a sufficient energy of outrage to shift half of the Volume 1 of Healing being physician and chemist) led him the whole system if enough of us the Soul by his son who qualified to the Materia Medica of Scottish become informed, waking up to our in medicine from the University physician William Cullen wherein deep identity and inherent freedom, of Pretoria in 1962 subsequently the curative properties of Cinchona aligning our intentions and actions training in both Homeopathy and (a source of quinine - hence used to (see also my review below referring to Osteopathy. Lilley ‘junior’ did not treat intermittent fever or ague) were the fierce feminine in Anaiya Sophia). inherit his father’s psychic abilities, described. From self-experimentation No reader will draw the same insights yet his childhood experiences, and on the effects of the medicine, the from such a wide-ranging book, but those as an adult working alongside first law of homeopathy, The Law of there are many gems to be mined and his father underpin his philosophy as Similars or Similia Similibus Curentur I would also encourage you to engage a medical practitioner. (like cures like) was born. By the end in the SAND community. of his life (1843), The Organon had Dr Samuel Hahnemann, whose life gone through five editions, a sixth David Lilley describes in the first being published posthumously. MEDICINE-HEALTH half of the book, set his supremely analytical mind to the nature and Lilley concludes the story of THERAPY FOR treatment of disease. Born in Saxony Hahnemann’s life with insights into in 1755, the son of the life of Dr Constantine Herring THE EGO-SELF: a painter in the (also of Saxony) who HAHNEMANN, FREUD porcelain factory was an influential figure & JUNG in Meissen, Samuel in homeopathy in the was a polymath United States in the Allan Pollock to whom the later part of the 19th ■■ HEALING THE SOUL philosophical basis century. The controversy for homeopathy that continues to dog David Lilley MBChB, FFHom, is attributed. A homeopathy to this day LLCO contemporary is aired in the penultimate Volume One - The Lives of Samuel of Beethoven chapter in this section Hahnemann and William Lilley and Mozart, entitled ‘Pride, prejudice one ponders - as and politics’ - the title is Saltire Books, 2014, 574 pp., an aside - the summary enough - and £44.99, h/b - intellectual concludes with a look at ISBN 978-1-908127-05-1 prowess of the nature and purpose Volume Two - The Archetype and the Germanic of disease; man’s dynamic the Psyche peoples in those (immaterial) nature; the times. Yet unlike Saltire Books, 2018, 498 pp., limitations of materialistic these famous medicine; and the potential £46.99, h/b - contemporaries, ISBN 978-1-908127-09-9 relevance of quantum few - even in the medical world - physics. Few of us have a father with the know of him, and fewer still have gift of psychic healing, but it was so read his insightful Organon of Having set the stage in Volume 1, in the case of physician Dr David Medicine. Granted, as Lilley points Volume 2 moves forward the central Lilley, a specialist in homeopathic out, Hahnemann did not suffer fools theme namely ‘Healing the Soul’. medicine based in South Africa. His gladly, which hardly endeared him Volume 1 looked back at two lives: dad, William Lilley, had remarkable to his professional colleagues, but that of Samuel Hahnemann’s as - clairvoyant / clairaudient skills irascibility can be a companion of inter alia - scientist and philosopher; from a young age, and by his teens genius and a necessary catalyst for and that of William Lilley whose was a proficient trance-medium. change. work amply validated Hahnemann’s Though ‘Billy’ was from a poor conclusions as to the immaterial or mining community in Yorkshire, Hahnemann’s complaint was that spiritual nature of disease. these peculiar abilities led him on a the endless theories put forward by the physicians of the day as to the The reader may choose - as this lifelong journey of healing - primarily reviewer did - to first read part two with homeopathy. His story is too inner workings of body, was often pure speculation (the first edition of of Volume 1 (each part about 250 extraordinary to summarise much pages). The same might be said for further here, but suffice to say that Gray’s Anatomy in 1858 post-dated Hahnemann’s death by 15 years). Volume 2 which also has two parts William Lilley, channelling the Clearly the opposite is true today, but of similar length. The focus of the medical skills of a spirit guide (‘Dr this should not negate Hahnemann’s first part is the Archetype, a primal Letari’ 1889-1914, late of Peshawar, contribution which was holistic and pattern that has polarity - an ideal India, now Pakistan) and aided by not reductionist. and its antithesis. The giant thinkers the financial backing of a Leeds in this field of study - analytical industrialist established a number A few helpful pages contextualise the psychology - were Sigmund Freud and of clinics in England, the largest in influence of the Greek Schools on his most talented pupil, Carl Gustav Marylebone close to Harley Street 18th century medicine (Galen etc.), Jung, and it is in part two that their during the latter part of WW2, together with that of Paracelsus in the work on the Psyche - that totality practising both personal and absent 16th century, who like Hahnemann of the human mind - is looked at in (remote) healing. Early the 1950s perceived both a material (the body) some detail. he moved to South Africa where he and a non-material realm (life force). continued to work until his death in For Paracelsus and Hahnemann, Part one opens with an explanation 1972. His case load amounted to it is the latter that is primarily the of the term, Archetype. The author many thousands; his cures the witness source of disease, a concept lost in then considers the atavistic (ancestral) of many sufferers; and his skills tested the shadow of the dominant scientific form, reaching back to the Creation and proven by medically qualified materialist / reductionist model of and the ‘birth’ of the first atoms physicians of open mind. today. His work as a translator (he (hydrogen / helium), using data

www.scimednet.org 41 Paradigm Explorer 2020/1 from the homeopathic ‘provings’ ground is covered; but tempus fugit There is, however, a lot of stigma (the outcome of testing homeopathic - what needs to be, must be written. and confusion around notions of remedies on a control group of There then arises the question of psychological ill health. A common healthy persons) to illustrate those the readership. For whom is the attitude is that psychological ill forms. book written - the psychologist, the health is equivalent to catching a homeopath, or those with general cold or breaking a leg, suggesting The birth of the universe - ‘stellar interest in soul healing? Setting that that psychological ill health strikes alchemy’ - has great meaning for Dr question and any criticism aside, randomly or arises from some Lilley, for whom there is most surely these volumes amply demonstrate inherited malfunction with no both a Cosmic purpose and design. the complexity of the human psyche, links to a person’s environment By way of illustration he moves and the limitations of the reductionist or background. Assumptions that on to consider in some depth two thinking that dominates science today lead to the conclusion that there is other fundamental elements arising (especially in medicine). Dr Lilley something ‘wrong’ with the person. from this stellar alchemy that have will justifiably receive plaudits from Alternatively, there’s still a tradition deep significance as homeopathic the converted, but will the prejudiced of seeing psychological difficulties as medicines, carbon (graphites) and be willing to open the covers and stay due to some shameful inner failing. silica (silicea). Whilst for the former the course? One consequence of these attitudes is he concentrates on un-personified that both by doctors and patients see characteristics, in the latter case the Allan Pollock is a retired Chemical psychological ill health as best healed silicea remedy picture is compared Engineer and registered Homeopath. by medication and or some other with the personality characteristics His studies in homeopathy, followed quick fix. And that the ‘cure’ can only of such remarkable minds as those of some 38 years as a chartered be provided by a (medical) expert Galileo, Newton and others. engineer mostly working for a major who knows how to provide this quick multi-national in the petrochemical In part two, Freud’s psychosexual remedy, with the patient as a passive development stages are appraised, company. receiver. with the occasional foray into This is why this book is such a the remedy pictures from the NOT JUST FOR welcome contribution. It does a homeopathic materia medica to THERAPY brilliant job of clarifying the human illustrate correspondence, together psyche from the perspective of with a retelling of the Oedipus myth Gunnel Minett someone who knows both about from a homeopathic perspective. ■■ THERAPY IN THE AGE psychological ill health and why The profound consequences of psychological ill health occurs. ‘fixation’ during development phases OF NEUROSCIENCE, Someone who also has spent on the psyche, and the potential A GUIDE FOR twenty years studying cutting-edge releasing power of homeopathic COUNSELLORS AND neuroscience. Although the book is treatment is considered, notably written in plain and comprehensible through the picture of homeopathic THERAPISTS language, even for a novice, it is arsenicum album, best known - in raw Peter Afford based on cutting-edge neuroscientific material form - as arsenic trioxide, Routledge, www.routledge.com, research. It draws on theories from once the preferred poison of the serial such eminent and well known experts 2020, 272 pp., £20.99, p/b - killer. Portraits of some infamous as Antonio Damasio (neuroscience), murderers demonstrate the relevance. ISBN 978-1-138-67935-1, Jaak Panksepp (psychobiology), Whilst Freud’s work has found more This book has a slightly misleading Louis Cozolino, (psychology) Alan acceptance within conventional title, as it describes itself as a guide Schore (neuropsychology), Dan Siegel medicine, it is the later perspective for counsellors and therapists. (psychiatry), Sue Gerhardt of Jung that best aligns with Not to say that it (psychoanalysis), Ian homeopathy. Dr Lilley sees isn’t a guide for McGilchrist (psychiatry) homeopathy as ‘the therapeutic arm people who do well as Carl Jung of (Jungian) analytical psychology… psychotherapy, (analytical psychology). provid[ing] clear proof of the but it’s also a book Together the theories theoretical conclusions that Jung that has a lot to presented in the book propounded’. As with Hahnemann’s offer the general offer a comprehensive homeopathy, the implications of Carl reader interested in overview of modern Jung’s understanding of the spiritual, understanding the neuropsychological and his concept of Individuation human mind. research. (spiritual attainment) have yet to be Psychology and Neuroscience is another fully appreciated. psychotherapy have field that has come a The concluding chapters are primarily come a long way from long way. In 2000 Bill a reflection on Jungian thought. The Freud. It has been Clinton and Tony Blair symbolism of the pin (needle) is a bit of a journey, proudly announced considered, then the archetypal form through Jung and the completion of the spiral which finds expression in later Behaviourism, via of the Human such as Yin & Yang, the Chakras and bible-sized ‘manuals’ Genome Project and Nadis and indeed DNA, concluding listing a wide range declared that we with the Jungian concepts of Animus of ‘syndromes’ and now had all the answers & Anima and The Shadow. ‘disorders’ and their cures (mainly to understanding human behaviour. designed to comply with the And since then there have been These two volumes (a third is in American medical insurance system) many further bold announcements preparation), cover a vast amount of to a wider understanding of how regarding specific genes for all sorts ground; this is after all an attempt the psyche actually works. An of behaviour, down to shoplifting to put some portion of a lifetime’s understanding that now also includes or to finding a suitable life partner. experience and learning to paper. A guidance as to how to experience Some of these scientists have even criticism might be that too much health and harmony. been smart enough to identify their

42 www.scimednet.org Paradigm Explorer 2020/1 entrepreneurial gene and turned the emotional support needed to learn their findings into money-making good affect regulation. Generally, this enterprises and developed gene-based is because the parent never received dating apps (a Tinder for genes) sufficient support to develop their which matches people with suitable own affect regulation. This can be a genes for a happy future together. long and negative chain of events that Unfortunately, the do not seem to runs for generations. Not because of have identified the ‘genes’ for status, some evil side to the human psyche culture and money, that tend to but because of ignorance. As parents override any gene suitability and we are taught by our parents how to lead to break-ups regardless of how bring up children. We apply the same well matched the genes are. Or, as strategy as our parents used with us. Afford explains, genes are potentials. This is particularly the case during To understand how and why they our first years. The period before we are expressed in a certain way, and have explicit memories. This period what it means to the individual, plays a very significant role. Most requires a far deeper understanding of parents are not even aware that they neuroscience. are applying a learnt behaviour. Not The more science reveals about the even those who seek help for their human body and psyche, the more psychological ill health and complain FROM PARANOIA TO we come to see that psychological bitterly about their own childhood METANOIA experiences. And a rather unfortunate wellbeing has multiple causes. David Lorimer There’s a whole variety of functions aspect of books on psychology is that and processes that are at play. Some they tend to deal with how things go ■■ HEALING THE are genetic and others come from wrong. But, as Afford points out, we WOUNDED MIND influences from the environment need to know more about how to get (epigenetic). To understand these things to go right. Kingsley L. Dennis Clairview Books, 2019, processes, we need to learn to Despite our growing understanding distinguish between the different parts 170 pp., £12.99, p/b – of the human psyche we don’t seem of the brain. There are up-down and ISBN 978-1-912992-04-1 to apply this knowledge. On the left-right influences that play a role. contrary there are alarming reports In the 1930s, C.G. Jung was already Specific parts of the brain perform of growing psychological ill health referring to psychic epidemics in certain tasks, and also in cooperation Europe, especially in relation to with other brain areas they produce among younger generations. It is not just the ‘ill health’ of our global Nazism and its propaganda. This different results. Imbalances in these form of mass manipulation was delicate processes can be, and often environment that we leave to the younger generations to deal with. systematically developed by Freud’s are, the cause of psychological ill nephew Edward Bernays in the They also need to learn to live in a health. 1920s and subsequently applied to multicultural environment and cope advertising to drive the burgeoning As the book clarifies, looking at with all of the problems that this consumerist culture, drawing us relationships, social engagement, may bring (something with which we away from inner reflection to outer stress, anxiety, depression and are obviously struggling around the distraction and entertainment: you trauma from a psychotherapist’s world today). Not to mention the are what you have. According to the perspective is only half the picture. growing population and the harsher author, what he calls the wounded By understanding the underlying competition that this brings to all mind constitutes the psychosis of the biological processes, we get a much areas of life. modern world, which he analyses in clearer and more nuanced picture of the first part of this significant book. So just as Greta Thunberg is leading psychological ill health. In particular, As he observes, the spiritual pursuit since so much of psychological the way for bringing awareness to of meaning has been replaced by the healing is about understanding what the climate crisis, we need a similar material pursuit of progress that has is happening to us and why: as Afford campaign to raise awareness of what created an inner void suffused with points out, there are obvious benefits it takes to replace psychological ill anxiety that constitutes a form of in explaining to his clients how the health with harmony and wellbeing. normalised madness, also anticipated brain works. It has benefits both as an In terms of keeping our planet by Erich Fromm, especially in his outlook which avoids the stigma of together, this is becoming as much of book The Fear of Freedom, which feeling there’s something ‘wrong’ with a crisis as the climate threat. Even if it I read many years ago. The author me, and as a way to avoid repeating may eventually mean a loss of clients, draws on a number of parallels in the negative pattern in the future. my hope is to encourage the author to discussing this psychosis, including write a follow-up book, focusing how the Native American ‘wetiko’, For those working as psychotherapists to spread this important knowledge shamanic predators, the Jungian the book offers an essential and very to, above all, parents and anyone shadow of the collective unconscious valuable insight into the human body/ who works with children, but also and what Steiner calls ‘Ahrimanic mind, which was probably absent to decision-makers and people with forces’ advocating a materialistic, from their training. For all others, influence in society. If there’s going mechanical conception of the universe simply interested in understand to be any hope of a better future, we and the human being, nationalism, themselves better, the book is equally simply need to learn what children separatism, fundamentalism and a left fascinating, not to say essential need to get a good start in life. To hemisphere intellectual culture (p. 35). reading. work for active prevention rather For me, one of the most interesting As Afford points out, many of his than cure. And who better to do this chapters addresses the situation in clients’ psychological problems than someone who knows about education where many children are developed in early childhood. Their psychological healing and has spent now diagnosed with ADHD and parents weren’t able to give the child 20 years studying neuroscience. are taking corresponding drugs.

www.scimednet.org 43 Paradigm Explorer 2020/1

The central issue was identified by Bennett as saying that ‘if a new world or change to occur. Brainspotting is H.L. Mencken nearly 100 years is to come, we must first create it in one of the increasing number of what ago when he wrote that ‘the aim of ourselves.’ (p. 120) He characterises are known as brain-based therapies, public education is not to spread gnosis as spiritual knowledge arrived which are treatments that use enlightenment at all; it is simply to at intuitively, but here I felt he mindfulness to go beyond the mind reduce as many individuals as possible could have gone more deeply into to gain direct access to the brain. It to the same safe level, to breed and this insight by explaining the three harnesses the brain’s natural ability train a standardised citizenry, to Gnostic categories of hylic, psychic for self scanning, so we can activate, put down dissent and originality.’ and pneumatic. The hylic individual locate and process the sources of (p. 53) Other contemporary books is materialistic and identifies with the trauma and distress in the body, actually promoted this form of physical body; the psychic level is that accelerating our ability to heal and cultural hypnosis: in The Principles of the soul where we recognise that cure any mental problems. of Secondary Education (1918), we are a part of the whole (also pistis Alexander Inglis - who ran the as faith) while the pneumatic person The motto of Brainspotting is ‘where secondary school textbook division identifies with the spirit and realises you look affects how you at Houghton Mifflin - explained that that they are the whole. Given this, feel.’ The the adaptive function of education they can only act for the benefit of the eyes are the fixed habits of obedience to authority, whole, intrinsically uniting ethics with window to while the integrative function required metaphysics. the soul. schoolchildren to conform and the Trauma can directive function helped determine The later chapters describe the quest overwhelm their social role. According to William for the self, seeking a personal path the brain’s Torrey Harris, US Commissioner for and the transcendental connection processing Education from 1889 to 1906, the leading to liberation and a new capacity, goal of scientific education was the world where the centre is the human leaving behind subsumption of the individual, i.e. heart and soul and we move from pieces of social control. This entails ‘a system the paranoia of fear towards the the trauma, that favours standardisation over metanoia of love, recognising that frozen in an vision and creativity’ so we send culture is in fact an extension of our unprocessed children off ‘to be conditioned into own collective consciousness and that state. accepting the dominant narrative and we are all carriers and transmitters. Brainspotting to be instructed to conform’ (p. 58). Hence our essential task is to uses our field On the other hand, the author defines achieve inner freedom and spiritual of vision to real education as being about ‘integral rootedness so that we are no longer find where we perspective, contextual awareness and open to outer manipulation. In this are holding making connections.’ sense, as Jung pointed out in his essay these traumas. Just as the This divorce from the inner dimension The Undiscovered Self, individual eyes naturally scan the outside is symptomatic of our hyper-modern inner development is critical in terms environment for information, they condition characterised by loss of soul of social progress. The author quotes can be used to scan the inside and a sense of metaphysical malaise. Jung right at the end of his book in environment – our brains- for If we do not recognise ourselves as answer to the question what can I information. fundamentally spiritual beings capable do: ‘Become what you always been, namely the wholeness which we Brainspotting uses the visual field to of choosing freedom from within, turn the ‘scanner’ back on itself and then we are all the more susceptible have lost in the midst of a civilised, conscious existence, wholeness which guide the brain to find lost internal to perception control through which information. By keeping the gaze those in power are able to manage we always were without knowing focussed on a specific external spot, how we think and therefore regulate it.’ (p. 164) This means transforming we maintain the brain’s focus on the our behaviour, as is only too apparent the positions that ‘I am what I have’ in the current pandemic crisis where and ‘I am what I do’ to the more specific internal spot where trauma is competing narratives, for instance on essential ‘I am what I am’, becoming stored, in order to promote the deep the efficacy of vitamin C treatment, in the process a human being rather processing that leads to the trauma’s are removed from Facebook and than just a human doing. This book release and resolution. There are no YouTube. As compliant automatons, is a timely reflection and guide to the problems except those that we make there is an element of self-fulfilling necessary growth of consciousness for into problems, but the mind can prophecy in considering ourselves as a genuine cultural renaissance. make a problem out of anything. We mere machines to be enhanced and can be conditioned (brainwashed) to believe almost anything. upgraded by advanced microchips; the LOOKING AND FEELING transhuman can all too easily morph Brainspotting is built on a ‘dual into the inhuman. Through social John Kapp attunement’ model, where the media, our lives become a spectacle ■■ BRAINSPOTTING: THE therapist simultaneously attunes to for others and a psychosis of fear is the client (meaning the relationship easily spread; however, these same REVOLUTIONARY between themselves and the client, channels enable the dissemination NEW THERAPY FOR and mirrors and reveals the client’s of creative ideas as well, so we need experience with the primary to choose carefully. Tomorrow, for RAPID AND EFFEC- caregivers in their childhood, instance, we will be joining the early- TIVE CHANGE especially their mother) and the morning global meditation along with client’s brain processes. tens of thousands of other spiritual Dr David Grand seekers. It is now time, the author Sounds True, 2013, The left side of the brain controls the suggests, to seek the genuine self 167 pp., $17.95, - right side of our body, and the right beyond the conditioned social self. ISBN 978-1-60407-943-2 side of the brain controls the left side He explains how to go about this The problem with most talking of the body. Our left brain thinks, in the third part, beginning with therapies is that they tend to take uses language and solves problems. the Gnostic vision. He quotes J.G. months or years of sessions for relief Our right brain is intuitive, emotional

44 www.scimednet.org Paradigm Explorer 2020/1 and involved in body functions. When (opposite Hove town hall) as drop parallel the eco-philosophy of Henryk we are overwhelmed with emotion in classes with facilitator training for Skolimowski - he uses the same terms and can’t think straight, our right donations. Every Sunday afternoon, sane, humane and ecological, but brain has taken over. When we are 2-5, I offer family constellation group Henryk’s work is not cited, nor does overly analytical and cut off from therapy on the same basis. I also run it appear in the bibliography. our emotions, we are stuck in our left the CAmpaign for Social Prescribing brain. (Men tend to be left-brained of Talking Therapies (CASPOTT) The wider analytical background half wits, (cold, aloof, unfeeling) and see www.caspott.org.uk and www. goes back at least to the work of women tend to be right-brained half sectco.org.uk, and papers on section Edward Gibbon in the late 18th wits, (hysterical, weepy, can’t keep 9 of www.reginalldkapp.org. I can be century on the decline and fall of the themselves together) Brainspotting contacted on johnkapp@btinternet. Roman Empire; the term ‘immoderate helps balance the left and right sides, com, and 01273 417997. greatness’ is derived from Gibbon so that integrate and self-regulate. and exemplifies the process of Hubris and Nemesis characteristic of Greek Brainspotting developed from Eye PHILOSOPHY- tragedy where ‘those afflicted by Movement Desensitisation and hubris become the agents of their Reprocessing (EMDR) in which the SPIRITUALITY own destruction. Like a tragic hero, client is asked to focus their attention a civilisation comes to ruinous end on a disturbing issue, and measure OUR FUTURE IN THE due to intrinsic flaws that are the the intensity of pain or emotional BALANCE shadow side of its very virtues. (IG, distress on the 0-10 ‘Subjective p. 2) In the second book, the author Units of Disturbance Scale’ (SUDS) David Lorimer likens civilisation to a long-running Thinking about painful subjects is ■■ IMMODERATE Ponzi scheme that robs nature and counter-intuitive, and we normally borrows from the future, expanding avoid doing this, but the therapist GREATNESS and exploiting to the limit then holds the space for the client to William Ophuls subsequently imploding. In the first maintain this focus, with the object of CreateSpace, 2012, 106 pp., £9, book, he examines the key elements allowing the brain to process it from p/b – ISBN 978-1-47924-314-3 of biophysical limits in terms of implicit to explicit memory, when the ecological exhaustion, exponential SUDS level decreases. When this is ■■ APOLOGIES TO THE growth, expedited entropy and reported as 0, the issue is no longer GRANDCHILDREN excessive complexity; then the human distressing, and we may then ‘squeeze components of moral decay and the lemon’, by provoking the client to William Ophuls practical failure. In this context, think again about the issue, to check CreateSpace, 2017, the important work of previous the activation, and see whether it is 139 pp., £5.50, p/b – scholars with whom I am familiar is really healed, until the client reports ISBN 978-1-73088-725-3 cited, in particular Oswald Spengler that they are cured. (The Decline of the West), Arnold Until I read and reviewed Andrew Toynbee’s Study of History and The most impressive statistic about Fellows’ Gaia, Psyche and Deep The Crisis of our Age, based on a Brainspotting is an evaluation dated Ecology, I had not heard of the multivolume work by Pitirim Sorokin. 2016 of the 20 trauma therapies work of William Ophuls, which More recently, one could also have given to those affected by the Sandy also features prominently in John added Fritjof Capra’s The Turning Hook school shootings in Connecticut Reed’s book reviewed below. So I Point, and the author draws on a USA in 2012. Brainspotting was ordered these books on Amazon number of writers with whom I am voted the most effective intervention, and read them with huge profit over not familiar. and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy the weekend. William Ophuls was (CBT) was almost the least effective. born in 1934 and spent a number of Ophuls brilliantly demonstrates www.brainspotting.org. I believe years in the US foreign service before the inexorability of the overall that Brainspotting would help those receiving a PhD in political science process paralleled in previous traumatised by disasters (like the from Yale in 1973. His first book civilisations but globalised in our Grenfell tower fire in June 2017, who as an independent scholar came out own and underpinned by an ideology received little or no psychological in 1977 – Ecology and the Politics of economic growth based on support). I believe that it deserves to of Scarcity, followed by Requiem aspirations to knowledge, mastery, be clinically trialled, so that it could for Modern Politics in 1997 and power and wealth devoid of intrinsic be recommended by NICE for use in Plato’s Revenge: Politics in the Age morality and implemented through the NHS, and I am willing to help of Ecology in 2011. Themes from instrumental rationality. The city organise a trial. these earlier books are taken up is necessarily a parasite on its and developed in these more recent surroundings whereby increased I first heard about Brainspotting books, which I regard as essential population and wealth leads to a rise when I attended a taster session in reading for our time in terms of in demand and June 2018. I was intrigued sufficiently understanding consumption, to do Part 1 of the training (3 the trajectory resulting in an days in Nov 2018) and went on to of our overexploitation complete Part 2 in Feb and part 3 globalised of natural in April 2019, totalling 9 days over civilisation resources and 6 months. As client during that that is on eventually time, I experienced 14 brainspotting a collision in ecological sessions of up to 1 hour each, which course with exhaustion were all different, and all successful nature’s (the Europeans in clearing up 14 different issues. I inherent first globalised have used the technique on 10 clients ecological this process in to date, and all reported satisfactory limits. the history of outcomes, I offer it every week on Interestingly, colonialism). Sundays from 10-1pm at Essence, many of The dynamics 86, Church Rd Hove BN3 2EB Ophuls’ ideas of exponential

www.scimednet.org 45 Paradigm Explorer 2020/1 growth entail a doubling slightly as Greta Thunberg has repeatedly environmental security, as I discussed larger than the sum of all previous stressed. in my review of Nicholas Hagger’s growth where technology can only recent books on a potential world postpone rather than remove the It is not as if we are short of warnings constitution in Issue 130. Such bodies day of reckoning. Due to the present on the implications of ecological have been systematically undermined orientation of the human brain, the overshoot and collapse - Rachel up until now, particularly by the US. future is neglected and discounted at Carson in 1962 (we use four times virtually zero, despite the pioneering more pesticides than then), The In both books, Ophuls repeatedly work of economist Lord Stern. This Club of Rome 1972, 1992 and calls for a metanoia, as indicated has parallels with our cultural attitude 2004, EF Schumacher 1973, the UN in my review of John Reed’s book towards death – we know it will environment conferences since 1992, below. However, this is completely happen but not when, so we continue IPCC 1990, and the world scientists’ impossible and totally impractical to live our lives on a business as usual warnings of 1992 and 2017 calling from a political point of view within footing. for 13 unpalatable actions in order to our system. We only ‘gesture at reverse ecological damage (and one solutions’ when leading scientists tell This growth trend leads to expedited could add the work of Lester Brown us that we need a ‘transformation entropy where nature effectively on eco-economy). Owing to our based on a fundamental reorientation exacts a tax on human activity, collective procrastination and delay, of human values, equity, behaviour, partly in terms of diminishing returns the urgency and magnitude of the institutions, economies and and rising costs. This process is actions required has increased - yet, technologies.’ (AG, p. 106) Given exacerbated by the development of irrationally, we persist in business our shadow side, natural limits and excessive complexity and overload as usual, indeed ‘so far from trying recurrent flaws in human nature, leading to an unmanageable situation to solve our problems, we persist in the author does not think that that is inappropriately tackled by behaviour that makes them worse.’ technology will get us out of this attempting to exert control through impasse; indeed, he thinks it likely tax and regulation. Unfortunately, in Apologies to the Grandchildren that a technotopia would result complex systems ‘an actor controls reflects further on our ecological in a mechanistic and tyrannical almost nothing, yet influences almost predicament, its deeper causes and, dystopia, as we are already seeing everything’ (IG p. 37) This makes crucially, its political consequences. with surveillance totalitarianism systemic failure inevitable in the Six chapters are devoted to the demise in China, a development that will long run. The author points out of liberal democracy with its delicate become potentially pervasive with the that such complexity as the essence balance of conservative emphasis installation of 5G. So he anticipates of civilisation ‘is utterly dependent on order and stability with liberal a return to a more localised system, on a continuous input of physical, aspirations to freedom. However, we which is already in evidence in the intellectual and moral energy without are now witnessing an unravelling green and transition movement. One which it simply cannot be sustained.’ of the social order and civil society big question, however, is whether we (IG, p. 41) and the human challenge both with a regression into tribalism can in fact replace fossil fuel energy is that managing the system requires and with an overemphasis on the not only with necessarily intermittent prudence – ‘the exercise of judgement, left concerning freedom for minority renewables, but with some form of caution, forethought and self- identity groups rather than looking ecologically benign form of energy, restraint’, which is exactly what we after the interests of ordinary people as envisaged by Nikola Tesla but collectively lack and therefore fail to - item, the 2019 UK election result suppressed by commercial interests a implement. and the probable Presidential result hundred years ago. in 2020 in the US. Ophuls identifies If the premise - also articulated by an additional factor as the decay of Like John Reed, Ophuls is concerned Machiavelli and Voltaire - that the patrician class where ‘noblesse by the spiritual devastation entailed human nature is essentially the same oblige’ in contrast to the typical by our loss of a connection to the through history, then, as Gibbon puts meritocracy where entitlement does infinite in terms of disorientation it, prosperity ripens the principle of not entail responsibility. The author and lack of meaning. We require decay while the causes of destruction sees the crisis of collapse as signalling ‘a profound transformation of multiply with the extent of conquest. the advent of chaos and therefore the consciousness that abjures self- The initial moral core and guiding rise of tyranny – people will choose destructiveness and selfishness, ideals of a civilisation are corrupted security over freedom when things get manifests a will to live in harmony through commerce and affluence bad, as we have seen with the tactical with nature, and aspires to some along with a focus on individual and introduction of the Patriot Act after higher values than worldly wealth vested interests at the cost of the 9/11, to give one small example. and bodily comfort.’ (AG, p. 21) He common good and the maintenance notes that we live in a civilisation of civil society. This leads to practical The loss of trust in the political that produces goods in abundance failure whereby the elite attempt to process as well as the distortion of but not the Good, and he advocates maintain their ‘advantageous present’ reason and the decay of truth are a life of spiritual abundance and based on systemic inequality and symptomatic of a general crisis of material simplicity. However, as also corruption of political processes, as governance and legitimacy (and noted in the previous review and by one sees so transparently in the US. application of Gresham’s law is Chris Bache in his book reviewed in ‘Ecological problems, exponential that bad information drives out the the last issue, the suffering entailed pressures, thermodynamic losses, good). Effective governance requires by overshoot, chaos and collapse is risky complexity, moral decay, what Hobbes called a ‘Sovereign’ ‘a necessary crucible for the forging and human incapacity are evident and Rousseau the prevalence of of a new era, for the making of a everywhere, differing only in extent the disinterested general will as an new collective soul.’ (AG, pp. 101-2) and degree’ (IG, p. 66) – collectively, ordering principle for civil society. There is an evolutionary prospect of we are on the Titanic heading for This means that we need an overall a greater consciousness in the long the iceberg, where the proverbial moral vision of the future based term, but the short term outlook is rearranging of deckchairs rather than on the common good rather than precarious and our ability to take the a fundamental re-orientation is totally sectional or national interests; this necessary collective transformative inadequate, yet we cannot bring in turn entails a supra-governmental action seems to be fatally ourselves to take the necessary action, authority with respect to compromised. One more hopeful line

46 www.scimednet.org Paradigm Explorer 2020/1 of analysis missing from the book is of life’ (p. 104) and yet this is exactly as he does the realisation of the the rising influence of women and the implication of the globalised ‘American dream’ outlined above the feminine principle, with writers neoliberal order so dominant since but not reflected for the majority like Riane Eisler, Scilla Elworthy, the 1980s. There is also a huge of the population in a country that Mary Midgley, Naomi Klein and ecological cost to the planet as well prioritises military expenditure Anne Baring, the first articulating a as a psychological cost to ourselves and global supremacy over the partnership rather than the current in terms of mental distress and rising welfare of its own people. The state inherently exploitative model based rates of suicide, especially among the of US education is such that 130 on domination. In the meantime, the young. This amounts to a massive million people are to some degree creative minority including readers loss of soul which, when exported functionally illiterate. The system as a of this review should do everything around the world, acts as a ‘cultural whole, as also in the UK, is centrally in their power to raise awareness weapon of mass destruction.’ In devoted to ‘wealth creating’ concerns and promote a smoother transition reflecting on lessons that we can at the expense of the necessary to a fundamentally new world learn from Ladakh and the account ‘refinement of the spirit’ which is the characterised by the Bulgarian sage given by Helena Norberg Hodge in essential object of education in the Beinsa Douno (Peter Deunov) as a her landmark Ancient Futures, John arts. Without cultured people, culture future Culture of Love. quotes the journalist William Pfaff to itself perishes, utility triumphs over the effect that ‘our progress is your beauty, and the civilisation itself goes destabilisation, the destruction of into decline. Arguably, the recent EVOLVING BEING your cultures, the creation of millions emphasis on character education David Lorimer of culturally alienated, dislocated, is a step in the direction of being, displaced persons, ripped from the although without using that term ■■ TIME IS RUNNING own past to become integrated into explicitly. John tellingly quotes a OUT a radically materialistic ethic. (p. French philosopher on the decline 73) I witnessed this first hand last John Reed of Rome, where he speaks of the September when going round the ‘gradual absorption of the educated Umbria Books, 2020, anthropological section of classes by the masses and the 163 pp., £9.99, p/b – the British consequent simplification of all ISBN 978-1-910074-28-2 Columbia functions of political, social, In a late essay, Dr Albert Schweitzer Museum economic and intellectual wrote that ‘technical progress and where the life, which we call the extension of knowledge do indeed destruction barbarisation of the ancient represent progress, but not in of indigenous world.’ (p. 66) What we are fundamentals. The essential thing cultures and now witnessing is a corrosive is that we become more finely and languages was form of technological deeply human.’ The author of this spelled out in barbarisation. penetrating study of the modern no uncertain In considering the prospects world and psyche would doubtless terms. for a turnaround towards a agree with this sentiment and, given By disconnecting less egotistical culture and a his emphasis on what he calls ‘being’ ourselves from corresponding steady-state and his contention that the outer the perennial world is ultimately an expression economy, John comments teaching of sages that the preconditions of the inner - something we all and our spiritual too easily forget and neglect. The are not in fact in place, essence, we have except in small community book is a passionately argued case created a deep for the necessity of taking the next microcosms like Tamera identity crisis and Findhorn. He draws step in evolution beyond the ego so characterised clearly reflected in the structures and on the work of William Ophuls by loss of connection, as the atheist in Immoderate Greatness - Why motivations of global capitalism, Johann Hari also points out, while and in particular of the American Civilisations Fail, also featured missing the connection to our in the book by Andrew Fellows ethos. The author points out that the central being. John describes this pursuit of life, liberty and happiness reviewed in the last issue. The key in terms of the (spiritual) vertical factors are biological exhaustion, makes no mention of equality and continuum of depth and wisdom solidarity, and that the American entropy, excessive complexity and and the complementary (material) moral decay. Our economic system dream is based on self-interest, horizontal continuum of width and opportunism and individualism converts ecological wealth into breadth where all the technological economic benefit until inevitable expressed in commercial ventures emphasis is on extending the second and consumerism. For John, limits are reached and a final stage while disregarding the first. I agree where ‘frivolity, hedonism, cynicism, this materialistic concept has with him when he writes that at this ‘no underlying moral substance pessimism, narcissism, consumerism critical juncture ‘there is a far more and materialism suffuse the people. whatsoever’ and discounts the urgent need to move up the vertical Politics is increasingly corrupt; life essential message relayed by sages continuum of depth and wisdom increasingly unjust.’ In an exchange that we need to transcend the than along an already overextended with the author, John debates separative ego to dis-cover our real horizontal one of human the prospect for the necessary identity as one being. Just today I “intelligence”.’ Other writers like Iain consciousness revolution to take read this quote from Nisargadatta McGilchrist have being conveying the place. Ophuls feels that there are Maharaj: ‘The consciousness in me, same message of imbalance, but in insufficient numbers, even if ‘we will the consciousness in you, apparently different terms. two, really one, seek unity and that is ultimately conform our way of life love.’ The election of Donald Trump to ecological and spiritual reality’ (p. as President of the United States 156). So they agree – as I do - on John argues that it is a deluded provides a telling outer indicator short-term pessimism and long-term notion ‘that satisfying the needs of of the inner state of the US optimism, but, almost certainly the ego is the meaning and purpose electorate and culture, representing not without a necessary systemic

www.scimednet.org 47 Paradigm Explorer 2020/1 breakdown on the way. However, to find suitable framings so that it In this latter case, the Kabbalah is this does not excuse us as individuals might be navigated purposively to a primarily used to articulate why the from working towards this necessary meaningful fulfilment. reality we normally inhabit is as it spiritual revolution in our own lives is – a five-dimensional box of ten and spheres of influence, aligning This is the presumed task of religion; key components – spatial (front, our inner compasses with love and and, in the ‘West’, this task has back etc.), temporal and positional wisdom. Moreover, it is not simply primarily been carried by Christianity in relation to what we move towards a question of numbers, as David but for Smoley this carries significant (good) and away from (evil). But, Hawkins points out in his work: obstacles. Mainstream Christianity that this reality, is one, the lowest appears not only to be in a slow, spiritual power is ultimately far one, of a nested hierarchy of realities winding decline, its institutions more potent than material force and that lead back to their divine source. compromised and emptying (at least in violence. We need to begin to take That divine source can be solely good North America and Europe) but, it has this power much more seriously and but this, everyday reality, must be always, Smoley thinks, asked one to help others to tap into it if we want an admixture – our five dimensional believe multiple impossible things, the to have a chance of co-creating a new box is a place of separation and resulting cognitive dissonance papered world. that implies a differentiation and over by fear and negative senses of admixture between good or bad belonging. contexts. A CONTEMPORARY The core perplexity for Smoley in GNOSTIC CHRISTIANITY This reality is then mapped onto mainstream Christianity is the doctrine a similarly resonant, though not Nicholas Colloff of the atonement – simply put how identical, scheme in The Course salvation gets done – there are multiple ■■ A THEOLOGY OF of Miracles; and, it is the Course versions of this, emergent in Christian that not only describes these layers LOVE: REIMAGINING history, but a highly influential one of reality but provides a pathway CHRISTIANITY is the substitutionary or vicarious of liberation from separation to a theory. Over boldly put, God, who renewed unity. THROUGH A COURSE is loving and all wise, has because of IN MIRACLES: A humanity’s fall developed a surfeit of In the Course, the Father and the wrath directed at humanity’s failure, Son are differentiated only in that SPIRITUALITY BASED nothing that humanity could do the Son can entertain ON LOVE, NOT FEAR can assuage this wrath, the possibility so God sends His Son, Richard Smoley of separation as a sacrifice that will from the Father. Inner Traditions, 2019, 229 pp., repay humanity’s debts, This momentary $18.99 - ISBN 978-1-62055-925-3 a repayment that must be imagination gives In 1944, C.G. Jung had what would paid in blood, His death rise to the Ego, that now be characterised as a near death on the Cross. This is the Son chooses experience and like many recipients clearly articulated within to believe in, the of this experience found returning to a context where animal Ego gives rise to the body challenging and was only sacrifice is a cultural the world that we ‘persuaded’ to do so by the sense that reality yet carried over daily experience, there was unfinished work for him to into a resultant culture including our do. He experienced the subsequent where it is not. That I bodies that return as a case of a felt imprisonment. recognise that this debt has ‘contain’ that This sense that the everyday world we been paid and that I have experience. We inhabit is seriously out of step with a faith in Jesus as the only live suspended deeper underlying and freeing reality sole necessary and sufficient in the Ego’s is a common one. It is one of the key payer is my entrance ticket resilient fantasy drivers of ‘religion’. I, we are not as that yields salvation. No of separation – a we are meant to be. The world, as other path is available. world of good and evil – that it, not God, has created. If one currently perceived, is, at best, awry, at Smoley finds this neither intellectually recognises in this a contemporary worst, an imprisoning entrapment. coherent nor emotionally satisfying expression of Gnosticism, you would for, at heart, it has its roots in fear Is this simply a misplaced uncertainty? be wholly right; and, what Smoley – a wrathful deity, an obsequious One that should be dispelled from does, in a careful exploration of son, necessary violence and believers our minds with a healthy, materialist the underlying metaphysics of the corralled by fear rather than by any reminder that this is the only world Course, is make a resonant case ennobling, inclusive, loving invitation. that there is, or could possibly be. for why we should take it seriously Purposefully enjoy it until the end So, we need to create an alternative as both credible and attractive. comes, and all is finished. Learn to framing one that adequately describes He, also, notes supportively how love your transiency! and articulates the nature of our Gnosticism has thoroughly penetrated ‘thrownness’ into this world; and, contemporary culture whether it be Yet, as Richard Smoley notes, in offers a more intellectually credible in the novels of Philip K. Dick or in this erudite, well-constructed and and emotionally fulfilling pathway to films like the Matrix. It is seriously in thoughtful book: why would we our redemption. the air once more. be subject to such a persistent (and culturally creative) desire if it did not Smoley sets out to do just this in a Credibility would require more point to a reality that might genuinely closely argued text that draws on space than I have available to fully satisfy it (rather than simply label commonly held features of everyday demonstrate but suffice to say the it as false). This desire, deepened life, patterns of religious experience; book makes compelling connections by the experienced reality of other Biblical scholarship, philosophical between what any ordinary person worlds, phenomenologically robust in argumentation; and, two key resources might consider their experience to be, their countless instances, as they are namely insights from the Kabbalah how ‘extraordinary’ experience can differing in their interpretation, needs and the Course in Miracles. be mapped effectively in relation to

48 www.scimednet.org Paradigm Explorer 2020/1 this; and, how both the Kabbalah and This perhaps leads to a consideration the cosmos. His books include The the Course emerge as robust ‘tools for of what is less attractive about the Dream of the Earth, The Great the head’ to help one think through Course – that like previous ‘Gnostic’ Work, and, in collaboration with this expansion in our perspective; how perspectives though the route may be cosmologist Brian Swimme, The they help tease us out of the ‘box’. open to all in theory, in practice, its Universe Story. These, along with his All offered not as a dogmatic system demands a certain austerity. This may lectures, films and teaching, and his but as an experiment after knowing be as with the Course, a psychological extensive collaborations, brought his to try out and see. Ironically, the one or, as on other occasions, ascetic ideas to a wide public both within only touches of ‘dogma’ come at the or intellectual ones such that it religious traditions and beyond. sometimes too narrow, slightly grumpy becomes a path so daunting as to be characterisations of the mainstream for the few! Though, perhaps, this is Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim Church whose blending of good and offset in the Course’s case with a sense worked closely with Thomas Berry evil is probably more nuanced than is of the spaciousness of ‘time’ – since for over thirty years as his students, allowed here. the only downside is the illusion that editors and literary executors; they we already know, we will find the have collaborated with Andrew But, in the meantime, three thoughts opportunity to apply ourselves to Angyal, Emeritus Professor of English on attractiveness. liberation in due course! and author of several biographies, to give us this account of his life. First, because it is a picturing of The book ends with chapters that reality that is ultimately inclusive – consider what this perspective might In The Great Work, Berry told how, the illusion comes to an end – we are mean for the practice as a child, wandering from his house, reunited within our commonly held, of Christianity more he came across a unifying reality, nobody is excluded, broadly – what practices meadow ‘covered let alone punished. Jesus, the man and perspectives may with white lilies from Nazareth, in the Course’s view, persist and which rising above the is the first person to fully recognize the might be usefully put grass’. In this magic full nature of our situation and goes aside – and with a moment he realized: to his death not as a substitution for helpful ‘summa’ that ‘whatever preserves sin but as a demonstration that death recapitulates the and enhances this too is simply an illusion. His death is Course’s theology meadow in its natural exemplary, that requires no imitation or framing that can cycles of transformation because its reality is rooted in the only be a helpful is good; whatever fact of the Resurrection where we are hermeneutical key opposes this meadow or enabled to ‘see through’ death. to engaging with the negates it is not good’. text itself. Second, because the pathway to this The biography Atonement (and one of the features At the end of my shows how this early of the Course is that it uses Christian first reading of learning deepened language in uniquely innovative, and the book, I did through his religious coherent within its own logic, ways) want to want to experience. Drawn to is through the continual practice of set it down, only a contemplative life, forgiveness, a forgiveness not born partially tongue in cheek, with a he joined the Passionist out of either condescension or pity (or satisfying hurrah of ‘Valentinus rides order. As a monk he participated subtle manipulation) but from bringing again’! Valentinus having been the for years in the Divine Office, the to birth a continuing recognition of our most successful and purportedly daily cycle of prayer that follows underlying unity. Everyone I harm or eloquent of early Gnostic writers. the cosmological sequence of the who I am harmed by is fundamentally day between darkness and light; and myself. Harm is a condition of Whether you are convinced or not, the cycle of the year that marks the separation, is only possible because we it is one of those books that wholly transition from Christmas/solstice entertain this illusion of separation. deserves to be seriously wrestled to Easter/springtime. Berry saw True forgiveness is the continuing with to assure yourself as to why or that this ritual cycle represented attention to our connectivity, our being why not? It, also, deserves to prompt ‘the age-old effort of humans to enfolded one in another. more serious Christian theological bring human life into accord with reflection on the Course in Miracles the great liturgy of the universe’. Third, because it is resolutely practical. itself (though on the likelihood of Drawing on these foundational The Course is primarily a work book that, I expect I am as pessimistic as the experiences he articulated the ‘great of 365 daily meditations and exercises author)! work’, the task of ‘moving modern (with supporting commentary and industrial civilization from its present materials). Diligently followed, it is THE COSMIC LITURGY devastating influence on Earth to a meant to work, to transform one’s more benign mode of presence’. life in a way that makes forgiveness Peter Reason and love possible. It is a practice that These experiences were illuminated is both gentle and yet wholly tough ■■ THOMAS BERRY: by three main teachings, derived from minded. As with forgiveness, so with A BIOGRAPHY Teilhard de Chardin: that the universe love, many of the forms in which Tucker, Mary Evelyn, John Grim, from its beginnings has a psychic- it appears to us in the realm of Ego and Andrew Angyal spiritual as well as a physical-material are precisely that, exercises in Ego – dimension; that the human story and what the course calls ‘special love’, as Columbia University Press, the universe story are a single story; distinct from ‘holy love’ predominates 2019, 360 pp., £25, h/b and that western religious traditions – for when we examine our motives – ISBN 978-0-23117-698-9 need to move from an almost how many of them do we find to Thomas Berry was one of the great exclusive concern for redemption to be self-driven, self-protective, self- ecological teachers of our time, one an emphasis on creation. Later, in The interested? Mostly answers the Course who linked contemporary concerns Dream of the Earth he wrote of ‘the robustly, maybe Smoley suggests, a for ecological devastation with the great spiralling galaxies… and this little too dispiritingly so! deep human urge to connect with privileged planet Earth!’; of humans

www.scimednet.org 49 Paradigm Explorer 2020/1 as ‘the most recent wonder of the he was building on the cosmic work to examine how the authorities universe, a special mode of reflecting evolutionary perspective of Teilhard de in both Judaism and Christianity on this larger curvature of the universe Chardin, rather than any philosophical rewrote history ‘to erase the itself’. panpsychic tradition, Whiteheadian or feminine side of faith, deliberately Spinozan. This unfortunately means Berry struggled to find a way to ignoring Jesus’s real message and that his work has been somewhat develop and teach these insights: again condemning women to overlooked in contemporary debates we learn of his studies of cultural marginalisation.’ It breaks new on panpsychism. history, his experiences in the army ground in showing how goddess and in China, his vocational crisis as This biography gives those influenced worship was present in early Judaism, a monk; how he widened his studies by Berry’s teaching invaluable insights while continuing the revolutionary from Western and Christian traditions into how his perspective evolved work instigated by the discovery to include Asian and indigenous and the quality of his presence as a of the Nag Hammadi Gnostic perspectives; how, eventually, in 1970 spiritual and ecological teacher. The gospels in 1945, which have given he founded the Riverdale Centre for later chapters-on Time, Teilhard de a very different picture of Jesus as a Religious Research in a Victorian Chardin, Confucian perspectives and messenger of wisdom - as indicated house in the Bronx with view across Indigenous traditions-move away in my review in the previous issue of the Hudson River. Riverdale was from the strictly biographical and books about Mary Magdalene. devoted to reflection on evolutionary draw together some of the continuing history: ‘human, biological, geological, The narrative highlights early on threads and influences that ran the political importance of religious and cosmological’. Here, Thomas through his life. held seminars and discussion with orthodoxy in legitimising and teachers and students from many The book closes with reinforcing the authority of the walks of life and academic disciplines. an assertion of the deep King ruling The account of life at Riverdale is of a confidence in the future that on behalf of a lively community of inquiry, focussed Thomas Berry bequeathed: single God. The around a broad theme but with space we can all learn, through cult of Yahweh for individuals to pursue their own mutual presencing with ‘was increasingly directions. the Earth community, to identified with become ‘cosmic persons’ centralised royal It was from Riverdale that the ‘new - although this is the power’ entailing story’ emerged in collaboration achievement of a lifetime. with cosmologist Brian Swimme. the removal of He was confident in the The cosmological stories told by all other gods such evolutionary processes religions arise not abstractly but from as Baal and the and the continuing ‘intimate human interactions and the merging of El revelation that can align Earth systems. They can give humans with Yahweh. ‘human imagination a sense of belonging and purpose, This picture in and ingenuity with the providing reflections on such basic fact represents the creativity of the universe questions as: Where do I come from?’ Deuteronomist and the Earth’ leading Thomas saw that modern humans are rewriting of the Bible troubled because we no longer have to a new Ecozoic Age. in the seventh century a good story, that we are between This biography beautifully shows us and airbrushing out stories. The new story united science the unfolding life of a great religious, the figures such as Asherah, originally and humanities in an account of the philosophical and ecological teacher, a Canaanite goddess and the consort evolution of the Universe from ‘the one who was also - as I know from of Baal. Many artefacts testify to her great flaring forth’ to humanity’s direct experience - immensely kind, worship alongside Yahweh as the evolving place in the cosmos. It moved humorous and generous. We are told great mother and sacred tree as a from human-centred to Earth-centred, that, as he approached his death at symbol of fertility. An eighth century offering a story that places the human the age of ninety-four he remarked, ‘I inscription refers to ‘Yahweh and his in the context of Earth. will be in the universe where I always Asherah.’ It is remarkable to read that Berry’s teaching evolved from have been’. the statue of Asherah was present in Solomon’s Temple for 236 of the 370 his understanding of ‘the interior Peter Reason’s most recent publication years of its existence. The existence presence… the livingness of things’ (with artist Sarah Gillespie) is On of a goddess implies the office of in the context of evolutionary time. Presence: Essays | Drawings http:// In many ways, his perspective was peterreason.net/OnPresence.html. priestess, which in all probability close to ‘panpsychic’ philosophy, the also involved ritual sexuality and the metaphysical view that the cosmos is THE RETURN OF THE hieros gamos or sacred union. a coherent field of mind/matter; that all things, including the Earth itself, SACRED FEMININE A later development is the emergence of Sophia as wisdom, which is more are integral to the fabric of the living, David Lorimer sentient cosmos, philosopher Freya of a symbol – ‘the old Testament Mathews puts it. But he never used ■■ WHEN GOD HAD A version of the Blessed Virgin Mary - the term ‘panpsychic’. Mary Evelyn WIFE than a ‘full-blooded female archetype’ also embodying the erotic. Then we Tucker, in personal correspondence, Lynn Picknett and Clive Prince suggests that this was in part because come to the Hellenisation process he liked to coin his own terms: Bear and Co, 2019, 326 pp., $16, in Alexandria, also incorporating asserting, for example, that Earth p/b – ISBN 978-1-59143-370-5 Isis. Interestingly, Philo identifies is not a collection of objects but a This latest book follows up the Sophia with Logos, thus conferring communion of subjects. Further, authors’ previous scholarly historical enormous power, but in the Gospel

50 www.scimednet.org Paradigm Explorer 2020/1 of John we find the Logos associated revival of the sacred feminine that accounts. Mary Magdalene describes with Jesus. Interestingly, Ben Sira is underway. The emergence of the her marriage to Jesus and their three and the Wisdom of Solomon both church as a patriarchal authoritarian children. The accounts that will be equate God’s Holy Spirit with Sophia and political institution in the fourth most strongly questioned are the while the indwelling presence of God century played a critical role, but the version of events at the crucifixion is represented by Shekhina. We now orthodox view of Jesus has in my that differ from those in the New move on into the New Testament view been overturned by the Gnostic Testament. where there is a fascinating discussion Gospels, from which a new and more of the parallels between Simon Magus balanced picture emerges. I believe In prison while awaiting crucifixion and his consort Helen with Jesus and that we are now ready as a culture for Jesus was severely beaten. Using Mary Magdalene. It turns out that a fully fledged sacred feminine that bribery, the severely weakened Jesus it is precisely on account of these embraces all of its aspects. This book was secretly taken from prison. An similarities that Simon is demonised is an important contribution to this ardent follower of Jesus, out of love as the origin of all heresies. Ironically, process. for him, agreed to be substituted in this is all documented by Hippolytus prison, where he was also severely in his book The Great Revelation MULTI-COINCIDENCE beaten. With bribery of the Roman and later by Justin. These theologians soldier guards at his crucifixion, the Peter Hardwick naturally interpreted Simon’s wonder- substitute, expected to be still alive, working as that of the devil, while ■■ SHROUDED was brought down from the cross. He identical actions by Jesus were TRUTH – BIBLICAL was then taken away for burial. Not divinely inspired. At issue is the REVELATIONS all the witnesses to the crucifixion crucial question of authority: people knew about the substitute or whether could not be left free to choose, and THROUGH PAST LIFE he was dead when he was brought the very word for heretic is derived JOURNEYS down, so there are slight differences from haerein meaning to choose. Reena Kumarasingham in their observations. The authors propose that both Simon From the Heart Press, 2018, After a long recovery Jesus is taken and Jesus were trying to reintroduce 392pp., £13.79, p/b – ISBN by Mary Magdalene and others 978-0-95678-875-0 the goddess element, and a very to France, where for security they different picture of Mary Magdalene Reena, of Asian Hindu background conceal their true identities. Although emerges from the Gnostic Gospels, is a therapist whose practice, Divine unable to reveal his background especially those of Thomas, Philip Aspect, has clients spanning Asia, Jesus continued teaching. Apart from and Mary; and in the source gospel Australia and Europe. She is a trainer his visits to Greece and Egypt they for the Synoptics, Q, Jesus attributes for the Past Life Regression Academy remain there until they die. Mary his teachings to Wisdom/Sophia, and trains therapists in all these describes his death in detail. which is also the case in the Gospel regions. This reviewer is a Past Life of the Beloved Companion, where the Regression Therapist Appendix 1 gives an Holy Spirit is explicitly feminine, as it and familiar with account of the past apparently was for early Christians. arguments both life regression process. These Gospels portray Mary rather accepting and Appendix 2 discusses than Peter as the true successor of rejecting the ‘reality’ the consistency of Jesus as the one who fully understood and origin of past the accounts given, and embodied his message and lives. I therefore highlighting that none who, even in the canonical gospels, consider the past lives of the clients had ever anoints Jesus as Christ. Significantly, described in Reena’s met. In considering the anointing is performed by a book will particularly the validity of the woman whose role was subsequently raise these questions sessions Reena distorted, and especially by Pope due to their Christian points out that Gregory the Great at the end of historical setting. when collecting the sixth century. Instead, Gnostic information for a Gospels understand Mary’s position Over a period of four as a priestess and the consort of Jesus. years in Europe, Asia book like this it is In the Valentinian Gospel of Philip, and Australia, Reena vital to understand Jesus is the bridegroom and Mary as regressed eight clients the reasons why Sophia the bride who together enter who all had past lives stories can also into the bridal chamber. while Christ was alive, deviate. The Reference Section lists with seven who either knew him authors who have researched the A contributory factor to the editing or saw him. Their experiences are historical period this book covers out of Mary might have been her transcribed in this book. They are together with historical accounts of similarity to Helen as well as the James the brother of Jesus, St Paul, the characters portrayed. subsequent equating of virginity and Mary Magdalene and her sister The result of Reena regressing eight celibacy with spiritual perfection. Martha and daughter Tamar, the people having lives contemporary The authors rightly observe that ‘the Apostle Thomas, David the son with each other was a remarkable great calamity of the last 2000 years of John the Baptist, and a woman multi-coincidence. This was is that the goddess’s fate in Judaism named Mimi. was repeated in Christianity’ (p. an unusual and comprehensive 270) - hence our current spiritually Many events they describe are not demonstration of the phenomenon of incomplete faith but also the recorded in any other historical past life regression.

www.scimednet.org 51 Paradigm Explorer 2020/1

PSYCHOLOGY- friends; had let myself be happier.” necessary to break down the old and These are powerful and practical make way for the new, as we are all CONSCIOUSNESS messages that we can all apply. currently experiencing in different degrees. In each lesson there are STUDIES Karen Wyatt is a physician, and her fruits to be harvested, and in the book is subtitled ‘how to nurture case of suffering, for instance, these DYING TO LIVE what really matters.’ It begins are humility, patience, resilience with some ground work around David Lorimer and connectedness. In the the themes of love and chapter on love, the banker ■■ 7 LESSONS FOR meaning, quoting Henry travels a similar LIVING AND DYING Rumi’s poignant path to Tolstoy’s Ivan and profound Illyich when he realises Dr Karen Wyatt saying: ‘Grief that none of his many Watkins, 2020, 242 pp., £12.99, can be the garden possessions can fill the p/b – ISBN 978-1-78678-911-0 of compassion. void he feels inside. Lying If you keep your in a hospital bed and ■■ LIVING FULLY, DYING heart open through barely able to sip water, CONSCIOUSLY everything, your he holds the author’s pain can become Sue Brayne hand and says ‘The only your greatest ally in thing that matters is White Crow Books, 2020, 288 your life’s search for love, who did I love? pp., £12.99, p/b – love and wisdom.’ How much did I love ISBN 978-1-78677-113-1 For the author, our them? How did I show ■ lives are a spiritual that I loved them?’ ■ WHAT HAS LIFE journey in a physical This is heartrending TAUGHT YOU? realm and as we move in the circumstances along our timeline, we Zoe Sallis and underlines need to engage more the importance of Watkins, 2020, 180 pp., £10.99, deeply with the spiritual learning and practising these lessons p/b – ISBN 978-1-78678-350-9 realm, as Jung also observed as far before one becomes terminally ill. I remember many years ago attending back as the 1930s. She introduces two a lecture by angles that are used in subsequent We all have people to forgive and Elisabeth Kubler chapters: the view from the whose forgiveness we need, and here Ross at St garden in terms of planting the ideal is to hold no resentment, as James’s Church and harvesting, and the we see in an extraordinary interaction in Piccadilly larger view from the galaxy between three brothers and in the where she encompassing life and the courage of an elderly artist. All related the planet while acknowledging spiritual teachers emphasise the story of a man mystery and the limits of our importance of dwelling in the present who came to human understanding. For moment, of ‘being mindful and her just after the author, the dance of life is attentive in the here and now.’ Once retirement, expressed in four underlying again, in the chapter on purpose, having concepts: timing and time, Rumi expresses this brilliantly: our received a balance of opposites in terms purpose is ‘to manifest the very terminal of achieving equanimity, nature of our spirit, which is touched diagnosis rhythm as the flow of life and by the spirit of God.’ In the garden with an energy, and finally grace as of life, this means ‘producing the best estimated six generosity of abundance. These crop possible, given the limitations of weeks to live. are illustrated in the many soil, weather and location of the plot He said: “I moving and transformative of land.’ (p. 112) Surrender means made a good narratives throughout the book. letting go of expectations and going with transition and transformation living, but I never The seven lessons act as really lived.” As you can imagine, I when it comes up. Impermanence is templates and contexts for living and the essence of Buddhism that involves found this sentence etched firmly in dying: confronting our own mortality and my memory and resolved that I would the fears that hold us back, it is ‘the never find myself in this position. At • Suffering: embrace your difficulties doorway through which change the same lecture, she reminded us that • Love: let your heart be broken arrives - change that brings growth we are all churned in the washing and transformation.’ tumbler of life, so the question is • Forgiveness: hold no resentments whether we come out crushed or The last part of the book explains polished; maybe crushed first, then • Presence: dwell in the present how we can all live these lessons, polished later? The first two books moment starting with what the author calls ask what we can learn about life • Purpose: manifest your highest the daily AWE practice: Awake to and living from death and dying and potential possibilities, Willing to see the good follow on from a book by Bronnie in everything, fully Engaged with Ware that I reviewed a few years ago • Surrender: let go of expectations life in every moment. She tells a and entitled The Top Five Regrets • Impermanence: face your fear long story that illustrates all seven of the Dying. Just for the record, lessons and the ways in which they these are expressed in terms of five This list is indeed a tall existential intertwine. She reminds us that the sentences beginning with the phrase order when read like this, but these basic tasks of gardening involved “I wish I: had had the courage to live lessons do indeed represent what planting seeds and pulling weeds, a life true to myself; hadn’t worked so really matters in life and the greatest in other words an inner clearance hard; had the courage to express my humans manifest them to the greatest leading ultimately to balance within feelings; had stayed in touch with my extent. Suffering is universal and ourselves, from which point we can

52 www.scimednet.org Paradigm Explorer 2020/1 make an optimum contribution to we join forces to help co-create a new goes to the Dalai Lama, who reminds our collective challenges. The author world and one with a higher level of us that the human mind is the key also gives some practical guidance well-being – the book is an important factor and that ‘when we die nothing and resources and suggestions for a signpost on this path. can be taken with us but the seeds practice schedule. All this makes the of our life’s work and our spiritual book essential reading for our time. The third book under consideration knowledge.’ reminds me of some volumes I have Sue Brayne’s main focus is on the in my library where distinguished To finish on a lighter note, I loved the path to spiritual well-being, firmly people - mainly men - from the 1930s story by Ed Begley Jr and his advice based in her own experience and and 40s write about what they have to slow down. He tells the story of relating how she has overcome her learned from life. In this case, the a friend who had made elaborate many personal challenges. These three author features the answers given by travel arrangements to meet a guru parts address the fear of living fully, 40 outstanding people to 10 profound at the Temple of Tranquillity in the psychology of dying consciously, questions about life. These relate Indonesia. His travel plans went badly and the transpersonal dimension. to your concept of God, the notion wrong so he missed connections and As we know, death is still a taboo in of an afterlife, karma, your moral got delayed, having to make other our society and indeed underlies the code, destiny, what life has taught complicated plans and finally arriving panic response to the coronavirus; you so far, words of wisdom to pass in Indonesia where he hired a car to and there is a correlation between on, our survival on the planet, who take him to the temple. He says to the fear of death and fear of living fully, people admire most, and how you driver, “The Temple of Tranquillity which we are spiritually designed find peace within yourself. I had not and step on it!” At this point both the to do. Sue analyses the components heard of quite a number of the people driver and his friend start to laugh, of fear and anxiety in interviewed from the author’s own and Bailey reflects that we do this terms of guilt and shame, background in theatre even with our highest goals by saying: grief, loss, anger and and acting, and “I want serenity and I want it now, rage, seeing death as the sheer variety dammit!” So beyond all these serious both a completion and creates part of considerations, a sense of humour a transition. She sees the interest of the is no less essential in navigating our life as a succession of book: the journalists lives. experiences where the Robert Fisk and Sir David Frost, writers crucial component is A TEMPLATE FOR our mind and attitude like Paul Coelho - these often need to and Gore Vidal, and AWAKENING spiritual figures like be transformed in the David Lorimer face of what she calls Dadi Janki, the Dalai ‘soulquakes’ at the Lama, Neale Donald ■■ FIERCE FEMININE liminal space between Walsch and Richard Holloway. RISING outer and inner. Anaiya Sophia Every reader will have Like Karen Wyatt, their own take on such Destiny Books, 2020, Sue places a a book, depending 240 pp., $16.99, p/b – great emphasis on their outlook and ISBN 978-1-62055-859-1 on forgiveness and experience. For me, the ■■ THE HEART OF THE on balancing the various aspects most impressive and of our lives, where she has a illuminating answers were given by GREAT MOTHER useful diagram explaining the four the Iranian Islamic scholar Seyyed Christine R. Page MD quadrants and needs: physical for Hossein Nasr and the mystic Andrew Bear and Co., 2020, 247 pp., security, intellectual for discernment, Harvey, but also by Zac Goldsmith emotional for self-love, and spiritual in relation to the planet. Nasr and $16, p/b – for inner peace. Her discussion of Harvey are well known for their ISBN 978-1-59143-354-5 the transpersonal draws on Maslow spiritual insight, so what they have As we all know, humanity has been and the development of the spirit as to say is correspondingly of greater stopped in its tracks by the corona transcending, the soul as attaching, interest in this respect. For Nasr, virus, which Christine reminds us is fate as acceptance, destiny as choice ‘the supreme goal of life is to know etymologically related to the Crow, and karma as attracting (diagram the truth and to live by the truth’, symbolising death - just yesterday on p. 194). She sees the universe and our main danger is that we have afternoon we saw two wending as being in us, leading to what we ‘created a science based on power through the trees on our walk with call synchronicity and prompting us rather than wisdom.’ For Harvey, horses, then only today I saw the through intuition. Her experience we need ‘an army of nonviolent first two swallows flying outside my in hospices has given her a deep lovers who come together, beyond window: death and rebirth, with understanding of the actual process dogma and creed, to take humanity trees blossoming all around, a time of dying, which she describes in some and to transform the institutions of to withdraw and reflect. These two detail, ultimately seeing death as the the Earth. This is our last and best books both contain an incredibly moment when we are united with hope, and that’s what I’m dedicating powerful message for our time, the cosmic Love and where, inspiringly, my life to.’ For him, ‘the secret of message of the Fierce Feminine, the ‘each of us is an ambassador for life is humility. The humbler you Dark Mother, a collective upwelling Universal Love. (p. 233) It was are, the more life can guide you, the of universal outrage and sacred rage moving to read Peter Fenwick’s more love you can give and the more at the way we are treating the planet description/expectation of the dying discernment you can practice without and each other. You will probably process based on his extensive judgement, and not have any fantasies have seen the various videos featuring research and spiritual practice. Like about how effective you are being.’ a message from the virus telling us to Karen, Sue feels that we can most Shimon Peres and Sir Peter Ustinov consider the essentials and expressing effectively serve the collective by also have important things to say, the Earth’s relief at a slowing down getting our own house in order before but perhaps the penultimate word of our frenetic activity (though we

www.scimednet.org 53 Paradigm Explorer 2020/1 are still adding 220,000 people a day why did you do it? With the response: Christine’s book is in many ways to the world population). Christine why did you let me? Then readers are complementary and with a larger expresses this as the Dark Goddess invited to pause for reflection, bear historical background addressing calling “time” for all of us now: ‘she is witness to the sobriety of the situation, spiritual initiation, creativity and not interested in our bargaining tactics, move on without answers, trusting the rebirth within a cyclical process of excuses, or entreaties, especially those process and ‘remembering that this is spirit moving into matter and back linked to our small ego’s desire not to an initiation.’ We are brought face-to- to spirit: birth, growth, nurturance, upset the status quo. It is time to move face with real horrors that are going celebration, dissolution, death and on…whether we are ready to or not.’ on daily but which we tend to ignore rebirth. In the first chapter, a mentor (p. 63). so as to remain complacently within tells her that ‘together we can birth the our comfort zones. She quotes Andrew world that encompasses the principles Anaiya is a neighbour, and not long Harvey in an arresting moment: of cooperation and oneness through before the outbreak escalated, we ‘what’s more frightening? Being numb the acceptance of diversity, ensuring had a special dinner right relationship with all lifeforms with another neighbour, with apathy as you sip yet another glass of who share this planet.’ (p. 10) The first Veronica Goodchild and part introduces the Triple Goddess her husband. I was reading Chardonnay as the last tree on the with its three archetypes of Virgin, her book at the time. It Mother and Crone, citing many plunges the reader in at planet burns to the ground, or allowing examples from different cultures. the deep end with the For current purposes, the Crone energy of Savage Grace your veins to be filled with the fire archetype is the most immediately demanding us to stand relevant, representing like Kali both up and speak out in of Kali, protesting with your “No!” the tomb and womb of regeneration her name. The book embodied in Christine’s own embodies a potent and wakefulness during the destruction transformative experience as a vulture and resonant energy goddess: ‘I clean the bones of every of transmission that of your planet and your possible animal, freeing each from its earthly directly pierces the attachment so its spirit can return to heart and galvanises extinction?’ (p. 69) In addition, there are the source and be reborn.’ The voice us to participate in a continues poignantly: ‘Only those massive global clean- powerful transmissions of exercises and who fear death or have forgotten the up. As she puts it: regenerative cycles can see us as ugly ‘Change is coming. meditations that can be downloaded for direct pests. Others welcome us with open Balance shall prevail.’ arms.’ (p. 64). And all this before we knew exactly practice. what was coming and how the Dark If we do not collectively take back Christine gives a lucid explanation Agenda or Matrix Control System our power, then the Matrix Control of the Triple Goddess as the One will try to engineer the situation for System will continue rolling out its Thing giving rise to her masculine its own advantage: ‘This includes agenda including 5G, total surveillance counterpart as the One Mind where the corrupt governments, the war- and control while we meekly and feminine force comes together with making industries, the over-producing, conveniently continue masculine focus to give mind-numbing, addiction-feeding behaving like timid rise to intention. The heartlessness of our modern day sheep. Anaiya gives a feminine force shakes society, as well as the covert influences great deal of practical us up, while the of anti-awakening that seem to guidance about how masculine can bring be taking advantage of our digital we can individually order out of chaos. technology to spread their virus.’ (p. play our part in this She then explains the xiv, and do watch the film Thrive awakening process hero myth mapped if you do not already know it) She involving a dark night of onto the zodiac and continues that the Fierce Feminine the soul and healing our its relationship with ‘is rising within us to initiate the wounds but also standing sacred numbers full-on realisation of how vulnerable our ground with integrity before describing and fragile the whole human race and taking responsibility: the archetypal and a great deal of nature are at this she asks a series of alchemical extremely dangerous moment in searching questions about transformation history’ - prophetic words indeed that our values, attitudes and represented in the call for our personal deep commitment behaviour (p. 116). This Emerald Tablet. to sacred activism at all levels. does not just involve The second part thinking, but feeling into discusses the The four parts of Anaiya’s introduce rhythms of the the Fierce Feminine and how to our answers while fully taking on board the sorrows moon and enables ignite it, how to take back our power, readers to find their natal lunar phase, of the world, in themselves enough speaking up and speaking out, and in my case representing distillation and to generate massive sacred rage that piercing the veils of reality. Each transformation. She also shows major then needs to be grounded and used chapter is followed by what she calls sacred sites are linked to the creative for constructive purposes: including an example of ‘sorrows of the world’ cycles of life, with temples acting as speaking truth to power, whatever including the Yulin dog meat festival, intermediary vessels between heaven the personal cost. Part of this process pig and dairy farming, death of the and earth. oceans, canned hunting for white lions, can also occur within the crucible of starving polar bears, nuclear weapons, our deep intimate relationships as The third part takes the reader on the overpopulation and overproduction, a means of healing, awakening and journey of evolution and dissolution and examples of acts of evil, transforming our shadows. This leads through the zodiac, with guidance culminating in an archetypal original to real freedom and the refusal to give along the way, for instance with rape sequence involving priests and the ‘death machine the power it needs respect to meeting our mirrors and priestesses with the poignant question: to fulfil its enslavement of us.’ integrating their message. At the

54 www.scimednet.org Paradigm Explorer 2020/1 apex, the energetic process reverses material world. Goff sidesteps both and so we have to account for it and descent begins, also representing problems by showing that the origin somehow. What panpsychism offers us putrefaction and fermentation. This of the problem of consciousness has its is a way of integrating consciousness is an acknowledgement of decay roots in Galileo Galilei’s foundational into our scientific picture of the and death which we now face as a articulation of the scientific worldview. world…’ Goff asserts that there species, and which we are invited ‘seems nothing incoherent with the to embrace and transform. Here In his celebrated phrasing, Galileo idea that consciousness might exist in there is no shortcut; we have to take told us that nature is a book open to very simple forms’; and argues that ownership of these shadow aspects and our gaze, so long as we understood complex consciousness of human and personalities in the fire of purification that it is ‘written in the language of animal brains can be explained as in order to reach the centre. The mathematics’. In doing this, Galileo evolving from the simple consciousness sage represents the distillation of life bracketed off the material, ‘primary’, inherent in matter. properties of the world from the wisdom whose role is to ‘question our sensory. Material properties - size, deepest intentions and beliefs until Goff takes us back to the ideas of shape, location, motion, which came only the truth remains’ and we step the physicist Arthur Eddington and to be described as ‘primary’ - can into true authority. In a discussion of the philosopher Bertrand Russell. indeed be described mathematically the miraculous heart, it is encouraging Writing in the 1930s, they argued (at least in their external effects). But to read that healthy cells can entrain that modern physics has been so sensory, secondary’, qualities - the sick cells back to health, ‘causing both enormously successful because it tells colours, tastes, smells of experience, to beat in harmony’ and reminding us what matter does; but it fails to the redness of a tomato and the tell us anything about what matter is, us to be healing rather than just spiciness of the paprika - can scarcely giving healing: resonating with and to account for the nature of matter. be communicated from Mass, distance, force, all transmitting the frequency of Divine one person to Love. give names to properties another, certainly of matter, but say As we are embraced by the Great not mathematically. nothing about what these Mother in these two transformative Goff points out that properties actually are. books, we are reminded that we all this re-imagining of In the nineteenth century emerge from the One, to which we nature was essentially it was still possible to also return - unfolding then refolding, a philosophical move: conceive of atoms as tiny as Walter Russell put it. The core it has no empirical billiard balls bouncing off message is to wake up, to reconnect basis, and so no each other, but the strange with the Source, with Life on Earth ‘scientific’ justification. worlds of relativity and quantum dynamics have and with each other to bring about the But sensory qualities put paid to this. This birth of a new and more unified world didn’t go away. Galileo is ‘Galileo’s error’ of that fundamentally respects freedom had no intention of the title: mathematical and diversity rather than attempting including these in his models do not ‘open to impose digital slavery and social mathematical science. uniformity. Rather, he saw them our gaze’ to the intrinsic as existing in the soul: nature of matter. SIDESTEPPING GALILEO ‘Just as beauty exists This leads us toward only in the eye of the Peter Reason a broader conception beholder, so colours, of science that doesn’t confuse the ■■ GALILEO’S ERROR: smells, tastes and sounds only exist practical utility of prediction and A NEW SCIENCE OF in the conscious soul of the human control with the ontological question being’. Galileo took a dualist view of a complete theory of reality. Goff CONSCIOUSNESS and ‘only ever intended to provide us writes, ‘Here is the idea. Physics Philip Goff with a partial description of reality’. characterises mass and charge “from Essentially, Galileo’s philosophy the outside” (in terms of what Rider, 2019, 240 pp., £14.99, p/b of nature created the problem of they do) but “from the inside” (in – ISBN 978-1-84604-601-8 consciousness that now preoccupies so terms of their intrinsic nature) mass This is a book about the philosophical many academics. and charge are incredibly simple perspective of panpsychism, written forms of consciousness’. It isn’t that by a leading academic advocate. Goff suggests three possible solutions to this problem. One is to accept neurosciences have to explain how Panpsychism refers to the view that consciousness arises in the material mind (or sentience, or consciousness) is Galileo’s dualism that there are immaterial minds beyond materialistic interactions of the brain; it rather a fundamental aspect of matter; and, in understanding. The second solution is sees consciousness as actually that tandem, that matter is a fundamental to hold to the materialist view that, in bit of reality we have direct access to aspect of consciousness. Goff offers time, consciousness will be explained and really can understand. The rest panpsychism as an alternative in terms of the chemistry of the brain, (matter) is mystery! worldview to dualism, which holds or indeed explained away altogether that mind and matter are two separate The final chapter moves beyond the as illusion. The third solution, which aspects of reality; and materialism, issue of consciousness and places Goff argues for, is panpsychism, which holds that there is nothing other panpsychism in the context of the which holds that consciousness is a climate crisis and what he calls a than the stuff of the world as described ‘fundamental and ubiquitous feature by physical sciences. ‘naturalised spirituality’. Panpsychism of the physical world’. directly challenges the view that The book is focussed around the The panpsychist view holds that humans are separate from nature; and problem of consciousness. David consciousness in some form is part the related view that nature has no Chalmers has contrasted the ‘easy’ and parcel of the physical world, that value in itself, other than its utility to problem of explaining the link between simple forms of consciousness exist humans. Goff writes, ‘Panpsychism consciousness and behaviour to the as fundamental aspect of matter. has the potential to transform our ‘hard’ problem of explaining why ‘We know that consciousness is real relationship with the natural world. there is any consciousness at all in a If panpsychism is true, the rain forest

www.scimednet.org 55 Paradigm Explorer 2020/1 is teeming with consciousness. As The six main parts address what the or power over in terms of force, conscious entities, trees have value author calls the digital life world, scrutiny and perception-control, in their own right: chopping down a then the respective futures of power, all of which the author examines tree becomes an action of immediate liberty, democracy, justice and politics. in detail. Power is further analysed moral significance. Moreover, on the Given increasingly capable systems, not only as force, but also coercion, panpsychist worldview, humans have increasingly integrated technology and influence, authority and manipulation. a deep affinity with the natural world: increasingly quantified societies, the We are now open to scrutiny - and we are conscious creatures embedded challenge posed is the extent of control consequently to a corresponding abuse in a world of consciousness’. by digital systems whereby those who of power - to an unprecedented extent control technology will have enhanced with respect to our lives, desires, plans This is a truly important statement. opportunities to control us through this and even purposes; and all the more Panpsychism offers a lifegiving very power and to limit our freedom so with the advent of smart devices alternative to the strange combination accordingly. As Sir Tim Berners-Lee to be intensified with the advent of of materialism and dualism that observed, he and his colleagues are 5G – the author gives a telling example has evolved from Galileo’s science, ‘philosophical engineers’ redesigning of a clue to a murder derived from and which has such destructive the very basis of our political and an unusually excessive use of water consequences for our world. It is social fabric. So it becomes important metered by the criminal’s own device. unfortunate that this comes too little to be able to explore these issues And self-driving cars will not allow and too late in the book. The problem within the context of political theory us to break speed limits or park in of the origin of consciousness, while and its practical applications. Here restricted areas. Positively, the author fascinating, is trivial compared to the some basic vocabulary and analysis argues that this could constitute a existential question of the future of life is enormously helpful, for instance form of ‘wise restraint’ with smart on Earth. Tying panpsychism so firmly the elements of social order in terms fridges advising obese people on to the problem of consciousness does it of coordination, cooperation and what not to eat. Perception control a disservice. I would follow panpsychic control and various types of analysis - is effectively behaviour control, and philosopher Freya Mathews and conceptual, normative and contextual. we already subject to a great deal of argue that panpsychism provides the Then questions of how we gather, store, filtering, for instance news feeds and metaphysical grounding that will allow analyse and communicate information. searches (research has shown that us to live as true participants of life on All this is occurring within the overall positive and negative news feeds can Earth. context of our commercial affect our moods accordingly, as the Written elegantly for a general and political world current coronavirus readership rather than an academic expressed through the crisis so tellingly audience, Philip Goff’s book is very Internet and driven by the demonstrates). So clearly written, making complex migration of advertising the bottom line is ideas maybe not easy, but accessible. revenues online where that these powerful This is a clear introduction to the we as users unwittingly economic entities panpsychic perspective on the problem become the product. It is wield immense of consciousness, and a first step in still crucial, however, to political power. bringing the wider significance of be able to hold elites to Liberty and freedom panpsychism to a general readership. account. also require new The section on the concepts beyond ECOLOGY AND digital lifeworld freedom of action and is enormously thought. The author ECONOMICS informative and will offers and defines surprise readers with the scope of Digital THE DIGITAL AS its reporting on AI Libertarianism, Digital with, for instance, Liberalism, Digital POLITICAL programmes for lip Federalism, Digital David Lorimer reading performing Paternalism (see wise ■ at 93% accuracy and forecast restraint above), Digital ■ FUTURE POLITICS of outcomes of legal cases at 79%, not Moralism and Digital Jamie Susskind to mention records on chess and other Republicanism. Online technology offers us new affordances while at Oxford, 2018/2020, 516 pp., board games. Machine learning is now developing automation of automation the same time feeding into predictive £9.99, p/b – algorithms with political implications, ISBN 978-0-19-884892-9 with computing power expected to multiply by 64 in terms of speed in as we saw with the 2016 US election. It is not surprising that this brilliant the next 10 years. Algorithms are Interestingly, both in this campaign and ground-breaking book was omnipresent, as Amazon and Netflix and in Brexit, up to a third of messages chosen as a Guardian book of the day customers will know only too well and tweets came from bots, and this and Prospect and Evening Standard (adverts for a suitcase I looked at came is likely to continue - it is already also book of the year when it came out in up on my weather forecast even though the case with respect to the debate hardback. It is essential reading for I had bought another one), and this on climate change. The discussion anyone who wants to get to grips with technology is pervasive, connective, on liberty then feeds into future the profound and far-reaching impacts sensitive, constitutive and immersive. democracy: ‘if we care about liberty, of digital technology on politics. The We now generate more data in two there must be a corresponding increase fundamental issues have moved on hours than was generated since the in the ability of the citizenry to hold from 20th-century preoccupations with beginning of time up until 2003, while that power to account.’ (p. 208) The the relationship between states and companies like Facebook and Google author then gives a brief history of markets and require a radical rethink of compile ‘life logs’ from our ‘data democracy with more details of online the scope of basic political categories. exhaust’ that are able to predict our campaigning and highlighting its new And as the author points out in his activities and decisions. forms, including, crucially, deliberative preface to the paperback edition, we are democracy at a time when people are neither intellectually, philosophically In the new connected digital lifeworld, increasingly confined within self- nor morally prepared for the world we code and algorithms are power. Power looping bubbles of information and are creating. can either be power to (empowerment) no longer critically exposed to other

56 www.scimednet.org Paradigm Explorer 2020/1 viewpoints. This phenomenon is related Despite its magisterial scope, I felt The book is structured around to ‘no-platforming’ controversies in that there were a few important gaps nine ‘what if’ questions: taking universities as well as the rise of fake in the analysis. The psychological play seriously, imagination and news and the misleading equating of aspect of resistance to change was not health, following the lead of nature, truth with belief. As the author points addressed, nor the importance of the reclaiming our attention, nurturing out, there must be mechanisms for aware individual as exemplified in the imagination among the young, better the resolution of reasonable moral work of CG Jung - The Undiscovered storytelling, asking better questions, disagreement. Self, for example. Much of the prioritising the cultivation of thinking was left hemisphere in terms imagination and finally: what if all this Next comes justice, principally in of Iain McGilchrist’s approach, and came to pass? The content is based terms of asset and wealth distribution the work of Riane Eisler on dominator on over 100 interviews and projects and recognition ‘how humans see and partnership societies was not around the world, all of which and treat each other, including our mentioned, nor that of Sir Karl Popper exemplify a reconnection to local systems of social status and esteem’ on open and closed societies. In terms community (and sometimes to nature). (p. 208) - which entails new forms of of themes, consciousness was absent Some of these projects are amazingly assessment and ranking applied not as was our overall relationship with imaginative. Antanas Mockus was only in tourism but increasingly also nature within the Western worldview; originally President of the University within companies and universities. This and the discussion on democracy could of Colombia, but was sacked for is how students become customers and have benefited from a consideration an incident involving dropping his is partially responsible for the steady of the role of ‘nudging’ in policy trousers when confronting disruptive rise in first-class degrees as universities terms. These represent mainly what far-left student activists; he told them seek to market themselves. The author one might call the inner attitudes ‘innovative behaviour can be useful gives examples of algorithmic injustice rather than outer structures, but it when you run out of words.’ Bizarrely, according to how algorithms are is essentially the inner that drives this gave him a platform to run as set and the views they reflect; in this the outer the more aware and free Mayor of Bogota where in office he one becomes inwardly. Developing sense, neutrality can entrench existing took on the notoriously corrupt traffic and maintaining our inner freedom injustice. Then there is a chapter on police, who pocketed most of the fines technological unemployment where the constitutes a great challenge for each of us in our time. and had little impact on drivers. So author observes that, between 2000 and he hired 420 mime artists ‘who stood 2010, ‘the US lost about 5.6 million at the city’s intersections showing red manufacturing jobs, 85% of which THE POWER OF cards to bad drivers, stopping the losses were attributable to technological IMAGINATION traffic and applauding good drivers. change.’ (p. 295) The author’s brother He sacked the entire traffic police Daniel has just produced a whole book David Lorimer department, offering them their jobs on this subject - Future Work - Daniel ■■ FROM WHAT IS TO back if they retrained as mimes. Four and his father also wrote a book hundred did. His actions reduce traffic together on the future of the professions WHAT IF fatalities by 50%.’ (p. 29) Reflecting in 2016. Work is valued for income, Rob Hopkins on this success, he commented that status and well-being, while what the Chelsea Green, 2019, 228 pp., people respond to humour and author calls the work paradigm reflects playfulness from politicians. £19.99, h/b – these assumptions. There is no doubt that we need a fundamental debate ISBN 978-1-40358-905-5 Rob highlights the growing mental around future work scenarios, including Rob Hopkins is best known for his health crisis where media messages these value connections and the relative role in co-founding Transition Town and capitalism ‘colonise people’s capacity of people to flourish with more Totnes and Transition Network. He imagination of what is possible’ time for leisure. Wealth and capital supports the vision of the World Social and hijack attention for commercial will also need to be reconsidered, and Forum that ‘another world is possible’ purposes. US electronic media our current crisis is bringing fraternity while stressing the central importance consumption has gone up from or solidarity to the fore beyond a of cultivating the imagination, which 9.5 hours a day in 2014 to over conservative focus on liberty and a has been downplayed by dominant 11 in 2018. Moreover, there is an socialist concern with equality - some education systems based on inextricable link between attention and imagination, people are now promulgating extending testing and which both require mental the notion of a ‘sharing economy’ and measurement. space that is now heavily we already see this manifest in one form There is a certain cluttered on a daily basis. in Uber and Airbnb. irony and hope in our current Here, as Sherry Turkle In his final reflections on politics, the situation to the title observes, face-to-face author notes that we will not only of the introduction: conversation is vital, have to make technology companies what if things turned without which we are accountable, but also ‘keep the power out okay? However, ‘less empathic, less of the supercharged state in check’ as the question is now connected, less creative we already witnessing with surveillance even more important and fulfilled.’ (p. 81) totalitarianism in China. Legitimacy and imagination Faced with the scale of must still be based on consent and absolutely essential. global challenges, we fairness, which will entail both It is easy to forget have no alternative transparency and structural regulation that everything human but to ‘imagine a way involving appropriate forms of we see around us out of them.’ This has accountability. We must ask ourselves was once a thought in to entail cultivating ‘how much of our collective life should somebody’s mind. I am imagination among be directed and controlled by powerful writing this review at a the young, and digital systems – and on what terms’ bureau designed by my Rob gives some inspiring (p. 361) within limits analysed by HLA grandfather, Sir Robert examples of project-based learning Hart in his seminal The Concept of Lorimer – the bureau originated in his around the world which may even Law (p. 365). imagination. require, according to some people, a

www.scimednet.org 57 Paradigm Explorer 2020/1 process of unlearning and un-schooling power behind the scenes: if we do underlying psychology’ - like frogs as first suggested by Ivan Illich in the not use the power of imagination to in slowly heating water, we fail to 1970s. Corresponding to a loss of envisage radical new possibilities we take the long-term seriously and react biodiversity is a thinning of language will end up with an imposed extension only to immediate emergencies. And and possibility, according to the writer of our current dystopia. as a species, we are probably as an Robert Macfarlane. And it is sobering adolescent stage. Moreover, as Jaron to read that ‘in 1903 there were Lanier observes, ‘the dominant story almost 500 varieties of lettuce, and by A NEW COVENANT is machine-centric. It’s technological 1983 just 36. Similarly, the number David Lorimer determinism (p. 50). Prophets can of cucumber varieties fell from 285 play an important role in a narrative to just 16. Cabbage varieties fell from ■■ THE MYTH GAP of redemption, as Alex observes, 544 to 28, and radishes from 463 to Alex Evans quoting Walter Brueggeman: they force people to face up to reality, help 27.’ (p. 56) Eden Project Books, 2017, them deal with the corresponding Storytelling is the substance of 152 pp., £9.99, h/b – despair and give them the hope for traditional oral cultures and conveys ISBN 978-1-909-51311-2 the future. Part of this hope lies in the a framework of meaning. As Alex With his extensive background as centrality of restoration - sustainability Evans also argues above, facts an activist and policy adviser to the is insufficient. Restoration is about are not enough – we need a new British government and the UN, ‘healing, repairing, resurrecting story for a corresponding change Alex is in a unique position to reflect environments and returning them to of behaviour. When people are on environmental and political their natural state’ (p. 73). given the opportunity, imaginative developments concerning the crisis of possibilities flourish, but in our current unsustainability. He asks the question: In formulating ‘an Everlasting or circumstances, as Rob points out, what happens when evidence and Cosmic Covenant’, Alex brings in ‘imagining the future in a positive arguments aren’t enough? The rise of the work of Margaret Barker on way is an act of immense courage, of the Tea Party, Brexit and the election Jerusalem’s lost First Temple with a resistance, of rebellion.’ The alternative of Donald Trump demonstrated to corresponding loss of the goddess consort of Yahweh - she is Wisdom is passively succumbing to negative him that the thinking of NGOs (and while the covenant ‘is a vision of the stories and a corresponding ‘despair, Remain in the 2016 referendum) as insider technocrats with a fact-lead unity of all things, and how the visible hopelessness and discouragement’ material world relates to another promulgated by mainstream media. analysis was powerless against populist outsiders with a value-led story. Alex dimension of existence that unites This is not the first book I have read all things into one divinely ordained recently that quotes Milton Friedman: also observed first-hand how high- level UN negotiations collapsed into system’ (p. 83). Things fall apart ‘Only a crisis – actual or perceived – when we have a science divorced from reduces real change. When that crisis national interests where politicians are grandstanding for their own domestic wisdom and a plundering economy occurs, the actions that are taken exploiting the earth to the limit, depend on the ideas that are lying electorates and revert to economic self-interest. The outcome of the 2009 giving rise to dysfunctional systems around. That, I believe, is our basic embodying structural and spiritual function: to develop alternatives to Copenhagen climate conference made him realise the need for a evil: as Acton famously existing policies, to keep them alive said, power corrupts and available until the politically mass movement to support a restorative and absolute power impossible becomes the politically corrupts absolutely. One inevitable (my italics).’ (p. 119) economy, one with a shared culture and central concept is that As Rob argues, we certainly have values and enabling of sacrifice leading to to start asking questions, and he congregating spaces restoration, which is gives various examples of successful with the aim of interestingly illustrated projects that have done just this, for bringing others along in the classic work by instance in Derby, Preston, Norwich rather than holding CS Lewis, JRR Tolkien and JK Rowling. In and Liège in Belgium. In the current the high moral ground and polarising through the Hebrew tradition, pandemic crisis, it was anticipated every seventh day in the planning scenario of October enemy narratives. Alex criticises what he calls is a sabbath, every 2019 that the story or narrative seventh year the land would have to be managed to keep Collapsitarianism as a self-fulfilling prophecy lies fallow and every things on track. We are now seeing 49th year there is a this activated with the censorship brought about through passivity and fatalism. Jubilee acting as a of alternative views on Facebook major reset. Sacrifice and YouTube, especially those that Generically, myths are acts as a driver of question the global vaccination agenda designed to explain the restoration where promulgated by Bill Gates and the world and ourselves the covenant heals creation and brings WHO. If you control perception, you by providing a larger narrative. it back into balance. also control behaviour, as advertisers Alex contends in his title that we and propagandists know only too well. are missing such a myth to help In spite of our technological capacities, A danger highlighted by a former MEP create and shape our reality and we find ourselves ‘in a situation of is that ‘the volume of mental stuff sense of purpose. In the second part, extraordinary vulnerability’ as the simply overwhelms the imagination.’ he proposes five myths for a new events of the last few weeks have We do not need passive assent but century: a larger us, a longer now, decisively demonstrated. We need to rather an active deliberative democracy a better good life, redemption and find a higher unity of purpose based – ‘the Great Pause’ will give us some restoration. This involves extending on planetary rather than national imaginative space. In this respect, our empathy horizon and a vision identities, interests and values. this book is essential reading ‘about ‘capable of achieving non-zero-sum This means becoming aware of the what kind of future we might create, a outcomes at the global scale’ (p. 74). limitations of our ways of thinking, future that it is still possible to create’ He quotes Tony Leiserowitz on climate as David Bohm articulated his - otherwise we will have to accept the change: ‘you almost couldn’t design concept of dialogue. Any potential future planned by those who exercise a problem that is a worse fit for our mass movement has to embody local

58 www.scimednet.org Paradigm Explorer 2020/1 as well as international elements in and a corresponding revival of the arts distinctions between fiction or fantasy terms of community and a sense of with their intrinsic cultural value. The and objective reality are blurred and belonging. Indeed, community is four parts are devoted to re-enchanting result in fierce opposition or outright one of six themes proposed here, the the institution, the curriculum, the dismissal. Her conclusion is that there others being personal transformation, mind, and nature and body. is in fact no clear-cut ontological social transformation, purpose distinction between the subjective finding, creativity and accountability. The first essay is a wide-ranging discussion of the enchantment of and objective, as we also find in It remains to be seen whether we are participatory methodologies and the capable in the short term of extending learning by Patrick Curry, whose book on enchantment is reviewed in Books experimenter effect. It is easier to our boundaries and empathy horizons ignore rather than engage with these to include the whole of humanity, in Brief below. He reminds readers of Newman’s thesis that the University realms that subvert an exclusively and this is where visionary leadership rational approach. is essential, along with grassroots should be a place where ‘scholars seek initiatives and pressure. Above all, we truth, pursue and transmit knowledge The imagination can be a vehicle need to reimagine and re-articulate for knowledge’s sake – irrespective towards wholeness, as argued by of the consequences, implications the future, which Alex characterises as Anita Klujber quoting Northrop Frye and utility of the endeavour.’ This Eden 2.0. Crucially, economic activity and his idea that literary teaching must sustain environmental health. is precisely the ethos that has been undermined in the last 40 years, with involves the transfer of imaginative Revisiting the Earth Charter might also energy from literature to student, be a good starting point and those who a corresponding impoverishment of the imagination and a grim focus on and involving both emotion and would like to become more directly intellect. This is exemplified in both informed and involved can visit Alex’s results and outcomes. We have also lost the metaphysical understanding Yeats and the work of Kathleen Raine Collective Psychology project at www. who founded the Temenos Academy collectivepsychology.org - overall, this of the nature of the human being where wisdom is the ultimate and who was the leading scholar of a lucid and well argued contribution Blake in her generation (this theme towards a collective narrative that can rather than factual knowledge this involves a cultivation of being as is also taken up by Judith Way). In overcome the myth gap of the book’s well as knowing. Eduard Heyning the last part, we encounter directly title. contributes a piece on panpsychism nature and the body, reading about and the academy, tracing this back to ‘active care’ opening up awareness of GENERAL Renaissance philosophers and linking interrelationships, then the power of it with the work of William James, rewilding and immersion in nature. FULL SPECTRUM RM Bucke, Aldous Huxley, CG Jung There is an intriguing participatory and most recently chapter on breathing making space KNOWING Freya Mathews who, for ‘empathetic David Lorimer like Seyyed Hossein perception.’ Another Nasr in his 1967 book chapter describes right ■■ RE-ENCHANTING Man and Nature, brain consciousness THE ACADEMY realised that the in the learning process environmental crisis in Balkan dance into Edited by Angels Voss (SMN) and is a symptom of Simon Wilson the consequences of deeper issues. exclusion from the Rubedo Press, 2017, 366 pp., £21, Angela Voss academic and learning p/b – ISBN 978-1-943710-13-3 explores the power process of ‘women, Max Weber first popularised the of symbol and the nature in the body, idea of disenchantment over 100 mediaeval exegesis joy, celebration and years ago, but the process has only enabling readers to play, colour, creativity, intensified since that time and in the move from ‘literal, beauty, a sense of the universities especially since the triumph to allegorical, sacred, communion with of an accounting and measurement to tropological the divine, laughter and mentality from the early 1980s. This or moral, to love of life’ - this is quite book emerged from a conference on anagogic for a list! The author explains the subject at the University of Kent mystical readings how traditionally women in Canterbury in 2015. It is based of Scripture’ (p. 116). in Greece and the Balkans on the premise that education has to This is an important point because have been in charge of dance and nourish and inspire both heart and scientism and fundamentalism are ceremonial matters involving the great mind ‘if it is to lead future generations two sides of the same literalistic coin transitions of life and death – much of students out of the cave of policy- corresponding to a loss of depth and of this is embedded in line and chain led bureaucratisation and financially- the sacred. Traditionally, we have three dances ‘taught without teaching, and led consumerism into the creative eyes: the eye of flesh or sense, the eye learnt without learning’, hence fully freedom of their own souls.’ As such, of reason and the eye of the spirit or and literally embodied in a common the authors represent a resistance heart. Modern universities cultivate or reclamation movement aimed at only the first two, episteme and not heritage and identity. We have recently rebalancing the emphasis of education gnosis. Angela quotes Bernardo experienced this in south-west France in terms of what Iain McGilchrist Kastrup’s observation that there is a where we regularly attend such refers to as left and right hemisphere critical difference between emotionally traditional dance evenings that elicit thinking, analysis and imagination. taking the Christian myth of literal a palpable feeling of connectedness This requires ‘going against the grain truth and intellectually doing so, which and community. Needless to say, of our contemporary scientisms, our leads to intolerance and persecution. these have been suspended during the functional instrumentalist imperatives, Julia Moore’s daring contribution lockdown, but such contact is vital and even our enlightened liberal addresses the contrast between the while also connecting the past with agendas of secular humanism, which experimental séance and the academy, the present. Taken as a whole, the will have no truck with a magical providing a revealing chart on p. 177. volume explores the many dimensions reality as, well, true.’ (p. 15) Crucial to She analyses the methods used by a of re-enchantment, providing a crucial this process is metaphorical thinking number of investigators where the source of Renaissance for our time.

www.scimednet.org 59 Paradigm Explorer 2020/1 Books in Brief

versions of the same idea. Ironically, SCIENCE- seemingly through the influence of PHILOSOPHY OF a now discredited paper by John von Neumann, even de Broglie SCIENCE himself thought that Bohm’s theory was wrong, like his own previous ■■ Einstein’s Unfinished proposal. Einstein’s reaction was also Revolution discouraging, and continued neglect of Bohm’s contribution throughout his David Lorimer Lee Smolin life – he was only elected a Fellow of Note: many of these books are Penguin 2020, 321 pp., £9.99, p/b. the Royal Society in his 70s. Smolin is somewhat disparaging about Bohm’s now available in downloadable Subtitled ‘the search for what lies mystical and philosophical quest, electronic form beyond the quantum’, this is a although he does acknowledge his brilliant exposition of the field and its courage and vision in taking this step. development, exploring in particular Just this morning, by coincidence, the case for a realist rather than I was reading the conclusion of an anti-realist interpretation of quantum article by his collaborator Basil Hiley physics and criticising the hegemony who argues that these 1952 papers of the Copenhagen interpretation. referred to ‘were not an attempt Realism is the position that the to find a deterministic, mechanical natural world exists independently account of the quantum formalism’, of our minds and that the properties but rather a step towards a deeper of matter can be comprehended understanding of a particle as ‘some and described by us: ‘they in no quasi stable semi-autonomous way depend on our knowledge or feature of the unfolding process.’ perception of it’, as is the common One needs to understand Bohm's (neo-Kantian) understanding of philosophy explained in Wholeness observation in quantum mechanics and the Implicate Order as a point of and the collapse of the wave function. departure. Smolin’s starting point is that current models only allow us to know half of The third part is devoted to a survey what we need to know, as reflected of current thinking in developing an in Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle approach based on common sense with respect to waves and particles. realism. Smolin reviews historical After explaining the development of attempts in this respect and explores quantum mechanics, he goes on to ways of going beyond pilot wave discuss what quantum mechanics does theory and collapse models. His not explain and the triumph of anti- own approach begins with principles realism with Niels Bohr’s notion of (though as Nicholas Maxwell complementarity. argues, one should in fact begin with presuppositions), moving on The three central figures of the second to hypotheses that must satisfy the part are Louis de Broglie, John principles, models illustrating their Bell and David Bohm. De Broglie partial implications, and only then extended the notion of the wave and complete theories. His five principles particle to the whole of matter, which are background independence, the was then mathematically formulated relationality of space and time, in Schrödinger’s wave equation. He causal completeness, reciprocity and presented his pilot wave theory to the identity of indiscernibles, all of the Solvay conference in 1927; this which he regards as aspects of a single theory ‘predicts everything quantum principle, namely Leibniz’s principle mechanics does, but explains a good of sufficient reason. This then leads deal more’ through the influence of on to three hypotheses: that time, in the wave on the particle. However, the sense of causation, is fundamental, his contribution was ignored by that it is irreversible and that space Copenhagen textbooks, and this is emergent. Smolin then elaborates a line of thinking was dormant until theory of relational hidden variables taken up by David Bohm’s hidden as a ‘simultaneous completion of variable theory in the early 1950s, quantum mechanics and general which Smolin sees as different relativity’, describing some recent

60 www.scimednet.org Paradigm Explorer 2020/1 developments in this respect. General can also be described in terms of a of primitive brain structures we share readers can just about keep up with discourse of evil and the shadow - I with the other mammals’ (p. 14). In the narrative even if some technical did, however, appreciate the sentence this sense, he recommends a birth details will elude them. The elephant on the final page that it is ‘only by environment with candles rather than in the room is referred to only in the recognising and embracing our shared bright lights overhead since this kind preface: ‘let us tiptoe past the hard humanity on our one living planet of light inhibits melatonin release. question of consciousness to simpler will we achieve a good, liveable questions.’ However, it is clear that Anthropocene.’ In a chapter on pre-labour consciousness plays a very different Caesareans, he notes that we role in a realist account of quantum ■■ Conversations with Galileo underestimate the multiple effects on babies of stress and microbial mechanics, even though not for David William Shea, foreword by Dava Sobel Bohm - there is plenty more thinking deprivation in such cases, to be done, but this book is a highly Watkins 2019, 115 pp., £9.99, h/b. recommending that Caesareans should be delayed until the onset readable and stimulating contribution. This format provides an informative and accessible introduction to of labour. This is part of Michel’s ■■ Transcendence Galileo’s life along with a series emphasis on our ‘cultural lack of of fictional dialogues based on interest in the possible long-term Gaia Vince consequences of the way babies biographical facts. Appropriately, are born’ (p. 76) resulting from Allen Lane 2019, 294 pp., £20, h/b. the author is Galileo Professor of the Subtitled ‘how humans evolved what he calls the scientification of History of Science at the University love associated with a dominating through fire, language, beauty of Padua, and has written several and time’, this highly readable attitude towards nature and cultural books about Galileo and the scientific control not only of genital sexuality, account of biological and cultural revolution. The first part is a brief evolution characterises humans as childbirth and lactation, but also life, followed by well-informed and of access to transcendence ‘and the most successful species on earth plausible dialogues where readers representing a ‘planet-altering force the association of orgasmic states learn not only about Galileo’s science of nature’ now recognised in the with concepts of shame, culpability geological term Anthropocene. It but also about his inheritance of and fear’ (p. 111). Hence his is not wholly true to argue that we family debt (his older daughter recommendation that childbirth determine the course of our own was a nun), his love of wine and needs to be de-socialised and the destiny – Will Durant observes that women, the nature of his teaching need for privacy recognised since civilisation exists by geological assignments and the fact that he was the very socialisation of childbirth consent - and an element missing also an astrologer and played the lute. involves inhibitory factors and a from the book is the cyclical nature Interestingly, in view of the current language of management and control of civilisations in terms of rise and crisis, there is a dialogue on the where the woman is treated as a decline. The main evolutionary 1630s plague where 50,000 people patient in a largely passive role. factors are genes, environment and died in Venice alone. He himself was Besides the essays on childbirth, there culture, the latter becoming prevalent quarantined for 18 days. are also interesting papers on the in the course of time. There is an future of evolutionary thinking and element of a triumphal march in psychotherapy, abbreviations and a the overarching narrative, which MEDICINE-HEALTH reflection on the epigenetic clock. A struck me as hubristic, although very stimulating volume, especially the author’s argument that we are ■■ The Future of Homo? for those in the field. further transforming our species into Michel Odent (Hon SMN) a superorganism, which she calls ■■ Holistic Counselling ‘Homni’ is an interesting one - in this World Scientific 2019, 183 pp., Moshe Daniel Block ND £18.99, p/b – ebook £14.99. context, the meaning of transcendence Psyche Books (John Hunt) 2020, is socio-biological, and there is no Dr Michel Odent celebrates his 398 pp., £20.99, p/b. mention of a spiritual dimension of 90th birthday this year and in reality nor of the danger that our this wide-ranging new book asks This pioneering book by a cleverness is outstripping our wisdom a series of questions surrounding naturopathic doctor and homeopath as ‘intelligent designers’ developing what he calls primal health (www. has been justly acclaimed by ourselves into cyborgs - there are primalhealthresearch.com) which specialists as a breakthrough in downsides and challenges involved he has been researching over many uniting the fields of mind-body in technologies such as CRISPR, decades. The style of these articles is medicine and psychology by helping one of the latest manifestations of academic with many references, but identify the root cause of disease. It precision engineering language terms nevertheless accessible to the general introduces the ‘VIS’ dialogue as a of snipping and editing that does not reader. One of his most important new counselling technique where VIS reflect the complex reality and is an overall contentions is that we have refers to the healing power of nature extension of the mechanistic mindset. over-socialised the birth process in (vis medicatrix naturae) within a The superorganism metaphor could terms of medical intervention and multidimensional understanding of potentially be very useful as it even interference in ways that are the human being with four principal suggests a sophisticated degree of inimical to our own evolutionary levels of soul, mind, emotions and mutuality and cooperation which history. He shows how many body. The first part introduces the have now become an evolutionary indigenous women give birth alone philosophical background in terms of imperative. Another missing element and undisturbed or with only a few seven principles, including the need is feeling - the principal developments supportive companions. This ensures for physicians to heal themselves. described are technological what he calls neocortical inhibition, a These principles then form a checklist without deep consideration of the mental and emotional state conducive to compare allopathic systems and human element, although this is to a smooth birthing process. Women holistic approaches where it becomes acknowledged to some extent in the need to be protected against all clear that the allopathic approach is final chapter when the author reflects possible stimulations of the neocortex not addressed at healing the whole on social mistakes as a ‘fault in since the ‘birth process is an person as an individual, does not humanity’s cultural algorithm’, which involuntary process under the control address the fundamental cause of

www.scimednet.org 61 Paradigm Explorer 2020/1 disease nor does it act in cooperation the same as being free of disease ■■ The Art of Breathing with the healing power of nature; it in an emotional and psychological Dr Danny Penman is, however, essential in certain well- sense. The messages of this book defined circumstances. could not be more important for our HarperCollins 2020, 119 pp., £8.99, understanding of living with cancer, p/b. The author shows how false beliefs so it should it to widely read and This simple, lucid and beautifully can lie at the root of physical discussed. presented book is a straightforward conditions, and provides detailed introduction to mindful breathing guidance on techniques, including ■■ Care for the Soul and living, asking how aware we the importance of using non-directed Rudolf Steiner, edited by Harold Haas are of the 22,000 breaths we take questions, following the stream and every day. Danny is co-author of a going deeper into the rabbit hole until Rudolf Steiner Press 2020, 132 pp., bestselling book on mindfulness as the cause is discovered – at this point £12.99, p/b. well as an award-winning journalist of recognition, the patient can make Whenever I read Steiner - whether and meditation teacher. Here he distils a choice to change; in this context on bees, agriculture or even the the essence in simple explanations and the attitude of the practitioner is also electrification of the early 1920s in exercises; these are set out in simple critical. There are complete lists of relation to the current rollout of circles with one leading to the next incisive and specific questions as well 5G – I am struck by his prescience and creating a necessary pause. He as advice on overcoming obstacles with respect to many contemporary shows the reader how relaxation and and closing questions. The process challenges. This book selects and peace of mind are always within our will often involve a reorientation and comments on his writings as a reach through awareness of breathing redefinition of the patient’s identity. possible basis for a psychotherapy and its well-known benefits. He The book will be fruitful reading gives a couple of unusual exercises in founded on anthroposophy – a especially for mind-body practitioners mindfully eating fruit and an outdoor and therapists who will find the ‘science of the spirit’ based on his own ‘scavenger’ meditation based on our structuring and sequence of questions perception and understanding as well natural curiosity. The direct style for sessions very helpful. as the development of imagination, and short paragraphs make the book inspiration and intuition. Steiner was eminently digestible and practical, ■■ Living with the Long-Term an inheritor of German idealism as a mindful reminder of what many Effects of Cancer well as the scientific work of Goethe, know already but which is so easily but with a highly developed spiritual forgotten in moments of unawareness. Dr Cordelia Galgut perception as well as philosophical Jessica Kingsley 2020, 206 pp., understanding of the limitations - still £12.99, p/b. present - of a scientific outlook where PHILOSOPHY- This is a very significant and ‘only the ordinary mind exists, and SPIRITUALITY courageous book for health this in turn is entirely dependent on professionals, patients, carers our bodily organs.’ (p. 27) Steiner ■■ In Search of the Soul goes beyond this to what he calls and family members written by a John Cottingham psychologist who was first diagnosed ‘beholding consciousness’ (c.f. with bilateral breast cancer 15 years witness), and awareness rooted in Princeton 2020, 174 pp., £18.99, p/b. ago and is the author of two earlier the world of spirit and enabling him This wide-ranging and well-written books on emotional and physical to understand that the activity of the book looks at a variety of meanings effects of living with cancer. The brain is in fact instrumentally that of associated with the soul, a concept book questions the assumption that the spirit (p. 121). Science as presently that has largely gone out of fashion those affected by cancer will simply constituted is incapable of ‘delving in modern philosophy, psychology recover and get back to normal when into an intrinsically inward realm of and neuroscience with the rise emotional, psychological and physical soul.’ (p. 58) of materialistic theories of mind. side-effects can in fact produce However, there are many other a mismatch between optimistic Steiner recommends methods of philosophical associations with the clinical expectations and real life. meditation and contemplation that word that are examined here in The chapters cover the struggle do not call upon faculty of memory terms of soul making, meaning, value of facing up to long-term effects, or input from sense perceptions. and growth. The title chapters are the dread of recurrence, effects of These practices develop ‘imaginative indicative: humanity in quest of the soul, the evolution of the soul, soul, cancer on relationships and work, consciousness’ while training the science and subjectivity, the partly and more detailed interviews with a will and developing the feeling hidden soul, and the soul and the nurse and three doctors as well as a life along lines already practised transcendent. This last theme brings separate chapter on the experience by Goethe, eventually leading to supersensible cognition. The soul up the search for a deeper identity, but after treatment with male cancers. for the author this is more in terms The book is clearly structured and needs to undertake what he calls self- strengthening to achieve a spiritual of a ‘hospitable’ theistic framework written, with excellent summaries than an investigation of the nature vision of itself from within as a aimed at different constituencies. The and implications of mystical creative entity. Here a certain courage analysis is incisive and frank: some experience. For him, theism is a more of the deepest issues arise from an is called for in overcoming a fear of plausible ‘fundamental framework of unconscious denial of our mortality the void and realising the fullness of interpretation’ than materialism when when faced with the implications emptiness which is in fact the fullness it comes to explaining consciousness. of cancer and, for patients, the of spirit that we intrinsically are. We He points out that these pictures dread of recurrence and having to exist on a spectrum of inwardness are not empirical hypotheses to be undergo further painful and extended and outwardness, and our task is to tested against evidence but rather the treatment when reserves of strength become more intentionally aware of backdrop for any possible hypotheses and resilience have already been and oriented towards the underlying - and this includes the view espoused sapped. So being disease-free is not spiritual nature of reality. by scientism.

62 www.scimednet.org Paradigm Explorer 2020/1

At one level, soul language is about of physicalism and the subjective courageously refusing to recant moral integration and fulfilment, acceptance of a transcendent notion her convictions’ involving going ripening and meaning, soul as of God. beyond virtue to mystical union opposed to ‘the’ soul in a traditional in Love, using the will to abandon metaphysical and immaterial sense. ■■ Medieval Philosophy the will. This volume will surely Here the author, like all philosophers Peter Adamson attain classic status, and can be read unfamiliar with the psychical and either sequentially or consulted as a mystical, is at a loss in attempting to Oxford 2019, 637 pp., £25, h/b. detailed encyclopaedia of mediaeval connect the mechanistically material This is the fourth volume in the philosophy and its variegated with the immaterial when restricted to Oxford series ‘a history of philosophy personalities. the notion of a purely physical rather without any gaps’, following on than subtle or light bodies. He also from books on classical philosophy, ■■ The World Philosophy Made assumes that modern neuroscience philosophy in the Hellenistic and Scott Soames has disproved this metaphysical Roman worlds and philosophy in the soul and is evidently unacquainted Islamic world - then the next in the Princeton 2019, 439 pp., £25, h/b. with the vast experiential literature series on Indian philosophy will be This book is an erudite riposte to indicating the contrary. Interestingly, reviewed in PE 133. It is a staggering the accusation that philosophy his analysis of the ‘ratiocentric’ philosophical achievement by a single has little practical relevance. In a Descartes is trialistic rather than individual (though he does have a sweeping narrative beginning with dualistic: not only as physical, collaborator for the Indian volume) the Greeks, the author shows how biological beings and conscious, and certainly lives up to the series philosophy has in fact laid ‘the thinking, concept-using beings, but title, showing up considerable gaps conceptual foundations for advances also with sensory experience as a in such classic treatments as Russell’s in theoretical knowledge and in distinctive phenomenon that cannot History of Western Philosophy, advancing the systematic study of be attributed to either body or mind. which I read in the summer of ethics, political philosophy, and Cottingham rejects the thesis that 1973. Moreover, the clarity of the human well-being.’ In this sense, consciousness is an illusion, regarding animated text is further enhanced philosophy is a partner in a wide the complex semantic life world as by the author’s humour, bringing a range of disciplines that draw on irreducible, even if underpinned by light touch to complex matters. One philosophical ideas, whether they ultimately physical mechanisms. example is the old joke that asks what are aware of this or not. In itemising However, theism posits ‘a source or Alexander the Great and Winnie the the ancient Greek contribution, he ground of all being that is somehow Pooh have in common – the answer is points to various concepts such as mind-like: consciousness is taken their middle name. And in describing truth, proof, definition, matter, mind, to be at the heart of reality.’ (p. 83) the seduction of Heloise by Peter motion and causation that form the The author realises that this is not a Abelard (‘so eminent in logic that he basis of scientific thinking, along with provable assertion but advances it as alone was thought to converse with the importance of basing beliefs on a plausible one (p. 99). Aristotle’) by becoming her teacher, evidence and argument rather than he comments, I imagine ironically, ‘of on authority. While explaining these The fourth chapter is devoted course, even today it remains true that developments, the author introduces to a more psychoanalytical view skill in philosophy is a sure path to the reader into some of the necessary drawing on Freud and Jung and romantic success.’ technicalities involved. The book looking at the cognitive unconscious proceeds with mediaeval philosophy and the archaeology of belief. The The volume chronologically covers - the truce between faith and reason author identifies a deep longing for 600 years in 78 short chapters, with - before examining the origins of wholeness and relationship in the the second and third parts devoted modern science and the emergence in human condition, which for him is to the 13th and 14th centuries. the 18th-century of ‘free societies, free the soul’s yearning for God and a The author amply demonstrates markets and free people.’ He points sense of infinite good and beauty. the range and sophistication of out that many leading figures were This is where transcendence comes mediaeval philosophers and mystics scientists as well as philosophers, in, but attributively rather than in while highlighting perennial themes such as Newton and Leibniz, while a supernatural sense and indicating treated in individual chapters: Adam Smith, best known for his a grasping after meaning and value. the existence and knowledge of contributions to economics, was in I agree that the term supernatural God, human freedom, immaterial fact a professor of moral philosophy. is unhelpful although I would not souls, epistemology, science, logic, go so far as to deny the existence metaphysics, ethics and even The remaining chapters analyse of an independent spiritual realm. I mediaeval theories of law and in detail the contributions of appreciated Malebranche’s idea of economics. All the great figures philosophers to a wide range of God as infinite and universal being, appear in the book, along with disciplines: logic, mathematics, and also Moltmann’s notion of the many I had never heard of such computation, language, cognitive Spirit indwelling creatures - so both as Peter Olivi, Gilbert of Poitiers, science, physics, justice, law and transcendent and immanent, with the Robert Kilwardby, Henry of Ghent morality. The ideas of leading human as microcosm or a spark of and Marsilius of Padua. It was thinkers are critically exposed in the divine. Here it would have been also refreshing to see fair-minded relation to the various disciplines helpful to bring in actual experiences treatment of major women mystics covered. There is a particularly good of the light, rather than referring such as Hildegard of Bingen, discussion of John Rawls’ theory of to it in an abstract sense. Certainly Hadewijch, Mechtild of Magdeburg, justice and the lesser-known work of poetry such as Wordsworth can help, Julian of Norwich and the remarkable Gerald Gaus on the tyranny of the but there is something missing here Marguerite Porete, burned at the ideal. The final chapter returns to in terms of connection. This arises stake for heresy in 1310 on account the themes of virtue, happiness and from a neglect of the intermediary of her work The Mirror of Simple, meaning in the face of death, which realm between the physical and the Annihilated Souls and Those Who the author defines as the one of the divine as described by visionaries Only Remain in Will and Desire of twin aims of Western philosophy such as Swedenborg and reflects a Love. Adamson remarks that, ‘like along with rational enquiry. The tension between the persuasiveness Socrates, she was executed after challenge here is to ‘reconceptualise

www.scimednet.org 63 Paradigm Explorer 2020/1 traditional understandings of virtue as microcosm also explain our levels when Islam is still associated in public and happiness to accommodate of understanding from the senses to perception with militant violence, our growing scientific knowledge intelligence accessing the divine. On the example of Badshah Khan is of human nature’ - here the author page 143 there is an extraordinary inspirational and derived explicitly accepts the naturalistic assumption depiction of the levels of sense, from the Prophet and his ‘weapons’ that death is extinction, and reason, intellect and nous (mens) of patience and righteousness: ‘no therefore confines his perspective with corresponding sensible, imaginal power on earth can stand against it.’ accordingly while nobly promoting and intellectual/spiritual worlds and Khan’s troops at Kissa Khani Bazaar the broadening and deepening of our on page 149 the ‘ladder of ascent’ simply came forward with their commitment to people and things we through these levels and culminating breasts bared and exposed themselves most value. Continental philosophy in the Word or Logos. As a musician, to British fire from 11 until 5 in the is notably absent from the author’s Fludd also depicts the world as a great evening - a staggering demonstration coverage, including existentialism, but monochord (pp. 196-7). As such, this of courage and sacrifice, as well as this is not unusual in the American remarkable study gives the reader not of the inner eradication of anger. and British empirical tradition. only verbal but also visual access to The book also describes Khan’s time The work of Frederick Copleston the mind of a genius in his era. spent with Gandhi, who regarded is referenced, but not Russell’s him as embodying the true spirit of History of Western Philosophy nor, ■■ A Man to Match his Islam in terms of submission to God. unsurprisingly, Richard Tarnas’ Mountains They both opposed partition, and Passion of the Western Mind. And Ecknath Easwaran their forecast of continued division although there is a chapter on proved to be true. Their joint legacy Blue Mountain Centre of Meditation, philosophy and physics, there is is that nonviolence as love in action 1984, 240 pp., no price given. scant reference to David Bohm and can indeed be truly transformative the important work of Eddington, I don’t imagine you have ever heard but that it requires a rigorous and Schrödinger, Jeans and Whitehead. of Badshah Khan (1890-1988), the disciplined inner process to develop Having said this, the work is non-violent Pathan soldier of Islam – I that unconquerable spirit they both nonetheless magisterial in its scope certainly had not until my neighbour demonstrated. The challenge of the and depth, as such constituting an gave me this extraordinary book book was well put in the New Yorker important addition to the literature to read. I already had some books review with the observation that ‘by on the history of philosophy. by the author – editions of Indian his example Khan asks us what we Scriptures, but this was completely ourselves, as individuals made from ■■ The Greater and Lesser new and totally mesmerising. Known the same stuff as he, are doing to Worlds of Robert Fludd as the Frontier Gandhi, Badshah shape history.’ Khan began as an educator with a Joscelyn Godwin mission to rescue his people from ■■ The Meaning of Travel Inner Traditions 2019, 264 pp., large tyranny and create for them a world format h/b, $40. of freedom. As a humble man of God, Emily Thomas Joscelyn Godwin is a musicologist he dedicated his life to this cause, Oxford 2020, 245 pp., £14.99, h/b. and historian of ideas who taught spending nearly 30 years in prison - Subtitled rather simply ‘philosophers at Colgate University for 45 years 15 of them under Britain - during his abroad’, this is a delightful and and is the author of a number of long life ‘in the school of suffering’ engaging book about the deeper authoritative books on esotericism, whereby his spirit was refined in this meaning of travel from the 16th including Harmonies of Heaven and fire and strengthened in satyagraha century to the present day. It is framed Earth. Here he provides a magnificent (soul-force), even though he often lost by the author’s journey to Alaska and surely definitive illustrated up to 50 pounds through deprivation. from Groningen in the Netherlands, volume on the work of Dr Robert His Pathan people were known as where she had been studying, but Fludd (1574-1637). He describes warriors and were historically caught also at each end of the book, by him not only as a physician but also in vicious cycles of revenge (badal), quirky and entertaining historical a Christian hermeticist, Rosicrucian, which makes it all the more incredible quotations related to travelling well alchemist, astrologer, musician and that Khan was able to recruit and and returning home. The immediate inventor, giving a broad outline of train a non-violent army of 100,000 impression of travel is an encounter his life and work in the first chapter. Pathans. As Gandhi himself observed, with the unfamiliar, with otherness. Subtitled ‘Macrocosm, Microcosm you need a warrior spirit in order The age of discovery and then Empire and Medicine’, the work moves for your nonviolence to come from began in the very late 15th century, strength and courage. through Fludd’s encyclopaedic captured in maps tend to put the the works on these topics and also The British campaign of repression originating country at the centre. includes sections on divination, in his homeland was brutal in the The author uses the lives of such Kabbalah, meteorology and the extreme, involving shooting, beating figures as Francis Bacon, Descartes relationship between multiple levels and sacking whole villages. For them, and Locke (who possessed 200 travel of existence. The illustrations are Khan was a rebellious instigator of books) to raise philosophical issues, quite extraordinary in their elaborate sedition who had to be contained by for instance the contrast between the detail and give a visual representation any means available. For Gandhi and last two philosophers with respect of Fludd’s world and understanding, his people, he was an inspiration, a to innate ideas. The rise of science with expert commentary by the man surrendered to the will of God and the incorporation of the Royal author. There are illustrations on and constantly acting out of love. Society had a considerable impact optics and perspective, how to draw Those who joined him took a solemn on approaches to travel. The chapter the eye and cross the river underwater oath of refraining from violence and on the Grand Tour undertaken by with a breathing tube; also an revenge, of forgiveness and service, young gentlemen of means from 1670 extraordinary musical water clock. of simplicity and virtue, devoting two onwards is particularly fascinating The diagrams and drawings of man hours a day to social work. At a time (my own great grandfather undertook

64 www.scimednet.org Paradigm Explorer 2020/1 this from 1841-1843). Adam Smith’s the Christianity that was emerging process of focusing our attention, phrase referring to ‘the most frivolous in Britain in the sixth century. The especially in the time of ‘materialism, dissipation’ on the Tour is not first part describes his life and the mechanism, scientism, technocracy without foundation, not only in terms way it has been depicted in the form and intoxication.’ (p. 41) The rest of drinking and gambling, but also of archetypal hagiography that of the book is structured in terms sexual pleasure that not infrequently buys into the ‘great man theory’, of lines, sutras, haikus, aphorisms, led to sexually-transmitted diseases. with its corresponding invisible proverbs and quotes, which makes The author quotes some instructive woman, in this instance his mother the content direct and dense. The guidance given by Newton to a young Teneu, who encountered many introduction ends with a poem by fellow embarking on a journey, and patriarchal ordeals in her own life. Gerard Manley Hopkins, whose describes the experiences of Rousseau The background itself is important influence is apparent in the text (e.g. as well as the tourist initiatives in evoking the contrasts between ‘To heal, be holy, be whole, be holistic undertaken by Thomas Cook from indigenous plurality and centralised and integrated wholly’). The chapters 1841. Missing from the discussion Roman authority, decided in favour then unfold the overall argument is any mention of pilgrimage, which of the latter at the Synod of Whitby in terms of the themes of spiritual goes back much further and could in 664. Stephen warns, however, evolution, the nature of the self, have informed the treatment of the against romanticising Kentigern and knowing, distraction and attraction, emergence of tourism. Celtic Christianity on this account. transcendence and the numinous. If one takes a ‘mythos’ rather than A chapter on travel writing draws on Here are a few illustrative lines to a more literal ‘logos’ approach to convey the flavour of a book that Thomas More’s Utopia and Blazing his story, one can recognise essential World by Margaret Cavendish should be read and reflected on a few features of the human condition, pages at a time: (Duchess of Newcastle) who was which Stephen elaborates in terms of by all accounts a remarkable and soul nourishment, soul friends, soul Experience takes precedence over colourful character. The author shows communities and soul work enabling opinion of an ‘expert.’ how Henry More’s philosophy of and underpinning an engaged, Experts they have no experience of space introduced a new understanding prophetic and compassionate the subject of expertise. of infinite in nature, represented by spirituality that we ourselves can also mountains and oceans – ‘aesthetics embody (p. 66 ff.). of the infinite’. Edmund Burke’s Experiments cannot expect to explain 1757 book on the sublime and A chapter by Lesley Orr powerfully all experience. the beautiful provides the context evokes the relevance of Teneu to The experience of the highest things is for a discussion of these concepts, women’s spirituality today as one who beyond experience. also applied respectively to men knew how to say no and courageously and women, and leading in to a stand her ground, repudiating The fondest, great treasures are consideration of whether travel is a the expectation of cooperative beyond measure, beware the male concept. Emerson and Thoreau submission. The second part reflects measurers….. furnish the background for a chapter on the nature of pilgrimage as a God is a human word wielding more on solitude and wilderness philosophy challenge to shift ‘our perception power than yielding meaning….. with some beautiful extracts and of self, of our relationship with the reflections. A new issue currently Beloved and the world’ and where the Love is the force of the universe that arising is the ethics of doom tourism, outer journey takes us more deeply forms food for the spirit. where, paradoxically, the process inwards. Stephen gives valuable of deterioration is exacerbated practical and spiritual resources, ■■ The Passion, Resurrection by tourists themselves – ‘amazing with questions to ponder on the way. and Ascension of Jesus Christ places to visit before they vanish.’ He then describes the route in more Other writers who could have been detail, recommending places to pause According to the Four Gospels mentioned in the course of the book to consider questions that arise with Rainbow Chang are Goethe (The Italian Journey), the symbolism of, say, water, trees or Resource Publications 2020, 72 pp., Alfred Russel Wallace and his bridges. A real gem. £9, p/b. collection of specimens from South ■■ The Mystical Accord Endorsed by both Rowan Williams America and Borneo, and the fashion and my old friend David Conner, for Alpine walking reading parties James Tunney Dean of Windsor, this is a poetic described by Sir Leslie Stephen in the Amazon 2019, 173pp., £9.99, p/b. meditation on the events of Easter 1860s. These, however, are minor week, during which I am writing this quibbles in relation to a highly The author of this penetrating book review. The author studied theology enjoyable and stimulating read - has an academic background in at Oxford and also has a background definitely a good book to take with international law, but moved on from in theatre. The text consists of prayers you on your travels. this field to focus on artistic and spiritual development as a painter and invocations, haikus and longer ■■ The Kentigern Way and writer. The first 40 pages give an poetic passages that speak directly to the reader as a fellow pilgrim on Stephen G. Wright excellent description of the nature of mysticism, leading up to his idea the path of life from an orthodox Wild Goose Publications 2019, 143 pp., of the mystical accord with links Anglican viewpoint evoking in me £8.99, p/b. to the heart (Coeur/core), harmony many memories of Holy Communion Stephen Wright has run the Sacred and the law. The central premise taken in different sacred places. The Space Foundation in Cumbria for is that ‘there is a spirit in all of us. blood is seen as cleansing power many years, and here he provides a Spiritual consciousness is critical. and love, while the human pathos of historical account of St Kentigern Consciousness is fundamental, suffering and departure is wistfully - aka St Mungo, the patron saint pre-existing, permanent and not expressed. Here is an example of a of Glasgow - within the context of emergent’, but there is a disciplined potent haiku:

www.scimednet.org 65 Paradigm Explorer 2020/1

Pilate Yeshua face to face Great War when ‘everybody served it PSYCHOLOGY- but nobody wanted it.’ The difference Shouting, tension, politics, power, the from mediaeval times is that we no human drama CONSCIOUSNESS longer have religion to shield us from He asked what is truth STUDIES these harsh insights. And later on: ■■ Dream Symbols of the ■■ A Burst of Conscious Light Only, only in death life remains, Individuation Process Dr Andrew Sullivan Only, only in love thorn appears…. C.G. Jung, edited by Suzanne Giezer Park Street Press 2019, 210 pp., Princeton 2019, 349 pp., £34, h/b. £10.65, p/b. With the resurrection comes a song of the archangels Michael and Gabriel: This book is the second in the The author is a medical doctor ‘Sing a new song with joy, walk no Philemon series after the initial with a background in physics who more but dance, oh ye whom He volume of lectures on the history is a leading scientific expert on the loves’ and the plea to Jesus to ‘lead of modern psychology delivered at Shroud of Turin. The title refers to us out of unexamined life with light’ ETH Zurich. It presents a series of 11 his hypothesis that the imprint on the then in Ascension Song 4 – ‘infinite seminars delivered in English in 1936 Shroud was created by a directional in finite, finite in infinite/form in and 1937 on Bailey Island, Maine burst of conscious light, which he formless, formless in form’. This is and in New York City, making these then contextualises in relation to the overall a very powerful evocation and available for the first time. The subject spiritual mystical light experienced invocation that will speak especially is a sequence of dreams by the Nobel in NDEs and which is perhaps the to Christians but also more widely in prize-winning physicist Wolfgang essence of consciousness, as arguably a spiritually transformative sense, and Pauli, with whom Jung worked also understood by many of the I look forward to seeing this on stage clinically, and also on the relationship leading 20th-century physicists. He and perhaps set to music. between psychology and physics. takes the view that the Shroud does Needless to say, the identity of the indeed manifest the imprint of Jesus ■■ Christ Power and Earth dreamer only emerged much later, but Christ as a pre-eminent being of light Wisdom the reader gains a good understanding in a spiritual sense. He gives a lot of of his brilliant one-sidedness, with his detail on the Shroud, which readers Marko Pogacnik feelings as a shadow function. In a will have to assess for themselves Clairview 2019 (1999), 283 pp., letter, Pauli notes that it is easier for as there is inevitably a speculative £12.99, p/b. him to achieve success in academia as well as an empirical angle. He than with women, while ‘for Mr The author is best known for his regards mind and matter as part of Jung the opposite is the case’ and in a continuum and consciousness as carved ‘cosmograms’ and his work on fact Jung initially recommended that sacred landscape. Here he describes irreducible to artificial intelligence he was treated by a woman, Erna since it entails awareness and his intuitive and scholarly search Rosenbaum. It is fascinating to see for what he calls the Fifth Gospel understanding, not simply how the mandala as an expression of information. It is this awareness that expressing the true Gnostic teaching the archetype of wholeness emerges of Christ beyond the harnessing of he regards as the fundamental ground in this sequence, reflecting the healing of all existence that is then unfolded his words to create the institution process. of the Church. He draws not only as separation in time. on the canonical gospels but also on As one might expect, Jung’s range For the author, empathy is the clue the Gospel of Thomas, describing of cultural reference is breathtaking. for undoing the separation between how he senses an etheric layer to the He presents key elements of his own subject and object that originally text, and where this is interrupted. approach as well as commenting on emerged from no’thing’ness. Mystical An important element of the book is the mass psychology of the period and experience of the light enables direct illustrating his theories with examples messages ostensibly received from the apprehension not only of truth and drawn from many spiritual traditions. Archangel Michael by his daughter love, but also of order, peace and Interestingly, Pauli compares himself Ana, one of which gives a powerful unity. Drawing on the work of Andrei not only with Kepler but also with explanation of Love as the most direct Linde and others, the author suggests and concentrated power equated the esoteric philosopher Robert that ‘we as conscious beings are with Life, just as Beinsa Douno Fludd. Then as now, our conscious both the creators of the “now” and also explains. The author sees the processes are ‘surrounded by the of time itself’, noting that ‘if time message of Christ as an important great sea of the unconscious’ far out is a property of consciousness, then evolutionary transition, emphasising in the ocean and surrounded by an the importance of the integration of intensity of darkness. Jung notes consciousness could not be created opposites described in Thomas as that the alchemical journey entails a by or in time.’ (p. 130, pp. 146 ff.) well as our individual responsibility refining transformation into a more This is where his philosophy of free within the larger scheme of things. precious substance (lead into gold, will comes in as the actualisation The text is accompanied by some darkness into light). In commenting of a potential option with parallels powerful symbolic line drawings and on the Dionysian element within to the quantum wave collapse. (p. descriptions of significant experiences Christianity, he observes that there is 154) In the epilogue, ‘Natural versus in places such as Chartres and San much more moral freedom within the Artificial’, the author reiterates his Marco in Venice. Our evolution is Carnival, and that Catholics have an conviction that the mind cannot be related to that of the Earth and we escape clause in confession that is not a product of the brain and criticises should seek relationships with Nature present in Protestantism. These rich the misguided materialistic vision in our own localities. One chapter and erudite seminars are a reminder of uploading consciousness into at the end provides an illuminating that we are all on a journey towards machines as ‘a deadly and ill-informed commentary on many sayings of wholeness, but have to remain wary denial of our true nature as human Jesus as applied to our own spiritual of our own unconsciousness in beings.’ The stakes are high, and this development. As the title suggests, the relation to shadow elements projected book makes an original contribution unique feature of this book is bringing as evil onto others. And it is no to the question of the spiritual nature together Christ Power and Wisdom. different now from the time of the of the human being.

66 www.scimednet.org Paradigm Explorer 2020/1

■■ Sick Souls, Healthy Minds feel a bit like an examination paper in We need to pay attention and, as philosophy today”, so she got up and Krishnamurti recommended, remain John Kaag walked out. James nevertheless gave aware of when we are not aware. Princeton 2020, 209 pp., £18.99, h/b. her a good mark, writing, “Dear Miss As a whole, the book shows how Stein, I understand perfectly how you Dramatically subtitled ‘how William Nick’s life has formed a bridge of feel. I often feel like that myself.” An James can save your life’, this book understanding between spiritual and is a blend of personal experience engaging book, especially for William material dimensions, as he amply and formal philosophical thought James fans like myself. in considering and relating James’s documents in these pages. He has philosophy with his life (and that of ■■ Hidden Truth Revealed realised consciously that he is part the author), showing the intimate Murray (Nick) Nicholls (SMN) of that ONENESS, that his thoughts connection between the two affect and modify that ONENESS and Self-published 2020, 262 pp., exemplified, for instance, in James’s that that same ONENESS responds 1895 lecture “Is Life Worth Living?” no price given ([email protected]) to his questions. All this makes the - a question that James himself had book a fascinating life study based wrestled with. The chapters consider This is the fourth in Nick’s series on essential principles that readers a range of themes: determinism and of books where each one takes despair, freedom and life, psychology the reader further up the spiral can apply to understanding their own and the healthy mind, consciousness of understanding the relationship lives. and transcendence, truth and between different dimensions and consequences, wonder and hope. what Nick calls the mechanics of the ■■ Experiences from the James himself was what he called a universe, which begin with creative Threshold and Beyond sick soul, but he sought to express thought and focused intention/desire Understood through himself as a healthy mind and was manifesting in the physical, as Walter tortured by the conundrum of free Russell and others have also pointed Anthroposophy will, drawing on his own experience on the one hand and his growing out - thought acts as a blueprint. It Are Thoresen knowledge of causation in psychology is a personal journey that has been Temple Lodge 2020, 141 pp, going on for the last 35 years where on the other, especially while he was £14.99, p/b. writing his seminal Principles of the elements of the jigsaw puzzle of Psychology published in 1890. A key life become more clearly understood Are Thoresen is a Norwegian holistic moment came with his reading of along with the role of dreams and vet who has used the framework Charles Renouvier’s essay on liberty, synchronistic confirmations on the ideas of Rudolf Steiner to interpret as a result of which James proclaimed path (Nick always asks for three). his many subtle experiences of that his first act of free will would be Past life connections are interwoven thresholds and entities in the spiritual to believe in it – here one can see an into the narrative, including world. He laments our cultural expression of his later pragmatism, some with his immediate family, spiritual hyposensitivity as we have also articulated in his 1896 lecture on connections with World War I and become submerged in materialistic The Will to Believe. Pearl Harbour, and multi-dimensional concerns to the extent of denying the One sees the same agonising - interactions with a close friend with very existence of other dimensions, paralysis by analysis – in his initial whom he has attended our retreats which he sees as a sure sign of approach to his future wife Alice in Cathar country over the past few inevitable disintegration. He gives and the author remarks that his years. This element is also intertwined clear definitions of Steiner’s various relationship with money and fame with the work of Lars Muhl and terms, including the elements of the bordered on the dysfunctional: ‘there his ‘O’ Manuscript. Later incidents human being culminating in the was always a lot of both, but never often throw further light on previous I aligned in service and love with enough of either.’ He has interesting experiences to enable a deeper Christ consciousness so as to handle reflections on habit and what we understanding of life patterns and the adversarial energies of Lucifer now call biofeedback as well as on relationships. and Ahriman. We need to learn the mind-body problem and the It is evident that Nick’s how to use imagination, inspiration limitations of a purely objective, and intuition as well as developing analytical approach to the study of communications and poems are human consciousness. Interestingly, coming from a deeper dimension, our spiritual senses, as Steiner when re-reading his own work on energies collectively representing his recommended, in order to navigate the stream of consciousness, James higher self. These convey a profound safely in these other realms. In this scrawls in the margin the phrase philosophy with an emphasis on context, the author warns against ‘The Witness’, bringing to mind Oneness and the Now - hence also on indiscriminate use of psychedelics parable in the Upanishads about the the centrality of Love and focusing that open up these worlds without two birds in one tree. James always on the positive (e.g. p. 211) rather the experiencer being adequately felt that action was more important than being caught up in the negative. prepared to handle them. He tells than verbal formulation and that This represents Love of Oneness his detailed story chronologically, ‘we should not divorce philosophy from which we emerge to which we explaining key concepts along the from the realities of life’ - hence his return ‘think of love and love will way in a technical manner - this is many highly readable general lectures prevail.’ One symbolic example is not for the fainthearted. There is which I have on my shelves. For him, then a section on spiritual training, free will enables us to improve life, the role of the figure 313 involving and this can be done all the more a number of synchronicities but also also involving the development of the vigorously with zest. There is a nice the idea of the one within the three 12 spiritual senses, and the further story about Gertrude Stein, one of (on the last day of the trip, 3/13 - 13 reflection on the significance of the his philosophy students, who found March - he is assigned room 313 in hexagon. Overall, this book is most herself entirely uninterested in taking his hotel). Rather than praying to valuable and accessible as a spiritual the exam. She wrote: “Dear Professor God, Nick recommends listening to manual for those already familiar James, I’m so sorry, really I do not God, to our higher intuitive guidance. with Steiner’s terminology.

www.scimednet.org 67 Paradigm Explorer 2020/1

■■ The Invisible Ocean the relationship between humans There is plenty of highly significant and the great creative power and circumstantial survival evidence George Adamski (edited by Gerard infinite intelligence which pervades described here, including some Aartsen) and controls all nature.’ (p. 132) It related to Barrett’s own death and his BGA Publications, 2019, 108 pp., goes without saying that this spiritual continuing relationship with FWH no price given. science is fundamental, providing the Myers, but there is also valuable George Adamski was a spiritual basis and framework for the others. philosophical material and even an researcher active from the 1930s, All this leads to a new definition of extensive discussion on the role of diet who was also an early investigator exopolitics as ‘people from other in relation to cancer, something not of UFOs. The title is taken from a planets showing humanity alternative, yet established at that time. Barrett 1932 essay reprinted here, using saner ways of organising society, sees the vital principle as belonging to the analogy of the ocean for divine without imposing their views.’ (p. the etheric rather than the physical, substance and our movement 164) The appearance of a world which is also a factor in the genesis within it towards the light if we teacher (Maitreya) hinted at by of disease. He stresses the importance align with our higher self. One of Benjamin Creme over many decades of cultivating the mind while in the his most interesting insights is that risks renewed dependency, when in physical and of living according to the superconsciousness corresponds fact all we need to do is to apply law of love as a principle. He remarks to supersensitivity as everything perennial spiritual principles to the that when communicating he cannot registers within it, as was the case way we organise life on earth. For come through with his whole self with Beinsa Douno (Peter Deunov): Douno, these were love, wisdom, and, interestingly, that after death the transformation is achieved through truth, justice and virtue or goodness conscious and subconscious join ‘to self-control of thought. There are - surely a sound basis on which to make a complete mind that knows interesting clippings concerning proceed. Besides, in renouncing the and remembers everything’; however, Adamski’s Royal Order of Tibet title for himself, Krishnamurti stated the limitation of physical sphere Centre in Laguna Beach, and some in 1929 that Douno was the world communication means that ‘only a suggestion that his sacramental teacher. portion of one’s mind can function for production of wine was one way of the time being.’ (p. 49) The epilogue circumventing the prohibition. The ■■ Personality Survives Death notes how Barrett’s memory and editor shows how Adamski’s thought Florence Barrett character came through the scripts is reflected in developments in systems where ‘research on any subject science, for instance in the work of White Crow Books 2020, 179 pp., meant to him exactness in method Ervin Laszlo. There is also a full £12.99, p/b. combined with an open mind, ready bibliography showing the extent of Sir William Barrett FRS (1844-1925) to accept only what is absolutely his work. was a physicist who initiated the proven, irrespective of preconceived founding of the Society for Psychical ideas’ - and there is no doubt that ■■ Priorities for a Planet in Research in 1882 and was active in we are dealing here with a first-rate Transition the field for 50 years. His wife was intelligence. This is a classic book that a prominent gynaecologist and in repays careful study. Gerard Aartsen this book describes the outcome of BGA Publications 2017, 200 pp., 35 sittings with the renowned trance ■■ Diary of a Death Doula no price given, p/b. medium Gladys Osborne Leonard – Debra Diamond PhD This book is related to the one above the book was first published in 1938, and is not one that I had come across O Books (John Hunt) 2019, 207 pp., in following up the work of George £11.99, p/b. Adamski, but also draws on Benjamin before despite having written a book Creme and contains numerous about survival (I was familiar with Subtitled ‘25 lessons the dying photographs of UFOs. However, the Deathbed Visions). It contains a great teach us about the afterlife’, this is a existence of extraterrestrial beings deal of persuasive evidential material, remarkable book by a hospice death is not the main point, but rather the including highly significant book doula (with her role as a calming messages received about the principles tests with corresponding texts and and peaceful presence) who is also on which they base their own social page references. Some of the more a clairvoyant, and who previously and economic systems. Science personal material has been removed, worked on Wall Street. Her sensitivity without love and moral principles and it is interesting that Sir William enables her to perceive what is is a recipe for self-destruction. On said before he died that he thought going on in the transition from the Earth many people have lost sight that convincing evidence must be physical we call death and even to of the oneness of life and the ethical applicable only to oneself and must hold telepathic conversations with implications of this state of affairs therefore be of a very intimate and the patients. One key insight is that (the virus is a brutal reminder). Nor personal character, probably trivial prolonged periods of sleep around the can we flout universal and natural and only known to one person hence dying process represent preparatory laws with impunity. The oneness his belief that ‘absolute proof could inner work prior to departure, a of life leads to a recognition of only be conveyed to one person – retuning of consciousness to higher mutual interdependence and the to others it would be second-hand realms where we are connected to need for truth, fairness, sharing, evidence.’ This reminded me of a much larger reality. The book is cooperation and justice. Freedom Freeman Dyson’s introduction to written within the cultural context is restrained for the common good, Extraordinary Knowing by Elizabeth of the scientific view of death as and people work from love in Lloyd Meyer where he describes extinction, a view which turns out order to serve. All this is strikingly the quite remarkable incident of to be an illusion. I was struck by a similar to the political philosophy the clairvoyant discovery of Lisby’s quotation early in the book handed to of Beinsa Douno where love is life daughter’s harp while remarking that the author by a nurse: serving the whole. One contact he was not obliged to believe anything ‘If the body is ready and the soul isn’t, (p. 132) explained that there are extraordinary as this did not happen you don’t leave. three principal branches of science: to him. I thought this disingenuous at physical or material, social, and, most the time, but Barrett’s remark makes If the soul is ready and the body isn’t, importantly spiritual, ‘which covers it more understandable. you don’t leave.

68 www.scimednet.org Paradigm Explorer 2020/1

When the soul is ready and the body we are mentally building up our right-wing trans-nationalism and is ready, then you leave.’ subsequent condition when we pass counter-order movements. over. He discusses the life review in The main part of the book consists terms of paying a bill, emphasising The overall trend is towards a of the 25 lessons, each drawn from the centrality of reason and motive multipolar order, with China a different encounter with a dying leading to a certain result, but always and Russia both promoting new person. The author describes the underpinned by the law of love. There institutions and undermining the physical background and experience are some important spiritual insights liberal international order with their as she settles in and tries to work to be gleaned from this short work. reassertion of state control over out where the person is in the dying information and criticism of human process. As in the books I reviewed and political rights. Putin even wrote in the main section, the lessons ECOLOGY/POLITICS a long article in the FT last summer and insights are important for life on the decline of liberalism. Now as well as for a more profound ■■ Exit from Hegemony understanding of the dying process Trump himself is aiding and abetting as a transformational journey. The Alexander Cooley and Daniel Nexon the unravelling process by disrupting author sometimes perceives the pull Oxford 2020, 280 pp., £25, h/b. the architecture and infrastructure of towards a fullness of light and love US leadership, pitting allies against Subtitled ‘the unravelling of the US interests in a zero-sum analysis. as well as the supportive presence American global order’, this as of deceased loved ones. People who This the authors call ‘exit made in an astute and timely analysis of have lived an intense spiritual life can America’, based on narrow self- manifest bright light in their auras the decline of the US-led liberal interest and representing ‘geopolitical at this point of transition. The key international order, ‘the American- suicide’ in terms of the existing order. questions seem to relate to how well led system of alliances, institutions, The authors envisage a number of we lived, how well we loved and, at global governance that was developed possible future orders, including the the end, how well we learned to let after the Second World War.’ In this rise of China and a new Cold War, go. Spiritually (p. 179), the substance context, a hegemony is a political multipolarity based on sovereignty of the higher realms is love, ‘the fabric community that uses its ‘superior and non-interference without woven into our air, the chain of life economic and military capabilities American liberal ordering, and in heaven.’ The absolute centrality of to exercise leadership.’ The book globalised oligarchy and kleptocracy. Love is always the final and crucial argues that the liberal international Whatever the mix/outcome, there message of such inspiring books and order has in fact been unravelling is certainly a major transformation one which we can sometimes forget, for the last 15 years, and that the underway in international order and focused as we are principally on the Trump presidency has simply seen the US ‘will need to accommodate physical. an acceleration of this process in other powers to a much greater extent ■■ The Blue Island actually repudiating this order and than it used to’ in the absence of fraternising with authoritarian ‘mystical American exceptionalism’, W.T. Stead – recorded by Estelle Stead leaders. The authors consider the which every president has tacitly White Crow Books 2020, 81 pp., £8.99, American hegemonic system from a assumed and used to justify US p/b. theoretical and historical perspective, interventions, overt and covert. This is a reprint of a classic book highlighting the foreign policy tension Missing from this power- and policy- first published in 1922, with a between supporting democracy and centred analysis are the implications foreword by Sir Arthur Conan free markets: this has quite frequently of localisation as a counter-move to Doyle. W.T. Stead was a journalist led to CIA-sponsored regime change globalisation, and also the political and author who died on the Titanic interventions that undermine implications of environmental decline and ostensibly communicated within democracy but also support free- and climate instability; the first gives a few days of this disaster. He had market dictators, all underpinned by rise to small-scale decentralised already written about messages the myth of manifest destiny. ecologies of order, while the second is from the other side, so was more likely to intensify political instability, The book provides a good model familiar than most when he suddenly as we have already seen with the of the ecology of the international passed over with hundreds of European refugee crisis. bewildered fellow passengers. He order in terms of architecture (rules, is given some instructions about norms and values), and infrastructure ■■ Pro Truth how to communicate, and the book (practices and relationships), consists of a series of instructive which are bridged by international Gleb Tsipursky and Tim Ward short messages about his new state institutions with responsibility for Changemaker Books (John Hunt) 2020, and surroundings as well as activities economics, security and political 271 pp., £13.99, p/b. corresponding to the interests of relations - all this has given the US This is an important, timely and those who have just arrived. There a significant geopolitical advantage, practical book about how to reverse is a gradual discarding of earthly along with the US dollar as reserve the trend towards post-truth politics, habits and superficial identity. One currency. The following chapters fake news and viral deception. Its of the interesting points about analyse the ways in which hegemonic starting point is the Pro-Truth Pledge communication is the visualisation orders unravel, considering of the face as ‘the part they would (www.protruthpledge.com) which specifically what the authors call recognise me by’ and the impressing sets out 12 principles for sharing, of thoughts on the mind of the ‘exit from above’ where Russia and honouring and encouraging truth medium: ‘I stood by the most sensitive China are seeking to transform the in public life. With backgrounds present, and spoke and concentrated international order, then ‘exit from in behavioural science and my mind on a short sentence, and below’ with the rise of new external communication, the authors define repeated it with much emphasis and patrons – think of China’s Belt and dissect many cognitive and deliberation until I could hear part and Road Initiative as well as their emotional syndromes that exist of its spoken by this person.’ Stead investment in land in Africa; and within all of us, at least to some tells us that through our character finally ‘exit from within’ through extent. These include various forms

www.scimednet.org 69 Paradigm Explorer 2020/1 of cognitive bias and mental errors ■■ How the West was Lost final chapter discusses the crucial such as bias blind spot, confirmation issue of restoring solidarity, the third Ben Ryan bias, false consensus effect, illusory value that has been overlooked at truth effect, single cause fallacy and Hurst and Co 2019, 314 pp., £20, p/b. the expense of emphasising one of backfire effect, where people simply Civilisational decline is a theme raised the first two. This is based on the defend their positions more vigorously elsewhere in this issue in books by idea of obligations: ‘what is owed when attacked. Then there are 10 William Ophuls and John Reed. to people within society.’ (p. 241) forms of lies, including confabulation, This stimulating analysis proposes a A key element is rebuilding civil deceptive hyperbole, ‘glittering diagnosis of what the West is in terms society with an emphasis on the generality’ and wilful ignorance, of its positive moral purpose, how overall common good, and at this besides straightforward blatant lies. it was lost, and recommendations time the scope needs to be planetary Finally, there is an extensive glossary about how it can be re-gained. The with a real sense that we are all with terms such as ‘filter bubble’ author identifies three Christian in it together - the environmental created by newsfeeds on social media and Enlightenment ideas as central: predicament is the key context here, and ‘tribal epistemology’ whereby we progress towards a utopian moral inviting us to go beyond narrow believe only our own side. endpoint, Republican values of liberty, nationalisms and a New World Order It will come as no surprise to the equality and fraternity (he calls this based on fear and control; this also reader that the main case study here solidarity), and universalism - the idea involves seriously tackling inequality is Donald Trump, along with parallels that these values can be globalised. and a move towards stakeholder involving, for instance, Putin and All these ideals have run up against capitalism. Will all this be enough, Brexit. Almost all politicians will challenges, for instance of excessive even if implemented? My own view, apologise and recant if caught out individualism or demands for total articulated above in my review of by fact checking from mainstream conformity in the name of liberal Priorities for a Planet in Transition media. Not Trump – he never retracts equality. In addition, the decline of is that we need a deeper articulation anything, and simply attacks the official religion has removed another and application of universal spiritual messenger or mainstream press, unifying factor, although we are still principles beyond techno-scientific portraying himself as a victim of a to some extent living off Christian ingenuity that brings together mind, witch hunt and maintaining that the moral capital. The crisis is that we heart and will in a common shared press cannot be trusted. Interestingly, have no truly shared set of collective vision of mutual flourishing – as a these tactics are correlated with a values. reminder, these Deunov principles are decline among Republicans of trust The second part looks in more detail Love (compassion), Wisdom, Truth, in mainstream media, even when its at the fading of the European project, Justice and Virtue or Goodness. facts are manifestly correct. It turns the loss of religious faith, the rise of out that if something is repeated ■■ The Populist Manifesto often enough (this applied to the US nationalism and authoritarianism, the squeezed middle class, challenges Edited by Emmy Ecklundh and Andy government claiming that Saddam Knott Hussein was involved in 9/11), people of the rising generation in terms come to believe it. There is extensive of employment and housing, and Rowman and Littlefield 2020, 126 pp., coverage of role of online and questions raised by migration, Islam £19.95, p/b. social media, including an analysis and Western values. In the US, Given the current prevalence of of people’s shifting adherence to ‘corporate America, in the name of both left and right wing populism, genuine and fake news during the US freedom, is now running public life’ this volume invites readers to stand 2016 election. We are all prone to (p. 117) without regard for inequality back and provides a provocative manipulation unless we remain highly and in the face of a breakdown of conceptual analysis of the term that informed and constantly vigilant. American solidarity and the sense gives readers a much more refined that we are all in it together. The right understanding of the phenomenon. This whole process undermines trust represents the business elite and the The title is somewhat misleading: a and democracy, hence the proposal left the intellectual elite, while both number of authors emphasise that and adoption of the Pro-Truth are isolated from the majority. As Pledge, which has already been signed populism is characterised in terms the author points out, our economic of logic or form rather than content. by a significant number of public model is now ‘undermining the figures, and will hopefully feature It is certainly closely connected equality and solidarity that are with identity, and in a right-wing more prominently in the upcoming needed to balance commitment to election. What the authors call manifestation with ethno-nationalism liberty’ (p. 157) We are also losing at a time of ‘hegemonic breakdown’ ‘rational communication’ contains intergenerational solidarity, not a lot of sound advice on how to of the neoliberal consensus. Populism only in terms of economics, also of arises at times of crisis and is always engage constructively with those of planetary ecological prospects. a different persuasion by prioritising adversarial, most generally casting the empathy over information and The third part addresses our loss people against the elite, which may therefore engaging the psychological of confidence in our own myth, be based on wealth or institutions reality of the other. In this sense, especially since 2008. We need to take (e.g. EU and Brexit). A chapter collaborative truth-seeking is more into account the mind represented by on populism as myth focuses on strategic than debate and winning. ideals and purpose as well as the soul the leader as hero identifying and Coming back to Trump, winning based on existential belonging. The vanquishing the villain. However, is for him the bottom line and any author suggests a redemptive project conservatives tend to look backwards means is permissible. We can all learn based on environmental politics and a and the direction of polarised how better to prioritise truth from shared story of a cleaner, safer world; antagonism is downwards (think the clear explanations and examples then a form of moral internationalism of the Mexican wall and the focus of this highly informative study by as a continuation of the commitment on borders) while progressives look becoming more vigilant in our own to universalism while balancing the forwards and their direction of analyses and interactions. demands of liberty and equality. The antagonism is upwards to capitalism

70 www.scimednet.org Paradigm Explorer 2020/1 and globalisation. Righteous anger is due process and a presumption of Most of the book is devoted to and channelled into remedying perceived innocence until proved guilty. These encyclopaedic coverage of 50 species injustice in both instances. Another reflections also apply to the tricky describing natural features, individual interesting almost archetypal issue of consent, where rape has been symbolism, historical associations, frame is that of hurt, loss (often of transformed from a crime of violence practical uses, healing properties and control), betrayal and redemption. to a violation of personal autonomy. observations from culture, myth and Reason and passion are present The author shows how this concept symbol. There are many fascinating in all political discourse, although is in practice unworkable and, more details, for instance that the almond emotion is frequently belittled in generally, how political correctness represents the white goddess because one’s opposition. The final chapters requires to be called into question, of its blossom, while the word can be lean in the direction of an emerging especially in university settings. He traced etymologically to the Sumerian left-wing environmental populism, undoubtedly overstates his argument ama ga meaning Great Mother. And bringing together form and content in a number of places, but this is as Blackthorn had recently been in in a similar way to Naomi Klein. useful in obliging readers to reassess blossom, I consulted this entry and Neoliberalism has failed to address their own position on these matters found that it symbolises the balance our environmental challenges, so more critically. between light and darkness while its some form of green new deal becomes fruit is the sloe used in gin. A very a more realistic prospect, also ■■ Simplify useful and informative reference representing inclusion and a concern Bob Hillary (www.bobhillary.com) book. Fred will be speaking and for equality as well as a redefinition Watkins 2020, 188 pp., £10.99, p/b. playing at the postponed Mystics and of work. An important and timely Scientists conference. This is a delightful and highly volume. practical book by a man who ■■ After #MeToo experimented in living off-grid in a GENERAL yurt and is appropriately subtitled Gerard Casey ‘how to stay sane in the world going ■■ Enchantment Imprint Academic 2020, 258 pp., mad.’ A central part of his answer is Patrick Curry £14.95, p/b. slowing down and becoming aware of Floris Books 2019, 150 pp., £20, p/b. This book is a robust critical analysis our connection with nature. He gives of the #MeToo movement within the advice on downscaling, rewilding, This is a delightful, not to say enchanting book about enchantment context of radical feminism by an simple food and unteching yourself, and the possibilities for wonder in emeritus professor of philosophy. It then in the second part recommends modern life in an era increasingly is a timely corrective to exaggerated 21 practices to help you simplify your life in terms of stillness, taking characterised by disenchantment, claims associated with this movement, as Max Weber formulated 100 a criticism also articulated by a group it easy, learning to breathe, dancing, doing what you love and practising years ago. Curry’s thesis is that of French women, who themselves enchantment arises through an were castigated for their intervention. gratitude. The third and fourth parts address being who you really are and enhanced and receptive awareness The heart of the issue concerns of relationship and synchronistic walking your talk. I really enjoyed two views of women: whether connectedness in different contexts, they are responsible moral agents the author’s down-to-earth tone and that it is central to a well-lived or a collective of victims of sexual and explanations of how we can all life. He begins by looking at the crimes by predatory males. This become Earth Warriors rather than dynamics and range of enchantment; was the point made by the French worriers, living slowly enough to be here he distinguishes it from women, that they can frequently fully present: ‘a warrior does not rush’ Apollonian rational mastery as well just say no, although some cases (c.f. Aristotle: ‘a wise man is never in as from Dionysian pleasure, regretting a hurry.’) We all need to do the work, are undoubtedly more inextricable that the modern academy ‘loves including that involving shadow and and constitute an illegitimate use explanation more than wisdom, healing. We can create a new earth of power. The first chapter looks at and method much more than direct by stopping feeding the old one ‘with feminism in general, before moving encounter.’ (p. 11) In the context our energy, our money, our fear, our of the book, a key role is played by on to questions relating to women at taxes and our minds.’ In this way, metaphor and symbol. work and the validity of the concept we can become part of a new caring of patriarchy. Here the author points The subsequent chapters look at generation that he calls Team Earth. out that women now make up the enchantment in the context of love, majority of teachers and that a 50-50 ■■ The Living Wisdom of Trees art, religion, food and drink, learning ratio in every profession is neither and nature; then come specific necessarily logical or desirable. Fred Hageneder chapters on disenchantment and He makes a number of pertinent Watkins 2019, 255 pp., £16.99, h/b. technoscience, with a final reflection on enchantment as a way of life. observations from a masculine point Fred Hageneder is a naturalist and The text is beautifully woven, with of view, showing that men often harpist as well as being a co-founder get the short straw – shorter lives, many magical excerpts and episodes of the Ancient Yew Group and the from the author’s wide reading and harsher treatment by courts, greater author of other books on trees. The extensive experience. This has the mortality from physical violence in introduction explains the extent of effect of encouraging readers to reflect war. The chapter on toxic masculinity folklore on trees intertwined with on and appreciate sources of and shows the concept to be a caricature the cycles of life and symbolically opportunities for enchantment in their with respect to most men, while a represented by the tree of life and the own lives. Interestingly, the author shrill insistence on believing only the tree of knowledge. He discusses the sees mindfulness as a disenchantment woman’s report of a rape incident historical importance of sacred groves of the fullness of Buddhism, and he leads to a situation where accusation and the importance of reaching a describes an extraordinary ‘interview’ is tantamount to conviction and sustainable balance with the planet, with Zen master Dainin Katagiri guilt, even though the law allows for where trees play a critical role. in 1970. The master tells him, ‘no

www.scimednet.org 71 Paradigm Explorer 2020/1 questions, we just sit’ whereupon the of life, where we are bridges between wish they had listened less to their room begins to fill up with love until the invisible and the visible, darkness fears and more to their dreams. I had it was full, ‘and I was in it and it was and light, inner and outer? Some of better stop, otherwise you might not in me.’ The master then opens his eyes the eloquent prose pieces towards the go out and buy the book for yourself. and bows again while Patrick staggers end plumb the depths of the human Once you have done so, your heart to his feet and floats out of the door. condition in terms of closeness, will be touched and you will almost The chapters on disenchantment friendship, heartbreak and despair. certainly want to buy more copies to and technoscience remind us that David sees despair as ‘a necessary share with your friends and family! we must balance logos with mythos, seasonal state of repair, a temporary calculation and control with creativity healing absence’, which brings a ■■ Pianos and Flowers and openness, jealously guarding the different perspective, while heartbreak Alexander McCall Smith quality of our attention from constant ‘begins the moment we are asked to distraction. The book conveys a let go but cannot’ - it is nevertheless Polygon 2020, 179 pp., £12.99, h/b. crucial reminder of what represents we mature, ‘and maybe the very Subtitled ‘brief encounters of the real quality of life. essence of being human, or being on romantic kind’, these new short the journey from here to there, and stories, - some of which were ■■ Temenos Academy Review 22, of coming to care deeply for we find originally commissioned by the 2019 along the way.’ Sunday Times - are adventurous Temenos Academy 2019, 254 pp., £10 Here are some beautiful lines from imaginative journeys elaborated from plus £4 p & p UK – Stephen Overy, The House of Belonging: old black-and-white photographs and [email protected]) based on what the author fancied that This is the bright home they might have depicted. The results Every year, the Temenos Academy in which I live, are highly readable, entertaining and Review provides a rich treasury of this is where often surprising though ingenious articles, poetry and book reviews I ask inspired by its ten basic principles elaboration, sometimes picking out my friends small details and creating whole involving wisdom, spiritual vision to come, and an understanding of tradition as family histories. Many of the stories this is where I want conjure up moving and poignant continual renewal. In this issue there to love all the things are two important articles on nature, tableaux from the human condition it has taken me so long with its myriad complex relationships. one by John Carey on Natura as a to learn to love. goddess of mediaeval Christendom Each story has its own distinctive and another on Shakespeare and character, suffused with the author’s This is the temple gentle and penetrating humour, even the unity of nature and humanity. of my adult aloneness Then there is also a translation of the when figures receive their often well and I belong merited comeuppance - an old family beautiful and profound first Duino to that aloneness friend used to say that a sense of Elegy by Rilke and a classic lecture as I belong to my life. from 1975 by Philip Sherrard on W.B. humour was a sense of proportion, which comes across finely calibrated Yeats and the search for tradition. For There is no house Network readers, perhaps the most like the house of belonging. in this wonderful collection. I should interesting item is a wide-ranging also say that it has been fun reading interview with Rupert Sheldrake that ■ them out loud. includes his relationship with Father ■ The Boy, the Mole, the Fox Bede Griffiths, reflections on matter and the Horse ■■ The Little Book of Nature and mind and artificial intelligence, Charlie Mackesy Blessings new atheist meditators and the Ebury Press 2019, no pagination, Teresa Dallbridge extended evolutionary synthesis £16.99, h/b. including epigenetic inheritance. Watkins 2020, 264 pp., £10.99, h/b. You may well have seen this book This charming book gives a series at the top of the bestseller list, and ■■ Essentials of myths, rituals and practices ‘for for good reason. Marianne asked David Whyte finding calm in the natural world’ - me for the book for her Christmas which is after all accessible to all of Many Rivers Press 2020, 119 pp., $15, when we were in Hatchards, and it us. The author is a counsellor, healer, p/b – www.davidwhyte.com is an absolute classic of practical life David Whyte is one of the most wisdom expressed in a charmingly Wiccan High Priestess and a member powerful poets currently writing humorous hand-written and of a Druid Grove, hence she is steeped in the English language. I reviewed illustrated story involving the main in connections with the natural his last book of poems - The Bell characters of the title. Everyone will world. The book considers possible and the Blackbird - as well as his have their own favourite lines, some connections with the luminaries of Consolations in these pages. This of them arrestingly unpredictable. The the sun and moon, then the elements, book is slightly different, consisting mole tells the boy that he is so small followed by trees, flowers, animals, as it does of prose and poems with while the boy replies that he makes a rivers and ponds, and the sea. The commentaries to explain the context, huge difference; and when asked what second part introduces the festivals and it is edited by his wife Gayle, he wants to be when he grows up, he around the year, with Imbolc just who writes that his words ‘create an responds ‘kind’ and defines success coming up as I write - there are opening for all of us to find our own as loving. The boy asks the mole intermediary festivals between way into a sense of ground and home if he has a favourite saying, which the equinoxes and solstices. The in our bodies and experiences, while turns out to be “if at first you don’t author proposes many practices and casting a larger horizon to move into succeed, have some cake.” “I see, says meditations, so it is a handbook to our future all at once.’ How do we the boy, does it work?” “Every time”, work with in developing a conscious inhabit our unique being in the course says the mole. Old moles, he says, relationship with nature.

72 www.scimednet.org

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. The Network is an educational charity which was founded in 1973.

The Network aims to: Network Conferences

n  challenge the adequacy of scientific The Network’s annual programme of materialism as an exclusive basis events includes: for knowledge and values. See n Annual Beyond the Brain www.galileocommission.org conference n provide a safe forum for the critical n Two annual residential conferences and open minded discussion of (The Annual Gathering, Mystics ideas that go beyond reductionist and Scientists) science. n Annual residential conference in n encourage a respect for Earth and a Continental European country Community which emphasises a n Day conferences, online webinars spiritual and holistic approach. and evening lectures n Concessionary rates for full time In asking searching questions about students the nature of life and the role of the human being, the Network is: Joining the Network n Open to new observations Membership of the Network is open and insights; to anyone who wishes to explore some n Rigorous in evaluating evidence of the most difficult questions of our and ideas; time with a community of like minds. n Responsible in maintaining the Student members must be engaged in highest scientific and ethical full-time study. standards; Subscription Rates n Sensitive to a plurality of viewpoints Membership of the Networks costs £60 (with printed review). Please Network services contact the office for further details. £40 concession. n Paradigm Explorer, published three times a year Membership Applications n Monthly e-newsletter Please visit www.scimednet.org or n A website with a special area for email [email protected] Members n Monthly London Group meetings n Downloadable MP3s from our conferences n Links with MSc course in transpersonal psychology