ISSN 1362-1211 | No 77 | December 2001

The Scientific and Medical Network Review

George B. Blaker 1912-2001 Co-Founder and President of the Scientific and Medical Network NETWORK CALENDAR Attention Members! Personal Numbers and Office and other events of interest Procedures

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Network No. 77 December 2001 1 George B. Blaker 1912-2001

n the summer of 1983 I service there. In 1957 he became received a letter from George Financial Adviser to British High Blaker inviting me to join the Commissioners in India and Ceylon Scientific and Medical and H.M. Ambassador in Burma. He Network. I did not hesitate to A Wider was also the British Treasury Itake up his invitation and soon found Representative in South Asia from myself driving over from Winchester that year until 1962, which, to his to meet him for lunch. After a warm Horizon delight, involved residence in India welcome from George and his wife and extensive traveling throughout the Richenda, we set off for the Crown at David Lorimer sub-continent. He returned as Under Ockley. Half way through lunch Secretary at the Overseas Finance George said to me that I was just the Division of the Treasury in 1963, the sort of person he was looking for to someone had even been passed on the year in which he was appointed take over the Network. What did I strength of his study of barn owls! CMG. think? Well I did think and here we George’s career in the Foreign The following year he was are! Since first meeting him, my time Service was an eventful one. On the transferred to the office of the with George was always special – the first day of war in 1939 he was Minister of Science and subsequently stillness of his presence, his kind transferred to the Ministry of to the Department of Education and demeanour, his wise counsel.We often Economic Warfare where he was Science where he spent the rest of his spoke at length about the deeper Personal Assistant to the Head of the career until retirement in 1971. In aspects of life, and it was beautiful to Intelligence Department. Then, after 1964 George had been looking for a meditate with him and others in the a spell at the Overseas Trade house in Sussex, where he had grown Blue Room. Department and Middle East Office, up, but landed instead at Lake House George Blaker was born in 1912 in he worked in the Cabinet Office. near Ockley in Surrey, a place that Simla, a hill station in the foothills of While in Egypt from 1941-43, he was many of us know so well. It was here the Himalayas. He was educated at Private Secretary to Oliver Lyttelton that he was able to fulfil his Eton and Trinity College, Cambridge, (later Lord Chandos) and was conservation ambitions. He became where he was an exact contemporary involved in missions with British an active member of the Surrey Bird of Peter Leggett, later Vice-Chancellor Ministers with Lord Swinton in West Club and the then Surrey Trust for of the University of Surrey and, Africa and the then Harold Nature Conservation, rising to eventually, one of his close associates Macmillan in North Africa. Towards become President of the latter in its in the foundation of the Scientific and the end of the war he accompanied current form as the Surrey Wildlife Medical Network - although they did Oliver Lyttelton to the USA and Trust. His work in establishing the not see each other again for some Canada on a mission dealing with Vann Lake Nature Reserve was forty years. He read History and food supplies to Britain. recognised by a major award during Modern Languages, reflecting a The immediate post-war years saw European Conservation Year in 1970. passion for both languages and travel George return to India when Principal He subsequently gave the Reserve to – he later studied in Germany and at Private Secretary to Sir Stafford the Trust. the Ecole des Sciences Politiques in Cripps, President of the Board of It was during his time at the DES Paris, and learned Persian, Egyptian, Trade. He accompanied him on a that Blaker became aware of the way colloquial Arabic and Hindi. Cabinet Mission to India for in which science and science More significantly, during his time discussions leading to Indian education were underpinned by an in Cambridge he was awarded a Gold independence. It was during this trip implicit materialistic philosophy that Medal by the Royal Society for the that he had an unexpected unofficial he did not consider to be an intrinsic Protection of Birds for his work – still encounter with Gandhi. While part of science. His informal quoted – on the distribution of barn walking in the vicinity of his hotel, he conversations with other leading owls in England and Wales. He was accosted from a passing car and figures like Dr. Peter Leggett at Surrey retained an ardent interest in birds, offered a lift back up the hill, which he and Sir Kelvin Spencer (formerly observing and feeding all kinds, really did not need. However, the Chief Scientist at the Ministry of including some prosperous-looking driver insisted, and on getting into the Power) at Exeter in the early 1970s pheasants in his extensive garden. He back he realised that he was sitting led him to think of forming a network insisted that it was his work on barn next to Mahatma Gandhi. George of scientists interested in the spiritual owls that clinched his interview for made several attempts at polite side of life. At about the same time the Foreign Service in 1938. conversation with his fellow Dr. Patrick Shackleton, Dean of Amusingly, this incident was brought passenger, who acknowledged him Postgraduate Medicine at up a few years later when George, by but said nothing. Only later did he Southampton, was thinking along then in Egypt, was deputed to meet a find out that this was Gandhi’s weekly similar lines, and the two men were prominent diplomat at the airport in day of silence. brought together by a Polish priest Cairo. On the way back in the car, his After a further trip as Secretary of a called Dr. Andrew Glazewski. After a wife remarked that standards had British Trade Mission to China, day’s meeting they decided to slipped in the Foreign Service George entered the Treasury in 1947, collaborate and founded the Scientific examination - she had heard that and spent the next sixteen years in and Medical Network in 1973. It was

2 Network No. 77 December 2001 the first Network of its kind at a time for many years at Emerson College in was immensely excited about his when the word was scarcely used. It Sussex and which proved a turning prospects. kept a low profile during its first years point for so many of its students who As his friends will attest, George (when it was informally known as the were seeking a meaningful spiritual had many remarkable personal Conspiracy) but the Network world-view. In the early years George qualities. He combined an incisive gradually emerged into the public eye always gave the opening lecture, by arranging the May Lectures in sharing ‘a vision of the way the world mind and a lapidary writing style with 1977, with the title ‘Science, Mind could work, or does work, from a a great generosity of spirit and deep and the Spirit of Man’. Among the spiritual viewpoint’. It is reprinted in intuitive understanding. He was a man speakers was Dr. E.F. Schumacher. the Network volume Wider Horizons. of great modesty, simplicity and The following year saw the first He would set out a series of humility, unremittingly kind and Mystics and Scientists conference with propositions about life and its considerate in his dealings with others. the Wrekin Trust, an event that significance for consideration, but was His gentle humour was never far away. celebrates its Silver Jubilee next year. always careful not to impose his own He had a profound faith in the Following the death of Patrick views. He believed in the oneness of Shackleton in 1976, George worked life, that the human being is primarily spiritual capacities of humanity and tirelessly for the Network as its sole spiritual, and that life is about fostered these qualities in others – honorary secretary until 1986, when education and development in the especially the young - whenever he he became its life President. He was broadest sense. He regarded death as a could. Equally strong was his concern actively involved in its work until a few ‘promotion’ and was firmly convinced for wildlife, and, dating from his time days before his death. As members will from his own experience that the soul in India, for the fate of Tibet. George know, he inspired the Spiritual Aspects continued its development in other married Richenda Buxton in 1938. of Life Group and hosted a number of realms. I remember him telling me She died in 1987 and he is survived by meetings at Lake House. His last shortly after the promotion of Sir report appears in this issue. One of George Trevelyan that he had ‘seen’ his daughter Jennifer and many George’s greatest passions was the George who had intimated to him that devoted friends, who, like me, will week-long ‘Wider Horizons’ course for his surroundings were more beautiful remember him with the utmost young people 18-25, which was held than he could have imagined and he affection and respect.

y first encounter that the Network has been able to with George Blaker grow and flourish. was a letter which he What did George want the wrote to me, back in Network to achieve? I think above all 1977, asking if I Being he wanted the young to be taught that wouldM like to join the Network. there is more to life than just Nothing was involved, said the letter, materialism. He wanted them to there was no fee, just a newsletter and Present realise that spiritual values are occasional meetings with a group of important, and he valued the sharing like-minded souls. And as I’m always Peter Fenwick of spiritual experiences. He wanted ready to meet a like-minded soul I them to know and truly understand said yes. We first met a few years later that when you die it is not the end, when the constitution of the Network had made and (always) a and to accept the consequences that was being drawn up and I was invited good assortment of biscuits, he would come with this knowledge. He also to Lake House to help him, Peter listen. Not the listening of the understood that science would have a Leggett and others to hammer out the discursive mind always ready to part to play in understanding birth of the new network. More interrupt, but the listening of just spirituality, and would listen to news accurately, they all met and I spent being present, the true listening. It of the latest scientific breakthroughs much time wandering around Surrey was this quality of being present that with interest, though he would usually trying to find Lake House. Eventually always made it such a pleasure to be ask whether it wasn’t possible to go I found it, a house set in the quiet with George. He did not give advice faster and make this newly acquired English countryside, unbelievably unless asked and when he did it knowledge more available to everyone beautiful, timeless and serene. carried the wisdom of the man. He now. All these qualities were echoed and was truly the still spiritual centre of I find it hard to think about George multiplied in George. My first impressions were of a spiritual giant, the Network. and Lake House without thinking of courteous, gentle with a keen intellect George, Peter Leggett, Patrick the rabbits. George’s garden was full and the most dazzlingly beautiful blue Shackleton and Sir Kelvin Spencer of wild rabbits which he allowed in to eyes. His look was always kindly, and were the founding fathers of the browse on special parts of the lawn it was this kindliness that allowed you Network. But it was George who has (not the orchids), they would come to be at your best. It seemed to peel given the Network the continuity and and go as they wished, always free to off the outside world so that you could support of a loving parent, hurry back to the safety of the wood. truly meet as equals. After I had maintaining a watchful and concerned He too gave the impression of become Chairman of the Network I interest but always allowing it to someone who was a free spirit. It was was a more frequent visitor to Lake develop at its own pace, make its own a real privilege to have known him and House. He would welcome me experiments, and its own mistakes. to learn so much from him. My heart warmly and then, when we were And it is through George and his goes out to his family who must now settled with a splendid cup of tea he daughter Jenny’s financial generosity be missing him so much.

Network No. 77 December 2001 3 eorge Blaker was one of Alamein from the top of the Great the noblest people I have Pyramid. There was the story, told ever known. He was with ironic amusement, of the time good, he was wise, he when a plane load of top civil servants was gentle, and he was crashed onto a north London surprisinglyG humble. To say this is to Sagesse allotment shortly after take off. make him sound an almost a fairy tale Despite shock and injury the figure, yet once one had relaxed into passengers and crew preserved their his company no one could be a more Oblige traditional reticence and hierarchical real and convivial friend. Peter courtesy, but the allotment holder Leggett introduced me to him soon Max Payne ignored the wreck completely and was after the founding of the S.M.N. That concerned only with the fate of his founding was itself a strange story. As prize runner beans. A less happy story senior civil servant George knew that generous financial support which was his horror at witnessing the many scientists shared his own enabled the SMN to achieve its capsizing of a ferry carrying farmers concern for experiences and present status. It was also equally and their animals over the Yangtze. knowledge beyond the official fringe typical that when he found out some The local boatmen were keen to of science, and he wanted to find woodland he owned contained rare rescue the pigs,They were just as keen some way in which they could meet fungi and was a site of special to ensure that their owners drowned. together and share their interest. At scientific interest, he gave it away to a A conversation with George Blaker the same time Patrick Shackleton was trust so that if could be preserved. left one a happier and more optimistic Dean of Medicine at Southampton George could also be disconcertingly person. The discussion might have University and wanted to the same truthful if he thought the recipient centred on some political or social thing for medical professionals and was strong enough to bear the truth as problem, and George would have students. A Polish priest, Andrew he saw it. shown his usual wisdom and Glasewski, unknown to either of George had a distinguished career sympathetic compassion for the them, put them in touch with each in the Foreign Service, the Indian human situation. And yet in the end other and the S.M.N. was born. How Civil Service and the Home Civil there was always the warming Andrew ever knew of their private Service. One suspects that his just confidence that mankind had its fate plans remained a mystery, since he reward might well have been several in its own hands and was, at the last, died 6 months later. George was ranks further up the Honours system capable of achieving the good. At the completely committed to the pursuit than a Commander of the Order of St. highest level, science and spirituality of truth in science through objective Michael and St George if his fused together, and enlightenment self-critical inquiry. Throughout his disconcerting honesty had not always was not an ideal for a few ascetics life he was also aware of an inner endeared him to his superiors. squatting in the Himalayas. It was world beyond the physical. He saw no Though I do not suppose that this something attained by living to the contradiction in this himself, but ever mattered to him. However his fullest one’s responsibilities in this life. understood sympathetically the varied experiences provided him with George made one feel that the idea of difficulties other people had with this. a fund of stories which had to be the English gentleman was not a dated His inner life made his commitment gently teased out of him, but which icon from a past age, but rather an to integrity, compassion and public made fascinating listening once told. ideal which any man or woman of any responsibility almost automatic. It was He had, for instance, witnessed the clime or time with sincerity could typical of him that he gave the opening barrage at the battle of El attain, and be the better for it.

Apple Picking was written in the Autumn of 1999 as a kind of personal tribute to George Blaker, the private man, who lived alone at Lake House. I would not normally have presented a piece such as this to the Network Magazine for publication, as I am only too aware of both its shortcomings and possible inappropriateness. However George said, on reading it two years ago, that in the event of his death, he would like it to be printed here.

watched them there, through grazed this sward since time the glass, as I fixed the fringe on immemorial and the hedgerow had the lampshade in his house. In been dated back to the twelfth the distance, the four legs of my century. In spring wild orchids littered two children dangled from the To George the long lawn, later buttercups and Itree, waving to and fro, with gathering bugle. Along the fringe, cowslips and momentum as though moved by a with love... forget-me-nots swayed with the wild mighty force. The canopy of green grasses when the breezes came up shakings looked unnatural, distressed. over the hill. And each year he cut And apple-tears dropped about it, in APPLE apple-puddles, all over the ground. swathes through the long grass like Drip-strings of glue pooled onto earthbound sunrays, on and on the spotless pink carpet whilst I, PICKING through the flowers toward the apple distracted, stared at the operation. tree. And now, children, fruit of The action outdoors contrasted with rhythm of my heartbeat: my mortality. ancient mothers, skipped and dangled my stillness, and my senses became Ghosts of the living and the dead were around in her shade with mine. And aware of his space around me. There all around me, he was all around me mine, half grown, smiled and waved at was a reassuring smell of cleanness in and angels like wallpaper. They the smiling silhouette in the glass, his house, a shiny-floor-just-washed smiled. fixing the fringe on his lampshade. sort of smell. No clocks ticked. My There were spectres skipping over I left my task, and wandered over ears rushed with the silence and my the lawn, against a backdrop of downs the spotless pink carpet. The door upper body gently rocked with the and ancient woodland. Cows had moved easily as I pushed it open into

4 Network No. 77 December 2001 the warm air. I put on my shoes, for and he was thrilled. She rewarded him wouldn’t see the truth. And partitions no one wore shoes in his house, and by bringing her chicks into the open and treachery and great heaving walked towards them. Even from where he could see them. Later that earth-weeping bloodshed. there I could smell the apples of the summer there was a great volley of Then I told him of Africa. Of its mother tree. I was reminded of the gunfire in the near distance and a light when the sun sinks over the smell of my babies when they were baying of dogs and the family did not Pilansburg Mountains. How the red born. It too was a sweet smell. Like return. The next spring he started all soil of the Ngong Hills smells after apple pie. Of life. Of something well over again. rain, and how once, on horseback, I done. A warm breeze ran over my skin Like his other guests I visited was followed by a leopard. And of the and blew my hair across my face. My regularly, and was made welcome. I children with babies strapped to their feet sank into the yielding earth, and was tempted by chocolate cake and backs that bathed naked in the Nile, her green coat flattened as I stepped biscuits on the trolley, which we with beautiful smiles and swollen on it and then started to prick up always lifted over the door-join in the bellies. And the flies. And the guilt I again behind me like the nap of velvet. spotless pink carpet, in case the tea felt. We would talk about the way the There were buckets and plastic should spill. We had earthly world spent its money and then we bags strewn under the tree, and conversations about unearthly things were silent because there’s nothing apples, now ripe, were being sorted and the angels on the wall smiled. I you can say. and graded. Some in heaps, some in told him he couldn’t leave me just And I was amazed at the calm way scatterings, and single apples dropped because he was old. He told me that he told me about the night his house of their own volition, rolling further he could give me two years, because was struck by lightning, a pointed out. They lay unretrieved. there were things he needed to stay finger of blazing white fire that took From a distance the ground around for. I believed him and was grateful. most of what he had. But not the resembled an ancient map. The great Two years could be a long time. And important things. He said that by the stretch of green, with brown frayed he needed the fringe on his lampshade time the fire brigade could get their edges where the wild grasses fixing. hoses down to the lake for water, the encroached seemed dotted with We talked about our houses and house was in ruins. The flames were villages and towns. A conurbation of our families. And we were aware, seen and talked about for miles while apples. And the tree, a great protector, though we didn’t say, that this was the people drank tea and beer and her limbs outstretched, throwing her right time, the only time for our gathered in clusters, safe in the shade over all. And I was part of this friendship. Our beginnings were too knowledge that it wasn’t them. He mapped landscape. An unretrieved different, and he was big and I was smiled and said that the house had one, far from my point of birth, in his small and life is complicated. He told been cleansed and that starting again garden, far from my mother tree. me how the Canadians had taken his had been a good thing. There were no And my children enjoyed this game parent’s house during the war, and tears in his eyes. and we laughed and were conscious of how they had spoiled the lake there, Sometimes he would speak of our laughing, of having a good time. and how there were no fish in it other-worldly things, of the blue gem The sun shone warmly through a hazy afterwards. He told me about his that was the earth playing its part English sky. I looked up and the sisters and his regrets. And through all within the universe. And he would try brightness hurt my eyes and deepened of what we talked, there was the to explain to my furrowed thinking all the deepening wrinkles on my face. I woven thread of the love of his wife. about limitless consciousness and our must savour this moment I thought. He told me how they met, at a party at evolution towards a goal of universal Time passes quickly. university, how on her arrival she had knowledge and understanding. He I looked around the garden and crouched and peeped at knee height, seemed to have an astral perspective heard the strains of a song-thrush, laughing, around the door. He caught and when I told him so he smiled. over and over. I thought about his fox, her eye and that was the beginning. And I wondered about that. I asked and scanned the perimeter of my And he laughed as he told me, and him once, if he had one touchstone, vision in case I should see it. The fox there were tears behind the laughter one thing that he could teach me, after that came every night for the biscuit. for that was a long time ago. Now she a life’s experience, what would it be? She would not come now, with all the was one of the angels on the wall. Be kind he said. Just be kind. noise and rogue scents in the air. She We talked always of his daughter, I couldn’t see his fox, though I would come later, with the blanket of so like him, a safe haven with shiny screwed up my eyes and used my darkness wrapped around her. He had eyes. Of her life in California and her hands like binoculars. I moved instead been leaving a biscuit on the lawn pain at the loss of the Redwoods felled toward the groanings of my tired every night for weeks, knowing she by men with chainsaws and slogans on children as they heaved their apples in was out there with her cubs. And their caps. He told me of her fight to buckets over his garden to the apple finally she had come, closer and closer protect the Wetlands from developers store beside his house. They had until she perceived that he was no that wanted to build another Silicon completed their task. The apple tree threat, and had taken the biscuit. And Valley, as if one weren’t already too looked lighter and darker against a she came to my house one night when many. hazier sky. The map of apples had he was away, but had sensed the And he had written a book about changed; no more a conurbation but a danger, had stopped stiff outside my owls, and built little boxes for dormice scarcely populated hinterland, with window, with one paw raised, heard and placed them carefully around the just a few apples lying around, close to the yelpings of my dogs and trotted forest, and built fences around the the mother tree on that green velvet into the dark. But when they started reed beds in the lake. surrounded by wild grasses on the to build the overflow at the end of the We talked of his life before, when blue gem in space, and that moment. lake she had come no more.They had he lived in India, and of his love of The day was getting late and there was parked their machinery over her lair, that country, those people. And of a sultriness in the air. The moment and she, betrayed, had gone.The fox I their spirituality, of Hinduism and passed. The adult game was over and now looked for was a different fox, Buddhism and of the children with no I made my way slowly back along the and she was learning the tricks of the shoes until his wife bought them earthbound sunrays to the door of his one that had gone before. some. He told me of walks in the house where I removed my shoes Pheasants also came. There were forests with snakes and feeling safe. crossed the spotless pink carpet and no guns here, and they made it their And of meetings with important went back to finish fixing the fringe on sanctuary. One spring he had people where he didn’t. Of plots and his lampshade. managed to feed a bird from his hand, tricks and people who couldn’t or ….A friend

Network No. 77 December 2001 5 ARTICLES A Dangerous Opportunity: The Spiritual Challenges of the Events of September 11th 2001 Serge Beddington-Behrens PhD KSML, Hampnett, England

“A new order on earth will not begin, I believe, until we all learn to see the pollution in our hearts. And that will not happen until many of us, a critical mass, experience with remorse, a real change of consciousness.“ Asking for the Earth by James George

hen the Terrorist with important antidotes to help our crisis went right to the very jugular of planes flew into the planet work more effectively and be a western society; it has highlighted Twin Towers on the healthier place in which to live. certain wrongs so forcefully that we can fateful morning of But always the problem has been no longer avoid seeing them. September 11th, the “powers that be”, or the somethingW became activated in the pedagogical forces – those who “run Facing the Shadow planetary psyche that changed the things”. They have always resisted, For many people, the new realisation world forever. Before that shock, a closed their eyes, said, “no” to is dawning that the enemy does not complacency existed. Before that innovation. just exist “out there”; the enemy is also shock, many of us had never really September 11th, however, has within us. And we see the enemy out wanted to open our eyes to see and changed this. The events of that date there precisely so that we can become face the imbalances and violence in have catalysed a whole new climate of more aware of him within ourselves. our world, and if we did we would potential openness to change, and In other words, we are the enemy; the simply say to ourselves: “Well, that is while this may not yet be visible (as I Terrorist is us. In “Faces of the the way things are and always have write, bombs are still dropping in Enemy”, Sam Keen suggests that if we been. C’est la vie!” Afghanistan) we must not forget to want a better, more peaceful world it is But no longer. As those towers look beneath the surface. I have no good simply focusing on the crumbled, something also shattered in travelled quite extensively since positive, or conversely just trying to our own psyches, which in many September 11th and wherever I have bash the external foe. This disregards people gave rise to the realisation that been, I have encountered people the psychology of homo hostis, that part violence and terrorism was no longer asking many new questions - talking in each of us that is violent, fanatical something that happened over there, about the need to have a new kind of and hostile, which the more it is to them; it was also a reality in our world come into being, a kinder, suppressed, the more it spills out into own midst and belonged to all of us. gentler more humane world, and who our world in destructive ways and so It was Gurdjieff who warned us are prepared now, for the first time, to continually maintains a mindset of never to underestimate the do something to have this come about. hostility. For Keen, if there is to be transformational possibilities of shock. peace, we have to address the shadow In his eyes, man being the “spiritually In the words of Christopher Fry in his of the Terrorist within our own hearts. asleep” creature that he was, if he play A Sleep of Prisoners As a psychotherapist, I have always wished to wake up he generally maintained that the “real spiritual needed to experience a shock greater “Dark and cold we may be, work” today is the work with our own than the sum of his own inertia. And but this is no winter now. shadow or dark side. A large part of that is exactly what has happened. The frozen misery of centuries breaks, what I do is helping my clients The word crisis in Chinese is cracks discover this part of themselves, find translated “dangerous opportunity.” begins to move. out how their inner saboteurs manifest And this is what we now face. The thunder is the thunder of the floes, and what they need to do to reclaim For a long time, there has existed the thaw, the flood, the upstart spring. and integrate them within themselves. what we might call an “Alternative Thank God our time is now In Jung’s words: “we don’t become Movement” on the planet. Whether when wrong comes up to face us enlightened by sitting in the light but we refer to those comprising it as everywhere by going into our darkness …” Any Alternativists, social or spiritual never to leave us till we take part of ourselves that we do not “own” activists, or Aquarian Conspirators, the longest stride of soul (that is, exclude from our field of radical philosophers, ecological man ever took.” awareness) “becomes the enemy.” warriors, peacemakers, New-Agers or Jung invented the term shadow to whatever, does not matter. What is Why these September 11th events refer to the “other side” of our nature, significant is that many people have are so different from all other previous our “inferior side”, the part of us of come up with ingenious solutions to crises that have also exposed which we are ordinarily not conscious. our world problems, and are in touch anomalies in the system, is that this My shadow is what I do not see about

6 Network No. 77 December 2001 myself, and would find disgusting confronting the historical, social and good people do nothing! The best and unacceptable if I could. political demons within us. Without a teaching on evil comes from Consequently, I tend only to discover reformation in the practice of Islam Hildegard of Bingen; “Don’t curse it by seeing what I dislike about and so that makes it move forward instead of the darkness,” she said, “But light a project onto other people, or what I backwards, there is no hope for light.” hate out in the world. This work of Muslims anywhere.” reclaiming our shadows is spiritual Our Personal Challenges work because our true nature or our Reconciliation So: what are our personal challenges spiritual essence - that is, where our The demons of both western culture here? How can we be agents in this true humanity and power and love lie and Islam are now out in the open. new awakening? - is primarily to be discovered in these This means that they can now be Firstly, we need to be aware that we dark crevices. I never cease being confronted and seen for what they are. are the instruments through which astonished - when a client comes to The West and Islam also need to evolution unfolds and that today we accept some hitherto quite realise that both are each other’s are all facing a “dangerous unacceptable part of themselves - at shadow and therefore are convenient opportunity”, and as such, need to how profoundly their authentic self hooks on which to hang their stay strong and centred as we realise emerges and how much their respective grievances. Thus, it is that it is no longer up to others to consciousness begins to expand. much easier for the West to bomb the implement change. Rather, we must Muslims in revenge than really look at realise that it is our responsibility to Looking Within the violence within their own society. stand up and be counted and to play What is needed on our planet, and It is possible that once these kinds of our part in this new emergence no what I see beginning to emerge, issues come into the light and are matter what our field of expertise. phoenix-like out of the dawn of all this debated, that the politics of blame and Each of us has his or her own little violence and chaos around us, is a scapegoating may end, and people will chunk of shadow work to do, our own new expanding consciousness, and come to recognise that opposites need little piece of the great the trigger for this was the terrorist not always be in conflict. transformational mystery to puzzle attack. Indeed, unbeknown to them, What needs to be found is that out, and the more we choose the terrorists have in fact been agents magical, sacred space where uncompromisingly to take stands for of planetary awakening. reconciliation can take place. what we believe needs to happen, the To understand this, we need to Paradoxically, both the West and the more we play our part in diminishing know something of the great mystery Muslim nations contain the necessary the weight of the great world shadow, of evil and how it is inextricably antidotes which could help this to and in so doing we allow space for the interwoven with the evolutionary come about and which, if spiritual light to emerge out of its unfurling of things. As someone once appropriated, would allow for greater obscurity. put it “The devil seems to be God’s wholeness on both sides. For It may well be that in the years greatest ally!” Mephistopheles example, there is a deep spirituality ahead we will face similar dark acknowledged this when he said to and devotionality in Islam, which is shadows, that things become even Faust: “I am forever evil who does sorely missing and deeply needed in darker just before the dawn. Perhaps forever good”, which might well be the West. We Westerners, on the other a lot more emptying and purging is Osama Bin Laden’s epitaph! Simply hand, have created important still required, and if so, it may well be put, the prime initiator of goodness structures of democratic freedom, that, as a species, we will enter still and soul may often be totally which need somehow to be more more deeply into what in spiritual horrendous and soulless appropriated by the Islamic cultures if literature, is known as the Dark Night circumstances. Certainly, in America, these very noble people are to move of the Soul experience. the wake up call has been heard. By into the 21st Century. Perhaps this If this is the case, we should not having been stabbed so deeply in her convergence will be speeded up to the fear this, but rather remember that the heart, something has opened widely extent that both sides face another more we confront our hidden terrors, there and as a nation she is having to significant common enemy in their fears, prejudices, hatreds and ask profound questions, perhaps for midst, namely Fundamentalism. resentments, the more we can the first time, about her motivations. Whether the Fundamentalist is a incinerate them and in so doing Above all, she is needing to confront Christian or a Muslim makes very discover our deeper humanity lying at the dark side of her “American little difference, as essentially it is a their core. dream”, to see what she has sacrificed bankrupt theology of blinkered, These times will only be difficult if along the journey to “the good life”, closed-hearted, shadow-denying we insist on looking back to our past to see why there is so much violence fanaticism, and is always destructive and not forward to our future, if we and addiction in her society (the to the spirit of freedom. still choose to go on living from a addict is a kind of self-terrorist) and The Fundamentalist mindset place of viewing life solely through the what has happened that has made her always believes the evil is outside lens of our ego self, which divides the become so spiritually bankrupt and himself: it must be attacked and wiped world into good and bad, with bad distant from the soulful vision of her out. It is a theology predicated upon being everything that does not go the founding fathers. America is also either needing Satans to hate or way we want! If, through the having to look at why her policies, Infidels to butcher. This is conscious facing of our dark side, our which have often favoured re- pathological thinking. Evil never dies soul life begins to grow, then we will arranging the world map to suit her through being attacked. It dies be able to appreciate the vaster own strategic interests, have made her through light being shed on its nature. transitions that we are all living so hated. It dies as a result of being seen for through, and will be able to feel In a similar way, Islam is also what it is, resulting in people no honoured and privileged to be living having to look deeply at itself and see longer choosing to engage in the kind in these most creative and exciting why so many Muslims exist in of activities that keep it alive. The times. poverty, ruled by barbaric dictators. more the spirit of wholeness and However, in order to play an Izzat Majeed, a Palestinian writer, goodness predominates, the more evil effective part in this great evolutionary suggested that “we Muslims cannot becomes starved of its life blood. Evil adventure, we need to put our own keep blaming the West for all our ills. is only allowed to predominate, as spiritual house in order, we need to do We have failed as a society by not Edmund Burke suggested, so long as our own “spiritual homework” to heal

Network No. 77 December 2001 7 and strengthen ourselves. There is hearts. Teilhard de Chardin saw the journey deeper into our shadows at an much fear around now, and while we human heart as humanity’s great internal level but will also give us the need to be able to recognise it, we secret weapon and suggested that, spiritual protection and courage to must not get caught up with it. Jesus when awakened, it contained more enter pockets of darkness and evil out always advised his disciples to not let power than the atomic bomb. in the world as healing and their hearts be troubled as he realised The more we learn to harness our reconciliatory agents. that troubled hearts led to heart power and utilise the great ineffectiveness. weapons of love, courage, compassion We cannot afford to be ineffective and prayerfulness that lie inside it, the Dr. Serge Beddington-Behrens is a today and a great deal of what I call more effectively we will be able to face psychotherapist in private practice. He “heart work” is therefore also needed our demons, be they at a personal, runs workshops and retreats on spiritual on our part to both empty our hearts national, religious, human- collective themes and is completing a book on the of their fears and traumas as we also or global level. Having a strong heart relationship between psychotherapy and work to deepen and enlarge our will not only give us the ability to the spiritual path.

That Peace May Prevail in this World: The Forgotten Human Factors Ervin Laszlo, Italy

The achievement of world peace, more than anything else, depends on inner growth and the awakening of each and every individual...When each one of us contributes to our own evolution by raising our inner awareness ever so high, the world will immediately make a shift toward peace. Masami Saionji Chair of the Goi Peace Foundation

here can be no greater great bulk of the population. On the The benefits of economic growth, for insight today than that level of individual people, attaining long the main indicator of progress, peace in the world inner peace calls for real world are becoming more and more depends crucially on conditions that allow a life of basic concentrated. Hundreds of millions peace in our hearts. One dignity, free of the stresses and live at a higher material standard of whoT is frustrated, harbours hate or the deprivations that sap strength and living, but thousands of millions are desire for revenge, and believes that challenge character. And on the pressed into abject poverty, living in the world treats him badly cannot collective level of a nation, culture or shantytowns and urban ghettos in the relate to others and to nature in a religion, inner peace requires mutual shadow of ostentatious affluence. spirit of peace and partnership. understanding and respect by all the Entire cultures and religious faiths are Whether the cause is the wounded ego world’s peoples for the diversity of the excluded from progress and find of a person or the wounded self- lifeways and beliefs cherished and held themselves hard pressed to maintain a respect of a people, and whether it is sacred by groups and individuals modicum of dignity and self-respect. the wish for personal revenge or a holy wherever they live in the world. Such conditions create frustration, war for the defense of a faith, the While enduring peace awaits the fuel resentment, and lead ultimately to result is violence, death, and evolution of humankind’s individual violence. catastrophe. Attaining peace within and collective consciousness, in the The new technologies of one’s heart is a fundamental urgency of the short term it depends information and communication precondition for attaining peace in the on creating real world conditions could establish contact between all world. under which all people in our socially, people in the world and lay the Attaining inner peace is a task that economically and culturally diverse groundwork for understanding and each of us has to fulfil in the intimacy world can find a measure of inner solidarity. But the Internet and the of his or her own heart. But it also has peace. In this regard we have a long majority of the local and national preconditions in the external world. It way to grow: conditions in the world media are dominated by the attempt is not that inner peace could not be are poor and still deteriorating. At the to reap short-term profit by marketing won under the worst of outer same time as globalisation is products and services that offer conditions: in conditions of hunger, integrating production, trade, finance, immediate gratification regardless of deprivation, marginalisation, and and communication, it is producing a whether they provide lasting and acute suffering. Such achievement, social and ecological backlash in the genuine benefit. Television and however, is limited to individuals with form of national and regional cinema are oriented toward news and a highly evolved consciousness; for the unemployment, widening income entertainment that “sell” by catering present it cannot be expected of the gaps, and environmental degradation. to the baser instincts of the public for

8 Network No. 77 December 2001 violence, scandal, sex, and revenge, As citizens of our country, we are among other things lead a life of making it more and more difficult for responsible for demanding that our sanity, dignity, and an acceptable level people to distinguish the real world leaders beat swords into ploughshares of wellbeing. Negative liberties call from its sensationalistic simulation in and relate to other nations peacefully for acts of omission and can be virtual reality. and in a spirit of cooperation; that respected within the existing authority they recognise the legitimate and power of states. But positive The Need for a Planetary Ethic aspirations of all communities in the liberties require acts of commission In view of this situation the Club of human family; and that they do not that go beyond the scope of the state’s Budapest has made serious attempts abuse sovereign powers to manipulate public sector; they imply concordance to call attention to the urgent need for people and the environment for on the part of the international a new mentality and a new morality in shortsighted and selfish ends. community as a whole, including the every segment of the world’s As collaborators in business and actors private sectors of commerce, finance, population. For example, the in the economy, we are responsible for and industry. Declaration on the Essential Ethic of the ensuring that corporate objectives do Respecting the positive rights Media, presented to media executives not centre uniquely on profit and adopted in the recent past assembled in Hollywood on the growth, but include a concern that presupposes a deeper responsibility occasion of the second “Digital products and services respond to on the part of the world community Hollywood” conference in October of human needs and demands without for the life and wellbeing of its this year, challenges the media to harming people and impairing nature; members. The 20th century may assume its share of the responsibility that they do not serve destructive ends enter history as the Century of Rights, for the lives and wellbeing of their and unscrupulous designs; and that but the 21st century must become a public. they respect the rights of all Century of Responsibilities. In these critical times media enterpreneurs and enterprises who Shifting from rights to responsibility goes beyond the compete fairly in the global responsibilities presupposes a shift in traditional dimensions: it extends to marketplace. mentality and morality. Claiming what the media communicates, in rights is compatible with the classical addition to how it communicates. It is —and morality of representing one’s just as irresponsible to communicate interests in the welter of similar or solely or even primarily content that As members of the human community, competing interests, but accepting the excites and sells as to disseminate it is our responsibility to adopt a responsibility for ensuring that the preconceived ideas for living and culture of non-violence, solidarity, rights are respected calls for a new acting. In addition to reporting on and economic, political and social mindset and an enlightened ethic. In current events and providing quality equality, promoting mutual today’s globally communicating and entertainment, it is the responsibility understanding and respect among interacting world this ethic cannot be of the media to provide impartial in- people and nations whether they are geographically, culturally, or depth information on local and global like us or different, demanding that all politically confined —it must be a problems, on the technologies and people everywhere should be planetary ethic. policies that address those problems, empowered to respond to the We all have a private morality: our and on the trends that emerge in new challenges that face them with the personal ethic. This varies with the ways of living and acting. material as well as spiritual resources personality, the ambitions, and the I have come to believe that there that are required for this circumstances of each of us. It reflects are major and ineluctable unprecedented task. our unique background, heritage, and responsibilities attaching to people’s family and community situation. We social role and economic and civic From Rights to Responsibilities also have a public morality, the ethic activity whether they are media Beyond the borders of our country, shared in our community, ethnic executives, political or business concern with responsibilities is new group, religion, or nation. This is the leaders, community or opinion on the world scene. Since the end of ethic the group in which we live leaders, or plain citizens. Another World War II, the international requires of us in order for it to Club of Budapest document, the community insisted on highlighting function. It reflects its culture, faith, Manifesto on the Spirit of Planetary the need for a series of rights.The social structure, economic Consciousness, specifies these members of the United Nations first development, and environmental responsibilities. adopted the International Covenant conditions. But today there is a need As individuals, we are responsible on Civil and Political Rights, and then for a universal morality as well. This for seeking our interests in harmony the International Covenant on is the planetary ethic the entire with, and not at the expense of, the Economic, Social and Cultural human family requires so that all its interests and well-being of others; Rights. The first set of these rights members could enjoy the rights that responsible for condemning and includes the right to vote, the right not the international community had averting any form of killing and to be tortured, and the right to free already proclaimed for them. brutality, responsible for not bringing speech-essentially negative liberties: Universal morality is an essential more children into the world than we “freedoms from” discrimination, part of private and public morality. It truly need and can support, and for oppression and arbitrary constraint. respects the conditions under which respecting the right to life, The second set of rights comprises the all people in the world can live in development, and equal status and right to health, the right to food and peace, freedom and the necessary dignity of all the children, women, the right to employment. These are modicum of material wellbeing and men who inhabit the Earth. positive liberties: “freedoms to” without destroying each other’s chances of livelihood, culture, society, faith, and environment. Universal morality does not prescribe the nature In these critical times media responsibility goes beyond the of private and public morality—it only ensures that private and public traditional dimensions: it extends to what the media morality do not give rise to behaviours communicates, in addition to how it communicates. that are damaging to the planetary community that has now become the vital context of the life of all of us.

Network No. 77 December 2001 9 At the dawn of the 21st century the others can simply live.” This idea is of the legitimate aspirations for a time has come for a planetary ethic great intuitive appeal, and could better life and a healthy that can be embraced by all people furnish the basis for a universal environment of all people and regardless of creed, religion, race, sex, morality voluntarily adopted by cultures in the human family. and secular belief. It must have people in all nations, cultures, and 2.2 Require of business enterprises intuitive appeal, addressing the basic religions. After all, the need is to that they accept responsibility for moral instinct present in all healthy ensure that people’s lifeways, the same all their stakeholders, in addition individuals. This is a major challenge. as their personal and professional to their shareholders and The egalitarian ideals of Marx, Lenin, aspirations, do not impose an customers, and that they produce and Mao failed in the practice of unsustainable, and ultimately goods and offer services that communist countries, with the result catastrophic, burden on society and satisfy market demand without that the sole secular ethic of the the environment. impairing the environment and modern world is the liberal ethic The currently required planetary reducing the opportunities of all inherited from Bentham, Locke, ethic is present in Gandhi’s advice. It people to participate in the local Hume, and the classical school of is best encapsulated in the precept, and global economy. British philosophers. In this “Live in a way that others may also 2.3 Require of the public media that conception ethics and morality have live.” In our day living in this way is they provide ongoing and reliable no objective basis: human actions are not a matter of course. Living in information on basic trends and based on self-interest, moderated at affluence uses too much and too many crucial processes, so as to enable best by an element of altruistic of the planet’s precious resources, and citizens and consumers to take sympathy. People are not to be living in poverty may overuse and informed decisions on issues that prevented from pursuing their self- inadvertently misuse some of these affect their health, prosperity, interest as long as they observe the resources. On the other hand living in and future. rules that permit life in civilized a way that others may also live is living society. “Live and let live” is the responsibly, whether in poverty or in Make room in your life for helping liberal principle of secular morality. It affluence. It is living with conscious those less privileged than you to live a is tolerant: one can live in any way one consideration not only of one’s rights, life of basic dignity, and for working pleases, as long as one does not break but also the rights—the “freedoms with neighbours and likeminded the law. from” and “freedoms to”—of all people near and far to preserve or to But in today’s world the liberal people who share this planet. restore regenerative cycles in the morality offers a misplaced form of environment. tolerance. Letting everyone live as Macroshift they please, even if they keep within Living in a way that others may also 3. EVOLVE YOUR INNER SELF the law, entails a serious risk. The rich live is not impossible, and it does not TO EVOLVE THOSE AROUND and the powerful could consume a call for major sacrifices. In the report YOU disproportionate share of the to the Club of Budapest entitled 3.1 Evolve your consciousness to the resources to which everyone has a Macroshift: Navigating the planetary dimension, to perceive legitimate claim, and both rich and Transformation to a Sustainable World,I and sense the vital poor could inflict irreversible damage summarised the practical implications interdependence and essential on the environment that everyone of a planetary ethic under the heading oneness of humankind, and shares in common. of four ways to live, four ways to work, recognise that such Moreover in actual practice the and two ways to evolve. consciousness in a critical mass secular ethic is not as tolerant as it of people is an imperative of appears in principle. Those who do 1. LIVE WITH RESPECT FOR human survival in the 21st not or cannot compete in the OTHERS AND FOR NATURE century. marketplace are looked down upon 1.1 Live in a way that satisfies your and are ruthlessly shoved apart, basic needs without detracting Use the example and the guidance of making for a two-tiered world where from the chances of other people your own consciousness to motivate modern Westerners and the to satisfy their needs. fellow members of your generation, Westernised elites of other countries 1.2 Live in a way that respects the and to help children and their are on top, and the vast masses of unalienable right to life and generation, to discover and adopt “backward” people are on the bottom. development of all people, ways of living and acting appropriate Humanity is in urgent need of an wherever they live and whatever to the interdependence and oneness of alternative to the secular market- their ethnic origin, sex, the human family, and to make moral oriented ethic of modern industrial citizenship, and belief system. decisions on the issues that affect their society. This alternative is not 1.3 Live in a way that safeguards the life and their future, and the life of reasonably sought either in the intrinsic right to life and to a life- future generations. Marxist ethic of world communism, supportive environment of all or in a fundamentalist religious ethic things that live and grow on A planetary ethic is a major part of that claims its own path to salvation Earth. the as yet forgotten human factors and justice and condemns all others. 1.4 Pursue happiness, freedom, and that are a precondition of peace in this The reasonable and promising personal fulfilment in harmony violence-prone and crisis-torn world. alternative is a planetary ethic that is with the integrity of nature and in Ethics and morality are not a luxury, meaningful for both the religious and consideration of the similar the privilege of a few, but the urgent the secular segments of the pursuits of your fellows in and necessary requirement of lasting international community. This ethic society. peace on Earth. cannot be dictated and enforced The kind of values and actions that “from above” by any authority, 2. WORK WITH OTHERS TO are consistent with a planetary ethic whether secular or religious. It must CREATE A BETTER WORLD can be sketched out. Some of our win the heart of all people and diffuse 2.1 Require of your government that cherished and still dominant values in society “from below.” it beat swords into ploughshares and behaviours are not consistent with A voluntary grass-roots ethic can and that it relate to other nations this ethic—they should be questioned. take its cue from Mahatma Gandhi’s and peoples peacefully and in a For example, we should seriously wise advice: “Live more simply, so spirit of cooperation, recognising question

10 Network No. 77 December 2001 whether out-and-out competition and spurs violence in today’s world. It is still the royal road to success— bears emphasising that for a critical would cooperation not produce mass of contemporary humanity More and more people are better results? adopting a planetary ethic requires a changing their preferences, whether efficiency means new mentality—a more evolved obtaining maximum productivity consciousness. The Club of Budapest priorities, values and for every person and every calls this planetary consciousness. beliefs—evolving their machine—would real efficiency Planetary consciousness is a consciousness. not lie in producing humanly holistic consciousness, with an needed and socially useful goods integrated vision of people, society, and services? life, and universe. On the personal whether the accumulation of level it is the consciousness that with nature. They are shifting from an wealth and of the material goods socially and ecologically destructive aspiration for maximum consumption that money can buy are the true behaviour is undesirable and toward selectivity in view of quality marks of a person’s worth—is it unacceptable. In regard to society it is defined by environmental- not the case that some traits that the consciousness that other people, friendliness, sustainability, and money cannot buy, such as whether they live next door or in efficiency in production and use. gentleness, wisdom, and caring, distant parts of the world, are an This quiet groundswell is of great are the real marks of a person’s integral part of the human family. significance and promise. It occurs in excellence? And in regard to nature it is the all segments of society, most explicitly and whether frustration bred by consciousness that we cannot do in the emerging cultures where people inequality and injustice is best anything to the wider community of are deeply committed to the search for vented by violence and aggressive all living things on Earth without also new patterns of consumption, new self-assertion—is it not true that doing it to ourselves. lifestyles, and greater responsibility in nurturing, caring, and relating, their lives. Many of these cultures are typically feminine values that are For individuals planetary consciousness barely visible, since their members go also present in the hearts of men, means simpler and more responsible about their business without calling are the best antidotes to the lifestyles, consumer habits, civic attention to themselves or trying to indifference and egotism that behaviours, and professional convert others. Yet, according to prevail in modern societies? aspirations. public opinion researcher Paul Ray, the “cultural creatives” who manifest Beyond questioning obsolete values In the business world planetary the new consciousness number fifty and beliefs, embracing a planetary consciousness means responsibility million adults in the United States ethic calls for adopting responsible for the environment, and for the alone; in Europe, their number may practices. These include: welfare not just of shareholders and reach eighty million. They buy more books and magazines, listen more to moderating individual egoistic managers but of everyone who works for or with the company and is radio and watch less television than drives and appetites with the any other group; they go out and get ethic of living in responsible affected by its activities. involved in civic and environmental ways—ways that allow others to affairs. They want the “whole live as well, In the political sphere planetary tempering the quest for consciousness means concern with process” story of whatever they get in economic and material growth the self-reliant development of grass- their hands, disliking superficial with a quest for social justice, roots communities, states and nations, advertising and product description cultural development, and a as well as with the sustainable and wanting to know how things sustainable and healthy evolution of the network of originated, how they were made, who environment, interdependence that encompasses made it, and what will happen to them supporting the creation of a communities, states, nations, and the when they are discarded. They want system of local, national, and global community as a whole. real, “authentic” goods and services, global security without —and leading the consumer rebellion expensive, wasteful and against things considered fake, dangerous weapons systems and In the media planetary consciousness imitation, throwaway, cliché, or military establishments, means commitment to an enduring merely fashionable. They do not using and enjoying nature’s and reliable flow of information that simply buy the latest gadgets and precious resources in an efficient enlightens people of the state of the innovations on the market; they and sustainable manner, world and of their community and search for knowledge-intensive appreciating and making enables them to adopt new values and products. Many are consumers of the productive use of the social and behaviours on their own. “experience industry” that offers cultural diversity of the world in intense, enlightening, or enlivening the pursuit of one’s goals and Planetary consciousness is not experience rather than a specific objectives, and going beyond no- utopian. Although the headlines of product—for example, weekend holds-barred competition in the media are taken up with acts of workshops, spiritual gatherings, zero-sum “I win, you lose” games terrorism, wars, and violence, there is personal growth experiences, toward cooperative actions aimed also a significant but as yet hardly experiential vacations, and the like. at achieving shared benefits in known groundswell building up in They have a holistic view of life and peaceful “I win, you win” society. More and more people are nature, expressed in preferences for positive-sum games. changing their preferences, priorities, natural whole-foods, holistic health values and beliefs—evolving their care, holistic inner experience, whole- Planetary Consciousness consciousness. They are shifting from system information, and holistic These are realistic and feasible goals lifestyles hallmarked by matter- and balance between work and play and for thinking and acting. They are not energy-wasteful ostentation toward consumption and inner growth. likely to be adopted, however, with the lifestyles characterised by voluntary A new consciousness is arising in kind of mentality that provokes hate simplicity and a search for harmony all parts of the world, East as well as

Network No. 77 December 2001 11 West, South as well as North. Its the final count the evolution of human terrorism, and war, but the expression spread is the determinant yet so far consciousness is the best way to break of a spirit that is commensurate with largely ignored human factor in through the vicious circle where lack the heart and the mind of a species creating enduring peace in the world. of inner peace prevents the outer that calls itself homo sapiens. Persons with a planetary peace which for most people is the consciousness muster the will and precondition of inner peace. evolve the vision to adopt a planetary Each of us can contribute to world Prof. Ervin Laszlo is President of the ethic whether they live in poverty or in peace, first of all by fostering our inner Club of Budapest and author/editor of conditions of material wellbeing. This growth—evolving our consciousness. over 60 books. ethic, adopted and practiced by a When in a larger segment of the critical mass of the world’s peoples, population consciousness evolves to a Text of the Commemorative Address could right many of today’s wrongs higher plane, genuine and lasting delivered by Ervin Laszlo on receiving and create a higher level of justice and peace will come about—peace that is the Japan Peace Prize 2001 (“Goi Peace wellbeing in the world community. In not merely the absence of violence, Award”) in Tokyo, on October 21, 2001.

The Reality Inbetween: Toward an epistemology for the paranormal Emilios Bouratinos, Ekali, Greece

t is usually assumed by serious Treating the paranormal as major developments in physics in the students of the paranormal that paranormal last 100 years - starting from general they can discuss their subject Nevertheless, enough evidence has relativity, continuing with quantum only in the light of essential now been gathered in favour of mechanics and ending in chaos theory objectivity. Instances of exceptional experiences to warrant with its various offshoots. These I introducing a complementary developments have shattered the old telepathy, telekinesis, direct cognition, clairvoyance, near-death experience approach to its research.The reason is object-based thinking. The second or reincarnation need to be addressed that the techniques and rationales reason is the extensions of knowledge rationally, like instances of ore borrowed from research into the made possible today by technology. deposits, virus infection, gas leakage, physical are to some extent unsuitable Together, 20th century physics and soil erosion, or metal stress. If there is for more discriminating research into technology have revealed a reality sufficient evidence for the existence of the non-physical. which can no longer be construed in such experiences, we should admit To be more specific, the terms of rationalist fragmentation and them. If there isn’t, we should look for assumptions guiding physical research vision-mediated physicalism. Zero- more evidence - of the same kind. don’t apply properly to research of the point energies, field forces, non-local Treating exceptional experiences in non-physical. Just as you cannot study and non-temporal connections, this objectivist manner occurs both particle physics only by reducing to resonances, non-linear interactions, among parapsychologists and individual particles, you cannot study instabilities, fuzziness, self-organising the paranormal only by reducing it as dynamics, probability patterns and detractors. For the first, taking the though it were normal. There are no cognitive uncertainties have now objective route is understandable. The complete or satisfactory become the dominant features of great hostility with which their work correspondences. The types of reality. has been received, justifies their rationality pervading these two aspects This shows that matter and mind, choice. Since object-based science of nature simply differ. or energy and pattern, which were continues to be the norm, they feel once conceived to be separate, are now that objective rigour constitutes the Science, Technology and the End conceived to be one. They are seen as proper medium for making their case. of Classical Objectification aspects of one another arising out of It is a fact that, if you have an alert The need for a set of basic the same chaotic self-organising and versatile mind, you can use the assumptions proper to the paranormal process. As this gradually congeals objective method for demonstrating is well justified in the light of recent into a specific direction, a division certain aspects of the paranormal. scientific thinking. Two developments occurs along two fundamental levels After all, the world is round and every in particular are significant.The first is of organisation. This division is not path takes you any place, provided you the realisation that the old intrinsic to the chaotic process itself. pursue it long enough and diligently objectification system used for It arises from the perceptual and enough. Modern science has conceiving and handling reality has mental sensibilities of man. Below a demonstrated this repeatedly. Delve had its day. It simply isn’t true that certain line, things are not ever deeper into matter and you end once a thing always a thing. measurable. They are endowed with up in no-matter; reduce sufficiently to This isn’t happening because the too little energy to become manifest to molecules and you end up with whole current paradigm in science has come human perception. They are however organisms — if you want to make under fire. It is happening for two computable (at least up to a point) on sense of the molecules! more special reasons. The first is the the basis of mathematical

12 Network No. 77 December 2001 extrapolation and model consistency. phenomenality is a state all its own. It Above the line, the process does should be comprehended on its own What is normal and what become measurable because it is terms. endowed with sufficient energy to exceptional depends on emerge into manifestation. Top-down Causation in Physical what is acceptable to you - This explains why such Existence 2 just as what you consider fundamental aspects of reality as If however recent research advances of ‘matter’ and ‘mind’, or science and technology justify the call possible depends on how ‘computability’ and ‘sensibility’, are for defining a new set of basic you conceive yourself to now seen by many as just two assumptions proper to the be. outstanding points on the same investigation of the paranormal, how unbroken continuum. It also explains do we proceed? why the theorist of and researcher In principle, six conditions need to science push researchers of the into the paranormal, who would be met if such an effort is to be truly paranormal to look at their subject operate under the monist banner, successful. The first is to mount a from the wrong end. This holds true needs to be rational but not concerted effort to better define the in a dual sense. rationalistic, intuitive but not vague, unique quality of exceptional Alfred North Whitehead and wholistic but not generalist and experiences. Wilder Penfield have both elaborated systematic but not object-bound. Exceptional experiences are usually on the first. Their understanding is approached with little attention to As Scott Sturgeon1 observes in a that patterns, qualities and drives recent book: current science validates strict category distinctions. For influence reality from the top rather both the mentalist and the physicalist example, the line between the than from the bottom, as reductionists approach. What distinguishes the two exceptional and the spiritual is mostly believe. To use a formulation by Ken is the presence or absence of blurred. Few notice that the spiritual Wilber on this topic: “Biology cannot measurable energy. Reality comes doesn’t express itself necessarily be explained only in terms of physics, into manifestation as virtual, advances through the exceptional, but through psychology cannot be explained only into familiar forms, ends up in black some qualities quite its own. In fact, in terms of biology and so on. Each holes and extends beyond all these in the spiritual can - and usually does - senior stage includes its junior stages what nobody really knows. manifest in very ordinary as components, but also transcends circumstances. It pushes you within, them by adding its own defining The Logic of Many Logics it doesn’t scintillate you; it inspires attributes.”3 The second development encouraging you, it doesn’t impress you; it shows The lower level of organisation us to look for a set of basic you how to look, it doesn’t dictate merely offers the raw material for the assumptions proper to paranormal what to find or where. higher to enact itself - as and if the research is even more compelling. It Another line not drawn by most possibility arises.Things happen when consists of the spreading realisation people is that between the unexpected it is possible for them to happen. But that scientists cannot apply one set of resulting from altered states of atoms are made from particles, not by rules to all areas of enquiry. It now consciousness and the unexpected them; brain states are made up of looks as though each aspect or level of arising in daily life. Extra-sensory firing neurons, not by them. In the organisation has its own rules, which perception can transform ordinary words of John Searle: “It does not presuppose quite different assumptions. existence into an extraordinary prove that intentions are For example, one cannot think of experience. The same goes for what is epiphenomenal to point out that non-linear realities in linear terms; understood under psychic powers. In intentions are explainable in terms of one cannot impose a rationale, or a remote African village not yet neurons, synapses and worse still, a logical formalism, onto touched by the Western civilisation, neurotransmitters.”4 By the same an area of study unrelated to it; one more than half the population are token, it does not prove that cannot reduce to the ever smaller born healers. In the West such exceptional experiences are brain- parts of an entity, without at the same individuals are extremely rare. In induced to point out that the garb in time reducing to the successively hunting societies, telepathy is quite which they appear has been larger wholes informing the parts; natural. Among sophisticated city embellished with cultural, personal or one cannot mistake the detailed dwellers it is non-existent. In Haiti psychological imagery. Such descriptions of such parts for in depth magic is a day-to-day practice. Among experiences may well be caused from explanations; one cannot conflate educated Westerners it is rarely without the brain. The latter merely accuracy with truth; one cannot practised - or when so, condemned by picks them up and colours them. apprehend dynamic processes in the non-practitioners. terms of static metaphors - like clocks, These variations occur because Reduction from Wholeness Swiss army pen-knives, steam engines both the word ‘exception’ and the We come now to the second sense in or computers. word ‘experience’ depend on the which researchers of the exceptional The different logical formalisms prevailing conceptual ethos. Different are looking at their subject from the currently used in various regions societies at different times and in wrong end. investigated by science, like different places develop different It is certainly helpful to reduce probability logic, fuzzy logic, temporal attitudes and react differently to life, particular aspects of the paranormal logic, multivalent logic, systems logic thus actualising different aspects of to their smallest or most essential and chaotic logic, attest to this new the vast human potential. So what is denominators. However, the power of scientific practice. With respect to normal and what exceptional depends reductionism doesn’t depend only on exceptional experiences, the new on what is acceptable to you - just as what the scientist reduces to. It tendency means that it is not possible what you consider possible depends depends also on what the scientist to judge the non-phenomenal in on how you conceive yourself to be. reduces from. Just penetrating the terms of the phenomenal, or even in The second condition for thicket of paranormal entanglements terms of a non-phenomenality establishing the proper assumptions is not sufficient. What you bring to inspired from a denial of, or a reaction for paranormal research is to realise what you discover matters more than to, phenomenality. Non- that the assumptions of classical what you discover.

Network No. 77 December 2001 13 When wholeness truly reigns in the how far apart he can conceive a organisational structure of physical researcher’s mind - not pattern among the lines, spots, existence, anomalies always point to philosophically, but experientally - he colours or curves on the stone’s layers where things dance to a slightly can investigate both an exceptional surface. Also, which pattern among different rhythm. But when it comes event and its framework without the conceivable ones appears more to exceptional experiences, anomaly thinking of the one in terms of the meaningful to him so that he singles it and uniqueness are of the essence. other and without getting trapped in out for photographing. the ever more complex interactions he Of Numbers and Uniqueness observes between the two. Prejudice in the Name of So a special niche needs to be Complexity is the price modern Objectivity reserved by parapsychologists for science pays for choosing to ignore the There is more. For most people, deviations of any kind. The all too level of conceptual analysis at which acceptable knowledge is determined frequent tendency to place things in reductionist penetration becomes by what the prevailing cultural ethos neat categories, must be watched. counterproductive - and must has prepared them to consider ‘valid’. The same goes for the tendency to therefore complemented with ‘whole Here scientists don’t fare any better work only under highly controlled sensing.’5 than other groups. Indeed, they fare conditions. The nature of the David Bohm is very clear on this. worse - despite their claim to paranormal is such that a lot of it can He suggests that we borrow from objectivity. In a book review be approached only if conditions are mathematics the practice of working published recently by Network, critic not controlled. out specific calculations from “whole Richard Milton mentions a well-know In science, results necessarily perceptions” rather than from the debunker of homeopathy, Jonathan depend on what proves most “limited areas” surrounding the Miller. This medical doctor is so pertinent in an area of interest. For specific problems being worked out.6 convinced of the uselessness of example, in medicine the increased Whole dictates the drive, part reveals homeopathy, that during an interview presence of white corpuscles in the the direction; whole originates the on Channel Four some months earlier blood is a strong indication of how, part manifests the what. he had exclaimed in a passionate infection. The pertinent component is outbreak: “Even if you showed me the the number of white corpuscles, not Validation Appropriate to evidence for homeopathy, I still their nature. The latter is not, of Exceptional Events wouldn’t believe it!.”7 course, a negligible component. But The third condition for establishing Milton also mentions the case of what matters here is the numbers - the proper assumptions for Dr. Robert L. Park, who in his recent because these are pertinent to the paranormal research is to work toward book Voodoo Science repeats the old patient’s health. a new validation system sensitive to claim that the much maligned cold Numbers play a much smaller role both the unique character of subtle fusion experiments by Fleischmann in the investigation of human reality and to the type of prejudice and Pons have not been repeated qualities. An alien secretly that presents itself in the garb of successfully anywhere in the world. In investigating the characteristics of scientific respectability. Truth is never fact, Milton writes, exactly the present-day homo sapiens couldn’t about things. It always is about what opposite holds true. The reviewer argue to his colleagues back home for an individual sees in the things, or mentions that recently “more than human mathematics on the basis of surmises because of them. 100 institutions in the United States the living mathematicians he was able What appears as objectively true in and Japan have reported successful to count. They represent a small - science is often little more than replication of Fleischman and Pons’s and often not impressive - percentage intersubjective consensus. Matter, original experiment” - once the of the entire population. Rather the cause-and-effect, time, space and “correct experimental conditions” alien would have to argue for human energy are all mental constructs were understood and established. mathematics on the basis of the imposed on nature. Thus experiments Among countless others, these two ingeniousness, effectiveness, conceived and argued for in their light cases show that though validity should uniqueness and practical applications yield little more than equivalent normally be the end product of of this discipline.Which means that he composite mental constructs. Their scientific enquiry, in practice scientific would first need to study both human correspondence with reality is due to enquiry is the end product of a mathematics and the way they are the previously entertained preconceived ‘validity.’ Since applied on a practical level. assumptions about this reality. In researchers are usually stuck on a Something similar applies to herself, nature is so multi-aspected series of assumptions, they cannot but exceptional experiences. One cannot and pliable that she responds to any form a picture of reality argue against them because they don’t sensitive and consistent system of predetermined by them - quite apart occur frequently; because they are not investigation that is unleashed on her. from the fact noted by Whitehead and repeatable at will; or because they What you discover is completely true others, that scientists often select the tend not to occur easily in bleak — but only from the angle you have evidence to suit their findings and not laboratory settings. Rather the chosen to look at it. the findings to suit their evidence. argument for exceptional experiences Choice here represents that part or The cases of Miller and Park also must be based on those few strong aspect of actual reality one perceives. show how pressing is the need for cases for which it can be shown The situation is a little like that of a developing a set of assumptions beyond reasonable doubt that they are photographer of abstract patterns on specific to parapsychology. Ordinary genuine and unexplainable in terms of stone. What the photographer sees is scientific assumptions may get some sense-based thinking. actually there. However, it reflects quantities ‘right’. What they fail to In the foundations of physical that which he is able (and disposed) to reveal is the anomalies involved. That existence too there is no exact isolate from the rest. What matters is is very important. In the complex repeatability, as scientists discovered already 80 years ago when they were trying to conduct experiments in the region of particle physics.8 So, the Whole dictates the drive, part reveals the direction; whole argument for the existence of exceptional experiences must be originates the how, part manifests the what. based on verifiable quality, not on observable quantity, or statistical

14 Network No. 77 December 2001 averages. It is unique - and therefore In the act of receiving information cannot be replicated or judged. It can from the world, the other four passive only be witnessed. senses are dominant.This explains the There doesn’t exist one qualitative difference between the two mode only for getting an Projective Knowledge modes. In the act of inquiring, The fourth condition towards information is distinct. In the act of overview of reality - the establishing proper assumptions for receiving, information is indistinct. In active one. There also paranormal research is to investigate the first you perceive the world exists a passive mode. our own role in the acquisition of exclusively and structure it logically. knowledge. If we do that we will In the second you perceive the world discover that it resembles a dual inclusively and sense it intuitively. In carriageway. the first you reach out to grasp what exists in the light of what you know. means that the investigator needs to We usually think of knowledge as a In the second you allow what exists to look very carefully at a number of human product. We initiate an reach out to you in the light of what is. fundamental practices involved in the investigation to ‘extract’ some In the first you seek out aspects and process of conceptualisation. Among important piece of information. This features when and as you wish. In the them are: constitutes what can be called ‘active second the world seeks you out when knowledge.’ Through it we project and as conditions allow. 1. Equating (or not equating) our preconceived field of interest on The world could be projecting itself objectivity with reality and truth. to whatever it is we are trying to onto you via its non-local component, apprehend. If this field is informed by about the existence of which a lot has 2. Locking (or not locking) into the the mythical quality of existence, we been heard from Bob Jahn, William facts and circumstances of the see reality in mythical terms. If it is Tiller, the CIA, the KGB and many first encounters with things, states informed by its measurable quantities, others. In addition, as Noam or relationships. we see existence in physical terms. Chomsky has discovered, it is Any continuity, conformity or impossible to explain the linguistic 3. Abstracting with (or without) consistency that may crop up in the capabilities of small children on the crystallising the entities abstracted. descriptions of the world is due to the basis of the amount of linguistic stimuli they receive, or of special continuity, conformity or consistency 4. Objectifying experience with (or in our own projections. brain modules where the linguistic capacity may be encrypted. without) shutting it down while This explains why at any one time, engaged in the process of According to Frank Keil, Steven there prevails a consensual outlook in comparing, structuring and Mithen and others, the same goes for any field of investigation. If you describing it. employ a particular set of theories and other important areas of learning such means, you will get a corresponding as physics, psychology and biology. 5. Learning through things rather set of results and interpretations. The Here too children (and to a lesser than only from them. extent grown-ups) arrive at knowing only common element in nature is the much more than the information infinite potentiality welling up from 6. Stamping (or not stamping) available to them warrants. Keil and the quantum vacuum, or from the objectivity on to what is merely Mithen try hard to come up with a sensed or felt. unapproachable initial conditions of mechanistic explanation for this chaos theory. What this potentiality 9,10 rationally inexplicable phenomenon. 7. Extrapolating (or not actually expresses itself as, is always However, the fact that small children different and given to further extrapolating) from vision to are so at one with the world, explains understanding and thought. differentiation. very simply why they are able to receive so much more from its 8. Extrapolating (or not Nature Whispering in our Ear manifest signs than we are. They extrapolating) from the other This isn’t the end. There doesn’t exist simply tap into areas of reality which senses to understanding and one mode only for getting an overview are not immediately present in the thought. This practice might was of reality - the active one. There also information they have been able to earlier called ‘whole sensing’. exists a passive mode. Passive access. They describe this material in knowledge is that through which the accordance with the level of 9. Remaining open not just to what exterior and the interior world are understanding they have reached. But has not yet been objectified, but allowed to project themselves onto us they access it nevertheless. to the non-objectifiable itself - in in all the variety of their its own terms. manifestations, from the most distinct Going into pre-epistemology to the most subtle - including the We now come to the fifth condition All these mental practices play a promptings of the personal and the for establishing the proper key role in the way we perceive, think collective unconscious. assumptions for paranormal research. about and behave toward the world. The reason why the active and the It is to delve into what is here called So we need both to become aware of passive attitudes yield knowledge of ‘pre-epistemology’ — a new area of them and learn to handle them. interest for consciousness researchers, Judgement is less a question of another order is that different senses epistemologists and philosophers. interpreting incoming information and different ways of using them are As the term denotes, pre- and more a question of how prevalent in each. In the act of epistemology represents an effort to information is received and inquiring into reality, the go deeper than normal epistemology. articulated in the first place - and why. predominant sense is vision and the Whereas the latter defines the rational conceptual ethos going with it. conditions for objective knowledge, Of God-spots and Gestalts Entities are perceived separately from the former penetrates to the very core We come now to the last condition for each another - as they do in daily life of conceptualisation. It deals with defining a set of assumptions proper when we predominantly use our eyes how we objectify the world in such a to paranormal research. It is to to function. manner as to know it at all. This understand something of the

Network No. 77 December 2001 15 neurophysiology involved in his “findings call into question the Indeed, the more man looks at exceptional experiences. Specifically, well-guarded notion that certain brain things with the anthropomorphic eyes it is to familiarise our selves with two areas can only dedicate themselves to of nature, the more nature reveals to significant neurophysiological certain activities.”. him - and the more nature reveals to findings and to establish whether Though Pascual-Leone’s work him, the richer and more meaningful exceptional experiences may have refers only to brain functions his life becomes. In the words of an something to do with them. associated with the senses, it has ancient Orphic hymn: “God became The first finding is that we all have implications for broader brain man so that man may become god.” an inbuilt capacity for exceptional activities, such as those originating experiences. As Danah Zohar and Ian through the ‘god spots’, the limbic References Marshall point out in their book SQ, area or the brain stem. Interesting 1. Scott Sturgeon, Matters of Mind: the last few years have seen the research opportunities therefore arise. Consciousness, Reason and Nature, discovery of two small ‘knots’ of If a concrete task acts like a gestalt for Routledge, London and New neuronal tissue above each ear the sensory areas, the same probably York, 2000, last chapter. nicknamed ‘god spots’. These ‘knots’ happens with exceptional experiences. 2. I use this term here because its mediate peak experiences in religion, This type of action may explain how use has become widespread. creativity and intuition. The exceptional experiences are mediated However, the vacuum patterns to individual undergoing them feels at by the brain. It may also explain why which ‘top-down causation’ one with the universe. His insights such experiences impress themselves actually refers, cannot properly be blot out all else in the brain and, at on us. described as either ‘top’ or least momentarily, he feels ‘in touch’. ‘bottom’. The patterns reside in The second finding is that Return to the Pre-literate Mindset something which is non-local — something called ‘mental gestalts’ To what set of assumptions can a and which consequently has no plays an important role in neuronal fulfillment of the above six defining ‘top’ or ‘bottom’. activity. This term was first applied conditions give rise to? If work on this 3. Ken Wilber, ed., The Holographic by psychologist Wolfgang Kohler subject is to proceed smoothly, Paradigm and Other Paradoxes, shortly after World War II.11 He researchers must re-immerse Shambhala, Boulder, 1982, p believed that subjective experience themselves in pre-literate 120. was mediated by an electromagnetic consciousness - without abandoning 4. John Searle, Mind, Language and field, which focuses an experience - its literate counterpart. The task is Society, Phoenix Paperback, thereby making us aware of it. difficult and tricky, but necessary. Since then, it has been found that London, 1999, p 61. mental gestalts recruit neurons and 5. ‘Whole sensing’ allows the Pre-literate consciousness reflects not neurons mental gestalts. Susan individual to develop a feeling for the deepest form of communion with Greenfield writes that, in the context an entity in dynamic flux, its nature. As we see spirits inhabiting of brain activity, gestalts form essential qualities and the whole neuronal “assemblies that are as trees, rivers or rocks; as we weave nurturing it. He may be informed transient and unique as clouds, sequences of natural events into about the entity’s specificity. That spinning out from an epicentre like anthropomorphical stories, we get to however acts as a bridge to what concentric ripples in a puddle.”12 know our selves. We also get to know goes beyond this specificity rather The same neurons, Greenfield nature as she relates to us. Only when than as a limit to the specificity clarifies, “might participate in one we remove literacy from our itself. gestalt on one occasion and in communion with her, can we achieve 6. Renée Weber, Dialogues with another.... on a subsequent this. And only when we are at one Scientists and Sages:The Search for occasion.”13 Brain researcher K. A. C. with nature, can we take notice of her Unity, Routledge & Kegan Paul, Martin adds that this often reaches a subtle promptings. 1986, p 148. point where “neurons sensitive to That is where object-subject 7. Richard Milton, ‘Beyond colour are activated by inputs from dualism fails. Because dualism is Reasonable Doubt’, Network, 75, the stream primarily associated with about division and rationalisation, it April 2001, p 45. the detection of motion.14 George robs man of his ability to commune 8. It is exactly out of this failure to Gerstein, another brain researcher, with wholeness and truth. Thus he come up with similar results from points out that this “dynamic inhibits nature from teaching him. He similar experiments that quantum cooperativity is an emergent looks at her, but sees only the contents mechanics was born. property....which cannot be inferred of his mind. 9. Frank. C. Keil, ‘The birth and from single neuronal observations.”15 On the contrary, pre-literate nurturance of concepts by consciousness allows the person to domains: the origins of concepts Multipurpose Brain Centres become sensitive to what nature of living things’, in L.A. A concrete illustration of the role projects onto him. Thus on the one Hirschfeld & S.A. Gelman, eds, played by gestalts in the brain, is the hand he is able to humanise her. On Mapping the Mind: Domain discovery of multi-sensory neurons by the other he invites her to naturalise Specificity in Cognition and Culture, Alvaro Pascual-Leone.16 In a series of his humanity. The eyes may be his Cambridge University Press, experiments conducted during 1996, through which nature looks at him. 1994, pp 234-54. the Harvard neurophysiologist But what they project from, is she. He 10. Steven Mithen, The Prehistory of discovered that “the brain is far more looks at things in such a way as makes the Mind: A search for the origins of versatile than most researchers would it possible for them to look back at art, religion and science, Phoenix have us believe.” As a New Scientist him.This looking back is the source of Paperback, London 1988, pp 54- story about Pascual-Leone puts it , his empowerment. 57. 11. W. Kohler, R. Held and D.N. Connell ‘An Investigation of Pre-literate consciousness allows the person to become Cortical Currents’, Proceedings of the American Philosophical sensitive to what nature projects onto him. Society, 96 (3), 1952, pp 290- 330.

16 Network No. 77 December 2001 12. Susan A. Greenfield, Journey to the hypothesised the existence of IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Centers of the Mind: Toward a ‘neuronal pools’ that acted as Engineering, 36, p 4-14. Science of Consciousness, W. H . gestalts in the brain, organising 16. ‘Infinite Sensation’, New Freeman and Company, New the neurons into specific patterns. Scientist, August 11, 2001, pp 24- York, 1995, p 112. Greenfield may 13. Ibid, p 118. 28. 14. K.A.C. Martin, ‘Parallel Pathways have been influenced here in her Converge’, Current Biology, 2, pp choice of the ‘puddle’ metaphor 555-557, 1991. Emilios Bouratinos is an essayist. This by Charles Sherrington who, 15. G.L. Gerstein, P. Bedenbaugh and paper was delivered at the Drynachan about one century ago, A. Aersten ‘Neuronal Assemblies’, Symposium in October.

Inspiration and Persecution – Messages from the Self and Beyond

Andrew Powell, Oxford, England

A fish said to another fish, ‘Above this sea of ours there is another sea, with creatures swimming in it – and they live there, even as we live here.’

The fish replied, ‘Pure fancy! When you know that everything that leaves our sea by even an inch, and stays out of it, dies. What proof have you of other lives in other seas?’ Kahlil Gibran – The Forerunner

ost psychiatrists and Isaac Newton three hundred years with the psychiatrist. I have found that regard mental ago. Descartes established the golden psychiatrists, who privately disorder as caused by rule for empirical science, that nothing acknowledge the importance of a disturbance of brain would be held to be true unless it spirituality, often feel reluctant to chemistry, a view could be proved to be true and embark on such talk with their Mstrongly supported over recent years Newton laid the foundation of a patients because it is outside of their by advances in the neurosciences. mechanical universe, in which time is training in medicine, psychiatry and There is also good empirical evidence absolute and space is structured psychotherapy also (Powell 2001). that psychological stress can initiate according to the laws of motion. The impact of the Newtonian changes in brain chemistry. This has From this time, the split between world-view has been immense. Our strengthened the development of a religion and science began to widen. scientific model of the psyche has no bio/psycho/social model of mental The Church could no longer claim to place for the soul; there is nothing disorder, in which genetic and understand how the universe worked before birth and nothing after death. dynamic factors combine. Yet the and the spiritual and physical worlds Everything has to be understood as fundamental question of what drifted apart. During the nineteenth arising from within this temporary, constitutes ‘mind’ remains century, the new science of psychology physical existence, with the human self unanswered, for mind has no physical helped redefine the mental world in the only source of consciousness. We substance. The general view is that secular terms. Sigmund Freud (1927) are all separate beings, bounded by the mind is epiphenomenal, meaning it is saw religion as a massive defence envelopes of our skin and moving secondary to the function of the against neurosis and even Carl Jung, around in a fixed, impersonal, three- physical brain. The brain is thought despite his own spiritual journey, dimensional universe utterly somehow to generate consciousness. limited himself to defining the soul as indifferent to our comings and goings; This is not a logical proposition, ‘the living thing in Man, that which little wonder depression is the ailment although it sounds reasonable enough. lives of itself and causes life’ (Jung of the modern world. In the first five How can something non-physical be 1959:26). years of Prozac coming onto the created by something entirely Psychiatry is set on proving its bona market, over ten million prescriptions physical? Yet it is an everyday fides as a science equal to any other, were handed out (Kramer 1994). assumption in a world based on the and little attention has been paid to Yet Newtonian science was first idea of a mechanical, material spirituality.Yet a survey carried out by knocked off its perch seventy years universe, in which the five senses are Faulkner (1997) showed that over fifty ago. With the birth of quantum held to be the only reliable source of per cent of service users hold religious mechanics, the view that our physical information. or spiritual beliefs they see as world is solid, fixed and independent I am going to be arguing against important in helping them cope with of mind was shown to be untenable. this physicalist view of the world, mental illness. They also said they The famous wave-particle experiment which started with René Descartes don’t feel free to discuss their beliefs demonstrated that when a beam of

Network No. 77 December 2001 17 light is shone through a single, narrow it, is all one undivided, unitary whole. there. Precognition has now been slit, sub-atomic packets of light called More extraordinary still, it would firmly established on an empirical quanta strike the detector screen like seem to be our conscious basis (Radin 1997). The mind miniature bullets. Change the participation that brings the physical therefore operates not only beyond apparatus to two parallel slits and the world into being. space but also beyond time. The light passing through generates a wave When consciousness collapses the efficacy of prayer has been researched interference pattern, like ripples wave function into three-dimensional (Byrd 1988), as have more than one crossing when two stones are dropped space-time, mind and matter arise hundred and fifty controlled studies side-by-side into a pond. Particles simultaneously, like two sides of one on healing with humans and plant life become waves and waves become coin. The result is what we call (Benor 1992). The remote intention particles. Both ‘realities’ have equal ‘reality’, in both the personal and of one mind at a distance can promote validity and cannot be divorced from collective sense. Each one of us is self- healing and health in another. But the observer/participant. Behind aware, since we are connected with there are negative implications to be wave-particle duality doubtless lies the total field of consciousness, and considered. One military operative in the realm of the wavicle. This is just from this individual vantage point we the previously cited remote viewing the start, for superstring theory bring about repeated further collapse programme blew the whistle on the suggests that there are many more of the wave function. The process can project when he was coerced into dimensions than our local space-time be compared with how the individual taking part in remote influencing can accommodate. frames of a film flow together to create experiments (Morehouse 2000). It Electrons are no longer movement. In this way, we are follows that sorcery and witchcraft conceptualised as particles spinning continually generating what we take to can no longer be dismissed on the around the atom like a miniature solar be ‘reality’, which we experience both basis of mere suggestibility. system. Instead, the electron is as an internal mental space and all smeared throughout the whole of around us in the form of the external, Expanding Awareness space as a quantum wave, which only phenomenal world. The direct cognisance of other collapses as a particle into our The external world is remarkably dimensional realities is, of course, physical space-time when a conscious stable, which gives the impression that clothed with the projections of the observer makes a measurement. Nor it exists quite independently of us. human mind, as the extensive can the velocity and position of the When you return home after a day’s literature on the near-death electron ever both be known at the work, your house has not gone experience shows (Fenwick 1995).Yet same time, for when the quantum missing. This is because the to attribute everything to projection wave collapses, there is only a probability wave that your would be to make the same kind of statistical probability that the electron consciousness collapses as you turn mistake as did the pre-Copernican will turn up where it is expected. It the corner, materialising your house astronomers, who were convinced the may just materialise hundreds, for you, has been generated by all sun must surely circle the earth. Our thousands or even millions of miles conscious beings throughout all time. problem is that we cannot see the big away.When it does so, it arrives at that Short of some unforeseen calamity, picture, just like the story of the fish place in zero time. Both space and your house is still standing there much with which I started. Many of us take time are bypassed. Here are quotes as you left it. Yet consider for a it on trust that the ultimate from three eminent physicists: moment those rare and unforeseen consciousness we call God knows ‘The fundamental process of happenings we call miracles. Since the what is going on better than we do; at nature lies outside space-time but wave function contains (in potentia) least we are aware of a reality greater generates events that can be located in all that exists throughout all of time, than ourselves, unlike the ant that space-time’ (Stapp 1977:202). there is in principle no limit to what is goes about its business oblivious of ‘Ultimately, the entire universe (with possible. A mind of unique power can being watched by the likes of us, or so all its particles, including those collapse the wave uniquely, in one we think! constituting human beings, their famous instance turning water into What does all this suggest for the laboratories, observing instruments, wine. practising psychiatrist or etc.) has to be understood as a single Quantum effects show up most psychotherapist? It is not that the undivided whole, in which analysis readily at the sub-atomic level, but neurosciences are invalid, or that into separately and independently research into large scale systems developmental psychology has got it existent parts has no fundamental (Schmidt 1987) has revealed that wrong.We just have to take care not to status’ (Bohm 1983:174). ‘The random number generators will, over mistake the part for the whole. The universe exists as formless potentia in thousands of trials, show a trend linear timeline that marks us out from myriad possible branches in the towards high or low, correlating with birth to death is but one axis in a transcendent domain and becomes the mental intention of the multi-axial cosmos. The limits of manifest only when observed by experimenter.These studies have been perception, sight, sound, touch, smell conscious beings’. (Goswami replicated, so we can say with and taste do not define what is real. 1993:141). certainty that mind affects matter. It Let us appreciate our special senses The quantum realm and the has also has been demonstrated that for what they are – indispensable tools physical universe, which arises out of experimental subjects who are for negotiating three-dimensional emotionally attuned can synchronise space-time. their brain waves at a distance from The quantum domain has its each other (Targ and Puthoff 1974). antecedent in Plato’s Theory of Mind therefore influences mind at a Forms. The difference is that we now distance, be it near or far. During the have a scientific account of the The limits of perception, 1970’s and 1980’s, remote viewing probability wave and the infinite sight, sound, touch, smell experiments funded by the US potentia it enfolds. But does this mean Military at the Stanford Research that anything goes, that we can all and taste do not define Institute yielded ‘hit’ rates of more claim to be ‘right’ about anything and what is real. than a billion billion to one against everything? chance (May 1988). The mind can Out of the history of civilisation has ‘travel’ to distant target sites and emerged what is known as ‘consensus report accurately what is to be found reality’, a framework of values and

18 Network No. 77 December 2001 judgements in which religion, science, world is understood to interpenetrate and soared up into the sky. As soon as culture and education all contribute our own and the shaman undergoes I came close to the trunk I began to a coherent world-view.We diagnose an arduous training to enable him to ascending rapidly, as if going up in a mental disorders such as enter an altered state of consciousness fast lift. I shot past the top of the tree schizophrenia and depression not in a in which he converses with spirit, be it and suddenly I was scrambling up a vacuum but with reference to this plant, animal or human, every bit as rocky outcrop. Instantly I knew what consensus reality. Individually each real as in everyday life (Castaneda was going on. This was Arizona, the person is sovereign over his or her 1998). year was eighteen forty-eight, my inner world, for good or ill. But one Living in industrialised nations name was Tom McCann and I was man’s truth is another man’s delusion distances people from such being hunted down by a raiding party and if we participate in social reality, experiences. In the UK, for example, of Apache Indians. we have little choice but to live with the spiritualist movement, which arose I heaved myself up onto the flat top the consensus truths that feed our in the nineteenth century, was of the rock. I could hear the Indian belief systems. We absorb these belief attacked on a number of counts. The braves a short way below and I knew systems unconsciously, although they phenomena ran counter to the they would get to me in a couple of deeply influence how we make sense prevailing scientific culture. Nor were minutes and have my scalp. I pulled of what we perceive. they amenable to the research out of my pocket a worn leather wallet methods of the time. There were a and gazed for the last time on the Arenas of Consciousness number of fakes who were gleefully picture of my wife and two young I now want to link the two arenas of exposed and, not least, the spiritual daughters. Then I took out my gun, consciousness I have mapped out. On implications were an uncomfortable put the muzzle to my head and pulled the one hand we have the perceptual challenge to the Church. We have had the trigger. There was no sound and world of consensus-reality, and on the to wait over a hundred years for the no impact. I simply found myself other, the unlimited, beyond-time- right research tools to be developed, floating peacefully up and away from and-space function of consciousness, aided by new scientific paradigms and the body lying on the top of the rock. which gives rise to what in the West we daring anthropological fieldwork There had been no sense of invention call ‘the paranormal’. (Narby 1998). or contrivance. The scene had For many people, awareness of the Nevertheless, in our society today unfolded in real time, and all I could eternal and the boundless remains there are, as always, healers and do was go through it as it happened. largely out of sight and out of mind. mediums that are sensitive to other The experience can be interpreted This is probably for a good reason. realities. Typically, they suppress this in several ways. Was this a soul drama Consciousness embodied in the awareness during childhood because woven from the archetypes of the human species is largely occupied they learn it is risky to be known to be collective unconscious? Did the theme with a continuous flux of thought and different to others. Later, there is of loss of loved ones, and of life itself emotion taken up with the challenge considerable relief when they find they arise, as with dreams, in response to a of getting through life, and for most are not alone. Psychiatrists get a problem I had not consciously people this is more than enough! It is particular slant on people with such recognised? If so, then the contents as though we have around each one of heightened sensitivity. They easily get are part of the Self, in Jung’s meaning us a semi-permeable membrane, labelled ‘borderline’ and their of the term. providing us with a dwelling place for sensitivities are seen as pathological. I went on to explore a number of the ego and which delimits the world Perhaps this is not surprising, since ‘other lives’ with the help of a Jungian of sense perception. Without such a the psychiatrist only gets involved colleague and there were recurring boundary, we would merge into when something has gone seriously themes of loss, which I could readily unitary consciousness, a case of all wrong. identify from my life at the time. This waves and no particles! might suggest only the projection of Because the membrane is Another Reality emotions into a number of different permeable, we can leave the ego at When a good few years ago I began scenarios unconsciously selected by home and journey beyond space and working with healers, I could see that me for the purpose. Alternatively, time. This leads to wholeness or there was indeed an overlap with the these projections might comprise no fragmentation, depending on the borderline state, except that the less than the working out of one’s degree of stability of the psyche. healers were not ill, or in mental karmic account, as taught by the Release from a well-balanced ego distress.They had learned how to tune Hindu and Buddhist faiths. Indeed, through prayer or meditation is one their sensitivity to what are called we now have to take into thing. It is quite another to try to hold subtle energies so that they could consideration Professor Stevenson’s onto one’s identity in the course of a work in the service of others. Healers work on reincarnation, including psychotic breakdown; if the also initiated my experience of other studies on birthmarks at the site of an membrane becomes porous, there is times and places beyond the bounds injury such as a gunshot wound, an uncontrolled outflow of of sense perception. I have written on which had ended the preceding life. consciousness, with a terrifying loss of this topic elsewhere (Powell 2000) but The children interviewed had vivid self. Equally disturbing is the I will mention briefly how it happened recollections of their former lives and experience of being intruded upon by to me, since such things can come as a some could accurately identify other energies or entities. bit of a surprise if they are not members of the deceased’s family, In health, there is a balance to expected. whom they had never previously met strike between the mind operating as a It was a group meditation, which (Stevenson 1997). classical Newtonian instrument started with a guided fantasy. We had A third and middle way might be to obeying the laws of cause and effect, to imagine ourselves walking in a field see the scene as summoned from the and as a quantum instrument in the countryside on a summer day. quantum domain, by means of unfettered by space-time and which Then we were asked to look around sympathetic resonance with the opens us to paranormal phenomena. until we saw something that attracted person’s current psyche. We collapse In so-called primitive societies, this us and to go over and take a good the wave at the very point where it latter function is used for the look. most powerfully attracts us. It also has therapeutic tasks of healing, I found myself standing before a a bearing on the question of the divination, soul recovery and spirit majestic and mysterious tree. It had continuity of personal identity beyond release, to name but a few. The spirit the appearance of a giant redwood this earthly realm, so dear to our

Network No. 77 December 2001 19 hearts! Could it be that once we move still present and probably unable to with her and she needed immediate entirely beyond space-time, perhaps leave the scene of suicide. We treatment.They gave her an address in ‘the point of no return’ reported in the discussed this possibility and I asked London, which she didn’t recognise. near-death experience, we re-enter the my patient if she would like us to When she got back, she went to this wave and remain suspended in the invite the spirit of her friend to the address and found herself outside the virtual state until the wave is collapsed consulting room and see if we could CT scan department of a teaching by another, super-ordinate get some more information. My hospital.The voices told her she had a consciousness? Is this where God the patient was willing to try, so I asked brain tumour and must have a scan. creator comes in? Then we’ll get her to close her eyes, tune in to her The patient was most upset and went actualised all over again, although we friend and trying letting her friend back to see her psychiatrist. He should not be surprised if other speak through her. It was easily done, examined her thoroughly and there worlds await us. Our Father’s house and we soon had the details of the was no sign of any physical has many mansions, we are told. suicide. The spirit of her friend went abnormality, but to reassure her, a Out-of-body excursions to other on to express deep regret at having brain scan was arranged. It showed a times and places are not advisable for taken her life. I explained that she mass, which the neurosurgeon said people who have shaky reality testing. could make no progress by staying on should be removed. The voices told On the other hand, symptoms that are and that it was having a bad effect on her they were fully in agreement. At inexplicable, such as can be the case her friend, who had been generous surgery, a sizeable tumour, a with phobias like fear of water, enough to lend her home to her. She meningioma, was dissected out.When sometimes resolve with a single hadn’t realised this and apologised. ‘If she recovered consciousness, the session. The scene of the trauma, only I had known’, she said, ‘what I voices told her, ‘we are pleased to have drowning, for instance, can be re- know now. I was facing the biggest helped you. Goodbye’. Twelve years visited and the therapist enables the challenge of my life, what my whole later, the patient remains well. The client to take leave of the body with life had been leading up to, and I went voices never returned. release and relief, instead of fear and and messed it all up. I feel even worse Dr. Azuonye reports that pain. than I did before’. I said I was sure professional colleagues were divided other opportunities would be given to between those that thought the Hidden Causes of Distress her. She was very relieved to hear this patient already knew the diagnosis The most common mental disorder is and we talked for a short while about and was making the story up, those depression and it comes in many her hopes for a new life ahead. Then who thought the tumour must have guises. A young woman came to see she said she was ready to move on. I produced physical sensations which me feeling unwell, ‘not herself’. She asked her to look for the light, (which prompted the patient unconsciously was clinically depressed, with is the first step, and often all that is to gather information about the disturbed sleep and loss of energy and needed). She looked around, then treatment options at certain hospitals concentration. Anti-depressant exclaimed with a smile ‘Yes, I can see and others who wondered if two well medication had helped to some extent it’ and left at once. My patient meaning people, endowed with but she was still ‘not herself’. I was immediately felt the burden lift from telepathic gifts, had discovered the tumour and were offering assistance. struck by her use of the phrase. her and she went on to make a full Going into the background, I Some of us would entertain a recovery. learned that a few months before the further possibility; that these Was this a projection of my symptoms began, a friend of my unwelcome voices, which turned out patient’s inner world? I would say patient had killed herself in my to be an inspiration, came from the both yes and no, since I hold the view patient’s home, having been staying realm of spirit. It would not be the there while my patient was away on that the psychological world is first time. A notable instance, one that holiday. By the time she got back, intimately related to the spiritual changed the course of history, took everything had been tidied up and the universe. place some time ago. It happened on funeral had already taken place. My last example summarises a case the road to Damascus. From a psychological perspective, study by a psychiatrist colleague, this tragedy could certainly have which I was delighted to see published References: affected my patient more than she in the British Medical Journal Azuonye, I. (1997) ‘A difficult knew. And yet, as we went on, I felt (Azuonye 1997). In 1984, a previously case: Diagnosis made by there was something unexplained healthy woman began to hear a hallucinatory voices’, British here. Thinking of how she had twice distinct voice inside her head. It said ‘ Medical Journal 1997; 315:1685 – said she was not feeling herself, I asked don’t be afraid. I know it must be 1682 her if she had the feeling of someone else shocking for you to hear me speaking Benor, D. (1992) Healing Research when she had came back home. She to you like this, but this is the easiest Vol.1 Helix. replied that she hadn’t wanted to way I could think of. My friend and I Bohm, D. (1980) Wholeness and the mention it in case I thought she was used to work at the children’s Implicate Order Routledge: London mad, but every time she went into the hospital, Great Ormond Street, and Ark Paperbacks 1983) house, she had the strong feeling that we would like to help you’. The lady Byrd, R.C. (1988) ‘Positive her friend was right there in the room was very frightened by this experience Therapeutic Effects of with her. She couldn’t shake it off – it and ended up seeing Dr. Azuonye, Intercessory Prayer in a Coronary was almost physical. who diagnosed a hallucinatory Care Unit Population’, Southern One way to receive such psychosis and put her on Medical Journal 81.7 826-829 information when it is offered is at Thioridazine. She went off on holiday Castaneda, C. (1998) The Active face value; that in this case the but while abroad, the voices returned, Side of Infinity Thorsons earthbound spirit of her friend was telling her there was something wrong Faulkner, A. (1997) ‘Knowing our own Minds’ Published Report: London. Mental Health Some of us would entertain a further possibility; that these Foundation unwelcome voices, which turned out to be an inspiration, Fenwick, P., Fenwick, E. The Truth In The Light Headline came from the realm of spirit. Freud, S. (1927) ‘The Future of an Illusion’, in Standard Edition

20 Network No. 77 December 2001 Vol. 21 London. Hogarth Press, Approaches to Healing’. Journal of Stevenson, I. (1997) Reincarnation 1961 Alternative and Complementary and Biology.Vol. 1: Birthmarks,Vol. Goswami A. (1993) The Self-Aware Medicine Vol. 4.1:101-108 2: Birth Defects and other Universe Putnam: New York Powell, A. (2001) ‘Beyond Space Anomalies. Praegar Jung, C.G. (1959) ‘Archetypes of and Time – the Unbounded Targ, R. and Puthoff, H.E. (1974) the Collective Unconscious’ in The Psyche’ ‘Information transmission under Collected Works, Vol. 9:1 Routledge Chapter in Thinking Beyond the conditions of sensory shielding’. and Kegan Paul, 1959 Brain. Ed. Lorimer, D., Floris Nature 251:602-7 Books Kramer, P. (1994) ‘Listening to Prozac’ Fourth Estate: London Powell, A. (2001) Comment on Paper based on talk given to the May, E. et al. (1988) ‘Review of ‘Spirituality and Mental Health’ in conference on ‘Mental Anguish and ‘Every Family in the Land, Religion - Spirituality, Culture and the psychoenergetic research http://www.Stigma.org/every Psychotherapy -’ St. Thomas’s Hospital, conducted at SRI International family/chapter 8 (Ed. Crisp, A.H.) London, 20th June 2001 (1973–1988)’, SRI International Radin, D. (1997) The Conscious Technical Report Universe Harper Edge. Dr.Andrew Powell is a psychiatrist and Morehouse, D. (2000) ‘Psychic Schmidt, H. (1987) ‘The strange psychotherapist. He is a former council Warrior’ Clairview properties of psychokinesis’. member of the Scientific and Medical Narby, J. (1998) ‘The Cosmic Journal of Scientific Exploration Network and is founder chairman of Serpent, DNA and the Origins of 1:103-118 the Spirituality and Psychiatry Special Knowledge’ Gollancz Stapp, H.P. (1977) ‘Are Interest Group of the Royal College of Powell, A. (1998) ‘Soul superluminal connections Psychiatrists, UK. Address for Consciousness and Human necessary?’ Nuovo Cimento 40B.1 correspondence: Suffering: Psychotherapeutic 191-204 [email protected]

The Potential of Emptiness: Vacuum States in Physics and Consciousness “Nothing in Common Conference” Alan Wallace, Santa Barbara, USA

cience does some of its best or mental vacuum of Buddhist will be facilitated by highlighting work in a vacuum. Radio, contemplatives - for the purpose of parallels in the knowledge bases of the television, computers, and extending metaphor and thereby two ends of the vacuum spectrum – many other life-changing extending understanding. In the the outer vacuum of physical science and philosophy-boggling tradition of science, both outer and and the inner vacuum of Sadvances are the results of work with inner, I will refer to research done with contemplative science. the vacuum. As it turns out, Nature the most refined instruments and Enthralled and preoccupied with may abhor a vacuum, but technology most inclusive hypotheses. [ Finally, as the stunning discovering of early loves it. Like Western physical science, the reader may already suspect, I science, only in the closing decades of Buddhist contemplative science also suggest areas for further research.] the last century did scientists in the makes discoveries using vacuum Generally speaking, Buddhist West begin to grapple with the nature states. Since the concept of emptiness science investigates consciousness and of consciousness. At this time, the is integral to Buddhist philosophic, Western science investigates physical study of consciousness in the West religious, and cultural traditions, phenomena. Since Western science remains without an objective discovering wisdom in emptiness has as yet no method of identifying or definition and without an objective requires no paradigm shift. As measuring consciousness, its study as means for detecting its presence or technology loves a vacuum, so does a natural phenomenon has been absence. We have a science of quarks, insight. marginalised in modern Western the Big Bang, galactic clusters 12 Science, both physical and science. The reverse is true in billion light years away, but we don’t contemplative, uses analogy and Buddhist cultures where the study of have a science of what makes it all metaphor to extend understanding consciousness is an expertise and possible, consciousness. In Western and predictive ability. Analogy and physical sciences are marginalised. science, consciousness is an anomaly. metaphor are particularly important in Buddhist cultures are not known for descriptions of realms outside the technological innovations and Western Analogies between Western reach of the five senses. I will be culture is not known for in-depth Science and Buddhism drawing parallels between two probing into the nature of I want to draw out some analogies extremes of the vacuum - that of the consciousness. Some rapprochement between Western science, which outer world or physical vacuum of is in order, some sharing of skills and studies primarily the physical world, physicists and that of the inner world knowledge, and I believe this process and Buddhist contemplative science,

Network No. 77 December 2001 21 which studies consciousness. First, a techniques to enter a state described investigating reality should be historical perspective of Western as “nothingness” in which the mind is beneficially transformative. Benefit science. In the 17th century, Galileo voided and disengaged from the has remained a central priority in (1564-1642) refined the telescope physical senses. This is a state of Buddhist practice ever since. and rigorously examined celestial concentration of luminous awareness phenomena. His discoveries provided of nothing, a state more subtle than The Vacuum – Mental and compelling evidence in support of the meditative stabilisation, which is also Physical heliocentric cosmology of described in the early literature. As people of the 17th century did not Copernicus. As a naturalist, Galileo Gautama accomplished the state of foresee much use for the physical placed his attention outwards. As a “nothingness” very rapidly, apparently vacuum, contemporary Western devout Catholic, Galileo’s goal was to a prodigy. He wanted to go further people may wonder what use there understand the mind of the Creator and trained with another could be for the mental vacuum. Like by understanding His creation. While contemplative Uddaka Ramaputta the physical vacuum, the mental Galileo shares credit for starting what who brought him to a state even more vacuum presents a surprising set of was later named the Scientific subtle than nothingness; a state qualities and potentials. What is left Revolution, Evangelista Torricelli disengaged from the phenomenal and when the turbulence - memories, (1608-1647), Italian mathematician, sensual world, drawn into a space thoughts, desires, emotions, mental physicist, and student of Galileo, gets purely of the mind, and then images - has been released, is not a credit for starting a revolution with a disengaging even from mind. This is state of empty-headedness. Instead, revolution. Torricelli was first to subtle. When even this was the mental vacuum is a state that is remove everything material from a accomplished, Siddhartha Gautama luminous, vivid with an extraordinary container, within the limits of the was not satisfied; he wanted to go power for concentration. technology of his time, the first to defy further. What Gautama did next was Recall that I referred to Gautama nature and create a vacuum. Torricelli revolutionary. Having refined the as a naturalist. I call him a naturalist started the revolution of the vacuum. mind, having developed extraordinary because he turned away from the In the 17th century, the onset of states of attentional stability and dogma of the dominant religion of his the Vacuum Revolution was not vividness, Gautama used his mind as time and studied the world rationally newsworthy. You can get a little bit of an instrument to explore the nature of and empirically. Gautama’s working empty space, so what? Much better reality actively. Gautama began to hypothesis was that physical and to make something. In the last three explore the nature of consciousness mental events take place due to causes centuries, the vacuum has been used itself and started what we can call, and conditions within the natural in hundreds of technological from a historic vantage point, a Noetic world. This is the same hypothesis applications: thermometers, Revolution. By using states of held by the founders of the Western thermoses, radios, refrigerators, meditative concentration rigorously to science and was an extraordinary electron microscopes, x-ray tubes, examine mental and physical innovation in the sixth century BCE particle accelerators, and very phenomena, Gautama began a when phenomena- hailstorms, significantly instruments for contemplative science parallel to the earthquakes - were attributed to extending our senses to investigate physical science of the West. The supernatural agencies. Naturalism, more closely the nature of reality. In techniques are similar, the tools are just like being of benefit, became fact, modern life as we know it very different. central to the theory and practice of depends on the vacuum. The parallels between the inner Buddhism. Let’s step outside of Western science of Gautama and the outer Now let’s examine the physical civilisation, move back to the sixth science of Galileo led to extremely vacuum. What is it? In the words of century before the Common Era and useful metaphors. Just as Galileo did James Clerk Maxwell, “The vacuum is situate in India where Siddhartha not invent the telescope but refined it that which is left in a vessel after we Gautama was receiving training in the as a tool for observation of the have removed everything which we contemplative process. I will call planets, Gautama did not invent can remove from it.” The vacuum is Gautama a naturalist, as I did Galileo meditative concentration (samadhi) defined as the lowest possible energy and Torricelli, because, like the but was first to use extremely refined, state of a volume of space. What can founders of the Scientific Revolution, focused, magnified awareness as a tool be removed depends, of course, on he was intent on exploring the world for investigating the nature of technology. The vacuum itself is experientially and rationally, as free consciousness. As the West has shapeless but it may assume specific from subjective bias as possible. It’s developed different tools for the forms as it takes on the configurations unlikely that Gautama thought of investigation of the outer world, of mass-energy resulting in what is himself as a founder of a new religion, Gautama devised different types of conventionally called the “real world.” for at that time in India there was no mental vacuums to be used to explore The phrase “configurations of mass- term or concept for “religion” as we and develop consciousness. energy” refers to everything that is conceive of it in the modern West. Gautama’s methods, for example, around us. “Excitations of the Gautama, age 29, trained in a extended mental perception, explored vacuum” are commonly described as contemplative practice to create a consciousness and related being like the surface waves on a vacuum state within his own mental phenomena, and cultivated pond. Why is an oscillation of an space, a vacuum state of wholesome mental traits. Gautama abstract field quantity in space not an consciousness. Gautama’s first was not interested in knowledge for its actual oscillation of space itself? It is teacher, Alara Kalama, taught him own sake, but believed that an abstract quantity, a very useful abstract quantity, but still considered by physics as an abstract quantity.The field we are concerned with is not a What Gautama did next was revolutionary. Having substance. Therefore, configurations refined the mind, having developed extraordinary states of of mass-energy are oscillations of an abstract quantity in empty space. attentional stability and vividness, Gautama used his Therefore, no objectively real mind as an instrument to explore the nature of reality substance actually oscillates. Mass itself is sometimes referred to actively. metaphorically as frozen energy. Additionally, general relativity theory

22 Network No. 77 December 2001 tells us that fluctuating masses of the sorrows, all arise. The fundamental conceptuality are experienced vacuum, despite their abstract nature, discovery of Buddhist contemplatives distinctly, just as the various attributes cause curvatures of space. is that the nature of consciousness is of the false vacuum of physics - The physical vacuum is very weird. empty and luminous. Buddhist particles, fields, and so forth - are As described, an oscillation of an terminology is very precise in distinct from one another. abstraction is substantial enough to describing the characteristics of Since differentiating, accessing, and curve space. But space is not so consciousness. Consciousness is utilising different states of substantial either. We hear from empty for it is, like space, intangible consciousness is somewhat unfamiliar quantum mechanics that within space, and unsubstantial. Consciousness is terrain in the West, I’ll go into a bit of virtual particles and antiparticles luminous in being clear cognisance or detail here explaining the bhavanga,or spontaneously emerge from a vacuum knowing. Additionally, consciousness false vacuum state of consciousness. and become “real” little particles if can manifest in all kinds of forms. As The bhavanga is the individual ground you only add energy. When energy is we have just heard from physics, space of becoming from which all mental added to virtual particles, resulting also manifests, also takes on form. activities arise, both positive and longevity entitles you to call the results The difference between space and negative. Positive states include “real.” If you don’t add energy, the consciousness is that consciousness generosity, friendliness, and virtual particles dissolve right back not only takes on form but also has a compassion. Negative states include into the vacuum. It is like instant soup quality of being aware which, as far as malice, cruelty and spite. Negative without the soup, but instead of we know, space does not have. activations of the mind warp the mind, adding water, add energy. If you could observe bare destroying its equilibrium. Positive The physical vacuum has two consciousness, without mental states, activations restore the mind to a state divisions, both having a parallel in it would appear empty and luminous. of relative balance. However, contemplative descriptions of vacuum What obscures the luminosity of distortions of the space of states of consciousness. The two consciousness are thoughts, mental consciousness occur only when energy divisions of the physical vacuum are constructs, dullness, excitation, and an is invested into mental activities, (1) the false vacuum and (2) the true endless list of mental contents. As in positive or negative. Investing energy vacuum. many aspects of science, special in mental events is called grasping or A false vacuum is the lowest conditions are necessary to investigate identification. When we give energy to possible energy state under the the natural phenomena of an idea, thought, or emotion that circumstances, but it is not completely consciousness. In contemplative emerges spontaneously from the devoid of energy. The false vacuum science, the mandatory prerequisite bhavanga, it changes status from has energy and structure and is not for the investigation of consciousness virtual to “real”, analogous to the perfectly symmetrical. Physicists work is getting to its ground state, a potentials of the false physical with false vacuums on a day-to-day vacuum. vacuum. With the energy of basis. A false vacuum is like water that Entering the ground state of identification, the now “real” mental falls to a lower state, cooling and consciousness can be done. We have event starts influencing other mental freezing as it releases energy. The false already drawn a parallel between activities as well as physical behaviour. vacuum is often referred to as physical vacuums and vacuum states The bhavanga spontaneously, “frozen.” of consciousness. Now we take the effortlessly, and often unpredictably The true vacuum is called analogy deeper. As physicists gives rise to a wide range of mental “melted.” Scientists are not sure what distinguish between false and true activations. If one does not grasp onto remains once everything that nature vacuums in the physical world, them or identify with them, they tend allows us to take from a well-defined contemplatives distinguish false and to persist for relatively brief periods space has been removed. The false true vacuum states of consciousness. and do not perturb the equilibrium of vacuum is determined by the The false vacuum state of the mind. Grasping onto and limitations of technology. The true consciousness is known in Buddhist identifying with the natural vacuum depends on all the laws of literature as the bhavanga, from Pali phenomena of the bhavanga, the false nature, whether they have been and Sanskrit, which is a kind of vacuum of the mind, infuses them discovered yet or not. The true substrate consciousness. The with energy. In a mixed terminology of vacuum would be perfectly bhavanga is a relative ground state of Buddhism and physics, you could say symmetrical. Unlike the false or consciousness, more vacuous than that mental activations arise virtually frozen vacuum, in the true or melted deep sleep and free of mental dullness, from the ground state and then, if no vacuum, particles, fields, and in which all mental activation, known energy is infused into them, disappear electricity are undifferentiated. In the as javana, is dormant. The bhavanga, back into the ground. false or frozen vacuum, these entities is an empty, luminous state of Now, instead of letting a mental are distinct from each other. To awareness and, like its analogue, the activation arise and dissolve of its own understand the true vacuum, it is false vacuum of physics, it is a accord, infuse energy into it, identify necessary to gain a thorough potentially creative state. with it. What happens? The understanding of the false vacuum. Contemplatives follow a variety of activation changes status from virtual Scientists speculate that quantum procedures to create a mental vacuum. to “real”. Having an investment of mechanical fluctuations within a One common strategy is a powerful energy, the mental event obscures the vacuum initiated not only the stuff of contraction of consciousness by substrate consciousness, interacts with our world but also space-time itself. focusing on a small mental image, the other mental, verbal, and physical Perhaps the absolute nothingness smaller the object is on which activity, and leaves imprints upon the discussed in philosophy and religion consciousness is focused, the more substrate consciousness. These should be considered as a state wholly potent the consciousness becomes. activities and their residue in the innocent of laws, space, and time – a When the mind is so concentrated that substrate are called karma and karmic state in which nothing exists but all physical senses have gone dormant imprints, respectively, and can accrue possibilities. and awareness is luminous and pure, indefinitely in the substrate with the image is released. What is left? An positive and negative imprints Vacuum States of Consciousness absence, a vacuum state of canceling each other out. This is the Now consider consciousness, inner consciousness characterised by bliss contemplative understanding of the space, the space in which dreams, and luminosity, without thoughts, nature of consciousness that is the mental images, thoughts, emotions, mental constructs, or images. In this foundation of the Buddhist concept of desires, hopes and fears, joys and state, bliss, luminosity, and non- karma.

Network No. 77 December 2001 23 According to Buddhism, the of settling for bliss, one can probe Like physicists, Buddhists have bhavanga is not a true or absolute deeper into the nature of mental investigated the nature of physical vacuum because precognitive activity. From where do mental phenomena. Using contemplative conceptual structure of awareness still events arise and into what do they techniques, Buddhist have found persists. Even though concepts such dissolve? This is an ontological probe physical phenomena to lack any as subject and object are not manifest, into the space of the mind itself. Is inherent identity independent of the awareness is still structured by there any mind that can be probed conceptual framework within which conceptual and biological influences. and identified in this way? they are identified. Contemplatives Like its analogue in physics, the false Buddhist contemplatives have used use the same techniques to investigate vacuum of consciousness, the vacuum states to investigate the bhavanga, appears to be empty but the nature of mental phenomena. has structure and energy. nature of the mind for 2,500 years, a What they discover is that Vacuum states of consciousness, lot of lab time. The collective result is consciousness itself lacks inherent whose potentials go largely the discovery that there is no thing identity independent of the unrecognised in the West, may be that is the mind. In the state of not conceptual framework in which it is responsible for as yet unexplained finding, awareness comes to rest in a identified. Contemplatives have phenomena, such as the so-called state of luminous, empty, non-duality, discovered that the mind is just as placebo effect and other mental without any sense of subject or object. empty of inherent existence as the effects on the body that originate from This is the absolute vacuum of external physical world. a source deeper than conscious consciousness and is utterly free of all Finally, contemplatives have taken volition. Buddhist contemplatives conceptual constructs, including the investigation of phenomena down view the substrate consciousness as space and time, mind and matter, a cut further and report that the the source of creativity and genius even notions of existence and division between external physical whose potential can be accessed when nonexistence. In this state, bliss, phenomena and internal mental it is drawn into consciousness. In luminosity, and non-conceptuality are other words, you need to create a phenomena is empty of inherent undifferentiated. Like the true existence. The distinction between mental vacuum in order to use it. vacuum of external space, the the true Geniuses have been found to have external and internal is an illusion; vacuum of consciousness is one of internal and external space are something in common - exceptional perfect symmetry, for it is non-local, degrees of sustained voluntary ultimately non-dual. This is the attention, the same ability cultivated timeless, homogenous, devoid of absolute space of phenomena. In by yogis as a spring board to internal differentiation. This absolute Buddhist literature, this is the Great developing vacuum states and ground of consciousness is called the Perfection out of which the entire exploring consciousness. Great Perfection. universe originates. Like the false vacuum states, the The Buddhist contemplative The Buddha summed up his true vacuum states of physics and science, in parallel to Western physical investigations of reality with this consciousness have similarities. In science, describes two types of statement: “All phenomena are vacuums: (1) The false vacuum, or Buddhist literature, the true vacuum preceded by the mind. When the bhavanga, is the relative ground of is called primordial awareness and, mind is comprehended, all like the false vacuum state, it can be becoming, out of which each phenomena are comprehended.” By realised experientially. Most Western individual mind-stream emanates; “mind”, the Buddha was referring to cognitive scientists believe that the and (2) the true vacuum, or mind cannot be emptied of content; Primordial Awareness, the absolute the deepest state of consciousness, conceptual constructs and impulses state of phenomena out of which primordial awareness, the true are built-in, so the mind always has space and time, mind and matter, vacuum. content. In the West, there is a good everything in the universe, emerge. In the West, many physicists believe deal of cultural anxiety concerning the evolution of the universe began emptiness. “I think, therefore I am”, Conclusion – Towards a Noetic with a perfectly symmetrical vacuum is Descartes’ famous line of 1637. that cooled into the current frozen Descartes worried what happened Revolution Now to wrap this up a bit. Western vacuum state, which is what they when he was not thinking … and then study. The cooling of the original true quickly moved on. cognitive scientists generally regard dreaming, imagination, and waking vacuum is believed to have liberated experience as basically the same enormous amounts of energy that Experiencing Vacuum States gave rise to quarks, electrons, and Buddhist contemplatives state that an phenomenon except that waking absolute vacuum of consciousness experience is constrained by the eventually all of life. exists and can be ascertained by direct physical world. Dreaming, Jump again. The Dalai Lama very experience. How? In a way that is imagination, and waking perception recently commented on the Great unlike any other form of knowledge. are all considered to be creations of Perfection, “Any given state of The absolute vacuum state is non- the mind. Physicists describe the consciousness is permeated by the conceptual knowing by way of physical world as configurations of clear light of primordial awareness. identity, without any sense of mass-energy consisting of oscillations However solid ice may be, it never subject/object duality and is also a of abstract quantities in empty space loses its true nature, which is water. In “not knowing”. The absolute vacuum that may or may not exist independent the same way, even very obvious is knowing in a way that is of a system of measurement. When concepts are such that their ‘place’, as extraordinary and not-knowing in all cognitive science is combined with it were, their final resting place, does the ordinary ways. The realisation of physics the results is something like: not fall outside the expanse of the true vacuum of consciousness is Everyday waking experience is an primordial awareness. They arise by way of achieving the false vacuum within the expanse of primordial of consciousness. illusion constrained by the oscillations With finely honed awareness, a of abstract quantities in empty space – awareness and that is where they mind stable, vivid, and highly focused, a statement that raises questions dissolve.” What he is saying here is one can experientially probe all about the nature of reality and our that the absolute ground state mental phenomena. The primary tool relationship to it. If we also consider awareness is primordial awareness, the is the false vacuum of consciousness, a that sensory experience of space and fundamental ground from which state that is a clean lab with no noise all concepts of space and time occur everything, space-time, mass-energy, or pollution, in which mental events in the space of consciousness, the mind-matter, all arise and into which arise. Within these conditions, instead questions deepen. eventually dissolve.

24 Network No. 77 December 2001 Over the past four centuries, innumerable discoveries concerning Western science has made enormous the origins, nature, and potentials of Dr. Alan Wallace is author of many progress in understanding the nature consciousness, but it lacks the physics, books, including The Taboo of of external physical phenomena and chemistry, and biology that have been Subjectivity, which shares the 2001 the space in which, and from which, developed in the West.When these two Network Book Prize. The author is they arise. But scientific progress into great traditions of experiential and grateful for editorial assistance in the nature of the mind and rational inquiry are integrated, we preparing the MS – but a computer crash consciousness has been far more may see a new Noetic Revolution that has sadly removed the name of the person limited. Buddhist contemplative will be of the greatest significance for concerned and Alan is on a six-month science, on the other hand, has made humanity. retreat.

The Laying on of Hands From ‘My Grandfather’s Blessings’ Rachel Naomi Remen MD, California, USA

hile we can contribute never took the time to know them or George was surprised that I knew a to the lives of others at anyone else. I have spent my life doing patient who used his invention. He a distance, the sort of business, building my company from an was very touched that she might want service that is mutual idea in my basement to what it is today. to meet him and readily agreed. He is usually handmade, I do not think they will miss me. I’ve offered to take her and her husband to somethingW that happens in a deeply nothing behind me but a lot of money.” dinner at one of our most elegant and personal way between two people. At He looked away and shook his head. expensive restaurants. “I don’t think such times, we may come to know the “What an old fool”, he said. “A stupid so”, I told him. And so, an evening true value and worth of our lives. The old fool.” was found, and George went to dinner kind of service that transforms us the The thing that George invented and at Stephanie’s home. most has our fingerprints on it. It is that his company manufactures is a part The week after this dinner, he sat in rarely accomplished by simply signing of a medical device that has enabled my office shaking his head in wonder. a check. people whose chronic disease was He had expected to have dinner with At the age of forty-five, George had previously unmanageable to live almost patented a part of a medical invention. this young couple, but when he had normally. Another of my patients uses arrived, George was welcomed by For more than two decades since then, this device. It has changed her life. we was the CEO of a small but Stephanie’s whole family. Her mother Before it was available, she had been was there, and three brothers and successful company that manufactures severely limited by her disease and and distributes these parts worldwide. sisters, several of her aunts and uncles, almost housebound. Controlling her and a crowd of nieces, nephews and George was a fine businessman and a physical symptoms had occupied most shrewd investor, a highly sophisticated cousins. Her husband’s parents were of her time. She had been unable to there, too, and many of her friends and man who travelled widely and work, unable to have any sort of normal collected many beautiful tings. By neighbours – the whole community of life among people. people who had sustained her in the most standards, he had led an enviable Soon after she was fitted with this life. year she was an invalid. They had device, she had gotten a job for the first Six months before he first came to decorated the little house with crepe time. There she had met people and my office, George had discovered that begun to have friends. In time she had paper, and everyone had cooked. It he had lung cancer. His cancer was was an extraordinary meal and a widely metastatic at the time that it met and married a fine man and had a child. “The day they gave me this wonderful celebration. was found, and his physicians had told “But that was not the important him that he did not have long. He told device, I was reborn”, she had told me. And so she was. part, Rachel”, George told me. “They me this during his first visit to my had really come to tell me a story; office. It is a breach of privacy to give one patient’s name to another, but I thought they had each played a part in it and My office is not traditional. had a different side of it to share. It Elegantly and tastefully dressed, that perhaps Stephanie might be willing to write an anonymous note about her took them over three hours to tell it. It George seemed unfazed to find was the story of Stephanie’s life. I himself on a houseboat. The cat loved experience and I could give it to George. cried most of the time. And at the him immediately, and he held her on I resolved to ask her if she might be his lap as we spoke, unmindful of the willing to do this. very end, Stephanie came to me and potential for damage to his Armani When she discovered I knew the man said, ‘This is really a story about you, suit. I loved him immediately, too. whose invention had made her device George. We thought you needed to His diagnosis had shaken George possible, Stephanie was speechless. She know.’ And I did, I did.” badly. I had expected that he would sat thinking over my request that she I had tears in my eyes. “How many be depressed about the hopelessness write to him to tell him about the of these things do you make every of his situation, but this was not the difference his work had made in her life. year, George?” I asked him. “Close to case. There was a lot else on his mind. Shyly she asked me if I thought he might ten thousand”, he said softly. “I just “I have wasted my life, Rachel,” he be willing to come to her home for knew the numbers, Rachel. I had no told me flatly. “I have two ex-wives dinner so that she could show him the idea what they meant.” and five children. I support all of life he had made possible for her. I said them but I don’t know any of them. I that I would ask. See review of this book on p51.

Network No. 77 December 2001 25 REPORTS Beyond the Brain IV Scientific and Spiritual Perspectives on Meditation August 23rd – 26th 2001 at Ripon College, Yorkshire Julian Candy, Southampton, England

erhaps one or two of us who topic and speakers with pertinence the Godhead’; those whose early attended previous Beyond and discrimination. Most of the experiences and other factors have led the Brain conferences at St delegates, it emerged during the to an anxious, depressive or borderline John’s College Cambridge introductory evening, meditate personality may suffer damage unless may have anticipated regularly, and all of the speakers proper support is provided. somethingP a little less memorable at brought their own experience to bear ‘Why meditate’, asked Ripon. After all, what could match the on what they shared with us: all had neuropsychiatrist PETER FENWICK Bridge of Sighs and the uncomfortable walked the talk. as he began his talk; ‘for the sake of benches in Hall? We would have been Psychotherapist ANDREW our children,’ came the answer as he wrong. Evensong in the Cathedral, POWELL’s thoughtful and often ended. His somewhat circuitous path followed by an exclusive organ recital; moving presentation set meditation in between took us through aspects of the a beautiful tree-strewn campus (sadly the context of his own very wide yet nature of scientific enquiry, and to close after our departure); Taizé personal vision of the place of the described the most recent findings of chanting in the Chapel, led by our very spiritual in the cosmic scheme, in brain research into attention, epilepsy own maestro; a visit to Fountains which the material is nested within the and the neurophysiological effects and Abbey, still spiritually throbbing; spiritual, or quantum, in turn nested correlates of meditation. It included a morning movement to suit all tastes on within the ultimate, or virtual, realm. brief experiential exposure to the use green and undulating lawns; food and Polarity, in particular good and evil, is of the after image as a meditative accommodation agreed by almost inevitable in the material realm, since focus, and an extract from one of everybody to be of a high standard. at least for us humans it is created by Beethoven’s Last Quartets. He asked All these helped frame the networking, the choices we make as we collapse the the question: ‘is consciousness only in the book tasting and buying, and of quantum wave function in the spiritual the brain’, and indicated that his own course the presentations and realm. He usefully reminded us to answer would be, ‘no’. workshops themselves. take account of the state of mind of the Clarity, up to a point, one might But what of that content? Once meditator: secure personalities can expect from a talk on Zen and the again our Programme Director only benefit from meditation, which brain, and that is just what we got from DAVID LORIMER had chosen both may bring them ‘to the threshold of neurologist JAMES AUSTIN, author of a book with that title. Most of his talk comprised a lucid account of the path of Zen, in part movingly illuminated by his own experience of kensho, a glimpse of enlightenment. He emphasised the need to transcend ‘I, me, mine’, which implies that the upper reaches of the path he diagrammatically illustrated are not traversed by an ego, rather experienced by a centre of consciousness. Then in his last few minutes he talked about experiments with neurotic and ‘laid back’ rat mothers, which enable us to tentatively identify the brain centres involved in meditative states. This theme did not sit easily with the earlier topic, a contrast related perhaps to his tantalising though playful reluctance Standing: Jonathan Shear, Jim Austin, Arthur Zajonc, David Fontana, Alan either to sign up to, or to deny, that Wallace, Andrew Powell, Peter Fenwick, Peter Russell, Elizabeth West,Warren Kenton something to do with awareness can Sitting: Bisong Guo, Guy Claxton, David Lorimer, Ashok Mukhoppadhyay exist ‘beyond the brain.’

26 Network No. 77 December 2001 So for me these last two speakers provided much fascinating and locally important information and report. However, fissures in their presentations suggested that a central problem was being skirted. PETER RUSSELL stated it clearly, together with, in my view, the conditions for its solution. In a characteristically beautiful illustrated presentation he took us first over familiar ground: the development of science following Descartes along a path which left consciousness to the church, which in turn largely disowned it and which now finds itself on the cultural margins. During the past 15 years the mysterious but welcome upsurge in consciousness studies means that we can no longer evade the ‘hard problem’: how can mere ‘matter in motion’ give rise to Panel: Alan Wallace, Bisong Guo, David Fontana, Guy Claxton conscious experience? As long as scientific materialism continues to SISTER JAYANTI, Director of the conference: what if anything of this dominate the mind of our culture, this Brahma Kumaris, spoke with lies ‘beyond the brain’? problem is not just hard, it is simplicity and purity about the use of Guy spoke of equanimity, ALAN impossible. Even to get a handle on the brain and the mind as tools to WALLACE, physicist and Buddhist its solution requires, Peter told us, a attain simplicity and purity. She monk, of eudaimonia. He pointed out ‘metaparadigm shift’, to a view in reminded us that in her tradition we that we in the West have developed a which it is consciousness, not matter, live in the ‘Age of Iron’, when silence outward looking technological science that is primary. This requires a and contemplation can and must lead that cannot even detect transformation of the scientist. to action to lift the darkness. consciousness, let alone investigate it. Meditation can play a part in this, Fittingly, she was followed by We have no science of consciousness, especially in fostering the realisation ELIZABETH WEST, formally a nun so we assume wrongly that no one has that ‘the world is in me, not me in the and presently an inter-faith worker. it. This led into a stimulating and world’. Perhaps Thomas Merton was She stressed how important it is in our beautifully delivered exposition of right when he predicted that the current need for us to contact and Indian and Tibetan Buddhist inquiry bridge that would bring science and nurture the mystical and into the nature and science of spirit together again was contemplative traditions, both our consciousness. Natural mind is prone consciousness. own, and through our own, those of to distraction: as William James For Peter, meditation came almost others. Through meditation and by observed our average attention span as an afterthought to the core of his being open to the truth wherever it is on an unmoving object is three talk. ARTHUR ZAJONC, Professor found we may, like the Christian seconds. So we must train the of Physics, began with it. Like many mystics, find alongside wisdom and attention, pay attention to attention. at 20 years old, Arthur was asking Only when we have refined the tool compassion a tolerance that can, for perennial questions: ‘Who am I? How can we investigate the nature of example, allow a knowledge of can I serve the world?’ In an reality, and that means developing Buddhism, yoga and gnosticism to internally contrasted yet integrated more than a nodding (!) acquaintance presentation he described first in enrich our understanding of the with meditation. Such an enterprise intimate detail how he began to find Gospels. After all, if the Eastern needs though to be related to our answers through his discovery of traditions have better maps, we should mode of life, our patterns of Goethe and Steiner, and of the Grail use them. Resurrection is a spiritual behaviour. Well-being, eudaimonia,a story. ‘Beginner’s mind’ led to event, available to everyone. Her flourishing way of life, a refusal to rewarding meditation using Steiner’s warm and open presentation, which embrace our mental afflictions – all methods, and to insight into the set out frankly some of her own this both fosters and will follow our significance of the Grail Question, of painful and enriching life experiences, efforts to refine our mental perception second chances taken. Then, after a clearly resonated very positively with and attention. Some may find the song from LUCINDA DRAYTON, many in her audience, especially as it method of onepointedness controlling he changed mode, and gave us a brief came from one still firmly within the or constraining, so alternatively we though penetrating account of fold of the Church. can use the release model: allow the Goethean science and its GUY CLAXTON, psychologist, mind to relax into the luminous field contemporary relevance. Like Peter, gave us a characteristically playful yet of mental events, when stability and he sees that only the transformation of profound exposition on mindfulness: continuity of attention will arise. As the scientist can lead to true insight, how to acquire it, the benefits, not we progress, clarity and vividness will true knowledge. Meditation may least equanimity, that flow from it, emerge, leading to meditative provide a basis for that and its correlates in the brain. More quiescence and bliss. Now the mind transformation, in which using than that, he pointed up our fuzzy is serviceable, malleable, not Goethe’s beautiful phrase a ‘delicate thinking regarding the role of the compulsively driven, a tool (if we empiricism’ can lead to a merging of unconscious, and sketched a plausible wish) with which to investigate subject and object and thus to true and empirically based model of the consciousness. What was beholding and participative brain-mind, or ‘briam’. Guy makes metaphysical has become experiential. engagement in the phenomenon. We one though with James Austin in Widely practiced, this would must not slay the experience with the falling back from the question implicit represent a noetic revolution. Are we word. in the overarching title of the on the brink of such a revolution?

Network No. 77 December 2001 27 Those who attended will know how Section of the British Psychological devotional aspect of meditation much fascinating, varied and moving Society also partnered the SMN in largely ignored. An issue for all material I have left out of this personal presenting and chairing the conferences of this sort, though the account: WARREN KENTON on the conference. In 1995, when the first balance here was better kept here than Kabbalah; JONATHAN SHEAR on Beyond the Brain took place, neither at some I have attended. third-person research into meditation; group existed. Times are changing…. The head and the heart: most of us RAM-PRASAD CHAKRAVARTHI Although no audience is satisfied at this conference believe that its topic on philosophical analysis in classical by the time allowed for its India; BISONG GUO on Daoism and participation, at least it did not have to is not just to do with intellectual Qigong; DAVID FONTANA on choose between parallel sessions, and curiosity, or with feeling good. We transpersonal psychology. Buy the speakers generally kept, or were kept, believe that meditation, and the tapes and hear what you missed! to time, so some stimulating proper understanding of However, beyond the content and exchanges took place. As a consciousness that lies behind and the setting something more should be consequence perhaps, one or two beyond it, matters. Since September said. This time the SMN had co- speakers spent too much of their time 11, it matters more. We must hold on sponsors. The Infinity Foundation setting the scene, retentatively holding to that. had paid for the speakers to come off from coming to their central point, together for a day or so before the so that eventually they must rush For tape orders, see our web site or contact conference opened, to exchange views through the climax of their talk in a Philip Royall on [email protected] or and get to know each other. From this way which satisfied neither themselves phone 01453 766411. I believe flowed the unusually friendly nor the audience. and supportive atmosphere on the A passionately delivered platform, which of course rubbed off contribution during the final plenary Dr. Julian Candy is Vice-Chair of the on the delegates generally. The from Sarah in the audience struck a Network Council and is on the Steering Spirituality and Psychiatry Special chord with many. Too much head, not Group of the Spirituality in Psychiatry Interest Group of the Royal College of enough heart, too masculine, too Special Interest Group of the Royal Psychiatrists and the Transpersonal much jnani, not enough bhakti:the College of Psychiatrists.

Psychosis and Spirituality: Exploring the New Frontier University of Southampton Medical School King Alfred’s College, Winchester 6-7 September, 2001 Jennifer Elam, Ph.D. Pennsylvania, USA

recently had the opportunity to psychologist briefly sketching in a to the bus. He finds making attend the 2nd annual “discontinuity model” suggesting that distinctions between his mystical conference called Psychosis and polarizsation between psychosis and experiences and his psychotic Spirituality: Exploring the New spirituality is a false dichotomy. experiences to be helpful and believes Frontier. I feel enormously Instead, there are two ways of that his functioning has been Igrateful for the opportunity to again operating in the world; the every day improved by taking medication along join in dialogue with professionals in ordinary and that which goes beyond with a deep searching for meaning the field as well as people who have the ordinary, the “transliminal.” Both within the experiences. had powerful spiritual experiences. ways are available to all humans and An important part of his The purposes of the gathering were are equally valid. Distinguishing the experiences included synchronicities, to: 1) continue the search for a new raw bodily and sensory experiences in which he found deep meaning in story about the conceptualisation and from the conceptualisations, words, everything that happened. For treatment of spiritual experiences in meanings, and frameworks put example, the ambulance men who professional settings; 2) hold up to around raw experiences is important. took him to the hospital were named examination the new Traditionally, professionals have not Peter and Paul. He could not flow conceptualisations and document the viewed patients’ stories of their with the synchronicities. He broke questions that are raised, 3) learn experiences as particularly valuable; in (open). At that time, he searched and more about how to interact with the the new story, experience is at the found nothing he had learned in beliefs and experiences of others in heart of data collection. obtaining four academic degrees to respect; and 4) begin to examine how DR. PETER CHADWICK helped help him. new ways of viewing experiences may to set a tone of acceptance for the His efforts to “disentangle” the affect how we as professionals conference by talking about his experience and share it with others intervene therapeutically. The spiritual experiences that were part of has been very helpful in integrating it conference was organised to allow for a psychotic breakdown in the 1970’s and moving on toward a productive the greatest possible variety of that ended in failed attempts at life, happily married, a college lecturer viewpoints with much discussion. suicide by jumping under a bus and and researcher of psychosis in its The stage was set at this 2nd throwing himself down flights of many facets. At this point, he appears conference by ISABEL CLARKE, stairs. He was pulled away from the able to find gifts in his journey from conference organiser and a clinical bus by “a force” and ended up parallel sanity to supersanity to insanity and

28 Network No. 77 December 2001 back again and articulates the journey life-giving essence. There is much A second panel discussion was in helpful ways for others. power in soul to soul contact; Dr. chaired by DR. CHRIS CLARKE. ANNE BARING gave an Powell described powerful changes in Chris is a physicist who is exploring a extraordinary keynote talk entitled his client’s relationships when taught new conceptualisation of the scientific “Unexplored Dimensions of to look beyond the difficulties method called “The Cooperative Consciousness and the Visionary experienced in the physical body. The Inquiry Model,” which is more Experience: Parmenides, Dante, and therapist’s role is to facilitate the suitable for exploring questions Jung’s Seven Sermons to the Dead” in person finding what they need to heal; related to spirituality and transliminal which she integrated her own life’s what they need lies in their own soul. experiences. Members of this panel stories with those of these three The soul does not make mistakes; all were asked to share their theoretical visionaries and considered the and faith viewpoints. ANNABELLE changing role of the visionary in experiences are grist for our mill. We HOLLIS had a transliminal different cultures. She began with the are co-creators with the Divine and experience that she views as psychotic. question: are we related to something the soul’s journey is to re-unite with She discussed what led up to that infinite or not? Is our brain the origin God. experience and her path back. Now of our consciousness or does our MARK SUTHERLAND is an working in a medically-oriented but consciousness originate in or from a Anglican priest who has served as alternative treatment centre, she has a greater reality? chaplain at the South London & strong “container” around her so that The following image displayed on a Maudsley NHS. Mark is interested in the quality of her life has been slide summed up her answers: “A man the relationship between altered states enhanced by the experience. DR. puts his head beyond the edge of a and one’s long-term spiritual journey. SERENA RONEY-DOUGAL familiar universe, gazing in wonder at He has explored Eastern spiritual researches the pineal gland. She has another dimension of reality. It is an practices which establish good found that we make a chemical at image of breaking through limitations, mind/body connections and open the night that leads to our dreams; that an image of quest, exploration and practitioner to a wider experience of substance has the same chemical discovery - all experiences that are the numinous ground. structure as a plant that is used as an absolutely intrinsic to the human Using story, movement and music, hallucinogen. The pineal gland is spirit.” DR. JUNE BOYCE-TILLMAN affected by chanting. DR. JUNE All through human history it has presented a moving performance BOYCE-TILLMAN teaches at King been essential for human movement Alfred’s College and says that in many toward a greater consciousness for called “The Gift of Tears - Margery places we have lost our traditional people to open to the transliminal. Kemp” integrating her own life with liturgy or other rituals that help The prophetic tradition, illustrated the lives of Margery Kemp (a contain the energy of transliminal here by the examples of Parmenides, remarkable and eccentric medieval experiences so we are trying to Dante, and Jung, assists this. The visionary who suffered in her faith) construct a container, individually.We belief is growing that madness has and Jesus. need the checks and balances meaning and needs to be treated as In addition to the workshops, there provided by a spiritual community such. Over 50% of the population were also two panel discussions. On and we need grounding. ISABEL reports having spiritual experiences Day 1, the question was “Does CLARKE suggested that psychosis is but do not talk about them for fear of considering the overlap between capable of both being a curse and a being called crazy. Psychosis and Spirituality open up glimpse into a spiritual depth that NIGEL MILLS is a Consultant new therapeutic possibilities?” “What people long for. Seeking transliminal Clinical Psychologist and a Lecturer are they?” experiences for the sake of the at Whitchurch Hospital/Cardiff Dr. HAZEL NELSON discussed experience could deteriorate into University for the Clinical Psychology the therapeutic possibilities opened up another consumerism. training course. Integrated into his by understanding psychosis as a break therapy are practices he has developed in communication between the two Emerging Themes from mindfulness and body-mind central meaning processing systems of THE LIFE ENHANCING SIDE OF integration strategies from t’ai chi and TRANSLIMINAL EXPERIENCE yoga. Mindfulness may be achieved the human being: the propositional Many participants saw their through attention to breathing, and the implicational. “Mindfulness” transliminal experiences as heightened awareness of movement, as a therapeutic approach is indicated breakthroughs and paths to finding the cultivation of compassion for self by this perspective. DR. JENNIFER their own voices. and others, and “sitting with” feelings. ELAM collected the stories of about The client can move from a place of 100 people’s experiences of God SIMILAR EXPERIENCES: fear to a place of compassion. ranging from experiences of awe and DIFFERENT INDIVIDUAL DR. NATALIE TOBERT is wonder to experiences that were MEANINGS currently conducting research in India overwhelming and contributed to the For some, the experiences become into religious and medical strategies person’s need for hospitalisation. After prophetic or visionary and help the for addressing mental health. She following many of them for three world, for some they are a breaking works as a freelance lecturer, years, she discussed commonalities in open that precedes a breaking through facilitating courses which explore the suggestions made by experiencers to a richer life and voice, and for some spirituality, medical anthropology, as to what has been helpful to them in they lead to misery. What helps us to shamanism, and death. She asks, integrating their experiences in a overcome the dangers of pathological “Can we develop a programme to positive way into their lives. Jennifer is grandiosity, projections, destructive train people in shamanistic practices a school psychologist who has begun voices, depression, and exhaustion? so that they can gain more control asking questions related to the over their experiences of expanded Some agreement appeared amongst perception?” implications of these new participants as to what has been DR. ANDREW POWELL is a conceptualisations for the treatment of helpful to them along the way: traditionally trained psychiatrist who children. CRAIG CHIGWEDERE has sought further training in many asked us to consider the views of other THEROLEOF areas of healing including soul cultures, particularly indigenous CONCEPTUALISATION recovery. We are souls primarily who cultures that offer alternative views of Many began with a distinction take a body to experience life with its transliminal experiences that can be between the bodily experiences and problems and opportunities. There is helpful in the integration process. He the conceptualisation. Often the a supreme being; we are all connected gave examples from his experience misery comes from fears that are to it and it lives in all of us and is our growing up in Zimbabwe. related to the conceptualisations

Network No. 77 December 2001 29 rather than the actual bodily need validation that their psychic pain longer feel as out-of-control and experiences. For example, a common is real. A period of rest and separation fearful. As we give up trying to control vision of a bright light can be framed from the world may be needed because them and know them as connection to either as: “I am going crazy”, or as the increased sensitivity magnifies the something larger (God), we feel more meaning connection to God and impact of daily violence in the world. in control. others, and is then more easily As soon as possible they need a place in integrated into daily life. the world where they can serve a Experiencers need help to transcend positive role; a new way of functioning dualities that are unhelpful such as THE NEED FOR A CONTAINING is emerging for them. sick/well, psychotic/spiritual; the CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK Honest feedback is needed when experiences are not one or the other. A strong “container” is needed. The realities do not match, but not by Both/and thinking is very helpful. following containers have been found denying their reality or calling it helpful: delusional. Leading a person to see • The experiencer’s own relationship choices in their conceptualisations of In summary, there are out-of-the- with something bigger than reality can be helpful; in the long run, ordinary bodily experiences that themselves; telling them their reality is false can do sometimes become visionary • Others find containment in their harm. They need accompaniment and experiences, sometimes lead to greater spiritual/faith communities who this requires others who can stand personal authenticity, and sometimes validate a sense of “calling”; beside them, not having to believe or bring misery depending on how the • Still others are helped by the dis-believe their stories. transliminal experiences are medical communities. Many recognise that words are encountered. • Many report harm being done by inadequate to the task of I am grateful for the many choices of both traditional religious and communicating about transliminal conceptualisations that are coming medical establishments that do not experiences. Using media such as forth as alternatives to the medical value the experiences. Spiritual creative arts, movement, and writing models. I am grateful to be in traditions of many kinds can provide can reach the places from where words communication with so many people the needed frame. come when words are not effective. that have had many different kinds of • How the experiences are framed Language is only a representation of transliminal experiences, have entered helps not only to contain but also to experience but creates its own reality. the world of darkness and have CREATE further experience. When Many experience an “energy” along returned living more brilliant lives with the experience is framed as with their transliminal experiences that more powerful voices. I am grateful for containing gifts, they are more likely needs to be directed into constructive the hope that was generated at this to be found, when framed as creative outlets or is at risk of turning conference for providing street lights pathology, one is more likely to destructive. along the dark path for those still in move toward misery. It is important darkness. I am grateful for the courage to recognise relevant truths that have THE NEED FOR HELP IN shown to talk about matters that most come down through the ages and HEALING AND FRAMING THE help the experiencer to connect to STORY. would rather not talk about. those larger truths; e.g., since the Many report the need to tell their beginning of time (Genesis story), stories with all their paradoxes and be Dr. Jennifer Elam is author of ‘Dancing chaos often precedes creation. responded to with respect. For many, with God through the Storm: Mysticism unresolved early traumas or recent and Mental Illness’. The organisers of the SENSITIVE HELP IS NEEDED losses (or both) have emerged needing this conference have a book out called FROM PROFESSIONALS AND treatment. Fear and resistance is often ‘Psychosis and Spirituality: Exploring the OTHERS TO GUIDE PEOPLE what creates more fear; then the New Frontier’, Edited by Isabel Clarke, THROUGH THE DANGERS OF experiences become a problem. As we Whurr publishers Ltd., 19B Compton SUCH A JOURNEY WITHOUT accept the experiences, provide for Terrace, London N1 2UN, UK, email: INVALIDATING THEM. them normalised frames and look for [email protected]. A review of this book During the stage of misery, people the gift, then paradoxically we no will appear in our April issue. Science and the Challenge of Exceptional Experience Drynachan Lodge, 18th –21st October 2001 David Lorimer, Fife, Scotland his year’s Drynachan ‘exceptional’. Anomalous or determine how evidence will be viewed symposium took up the exceptional in relation to what? The (the NDE must be purely a brain event theme of the 1999 meeting philosopher C.D. Broad gives a for those who maintain that on Science and detailed analysis of what he calls consciousness is produced by and Transcendent Experience, ‘antecedent probability’ for the limited to the brain). The evidence Tbut focusing more specifically on the occurrence of an event. ‘Exceptional under scrutiny may be experiential or types of experience that might claims require exceptional evidence’ is experimental and different rules apply represent a challenge to a purely fair enough, but not when it is pushed to each, although third-party materialistic outlook. It also follows on as far as ‘It cannot happen therefore it confirmation is desirable in either from the Manifesto for an Integral didn’t’. This is where presuppositions event. Science of Consciousness published in interfere with proper recognition and Even though the weather smiled on the April issue. Much depends on the assessment of exceptional paranormal us for only one day, Drynachan is a definition of ‘anomalous’ or indeed experiences. These presuppositions magical place to be in the autumn, with

30 Network No. 77 December 2001 its colours, open skies and the flow of the Findhorn, where IAN TIERNEY – with an eye for these things - spotted quite a few wild salmon in a nearby pool. We walked in the afternoon and gathered round the fire for our evening sessions. The atmosphere was open and congenial, as always, with the combination of the place and the exceptional hospitality so generously offered by COUNTESS ANGELIKA CAWDOR. EMILIOS BOURATINOS opened our session with an outstanding contribution printed in full earlier in this issue. He reminded us that nature is multi-faceted, so that truth reveals something of the aspect of vision from which nature is viewed. This involves delving into our own role in the Professor Bob Morris and Professor Deborah Delanoy, at the Drynachan Symposium, acquisition of knowledge, as well as analysing the nature of language and October 2001. what Emilios calls ‘pre-epistemology’. DR. EMILY LYLE, from the Celtic perspectives on EHEs. She found that Our structures of assessment are Studies Department in Edinburgh, the ‘internal influence’ types of content-based and in themselves introduced another domain of experience were the most disruptive, conditioned. We need to maintain a experience by recounting a classic a point taken up by Ian Tierney, who high degree of flexibility in our case of second sight in 19th century has been taking referrals at the Keil approach to understanding. Scotland. This is still present in the Centre from the Koestler chair for PROFESSOR BOB MORRIS, the Highlands, as attested by Angelika some years (www.keilcentre.co.uk) holder of the Koestler Chair of Cawdor, but is becoming increasingly Ian spoke about EHEs and the Parapsychology at Edinburgh, argued rare as people become attuned to development of dysfunctional for the use of old and new tools of modern ways of thinking. conceptualisation in exploring cognitive schema in individuals who PROFESSOR DAVID FONTANA are predisposed to psychotic or exceptional experiences. He discussed how materialistic and introduced the concept of high-risk delusional states. These usually psychoanalytical mindsets had involve unpleasant experiences that research, commenting that there had consigned EHEs to realm of mental may generate fear and mental or been a retreat towards safety in the aberrations for the best part of 100 light of reputations and the ubiquity years. The abnormal has been emotional instability. What is missing of research assessment exercises. The extensively investigated but not the is a proper basis for the discussion of tendency is to minimise risk in the supernormal, which has generally EHEs in relation to mental health. Ian interests of prestige, career been avoided. Things are now wondered if there was a useful development and funding changing under the influence of definition of an EHE on which most opportunities, especially where time transpersonal psychology, which health professionals would agree. We constraints are imposed. One way of sanctions a sympathetic academic need a glossary compiled by a minimising risk is ‘the race to come interest in altered states of respectable body such as the second’ so that you are less consciousness. They point towards a Spirituality in Psychiatry Group of the vulnerable. Among other ethical world of meaning rather than chance, Royal College of Psychiatrists. He issues mentioned by Bob were the use even if it is sometimes hard to draw gave a number of clinical cases that of anonymous operators in order to hard and fast conclusions. A provoked considerable discussion. We pre-empt the press treatment of significant factor is that we seem to all agreed that the clinical singing praises then dumping the participate in the system we are trying implications of EHEs needed to be person. He also mentioned a to investigate, as witnessed by the brought into the open, and applauded distinction between what he called experimenter and sheep-goat effects. the training work already carried out Type One and Type Two errors – the David wondered what might by Ian. Clinical psychologists and first is when something looks real but constitute progress in the field and psychiatrists without any knowledge isn’t, while in the second case it looks commented on the relationship of the nature of EHEs and their unreal but is in fact real. between the psychic and the spiritual. clinical spin-offs are at a serious PROFESSOR DEBORAH People frequently moved from an disadvantage and may end up DELANOY and JANE HENRY emphasis on one field to an interest in unnecessarily diagnosing a related exceptional human the other. pathological condition. experiences (EHEs, after the David’s presentation set the scene The range of discussion at this terminology of Rhea White) to for the last two talks, which looked at meeting was as wide as the theme, qualitative factors. Deborah produced the clinical end of our topic. DR. with both theoretical and practical an extensive categorisation and MARTINA BELZ-MERK is a discussed possible approaches to psychologist from the Freiburg-based considerations. We are working to them. This in turn corresponds to an Institute for Frontier Psychology and further the clinical ideas in what may inventory of explanations. One of the Psychohygiene. Around 400 people a turn out to be a collaborative multi- criteria for an experience being year contact the Institute seeking centre initiative, and we have exceptional was its perceived meaning understanding of their EHEs, both in arranged a session on NDEs at the and transformative effect on the terms of explaining and coping with forthcoming Edinburgh Science individual. Jane commented on the them. Over half of them are dealt with Festival on Sunday April 14th. See high incidence of EHEs and invited us on the phone. The experiences are details on the Festival web site at all to share such an experience of our classified as paranormal by the www.sciencefestival.co.uk own and the effect that it had had on subjects themselves, in the sense that us. This led to some fascinating they find it hard to integrate them into The Drynachan and Cawdor meetings accounts and reflections that also their existing world-view. Martina now have their own section on the enabled us to know each other better. dealt in detail with models and Network web site.

Network No. 77 December 2001 31 Network Continental Meeting Les Courmettes, near Nice, France Diana Clift

“Les medicines alternatives et leurs relations avec la Science et La Philosophie a l’aube du troisieme millenaire” 5-7 October 2001

very Network event has its own distinctive character. The gathering at Les Courmettes in October was to have been the first FrenchE language meeting of the Network. ALEXANDRE GRIGORIANTZ worked tirelessly to promote the event to French complementary practitioners, sending out some 200 personal letters, but for reasons we cannot fathom, they showed no interest. The result was the smallest of the continental meetings since the very first one convened by Kevin Ashbridge in 1992 in Switzerland. And it was a gem, its character determined in part by the intimate, relaxed atmosphere of the small group, but also by the spectacular setting. DAVID LORIMER, TONY PRITCHETT and I flew out from England on the Friday evening and were met by Alexandre who took us to Ole van Hauen Drucker, Alexandre Grigoriantz,Tony Pritchett, Di Clift, Silvana the sea front at Cagnes sur Mer for a Hirt, Hilary Miflin wonderful dinner before we undertook the 4kms of hairpin bends wild life to the rambling chateau that Then we emerged into the warm which took us a vertical 850 metres is Les Courmettes. There we met sun and mountain mists for an through nature reserve teaming with Silvana Hirt, a therapist and artist excursion to the delightful walled from Switzerland, OLE VAN mediaeval town of S. Paul de Vence, HAUEN DRUCKER, from Denmark so quaint that it’s not quite believable now living in Spain, and HILARY - like a Disney theme park! MIFLIN, who lives both in England Back to Les Courmettes for Ole’s and France. The following morning description of his cancer clinic in we were joined by JEAN-MARC Spain. Ole and his wife Suzette, are MANTEL, the only true local of the doctors who have developed their own group. The ‘formal’ proceedings were distinctive holistic approach to cancer conducted in a mixture of French and treatment. At the end of Ole’s English with a masterful introduction presentation he demonstrated his use by David in both languages, but as of muscle testing on me to diagnose the state of my brain. I am indeed – Jean-Marc demonstrated in his as I suspected -somewhat weak in the presentation on ‘Wisdom, spirituality head! and mental health’, much was After a day of spectacular beauty, of communicated in the silences. Jean- thoughts, ideas and silences, I was Marc is a psychiatrist with vedantic ready for some noise! It was a balmy leanings. As with the pauses in evening and a power cut encouraged Bohmian Dialogue it forced us to look us outside to enjoy the stars and the deeper than the words. (That was distant lights of the Côte d’Azur. I certainly true for me as my school-girl played my guitar and we sang, joined French wasn’t really up to the by some of the other groups staying at Les Courmettes challenge!). Les Courmettes and, the guest of

32 Network No. 77 December 2001 honour, a large red fox. But the Courmettes itself was bought by the mountains to experience the local loudest noise was not my music but theosophists after the first world war flora and fauna first hand. We spent the baying of stags. Next day we saw as a sanatorium for gas victims from four hours hiking in the mountains, them: huge red deer the size of horses the war. Convinced of the healing getting lost in the mists, around the and also wild boar and other animals. benefits of the sun, they established isolated village of Courmes. On Sunday morning Alexandre one of the first European naturist The following day, joined by held us in thrall with a talk on the communities there. Hilary’s husband, Ben, a group of us movements of oriental spirituality in Hilary Miflin gave us an inspiring set off to Cannes, took the ferry to the the Côte d’Azur in the early 20th talk about the special garden she has little island of Sainte Marguerite, century and some of the extraordinary created at her home in the Haute bathed in the warm sea, picnicked on characters involved. He is currently Savoie where she grows herbs and the beach, then visited Cap d’Antibes writing a biography of one of these. extracts her own flower essences. She on our return. The English and Russian left a conventional job as a botanist to It was an enchanted weekend of communities in the area were explore the more subtle properties of peace and privilege. As we returned to influential in bringing Theosophy and plants and we were amazed by the supposed civilisation we heard that the Buddhism to the West. Mrs Robinson, power of the samples she brought. bombing of Afghanistan had a wealthy member of the Rockefeller Both David and I experienced strong begun……. clan built a house called Nosnibor (an tingling sensations in the hands and anagram of Robinson) where, among spine just from holding vials of her Diana Clift is a Network Council others, Madame Blavatsky and plant essences. Member and co-ordinator of the Krishnamurti stayed. Les That afternoon we went out into Guildford Group

The Spiritual Aspects of Life Group George Blaker

ince the note published in things the meeting brought to light the how many A-levels did you get in Network Review No.76 the fact that some people, during a spirituality, but what did you do to Spiritual Aspects of Life spiritual experience of some kind, also help the benighted people of the earth. group has held three feel a tingling flow of energy in their Peter suggested positive answers to meetings, in July, September limbs, mainly hands and arms, and all these questions and many more. Sand November, at Lake House, often associated with healing. Humans, he said, have two selves: the Ockley. There are three more in the Mention of this in the Minutes has phenomenal ego, of which we are pipeline to be held at other locations, evoked corroborative accounts from chiefly conscious and which we tend from Yorkshire to London to Dorset. other members, including a full to regard as our true self, and a non- At the July meeting the principal description from a doctor in America. phenomenal eternal self, an inner participant was JULIE SOSKIN on It has been suggested that as this is a man, the spirit, the spark of Divinity the subject of Insight and Intuition. physical sensation it might be possible Although Julie runs the School of to measure it and relate it to the within us, which is the true self. It is Insight and Intuition at Richmond spiritual experience that it goes with. the chief purpose of man’s earthly and Hampton, which helps people to The meeting on November 3rd was existence to discover and identify develop their own faculties in this preceded by a meditation led by himself with his true self. Each person area, she made it clear that she does HERTHA LARIVE. This was possesses an organ or faculty which is not think these abilities can be taught, followed by a formidable and capable of discerning Spiritual Truth, but that they can be encouraged to comprehensive presentation by and in its own sphere this faculty is as emerge from within most people. The PROFESSOR PETER STEWART of much to be relied on as other organs feeling at the meeting was so relaxed “A Spirituality for the Third of sensation in theirs. and friendly that every person present Millennium”, which he described as a Peter’s dissertation led to much felt comfortable in relating some of personal spiritual alchemy to begin the discussion and many questions. their own personal experiences, not all Great Work of developing a spiritual Members of the audience felt that his of them related to intuition, but all of understanding and spiritual qualities statement had been so comprehensive a spiritual nature. within oneself. It included his and important that, if possible, the The September meeting was to suggested answers to all the basic whole text of it should be made have been addressed by DR. JOSIE questions, “Who am I? What am I? accessible – but it is 57 pages long. GREGORY of the School of Why am I here? Is there any meaning Peter has kindly made a summary of it Educational Studies at the University or purpose to my life? What is the that will be distributed. of Surrey. Unfortunately at the last nature of the Spiritual urge that George Blaker recommended to moment she was prevented by illness people feel? What should we do about from taking part, but her place was it? Where will it lead? Does the members the book that had just been quickly filled by VINCENT GUY and human race as a whole have any published by the Network, entitled KATE BRIGHTWELL. Keeping to purpose in its existence? What is it “Thinking Beyond the Brain”, edited the original title of “The Spiritual here for? Does it have any mission? by David Lorimer, with contributions Path” these two conducted the What should be the philosophy by by 16 favourite authors on subjects of meeting in a spirit of research and which we should live our lives? What interest to the group. enquiry and by dividing those present should we expect to happen to us into pairs, they did it in such a way as when we die?” When it comes to the Readers will be aware that George has to create an original experience for Life Review the questions asked will now been ‘promoted’ beyond the brain. everyone attending. Among other not be how much did you learn, not The group will continue to meet.

Network No. 77 December 2001 33 NETWORK NEWS AND NOTICES

SCIENCE, CONSCIOUSNESS AND ULTIMATE REALITY PROJECT Supported by a grant from the Templeton Foundation The Science, Consciousness and Ultimate Reality Project is now well under way.We have produced the series booklet giving an overview of the project, the issues and bibliographical references on consciousness studies, science and religion, mystical experience and NDEs. This can be ordered from the office by UK members for a 41p SAE. It can also be downloaded on pdf from the web site. It will be available at Network meetings free of charge. University Events confirmed as of December 2002 are as below. Please contact the local organiser for more details nearer the date or email Jayne Warren on [email protected]

Edinburgh Trinity College, Dublin University of Kent, Canterbury November 22nd 2001 – Prof. Keith Ward FBA March 8th 2002 – Dr Max Velmans and Prof. May 4th 2002 – Prof. Chris Clarke, Dr. Mary with responses from Lord Sutherland of Alan Torrance Midgley and another to be confirmed Houndwood (Principal of the University), Prof. Contact: Dr. Paul O’Grady, Dept of Contact: Dr. Peter Moore, Dept of Wilson Poon (physics) and Prof. Rae Langton Philosophy. Email: [email protected] Philosophy. (philosophy). Email: [email protected] Contact: Prof. David Fergusson, Dept of Cambridge Theology. Report now on web. March 13th 2002 – Dr. Peter Fenwick and Prof. Oxford Guy Claxton May 30th 2002 – Lord John Habgood and King’s London Contact: Dr. Fraser Watts, Starbridge Lord Robert Winston March 2nd 2002 – Prof. Chris Isham and Prof. Lecturer in Science and Religion, Contact: Prof. John Hedley Brooke, Idreos Keith Ward FBA with Prof. Chris Clarke and Department of Theology. Professor of Science and Religion, Dept. of Rev John Kerr. Email: [email protected] Theology. Contact: Dr. Peter Fenwick, Institute of Email: [email protected] Psychiatry. Leaflet enclosed. Durham March 16th 2002 – Lord John Habgood and Wales – Lampeter Bristol Dr. Peter Fenwick September 21st 2002 – Prof. Keith Ward FBA March 6th 2002 – Dr. Peter Fenwick and Dr. Contact: Prof. Ann Loades CBE, Dept of and Dr. Peter Fenwick Susan Blackmore Theology. Contact: Prof. Paul Badham, Dept of Contact: Prof. Guy Claxton, Department of Email (bursar): [email protected] Religious Studies. Education, Prof. Ursula King, Dept of Email: [email protected] Theology. Email: [email protected] Leeds-York, St. Andrews, Glasgow Arrangements currently in the pipeline. See update on web site.

Seminars Main Conference Cosmic Purpose and Human Values in Science There are two seminars connected with the The culmination of the cycle of conferences and Religion – with Prof. Paul Davies and Sir series: an invited seminar at Charney Manor will take place at King’s London (Franklin John Polkinghorne. from 24-27 June and a student seminar from Wilkins Building) On June 29th and 30th. Mystical Experience and the Spiritual July 2-4 at St. John’s College, Durham. This Themes and speakers confirmed are: Convergence of Religions – with Prof. Keith will be attended by 120 students and teachers Science, Consciousness and Epistemology – with Ward and Prof. Ursula King, chaired by the from the twelve participating universities. Prof. Chris Clarke and Prof. Ravi Ravindra, Bishop of London. Speakers are Dr. Peter Fenwick, Prof. chaired by Rev. John Kerr. Geoffrey Cantor, Prof. Ravi Ravindra and Mind, Brain and Beyond – with Dr. Max Tickets for this conference will be available Prof. Chris Clarke. More details on web, also Velmans and Dr. Peter Fenwick, chaired by at the end of January and a leaflet will be of the Student Essay Prize. Prof. Jeffrey Gray. posted out in the April mailing.

News about the Office In the course of her work, Kate had Readers may recall that, in early 2001, Kate informed us of an increasingly precarious Brightwell was engaged on a temporary part administrative and financial position of the time contract both to manage the office and network which had not been apparent before. to analyse and report on our activities. She Our two basic activities, of running managed this Herculean task with care and conferences and servicing our members in efficiency, and we are enormously grateful for return for their subscriptions, were both all she has done. At the end of her contract beginning to run unacceptable deficits, while this year we decided to advertise internally for management and financial controls were a full time Network Manager (a post with inadequate. Our immediate priority is to more responsibility than simply an office rectify this. In addition, we had decided (even manager), and from a strong field of before the sad news of George’s death) to respondents we appointed Charla Devereux to this post. Charla has a long professional move the office out of his house. Charla thus experience in office organisation and inherits a challenging situation, which she is management, having been at IBM for 20 years tackling with skill and imagination. The office and having run her own business. In addition will be moving to her house and new, less she has a particular interest in complementary cumbersome systems will be put in place. We medicine, having written several successful hope that, after a transitional phase, this will books on aspects of it. Readers may know her mark the end of a period when the service we Charla Devereux writes: I am most excited husband Paul, a writer and broadcaster who is have been able to give our members has in about the role I am taking up with SMN and a member of the SMN and has spoken at our many cases fallen short of what we would am pleased to be part of an organisation I meetings. wish. have known for so many years and whose

34 Network No. 77 December 2001 ethos is so in tune with my own. It seems to dreams could be used in a similar way but are of his on Vacuum States also appears in this be a time for consolidation and the opening of of course less easy to recall on awaking. issue. In addition, you can download an a new phase for SMN: I will do my utmost to It might seem that a creative environment outline of his book from our site – see play my part in helping to facilitate this, and should be a stable and comfortable one; this Members’ Articles section. to ensure that the Network Office is made as was the theme for RICHARD accessible as possible and run effectively and CLEMINSON. He took us on a guided Beyond the Brain Book efficiently. I look forward to getting to know visualisation as we mentally moved around I am delighted to say that Thinking Beyond the many of you as time goes on. our bodies to find an area that felt most Brain was published by Floris Books at the comfortable and hence by extension, most end of October. A flier is enclosed with this Creativity Special Interest Group creative. mailing. How to be More Creative in a Few Easy In a similar vein KATE BRIGHTWELL Steps and VINCENT GUY used masks as the Consciousness Special Interest Group ‘Exploration into Creative Experience’ catalyst in their demonstration. The rationale Julian Candy writes: After a lapse of over a Colet House – Saturday 27th October 2001 being that we would take a mask and decorate year the Consciousness Group met at Colet it in such a way that it would provide an House on 10 November. Twenty members Alex Sabell writes: In the true spirit of avenue to our inner spontaneity. I also felt it enjoyed a wide-ranging discussion on the creativity, the inaugural meeting of the demonstrated that a slight tension (from theme Conscious Studies – the way forward. I Creativity Special Interest Group was largely being with a group of strangers) coupled with gave a personal view of the current position, unscripted. The gathering was small, the disorder of a ‘blank slate’ could shake us mentioning the Manifesto prepared by the welcoming and a natural place to consider from our normal rational comfort and allow Science and Esoteric Knowledge Group. The some of the more experiential issues us access to our inner creativity. Indeed it has many contributions that followed explored in surrounding creativity. often been noted that some of the greatest particular not only the distinction between ED SARATH joined us from America and waves of musical novelty and inspiration can the hard and the soft problem, but also that opened the proceedings with his take on the appear out of hardship and difficulty – between conscious experience itself and creative process. As the head of a remarkable ragtime and the blues spring to mind. consciousness as a function or faculty. After ‘improvised orchestra’ it was no surprise that CHARMIAN WYLDE finished the day by lunch we developed themes which the Group music featured prominently. In fact before leading the group in an improvised drama. at future meetings might consider: too long he had us all improvising together Ed Sarath accompanied on piano and an Consciousness and Language (not forgetting using whatever we could find. To my surprise interesting piece emerged involving the whole memory!); the place of Action Research in it actually sounded quite good and I have group. We saw the slow development of the Consciousness Studies; and what evidence already take the liberty of forwarding the separate roles blend into a coherent whole can currently be assembled from the recording to the Eurovision Song Contest that could feed from all the separate instances disciplines concerned with consciousness that shortlist (apologies to any non-Europeans, of creativity. consciousness (and not matter) is primary. but believe me, if you have never seen the It is certainly hoped that this group will We proposed that speakers might be invited Eurovision Song Contest you are not missing grow and strengthen. We have something too much). Ed felt that it was vital to become solid to work on, several key ideas and an specifically to address these themes. All of us absorbed in the wholeness of an experience. insight into the more experiential side of I hope look forward to a sustained revival of This could be done through what he terms a creativity. Further avenues would include this Group, possibly in part through regional ‘flow state’ – good examples being meditation looking at mental blocks, meditation, meetings, since the topic is of interest and or relaxed visualisation. Oddly enough, spontaneity & spirituality and the notion of concern to so many members. silence was felt to be relevant. For example, if creativity possibly lying at the boundary of a musician concentrates on trying to play the order and disorder. The next move may be Forum for Integrated Healthcare absence of sound in a musical piece it aids towards a conference, which would of course The group has plans for a meeting later in greatly in the creative process. This is akin to be less experiential, but at the very least we 2002, so members will be kept informed. Zen art, where you are taught to look at the can look towards another meeting of the spaces in between objects, not the objects Creativity SIG. Science and Esoteric Knowledge Group themselves. On a lighter note, Vincent Guy The group met in October to make plans for commented that he had once been instructed Network Directory the future and to hear an excellent talk from that a perfectly and harmoniously pruned tree Due to the imminent office move, we have DR. EDI BILIMORIA on the mystical side of would be one through which a bird could fly decided to postpone the compilation of a new Isaac Newton, a topic to which he will return at any angle. Members’ Directory until the summer. An at the Mystics and Scientists conference in ANNE MILLER’S trade is assisting update notice will accompany the April issue April. Edi gave a comprehensive account of businesses in creativity. She values the and we hope to arrange for much of the Newton’s life, range of interests and methods holding of uncertainty, not diving in to a updating to be done by yourselves online! of work. The group will meet again in solution, trusting your instinct and using December to discuss the psychology of love dream or relaxation states. She told us about Network Book Prize 2001 and fear. It was felt that its future work should Thomas Edison who (on his way to amassing The 2001 Network Book Prize has been balance the intellectual with the experiential. a record number of patents) used to sit on a jointly awarded to DR. MARY MIDGLEY large steel plate and hold steel balls in his for her book Science and Poetry, reviewed in Gift Aid hands. As he dozed off, these would fall and this issue, and to DR. ALAN WALLACE for We are enclosing a gift aid form for UK wake him up. The imagery and trains of this book The Taboo of Subjectivity, reviewed in taxpayers. Please fill this in and send back to thought that he held at this point would be the April issue. Alan was a speaker at this the office! It adds over £10 to your standard rich with creative imagery and ideas. Nightly year’s Beyond the Brain meeting and a lecture subscription of £37. LOCAL GROUP NEWS

many members were willing to admit that our October and November meetings, on the Friends of the SMN, Auckland much human behaviour has more subject ‘Psychosis, dissociation, or spiritual LEO HOBBIS +64 9 478 7809 deterministic influence than often realised, experience: how can we tell?’ Andrew Leo Hobbis and Stuart Manins write: During few, if any, agreed that we are automatons explored the nature of psychosis, looking at August and September we had two meetings without responsibility and therefore live a life differences and similarities with dissociative on the topic, ‘Free Will versus Determinism’ devoid of the possibility of meaning. A general experiences, and considering the role that led by JONATHON CLARK. At first he consensus emerged for the view that spirituality may play in each. He proposed a clearly associated himself with the position something more than quantifiable theory of psychosis drawing on recent that Free Will is an illusion imbedded in our materialism is needed to explain the reality memory research (focusing on multiple psyche because of a fear of accepting and complexity of consciousness. Eventually memory systems) and the effects of stress on determinism and as a justification for the the speaker seemed to embrace a change of brain development. He argued that psychotic harshest of penalties in our society. Vigorous opinion with such equanimity that one was symptoms can be understood by taking the debate ensued defending or rejecting the left wondering if this is what he intended from perspective of the sufferer—someone who polarisation of these concepts and the merits the beginning. feels themselves in danger but cannot localise or otherwise of defining freedom separate ANDREW MOSKOWITZ, a lecturer in the source of danger. Dissociative experiences from its association with human will. While psychology at the University of Auckland, led appear to link on one side with psychotic

Network No. 77 December 2001 35 symptoms and on the other with spiritual sessions. In May we met in Norrköping • Explained the mechanisms of knowing experiences. For example, many persons with hosted in the home of the very generous and understanding that involves music. dissociative identity (multiple personality) ANNE RAMSTEN. Anne is also our Swedish • Addressed what can be learned and taught disorder appear to have one personality with connection regarding AGM 2002 which is by music. the role of spiritual guide who often claims to going to be held in Norrköping. be ageless and timeless. Many questions She had an exciting talk about healing, THE INFLUENCE OF MUSIC ON would seem to remain unanswered at this aura reading and what to think about when LIVING THINGS, (YANNICK VAN stage. Is DID simply an exaggeration of treating another person. We learned how to DOORNE) normal personality? Are such people more see the aura, most of us also did, and I The research discussed is mainly done by aware of their ‘parts’ than most others, or are volunteered as a patient during a healing investigating existing literature and has been they different in more fundamental ways? Do session. I hadn’t told Anne or anyone else focussed on the latest discoveries. However out-of-body experiences and experiences of about a current ailment. Anne found it to my complementary scientific experiments on past lives fit in here somewhere? The best way big surprise and the group was taught how to tomato plants have shown that exposing to distinguish spiritual experiences from the proceed when finding an ailment on the plants to ‘protein music’ can change plant psychotic and dissociative may simply be to patient. She gave me a healing session and growth patterns. One experiment showed that examine how the subjects’ lives are affected. the pain disappeared during the coming a 6-minute per day exposure to appropriate Are the experiences positive or negative, month. Thank you Anne! music resulted in a 20% increase in plant enriching or diminishing? In October we met in Mönsterås. MATS height after 8 weeks. The fundamental Leo Hobbis had the good fortune to NIKLASSON and his wife IRENE were discovery he reported is that a protein known attend the recent SMN conference on hosts.We were introduced to their fascinating to influence cell growth can be expressed in ‘Scientific and Spiritual Perspectives on work with children and adults who have the normal way with codons corresponding to Meditation’ and will report on the conference difficulties in cognitive functions. They work amino acids and also as a musical sequence. to our December meeting. with training clients in auditive In addition, protein music by its nature is a discrimination and different patterns of physical phenomenon and so provides a moving exercises. One of their basic ideas is mechanism to understand how proteins Australia that early reflexes disturb cognitive interact among themselves. With well-known LLOYD FELL +61 2 4751 8835 development during infancy and childhood. concepts such as resonance at our disposal Lloyd writes: Lack of news in recent issues Through their training the child is given a this gives a new way to understand multi-level does not mean we have been idle. Dr ALEX second chance to go back there to there-and- interactions that are common in nature but REICHEL, Prof.VALERIE WALKERDINE, then to restore the disturbed process into a difficult or impossible to model with a Prof. STUART HILL and I all made new self organising, healthy and deterministic approach. presentations and led some interesting developmental process. The results they are discussions in the latter half of last year. Both getting are astonishing. Children who used to THE POWER OF SOUND AND MUSIC Alex and Valerie also presented to SMN in be unable to work in the classroom have now (ROBERTO CORTESI, Musicothérapeute) England so their work is probably known to no problems with it and their schoolwork is Since the beginning of time man has used many members. Stuart’s topic was Balancing developing. Happy parents and happy sound and music in the health and spiritual the Known and the Unknown and drew on children! aspects of life. The talk covered a history of his work as the Foundation Professor of And a happy Swedish local group which music and sound in health and therapy. This Social Ecology at the University of Western will have the next meeting in Kalmar 19-20 brought us up to present day practices. The Sydney. He has two new books out this year: May 2002. It will be hosted by BIRGITTA subject was brought home with vivid At the Edge – Sustainable Development in the LARSSON, acupuncturist and TCM examples of using music and sound and 21st Century (UBC Press) in which he is co- practitioner, among other things. suggested possible new applications of the author with Anne Dale, and Ecological Also invited to our meetings are people approach. Finally we touched on the issue of Pioneers – A Social History of Australian who we think would be an interesting the scientific basis for such an approach. Ecological Thought and Action (Cambridge member and have interest in SMN. Usually we succeed in getting a new member or two at University Press) in which he is co-author Chilterns Group with Martin Mulligan. My own contribution the meetings! Our local group is thus slowly expanding. About locality – Sweden is to our group was entitled Seven Secrets of ELAINE HADFIELD 01442 864613, aproximately twice as large as UK.The length Cognitive Science. These have evolved into MIKE REVELEY 01442 258309 from the North to Malmö City in the south is Seven Aspects of Knowing on my website Elaine writes: In August the group met at the equal to Cornwall-Malaga or Dover-Neaples. since then. It is essentially my re-working of home of Anne Silk. This has become an Thus, we don’t have weekly meetings the biology of Maturana and Varela with annual occasion where open discussion on a yet…..We are also happy to invite you all to variety of topics is the norm - and of course it SMN philosophy and the interface between the next AGM! You are warmly welcome!! the known and the unknown very much in gives rise to the most interesting diversity. On mind and I hope to submit some publications this occasion SAD - seasonal affective on it to the Network shortly. Swiss Group - Western Switzerland disorder - was described as it had affected the This year we have enjoyed another session MIKE HORNER +41 2277 69638, CHRIS life of a young English woman who had been with Dr ANGELA BREW about her exciting MUTH, German Switzerland PETER living in Norway for some years. She had new book: The Nature of Research – Inquiry in BINZ and BARBARA JAECKLI +41 1 311 found it greatly debilitating and depressing Academic Contexts (Routledge-Falmer) and a 9619 and she described the methods by which she highlight again was her own reading of MIKE HORNER and CHRIS MUTH are had sought to overcome this condition. extracts from the entertaining fiction which the new Co-ordinators for Western Anne’s relaxed and informal hospitality made intersperses the serious exposition in this Switzerland who organised this meeting. this a most pleasant evening. book. Another lovely evening led by one of Hearty thanks are due to Kurt Dressler for his Our September meeting was held at the our younger members, Dr ROSEMARY dedicated work with the group. Mike reports: home of Jean Galbraith – with delightful FAIRE, gave us an opportunity to experience The ‘Western Switzerland’ group met on refreshments and hospitality. Here ‘Poiesis: The Arts, Imagination and Sunday 25 November 2001. 12 SMN RODNEY HALE talked about his Alternative Experiences of Worlding.’ Rosey members were present with five guests and measurements taken when the group meets lectures in music therapy, writes and four invited speakers. There were three talks. for healing and/or meditation. He believes he illustrates in amazing ways and we look MUSIC, A TOOL FOR KNOWING can now demonstrate significant results to forward to continuing this exploration of the (VINCENT CHAPPUIS and AKOS show that subtle changes take place which artistic experience at the interface of knowing DOBAY) can affect physical measuring systems. As and not knowing. A future member, CLAIRE The talk summarised the results of the Rodney hopes to write more fully about this JANKELSON, led a discussion and ARCHEBOL group’s research into music work any interested parties should contact experience of the kind of Dialogue inspired which is motivated by the observation that the him directly. MIKE ROGERS followed on by David Bohm and we have an astronomical conservatism that exists in academia also with a well-received talk about ‘Mysteries’ physicist and long-time member, Dr HUGH exists in society at large and tremendous covering a variety of phenomena for which at MURDOCH, speaking shortly. technology changes have not been the moment there seems to be no rational accompanied by complementary changes in explanation. Again there was a full house with more new members. Swedish Group the fundamentals of thought. The purpose of the talk was to show how necessary it is to Advance Warning: Popular demand has BO AHRENFELT +46-470-126-00 bring back some important forgotten decreed that we should hold our biennial Bo writes: The Swedish local group has met knowledge from music. The talk: - conference day in 2002 in the Friends’ twice during 2001. We usually start our • Clarified the role of music in thought and Meeting House at Berkhamsted on Saturday meetings on a Friday evening with a get- knowing throughout history. 15th June - 9.30am-5pm On this occasion together dinner and informal discussions. On • Defined what we mean by the notion of the speakers will be ALBERT BUDDEN, Saturday we have lectures and experiential music. MONTAGUE KEEN, ANNE SILK and

36 Network No. 77 December 2001 ANDY THOMAS. An excellent lunch will be was also involved in this research described move genes across species, which Nature does served and there will be morning and the subjective experiences of the musicians not do, and to enable genes to function in afternoon refreshments included in the price themselves. alien environments. However, there are many of the ticket which will be about £22 and all For our November meeting we were dangers. Such gene insertion is totally tickets will be obtained in advance. This will delighted to have PAUL DEVEREUX to random and disruptive to the organism. be on a first come, first served basis. A warm speak on Haunted Landscapes. Paul took us Results are also extremely unpredictable - welcome is extended to members of other on a marathon tour of the world’s sacred sites although there is the potential to make a local groups to join with us on this social and illustrated with more than a hundred slides. positive attribute more potent, it is possible to informative occasion. Tickets can be reserved He made the distinction between places make a disease more virulent (e.g. from Mike Reveley Tel 01442-258309 associated with spirits, such as the ‘fairy meningitis). Moreover, scientific exploration paths’ of Ireland, and those associated with is open to the excessive control, seduction Spirit, i.e. which seem to facilitate contact and manipulation of rich, powerful biotech Devon and Cornwall with the divine. With many illustrations from companies that are able to fund GE research. WENDY STAYTE – 01803 868305 around the continents, he showed how sacred Moyra then described some core issues that Wendy writes: Two of our local members, sites are often based on simulacra, i.e. natural needed more debate in GE: (1) Increased WILL WILSON and YIG LABWORTH features which look like beasts, giants, faces genetic testing may choose to ignore talked to us about their therapeutic work with etc. individual rights not to know about genetic those who had not healed from shock and We were also delighted to welcome Paul’s disorders. People with certain diseases may trauma in the past. They were generous in wife, Charla, who has just been appointed to be marginalised within society, creating a sharing their ideas, hypotheses and the new post of Network Manager. ‘genetic underclass’. (2) The value of genes is experience in this field. Acknowledging that Our future programme includes Moyra becoming increasingly competitive in the in this imperfect world stress and trauma are Bremner, John Clarke, Brian Goodwin and marketplace due to corporate purchasing of part of all our lives as we grow up, they Alan Wallace. Exact dates and venues are yet patents to possess certain genes, ensuring that focused their talk on people who had been to be determined rival organisations cannot research them. traumatised in such a way that they did not For further details or to be included on the This encourages isolationism, corruption, naturally heal with time, and remained stuck Guildford Group e-mail list, contact Diana and pushes up the costs of medical treatment. in old patterns of behaviour and experience Clift on [email protected] or tel: 01483 (3) Accidental gene transfers is one of the that do not serve the present moment. they 417922 most serious risks facing the planet, according reminded us that deepening our to Professor Stephen Hawking. Constant understanding of the effect of exceptional leakage of GE organisms, which are difficult North London Group trauma on the human psyche had come from to contain as they are inherently invisible, acquaintance with the suffering of war RUPERT KINGLAKE TOWER: occur frequently owing to grossly inadequate victims, particularly focusing on study of 0171-435 9730 safety and security measures being taken. (4) casualties in the first world war and the Rupert writes: The North London Group has Animal to human organ transfers increase the Vietnam war. (I was deeply aware of the irony enjoyed a vibrant range of speakers during the risk of the creation of new diseases as the of giving time and attention to the topic of Autumn months. On September 19th, the animal viruses adapt to the human and vice helping people heal from trauma, at a time bioenergy healer TROND BJORNSTAD versa (e.g. baboonisation). Furthermore, when in all our names our military force was gave a powerful demonstration of the transplants can contain memories from the daily traumatising the people in Afghanistan application of bioenergy in health and original donor. (5) Bioterrorism and in this most recent war.) healing. Bioenergy can bring a person into biological weapons. GE can create disease I liked the emphasis of this couple on emotional equilibrium by the healer’s bio- organisms that evade vaccines, ensuring helping those that came to them for healing to plasmic manipulation (BPM) of the immunity to protective measures attempting find or develop a place of safety within underlying forces or electro-magnetic waves to eradicate them. (6) Insects can be themselves. they sounded versatile in their within the individual’s body. Trond showed manipulated to cause sterility, or to turn a methods to achieve this end, and were clearly us the process of healing in practice with vital life function on or off. (7) Soil prepared to take charge and be directive in volunteers from the audience. He went on to destruction with the potentially disastrous their endeavours to facilitate this process.The describe the basic fields that can be affected, consequence of global famine. discussion after the presentation was thought the method of diagnosis aided by client Moyra emphasised the need now for the provoking and prompted other network feedback, the relationship between speed and human race to address these GE issues, and members who are therapists and healers to system functioning, and the important power to understand the fundamental share some of their own experiences and points, centre line and the body’s two halves. ‘interconnectedness’ of humanity. She ended different ways of understanding their clients. MARILYN MONK gave a brave and with a salutary quotation: ‘We can glide into In discussing this occasion with other insightful talk about the need for ethics and the Stone Age on the gleaming wings of participants afterwards, I was well aware of morality in the field of New Genetics on science as easily as we can enter the 21st the interest Will and Yig had stimulated, and October 16th. Since the technological century’. am grateful to their adding to our ways of explosion and interest in genetics during the From 2002, CLAUDIA NIELSEN will understanding the human drama. 1980s, existing laws have offered little take on the co-ordination of the North guidance or policing of the ethical and moral London Group. She intends to foster Guildford Group issues involved in researching genetics, and increasingly close relations between the SMN pressures have mounted for scientists to work and the Institute of Noetic Sciences, and will DIANA CLIFT 01483 417922 with the human embryo from in vitro bring renewed dynamism and freshness to After eight years of meeting at Tuesley fertilisation (IVF) procedures. Owing to the our local group. I will continue to offer Manor, Bronwen Astor’s beautiful home in paucity of debate and engagement with support and to retain close links with the Godalming, the Guildford Group has had to ‘moral choice’ and the New Genetics, group. change venue. Bronwen is moving to London Marilyn expressed three factors that guided and we wish her every happiness in her new her in approaching the area. Firstly, Scottish Group home. In the short term we moved to the maintenance of ongoing dialogue with the Citizens Advice Bureau in Godalming where Higher Self and a need to look within to DAVID LORIMER 01333-340490 we had a pleasant well equipped room and achieve ‘right’ action. Secondly, constant David writes: The group was to have had two I’m delighted to say that the attendance has consideration of the pressures that divert meetings over the autumn but the first had to remained high. scientists from ‘right’ action (e.g. the over- be postponed. LOUISE DAVIDSON gave us Just after the world changing events of emphasis of ‘survival’ genes to the detriment a fascinating talk on holistic dentistry, of September 11th, we were lucky enough to of other gene categories). And thirdly, the which she is a practitioner. She took orthodox have a return visit from PROFESSOR JOHN necessity to be informed is paramount; dentists to task for overdoing orthodontic GRUZELIER, this time speaking on ignorance as wrong. Marilyn then examined work and gave a startling catalogue of chronic Neurofeedback, (biofeedback applied to brain in-depth some of the contentious issues in ailments that can arise from this and other activity by means of electrodes on the head genetics currently, including assisted types of dental treatment. Some of these linked to a computer and VDU). conception, therapeutic and reproductive effects can be electromagnetic, related to the Neurofeedback has been used to enable cloning, gene therapy, the Human Genome charge on the filling, while other effects arise severely paralysed people to communicate, so project, and the genetic modification of plants from a distortion of the jaw. One group is clearly of profound practical and clinical and animals. member bore this diagnosis out by relating a significance. John’s team has been testing the MOYRA BREMNER continued the long-term migraine condition to dental work. effects of neurofeedback on talented young Genetic Engineering (GE) debate with a It was generally evident that few dentists musicians, students at the Royal College of provocative examination of the most questioned orthodox opinions and that they Music. By both objective and subjective concerning aspects associated with the field, were scathing about less conventional criteria, neurofeedback improved their and the potential and actual hazards to methods and approaches. Dogmatism is performance significantly. Janine Edge who humanity. GE offers to Science the ability to ubiquitous, it just changes form and content.

Network No. 77 December 2001 37 Dossey in his lectures, that any ensuing Max summarised Frank’s talk and asked Isle of Wight Group discussion is bound to be very fruitful indeed what was the way forward, in spiritual terms. SONIA BEWICK 01983 868919, - thus it was that our meeting continued well A lively discussion followed. RICHARD PARAMOR 01983 761396 into the late evening. Frank went on to point to the theological (e-mail: [email protected]) Our 2002 programme has been finalised significance of the now established theory of Almost eighty members attended our and includes lectures by Peter & Elizabeth an expanding cosmos, which gave scientific plausibility to a creation event and thus September meeting to hear a inspiring talk by Fenwick, Clive Hicks, Caroline Ely, John MONTAGUE KEEN on The Scole Event. logically to a creating power. In the light of Montague spoke of his investigations with Gruzelier, Richard Betts and a return visit by this he suggested that religious faith should be Professor David Fontana and the late Arthur popular request of Montague Keen. We also concerned not so much with belief in the Ellison into the phenomena produced during plan a couple of video/discussion evenings existence of a divinity but in the possibility of seances held by a small group located at Scole and a ‘Jung’ afternoon/evening which will a meaningful relationship with it, thus re- in Norfolk. The talk was illustrated with a include three one hour videos, interspersed centring religion on the experience of the very professionally produced and mounted with refreshement/discussion breaks. divine presentation of photographs and other From the Isle of Wight we wish all The afternoon talk, presented by Gordon information. Most of the audience had taken Network members a healthy and enlightening Bevans was entitled Time: a new perspective. heed of our suggestion to arrive early in order New Year. He contrasted the experiencing of the passing to study the display before the talk, and there of time as experienced by the human mind was plenty of time after the talk to revisit the with the meticulously defined end measured displays and to chat informally with Yorkshire Group concept in physics. He termed these Montague Keen. We were able to MAX PAYNE 0114 230 4194, MIKE ‘duration experience/’, (DE), and ‘scientific congratulate Montague and his wife on their clock time’ (SCT) respectively. BROWN 01423 879038 marriage, which had taken place just a few He asked and addressed the following days before the meeting. Notes of meeting, 29 Sept 2001, by Michael questions: - This was the first, and as it transpired the Brown: The meeting was kindly hosted by 1) Is there a universal SCT ? last, of our meetings to be held at the Anthony Susan Steward in Knaresborough. 2) Is SCT a continuum and is it guaranteed? Minghella Theatre in the Quay Arts Centre, Chairman Max Payne welcomed the twenty 3) In what sense can SCT be said to have Newport. What a shame that such a superb members present, especially the two speakers ‘direction’? Arts Centre should elicit from our members drawn from the group: DR. FRANK 4) How are DE and SCT related? such strident comments about the PARKINSON, and DR. GORDON 5) Is DE a continuum or guaranteed? uncomfortable seating in its theatre. We are BEVANS. 6) Is there a paradox in that ‘now’ seems to fortunate, though, in being able to use the In the morning, Dr. Parkinson gave a talk contain features both of the past and the Conference Hall at St. Mary’s Hospital, and it entitled The Way and its Needs. This included future? is here that all our planned future meetings a succinct summary of the principal beliefs of will be held. the world’s main religions, and pointed to the Gordon invited people to contribute to the Our final meeting for the year was a discussions as he progressed with his talk, and fact that they had failed to converge over the video/discussion evening when we showed the not surprising on this issue time ran out video of Dr. Larry Dossey’s lecture Meaning ages. Despite this, they had each been very whilst discussions were in full flight. Frank and Medicine, which was the second in the influential in moulding the consciousness of rounded of the discussions nicely by defining series The Life of the Heart given at the sectors of mankind. He contrasted this with time as ‘what stops everything happening all Mystics and Scientists Conference in 1993. science, the core of which was universally at once’. So many ideas, theories, descriptions, accepted, and the fringes of which were Max thanked Susan for hosting the event explanations etc, are put forward by Larry subject to open-minded discussion. and for the splendid catering. MEMBERS’ NEWS AND NOTICES

Prof. Arthur Zajonc – The Barfield diseases, ranging from cancer to heart and section on healing through the paneurhythmy School circulatory disease, MS, arthritis and many sacred movements, colour healing and This is an interesting initiative in its early others. healing through music. It is a gem of a stages. Some readers will know about the The course material is based on the collection for all interested in spirituality and work of Owen Barfield (1898-1997) with his Gerson therapy, developed by the health. Contact Svetla on criticism of what he referred to as ‘dashboard distinguished German physician Dr Max [email protected] knowledge’. So this school aims to enable its Gerson over three decades of clinical practice. students to see behind the appearances and A team of experienced tutors will present the April Ryedale Taylor – The Wisdom thereby know the deeper dimensions of theory and practice of the therapy, enriched Trilogy human life and the world we live in. The with complementary techniques added since Her Trilogy on human evolution is now faculty of the Barfield School invites each Dr Gerson’s death. Recovered patients will complete, with the final volume, Risking student to join them in the life-long task of visit the venue to share their experiences of Wisdom, available from this Christmas. transforming one’s thinking, feeling life, and sickness and healing on this unorthodox Speeded up into seven generations of the actions to that end. The school intends to be therapy which has the longest and most family of Wisdom, from 1900 to the middle of a community of individuals committed to the successful track record in nutritional this present century, the work is in effect a integration of academic inquiry, spiritual medicine. poetic study of the emergence of practice and service. Joining Arthur will be Cost: Around £350 (exact price on consciousness in human form. How far we Member Bob McDermott Ph.D., Marie application). This includes six nights’ seem to have come, and how much further we Hubonette M.A. and Douglas Miller Ph.D. accommodation at an attractive conference have still to go - is the revelation of the final The School plans to begin its graduate work centre, all meals (organic, and prepared phase, Life Spreading, of this concluding in July 2002 and will offer an M.A. and Ph.D. according to the therapy’s dietary rules), volume. in liberal arts. Details: [email protected] juices, use of equipment, tuition and study Each book is available on cassette as well, materials. and can be had directly from the author for Beata Bishop - Six-day Seminar on Full details and application form from £7.70 plus p&p (or 3 sets or copies for £21). Nutritional Healing Gerson Support Group, PO Box 74, In Spring the whole Trilogy will be The second residential seminar for health Leatherhead, Surrey KT22 7YD. published in one volume at £12.60 p/b or professionals on nutritional healing will be £21.00 h/b (again with a discount if 3 are held from 9th to 15th May 2002, at High ordered). To inquire further, ring 01453 Ongar, Essex. It is organised by the Gerson Dr. Svetla Baltova – Methods of Healing 753235 or write to Fountain-head Press Support Group, a registered charity co- from the Master Peter Deunov Stroud, 20 Perry Orchard, STROUD GL5 founded in 1993 by member Beata Bishop, Svetla has produced a highly informative and 4QT. who is also one of the organisers and tutors practical 40-page booklet on Peter Deunov’s of the seminar. With only twenty places, methods of healing. It includes his thoughts Dr. John Mack – Centre for Psychology attendance is limited to practising health on the human body, reflections on health and and Social Change professionals who wish to learn about the illness, healing with food, water, exercise and John runs the Program for Extraordinary enormous potential of nutritional medicine in the sun. It contains an illustrated sequence of Experience Research (PEER) under the the treatment of chronic degenerative his highly beneficial 21 exercises then a auspices of this centre. He is best known for

38 Network No. 77 December 2001 his controversial book Abduction published in look at what I’ve put together. direct energy and to open the second gate of 1994. His most recent book Passport to the Smart people who are talking about healing. The combination of movement, Cosmos not only takes his earlier analysis another way can be found at rhythm, sound and breath will give a tangible further but also asks what such anomalous http://www.theconversation.org. From pithy and practical access to the various networks experiences and related phenomena can tell remarks to well thought-out observations, you within and around ourselves. Lecturers and us about ourselves and our evolving will delight in this gourmet food for thought. dancers will converge for this event. knowledge of the nature of reality. One of the If I only could read one person’s Registration by mail to: El Haddawi‘ , C/o most interesting findings is the consistent commentary, I’d pick what Geov Parrish Verena & Thomas Farnbacher, Hauptstr. 13, environmental message emerging from these writes. He tracks all developments, cutting 83355 Grabenstätt/Germany by fax to: experiences. The Centre publishes PEER through the reality maze with an edge that’s Perspectives and has a full resource list. Web: very satisfying to me. You can follow his +49/8661/ 929 700 by e-mail to: www.centerchange.org and www.peermack.org thoughts on the site.You’ll also find opinions [email protected] and web: of mine, with some exchanges with me that www.elhaddawi.de Bryce Taylor – Oasis School of Human have ensued. Tell me what you think of what’s Relations posted. We weave the new reality as we Hilary Miflin – Vital Plants Oasis has been working in the field of exchange ideas. In the report on the Continental Meeting in developing Human Relations for the last 20 France, Diana Clift mentioned Hilary’s years, providing freelance training and “Upon this gifted age, in its dark hour, garden with the herbs that she makes into consultancy support to organisations largely Rains from the sky a meteoric shower oils. She has produced a small booklet in the public sphere – education, social and Of facts...they lie unquestioned, uncombined. describing the project. It explains her health care. It currently offers developmental Wisdom enough to leech us of our ill philosophy, cultivation of plants, preparation learning programmes, organisational Is daily spun, but there exists no loom of oils and then has a detailed section on development, total staff care and its own To weave it into fabric...” Clary Sage Essential Oil. Herbalist readers practitioner community. Its latest newsletter -Edna St.Vincent Millay- will be fascinated by this work. Hilary can be introduces its approach and explains its contacted on [email protected] policies. Most informative. Then they have a [email protected] - separate calendar of events with many courses http://www.mightycompanions.org Dr. Christiana Oware Knudsen – Light (some free of charge) and a number of Being Research Network training certificates. Details: phone 01937 Ingo Taleb-Rashid – Winter School 541700, web www.oasishumanrelations.co.uk Rashid’s Winter School for Body, Energy, Christiana co-ordinates this network of Spirit will take place at the Frauenworth people dedicated to the exploration of the Suzanne Taylor - Where To From Here? convent in Germany.This year’s focus will be phenomenon of Light Beings and their Suzanne writes:Would you like a spot you can laid on the expression of voice and energy possible influence on human beings. It is call home? A place you can find minds that within bodywork. Dance, Martial Arts, Ritual based on a triangle of Light, Love and Unity think in big pictures? If you are going nuts, Movement and Healing Systems are strongly and transcends existing scientific not believing your eyes at the stupidity of based on the proper use of energy and breath. assumptions. what is being played out in the world, take a Voice, as a channel of breath, is a means to Contact: [email protected] MEMBERS’ ARTICLES

The following Members’ articles are available at series of experiments showing that death field, dating back more than ten years. 15 p per sheet + 30 p postage per five sheets. results in a measurable loss of weight in his Essential reading for people in the field. Small UK orders are best paid in stamps. experiments on worms. Overseas Members can add the appropriate Medical Science Beyond Bio-Tech – Jens amount to subscriptions or pay by credit card. Can Prayer Heal? Jennie Davis (4 pp) Jerndal (6 pp) PLEASE CONTINUE TO SEND ARTICLES An overview article describing some recent A lecture given in Sri Lanka in 1998 which FOR THIS NETWORKING SCHEME. experiments. sets out Jens’s view of future medicine and THOSE SENT ON DISK CAN BE POSTED develops the analogy of software technology TO OUR WEB PAGE.An asterisk indicates that to describe the significance of the invisible MEDICINE the article is available for download from the web. electromagnetic dimension of the human Efficacy of Bach-flower remedies in text organism. SCIENCE anxiety – Harald Walach et al, from Journal of Anxiety Disorders (5 pp). What Should We Expect of 21st Century Relativistic Quantum Mechanics as a Discusses the results of a double-blind, Medicine – Jens Jerndal (5 pp) Telegraph – Olivier Costa de Beauregard - placebo-controlled, randomised trial with Sets out the holistic principles that Jens would Foundations of Physics,Vol 31, No 5. (12 pp) partial crossover. Concludes that the like to see embodied in 21st century Suggests that the Fourier link is best remedies are an effective placebo for test medicine. A concise survey of issues. understood as an information carrying anxiety but do not have a specific effect. telegraph, the code of which is Born’s PSYCHOLOGY/PARAPSYCHOLOGY extended by Dirac and Feynman. Suggests The Effects of a Caffeine Placebo and that Stapp’s recent discussion of Experimenter Expectation on Blood *The Dimensional Structure of psychokinesis in a quantum context should be Pressure, Heart Rate, Well-Being, and Consciousness – Sam McLaughlin (16 pp) resumed in association with an EPR Cognitive Performance European Summary: It is widely if not universally correlation and proposes an experimental Psychologist – Harald Walach et al. (11 pp assumed that the three dimensions of test. from European Psychologist, Vol 6, No 1, ordinary space are imaginary lines differing March 2001, pp.15-25) only in direction. I advance, with supporting *Virtual Particles and their Studies the effect of experimenter evidence, the hypothesis that this assumption Philosophical Consequences – Frank expectations and different instructions in a is in error, and that only the first dimension is Parkinson (7pp) balanced placebo design with 157 subjects. A linear, the second being surface-like and the Starts by comparing the real with the virtual, fascinating account with some complex third spatial or solid. On this hypothesis it is moving on to a consideration of three kinds of results that show an experimenter effect but conscious awareness, not the physical world, virtuality, beginning with Dirac. This leads to no effect from instruction. that has a dimensional structure; and the a fundamental reconsideration of the dimensions form a sequence in which each is foundations of modern physics: the Sferics and Headache: a prospective a subset of its successor. I show that this uncertainty principle, general relativity, the study – Harald Walach (6 pp from sequence can be extrapolated to a conception particle model of force acting at a distance Cephalalgia, 2001, 21, 685-90) of the fourth dimension as representing the and the basic taxonomy of particles. Proposes Concludes that some headache patients may duration of the present moment (‘now’); and the creation of an interdisciplinary be susceptible to sferics, which are low that conscious awareness is of fractional metascience. frequency, low intensity EM pulses radiating dimension between three and four, the higher from distant meteorological events. levels within this range representing an Additional Weight and Unknown Vacuum increase in the extent to which neurological Energies of Living Organisms – Amrit Follow-up Survey of ME/CFS/MCS inputs from the past (memory) and future Sorli (2 pp) Patients - Doris M Jones (24 pp) (anticipation) are incorporated into the A short paper describing the author’s 1987 A detailed account of Doris’ work in this momentary act of awareness.

Network No. 77 December 2001 39 *Panpsychism, the Conscious Brain and prayer. Forgiveness – (6 pp) follows on from *Plato’s Lambda – Its Meaning, Beyond the previous paper and defines forgiveness in Generalisation and Connection to the – Emmanuel Ransford (11 pp) terms of transforming the energies of hatred, Tree of Life Summary: Brain awareness and first-person, anger and fear. This allows a deeper - Stephen M Phillips (19 pp) subjective experience are tough mind- connection with life and people to emerge. Builds on the early work of Leadbeater and bogglers indeed. To make things worse, our Rachel illustrates this with some telling case Besant and applies Platonic geometry to the current materialist science could be histories. This is sensitive writing about Tree of Life. Shows that Pythagoreans valued terminally ill-geared to deal with them. important issues. the Tetractys not so much for its symbolic, However, it has a point: brain awareness sacred meaning but because it has the power doesn’t come out of thin air, it critically The Consciousness Manifesto – Revisited of generating and expressing the depends on a set of neural activities. – Peter Welsford (6 pp) mathematical nature of the physical and This, to be sure, provides an invaluable A commentary on a number of recent articles spiritual cosmos. The numerical properties of insight into the inner workings of our in the Review, including Berneard Haisch, the Lambda tetractys are found to correspond awareness-begetting brain. Yet this descriptive Chris and Isabel Clarke, Emilios Bouratinos with those of the Kabbalistic Tree of Life. account falls woefully short, explanation-wise, and Peter Russell. Proposes a theory of theory Draws parallels between the ten-fold nature of providing any telling clue. This lack of forms and a ‘hidden harmonics’ behind of divinity and the ten-dimensional space understanding raises the so-called hard specific constants. problem of consciousness. time of superstring theory. Just as In a bid to unlock it, I put forward a mathematics is the language of the Divine panpsychic approach based on the PHILOSOPHY/RELIGION Mind in which, as Galileo said, the book of psychomatter hypothesis. According to it, Nature is written, so music is the natural *The Soul-Body Interface language of the soul. Its mathematical what we are wont to take for plain matter – Jens Jerndal (9 pp) composition must therefore reflect the really enshrouds an oft-latent – and hence Presentation at the 1999 Potsdam similar, perfect harmony of the soul’. A tour hidden, unseen – ‘psychic’ or ‘psi’ content. Continental Meeting. A critique of de force of an article. See also The ‘psi’ parts of elementary particles would materialistic accounts which then advances a be the raw building blocks of higher-level, view based on Burr’s L-Fields as expressions www.smphillips.8m.com macro-psychic conscious experience. of soul information on the physical plane. He correlates this activity with that of the chakras *Old Ideas of Life and Mind *A Proposed Model of Psychosis, to produce a comprehensive theory of soul- – Ananda Wood (23 pp) Spirituality and Faith body interaction that is broadly familiar from A brilliant and systematic consideration of a – Lyn D Andrews (8 pp) esoteric traditions. This is then neatly linked number of key elements of life and mind such Based on a presentation at this year’s to esoteric astrology, with the hypothesis that as the role of calculation, the translation of psychosis and spirituality meeting in the pineal gland is the crucial interface. the original five elements of matter and their Winchester. A very interesting reflection on Morphogenetic fields become the critical modern equivalents, the many levels and this question drawing on the author’s own interface between the spiritual and physical meanings of energy, the different ways of experience. She sees a strong sense of dimensions. knowing and the status of truth. Repays close connection and self-acceptance correlated study. with mysticism while a weak connection and *The Materialisation of Consciousness or feelings of isolation and non self-acceptance Invisible Dimensions of Reality - Jens *Where thought turns back … A skeptical may lead to psychosis. Jerndal (6 pp) approach to the truth Examines the causal efficacy of the invisible - Ananda Wood (20 pp) Communicating with the Dead: Why inner realm and the ways in which this is Takes the epistemological issues of the Paul Kurtz is wrong almost entirely neglected by modern previous paper further by suggesting that - Montague Keen (10 pp) medicine – where only the physical is learning is a continuous process of expression Needs to be read in conjunction with Paul considered as real. This can lead to serious and reflection. Investigates the differences Kurtz’s article criticising claims to be communicating with the dead. Kurtz’s article misunderstandings and an underestimating of between science and philosophy, suggesting is a classic exposition of skepticism and the power of the mind over the body. Jens that in philosophical enquiry no statement or contains a number of unsubstantiated considers the dynamics of cancer and picture is fundamental in itself. Altered states throwaway lines that reveal his own prejudice carefully distinguishes different levels of cause give us a new view of all this and Wood in the matter. Monty takes him on and and outcome, some of which may be analyses the different states of absorption or exposes the inadequacy of his arguments. inherently spiritual. This leads into some samadhi. He then looks into the distinctions reflections of the possible future of medicine. between waking, dreaming and sleep, moving An Essay on my Journey into Meditation on to a consideration of the nature of and Some Related Areas The Architecture of the Universe and the happiness. He finishes by seeing that beneath – Sam Razali (6 pp) Modelling of Hyperspace with Platonic all knowledge is love so that ‘when love is A wide-ranging reflection on meditation Solids understood in this sense, it is itself the goal of drawing on both literature and personal – Chris Turner (16 pp) truth that is sought through understanding.’ experience. A detailed comparison of the ancient cosmology of Plato’s Timaeus with modern *Freedom of the Mind, Body and Spirit Observation of Events Produced by physical cosmology. Uses an analogue in a Vast and Friendly Universe Joseph Nuzum on 12th December 1999 formula to advance his argument drawing on – Lyn Andrews (15 pp) – Alexander Imich et al - The Paranormal traditions of sacred geometry. Here Lyn gives the background to her recent Review, July 2001 (3 pp) experiences and writings on consciousness Describes eleven separate demonstrations of The Scientific Validity of Morality – Vijay and its relation to science. Her ideas are Asrani (17 pp) various telepathic, precognitive and macro- extremely interesting and bear some A detailed exposition of some fundamental psychokinetic events with Joe Nuzum, then resemblance to the philosophy emanating propositions of Hindu Vedanta philosophy assesses their significance. from ‘Conversations with God’, as the that draws some parallels with Western scientific concepts. We should strive towards following line will show: ‘God created life to Phenomenal Consciousness, the Self and experience it; the experience of life is God’. Volition selfless work and the cultivation of virtues as a means of attaining union with the Supreme. This leads to some considerations on God, – Keith Sutherland (4 pp, from THES) time and evolution leading to a concept of co- Argues that there are three – not one - hard creation. problems in consciousness studies: *The Three States of the Soul – Physics phenomenal consciousness, the self and and God volition. – Edward Rodrigues (11 pp) *Swedenborg and Survival – Presidential A synthesis of philosophy and science Address to the Swedenborg Society Conflict Resolution discussing the possible relation between the – David Lorimer (7 pp) - Rachel Jessel Kenyon (9 pp) hidden dimensionality of space and the Examines Swedenborg’s ideas about survival Describes a remarkable workshop in which a psychic unconscious, the nature of movement in the light of his unusual experiences and number of unstable adolescents are given or energy, evolution and symmetry breaking, compares these with more modern accounts. space to express their feelings and eventually God as embodying perfect symmetry. Also Swedenborg was a pioneer of a first-person acquire some sense of connection with each proposes that the vacuum state might be a approach to consciousness studies. other. The key factor is to provide an gateway to spiritual dimensions. There is environment free of fear, but with clear some question about the levels involved here *Four Dimensions of the Scientific boundaries. It becomes clear that much of the and arguably a confusion between what Tradition – B Alan Wallace (22 pp) anger generated was from being hurt – and Wilber calls transcendence and subscendence Excerpted from Alan’s prize-winning book the boys point to their heart when describing – the first spiritual and the second physical The Taboo of Subjectivity – gives a taster that this. A Prayer for Forgiveness – a moving underpinning. will surely encourage you to buy the book!

40 Network No. 77 December 2001 *Spiritual Aspects of Life Group – Green’s lecture at the recent conference. US to question its own motivation within the Meeting held at Lake House, Ockley on 25 Wonders if ‘the evolution of consciousness, at context of an us vs. them dualism. July 2001 (13 pp) once through and out of Time, is the engine A summary of the day’s proceedings with for Creation’s recognition of itself’. Parashat Nitzavim and this Week’s Julie Soskin on Insight and Intuition. Events The Severing of the Sacred Link Between – Rabbi Uziel Weingarten (6 pp) Bishop John Robinson Fellowship Mankind and the Planet A radical reflection on 9/11 looking especially Newsletter – Tim Glazier (2 pp) at elements of denial, loss of moral direction – September 2001 (19 pp) Takes a historical look at our relationship with and lack of responsibility on the part of the Contains four lectures from a conference held US for its energy needs. at the Institute of Psychiatry in November the earth and the severing of the sacred link 2000. It was built around the four quadrants by means of the ‘theft’ of the sacred surplus The Terrorist Crisis of Ken Wilber. John Rowan spoke about generated by the land.This analysis leads Tim – William Bloom (5 pp) Spiritual Truth and Reality, Sean Spence on to propose a radical rethinking of our A holistic and esoteric response to the 9/11 Religious Experience and Brain Funciton, attitudes to land: nature belongs to us all and events. David Lorimer on Cultural Reality and the surplus should not be appropriated by Patrick Bracken on Social Truth and Reality. individuals. This then feeds into the structure Death as Initiation The lectures make a good set. of politics and the tax system. – Jens Jerndal (3 pp) Another broader reflection on the significance *La Reincarnation est-elle une Questions: Seeking Uncommon Ground of 9/11. All elements were present except hypothese scientifique? – Anthony Judge (10 pp) water. Puts a reincarnational perspective as Emmanuel Ransford (3 pp) A penetrating set of questions arising from well as the thought that horrendous events Some incisive reflections on the nature of the 9/11 events. Provides material for hours of can issue in remarkable transformations. reincarnation, its possible proofs (Stevenson) reflection and argument. See also www.uia.be and theoretical connections with field theory An Imaginary Speech to the Nation and and non-locality in physics. the World *Terrorism, War and Consciousness - – Elisabet Sahtouris and Helga Breuninger Paul von Ward (9 pp) GENERAL (2 pp) A broad cultural reflection drawing on An inspired exercise – what would the leaders Time Loss: a possible clue to crop circle themes from his recent book Solarian Legacy. of the US have said if they had seen the Big phenomena – Adrian Cairns (6 pp) Points to the danger of exclusive dogmatism Picture of 9/11 with enormous psychological An intriguing reflection arising from Michael in any form and highlights the need for the sophistication and spiritual maturity. NEWS AND NOTICES

provide a forum for psychiatrists to explore people’s peers, she successfully followed her MEDICINE/HEALTH not only the influence of the major religions father’s excellent advice that if you want to Foundation for Integrated Medicine – that shape the cultural values and aspirations change the world you must get to the top and Awards for Integrated Healthcare of psychiatrist and patient alike, but also the not lose your principles on the way. Details: HRH The Prince of Wales presented the 2001 spiritual aspirations of those not identifying Tavistock House North, Tavistock Square, Awards for Integrated Complementary and with any one particular faith, as well as those London WC1H 9HX. Tel: 0207 387 7765. Conventional Healthcare. These awards, who hold that spirituality is independent of Web: wwwmwfonline.org.uk initiated by the Guild of Healthwriters and religion. first held, in conjunction with the Foundation Its meetings are designed to enable SCIENCE-SPIRITUALITY for Integrated Medicine, in 1999, recognise colleagues to investigate and share without excellence in the combined provision of fear of censure the relevance of spirituality to Temple University – Centre for Frontier complementary and conventional approaches clinical practice. It addresses a wide variety of Sciences to health in a therapeutic setting. They are religious and spiritual experience and Some readers will be familiar with the work of open to: complementary and conventional considers both pathological and normal this Centre which was run by Member Dr. practitioners or organisations working in phenomena in order better to understand the Beverly Rubik and is now directed by Nancy partnership conventional practitioners who overlap and difference between the two. The Kolenda. They produce Frontier Perspectives incorporate complementary therapies into Special Interest Group has been crowing and arrange some high-level meetings (the their practice. steadily and now has over 350 members. It most recent on maintaining wellness). This The shortlist of 11 for the 2001 Awards holds meetings every three months and journal contains peer-reviewed articles on contains projects from many areas of the produces its own newsletter. frontier issues in science, medicine and NHS including several primary care services, Further information from Sue Duncan, Royal technology and is currently published semi- such as an integrated smoking cessation College of Psychiatrists, Tel: 020 7235 2351 annually. Nancy would welcome manuscripts project at a Manchester general practice, from members. improving public access to complementary Chinese Medicine Online Book (and Tea) Email: [email protected] and web therapies in Newcastle Primary Care Trust, Shop www.temple.edu/CFS and the integrated service at Marylebone Charmian Wylde passed me details of this Health Centre, London. Other projects comprehensive online bookshop where you Certificate in Science and Spirituality include a menopause clinic in Sheffield can order a wide selection of titles and other This is a new course devised and run by Dr. offering homeopathy and aromatherapy, and products such as a CD-Rom of the Journal of Kevin Sharpe with his new Oxford Institute a centre offering marigold therapy for foot Chinese Medicine. Prepare, though, to be for Science and Spirit. Three courses are disorders. amazed by their Taiwanese Jade Green taken on the Internet and one is a two-week The joint winners were the Maternity Oolong Tea. It is lightly fermented, and, as residential in Oxford. The course currently Acupuncture Service at Derriford Hospital, they say on the blurb, ‘has a beautifully running is Spirituality and the Biological Plymouth and the Blackthorn Medical fragrant, fresh and green flavour. The tightly Sciences, then from January-March there will Centre and Trust, a GP Practice in curled leaves expand on brewing to their full be Spirituality and the Human Sciences and Maidstone, Kent. The runner-up was the glory. If all you have drunk before is standard from April-June Spirituality and the Physical Borders Primary Care Trust, whose service quality green tea from Chinese supermarkets Sciences. Then there is an immersion course was the use of essential oils in the mental or health food shops, prepare to be amazed by in Oxford in July 2002. For details consult health learning disabilities network of the the flavour and richness of Jade Green www.tui.edu Borders PCT. The award is a tremendous Oolong’. I would endorse that! It comes in boost for Dr. David McGavin and his team at 300g packs at £8.50 and you can order online Rhine Research Centre Blackthorn Trust which operates along from www.jcm.co.uk The Rhine Research Centre in Durham anthroposophical lines. For more information North Carolina continues the work of its see www.blackthorn.org.uk and for FIM see Medical Woman founders J.B and Louisa Rhine. Rhine www.fimed.org The Medical Women’s Federation dates back originally came to Duke University to join to 1917 and Medical Woman is its newsletter. Professor William McDougall in 1927 and Royal College of Psychiatrists It is an informative read on a good mix of later set up the Duke Parapsychology Lab. Spirituality in Psychiatry Special clinical and more general themes. There is a The Foundation for Research on the Nature Interest Group Presidential Address by Baroness Finlay of of Man became the Rhine Research Centre in A number of members have been active in Llandaff and an interesting interview with her 1995, the centenary of Rhine’s birth. The setting up this group. It was set up in 1999 to as well. As one of the recently elevated Centre is now aiming to expand and move to

Network No. 77 December 2001 41 new premises with better research facilities. and web: www.humanbeingsociety.org action dedicated to ridding the world of Enquiries to [email protected] nuclear weapons. Then Leonardo Boff from Silent Minute – An Invitation Brazil for his contribution to Liberation Alister Hardy Trust The original Silent Minute goes back to the Theology. Finally Jose Antonio Abreu from Many readers will know of the pioneering Second World War when it was instigated by Venezuela, founder of the National System of work on spiritual experience carried out by Wellesley Tudor Pole and millions of people Children and Youth Orchestras. More Sir Alister Hardy and the research that has joined in to pray for peace. This impulse has information on www.rightlivelihood.se been pursued since. They held a Members’ been renewed in our time and people are Day in November and now have a new and encouraged to spend a minute in silence each Bliss Music – Lucinda Drayton more interactive web site at evening at 9.00 local time. The object is to Lucinda Drayton sang beautifully for us in www.alisterhardytrust.org.uk open our hearts to love and our minds to Ripon this year. Her music is meditational truth. And the suggested prayer is ‘Source of and is accompanied by live strings, percussion my being, help me to live in Peace and SPIRITUALITY and guitar. You can visit her site on save my Home, the Planet Earth’. There www.blissfulmusic.com Buddhist-Christian Network is also a musical CD for sale. More details: Described as ‘a community for those [email protected] and web The Simultaneous Policy www.thesilentminute.org.uk interested in exploring the contemplative Describes itself as a radically innovative teachings of both traditions’, this is a new Holy Island Project approach to solving problems of corporate initiative set up by Elizabeth West, who spoke globalisation that offers win-win solutions for at Ripon this year. It is for people who feel the The Holy Island Centre for World Peace and Health is making good progress, having raised voters, civil society activists and politicians. need to share the journey with like-minded Its premise is that our current situation people who are serious about spiritual half of the £1.6 million required to establish the Centre. It is dedicated to inner and outer perpetuates a vicious cycle of competition practice. Wisdom and Compassion are the and that confrontation is not going to break pillars of the spiritual journey and will grow peace and is directed by Lama Yeshe Losal. Building work can now begin but the rest of it. SP therefore proposes the simultaneous through mutual trust and understanding enactment of a world policy for achieving between traditions. Contact: Buddhist the funds will be required to decorate, furnish and equip it. Patrons include the 17th Gyalwa global co-operation consisting of a range of Christian Network, Delfryd, Llanbedrog, measures to be enacted by all nations Pwllheli, Gwynedd, North Wales LL53 7UA. Karmapa, Lord Rogers and Sir Jonathon simultaneously. It has some powerful Email: [email protected] Porritt. May I encourage you to look at the web site and think of making a donation, as I endorsement and is fully explained in a book The Community of the Presence have myself: www.holyisland.org or email of the same name that will be reviewed in the Revd. Philip Roderick runs this community [email protected] next issue. In the meantime you can contact as ‘contemplatives-in-action:embodying the the International Simultaneous Policy way of love’. It nurtures contemplative Temenos Academy Web Site Organisation at PO Box 26547, London SE3 discipleship and spiritual leadership and has The most recent Temenos Academy Reviews 7YT. Email: [email protected] and web new Travelling Light, Dwelling Deep initiatives are reviewed in the Books in Brief section of www.simpol.org this issue. The Academy was founded by of contemplative Christian settlements, a Kathleen Raine and their Patron is HRH The school of mystical theology and the Well Barefoot Books for Children Prince of Wales. They hold lectures at the Barefoot Books are one of the leading Institute of Psychological and Spiritual Prince’s Foundation every term. Details of Development. Details from Philip at The publishers of beautiful and spiritually their programme can be obtained from oriented children’s books. Charlotte Lorimer Vicarage, 70 Scudamore Road, Amersham, Stephen Overy at PO Box 203, Ashford, Kent Bucks HP6 5DR. has reviewed one of them in the Books in TN25 5ZT. Phone: 01233 813663. Web: Brief but there are many gems to choose www.temenosacademy.org Next Now – The Human Being Society from. Nancy Traversy and Tessa Strickland An initiative from Gail Bates that has been have built up a fantastic list over the last ten propelled to its next phase by the 9/11 events. GENERAL years and have added audio tapes to their She mediates a vision of oneness which is the Right Livelihood Awards 2001 repertoire. Their 32-page catalogue is a imperative of planetary development and The 2001 Right Livelihood Awards address veritable feast. Phone 0870 241 5031 for a awakening. ‘The vision of oneness includes the roots of violence and instability in the catalogue or visit www.barefootbooks.com opposites, and requires a kind of thinking that world.There are four laureates: Gush Shalom is inclusive. It also requires an inclusive way and its co-founders Uri and Rachel Avnery Pickabook of responding. And it implies caring in an from Israel, who have for decades shown a This is a new internet bookshop inclusive way…..ultimately it means trusting way to peace between Israelis and (www.pickabook.co.uk) that has over 3 in the innate intelligence of growth itself’.The Palestinians. Trident Ploughshares are the million books in stock with up to 35% off challenge is to live the oneness. Email: next recipients, a model from the UK of most books. Your order also helps support [email protected] (a nice address!) principled, transparent and non-violent direct charities. FORTHCOMING EVENTS

BUSINESS AND CONSCIOUSNESS major gathering of those who wish to support articulated in my recent book Spirit Matters: Santa Fe, New Mexico an End to the Occupation of the West Bank Global Healing and the Wisdom of the Soul), our January 18-22, 2002 and Gaza, and a reconciliation of heart and basic goal is to create a world based on love Seventh conference in this series arranged by spirit between Israelis and the Palestinians (at and caring, ethical/spiritual/ecological the same team as the Science and a time when few people have been willing to sensitivity, generosity, open-heartedness, Consciousness meeting in Albuquerque. The critique the atrocities of the Sharon humility, joyful celebration of the goodness of dazzling array of speakers includes Neale government - though we also call for all that is and a recognition that there is Donald Walsch, Michael Lerner (see review Palestinians to reject terror and follow the enough and that we are enough, an intense section) and our own Jens Jerndal, who is non-violent strategies of Gandhi and Martin inner life that helps us overcome the crippling leading a workshop on business in the new Luther King), and as the creation of the first voices of ego and helps us develop a personal millennium. I must confess to being tempted national organisation for people of every and meaningful connection to the spiritual by ‘the conscious golf experience’, billed as spiritual and religious background who want reality of the universe, a recognition of the providing the three secrets of sound business, to support a spiritual politics. Unity of All Being, a planetary consciousness healthy relationships and superb golf. Sounds As the first major gathering of progressives that transcends our individualism and our the ideal mix of business and pleasure! It is after 9/11, it will be a way for us to say narrow nationalist and sectarian identities, also a prime networking event. More details: publicly that we reject not only the terrorism but which allows us to affirm our particular www.bizsprit.com of the Bin Ladens, but also the George Bush identities at the same time (hence we are also vision (or, as he rightly called it, crusade) of an organisation of progressive Jews, and FOUNDING CONFERENCE OF THE corporate capitalist modernity which is hopefully will soon become an organisation TIKKUN COMMUNITY marketed to the world as an intrinsic part of of progressive Christians, Muslims, Hindus New York, Jan 19-21 2002 globalised capital. and Buddhists as well), and which seeks to Michael Lerner writes:This has the potential to While our full vision is spelled out in the foster in us the capacity to respond to the be a fabulously important event, both as a Founding Statement which you can access at world with awe, wonder and radical gathering of liberal and progressive Jews, a www.TIKKUN.org (and even more fully amazement at the grandeur of creation.

42 Network No. 77 December 2001 THE SCIENCE OF MORALITY include a number of strands besides the Registration of energies of the Earth and the London, February 8-9 2002 cosmological: economics, relativism, tragedy, human by the GDV Camera; GDV A flier is enclosed for this most interesting shifts in cosmic views following on historical bioelectrography as a technique of event which includes lectures by Baroness change. Details: Rosemary Wright, School of investigation of energy fields. Susan Greenfield, Prof. Bill Fulford and Dr. Art History, 17-19 College St, St. Andrews, On Sunday the theme will be Wo r l d Peter Fenwick among others. Details from Fife KY16 9AD. Email: rew1@st- without Blindness. This will demonstrate a Member Dr. Graham Walker at Glebe House, andrews.ac.uk method for teaching visually blind people to Stisteds, Essex CM7 8AL or www.thescienceofmorality.com Twelfth Annual ISSSEEM Conference perceive information about their environment THE CO-CREATION PROCESS IN similarly to sighted individuals yet without SEEING WITH NEW EYES: SCIENCE ENERGY MEDICINE using their physical eyes. This technique is AND THE NATURE OF LIFE Boulder, Colorado called “Direct “Vision developed by Schumacher College, Devon June 14 –19 2002 V.M.Bronnikov. Specifically, we will discuss, March 3-22, 2002 This meeting will address the characteristics of the functioning of the A conference that touches one of the central practitioner/researcher and the human brain and energy - informational themes of interest to Network readers with client/participant engagement in a multi- structure of the brain when in the state of Brian Goodwin, Rupert Sheldrake, Chris dimensional interaction that is an integral “Direct Vision”; Scientific investigation and Clarke and Arthur Zajonc. It will challenge part of the healing process. The conference practical introduction of the technique; the underlying assumptions of mechanistic will emphasise the value of exploring, Creation of an international movement – science and will study some of the key understanding and nurturing the co-creative “World Without Blindness”. changes coming from cosmology, high-energy aspects of energy medicine practice and Details: [email protected] physics, quantum theory and the perception research.This conference, which I attended in of light, discussing what they mean for the 1996, is a tremendous networking occasion nature of life and consciousness and our and an opportunity to meet some of the INTER-SYMPOSIUM 02: Special Focus understanding of the world. Seeing the world leading people in the field. Information: Symposium on Cognitive, Emotive and in terms of interdependent systems has major 11005 Ralston Road Suite 100D, Arvada, CO Ethical Aspects of Decision Making and implications for the way we interact in social 80004, USA. Web: www.issseem.org Human Actions groups and for the structure of our Baden-Baden,Germany institutions. Details: Schumacher College, LIFE, MIND AND SOCIETY – Fritjof July 29 - August 3, 2002 The Old Postern, Dartington, Totnes, Devon Capra The symposium will provide a forum for TQ9 6EA. Tel 01803 865934, email: Schumacher College, Devon discussing issues related to ethical decision [email protected] and web June 30 - July 19 2002 making and actions. Welcomed are papers www.gn.apc.org/schumachercollege/ This course will offer a new conceptual from various disciplines - medicine, biology, framework for integrating the biological, psychology, sociology, philosophy, law, 3RD INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS cognitive and social dimensions of life. After economics, ecology, architecture, computing, ON PROJECTIOLOGY AND reviewing the synthesis of mind and matter CONSCIENTOLOGY presented in The Web of Life, he will extend ... For more information please refer to New York this approach to the social domain and http://www.iias.edu/ or email Iva Smit May 16-19 2002 discuss the implications of this extended ([email protected]). The third ICPC congress will focus on the framework for the management of human scientific exploration of consciousness, its organisations, economic globalisation, COLLEGE OF PSYCHIC STUDIES manifestation beyond the human body and biotechnology, and the building and Lectures at 7.00 pm, 16 Queensberry paranormal phenomena. Speakers include nurturing of sustainable human communities. Place, London SW7 Member Dr. Stanley Krippner on Details as for March seminar. January 29: Extraordinary Dreams, P.M.H.Atwater on The Sufi Path of the Heart – with Member What the NDE Reveals about Consciousness SCIENCE, INFORMATION, SPIRIT Sarida Brown and Dr. Waldo Vieira on Experience of St. Petersburg, 12-18 July 2002 February 5: Projectiology. Details on A congress at the weekend, followed by a Living the Life of a Modern Mystic – with www.iipc.org/congress workshop. The congress themes will be Member Dr. Christine Page (and another Energetic Studies: From the Earth to the Human THE MORAL COSMOS:THEMES AND Being. This will address bioactive zones, lecture at 12.30 p.m. plus a workshop on VARIATIONS sacred objects of various civilizations and February 8). St. Andrews, Scotland denominations, geoactive zones, megaliths March 8: June 11-15 2002 and pyramids of Europe, North and South The Body Remembers – with Leon Chaitow International conference of the Traditional America, ancient monasteries of Russia, April 9: Cosmology Society, Edinburgh. Papers are pyramidal and cupola forms of architectural Subtle and Spiritual Energies in our expected to treat a wide variety of themes and buildings, registration of their influence; Environment – with Member Peter Dawkins

Loaves and Fishes It is that dream we are carrying Why are you so afraid of silence, that something wonderful shall Silence is the root of everything. This is not If you spiral into its void the age of information. happen A hundred voices will thunder This is not that it must happen the age of information. messages that time will open up You long to hear Forget the news that doors will open up and the radio Rumi and the blurred screen. that hearts will open up that the mountain shall open up This is the time of loaves that springs shall well forward You have woken up late, and fishes. that the dream shall open up Lost and perplexed But don’t rush to your books People are hungry, that we one morning shall glide Looking for knowledge and one good word is bread into a harbour we did not know Pick up the flute instead and for a thousand. existed. Let your heart play. DAVID WHYTE Olav H Hauge Rumi

Network No. 77 December 2001 43 REVIEW SECTION

Editorial Note: Books marked with an asterisk can be purchased via the Network web site (www.scimednet.org) from Amazon.co.uk and the Network will receive a commission as a result.

he concept of choice is at States Supreme Court case of the heart of this book and SCIENCE Wisconsin vs. Yoder. This case tested the context of that choice the right of Amish parents to deny is in the practice of their children formal education counselling in beyond the primary level. Their case reproductiveT technology as it has been Limits to was that their culture and religion affected by developments in genetics. would be threatened. The State’s case Although the book is written from was that to deny education was to within the legal and professional Choice? restrict the future choices of these frameworks of the United States, the children and also that the State had a issues are equally important wherever John Maxwell Kerr right to insist upon an educated such technologies are available. citizenry. The Amish won this case. Each chapter begins with well- *GENETIC DILEMMAS: Deaf people, (as opposed to deaf articulated case studies: they pose the REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGY, people spelled with a lower case), are doubts Davis experiences about the PARENTAL CHOICES AND proud of their culture, likening their untrammelled affirmation of a CHILDREN’S FUTURES handicapped circumstances as parental right to choose what they Dena Davis societally induced, similar to the take to best for their families and Taylor and Francis (Routledge, Inc, disadvantages generated by racism or themselves according to their own New York), 2001, £13.99 p/b, sexism. If Deaf parents want to definition of the good. The good of ISBN 041592409X guarantee, through the application of the child affected by such choices has, genetic screening and in vitro states Davis, been relatively given little neutral. But one may have one’s doubts about this in practice and the fertilisation, that only a foetus who weight. The alternatives to parental will grow to become a deaf child shall autonomy, - state-sponsored eugenics author is right to draw our attention to the survey of British obstetricians be implanted, does this infringe the programmes or a heavily paternalistic rights of such a child to choose her life role for health-care professionals, - are which revealed that 13% believed that if a foetus has a genetic abnormality from as wide a range as possible? Is unacceptable not least because of the Kantian principle that persons their historical association with which was an avoidable mistake and not the ‘luck of the draw’, as it were, should be treated as ends in tyranny. themselves infringed when parental The Human Genome Project has then ‘the state should not be expected to pay for the specialised care of a autonomy forces children to live already made diagnosis of genetic restricted lives? And what is the role of disease technically easier and more child with a severe handicap where the parents had declined the offer of medical staff when confronted with efficient. However, where there is no such parental values and invited to possible present treatment, the prenatal testing’ and , implicitly, the termination of the pregnancy would counsel in a ‘value-free’ way?? alternatives of advocating abortion Disabilities activists have charged following amniocentesis or using in be an offer such parents could not refuse. This view is hardly compatible that using genetic testing and abortion vitro fertilisation and subsequently to avoid the birth of children with discarding unwanted embryos, are not with untrammelled non-coercive disabilities devalues and disrespects unproblematic ethically. It is not the parental choice and Davis is right to the lives of people now living with case that universal ethical pluralism explore this issue. those same conditions. Parents who renders such decision-making But, in the absence of a sex-linked demand the right to choose genetic innocuous. Anti abortionists in disorder, might a geneticist not America threaten death to medical challenge the values of a couple who enhancement of human attributes staff who support parental choices of wanted amniocentesis followed by already occupy morally uncertain this sort. abortion for sex-selection only? By ground relative to parents The problems which I found most respecting parental choice absolutely, campaigning for improved genetic troubling are central to this extremely this must follow. Davis’ thesis is that screening to detect disease. Ought thought-provoking book. With the however important parental parents have the right to choose to author, I also believe that counsellors autonomy might be, there is case to be have a genetic disability expressed in should give accurate and made for the prospective child to be their offspring? Is it possible to comprehensible information to their given an open future. His examples safeguard the legitimate rights of clients to allow them to make are controversial. Is counselling parents against those who would informed choices. It is a canon of powerless in the face of what may be usurp them whilst using law and counselling in a medical context that immoral requests from clients? For workable professional codes to it be non-directional. Such advice is, example, Davis cites as an informative discriminate between legitimate and in principle, meant to be value parallel, the famous 1972 United illegitimate choices being foisted upon children? Dena Davis has written a very clear, readable and well-informed The future in the young book which those obliged to make Love the future that you sense in the young. decisions in this field of ethics will Do not fear it, or criticize the strange forms it may take. find worth close attention. Do not doubt that the highest in them Will be able to handle its apparently strange manifestations. Rev. John Maxwell Kerr teaches Nourish the future in them, chemistry and philosophy at Winchester For they, too, move on the stream of becoming. College and courses on genetics and ethics Claire Blatchford at the Oxford University Summer School.

44 Network No. 77 December 2001 ome readers will already be universe is a play of consciousness, familiar with Amit’s earlier and manifest self-reference is the book, The Self-Aware opening curtain on this play.’ (p.91) Universe, which set out an He gives an interesting definition of idealist version of physics A Creative Gaia in this sense as the consciousness basedS on the primacy of in a role of self-referentially choosing consciousness. Here he takes his the self-organisation that we call life analysis further by positing a Loop on earth. He then moves on to reconciliation of science and evolution and a critique of the spirituality on the same basis. As David Lorimer explanatory scope of neo-Darwinist Deepak Chopra points out in his natural selection, which he thinks foreword, every spiritual tradition has *THE VISIONARY WINDOW should be confined to the sustaining declared its belief in downward Amit Goswami of existing species rather than the causation: ‘first came unity, or all- Quest Books, 2000, 320 pp., evolution of new ones. His argument pervading consciousness, which $34.95 h/b – ISBN 0 8356 0793 3 here could have been made more separated itself into an inner world sophisticated with greater reference to and its outer picture’. Since the 17th implies the subject-object split! So the Gaia hypothesis and the work of century science has been attempting ‘how can such a split – itself a Brian Goodwin and others. Amit then to construct a monism of matter, manifestation of awareness – arise moves on to the mind-brain whereby consciousness can be without prior collapse?’ Now here is relationship and the role of what he described as an epiphenomenon, but, the really neat move – Amit’s answer is calls the vital body, which is further as Mary Midgley points out, this view ‘through dependent co-arising’ – the analysed when he comes to mind- eventually collapses owing to an subject (quantum self) that ‘chooses body medicine. For him mind inherent self-contradiction. So has and causes the collapse co-arises emerges at a certain level of Amit Goswami succeeded in this dependently with the objects of complexity because it was already book? I think he has, but it does awareness’. And the nature of the potential. In addition to an oscillatory involve an inversion of our current quantum self (as opposed to the model of the cosmos, Amit brings out scientific thinking in what he calls isolated ego) is entangled by the principle of reincarnation, ‘quantum yoga’, signifying the definition. So one understands the referring to the work of Ian Stevenson ‘integration of the quantum message necessity of both the transcendence and others. When he comes to the into a comprehensive new worldview and immanence of consciousness for NDE, however, I find myself that unites science and spirituality in a the paradox to be resolved. And disagreeing with some of his analysis. personally meaningful way’.This does indeed the Isa Upanishad warns He thinks that spiritual figures and not simply mean a new worldview, but against dwelling exclusively on either close relatives seen are only archetypal also a path of spiritual transformation. immanence or transcendence. images.This may be true for beings of Much turns on the definition of The book is divided into three light, but does not seem to me to consciousness. Following Eastern parts: The Quantum Leap, The New apply to the precise experience of traditions, Amit defines consciousness Cosmology, and Creativity in Science communicating with deceased close as ‘both inside and outside the and Spirituality. In the first part there relatives. Nor are NDEs experienced material, space-time reality. As is a particularly good – and as dreams, even though the imagery transcendent – outside – it is pure comprehensive – analysis of the may be similar. In addition, there is consciousness, unmanifest. Immanent shortcomings of materialist ontology, considerable doubt about whether the – inside – it appears split as self and not dissimilar to Rupert Sheldrake’s experience of light is, as Amit claims, the world, subject and object; but the views in The Presence of the Past. He a physiological phenomenon as split, the separateness, is deals with causal determinism, argued by Susan Blackmore. Physical epiphenomenal, brought forth by a continuity, locality, strong objectivity, light and spiritual light may be on a mysterious force called maya in the material monism and reductionism, continuum in consciousness but I do Hindu tradition.’ (p.9) His thesis is and epiphenomenalism. All this is not believe that the second can be that the introduction of consciousness obligatory reading for philosophers of reduced to the first. If Amit had read as the ground of being (transcendent science. In addressing the question of more extensively in the survival and self-referent) can settle the whether we create our own reality, literature he might modify some of the paradoxes of the quantum debate Amit begins from the Vedantic ‘Tat views he expresses here. This section (p.16). This entails what Willis Tvam Asi’ – you are that, and ends with another good question and Harman called ‘a science within proceeds via self-referentiality and answer section on cosmological consciousness’ rather than the present ‘the tale of the two selves’, the questions with some interesting consciousness within science; also that separate ego of limited choice and the comparisons between Sri Aurobindo the resolution of the ontological entangled quantum self. The key is and Plotinus. Conventional science is debate between science and religion that these are one, not two, but the seen as a limiting case of a larger and can be achieved via an esoteric spiritual path involves a shift of more creative idealist science. ontology – consciousness (turiya) as emphasis and perspective which The broad framework of Part the ground of being. The crucial brings in creativity and Three is science as outwardly-directed distinction to understand here (p.48) transformation – addressed in the creativity and religion as inwardly- is that between ‘consciousness (God, third part of the book. The first part directed creativity. The latter involves the ground of being, the whole) and finishes with an excellent chapter on the discovery of deeper and deeper awareness (a subject-object split, quantum questions and answers levels beyond our ego. We have to implying an individual sentient gleaned from Amit’s lecturing jump beyond conditioned thought to being)’. Awareness is required to experience. insight. And since this insight gives collapse possibility waves moving We come now to cosmology. Amit rise to joy, we become happier and about in the brain but this leads to the espouses the Strong Anthropic even more creative in the unfolding paradox that this same awareness Principle, commenting that ‘the process – being, consciousness, bliss.

Network No. 77 December 2001 45 This esoteric process is a process of levels in an appropriate manner – in ‘Rs’ with the three ‘I’s’ of insight, transformation, which Amit discusses the most comprehensive way I know.A intuition and inspiration in our at length in this section. He presents reflection on liberation leads to the education system. This is a brilliant different paths – knowledge, penultimate chapter entitled ‘A book that sets out a challenging meditation, devotion, action, then the Quantum Physicist’s Guide to agenda and which deserves to be nature of ethics and the dynamics of Enlightenment’, where he uses the widely read and discussed. I am the spiritual journey. He does not dialogue format again to outline five convinced that Amit is on the right neglect the vital body level, health and stages of spiritual development. track, but his ideas need to reach out the harmony between various different Readers will recognise elements of into academic circles if they are to levels. He explains pranayama as a their own experience here: the role of bear more fruit and have a wider slowing of breath analagous to the books, workshops, techniques, cultural impact.There is no doubt that slowing of thought in meditation. This obstacles and diversions on the path, they are timely, indeed pioneering, leads to an exposition of the yoga of some nuggets of advice. He finishes and a significant point of departure for becoming whole, which addresses all with a plea to supplement the three a new science within consciousness.

cience and Poetry is about that nature is an enemy to be subdued more than science and and even crushed by the consciousness, reaching as omnicompetence of science. The it does into the roots of both Frankenstein image embodies an early in imaginative visions, and Conceptual formulation of science as an anti- wideningS its concern to the human force. Mary is right to contend relationship between human beings that the influence of inhumane ideas and the earth as understood by Gaia Emergencies on science needs to be recognized theory.The critique that runs through before it can be extirpated, but the both themes is one of atomism: in one prevalence of mechanistic ideas – sense this means a belief that things David Lorimer themselves dehumanising – makes can only be understood by breaking this hard to achieve. them into their ultimate or *SCIENCE AND POETRY Another difficulty with atomism is Mary Midgley (SMN) fundamental units; in the other sense its embeddedness in an external, it is an individualism that separates us Routledge, 2001, 230 pp., £19.99 h/b ISBN 1 415 23752 7 third-person view, which has led to not only from each other but from the metaphysical materialism – the view earth itself. Mary then develops the their books’. Moreover, the wholeness that only matter is real. From this it argument that the anti-science feeling of the subject is ‘that of an organism’, follows that only physical explanations is really a form of anti-atomism or implying a context of responsibility to are either scientific or rational, and anti-imperialism, ‘a revulsion against and for those around us. that accounts of events involving the way of thinking which deliberately The first part takes us back to consciousness are neither complete extends the impersonal, reductive, Lucretius, whose powerful nor fundamental. This leads into the atomistic methods that are philosophical poem De Rerum Natura second part of the book and a appropriate to physical science into provides the imaginative vision for consideration of the nature and status social and psychological enquiries atomism and is written with great of consciousness, defined as ‘the scene where they work badly’. John Dupré eloquence, a testimony to the unity of of all phenomena’ rather than just one develops a similar argument in his science and poetry of the book’s title. more phenomenon. Here the recent book Human Nature and the Mary traces back to Lucretius the argument is for a dual-aspect Limits of Science (OUP, 2001). important notion of science as a understanding that avoids the The book falls into three parts: weedkiller to get rid of religion.This is difficulties associated with an Visions of Rationality, Mind and an example of one of her central exclusively third-person view that can Body: the end of apartheid, and In themes, namely ‘the dependence of land its proponents in a fatalistic trap. What Kind of World. The subject- detailed thought on entirely non- This is brilliantly, indeed caustically, object dichotomy forms the starting detailed visions’. Theories are ways of analysed in a common-sense, down- point of the first part. After welcoming looking at facts that involve an to-earth fashion and traced to still materialism as a way of getting rid of imaginative appeal as well as a thinking of consciousness as a religion, traditional materialists now structure of understanding. It is well substance in the old Cartesian sense. find themselves in difficulties because known that the Western world-view We not only need new maps here but we are asked ‘to believe in a world of underwent a fundamental shift in the also the recognition that no one map objects without subjects, and – since 17th century, but less so that this is fundamental. we ourselves are subjects, being asked concealed radical divisions beneath The third part introduces a crucial to do the believing – that proposal the surface. Bacon’s language of part of the jigsaw, the conceptual makes no sense’ (p.12). Physics has conquest was taken up into a striving emergency involved in our current addressed this problem but, by and for predictability and control by perception of our relationship with the large, biologists and social scientists Galileo and Descartes, while Ficino’s ‘do not seem to have yet heard news neo-Platonic vision appears in Kepler earth. We are not simply detached of this change in physics’. Mary and Newton (the dominant observers using up the earth’s capital develops this difficulty into a reductio mechanistic consensus initially but rather ‘we are ourselves an organic ad absurdum of fatalism, both here and rejected his doctrine of gravitational part of this world….which is a living later in the book: ‘if deterministic and attraction). These attitudes system, a system on whose continued mechanistic sages really believed that correspond to different emotional activity we are dependent’. This very conscious effort had no effect, they attitudes to nature: a harmonious relationship implies responsibility and would not take the trouble to write relationship as opposed to the view is best expressed in the imaginative

46 Network No. 77 December 2001 power of the Gaia hypothesis, ‘a cure concerns. Moreover, as she points out, rising concern with the emergence of for distortions that spoil our current ‘our imaginations are not necessarily the idea that ecology might be more world-view’. Mary rightly regards ruled by our reason. We do not easily important than economics (see, for adoption of a Gaian view as a expect the unfamiliar, and major instance, Lester Brown’s new book necessity rather than a luxury, and disasters are always unfamiliar’ Eco-Economy). It also means shifting goes on to explain its workings and (p.188). However, the increasing the balance away from an emphasis on significance. An important Gaian probability of environmental disasters competition (as in evolutionary principle is that wholes and parts are has been known for at least the last psychology) towards the equal equally real. thirty years: ‘During all that while, On a practical note, Mary asks how every time that the travellers in significance of co-operation, as argued we can deal with our current situation. steerage pointed out that the ship was by Brian Goodwin. This powerful, Prudence and the precautionary sinking the first-class passengers have passionate and witty book is essential principle do not seem to be enough: continued to reply placidly, “Not at reading for the formulation of a new there are always other more immediate our end’. However, there are signs of and constructive world-view.

las, poor Darwin,a careful to respect his Harvard collection of 15 essays colleague (Wilson). For me this edited by Hilary and proves the reality of both competition Steven Rose could well be and cooperation. titled Alas, poor Richard Alas, Hilary Rose’s masterful chapter (7) ADawkins, Alas, poor Edward Wilson, on Colonising the Social Sciences sets Alas, poor Daniel Dennett. The list the stage for criticisms (8-15) by nine goes on, lamenting the errors of Evolutionary other authors from cultural theory, Steven Pinker, Robert Wright and psychology, ethology, medical other Evolutionary Psychology (EP) science, sociology, anthropology and pundits whose “new fundamentalist Psychology feminism. Rose’s chapter emphasises Darwinism looks to claim its place the historical, social (not biological) among the other contemporary Reveals a contexts of Darwinism. So, though religious certainties of fundamentalist tough on the likable old gent for Islam, Christianity and Judaism,”(p. racialism, she concedes his views as 125). Harsh words, but perhaps Lack of inevitably “part and parcel of his deserved. Given the challenges faced times.” His “innovation lies in by evolutionary biology in trying to Substance transferring a social theory into convince a sceptical and intelligent biological discourse” (p.109). public that genetic determinism and Biologists don’t like to hear this natural selection explain all biological Martin Lockley distinctly top down interpretation, evolution, a great leap of faith is which implies that human nature has required to extend these doctrines to *ALAS POOR DARWIN: its “roots” in ongoing socio-cultural the complex evolution of mind. Yet, ARGUMENTS AGAINST dynamics, not in the rigid influential figures, like Wilson and EVOLUTIONARY PSYCHOLOGY psychological conditioning of our ice Dawkins, tout biology, genes and Hilary Rose and Steven Rose (editors) age ancestors. Thus, ‘tis refreshing memes as “the” scientific Jonathan Cape, 2000, 292pp, h/b £17.99 that Ted Benton (chapter 13) reminds understanding of human nature. This ISBN 0-224-06030-9, p/b £8.99 us that Alfred Russell Wallace reductionist claim implies that social - ISBN 0 0992 8319 0 promulgated enlightened evolutionary science and philosophy are not really views different from Darwin’s. Vive la up to the task. Moral issues really about meeting and deconstructing the différence! have biological/animal roots (bottom new “Mr. Darwin” (Wilson) and his I was surprised to learn just how up approach). Thus “higher” domains preoccupation with such odd speculative most Evolutionary of human ethical and spiritual concepts as the “Ideal Beautiful Psychology is, and will find this book endeavour are not really Woman” (IBW). Is the ideal man an useful in suggesting which authors to understandable through cultural and IBM I wonder!? Dover is tough and avoid. (I already “select” against the philosophical investigation: i.e. from technical in denouncing “Dawkins silly ideas of certain famous pundits)! the top down. Such sweeping vulgar misappropriation of the theory The EP field is rife with speculation, dismissals of the valuable of natural selection as embodied in contradiction and poorly-informed contributions made by the social the selfish gene delusion.” (p. 47), gargling, rather than drinking, at the sciences and humanities deserve to be Midgley, as ever, is philosophically fountain of knowledge. Ironically, challenged, which is exactly what this insightful about the naïveté and simplistic notions that human nature book does - most effectively. contradictions of EP and its ultimate is biologically programmed (by ice age I broadly divide the book into two recourse to ludicrous “occult causes” natural selection pressure) derive parts. Chapters 2-6 by Dorothy such as Dennett’s “meme for faith” from contemporary, information Nelkin, Charles Jencks, Gabriel pitted against a “meme for critical society, computer metaphors. Dover, Mary Midgley and Stephen J. judgment.” (Does the meme for free Though I recommend the book Gould focus mainly on challenges to will then become the referee?) Gould unreservedly, especially to biologists Edward Wilson, Richard Dawkins and repeats an apt Darwin opinion, also willing to learn from the social Daniel Dennett for their near- cited by Midgley, that evolution does sciences, and rethink the “biology-as- evangelical, ultra-Darwinistic not proceed “exclusively” by natural destiny” manifesto, I would have sociobiology, gene-meme worship selection. Gould then blasts Dennett enjoyed a summary chapter in the etc. Jencks is flippant, but amusing, for challenging his own work, but is vein of Laszlo’s Grand Evolutionary

Network No. 77 December 2001 47 Synthesis, or Wilber’s great nest of that such laws are complex and do not concludes, human nature is flexible being scheme (thus getting us beyond transfer from the bottom up or top and pluralistic. We can “select” repeated critiques of individuals and down without significant adjustment. programs other than Evolutionary their work). Such synthetic perennial Tim Ingold’s thoughtful exposition of Psychology which, alas, reveals a lack philosophy perspectives appreciate ecological psychology shows how we of evolutionary and psychological that the “rules” and “laws” of nature evolve skills in context, as an ongoing substance. are hierarchical (or differentiated) as process of “embodiment and Laszlo, E. 1987. Evolution: the grand we proceed from the material, to the enmindment,” not, as the EP crowd synthesis. Shambhala, 211p. biological, psychological and spiritual would have it, through the mechanical realms, becoming more complex, playing out of hard-wired programs. Professor Martin Lockley is Professor of subtle and flexible along the way. EP alas, is stuck in a paradigm of Geology at the University of Colorado Alas, poor Darwin also makes it clear mind-body duality. As Steven Rose and author of The Eternal Trail.

he aim of this desktop possibility of adverse effects exists, guide, possibly the first MEDICINE-HEALTH which may outweigh any possible of its kind to appear in benefits” (added emphasis). And this country, is – I quote again, “Methodological limitations of - to turn the spotlight of Conclusion the primary data” or “Due to Tscientific enquiry and thorough weaknesses in study design” crop up research onto 64 kinds of whenever a scientifically respectable complementary and alternative Uncertain review shows positive results. therapies, assessing them on the basis Considering that in his preface of evidence, not opinion, and Beata Bishop Prof. Ernst came out strongly in weighing up their benefits and risks. favour of evidence-based, as opposed Its editor, Professor Edzard Ernst, is *THE DESKTOP GUIDE TO to opinion-based conclusions, it’s the Director of the Department of COMPLEMENTARY AND surprising that he uses vague opinions Complementary Medicine at the ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE: against clinical evidence supplied by University of Exeter, where his three AN EVIDENCE-BASED reliable sources. associate editors also work under him. APPROACH However, that’s not the only From the academic and publishing Edzard Ernst (editor) surprise. Amazingly diet, nutritional aspect the book is impeccable Harcourt Mosby, 2001, medicine, vitamins, minerals and extensively researched, and reviewed p/b, 444pp. £24.95 lifestyle advice don’t figure in the by international experts. In clear, well book, because, according to Prof. laid-out sections it deals with the Ernst, they are more mainstream than main areas of complementary and randomized clinical trials (RCTs) or complementary and alternative alternative medicine, such as controlled clinical trials (CCTs). Next, (CAM) therapies. Where on earth is diagnostic methods, therapies, herbal under the heading of “Risks” we get the evidence for that? The average and non-herbal medicines, and contraindications, precautions/warnings, GP’s knowledge of these very conditions ranging from AIDS to adverse effects, interactions and subjects, the truly avant-garde tools of tinnitus. It’s also easy to use and quality issues, important details any prevention and healing, is pleasant to handle. So far, so good. conscientious practitioner must infinitesimal, and the lethal awfulness But that’s where the good things end. possess. However, the concluding of hospital food proves the medical Having worked my way through Risk-benefit assessment, the raison profession’s profound ignorance of the book, I got the impression that d’etre of this work, manages to put the importance of nutrition. While Prof. Ernst’s attitude to his subject is down the therapy or remedy, even if a that state of affairs persists, food as negative, fault-finding and sufficient number of RCTs or CCTs medicine remains firmly on the CAM patronising. His is the conservative have produced favourable results. side of the watershed. Cartesian approach well known from There is no out-of-hand dismissal, The only reference I found to diet allopathic medicine which regards only the subtle suggestion that the was in connection with the CAM body and mind as two separate subject under review isn’t particularly approach to cancer prevention. entities, notwithstanding the findings useful. This is done with carefully Although a big British study has of psycho neuro-immunology, and the chosen phraseology, famously shown that vegetarians fared much growing acceptance of holism in described by Alexander Pope as better than meat-eaters in cancer medicine. His interest is centred on “Damn with faint praise”, easily death rate and general mortality, all scientific rigour and hard evidence, missed in the wealth of material on we are told is that strict vegetarianism and of course there is nothing wrong offer. can lead to malnutrition: “Sensible with either, provided that the rigour “Conclusion uncertain due to advice therefore could be to reduce doesn’t turn into rigidity and the unclear statistics”, we read. Or, meat (particularly red meat) emerging evidence is presented fairly although the most rigorous RCTs consumption without pursuing a and without negative bias. And this is come out in favour of cranberry juice strict vegetarian diet.” One can’t help where the book falls down. against urinary infections, “Due to the wondering whether Prof. Ernst knows Let me explain. Each therapy and poor quality of these studies, the the difference between vegetarian and remedy is presented with its authors question the reliability of vegan, or whether he has the faintest background, traditional concepts, these findings.” Peppermint oil for idea about the huge healing potential scientific rationale, and the conditions irritable bowel syndrome has been of a good organic vegetarian regime. it is frequently used for. Then comes shown to have positive effects, but Some other warnings are equally the clinical evidence, based on “the evidence is not convincing. The bizarre. Bach flower remedies

48 Network No. 77 December 2001 “contain alcohol”, Autogenic Training contributing to CAM use I found methods should be examined with may cause “unusual sensations in the philosophical congruence between the more goodwill, more imagination, and body”, learning the Alexander principles of certain therapies and less insistence that doctor knows best. Technique “requires commitment and patients’ beliefs, the spiritual After all, if he or she did, patients a great deal of practice by the student” dimension, emphasis on holism, an wouldn’t vote with their feet, the use (so does learning to play the piano), active role for the patient and natural of CAM in developed countries Music Therapy “should not exceed 90 treatments. An American study is wouldn’t grow by leaps and bounds, dB, as this may lead to hearing quoted which lists CAM’s association and the US Government wouldn’t impairment”. Herbal medicines fail with nature, the long intellectual spend ever-increasing sums - 68.5 the safety requirements, because many traditions and sophisticated million dollars in 1999 - on new are contaminated with chlorinated philosophies of many therapies, and centres for Complementary and pesticides, insecticides and herbicides the acceptance of spirituality as Alternative Medicine. The times they (just like many non-organic fruits and reasons for its attraction. The role of are certainly a-changing. vegetables at the greengrocers). But the therapeutic relationship is also Unfortunately this book will do the recurring, all-embracing indirect emphasized. At the risk of being more harm than good to the better risk of all CAM therapies seems to be accused of feminist bias, I must add understanding and wider application that treatment by practitioners that this chapter was written by the of complementary and alternative without medical training may delay only female member of the team. medicine. The overworked GP, conventional diagnosis or treatment. To be fair to Prof. Ernst, he admits confronted with a well-informed In other words, like it or not, CAM is that “some forms of CAM are patient requesting a certain non- here as a “strong consumer-driven frequently supported by evidence and conventional treatment will quickly movement”, but it can never claim therefore do have a role in modern glance at its risk-benefit assessment, equality with orthodox medicine. health-care.” It’s rather a pity that he find a typically downbeat conclusion Having explored CAM therapies does so in a brief, easy-to-miss (“the evidence is not sufficiently over many years, I felt that what this postscript on p.423. strong to allow any firm prodigiously researched and lucidly His book appears at a time when recommendation”) and dismiss the presented material lacked were the conventional medicine is in a multi- whole idea. My only hope is that there very things that made CAM different faceted crisis, the profession has lost will be enough physicians who from orthodox medicine, namely its its halo, a high proportion of hospital recognise the negative drift of much of spirit of enquiry and its patients suffer from iatrogenic, i.e. the Desktop Guide, just as this not acknowledgement of the non-material doctor-induced illness, a sizeable medically qualified reviewer has done, factors of health, healing and human chunk of the population is growing and decide for themselves how far they life. I had to work my way to p.395, to obese and accordingly sick, and the accept its conclusions. a chapter entitled “Why Patients Use NHS can’t cope. It is the moment Complementary and Alternative when anything that might open up Beata Bishop is author of A Time to Medicine”, to find some comfort. different paths and strive to heal our Heal. This review is reproduced courtesy There, among possible factors many ills through alternative of Caduceus

his is such a good book – killers and speculates about the and scarcely less relevant possible benefits of large doses of that when it was first Vitamin C. He enlists the help and published over twenty support of his doctor and begins a Tyears ago – that I thought Mind the combination of laughter therapy (ten it needed an updated review, minutes of belly laughter give him two especially as this was the first chance I hours of pain free sleep) and massive have had to read it. Many readers will Body intravenous doses of Vitamin C. It all know of the book and its influence. It works and leads him to a number of tells the story of Norman Cousins’ David Lorimer carefully considered conclusions – he recovery from a serious collagen is reticent about making 100% causal (connective tissue) condition. It is *ANATOMY OF AN ILLNESS connections – including that ‘the will 1964 and he has just returned from a Norman Cousins to live is not a theoretical abstraction, gruelling trip to the Soviet Union in Norton, 2001 (1979), 192 pp, but a physiologic reality with which he has suffered all kinds of £15.95 h/b ISBN 0 393 04190 5 therapeutic characteristics’. stressful situations and comes back The next chapters discusses the exhausted. Within a week he is in a recovery are around 1 in 500, placebo effect – ‘not so much a pill as critical condition and is admitted to prompting him to ‘get in on the act’. a process’ – discussing the research hospital with a very high He reviews the circumstances leading available at the time, which has of sedimentation rate (88 rising to 115) up to his condition – these reflections course advanced considerably in the – this measures the rate at which red are most interesting in themselves – intervening period. At the end of the blood cells settle in a test tube in mm and concludes that he is in a state of chapter he recounts an episode with per hour. He is subjected to numerous adrenal exhaustion. Given his Dr. Albert Schweitzer when he had separate blood tests and the hospital knowledge of Hans Selye’s work on taken him to observe the methods of a nutritional regime, observing that ‘a stress, he wonders what the effect of witch doctor, introduced by the great hospital is no place for a person who positive emotions might be on his man as ‘one of his colleagues’. On the is seriously ill’. adrenal glands and endocrine system. way back Schweitzer explains that His doctor, Dr. William Hitzig, He is also concerned about the effects there are three types of condition: informs him that his chances of of his medication, especially the pain- first, those with functional

Network No. 77 December 2001 49 disturbances treated successfully with happened; they collided. We have received 3,000 responses – mostly herbs (and placebo); secondly, treated the drivers for their superficial favourable – from physicians. They psychogenic problems treatable with wounds. Anyone who has reverence agreed with the basis of his approach African psychotherapy; and thirdly, for machines may treat the cars’. and showed an openness to use of the serious physical problems that are Cousins now goes on to more powerful recuperative powers of the referred on to Schweitzer himself. He general considerations about holistic body. However he also relates cases of then observes: ‘the witch doctor health and healing, nearly all of which a ‘hardening of the categories’ where succeeds for the same reason all the is as relevant today as twenty years doctors go ‘quack quack’ when they rest of us succeed. Each patient carries ago. What I found especially useful hear evidence of the therapeutic his own doctor within him.They come was his discussion of what it is effects of Vitamin C, and an instance to us not knowing that truth.We are at reasonable and unreasonable for a where a lawyer successfully gets her our best when we give the doctor that physician to do – for instance daughter to absorb large quantities resides within each patient the chance reasonable to respect the power of the disguised as ice cream! And another of to go to work’. mind in overcoming disease, but his own episodes concerning This leads on to an inspirational unreasonable to accord those insurance diagnosis of a heart chapter on creativity and longevity, approaches monopoly status; condition is instructive, leading him to focusing on Pablo Casals and reasonable to accept the need for Schweitzer. He met them both when vitamin supplementation, but comment that ‘some experts don’t they were in their eighties, still unreasonable to take the view that all really know enough to make a brimming with purpose and will to diseases are a manifestation of vitamin pronouncement of doom on a human live. Both were musicians, and both deficiency. In other words, moderation being’. He hoped that they ‘would be were devoted to Bach, playing his and balance is required, involving careful about what they said to others; music every day. Music was their reasonableness (and exchange) on the they might be believed and that could medicine, but also humour. Cousins part of physicians, holistic be the beginning of the end’. This is recalls an amusing incident where practitioners and patients. Partnership truly a classic book that should be read Schweitzer reports that, ‘as everyone is the key word. by all medical students and physicians, knows, there are only two automobiles To his astonishment, when the but also by anyone interested in a within seventy-five miles of the first chapter was published in the New sound introduction to mind-body hospital. This afternoon the inevitable England Journal of Medicine, Cousins medicine.

person is bound to struggle with problems concerning embodiment and health, and takes the position that the spiritual Self suffers no illness, Psychospiritual Health thus religiousness offers a means of realising one’s primordial wholeness Ann Roden and freedom. The spiritual self is not subject to sickness and therefore *RELIGIOUS THERAPEUTICS - BODY AND HEALTH IN YOGA, healing in a religious sense means AYURVEDA, AND TANTRA overcoming impediments that Gregory P. Fields, SUNY, 222pp., interfere with the realisation of one’s p/b $17.95 ISBN 0-7914-4916-5 Self-nature in its full identity and freedom. Classical Yoga provides an t is a pleasure to read and to be recognising the common ground and extensive system of religious asked to review this erudite co-operation of health and therapeutics but it neglects rationality book. I can thoroughly religiousness. It explores the as its goal is kaivalya, ‘independence’ recommend it to anyone relationship between psychophysical of Self as consciousness from interested in the nature of health and spiritual health and entanglement with material nature, Iexistence and spirituality. presents a model for interpreting including body, nature and sociality. ‘Behind your thoughts and feelings, connections between religion and By integrating the model of Ayurveda’s holistic contribution to my brother, stands a mighty medicine in world traditions. This the understanding and preservation of commander, an unknown sage - he is model is taken from classical Yoga, health, and Tantra’s approach that called Self. He lives in your body, he is Ayurveda and Tantra. To this is added enlightenment is attainable through your body’- Thus spake Zarathustra community to produce the branches physicality and aesthetic experience, by Nietzsche. of religious therapeutics. the model requires a component that After the introduction, the book is These are: embraces rationality. The idea of divided into four chapters: 1. Metaphysical and epistemic community embodies meanings of Body and Philosophies of Healing foundations rationality between person and the The Meanings of Health in 2. Soteriology (theory of salvation or sacred, among persons, and among Ayurveda Classical Yoga as a liberation) aspects of creation. Religious 3. Value theory and ethics The idea of community has Therapeutic Tantra and Aesthetic 4. Physical practice applications to religion, human social Therapeutics 5. Cultivation of consciousness life, and ecology. In religion, Community:Relationality in 6. Medicine and health care community refers to participation in Religious Therapeutics 7. Aesthetics or contact with the sacred. In religious Religious therapeutics embraces 8. Community therapeutics, communication the principles and practices that The study of these addresses the includes, prayer, ritual speech, support human well-being whilst problem that the psychophysical scripture and sacred music.

50 Network No. 77 December 2001 Tantra holds that material nature as Ayurvedic diagnosis and treatment the arts, etc. - can be performed in a sacred, thus grounding the valuation invoke the idea of balance not only in spirit that affirms wholeness and of relationality, Ayurveda gives the pharmacological applications but holiness - The Fourth Way of most attention to the significance of more importantly how the relationship Ouspensky. the biophysical environment, as between persons and their illustrated by Ayurveda’s view of environment and life circumstances ‘Om! One should reverence the pharmacology, which is a major interact. Important in this idea of Udgitha (song) as this syllable, branch of Ayurveda and equilibrium in the context of health is for one sings the loud chant contemporary medicine. Plants avoidance of extremes in diet, sleep, beginning with ‘Om’. provide food and medicine and are work, recreation, meditation and other ‘The essence of things here is the central to Hindu cosmology. activities. Ayurveda also looks at the earth. As it says in the Chandogya relation of Prana or vital breath to The essence of earth is water. Upanishad 1:1.2: plant medicines and mantras in The essence of water is plants. ‘The essence of things here is the restoring well-being. The healthful life The essence of a person is speech. earth. is a holy life. The essence of speech is the The essence of the earth is water. Healing must ultimately be Rg(hymn) The essence of water is plants. generated from within oneself but its The essence of Rg is the The essence of plants is a person instigation may come from an outside Saman(chant). (purusa)’. source that somehow redirects or The essence of Saman is the The agni or fire, the transformative infuses energy to permit the re- Udgitha(song) energy of the life process exists establishment of integrity in the throughout living nature. The plants affected system. The Rg is speech. we consume as food and medicine The fact that we request healing, The Saman is breath. transmit agni to us.When the digestive presupposes the order and well-being The Udgitha is this syllable Om’. agni is strong, food affords maximal of life. In other words, the knowledge nourishment but when it is weak, of health lies within each one of us. Chandogya Upanishad compromised digestion can contribute Freedom is the experience in which Om! - This syllable is the whole to disease. the individual and society enjoy the world... Life and health in biological terms best of health and happiness. ...Om is the Self indeed.... depend on the nourishment extracted One’s religious aim might be from other life-forms within the food transcendence of the body, or religious Mandukya Upanishad chain. In human social life, health and realisation in one’s embodied state, healing depend in part on relations but, in either case, our journey in this Throughout the book there are with others. world is an embodied one, and the innumerable references to the classical The Buddha identified religious life demands our Sanskrit texts and etymology from malnutrition as a disease and as a reconciliation in some way the Latin, Greek and Sanskrit. There are cause of the root disease: suffering. dimensions of sacredness and comprehensive notes on each chapter, The disease of suffering, caused by physicality. It is valuable to articulate full references to all the Primary and craving, is not merely an individual, connections between religiousness Secondary sources, and an index of psychological matter; elimination of and healthful living that utilise and Sanskrit terms. craving requires reforms at the level of support wholesome physicality and community. Health requires that healthful community life. All our Dr. Ann Roden is a retired paediatrician entities and systems helpful activities - in householding, work, who practises craniosacral therapy and exchanges. relationship, social welfare, recreation, teaches Ayurvedic courses.

eaders may recall my Blessings, Becoming a Blessing, enthusiastic review of Finding Strength and Taking Refuge, Rachel’s last book, The Web of Blessings, Befriending Kitchen Table Wisdom,to Life, and Restoring the World. Rwhich this is a worthy and The Human The Introduction sets the scene inspiring sequel. This new book has by saying that we can all bless life, and understandably reached the same that ‘those who bless and serve life best-seller status and reflects a whole Touch find a place of belonging and strength, genre of publishing in which we are a refuge from living in ways that are uplifted by stories that remind us of David Lorimer meaningless and empty and lonely. our common humanity, the life of the And what do we serve? ‘The heart, as an antidote to the *MY GRANDFATHER’S wholeness in each other and the mechanistic and impersonal aspects BLESSINGS wholeness in life. The part in you that of modern life. It also puts stories Rachel Naomi Remen (SMN) I serve is the same part that is right back on centre stage. Riverhead Books, 2000, strengthened in me when I serve’. Rachel is a cancer physician who 380 pp., p/b, ISBN 1 57322 856 7 This means love and compassion in has always striven to unite the action, but ‘recovering a greater personal and the professional, the web of connection and indeed compassion may require us to heart and the mind, in a profession meaning. Subtitled ‘stories of confront the core values of our that has tended to prioritise its strength, refuge and belonging’ and culture. We are a culture that values scientific over its artistic side. She gnomically dedicated to ‘everyone mastery and control, that cultivates drew early inspiration from her who has been given more blessings self-sufficiency, competence, grandfather, an Orthodox rabbi and than they have received, the book is independence. But in the shadow of Kabbalah scholar who was the wise divided into six sections with about these values lies a profound rejection one of her childhood, seeing life as a twenty stories in each: Receiving your of our human wholeness’. To be

Network No. 77 December 2001 51 mortal is to be vulnerable, and this been worth that sacrifice she meaning of their work at the hospice. involves suffering. So the solution to concluded that she had never The results were remarkable as our destructiveness is not more deliberately caused pain or harm to everyone shared their humanity and technical knowledge but rather ‘to find anyone and muses finally: ‘I believe I each had a special role to play: a a deep connection to the life around have been worthy of my chickens, crystal paperweight in the shape f a us, to substitute the capacity to Rachel’. Students confronting the heart representing listening with the befriend life for our relentless pursuit tragedy of a young mother in a class heart, and a rock from the director of greater and greater expertise’. And on genetic disease. Their natural with the assurance that it can be this is what the book is about. human response is swallowed up in counted on and built on. There are too many poignant technical discussion, but ‘science is All the stories are about meeting, moments described to record here: not a place of refuge. It cannot protect presence and service. Listening and among them, though, an exercise us from suffering. Hiding from receiving as well as acting and giving. where physicians rank life-values in suffering only makes us more afraid’. They are parables for our time, two lists, personal and professional. And, more importantly, ‘we avoid reminding us that the heart is as How can one achieve wholeness and suffering only at the great cost of central as the mind, but that there is integrity if these are in conflict? distancing ourselves from life’. Then always a residual mystery that keeps us Rachel’s mother working out that she an extraordinary day at a hospice asking questions and searching. As had consumed part of more than where Rachel led a workshop for the many reviewers have observed, the 8,500 chickens in her lifetime. In staff, inviting them to bring a book itself is a blessing that can inspire reviewing her life to see if she had significant object that represented the us to ‘go and do (or be) likewise.

profusion and beauty as a tropical rain PHILOSOPHY-RELIGION forest. Reading The Dynamics of Spiritual Development I found myself frequently reaching for my metaphorical blue pencil, only to let it The Inner and Outer Path fall as I became captivated and enchanted by each of the side-tracks to Spiritual Development down which he was taking me. For Michael Whiteman is such a David Fontana wonderfully inventive thinker and so breathtakingly erudite that each issue he introduces immediately reminds *THE DYNAMICS OF SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT him of an allied topic which in turn J. H. M. Whiteman (SMN) brings something else to his mind, Colin Smythe Ltd., 2000, £39, pp xxv + 624, h/b. and away he plunges into the jungle ISBN 0 86140 277 4 on either side, finding hidden here is a pressing need and those who have talent, and that pathways we hardly knew existed, and for work on the dynamics very few have both. He gave D. H. holding us in his spell like a magician of spiritual development Lawrence as his example of a writer initiating us into ever deeper - that is for work with genius and no talent, and himself mysteries. designed to identify the as a writer with talent but no genius. The problem with this is that not T only does The Dynamics of Spiritual stages through which such By genius I take him to mean the rare development passes, and the practices ability of some writers to produce Development become overlong and of most value at each stage. However, original, life-changing ideas, to probe unfocused, we are often unsure what such work requires someone who is piercingly into the very depths of the path the author has led us along in not only an advanced practitioner him human soul, and to convey so much of order to bring us to where we are. A or herself, but who is knowledgeable their own vision to the reader that he secondary problem is that he has no in the wisdom traditions of both East or she is shaken and enchanted by time left to draw our attention to and West, in modern science, in turns, and ends up knowing more not some of the landmarks on either side of his main pathway that may be more Western psychology, in psychical only about the world but about relevant to his principal themes than research, and in philosophy. Among himself. By talent, I think Priestley are his byways. This is a pity, though modern scholars Ken Wilber, Michael meant the ability to craft a book, to he may be reserving these landmarks Murphy and of course Professor identify what is relevant and to omit for the next volume in his series Michael Whiteman are three of the what is irrelevant, and to juggle and (which I am told will prove equally small number with these credentials, inter-weave ideas to such an extent mind-stretching and soul-searching). and Professor Whiteman’s latest book that the text becomes like a rich Nevertheless, even without them, (Volume 2 in his series on Old and tapestry, comprehensible and admired Whiteman’s book is a whole library in New Evidence on the Meaning of Life) at a single viewing, as it were. a single volume. After reading it one may well become something of a Using these criteria, Professor can return to it again and again, classic. However, like all his books Whiteman qualifies as a genius in his browsing through it in the way one (e.g. Modes of Thought, The Mystical chosen field, but perhaps lacks browses along library shelves, always Life, Philosophy of Space and Time, and something in talent in that his books finding something new, always Aphorisms on Spiritual Method),it is no are a meandering - although learning something more, and in the easy read. Many years ago, J. B. ultimately richly and deeply process invariably finding oneself Priestley told us that good writers can rewarding - journey through a world caught up in the curious time-warp be divided into those who have genius as replete with creativity, disorganised where hours pass like minutes. The

52 Network No. 77 December 2001 book is divided into two parts, the first conceptual character in a seemingly forensic case studies which he uses to of which (The Inner Contest) clarifies ‘timeless’ moment, an action which illustrate the relationship between terms, looks at the mystical model for releases the mind from the habitual, psycho-spiritual development and psychopathology, at precognition, at automatic way in which we usually psychopathology. Although of great the idea of a world-plan, at multiple experience things. Secondly, by value in their own right - particularly personality, possession, dreams, and continuous recollection, i.e. the practice in the way they challenge the the mystical way. Part II (Groundwork of focusing upon the conceptual preoccupation of the medical of the Unitive Life) examines sexual character of a whole scene, without profession with symptoms rather than identity in the context of spiritual fixing boundaries between objects, causes - and originally written as development, love, free will, justice, which releases the mind from scientific papers, these raise many responsibility and punishment, corporeality and from both controversial issues which lie outside regeneration and redemption. It also object/object dualism and the scope of Whiteman’s book, and the contains three case studies, the first of mind/matter dualism. And thirdly by 200 or so pages devoted to them seem which is autobiographical and the obedience to and faith in the ‘Divine somewhat excessive. In his Preface, second and third of which are to do Source of Wisdom’ which is the fount Whiteman indicates that it was his primarily with depersonalisation and of spiritual reality, being and life (there involvement as an expert consultant in satanic victimisation respectively. are certain dangers here if one these cases which was the stimulus for These bare bones give little mistakes unconscious promptings for the present book, but the book so indication of what is covered in each divine wisdom!). By means of these over-arches these cases and the lessons chapter, or how minutely Whiteman practices one passes through the four to be learned from them that their chronicles the spiritual journey. I stages of the mystical path which are coverage could have been scaled cannot hope to do more than touch progressively (i) recognition that there down, dealing only with their upon this journey, but let me do that is a reality deeper than materiality, interesting similarities to his own as best I can. Whiteman is a natural pleasure and pain; (ii) realisation that ‘ultimate contest’ on the spiritual path mystic. His mystical experiences first an answer to the ultimate meaning of between what he calls ‘illfare’ and began in quite early childhood, with life must be found, and is very near; welfare. visions of other worlds, out-of-body (iii) experience of the Unconditioned In conclusion, I have to confess experiences, and altered states of Source from which everything arises; that no review can do justice to this consciousness which eventually, in (iv) identification with this Source and masterpiece of a book. It distils the early adult life, actually resulted in a initiation into the unitive life. wisdom not only of relevant areas of quite lengthy sojourn in a psychiatric There is a great deal of further the great traditions but of Whiteman’s hospital. These mystical experiences practical advice - for example on using own long (he is half-way through his gave him a head-start in many ways, dreams, on developing out of body ninth decade, with a mental clarity while his experiences when diagnosed experiences, on the use of psychic that inspires and humbles the reader) as mentally ill alerted him to the fact abilities, on relationships, on moral and extraordinary life. He is a man that many supposed psychiatric behaviour, on relating to the who has always walked in two afflictions may be either positive ‘Contributory Minds’ (sub- dimensions, the material world and episodes on the path to spiritual personalities) within oneself, on the psycho-spiritual world, and he development or the negative understanding non-material worlds illumines our knowledge of both. A consequences of possession or and the entities associated with them - sage of our time, the overall destructive attacks by other minds. and much more on the experiences impression on reading him is one of Above all he recognised that the met with as part of spiritual overwhelming gratitude that the individual is not ‘located and sealed development. A great deal of this human mind can not only encompass off in a physical body’, but is open to material is illuminated by reference to these dimensions but can render them direct influence by the thoughts of personal experience (Chapter 14, a comprehensible to others. Clearly, other beings, both incarnate and long autobiographical chapter, is one Whiteman pays us the compliment of discarnate. But even natural of the best and most engaging in the believing that we can have the same mysticism requires cultivation, and book, and summarises much of the access to these dimensions. And if the drawing upon his own experience as information in the author’s earlier The daunting amount of work and the well as the literature Whiteman Mystical Life). Whiteman also dwells driving dedication involved proves too identifies the range of practices at some length upon his conviction much for us, Whiteman would (spiritual exercises) vital to this that he is female in his spiritual body doubtless remind us that once we cultivation. What he calls ‘outward though male in his physical form, and recognise that our individual minds aids’ include the right ordering of this was one of the many places where are indeed ‘not located or sealed off in physical life for health and social I felt he might have drawn attention to our physical bodies’, we have already activity, relaxation of body and mind, some of the other relevant landmarks entered upon the path. cultivation of the creative arts and of on his path. For example Jung’s I congratulate the publishers on intuitive and discursive reasoning, concept of the anima and the animus, their courage in bringing out such a obedience to the right and the good in the traditional Christian emphasis weighty tome on what many (wrongly) all one’s actions, and the use of ‘word upon the female identity of the Holy will see as a purely esoteric subject. power’ (in prayer and mantra Spirit, the ecstatic quasi-sexual Similarly Professor John Poynton, to meditation, in recording dreams, in content of some Christian and Sufi whom Michael Whiteman pays a listing personal strengths and mystical poetry, the parallel handsome tribute in his weaknesses, and in copying mystical male/female paths of the Sephiroth, Acknowledgements, deserves thanks and spiritual writings). and perhaps above all alchemy and the for all he has done to make this and At the same time ‘inward aids’ are union of the red king and the white Whiteman’s previous books available of equal importance, and here he gives queen that gives birth to the to us. careful directions firstly on how to hermaphrodite symbolising the spirit David Fontana is Distinguished Visiting carry out active recollection, by which in matter. Fellow at Cardiff University and he means the ability to focus upon an In order to make space for this he Professor of Transpersonal Psychology at object of perception by naming its might have drastically reduced the two Liverpool John Moores University.

Network No. 77 December 2001 53 onathan Sacks, the Chief Rabbi the open society and institutionalised of the United Hebrew tolerance; the Victorian ethic of self- Congregations of the help and the emancipation movement Commonwealth, has written a carried into morality itself; and the Jbrilliant tract for our times: in an Virtue in development of individualism age of moral and social dislocation, observed by de Tocqueville with the how can we recover a sense of evolution of individual salvation to belonging and spiritual values? He Community individual judgement. He notes the advances both a diagnosis or thesis development of language with its and a cure or programme, the politics divorce between facts and values, the of hope, explaining how we have come David Lorimer way in which the Enlightenment to our current position and what we privileges the universal when qualities can do about it. He quotes an *THE POLITICS OF HOPE are in fact rooted in particular arresting sentence from Gertrude Jonathan Sacks situations. He shows the emergence of Himmelfarb to the effect that Vintage, 2001 (1997), 295 pp., libertarianism in John Stuart Mill, ‘absolute liberty tends to corrupt £7.99 p/b – ISBN 0 099 76541 1 whereby liberalism is applied to the absolutely’, which initially comes as moral and civil domain. Freedom something of a shock but its force impossible to make public judgements becomes the protection of individual soon becomes apparent. Here Sacks without being accused of moralising. choice and ‘morality is not a matter of comes to the nub of his diagnosis in In addition, the currency of public virtue, dispositions prized within a drawing a distinction between liberal debate is all too often defined by given society as necessary to its well- and libertarian notions of a free autonomy and rights, without being, but of value, freely adopted society. The libertarian view is that mention of corresponding social personal preference.’ (p. 115) individuals should be left free to obligations and responsibilities. However, and this a key argument as pursue their own choices, which Institutions are expected to be value- Burke realised, some degree of self- implies a privatisation of morality.The free and neutral about lifestyles; they discipline is a precondition to liberty. liberal concern is how to create a should enhance the role of choice In a chapter entitled (pace Freud) society in which everyone can without making judgements between ‘De-Civilisation and its Discontents’, participate, and this implies a choices. Sacks’ answer to this is that it Sacks analyses how the libertarian common consent on basic values cannot be done: ‘trying to create a revolution has undermined many agreed by families, communities and society without socialisation is like virtues of character and broke a other institutions. It becomes clear trying to have communication without ‘crucial set of connections: between that social and political institutions a language.’ (p.38) Then he adds, action and consequence, virtue and are predicated on moral qualities - of ‘freedom is a moral accomplishment’ reward, effort and achievement, which more below. requiring strong families, cohesive outcome and self-restraint.’ And, as he Sacks sums up the distinction institutions, habits of civility and a points out, ‘rights, a legal concept, between the two approaches by saying sense of fellow feeling. It also require replaced duties, a moral concept’. that ‘if libertarianism is the politics of virtues: ‘self-control, decency, This leads to the predominance of the interests, liberalism is the politics of politeness, rational reflection and contract model. Furthermore, he involvement’. The first is atomistic conversation, courage and persistence asks, ‘if society could survive without and narrowly individualistic, while the in the pursuit of ideals, the capacity to religion, why not morality? If faith second is participatory. These work with others, to win could be privatised, why not virtue?’ approaches correspond to radically untriumphantly and to lose But is this a step into the abyss? Sacks different philosophies of government: graciously, the ability to admire and thinks so in analysing what he calls the the libertarians will seek a minimalist sometimes to revere.’ This is a crucial ‘fatal ambiguity’. The Enlightenment state while the liberals will tend point and one that is further error, he argues, lies in the towards more intervention and a reinforced in the next chapter when supposition that the whole of morality maximalist view. However, both views Sacks analyses the fundamental can be contained in the ideas of share a minimalist view of morality concepts that underlie the family: universality, autonomy and freedom whereby it is a purely private concern. loyalty, responsibility, authority, from interference. The paradox is that Sacks questions this view root and obedience, justice, compassion. Just as the liberal society depends on the branch, providing strong arguments we are living off our ecological capital, existence of non-liberal institutions. for an alternative understanding, but so we are living off the moral capital Sacks admits that religion trespassed he also shows us how we arrived at it accumulated by previous generations. into areas not its own – those of in a historical sense.The three parts of The second part begins with a factual knowledge and political power the book consider the relationship historical overview, with Aristotle, – with resulting ignorance and between the social and the moral, the Maimonides and Hobbes. The story persecution. In the same vein, nature of a social covenant and his that emerges is one of ‘humanity as an liberalism, ‘a great truth about ideas for a good society. aggregate of rational self-seeking coexistence in diversity’, trespassed Few readers will disagree that we individuals; of society as an arena of into morality, ‘the great truth about have lost our moral bearings in the last conflicting interests; and of the living in trust’ and it too brought fifty years. On the plus side, our resolution of conflict by a central harm in the form of broken families tolerance has increased and we have power given legitimacy by a social and social disintegration: ‘extending successfully thrown off many contract.’ (p.61) Sacks contrasts this beyond its scope, it threatened to totalitarian or authoritarian shackles. contract view with the covenant destroy its own foundations’. But on the minus side, pluralism has theme in Jewish history whereby In the third part, Sacks asks if we degenerated into relativism and the ‘relationship precedes identity’. He can restore civility and build a good notion that anything goes – one view goes on to outline the liberal society. His answer is emphatically is every bit as good as another. As revolution of the uncoupling of affirmative, but it requires our Sacks points out, this makes it political from civil society leading to commitment and participation. It

54 Network No. 77 December 2001 cannot happen from the top down, languages because we seek world if we change ourselves. Indeed either through government regulation communication.We develop moralities that is the only way the world is and still less through ecclesiastical fiat. because we seek community.’ (p.217) changed, for politics ultimately works A sign of hope is the growing emphasis Sacks rightly argues that, given the through people and our acceptance of on responsibilities to balance rights. fact that both markets and states responsibility. That is why morality is Another is the enormous popularity of depend on virtues, we need a moral prior to politics, and why it remains collections of stories illustrating fine system that encompasses the market human qualities: Chicken Soup for the rather than allowing the market to the only secure base of freedom and Soul, Kitchen Table Wisdom and many dictate on its own terms of the survival dignity. Renewing society’s resources others; also Stephen Covey’s emphasis of the fittest. The politics of hope of moral energy is the programme, on character over technique in his locates responsibility within, as the urgent but achievable, of a new Seven Habits series. Sacks covers Victorians realised. And he cites their politics of hope.’ (p.269) No serious education, the family, community and experience as a precedent where the thinker can afford to ignore the issues the common good. He defends social fabric of trust was put together raised by Jonathan Sacks in this book education as the transmission of a again by making character and duty and to ponder both the diagnosis he tradition and uncompromisingly spells central. This comes from the inner- gives or the solutions he advances. It is out the centrality of the family, asking directed personality, but Sacks seems a seminal and profoundly challenging if we are prepared to accept some limit unaware of the literature on cultural on the pursuit of private interest for creatives, which reinforces his work that invites us individually to the sake of our children. He also argument and shows the widespread develop virtues of character and to reminds us that morality, like emergence of a new social movement. embrace our full humanity in language, is taught: ‘we develop He concludes: ‘We can change the community.

his is one of the best whisky a few months later with his books I have read this mother in Yorkshire and she relates a year, not only for its dream she has had about him in content but also for the which she recounts verbatim this sheer elegance of David The Soul’s event on Hood Island – ‘in the dream TWhyte’s writing. I well remember his I leaned down from above and took performances from the State of the hold of you by the back of the neck. I World Forum in New York in Compass lifted you out and put you safely back September last year when he recited on the cliff. When I woke I felt so his poem Loaves and Fishes,which I happy that I had been able to save have reproduced in this issue. The David Lorimer you’. I need hardly say that David was scene is set with Blake’s idea of ‘firm staggered by this – and it is indeed persuasion’ in one’s work and then a *CROSSING THE staggering in its implications. As he striking conversation with a stranger UNKNOWN SEA remarks, there are larger forces in the at a mountain farm in Wales.The man David Whyte world about which we know very was stuck in his life and needed to Michael Joseph, 2001, 257 pp., little. move on, tried to commit suicide and £14.99 h/b, ISBN – 0 718 14510 0 Now we come to the business or failed. It was a turning point, as he rather busyness scene with which we found himself ‘on the edge of himself, He quotes a wonderful poem by are all only too familiar.We get caught at the cliff edge of life’. Exhilarating Stephen Spender called ‘The Truly up in speed and suffer from ‘the but dangerous, as are some of the Great’, those who ‘from the womb, blurred vision of velocity itself, where situations in which the author later remembered the soul’s history those things germane to our humanity finds himself as a guide on the through corridors of light’. If we are dropped from our minds one by Galapagos Islands. This first inhabit our lives fully, then we ‘let one’. Then we are in danger of losing conversation raises the question that everything ripen to the next stage of ‘sight of the bigger, unfolding wave forms the subtitle of the book: ‘work the conversation’. So does our work form passing through our lives that is and the shaping of identity’, ‘engage our deeper powers in any real indicative of our central character’. In something to which I gave a lot of conversation’? Are we slowly addition, we forget that our sanity is thought in my early twenties. retreating from our own frontier? dependent on ‘longer more patient In the next part we move into mid- The next evocative and powerful cycles extending beyond the urgencies Ocean, beginning with a life- episode is the prelude to what was for and madness of the office’. Good threatening incident in the Galapagos me the most profound experience in work does not get done at speed but which prompts reflection on the sheer the book. It is about how young with rhythm (as also in sport). David brute power of the natural forces in albatrosses learn to fly. The only way gives an example of a champion dry those islands and the way that we tend into the air is off the cliff on which stone waller that makes the point in a to retreat from that cliff edge to safer they are hatched. And they are so beautifully Taoist way. These ground – and less intensity, lesser large and cumbersome that they only reflections give him the courage to go aliveness. On this occasion the captain get one shot and if the wind is not full time as a poet, a decision that is had been asleep and David is able to right they plunge to a premature hard to explain to any father-in-law summon the captain in himself to deal death at the bottom of the cliff. Next but one that he has vindicated at with the situation.This corresponds to is this incident at the blowhole. I many levels. He gives a vivid waking up to one’s true self and cannot describe the whole sequence description of his first real assignment vocation, not trying to be someone here but suffice to say that he thrown in front of several hundred people. else but rather, as many great leaders into the air by a huge wave and lands ‘A Marriage with Silence’ is the are, ‘unutterably themselves’, taking up wondering if he is dead or alive. motif for getting in touch with our on ‘a full inhabitation of the vessel’. The sequel is staggering. He is sipping inner roots and obtaining a proper

Network No. 77 December 2001 55 relationship with life and identity. All We speak continually of saving time, carve out your individual relationship the doing eventually has to stop, giving but time in its richness is most often between freedom and belonging.Work way to the being that is the essence of lost on us when we are busy without plays an important part here in life and of which doing is only an relief’. This is brought home by his ‘making ourselves visible to the expression. As David observes, the example from a memorial service world’. Although Keats was so young serial events of our lives look different when ‘death taps us on the shoulder when he died, he made his from our deathbeds where we and asks us to encapsulate a life by its contribution, and we should be asking experience ‘tonalities, emotional loves’. the same of ourselves. This book presences, the eternal spreading out in All this has a special message for prompts us to ask ourselves profound ripples from the tiny dropped stone of the young of all ages: don’t questions about our values, our work, the remembered moment’. Our disenfranchise yourself from our relationships and our use of time. relationship with time, he rightly reimagining our collective future, It comes from depth of the author’s observes, ‘has become corrupted beware of getting stuck in the traffic being, passionate, questing, striving, exactly because we allow ourselves jam of modern life, of being motivated surrendering, fully engaged in the very little experience of the timeless. exclusively by rewards and security; journey and conversations of life.

aving read Leggett’s mysticism is “the sower of all true art The Sacred Quest and science.” Keck addresses the (1987) which deals, ecological quest to “re-member” with paradigm shifts in nature and not estimate its monetary human consciousness, I value as 33 trillion $US a year as Hwas fascinated to find Keck’s Sacred From done by the journal Nature in 1997! Quest dealing with similar Let’s move from “the presumption of transformations from different Caterpillar consumption to the attitude of perspectives. The early chapters gratitude.” provide an easy-to-read summary of Clichés aside, and presumably they the type of approach developed by to Butterfly: are an occupational hazard of William Irwin Thompson, who preaching, the message resonates well followed Gebser’s (1985) evolution and I found my self looking forward to interpretations of cultural epochs the next clever wise crack. Keck’s (archaic, magical, mythical, rational anecdotes about his personal and integral) as mirrors of the for maturation and some remarkable evolution of human consciousness. encounters with bears and mountain Without citing these authors Keck optimists lions where he and his family make leads a historical tour of the late their home in the Colorado Rocky Paleolithic and Neolithic, Mountains speak to a genuine “whole characterized as Epoch I (Childhood) Martin Lockley hearted” celebration of life. and Epoch II (adolescence). These Keck distinguishes Epoch III correspond with the epochs of self- *SACRED QUEST: THE Panentheism (God in everything and releasing and self-locking EVOLUTION AND FUTURE OF everything in God) with wholeness, consciousness proposed by THE HUMAN SOUL whereas Theism or Pantheism (God Bouratinos (2000). Drawing on sound L. Robert Keck, Chrysalis is external or synonymous with archeological evidence Keck argues Books, 2000, 292 pp. Nature) are seen more as relics of that Epoch I (35,000-10,000 BP) h/b ISBN 0-87785-306 US$ 24.95, Epoch II. I enjoyed a stirring passage was a time of matriarchal non-violent p/b 0-87785-389-4 on “atonement” (= “at-one-ment”) communion with nature, whereas which is not conferred by some Epoch II (10,000-present) has been “original blessings” as well as original institution but “is freely given by the depressingly violent and patriarchal sin or “original trauma.” love and grace of God so to speak, by comparison. Human-kind at this Keck’s metaphor for present because that is the way the universe juncture is somewhat of an oxymoron. paradigm shifts is: “the Epoch II has been created.” Keck is also brisk Nevertheless, Keck, a former caterpillar (has) entered the chrysalis and clear on the Epoch II history of university medical school academic for its transformation into the Epoch power, war and slavery (and the and Methodist minister, writes with III butterfly.” The narrowness of “fathering” done by American infectious, evangelical enthusiasm, Epoch II consciousness is all too founding fathers) and the present rise leading us to believe that we are on apparent. Theologically, intellectually, of democracy and personal the threshold of transformation into philosophically “patriarchy is history” empowerment (“author”-isation). Epoch III (maturity), when we shall Keck concludes with a chapter on (his story) not the whole story. The accomplish the spiritual equivalent of the spirituality of time, using the bible has been used in the same way a walking upright.This is undoubtedly a concepts of chronos, kairos and book for optimists. Keck uses the drunk uses a lamp post “for support eternity. Humanity’s primitive label “deep-value research” for his rather than for enlightenment” or consciousness registered cyclic time, probing of collective human soul worse to justify inhumanity: what which always brought us back to the values: our metaphorical quest for the Huston Smith and Pete Seeger called eternal present. Then Judaism soul’s DNA. Enamoured by catchy “Bible Libel.” Keck quotes Czech invented history, linear time (chronos) buzz-words and cliches such “soul- President Vaclav Havel: “our and the promise of novelty.Yet we still quake” and “gender fault lines” he conscience must catch up with our want to transcend chronos, mortality uses (and borrows) them with reason -otherwise we are lost” and and death for the security of the provocative optimism to talk of repeats Einstein’s affirmation that eternal hereafter. “E” words like

56 Network No. 77 December 2001 Entropy and Evolution reveal our not predict when the Epoch III with the rarefied Rocky Mountain air consciousness of time’s downhill and butterfly will emerge from its above 8000 feet, where I also live. uphill arrows, while Eternity (and chrysalis. We could commit teenage From here I see the “imago” coming Einstein) speak to the security blanket suicide, but - you guessed it - Keck is round the mountain. I’m with Keck’s of steady states. But, as Keck notes, optimistic that we won’t. optimism. “I’m-a-go.” Einstein blundered with his My verdict is that this is an “cosmological constant” and extraordinarily clear and optimistic Bouratinos, E. 2000. The snare of recanted. Quoting Ilya Progogine’s synthesis of what many Epoch III civilization: a reappraisal of human “science of becoming” we see the end visionaries often say with twice the of determinism and certainly as the scholarly verbiage and half the zeal. I evolution. Network 72,2-7. price to pay for novelty and new loved the humorous energy of the Gebser, J.1985 The Ever Present creations, which punctuate eternity cliché festival and the reminder that Origin. New York University Press. quite unpredictably when the time is language and meaning are inextricably Leggett, D. M. A. 1987. The Sacred right (kairos). Thus, ultimately, we can linked. Perhaps it has something to do Quest. Pilgrim Books, Norwich.

beyond immediate ego-centred PSYCHOLOGY/PARAPSYCHOLOGY awareness to a level which is transpersonal. Erlandur Haraldsson surveys the evidence for rebirth to show that individual consciousness Evolving seems to exist before birth and after death. Michael Grosso brings the Self-Consciousness parapsychological evidence for psi and survival together with the reports of the mystics. United they support Max Payne each other to provide evidence for a transpersonal spiritual reality. *THINKING BEYOND THE BRAIN However John Beloff reminds us of David Lorimer (SMN) (ed) how difficult it is to relate first person Floris Books 2001 281pp £14.99 ISBN 0-86315-357-7 anecdotal accounts of the paranormal, with the sober third person observations of objective his collection of essays is has been the supreme success of scientific inquiry. Many people have culled from lectures science, but of necessity what this dramatic personal experience of given to ‘Beyond the process omits is any reference to the telepathy, but proving it scientifically Brain’ conferences. Apart consciousness that directs the is frustratingly elusive. from its intrinsic value as searchlight, and whose light is the In what ways is the reality of this Tan intellectual stimulant, anyone who beam itself. The consequence is that wider dimension of consciousness to wants to know what the SMN stands science appears to imply a naïve be grasped? Charles Tart sees a path for, where it is going, and what its reductionist materialism. to compassion, participation and members believe, should use this book Consciousness is merely a by product humility leading to enlightenment. as a useful reference. With a carefully of brain function, and is firmly locked Stan Grof argues that non ordinary graded sequence of contributions it inside the skull. Willis Harman goes states of consciousness are part of the starts by asking fundamental back to William James and suggests a human heritage we have neglected . questions about the nature of ‘radical empiricism’ which He links them to modern knowledge scientific knowledge and its limits It scientifically examines the whole of and shows how it leads to the vision of goes on to consider the wider human experience. This means a transpersonal realm of dimensions of reality beyond the including “first person experience” consciousness. Roger Woolger is physical. It ends with the search for and Brian Josephson gives a ambitious in his certainty that these personal integration and meaning. justification for this. realms can be accessed, and he points Almost by definition members of the Once personal accounts of inner out the complexity of the various SMN will agree with the starting experience are admitted, then there is levels of consciousness and questions.. They will then spread out a mass of evidence that consciousness imagination that lie beyond the in a spectrum according to the point is not confined within the skull. Most immediate ego. at which they cease to be happy with dramatic are Out of Body If consciousness has these wider the answers. Experiences, (OBEs) and Near Death dimensions then the whole David Lorimer’s lucid foreword Experiences (NDEs). Peter Fenwick perspective on medicine and healing sets the scene, and Willis Harman lays rehearses the accumulation of becomes transformed. Andrew Powell the foundations. Out of the whole of evidence which shows that self- explains how therapeutic human experience modern science awareness can be separated from the psychotherapy can use a belief in focuses solely on the experience of the body, and Kenneth Ring gives strange unseen realms of consciousness to five senses, and then from that it cases of ‘mindsight’ whereby those heal mental disorder, and Marilyn abstracts only those observations that born blind have quasi visual Schlitz and Willis Harman show how can be reduced to mathematical experiences when apparently leaving it is possible to make sense of measurement. The result is a narrow their bodies during an NDE. If alternative medicine once a narrow and intense searchlight of inquiry that thinking can go beyond the brain, how mechanistic view of human energies is has penetrated into the innermost far can it go? David Fontana points abandoned. Both acupuncture and recesses of sub-atomic energy and the out that the traditional techniques of healing by distant prayer become outermost limits of the universe. This meditation can take consciousness meaningful possibilities.

Network No. 77 December 2001 57 Therefore it seems that there is a consciousness and matter are partial different.Why choose one myth rather dimension of consciousness that can aspects of a fundamental unity, and than another? Yet if the story were be explored through the investigation Ravi Ravindra reinterprets the Vedanta different, the meaning would be the of non-ordinary experience, the in the light of modern knowledge.The same. Once we become self-conscious techniques of alternative medicine and words are different, the arguments are about science, we become aware of the insights of the psychic, the mystic, distinct, but the meaning is the same. the assumptions we are making and and the seer. There seems to be a At some point perhaps beyond the limits of the assumptions that we parallel with the way that scientists limit of human thought, the quantum have investigated the dimensions of vacuum, the One of metaphysical impose on the universe. But self- space and time, and have ended up speculation and ‘raincloud of consciousness is a continuous process, with picture of the universe totally unknowable things’ reached by the we might begin to question the limits other than the picture of the world mystic all coincide. of science, but we must go on to given by our five senses.Yet few of the Anne Baring’s contribution is the question the limits of our own thought contributors seem satisfied with a most controversial and perhaps the in questioning anything. What starts dualism in which consciousness is most profound. It is controversial with a query about whether there are totally separate from physical because she retells the story of the ways of knowing wider than modern existence. There must somehow be a reintegration of the personality science, ends with a psychological and reconciling unity beyond both. There through the legend of Sleeping Beauty moral inquiry into the integrity and is mention of Amit Goswami’s theory and the myth of alchemy. Myths do integration of our own personality. that the unity of mind and matter not go down very well in a collection comes about through the way partially devoted, at least, to the Most SMN members will be happy observation collapses the wave meaning of science, and myths are to start with Willis Harman. It would equation and brings matter into rather arbitrary things. If she had used be interesting to know how many are existence. Mark Woodhouse suggests myths from the Taoists, Hindus or happy to end agreeing with Anne an energy monism in which Amerindians, then her story would be Baring.

his is one of the most mythological, but just to mark the rewarding, heartening contrast with the Mental Ego stage, and hopeful, books that I where the basic image is of a have read during over controlling rider (the intellect) on a fifty years in psychology. On Self- controlled horse (the emotions and TAs an eager student, just after the war, body), separate and distinct. At the I became increasingly frustrated at the Centaur stage we think in terms of behaviourist approach: pulling habits Actualisation bodymind unity instead’. The out of rats, led me to wonder why the concept of a ‘peak experience’, where subject was called ‘psychology’. The ‘the whole universe is perceived as an first chink of light came in 1950, Geoffrey Leytham integrated and unified whole’ during a course in clinical psychology (Maslow), applies especially at the at Berkeley, when we were introduced *ORDINARY ECSTASY: Centaur level but, as the title Ordinary to the writings and procedures of Carl THE DIALECTICS OF Ecstasy suggests, it is not unknown at Rogers, with his client-centred, non- HUMANISTIC PSYCHOLOGY other levels. When I read Marghanita directive, therapy. Further light came (Third Edition) Laski’s book on Ecstasy, forty years four years later, with the advent of John Rowan (SMN) ago, I was surprised to find that only Maslow’s book, describing his seminal Brunner-Routledge, 2001, 291pp, three of her sample of sixty-three study of self-actualised people; £15.99 p/b – ISBN 0-415-23633-9 people gave a definite ‘No’ to her followed by an acquaintance with question: ‘Do you know a sense of Roberto Assagioli and psycho- dialectical process, and this is an transcendent ecstasy?’ More recent synthesis, through Maslow’s mailing important advance on Maslow’s surveys, cited by Rowan, indicate that list. All these early beginnings are thinking. (It is said that although he only about a third of the population covered in John Rowan’s excellent and was interested in philosophy, Maslow admit to having had such an critical survey of the encouraging had an aversion to Hegel, and refused experience, but another study puts the development, growth, and potential, to read him. It is thus possible that he percentage higher, as some people are of humanistic psychology. He is not did not come across the thesis- unwilling to accept such changes in only steeped in the literature of the antithesis-synthesis dialectic. He did, consciousness. subject (the latest edition has some however, note the ability of is subjects The dialectic, which is a logic one hundred and fifty new references to resolve dichotomies). Another step paradox, employs a ‘both-and’ since 1988), but also writes from forward was the shift of emphasis approach, rather than an ‘either-or’ personal experience of Centaur from needs (a ladder, and not a one, and this helps one to understand humanistic psychology which, as the consciousness, and from participating pyramid) to levels of consciousness, author suggests, is and is not in several applied aspects of with self-actualisation as a step on the psychology, is and is not optimistic, humanistic psychology. way to transpersonal levels: the but manages to hold contradictions The author agrees with Ken Wilber Psychic, the Subtle, the Causal, and together at the level of consciousness that ‘humanistic psychology is just at the Nondual, according to Wilber, described by Maslow as self- the cusp of the transpersonal: it is the who also prefers to speak of the actualisation, and by Wilber as the last stage of the personal, and at the Centaur, or Real Self, stage, rather Centaur stage of human development. same time the first stage of the than self-actualization. The dialectic The part of the humanistic approach transpersonal.’ As the title of the book comes in here: ‘the name Centaur which is not psychology, is the Eastern indicates, much stress is put on the was chosen not to suggest something ingredient, which derives from Zen,

58 Network No. 77 December 2001 Taoist and Tantric philosophies. I experience’, and which Rowan refers beliefs are listed, but Rowan sees this particularly liked Rowan’s use of the to in his discussion of humanistic as evidence that humanistic thinking is yin-yang symbol to summarise the management theory, later in the book. based on dialectical thinking, and dialectical aspect of humanistic The next eight chapters deal with contradictions are just what you would psychology: the interdependence of the various applications of humanistic opposites is shown by the two halves psychology: counselling and expect. Similarly, although speaking being defined by the contours of each psychotherapy with individuals; group of levels of consciousness may suggest other; the interpenetration is shown work; education and training; that those at the Centaur stage are by the opposite coloured spots at the organizational dynamics; the superior to those below it, there is, heart of each component; and the transpersonal levels of consciousness; among those at this level, ‘a general overall unity is indicated by the circle and sex roles. In all of these areas, opposition to hierarchical social encompassing the whole symbol. The Rowan makes a powerful case for the author concludes that the part of beneficial introduction of humanistic relationships’. The autonomy of humanistic psychology ‘that is psychology. Most importantly, the actualisation, far from precluding psychology is real psychology, proper stress is put on the personal closeness to others, enhances it and psychology, the type of psychology development of those involved, ensures that it is real. that is genuinely applicable to human through the various levels of This inspiring book leaves the beings’. (Thank you, Pied Piper!) consciousness, ‘away from alienation reader with a clear message for the Similarly, it is shown that humanistic and anomie towards full humanness’. psychology is neither optimistic or The hierarchical structure in most future, as social evolution, according pessimistic, ‘it is just human’, and organizations, for instance, has been to Ken Wilber, ‘is due to take another being human, it is ‘not about being found to diminish people, and ‘makes turn, this time from the Mental Ego right or wrong’. The reconciliation of them less than they could be’. It into the Centaur’. This world, in John opposites is seen in the characteristics drives them down the psychospiritual Rowan’s view, requires the adoption of of self-actualised people. Thirty are ladder, rather than promoting their dialectical thinking in all that we do. tabulated in the book: nineteen found ascent. Looking ahead, one might thus by Maslow, and eleven from other The last four chapters of the book sources. Maslow mentioned ‘a deal with the future of humanistic envisage a religion which has resolved tolerance for ambiguity’, which is psychology, and cover its spread, the paradox of Transcendent and essential when facing contradictions directions for the self and society, and Immanent (if you do not go within, or the unknown. (It is interesting that some points on theory and research. you go without!), and a science that Frenkel-Brunswick showed, in 1949, A strong case is made for the value has integrated the reductionist and that psychological problems often and potential of humanistic elevationist approaches to solving its resulted form an intolerance of psychology in all walks of life, and one ambiguity). As mentioned earlier, can only wish it well. After describing problems. Finally, and most Maslow’s subjects were adept at the the amazing spread of the subject in importantly for the aims of the SMN, resolution of dichotomies, such as the last forty years, John concludes the conflict between religion and head and heart, or reason and instinct. that: ‘On the one hand it is probably science might be resolved by In line with this is Wilber’s vision more universal and less culture-bound producing a unity of spirituality and logic, where the healthy person is not than any previous psychology, but on science, which is neither blind nor constrained by the rules of formal the other it is always seen as very logic. The last item on the list is American, and arouses a lot of lame. ‘openness’, which Mittelman regards resentment and anti-Americanism’. A Geoffrey Leytham is Vice-President of as the ‘key element in the Centaur number of other apparently opposing the Network.

sages and scriptures. He rightly argues that modern science is valid and indispensable as far as it goes but that it should not be mistaken for the Rediscovering your Self whole and needs to be complemented by the ancient wisdom or SCIENCE- 1, the science of the observer.What he David Lorimer calls SCIENCE-3 is the science of the observed in which the individual *THE SCIENCE OF THE 1ST PERSON makes an object of himself. However, D.E. Harding as Harding observes, ‘he’s pretending Shollond Trust, 2001, 90 pp., £7.95 p/b – ISBN 0 9534255 6 8 to be the very opposite of what he really is. No way can he avoid being *A BRIEF TOUR OF HIGHER CONSCIOUSNESS the 1st Person that demands a science Itzhak Bentov of its own.’ Or, as Wittgenstein Destiny Books, 2000, 112 pp., £11.99 p/b – ISBN 0 89281 814 X reminds us, ‘we feel that when all possible scientific questions have been oth of these books Stalking the Wild Pendulum. The book answered, the problems of life remain embody highly original has been completed by his widow and completely untouched.’ Before first-person approaches to was published last year for the first proceeding, the reader is invited to consciousness. Douglas time. Harding’s book is essentially a open a paper tunnel in the centre of BHarding is in his 93rd year series of 37 propositions about 1st the book to gain an experience of the having begun his quest in the 1930s, person science, systematically third person seen at the other end in while Itzhak Bentov was an engineer elaborated and accompanied by the mirror. One has to stop who died in 1979 and is author of apposite quotations from recognised overlooking the ‘Aware Emptiness

Network No. 77 December 2001 59 that’s your side of these black marks the material world with inner intuitive ‘the universe is a machine for the on white paper, taking them in.’ knowledge or direct cognition. distillation of consciousness.’ Among the propositions now very However, he never presumed any Consciousness originates in the directly presented to the reader are universal validity to his insights, Creator and is distilled to be raised to that SCIENCE-1 insists on commenting that ‘I speak from my a level equal to his own. This struck verification, is ultra-analytic, is sense- present level of ignorance. The more me as a very fertile idea. Our based, is the discovery of the you know, the more ignorant you experiences are themselves knowable, is self-righting, is simple, is become, because ignorance grows transformed in our consciousness so never boring, is ultra-sceptical, gives exponentially – the more answers you that only a distillation is left over. At the universe meaning, restores the get, the more new questions arise.’ His death these are distilled into our sense of mystery, overcomes time, is starting point is that we human beings being, which is essentially what we are practical, is spontaneously applied, are part of a larger structure and must and ‘take with us’. The second idea is diagnoses and treats the specific somehow contain the information that we reflect the Creator and ‘the disease of Man, normalises about the universe, information that whole system is designed so that the paranormal phenomena. It is a varied can be unfolded in the course of more a consciousness learns, the more list as one can see. The style is spiritual evolution. The picture that responsibility it gets, and the more epigrammatic. Under SCIENCE-1 is emerges from this book is much larger troubles go with it, because it has disinterested, one reads that than our current science, but it more to control.’ Don’t we know it! SCIENCE-3 can bring out humility in contains some fascinating pointers to In answer to the question Who’s the face of the evidence, reverence for expanded perception through subtle Running the Show, Bentov reaches the the truth, tireless patience and senses and bodies. same conclusion as Neale Donald dedication – but then the The five parts are entitled The Walsch: ‘you are pure consciousness or SCIENTIST-3 is unable to be Fertile Void, On Devas, Gods and pure awareness and that is the completely disinterested with job, Creators, Beyond the Universe, A family and reputation to think of. Guided Tour of the Universe and supreme SELF that has been guiding Here SCIENCE-1 can provide a Who’s Running the Show. His model you through a long and eventful trip corrective: ‘Nothing is to be gained of the universe is that of ‘a hologram back to itself….so you are the Supreme from Nothing.’ The tone is sometimes or interference pattern in which all God of the system! At the same time playful but the content is penetrating: parts are interconnected, containing you are the person doing the nine-to- ‘while SCIENCE-3 tries to reduce my information about each other and thus five job, pushing a pencil or driving a vast world to something in my head, about the whole universe.’ He calls the truck…we are all part of pure SCIENCE-1 goes on the reduce my hologram of information the Universal consciousness… which breaks down head to Nothing – a Nothing that Mind, so that by projecting one’s into units, and each has an awareness explodes into Vastness.’ The book is consciousness into the Universal of self and thinks he is different from best read slowly, one chapter a day, so Mind in a heightened state of everyone else.’ One can’t help smiling that one can dwell on the paradoxes. awareness one can obtain knowledge at this and I for one recognise it as Bentov’s book is also playful, and is about the whole universe. The whole true. Surely this is the same message illustrated with his own pencil book is a mind-stretching exercise. as Ramana Maharshi and indeed of sketches. He operates at both the Here I will mention only two seed Douglas Harding. Or Plotinus: scientific and the mystical levels, ideas for further reflection. The first, ‘Remembering is for those who have hence combining an understanding of related to evolution, is the idea that forgotten.’

he Trickster and The Though it soon becomes apparent Paranormal is a that the author is favourably disposed substantial, thoroughly to the believers, it is only at the end of referenced exploration of the penultimate chapter we find the an extremely slippery and bald statement “But psi actually intriguingT subject - the archetypal Fake it until exists.” And it is only in the final two Trickster. paragraphs that the author spells out As the title suggests, the book’s you Make it his own position. The rest of the book main argument addresses is substantially an exploration of ideas parapsychology, miraculous and and attitudes - argument rather than anomalous phenomena - the author Lionel Snell an amassing of data. was professionally engaged in Nor is this book a polemic. One of parapsychological research for eight life’s injustices is the suspicion we feel *THE TRICKSTER AND THE years - but the treatment has far wider towards self-published books - so significance. Taken literally the word PARANORMAL often they betray a chip on the ‘paranormal’ suggests a polarity George P Hansen author’s shoulder, an urgent, personal between a state called ‘normal’ and all Xlibris Corporation, 2001, 564pp desire to express something of little that lies outside that state. As such, paperback. £26.51, impersonal interest. So I started this the word can extend way beyond ISBN 1-4010-0082-7 book with apprehension, and found a UFOs and spoon bending to embrace Because it is an unusual book, let very well constructed argument that the whole spectrum of rebellion me first say what it is not. For all its did suggest a master strategist against an existing order - from amassing his troops for an onslaught. individual artistic self-expression to bulk and 50 pages of references, this is However, it was only in the sections international terrorism. Seen in this not one of those blockbuster addressing the arch-skeptics - light the book has an important compendia of ‘evidence’ intended to CSICOP, The Skeptical Enquirer, message for society and deserves to be convince the reader of the reality of James Randi and their ilk - that I felt far more widely read and discussed. certain paranormal phenomena. the emotional temperature rising

60 Network No. 77 December 2001 slightly. If I am correct in sensing a research - real and fraudulent - the completely paranoid.” I would have counterstrike by a parascience debunkers and conjuring. The author liked to know whether Salvador Dali’s investigator whose field of has been is a member of the International ‘paranoid-critical method’ has treated with institutionalised Brotherhood of Magicians as well as a relevance - at the cost of making a big contempt, then it is utterly to the parapsychology professional. This book even bigger. author’s credit that he maintains tight section is the nearest the book comes As suggested, this is not a control of his troops. Even in these to being a compendium of facts, but it polemical book but rather an sections the treatment is even-handed, maintained my interest because the invitation to explore a large, familiar interesting and informative - though I emphasis is not on an attempt to yet under-mapped territory.The book would like to see them commented on bludgeon the reader with evidence but is well constructed and polite to the by the skeptics in question. (And I rather to analyse the way evidence is reader, with regular summaries and suspect that the tone of their treated and how people react to it. clear links between sections. In the comments would strengthen rather Once again we see the Trickster and Preface the reader is invited to dip than undermine the book’s thesis.) his army of outcasts threatening our into the book here and there - I Rather we find a wide ranging stability and security. stolidly read it from cover to cover and exploration - beginning with a survey Part Five pleased me especially - I am glad I did so for a full appreciation of trickster motifs in folklore and think I almost understand the of its thesis. The author casts his net myth, followed by psychological meaning of the terms ‘post- wide to trap a slippery subject, but theories of boundaries (Ernest modernism’ and ‘deconstruct’ after does not force his point. Hartmann) and Victor Turner’s this rapid but clarifying tour of the So, what is his position? I quote concept of anti-structure. Dualities, ideas of Levi-Strauss, Derrida, Lacan, from the closing paragraphs where it and the inbetweennness states they Corbin, Barthes and others. These is spelled out most succinctly: “Some define, are registered as Trickster names certainly ring bells - I am may think I paint an ominous picture of territory. The structure-forming vaguely aware of their use as psychic phenomena... they might suggest dualistic tendency denies this conversation stoppers, but here they ....that it is useless to pursue investigation inbetweenness state, degrades its are invoked to draw some very in this realm.That is not my position.The status and so unwittingly recruits an interesting and thought-provoking supernatural is irrational, but it is also army of vagabonds, cheats, charlatans parallels. The way their ideas real...We ignore it at our peril.... If we fail and more-or-less social outcasts emerged, the antipathies they evoke, under the Trickster’s banner. and their timing added an extra sense to recognize the limits of our ‘rational’ The second part, chapters 5 and 6, of urgency and relevance to this book. way of thinking, we can become victims looks at shamanism, mysticism and I was reminded of the observation in of it.” the ambiguous relationship between the penguin Classics edition of The The questions that this book has formal religion and the miraculous, Bacchae - that the Dionysus of this raised continue to intrigue and inform while the third part outlines the myth was not such an ancient deity me. The public is currently deeply anthropological theories of Michael but a figure that seemed to arise as a troubled by the shifting boundaries Winkelman, Max Weber and others. counterbalance to the highly between public order and individual Here it is not only interesting to see structured Athenian society. A divine freedom - the more so since the events how certain of their ideas illuminate madness that arises in low status of September 11th. I would like more the Trickster’s territory, but also the groups (women in that case) as a concerned people to read this book - way that academia has tended to ‘shadow’ to excessive control, and so not because they would find clear sideline those specific aspects of their highly relevant to the youth rebellion answers here (the Trickster does not work while promoting the broad of the 1960s. work like that) but because they principles behind them. The final part gives positive value would start asking far better questions Part Four - chapters 10 to 19 - to the role of imagination, and the for it. are most closely linked to the author’s significance of paranoia - quoting own experience. They embrace Charles Manson’s famous observation Lionel Snell is a freelance writer with a parapsychology, the investigation of that “the coyote is the most aware long standing interest in magic and the anomalous phenomena, psychical creature there is.... because he is occult-rationalist interface.

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Network No. 77 December 2001 61 ubtitled ‘Global Healing and and ethical dimensions of being, the Wisdom of the Soul’, ECOLOGY-FUTURES STUDIES ecologically sensitive, intellectually this bold book is a challenge alive, self-determining, and creative, to embody and apply our there are ways of restructuring fundamental spiritual values education to foster this kind of Swithin a world system that elicits the Emancipatory person’. (p.234) Lerner goes on to opposite qualities and is based on self- spell this out with a new vision for interest, greed, fear, dominance, Spirituality education that starts from being, control and exploitation: the logic of proceeding to various kinds of self-interest. Can we expect such a knowing and thence to doing. This system to address and honour our David Lorimer includes education for tolerance, fundamental needs? Or to provide us diversity and citizenship. In addition, with an ecologically sustainable teachers would be chosen for their *SPIRIT MATTERS habitat? Lerner’s answer is a ability to be creative role models. resounding no! His message can be Michael Lerner This leads on naturally to politics – boiled down to a transition from a Hampton Roads, 2000, 363 pp., ‘spiritual practice and the socially perception of the self as separate and $22.95 h/b engaged soul’. Here the emphasis is individualised to one where we ISBN 1 57174 195 X on attitudes and corresponding recognise the unity of being and our practices – giving, hospitality, letting inherent interconnectedness: the reactionary (fundamentalist) go of control, grateful simplicity, central truth is this: we are spirituality and represents a new building compassionate community, embodiments of the Spirit of the bottom line of love and caring. keeping the Sabbath. He then universe and have the freedom and Emancipatory Spirituality is defined translates these principles into an consciousness to make significant in a number of ways: as a celebration agenda for a spiritual political party, choices. The pace of change will of the wonder of the universe, as a one that would represent the Cultural depend in large part on the choices capacity to see each other as ends, as Creatives identified in Paul Ray’s you and I and others make in the a desire for healing and research (see review of his book in the coming years and on how soon we are transformation, as a transcendence of last issue). One way of implementing ready to act together toward achieving the ego and corresponding experience these ideas would be through a Social the kind of spiritual world described of the Oneness of all Being, as an Responsibility Amendment based on here’ (p.330). enhancement of our capacity to play ethical impact reports. These would The book ranges widely over and to experience joy and pleasure, as shift the balance of power away from spiritual, social, legal, medical and the encouragement of a feeling of love our current system of ‘one dollar one ecological issues, with a central towards others, and as a seeking to vote’ and give companies a new section on education which we shall redefine concepts like rationality, bottom line (beyond even the come to below. Lerner defines Spirit productivity and compassion. currently fashionable triple bottom in a number of ways: freedom, the Although Emancipatory Spirituality line). Is this vision and programme ultimate shaper of matter, the source can in some respects align itself with possible? Lerner answers emphatically of consciousness, meaning and being, reactionary spirituality in resisting the in the affirmative but so must we, if we a force of love for healing and ethos of selfishness and materialism, it ‘act on our highest vision even when it transformation. We are fundamentally must transcend its narrow interests doesn’t seem realistic’. As Bernard that, so we can intuitively recognize and exclusive schemes of salvation. Shaw so rightly said: ‘Reasonable men the description (even while writing These insights are applied to work, adapt themselves to the world. this review in Stansted airport after medicine and the law – pleading for Unreasonable men try to adapt the missing the plane!). The globalisation restorative justice - before we reach a world to themselves. Therefore all of Spirit rather than capital is our pivotal chapter on education: ‘if your progress depends on unreasonable essential hope, and the means towards goal is to create a human being who is men’. If you don’t have time to read this is what Lerner calls Emancipatory loving, capable of showing deep this book, then try Spirituality. This is contrasted with caring for others, alive to the spiritual www.spiritmatters.net more detail.

corporate globalisation is an unacceptable form since it does nothing to address the widening gap between rich and poor countries The Power of Threefolding (despite claims made on behalf of world trade liberalisation) and will continue to wreck the planet’s ecology David Lorimer in the process. We therefore need a better and more human form of *SHAPING GLOBALIZATION globalisation. Some readers may be Nicanor Perlas aware that the State of the World CADI, 2000, 274 pp., $17, p/b ISBN – 971 92233 0 8 Forum is currently working on a globalisation commission – details icanor Perlas is well debate. His key concept is from their web site on known in the ‘threefolding’, based on his view that www.worldforum.org Perlas begins by highlighting the Philippines as the civil society is the new cultural power three realms of social life or director of the Centre alongside business and government subsystems within society, namely Nfor Alternative and that it is through alliances of cultural, political and economic. He Development Initiatives (CADI – cultural creatives in all three sectors then clarifies their respective roles, www.cadi.ph) and this book outlines that real progress can be achieved.The advocating autonomous interaction – his way forward in the globalisation thesis of the book is that elite or the process- between these realms so

62 Network No. 77 December 2001 as to achieve genuine or comprehensive of governments, it will be the “end of developments and the nature of his sustainable development – the history”. However, if the human spirit Philippine Agenda 21 (PA21) substance. This leads to an analysis of manages to continue infusing cultural programme. He draws parallels three phases of threefolding, namely de life with the activism of civil between the Neo-Darwinian Worldview facto rejection (as at Seattle), conscious society….then it will be the beginning and that of Neo-Liberal Economics threefolding involving principled of a new history.’ (p.35) This does not with their common emphasis on dialogue and engagement. Here exclude corporations but rather competition, pointing out that an ecological, social, cultural, human and restores the priority of culture over economic framework is in fact a spiritual considerations will enter the economics, a trend that is already cultural artefact and takes no account picture alongside politics and apparent in a number of international of the environment; nor do we consider economics. Finally there is advanced initiatives including the International its social fallout. threefolding where trust and respect Futures Forum There is an excellent chapter on are established and institutionalised, (www.internationalfuturesforum.org) the comparative characteristics of leading to tri-sector partnerships. All of which I am a member. The issues traditionalists, modernists and cultural this is illustrated in a chart by David mentioned here – meaning, truth, creatives, drawn from Paul Ray’s work Korten in which capitalist society gives ethics, morality, authenticity and reviewed in the last issue. This shows priority to financial markets and the legitimacy – are among those exercising clearly why cultural creatives’ sacred corporate economy, which is linked to a us in the IFF. They are also crucial attitudes to nature puts them at odds materialistic culture and a capitalist elements of an overall world-view. with TNCs over genetic engineering. polity that essentially denies the spirit. The author is critical of many of This leads to an exposition of the The alternative view is bottom-up, with the existing global economic structures different kinds of development the individual encompassed by spirit like the World Bank and the WTO and espoused by PA21, which is a visionary and situated in a genuine culture of of their programmes of structural document based on a clear set of which the democratic polity and adjustment. He gives a literally chilling sustainable development principles. market economy are subsystems. This example of South Korea being forced Engagement by cultural creatives – is further elaborated in a diagram to open its gates to vast quantities of readers like you! - in this process is vital placing the whole of society within US frozen meat following complaints if these threefolding partnerships are to nature, i.e. economy within ecology. I by US businessmen that the South work to our common benefit. An read a dramatic illustration of this on Korean lifestyle of eating fresh meat alliance of moderns in the three sectors the plane up from London this was a barrier to trade! Perlas rightly will have a quite different result: in the morning – the direct relationship insists that it is critical for civil society first case a collapse of the civil and between water and grain supplies in an initiatives to factor the workings of political realms into the economic, article by Lester Brown. globalisation into their goals and to while in the second there emerges the Perlas sees humanity at a realise their task of securing the genuine possibility of authentic crossroads: ‘if the neo-liberal agenda of cultural space of the world. The threefolding, a vision that Perlas sets transnational corporations succeeds following chapters explain his out in the last chapter. This is an and is reinforced by the coercive power understanding of current inspired and challenging book.

oday, too few books are pretend is beyond our understanding big books with big ideas. and control.) If for no other reason, DeMeo believes his work supports James DeMeo’s magnum Reich’s thesis that “human opus deserves the armouring,” a defensive personality, Tattention of all concerned about the Origins of results from painful social and roots of violent human behaviour. As physical environmental factors. Thus, the title suggests, he attempts to pin he concludes the apparent correlation down the origins of institutionalised Violence of repressive, abusive and violent violence, the source for so much pain behaviors with societies undergoing in society and a conundrum for the Paul von Ward harsh environmental shifts millennia field of psychology. ago confirms a geographic basis for Some of his big questions should SAHARASIA such human behaviour. The focal titillate your questing mind. Are James DeMeo, Ph.D. point of his work is the region he calls humans innately violent? Due either (Orgone Biophysical Research Saharasia, the primarily desert area to “original sin” or “faulty genes.” Are Laboratory. Greensprings, OR. that encompasses most of North truly peaceful societies possible? With 1998. ISBN 0-9621855-5-8. Africa, the Near East and Central so much media attention to sex, why 454 pp. $34.00. Asia.Truly a “Renaissance Man” with is there so little profound sexuality in See http://www.orgonelab.org modern society? Why are overtly graduate training in geography, DeMeo assembled data that tracks the religious nations so violent? How do tor” behaviour patterns versus those politics and business contribute to Saharasian transition from a fertile, of the Yin polarity in world cultures is nurturing environment to its current social violence? very well presented. He makes clear There are additional compelling harsh, arid state. Describing Saharasia reasons to spend time with this just how repressive and anti-human around 10,000 BCE, he says it broadly researched and provocative most societies, including our own, possessed a relatively moist and lush volume: DeMeo reminds us of the remain as we begin the 21st century. environment, thick with grasses, trees, relevance of Wilhelm Reich’s largely His findings suggest that our modern lakes, rivers, swamps and a plethora of ignored or suppressed contributions concepts of social control and large and small animals. Neolithic to developmental psychology. jurisprudence only reinforce the hunters ranged over it, engaging in DeMeo’s (and Reich’s) hypothesis historically rooted, violent traditions animal herding and limited stimulates re-examination of currently we allegedly abhor. (In other words, agriculture. The region began to competing theories of personality our self-serving, repressive experience extreme droughts five or development. Documentation of institutions and social values cause six thousand years ago and, over time, “patrist/armoured/patriarchal/domina the violence (youth and adult) that we turned into the desert we know today.

Network No. 77 December 2001 63 With archaeological and Arabia have played a prominent role in no consensus exists on the origins of anthropological data, DeMeo the genesis of kingly states, military antisocial behavior-helps us pinpoints the appearance of what he allegiances and political history in understand why we have made no calls “patrist” cultures in this region. both Saharasia and its moister progress in developing answers to the He theorises that these violent, sadistic borderlands.” question of why the United States has cultures arose in reaction to the (If environment has such an the highest level of violence among all increasingly harsh environment, where influence, the question naturally arises so-called “developed societies.” We resources became scarce and the basic as to why experiences in more benign social scientists have been unable to necessities of life were difficult to climates did not cause the migrating persuade leaders of our institutions come by. He suggests the “patrists” to revert to more “normal that the problem is linked to flaws in “biometeorological effects” of drought behaviours.” The existence of the very essence of our society. Thus, and famine, with the trauma of “matrist” societies in other harsh advocates of popular solutions to competition for food and water, could climates-parts of the Himalayas, school violence, physical attacks and have led to irritability and conflict. He deserts of southern Africa and North murders, road rage, domestic and then extrapolates from this clearly America, and the Andes mountains- workplace violence, hate crimes, etc. plausible assumption to the assertion poses questions about the validity of only propose more stringent that such disturbed cultures therefore his theory. Other explanations can, application of their favourite tactics of developed formal patterns of violence, and perhaps more persuasively, repression that caused the problem in including genital mutilations, account for the spread of “patrist” the first place. sacrifice, torture, etc. cultures, but they will have to People who believe violence results These formal patterns in “patrist” encompass DeMeo’s data.) from a devil or evil force that captures cultures, or subcultures in a larger While one may offer alternative human souls harangue nonbelievers society, include repressive patriarchal hypotheses to DeMeo’s Saharasian more forcefully, urging adherence to institutions and deities, castes and origins, there is no escaping the their favourite creed. People who think classes that may include slavery, low importance of his descriptions of the violence results solely from natural attention to infant needs, and painful links between certain culturally chemical imbalances market their male and female initiation rites. They accepted practices and individual unnatural drugs of choice. Others punish sexual expression, subordinate violence. Though it may not be believe the way to eliminate antisocial females, inflict pain and trauma on the necessary to return to lush tropical behaviours is to ostracise the troubled young, murder widows and female conditions to encourage a more individuals further by kicking them out infants, and torture and execute “matrist” orientation, there is little of families, schools and communities, criminals. The resulting authoritarian question that the abnormal level of even locking them up in harsh prison society suppresses healthy pleasures, violence in modern society is fueled by environments that require such creating guilt-ridden, repressive pent-up emotions that appear to the behaviours to survive.Those who think personalities that are violence prone. perpetrator to have no other outlet. rules and punishment for infractions Individual members manifest what The answer lies in recognition of the will curb the natural, including violent, Reich called “armoured character biological need all children (and the expressions of repressed emotions structures.” Such people direct their child in all of us) have to experience create even more repressive laws. violence not only at established sensual and emotional pleasure.To the People who believe troublemakers victims (children, females, submissive extent that adults filled with “pleasure need to be “civilised” try to forcefully males) in their own group, but towards anxiety” (anxious about their own educate or train people, using fear- outsiders whom they perceive as biological sexual impulses) thwart this different. (These attributes apply just drive through repressive religious and based techniques that only exacerbate as much to modern, industrial legal controls or drug regimes they the resentment from earlier repression. cultures as they do to more traditional contribute to the neuroses and Until there is a general ones. And the suppression of natural psychoses of violent acting out. understanding of the links between pleasure-seeking emotions may be Neither Reich nor DeMeo, nor I pent-up anger or rage and unnecessary done by force, rules or drugs-as now for that matter, advocate the view that repression of natural human needs for shown in British research on the use of all forms of trauma must be avoided in creative expression, emotional Prozac.) childhood to raise psychologically affection, and sexual pleasure, positive A “matrist” culture, in contrast to healthy adults. Obvious controls are change will be impossible. The Esalen “patrist” has low levels of adult necessary to protect life and limb Institute recently sponsored a violence, is more democratic and while growing up, and some character transformation (from egalitarian, enjoys gentle child challenges are necessary for robust armoured to flowing) workshop using treatment norms and encourages personality development. (The Reich’s technique of character analysis healthy sexual relations. DeMeo Hermetic Principle of Polarity implies with breathwork and direct believes “matrist” cultures are the that certain constraints are necessary intervention in the body armour.While normal developmental path for for the development of constructive useful for a few individuals, such humans, and that human violence has uses of freedom, but “patrist” cultures, efforts cannot lead to the dramatic appeared only at specific times and including our own, demand shift in assumptions our society must places in human history. He describes unhealthy, extreme controls.) undergo to break out of its self- cultural distribution patterns that tend In contrast to DeMeo, I believe perpetuating spiral towards greater to support his thesis. violence-based controls, beyond the alienation and acting out. We need a He concludes “that ‘patrism’ preservation of life and family, were strategy for society-wide re- originated first and only within the originally more a function of belief conceptualisation. harshest of hyperarid desert systems than reactions to external Saharasia and the work of DeMeo’s environments, and then only around circumstances. If that is true, we need institute can make significant 6,000 years ago.” He further believes to search for the etiology of the beliefs. contributions to the conceptual subsequent “patrist” societies outside Unfortunately, most of them come underpinning of a society conducive to Saharasia resulted from the invasion from “patrist” religions that are the the growth of loving, self-regulating, by “patrists” of adjacent temperate creations of men who would control and robust personalities. I highly and wetland regions. The spread of others for their own pleasure. The recommend you read the book and get such values by people inured to most obvious self- and pleasure- on the institute’s e-mail list (See violence and hardship enabled them to denying are the Supernatural religions website above.). impose their cultural patterns on more that blossomed in the Fertile Crescent peace loving peoples. DeMeo that was the Cradle of Western Paul von Ward is author of ‘The Solarian describes how “powerful nomadic- Civilisation. Legacy’. His web site is warrior cultures of Central Asia and One implication of Saharasia - that www.vonward.com

64 Network No. 77 December 2001 BOOKS IN BRIEF

Science/Philosophy of Science provide their own prescription for the expect, a tendentious read. Some of the 21st century while urging readers not to cases are classic ones familiar in the confuse becoming healthier with literature and the author marvels at ideas The Scientific Outlook growing younger. Readers will not be that take possession of a hitherto by Bertrand Russell. surprised by their advice (it includes a rational population such as ‘UFO Routledge 2001, 228 pp., £9.99, p/b. daily massage) but applying it is harder, sightings, alien abductions, “recovered A new edition of this widely read work as we all know. One recommendation is memory” and probably chronic fatigue with an illuminating preface by David a restful sleep, so I will take my cue to syndrome’. Here the author nails his Papineau, who puts Russell’s reflections finish this piece now and go to bed! colours to the mast, commenting that his into a modern context - for instance colleagues become ‘selectively uncritical mentioning David Bohm’s alternative Why Moths Hate Thomas Edison and intolerant of unsought evidence’. interpretation of quantum mechanics by Hampton Sides (ed). He ends a chapter on the wilder shores and commenting on Russell’s W. W. Norton and Company Ltd of credulity by derisively quoting philosophy of mind and his views on free 2001, 217 pp., £9.95, p/b. (unnamed) Arthur Ellison stating that will. The book itself - of which I have a A wonderful stocking filler or one for paranormal phenomena have often been first edition - is divided into three dipping into in guest bedrooms. This demonstrated - ‘if you believe that’, then sections: scientific knowledge, scientific book features the best of Outside (ha! ha!). Rhine’s work ‘has long since Magazine’s Wild Files in which readers technique and the scientific society. It is been consigned to oblivion’, while write in with zany questions and receive aimed at the general reader and sparkles psychic research has ‘vanished into the most informative answers from the with Russell’s customary wit and insight. refuse-heap of science’. Homoepathy ‘is consulted experts. How high do you closer to a superstition than to an think a bird has been seen to fly? aberration of science’. Although there On Science Answer, a vulture encountered by an by B K Ridley. are some good chapters here, the aeroplane at 37,000 feet. Do beavers author’s overall view is tainted by his Taylor & Francis 2001, 225 pp., ever get squashed by the trees they are materialistic prejudices masquerading £7.99, p/b. gnawing down? Well, yes. How big can a as critical rigour. This book is the most interesting in the hailstone get? Some have been known to ‘Thinking in Action’ series and forms be the size of cricket balls and the largest A Passion for DNA part of an increasingly articulated authenticated one weighed 1.75 lbs. critique of scientism. The author, a by James D Watson. physicist by training, ranges widely over Social Constructivism and the Oxford University Press 2000, the history of ideas, relating the origins Philosophy of Science 250 pp., £8.99, p/b. of science to magic and producing some by André Kukla. This is an important collection of essays most interesting bifurcating diagrams to Taylor & Francis 2000, 170 pp., by one of the co-discoverers of DNA, explain the relationship of various kinds £15.99, p/b. and provides an interesting, though of magic and types of spiritual belief. He A book at the interface between naturally partisan, commentary on considers the origins of mathematics sociology and the philosophy of science biological advances over the last 50 and its relation to science and gives a and discussing a wide spectrum of views. years. We learn in an autobiographical good tour of quantum theory before The author distinguishes two a priori section that Watson might have become looking at science and the mind and at predilections which correspond to the an ornithologist but changed track in science and society. His last chapter distinction between a conservative and a time. There is an interesting essay on introduces the notion of science and radical intellectual temperament. The Linus Pauling in the biographical sensibility, a qualification of the word first are normal scientists while the section, which is followed by some consciousness and one that permeates second are paradigm busters, towards pieces on recombinant DNA which the Network tends. He also coins the whole of the humanities. Science controversies. Then some essays on the the delightful term ‘switcheroo’, when need to recognise its complementarity to ethos of science, the war on cancer, and one starts with a ‘hypothesis that is art and literature rather than lay claim to a final topical section on societal amenable to a range of interpretations, its territory. implications of the Human Genome giving arguments that support a weak Project. He rightly attributes much of version, and thenceforth pretending that the opposition to the HGP as the most The Quest for Immortality: Science one of the stronger versions has been at the Frontiers of Aging visible symbol of the evolutionary established’. A reverse switcheroo biology/genetics based approach to by S Jay Olshansky and Bruce A involves starting with a strong version of human existence which he himself Carnes. a hypothesis and retreating to a weaker supports. However, he does advocate W.W. Norton and Company Ltd one when one gets into trouble, that we proceed with much caution and 2001, 254 pp., $25.95, h/b. pretending that one espoused the weaker humility, reminding us that a percentage A book that takes a sceptical view of the one in the first place! These two hype surrounding the life extension processes can be performed in tandem of genetics research is often devoted to industry. The authors do not expect the and repeated ad infinitum so that ‘a ethical and social questions. human life span to increase much judicious application of this strategy beyond 85 years during this century, enables one to maintain an indefensible The Self-Made Tapestry which means that the dramatic phase of position forever’. by Philip Ball. extension has already occurred. They Oxford University Press 2001, are right to warn against exaggerated The Undergrowth of Science 287 pp., p/b. claims but they display an overall by Walter Gratzer. A remarkable book about pattern hostility towards complementary Oxford University Press 2000, formation in nature, starting from medicine and its philosophy. They are 328 pp., £8.99, p/b. D’Arcy Wentworth Thompson’s book also surely right to stress the importance Subtitled ‘delusion, self-deception and ‘On Growth and Form’. Based on the of quality over length of life and they do human frailty’, this is, as one would idea of emergent self-organisation, the

Network No. 77 December 2001 65 book details pattern formation across a Sacred Healing: A soul-based anorexia and bulimia. A practical text whole range of phenomena: bubbles, approach to subtle energy medicine with helpful case histories. waves, branches and fluids for instance. by Jack and Jan Angelo. It is profusely illustrated and makes the Piatkus Books 2001, 296 pp., going MAD? reader aware of many everyday patterns £14.99, p/b. by Michael Corry and Aine Tubridy. that are taken for granted, opening, as The contents of this book are exactly Newleaf 2001, 163 pp., p/b. Goethe would put it, ‘a new organ of reflected in its title. The authors An unusual book about understanding perception’. approach healing from an esoteric (and demystifying) mental illness. The understanding of life and death, and authors put consciousness in the central Medicine/Health bring a great deal of practical experience position and present psychiatric labels as to bear on the book. The result is a clear understandable responses to traumatic guide with a wealth of clinical examples life experiences and situations. Themes Healing Wounded History and practical advice. It can be include fear, schizophrenia, mania, by Russ Parker. recommended to all interested in the obsessive-compulsive disorders, Darton, Longman and Todd Ltd. philosophy and practice of soul-based depression, PTSD and paranoia. 2001, 209 pp., £10.95, p/b. medicine. Psychotherapy is characterised as soul Subtitled ‘reconciling peoples and attendance. It is a helpful and hopeful healing places’, this is literally a ground- Commonsense Healthcare for book. breaking book that starts from the Children individual in community and our need by Karen Sullivan. Symbol Therapy to belong. Part of this belonging is our Piatkus Books 2000, 438 pp., by Ulli Springett. identity in time as well as space – history £14,99, p/b. Piatkus Books 2001, 215 pp., – so that ‘unhealed history repeats itself’ A remarkable book that should be on £8.99, p/b. as we can see all over the world today. every family bookshelf. As Chuck An original method springing from the The author roots his analysis in the Bible Spezzano rightly observes, ‘this book will author’s own experience which she has and draws on over 25 years experience in not only help you raise your children, it subsequently successfully applied to her the field. Unhealed history is will help you raise yourself’. It begins clients. The core of the practice is to represented by stories of woundedness with four chapters on food, including make contact with your Higher which go right to the heart of the analysis of various modern childrens’ Consciousness ‘which is the spiritual Christian epic itself. diets with instructive comments. This core of both yourself and the whole leads on to exercise, sleep and the home universe’. You then ask for a healing The Healing Power of Light by Primrose Cooper (SMN). environment, followed by emotional symbol which, when received, you Piatkus Books 2000, 171 pp., health, natural therapies for children and visualise regularly and/or when the £10.99, p/b. a list of common ailments and their specific problem or state arises. She then A readable introductory survey of light natural treatments. The book is full of spells out the process in a highly in its many guises. The author has done tips, advice and lists, explaining the readable way with many helpful case in depth work in the field for the last ten background to natural approaches and histories. A genuine self-help book. years and has organised a couple of empowering parents to make informed major international conferences. She choices. It is also clearly and often Natural Medicine First Aid covers the history, science amusngly written. Highly Remedies (bioinformation and phototronics) and recommended. by Stephanie Marohn. philosophy of light as well as its Hampton Roads Publishing therapeutic effects and metaphysical Healing the Future: The Journey Company Inc 2001, 441 pp., dimensions. In the final chapter she Within $22.95, p/b. suggests that we need to become what by Deepak Kashyap. An A-Z of self-care treatments for over a we are - living light. A very good place New Age Books 2001, 206 pp., p/b. hundred common ailments. The for people to begin their search to This is an autobiographical and practical condition is listed with a variety of understand the nature of light. book about yoga by an Indian civil possible approaches (for instance servant. It begins with his own story and homoeopathy, flower essences, herbs) so The Complete Book of Food moves on to chapters on the history and that the reader can choose what suits Combining nature of yoga, the physical body, subtle them best The book recommends a by Kathryn Marsden. bodies and energies, astrology, shaktipat, medicine chest of the ten most essential Piatkus Books 2000, 419 pp., reiki and then a chapter on his natural remedies, including arnica, tea £12.99, p/b. remarkable guru Hans Baba.The title of tree oil and echinacea. This must be the definitive guide to the the book is thatof the last chapter which subject by a well-known author. ranges over what the author calls the The Quick-Fix Hangover Detox Although the book is comprehensive, it alphabet of healing. An interesting by Jane Scrivner. is by no means intimidating - it is combination of well-informed Piatkus Books 2001, 120 pp., attractively set out and easy to use, perspectives here. £4.99, p/b. letting the reader down gently into the A book that would fit conveniently into subject. There is a preparatory week and Eating Disorders: The Facts the pocket for use on the job if required! only two absolutely fundamental by Suzanne Abraham & Derek Amusingly written and full of good principles: eat fruit on an empty Llewellyn-Jones. advice on preventive measures before, stomach and don’t combine Oxford University Press 1984, damage limitation during and recovery concentrated starches and concentrated 317 pp., £10.99, p/b. strategies after you drink - just in case proteins in the same meal. The second Fifth edition of a standard work that any reader of this review might need part deals with food combining to gives a broad overview of eating such advice.The single best piece advice improve health, while the third part lists disorders and their treatment at a is to drink plenty of water - but you over 50 recipes to get you started. An number of levels. The principal don’t need to go on a binge to benefit excellent book. conditions discussed are obesity, from this.

66 Network No. 77 December 2001 Past Lives, Future Healing key factors are severe physical or sexual An essential reference work for the by Sylvia Browne. abuse, neurological dysfunction serious student of Asian thought. Judy Piatkus (Publishers) Ltd 2001, (sometimes resulting from the abuse) 235 pp., £10.99, p/b. and psychiatric illness. His hypothesis, Tur ning A popular but responsible book about illustrated with five detailed case by Claire Blatchford. the author’s experience of past lives and histories, is that while abuse generates Lindisfarne Books 2001, 196 pp., their influence. She claims that these are the violent urge, neurological £9.99, h/b. mediated by ‘cell memory’ and does impairment and mental illness damage Subtitled ‘words heard from within’, this provide a mechanism for this by stating the capacity to control this urge. Pincus is a series of intuitive poems of great that the ‘spirit mind’ infuses the cells also suggests ways of spotting and beauty and authority. They speak with its memories and information when rehabilitating potentially violent directly to the reader about the deeper it joins the physical body. This has not individuals at an early stage. Of special aspects of life, offering insights and yet been investigated and it is hard to interest to psychologist and advice. Highly recommended as know how it could be tested but it is psychiatrists. contemplative reading. I have quoted suggestive. The case histories shed light some pages as fillers in this issue. on a variety of conditions enable the Multiple Sclerosis - The Facts reader to discern some common by Bryan Matthews and Margaret Spiritual Manifestos patterns. Rice-Oxley. Niles Eliot Goldstein (ed). Oxford University Press 2001, Deep Books Ltd 1999, 226 pp., The Healthy Living Space 119 pp., £11.99, p/b. £21.99, h/b. by Richard Leviton. A new edition of this concise book giving This is an interesting book written by Hampton Roads Publishing an overview of the nature of MS and its young spiritual leaders of many faiths Company Inc 2001, 625 pp., possible treatments. It contains fresh and setting out visions for renewed $21/05, p/b. material on rehabilitation and coping religious life in America. It probes what Subtitled ‘70 Practical Ways to Detoxify strategies, but does not aim to cover is called ‘moored’ rather than unmoored the Body and Home’, this is a complementary treatments. spirituality, by which is meant blockbuster of a volume. Astonishingly spirituality within a tradition rather than thorough and comprehensive, the book The Healing Journey the former free-floating and covers all the sources of toxicity that you by Matthew Manning. individualised version. For me it was can think of plus many that have Piatkus Books 2001, 278 pp., inspiring to read of the authors’ probably never occurred to you! All £14.99, h/b. commitment and vision - and the most aspects of the body are covered, With a foreword by Prof. Karol Sikora, interesting contribution was by Roshi including the liver and teeth (you can who asserts that the interaction of mind, Norman Fischer. He sees the necessity take a toxicity test early in the book), body and spirit is important for all of religion exploring and caring for the then the author moves on to the living healthcare, this new book by the healer human heart, the deepest, most intimate space of the home, Feng Shui and Matthew Manning results from research self. This means making time for Geopathic Stress.This really must be the made following his wife’s diagnosis with reflection and silence amidst our definitive guide and can be highly cancer. As such it is a thorough guide to habitual busyness. recommended. One small drawback for a raft of holistic treatments. It has a basic non-US readers is that most of the tips chapter on the immune system followed Ancestral Voices refer to US suppliers, although most by material (with guidelines and by Ramesh Chandra Shah. have web addresses. exercises) on the emotions, the healing Temenos Academy Review 2001, benefits of laughter and hope, stress, 74 pp., p/b. The Antibiotic Alternative physical well-being and nutrition - and Four lectures on the kind of philosophy by Cindy L A Jones. of course his own speciality of healing. of the imagination beloved by Yeats but Deep Books Ltd 2000, 242 pp., Accessibly written, this is a book for the coming out of the Indian Vedic tradition. £13.99, p/b. general reader rather than the specialist The author has a profound grasp of his A well written overview of ways to fight and would be a good addition to any GP subject and illuminates it widely and infection and maintain a healthy library. immune system. It begins with medical sensitively from some of the great texts microbiology and moves on to with lectures on Vedic poetry, Sanskrit Philosophy/Religion immunology, control of infections, stress poetry, Indian aesthetics and Bhakti and hralth, with special emphasis on the poetry. role of herbs in treating specific Companion Encyclopedia of Asian conditions. There is also a brief guide to Philosophy Buddhist Thought making herbal remedies. The book is a Brian Carr and Indira Mahalingam by Paul Williams. timely response to the increasing (eds). Routledge 2000, 323 pp., £8.99, p/b. prevalence of bacterial resistance and a Routledge 1997, 1136 pp., A complete and up to date introduction reminder that the best defence is the £150.00, h/b. to Buddhist thought, including the maintenance of our own immune This is an astonishing scholarly results of recent research. Deals with the systems. achievement, a collection of some fifty main schools, the background to essays on Asian philosophy - Persian, Buddhism and has a separate chapter on Base Instincts: What Makes Killers Indian, Buddhist, Chinese, Japanese and Tantric Buddhism. Although aimed at Kill Islamic traditions. Each part contains an students, the book is ideal for the general by Jonathan H Pincus. editorial introduction followed by an reader. W. W. Norton and Company Ltd essay on origins. Then essays on leading 2001, 239 pp., h/b. individuals or schools of thought, Philosophy in Classical India The author of this seminal work is followed by an analysis of logic and by Jonardon Ganeri. professor of neurology at Georgetown language, knowledge and reality, morals Routledge 2001, 207 pp., £14.99, p/b. University School of Medicine and has and society, and contemporary The author is Spalding Fellow in spent his career working with very expressions of the tradition. There are Comparative Religion at Cambridge and violent men. He has found that the three ample notes and lists of further reading. has produced a remarkable book that

Network No. 77 December 2001 67 brings the analytical approach to bear Mother Teresa: Essential Writings Nevertheless and despite the undoubted on the Indian philosophical traditions. by Jean Maalouf. quality of his insights, I find his claims It focuses on the concept of rationality Orbis Books 2001, 143 pp., to be a once and for all incarnation of and the methods of rational enquiry. $15.00, p/b. the Divine hard to swallow even if I Readers familiar with both Eastern and A book that provides the essential vision share his vision of transcending Western schools will appreciate insights of Mother Teresa. There is an excellent conditions to realise Oneness. of this scholarly work. introduction by the editor with a special section on her approach to spirituality. Radical Awakening: Cutting The Education of Desire This is followed by extracts on a variety Through the Conditioned Mind by T J Gorringe. of themes, including surrender, silence, Gilles Farcet (ed). SCM Press 2001, 144 pp., £13.95, contemplation in action, love and Inner Directions Foundation 2001, 197 pp., $14.95, p/b. p/b. happiness. An inspiring compendium. This is quite a roller coaster of a book A sensitive and erudite book that consisting of dialogues with Stephen combines aesthetics with theology, On Religion Jourdain, a Frenchman who had an drawing on some great paintings to by John D. Caputo. Taylor & Francis 2001, 147 pp., experience of awakening at the age of make his point. Gorringe offers a £7.99, p/b. 16. He talks about this eloquently and positive theology of the senses as This forms part of rather a trendy series with great insight, at the same time as instruments of grace, dealing with each called ‘Thinking in Action’ with other chain smoking - in other words he is not sense in turn and addressing both is ‘On’ titles, drawing from popular the average spiritual teacher, but then he positive and negative associations. He culture as well as more academic does not aspire to be, which is rather considers ‘sins of the flesh as well as the sources. It is a sincere search that begins refreshing. Here he is on his awakening: role of asceticism as self-discipline. His by defining religion as love of God ‘That indivisible unity which is the last chapter, ‘Celebrating Bodies’ before unpacking these concepts awakening has, despite everything, includes the role of liturgy and throughout the book and moving to several names: me, being, sacraments in the education of desire. ‘religion beyond religion’. It does not consciousness, infinite value. But, to cap avoid the difficulties emerging from that indivisible unity, there is something Arguing Well fundamentalism or the impact of post- more important that relates to by John Shand. modern thinking, but opens up the lines knowledge. Not only I am but I know. Routledge 2000, 103 pp., £7.99, p/b. of communication with the culture of Inn a sense, “I know” precedes “I am”’. A neat introduction to arguments and pre-modernity. An accessible This last phrase reminds the reader that logic, setting out and illustrating forms exploration. his awakening took place when of argument and fallacies. Although meditating on Descartes’ cogito as a aimed at students, the book is a good Making Good kind of koan. Elsewhere he describes the one for the general reader and puts by Helen Oppenheimer. change in attention from a focused reason within the context of our overall SCM Press 2001, 144 pp., arrow to a multidirectional mode mental processes. £13.95, p/b. whereby one begins to see everything A wide-ranging book whose title simultaneously. An intriguing book. An Introduction to the Philosophy intimates its main theme of theodicy A Message for Humanity of Mind arising out of the paradox of tragedy.We by K Martin-Kuri. by David Cockburn. can still make good out of the direst Clairview Books 2001, 244 pp., Palgrave 2001, 157 pp., £12.99, p/b. circumstances, in the interweaving of £9.95, p/b. It is a surprise to see my own work the given and our response to it. A thoughtful and accessible volume. An inspired and inspiring book about quoted in this rigorous and readable the role of angels at a time of world introduction to the philosophy of mind! The Seven Stages of Life crisis. The author brings a lifetime of The author teaches at the same intuitive listening to her book, urging us university as Paul Badham and has by Ruchira Avatar Adi Da Samraj. Deep Books Ltd 2000, 463 pp., to become actively conscious of the clearly benefited from conversations angelic hierarchies in order to connect £19.99, p/b. with him about these matters.The book humanity to the Godhead and avoid the Readers may have problems keeping up begins in the standard place with destruction of our civilisation. Each with Da Free John’s name changes as he Descartes but its second chapter is person will respond to this in their own metamorphoses through another stage entitled ‘The Cartesian Soul and the way but it is traditionally an arena of of development, which is what this book Paranormal’, which considers the free will. The book is also a guide to is about. The Epilogue title gives implications of OBEs.The author offers spiritual development for our time. something of the flavour of the book: I a very fair discussion although he seems Am The Perfectly Subjective Divine Rudolf Steiner: An Introduction to to stick to the disembodied Person, Self-Manifested As the Ruchira his Spiritual World-view, mind/physical body distinction instead Avatar - Who Is the First, The Last, and Anthroposophy of following the evidence to postulate the Only Adept-Realizer, Adept- by Roy Wilkinson. other more subtle bodies, as Mark Revealer and Adept-Revelation of The Temple Lodge |Publishing 2001, Woodhouse does in his work. The main Seventh Stage of Life. His fundamental 245 pp., £9.95. focus of the book is the nature of the message is the advaitic one of there person or human being and the author This is a really excellent introduction to being no ultimate difference between Steiner’s philosophy. The author has is arguably correct in claiming that the you and the Divine, that there is only the penetrated so deeply into the work that notions of soul and human being Divine, and that everything that exists is he speaks with one voice. The eleven cannot be equated, although I would a ‘modification’ of the One Divine chapters cover the full range of Steiner’s argue that the idea of the soul can be Reality. This premise explains the writings in a clear and accessible made consistent with a wider view of density and unusual punctuation of the manner. Themes include consciousness, science. This is a very balanced book, and the error is to read this from evolution, the relationship between the introduction to the field. the vantage point of egoic separation. living and the dead, evil, initiation, the

68 Network No. 77 December 2001 spiritual hierarchies and the mission of author of a number of books editing the experience while his philosophical Christ. teaching of Sri Ramana Maharshi. This background enables him to draw out the one is different and gives some general principles involved and question The Practice of Theology background of Osborne’s own life as an a range of rights invoked and policies by Colin E Gunton, Stephen R introduction to a selection of essays that proposed by opponents of immigration. Holmes and Murray A Rae. he wrote for a journal called ‘The SCM Press 2001, 484 pp., £15.95, p/b. Mountain Path’. Some relate directly to A History of Western Thought A remarkable student introduction to his teacher while others address specific by Gunnar Skirbekk and Nils Gilje. theology which makes an ideal starting issues about the spiritual path and are Taylor & Francis 2001, 487 pp., point for the interested general reader. It interspersed with a few of his devotional £14.99, p/b. takes the key areas and immerses the poems. A profound collection. The first English edition of what has student directly in the classic texts going clearly been a standard undergraduate back to the Church Fathers and coming A Short Course in the Philosophy of work in Scandinavia since its publication right up to date.The main headings treat Religion in the early 70s. In scope but not in tone the sources for theology, the nature of by George Pattison. it resembles Russell’s History of Western theological claims and doing theology SCM Press 2001, 227 pp., £16.95, p/b. Philosophy, beginning as it does with the today. Each section has an introductory An introductory book that sets the study Greeks and proceeding through to our essay to set the scene. of philosophy of religion in our current time. Each section contains questions historical context with chapter on for students and a short list of further Soul Prints history itself, the significance of by Mark Gafni. primary and secondary reading. There subjectivity and developments in Penguin/Viking Books 2001, 318 pp., are good sections on the rise of modern language philosophy and £14.99, h/b. science, doubt and belief in Descartes, deconstructionism. This leads to a Here is a sophisticated type of self-help the rise of the humanities. Marx, discussion of reductionism and the book from a person steeped in the Kierkegaard, Darwin and Nietzsche all nature of interpretation. Then there are Kabbalah and Biblical Myth, the power have their own chapters. There is a two good chapters on theodicy that draw of which he helps the reader recover. It is section on Freud but scarcely any on literature - for instance Dostoevsky - about making a deep connection with mention of Jung, or indeed of William as well as a final chapter on eternal life. life and living one’s own story, James and Henri Bergson, both of whom It is a clear exposition suitable for the manifesting what he calls the soul print’. feature in Russell.The social sciences are Gafni is a guide who one senses has been general reader. introduced and there is a section on where he takes the reader, illustrating his Einstein (not really enough on the points both from experience and sacred Your Shamanic Path: Ancient philosophical implications of QM) and scripture. The book contains a wealth of Wisdom for the 21st Century on interdisciplinarity. The style is clear stories as well as sidebar quotations that by Leo Rutherford. although it is a pity that the typeface is summarise the themes: ‘creating Sacred Piatkus Books 2001, 249 pp., so small. Autobiography is the spiritual imperative £9.99, p/b. of our generation’. The exercises are Leo Rutherford is one of the best-known As It Is searching rather than superficial, inviting writers on shamanism. This book by Tony Parsons. real reflection and facilitating growth contains an engaging autobiographical Inner Directions Foundation 2001, from the inside out. introduction followed by an overview of 138 pp., $14.95, p/b. shamanism and a self-help guide to Good Life, Good Death This book is a complete contrast in tone many techniques with ubiquitous by Rimpoche Nawang Gehlek. to the Jourdain dialogues although exercises, However I could not help Riverhead Books 2001, 181 pp., h/b. coming from the same stable. Both insist thinking that this kind of teaching is best Slightly misleadingly entitled ‘Tibetan that our ordinary sense of self is in some received live with a book as a back-up. Wisdom on Reincarnation’, this is in fact sense unreal but Tony Parsons’ style is a book setting out in clear terms the direct and simple rather than analytical: Rumi - Hidden Music essentials of Tibetan teaching on the ‘I am already that which I seek’. Just by Maryam Mafi & Azima Melita mind and its training, the ego, anger and drop the sense of separation. ‘Life is not Kolin. patience, attachment and pure love. It a task. There is absolutely nothing to has a foreword by the Dalai Lama and Thorsons 2001, 214 pp., £12.99, h/b. attain except the realisation that there is an introduction by Bob Thurman, thus A new collection of Rumi poems absolutely nothing to attain’. ‘There is giving it the finest imprimatur. And arranged thematically, covering the Path, no possibility for the mind to still the indeed the text is exemplary, the Secret, Hidden Treasure and other mind, and once it is recognised that what culminating in a chapter on the ‘good central spiritual themes. The poems are you are is the still, silent awareness that death’. Here there is an instructive story sensitively translated and are sees the mind and its activities going on, about two Tibetan officials who, in accompanied by an evocative series of then it is also recognised that there is no failing health, wanted to die while still paintings specially commissioned for need to still the mind’. lucid.The first one died on schedule but this volume. A must for Rumi lovers and the second was admitted to hospital after a good introduction for those new to the signs of death had been reversed. It him. Psychology/Parapsychology turned out that the reason he had not been able to die was his attachment to a On Immigration and Refugees new shirt given to him by a friend. Once The Personality Compass: A New the teacher had ripped it up in front of by Michael Dummett. Way to Understand People him, the disciple was able to die very Taylor & Francis 2001, 160 pp., by Diane Turner & Thelma Greco. easily! £7.99, p/b. Thorsons 1998, 304 pp., £6.99, p/b. Here Sir Michael Dummett ventures A hands-on book that builds its own For Those with Little Dust beyond technical philosophy into a fourfold division of personality types by Arthur Osborne. contentious area dealing with the ethical after a brief historical survey of other Inner Directions Foundation 2001, and political dilemmas raised by the traditions. It classifies people into the 237 pp., $14.95, p/b. treatment of immigrants and refugees in four points of the compass and analyses Arthur Osborne is well-known as the Britain. His activism gives him the typical and more extreme versions of the

Network No. 77 December 2001 69 types. It is probably easier to recognise The Erik Erikson Reader and patenting life. As it professes, the others than yourself but there are tests Robert Coles (ed). book is about new attitudes and a that help identify the types. Personally, I W. W. Norton and Company Ltd change of direction, not a catalogue of found a mixture of characteristics, which 2000, 526 pp., $17.95, p/b. doom and gloom. It features good one could either interpret as confusion This more of an anthology than a reader diagrams and useful facts to back up or or integration! An amusing book to dip of Erikson’s pioneering work in illustrate its arguments. A vade mecum into but not one for the serious psychoanalysis and human for a radical appraisal of our prospects. psychologist. development. The four sections treat children, human development, leaders On Cosmopolitanism and Swedenborg’s Dream Diary and moral matters. The extracts are in Forgiveness by Lars Bergquist. some cases lengthy passages from books by Jacques Derrida. Swedenborg Foundation 2001, with only a brief introduction at the start Taylor & Francis 2001, 60 pp., 371 pp., $24.95, h/b. of each section, which makes is more £7.99, p/b. Readers may be familiar with the life and suitable for the student than the A constructive book from a leading work of the scientist and mystic complete beginner in the field. The deconstructionist. In this book Derrida Emanuel Swedenborg. His diary of the people interestingly discussed in the addresses the only too apparent tensions years 1743-1744 was published leaders’ part are Gorky, Jefferson, between refugee and asylum rights and posthumously and sheds light on the Luther and Gandhi. Here the writing is the ethic of hospitality; and the dilemma existential crisis that shifted his focus very fine and Erikson yields real insight of reconciliation and amnesty where from science to mysticism. Lars into his protagonists. traumatic episodes demand forgiveness, Bergquist, a former Swedish as in South Africa.Throughout the book ambassador, has written a fascinating Future Studies/Economics/Ecology Derrida argues by means of examples introduction, which is followed by the that true forgiveness means forgiving the text accompanied by an insightful unforgivable. A tall order but one that commentary. Previous editions of this Organic Living in 10 Simple Lessons promises the possibility of breaking the work have been somewhat impenetrable, by Karen Sullivan. cycle of violence. but this new edition opens it up to a new Piatkus Books 2001, 144 pp., readership. Psychologists with an £12.99, p/b. Working with the Stars interest in dreams will find it intriguing. A simple well-illustrated book that by Maria Thun and Matthias K. makes an ideal introduction to organic Thun. The Myth of Maturity living. It covers all aspects of food from Floris Books 2001, 76 pp., £5.99, p/b. by Terri Apter. gardening to cooking and contains a This is the biodynamic sowing and W. W. Norton and Company Ltd number of helpful FAQs. planting calendar for 2002. For 2001, 288 pp., £19.95, h/b. gardening readers unaware of Steiner’s This is a sensitive and practical book On the Edge: Living with Global biodynamic approach, this represents its about ‘thresholders’ subtitled ‘what Capitalism practical application in recommending teenagers need from parents to become Will Hutton & Anthony Giddens optimum times for sowing, pruning and adults’. The author teaches at (eds). harvesting various plant crops. The Cambridge and draws on a large body of Vintage 2001, 241 pp., £8.99, p/b. difference that this can make to the research, illustrating her thesis with vivid A multifaceted work addressing the quality and size of produce is quite case histories. The core of her thesis, issues raised by living with global startling, so it’s well worth a try. which I am sure is correct, is that many capitalism. The editors are respectively teenagers and young adults do need Chief Executive of the Industrial Society Education their parents’ guidance and support and Director of the LSE, so the book is while at the same time demanding prodigiously well informed and draws on respect and independence.This is not an equally authoritative figures with The Tomten easy balancing act, as the book amply divergent views of the theme such as by Astrid Lingren. demonstrates, but the author draws out Vandana Shiva, Paul Volcker and Polly Floris Books 2001, 24 pp., £8.99, h/b. helpful guidelines to deal with various Toynbee. It begins with a scene-setting Charlotte Lorimer (6) writes: a charming types of situation that will be only too conversation between the editors, who story about a tomten who looks after the familiar to parents in their current also sum the book up together at the animals at night and explains to them in position or how they remember end. The emphasis of their views the middle of winter that summer will themselves twenty or thirty years ago. diverges in a stimulating fashion, with come again. He lives in a barn and is Strongly recommended to both parents Will Hutton emerging as the more never seen by humans. He needs to and students. circumspect of the two. Both are come and look after our guinea pigs. sceptical of current clichés and work Lovely pictures. Psyche’s Seeds through their own positions in by Jacquelyn Small. considerable detail. The upshot is that The Tomten and trhe Fox Piatkus Books 2001, 274 pp., the current system should be allowed to by Astrid Lingren. £9.99, p/b. continue but with modifications, Floris Books 2001, 24 pp., £8.99, h/b. A fine book on personal growth and especially to the global financial system. Charlotte writes: another story about the transformation which uses the myth of Tomten. This time he kindly shares his Psyche and Eros as a way to show how to The Little Earth Book porridge with the hungry fox but the fox combine psychological and spiritual by James Bruges. does not promise not to try eating the searches. The second part elaborates on Alastair Sawday Publishing Co Ltd chickens in the future. The story is also a number of key insights or seeds such as 2000, 143 pp., £4.99, p/b. set in midwinter. ‘the self is greater than its conditions’ A remarkable compilation with around and ‘we learn to live within the tension 50 environmental, social and economic The Blue Pearls of opposites as walkers in two worlds’. themes treated in an informative and by Elizabeth Stuart Warfel. The seed is then related to a life lesson lively fashion. These include cod, the Barefoot Books 2001, 24 pp., £9.99. and a corresponding exercise. The book ozone layer, water, weapons of war, Rio (Review by Charlotte Lorimer, 6) I loved comes alive with the author’s insights and Kyoto, economic growth, citizen’s this story about angels who have to make gained in the course of her own process income, debt, the WTO, farming, a special dress for a girl who is about to as well as that of her clients. superbugs, terminator seeds, population die. The Mummy who wrote the story

70 Network No. 77 December 2001 lost her own little girl and tells her The Lost Tomb of Viracocha is enormous, with sections on children, children that the most important thing by Maurice Cotterell. relationships, health, environment, in life is loving and being loved, which I Headline Book Publishing 2001, energy, transport, the arts and politics. It know all about! And what beautiful 214 pp., £18.99, p/b. is an inexhaustible supply of ingenious pictures! One for your Christmas This is the latest book by Maurice schemes ideal for browsing. stocking Cotterell, author of ‘The Tutankhamun Prophecies’ and a number of other On Belief The Little Troll books on South American and Egyptian by Slavoj Zizek. by Thomas Berger and Ronald traditions. Here he elaborates his thesis Taylor & Francis 2001, 170 pp., Heuninck. that supergods have incarnated in £7.99, p/b. Floris Books 2001, 32 pp., £8.99, h/b. various cultures and taught the higher An erudite tour of contemporary belief (Review by Charlotte Lorimer, 6) I learnt orders of science and spirituality systems that shows how pervasive beliefs all about trolls on our holiday in Norway including what he calls the super-science still are and how consumerist our this year so this was going to be an of the sun. He argues that the secrets of attitude to spirituality can be, especially interesting book. It’s a lovely story about this science are encoded in the pyramids at the bottom end of the self-help of Peru, leaving a message of a troll who wanted to become a human market, a burgeoning but essentially reincarnation to future generations. ephemeral genre that fills the pages of being and learns that the best way of Network readers will also be interested new catalogues - only to be replaced by doing this is to help others. He helps all in the spiritual teaching underlying the another similar batch next year. sorts of people and animals and book, based on the view that the soul is gradually turns into a human being. A ‘imperishable, indestructible, immortal The Little Book of Women’s Wisdom girl lets him into the church at and everlasting’. In a gnostic tradition by Judy Ashberg. Christmas and he is welcomed as a he sees the earth as hell - the polar Judy Piatkus (Publishers) Ltd 2001, human being - it’s a wonderful moment! opposite of heaven - and has a somewhat 159 pp., £4.99, p/b. depressing view of alternating Divided into five sections - General incarnations in high - and low-voltage understanding yourself, parents and bodies, but there is the possibility of children, relationships, personal growth, liberation or purification when the happiness and inner peace - this book The Monuments of Ancient Egypt physical, emotional and intellectual contains aphorisms and advice about all by Jeremy Stafford-Deitsch (SMN). bodies are in equilbrium. There is more areas of life. Some insights are more The British Museum Press 2001, 167 detail than there is space for here - an relevant than others, but the book does pp., £24.99, h/b. intriguing book. provide a starting point for reflection. This is a stunningly illustrated guide with photographs achieving Dictionary of the Internet Hymns to the Night, Spiritual Songs extraordinary definition owing to by Darrel Ince. by Novalis. Jeremy’s painstaking use of a ‘view Oxford University Press 2001, Temple Lodge |Publishing 2001, camera’ which not only records the 340 pp., £16.99, p/b. 60 pp., p/b. tiniest details of hieroglyphs but also You won’t believe how many terms there A gem of a book by this late 18th means that the distortions inherent in a are connected with the Internet - century Romantic poet describing his fixed 35mm lens (for instance stretching to over 300 pages. It includes spiritual awakening as a result of the converging columns) can be overcome. all the shorthand you might need FYI. loss of his fiancée. Some of the pieces are Since he worked in the heat of the Also comes with a CD and web links if in prose, but most is in poetry, summer when the monuments are all you want an electronic version to search. translated over a hundre years ago by but deserted there are few human figures George Macdonald. to be seen apart from natives. The book The Selected Letters of Bertrand contains an introduction by T.G.H. Russell Temenos Academy Review, James, the former Keeper of Egyptian Nicholas Griffin (ed). Spring 2001 Antiquities at the British Museum, plus Routledge 2001, 660 pp., £25.00, h/b. Kathleen Raine (ed). introductions to the sites by Jeremy A remarkable piece of scholarship by the Temenos Academy Review 2001, himself. The result is a book that editor, whose annotations and notes 222 pp., p/b. everyone interested in Ancient Egypt between the letters are enormously Every year the Temenos Academy will wish to own. helpful in guiding the reader through the Review upholds traditional values based vast range of Russell’s public and private on truth, goodness and beauty while Stone Age Soundtracks concerns. 1914 marked a turning point maintaining the highest standards. This by Paul Devereux (SMN). in his political life when he became an issue contains the Prince of Wales’s Chrysalis Books 2001, 160 pp., activist, which he remained for the rest Reith Lecture, which many will have £12.99, p/b. of his life. The letters trace the read when it first came out, then a Subtitled ‘the acoustic archaeology of complexities of his love life as well as the number of articles focused on Marcilio ancient sites’, this is the book to causes that he espoused politically, for Ficino, one of which reflects on the accompany the Channel 4 programme instance with Einstein in the 1950s. principle of unity in Ficino and that some readers may have seen. As Shakespeare (and there is also a talk by Christopher Chippindale observes, the Cornucopia of Ideas: A Global Ideas Martin Lings on Shakespeare and rationale for such observation is ‘here is Bank Compendium Keats). In addition to some fine poetry - an ancient place whose structure and Nicholas Albery and others (eds). including a long extract from a poem order and size and shape and controlling The Institute for Social Inventions about the Buddha- there is a haunting human logic are such that we can 2001, 300 pp., £15.00, p/b. series of seascapes from the West coast of reasonably conclude that sounds were This is the annual global ideas bank Scotland. A sustaining collection as part of its ancient purpose and use and compendium produced by Nicholas always. meaning, as evident in the care taken to Albery and his colleagues at the Institute create it that way’. The book takes a for Social Inventions. They award a first The Oxford Dictionary of pioneering look at the likely use of sound prizeof £1,000 to the most innovative Humorous Quotations in ritual settings and contains some idea plus awards in a number of different by Ned Cherrin. fascinating findings that show an categories such as medicine, Oxford University Press 2001, acoustic consistency across different neighbourhood, education and work. 512 pp., £18.99, h/b. sites. The reader is also introduced into This year’s prize goes to a scheme of Safe is spelled D-U-L-L. Politics has got the ancient world of sound - an almost community administration of local to be a fun activity - Alan Clark, from unimaginably different world to our prisons in order to change the way the Politics section of this treasure of a own. criminals are treated. As usual the scope book, now entering its second edition.

Network No. 77 December 2001 71 The basic layout is in subjects, with and a sequence of book reviews. year. He is a huge creative loss to the authors and dates down the side. Then Essential nourishment for the spirit. alternative movement, and the Natural there is a separate subject and author Death Centre was one of his ideas. This index, invaluable for sourcing topics or On the Internet year’s handbook is naturally framed by looking up one’s favourite wits - I must by Hubert L Dreyfus. Nicholas’s own death (and woodland confess, though, to wishing that there Taylor & Francis 2001, 127 pp., funeral) and the reactions to it. But the were a few more entries from F.E. £7.99, p/b. book contains much other worthwhile Smith! One of the first overall reflections on the material including an extended diary of Internet and its impact on eudaciton Ian Daycock’s death. The book should be in every hospice. Temenos Academy Review, and our self-image. It looks at data and Spring 2000 document classification and retrieval, the advantages and drawbacks of On Death, Dying and Not Dying Keith Critchlow (SMN) (ed). by Peter Houghton. Temenos Academy Review 2000, distance learning, the problems arising from disembodied telepresence and Jessica Kingsley Publishers 2001, 224 pp., p/b. 176 pp., $15.95, p/b. In his message for this edition of The issues of anonymity vs. commitment. This is a searing and profound account Temenos Academy Review, the Prince of The author maintains that the Net can of Peter Houghton’s nearing death Wales reminds its readers that ‘the be useful to us so long as we continue to experience and his subsequent re- traditions which form the basis of affirm our bodies in spite of its emergence as a result of taking part in a mankind’s most civilised values have a asymmetric trade-offs of ‘economy over clinical trial for a new treatment for practical relevance in the creation of efficiency in education, the virtual over cardiomyopathy. It is all the more beauty and the maintenance of a living the real in our relation to things and poignant in combining the author’s own people, and anonymity over tradition.The Temenos Academy itself is experience with his counselling work of commitment in our lives. based on ten principles that are related the dying. He begins with his own story to the ethos of the Network, for instance before going on to describe the physical ‘Love of wisdom, in the form of Truth, Death and Dying process of dying, the last days, and how people feel about death and dying. He is Goodness and Beauty, as the essential agnostic about the possibility of survival basis of civilisation’. Keith Critchlow Progressive Endings: Changing of consciousness - he has no answers to contributes a beautiful essay on the attitudes to death and dying the difficult questions but ‘All the imaginal realm and its role in education, Nicholas Albery (ed) and others. experiences of life, including suffering while David Cadnam’s reflections on The Natural Death Centre 2001, and its relief, compassion and pity, are sustainability offer much food for 101 pp., £6.20, p/b. there to be embraced. To me life is thought. Then there are essays on Some readers may not be aware that something to be celebrated and death Wordsworth and Coleridge, as well as Nicholas Albery, not himself a car something to be endured as part of the poems and colour plates of iconic figures owner, was killed in a crash in June this universal experience of entropy’.

excerpt from TALKS IN CHINA - Rabindranath Tagore. The final meaning of the delight which we find in a rose can never be in the roundness of its petals, just as the final meaning of the joy of music cannot be in a gramophone disk. Somehow we feel that through a rose the language of love reaches our heart. Do we not carry a rose to our beloved because in it is already embodied a message which unlike our language of words cannot be analysed? Through this gift of a rose we utilise a universal language of joy for our own purposes of expression. In India the Vaishnava religion is a religion of symbolism in which the Supreme Lover has his flute which with its different stops gives out the different notes of beauty that are in nature and in man. These notes bring to us our message of invitation. They eternally urge us to come out from the seclusion of our self-centred life into the realm of love and truth. Are we deaf by nature? Or is it that we have been deafened by the claims of the world of self-seeking, by the clamorous noise of the market place? We miss the voice of the Lover and we fight, we rob, we exploit the weak, we chuckle at our cleverness when we can appropriate for our use what is due to others, we make our life a desert by turning away from our world that stream of love which pours down from the blue sky and wells up from the bosom of the earth. In this region of reality, by unlocking the secret doors of the workshop department, you may come to that dark hall where dwells the Mechanic and help yourselves to attain usefulness , but through it you will never attain finality. But the hall of union is there where dwells the Lover in the heart of existence.When you reach it you at once realise that you have come to Truth, to immortality and you are glad with a gladness which is an end, and yet which has no end. Mere information of facts, mere discovery of power, belongs to the outside and not to the inner soul of things. Gladness is the one criterion of truth and we know when we have touched Truth by the music it gives, by the joy of the greeting it sends forth to the truth in us.That is the true foundation of all religions, it is not in dogma. As I have said before it is not as ether waves that we receive our light: the morning does not wait for some scientist for its introduction to us. In the same way, we touch the infinite reality immediately within us only when we perceive the pure truth of love or goodness, not through the explanation of theologians, not through the erudite discussion of ethical doctrines. I have already confessed to you that my religion is a poet’s religion; all that I feel about it is from vision and not from knowledge. I frankly say that I cannot satisfactorily answer your questions about evil, or about what happens after death. And yet I am sure that there have come moments when my soul has touched the infinite and has become intensely conscious of it through the illumination of joy. It has been said in the Upanishads that our mind and our words come away baffled from the supreme Truth, but the who knows That, through the immediate joy of his own soul, is saved from all doubts and fears. In the night we stumble over things and become acutely conscious of their individual separateness, but the day reveals the great unity which embraces them. And the man, whose inner vision is bathed in an illumination of his consciousness, at once realises the spiritual unity reigning supreme over all differences of race and his mind no longer awkwardly stumbles over individual facts of separateness in the human world, accepting them as final; he realises that peace is in the inner harmony which dwells in truth, and not in any outer adjustments; that beauty carries an eternal assurance of our spiritual relationship to reality, which waits for its perfection in the response of our love.

72 Network No. 77 December 2001 Of Friendship by George B. Blaker 1949

“What then do you expect of friendship?” My friend enquired. “An association that inspires, ennobles,” I replied, “That draws always from me The best that lies within me to bestow, That never changes, yet is as fresh As the events of life that surge about it, Causing it to grow; Beauty of Spirit; nobility of mind; But of qualities of body as they are; For the body conforms not so well to the mind, Nor the mind reflects so perfectly the Spirit, As the Spirit holds the image of the Lord. My friend he is within whose thought or presence The mind is free to range in planes of peace, Accepting there fresh draughts of understanding To pit against disharmonies of Earth. In the loneliness of inner tribulation. When the penetrating dawn of higher truth Has shocked the wond’ring mind with such a vision Of the purposes and values of our life That it shrinks to summon stern, unselfish courage In measure great enough to face itself And bids dissolve its own most loved assessments, Seen now to shine less brightly than the truth; In nights of disillusion such as these, When bitterness, with loops of twisted grief, Could noose unwary feet: in times like these My friend he is whose soul responds, unknowing, To needs of soul unknown and unexpressed; Who, comprehending nothing of the crisis, Yet stirs the soul to seek in inward prayer The light that flares the path of … readjustment, … Rebuilding aspiration in the heart. “I demand therefore nothing of my friend,” I said, “Except that he Be. The response to his Being Is up to me”.

(‘… worded “he” in this context but in other circumstances it can be “she” ’ G.B.B 16/7/98 ) Address: Name: Application Membership e:+4()10 102 -al [email protected] +44 (0)1306710072E-mail: Tel: GL56 0SF Glos. Moreton-in-Marsh, PO Box 11, The Administrative Director, Please sendto: Medical Network. Iencloseacheque for£24ma its work bybecomingan Associate. withtheaimsofNetwork asseto I ambroadlyinagreement (£15annually) I wishtoapplyforstudentmembership joining feeof£5). Please sendmean (Standar Application forFullMembership Form Network seminars. working g inlocalgroups, andmay participate Directory Members’ FullMe Inaddition, and detailsofNetwork evens andactivities. Associates andMembers Students, andotherprofessionals. doctors isbyapplication andisusuallyonlyopento univerMembership oftheNetworksympathetic may totheaimsandconcerns become Associate andStu Full, ofMembership; There arethreecategories which organiselocalmeetingsforMembers. wo exchangewithsimilar groups contactsandinformation events, audioandvi forschools, The Network provides aSpeakerService weekend meetingsindifferentEuropeancountries. aresidentialweekend toget to know forMembers meetings, group evening lecturesands open day ofdialoguesonatopicaltheme, The Network’s includes-amajorresid annualmeetingprogramme projects andpublications. professionalcategori plusdetailsofMembers telephone numbers, containi Directory, The Network publishesaconfidentialMembers’ such researchmorewidelyknown through education. and ofhumanknowledgeresearch at andexperience, thefrontiers ofscienceandsoci towidentheintellectualhorizons leads, Itseekstopursu The Network iscommittedtonodogmaorcreed. of existenceandthenature ofthehumanbeing. theyarepreparedtoasksearchingq inexperience, and totruth shareadeepcommitme BecauseMembers cultivation offriendship. exchange encouraging The Network linkslike-mindedindividuals, so oftenlimitedbyexclusively reasoning. materialistic scientif Itquestionstheassumptionsofcontemporary countries. TheNetwork was foundedin1973andhasover intuitive insights. bo medicineandeducation byfostering inscience, understanding TheaimoftheNetwork therapists andmany otherprofessionals. togetherwithpsychologists of qualifiedscientistsanddoctors, international The ScientificandMedicalNetwork isaninformal Joining The Network Joining The About theNetwork Telephone: ti hslalt andwishtosupport ut inthisleaflet, de outto The Scientificand ae£7anal,plusone-off d rate £37annually, t sawoe tostimulate ety asawhole, nier,philosophers, engineers, , uestions aboutthenature sity-qualified scientists, eils eias research pecialist seminars, group consistingmainly group ic andmedicalthinking, mbers receivembers the s neet,research interests, es, th rational analysisand rldwide, regional groups regional rldwide, tomaketheresultsof deo tapesofNetwork is todeepen 2,000 Members in52 2,000Members ec te,and eachother, of ideasandthe et Anyone dent. nilcneec,an ential conference, nAscae Full an Associate. roups andspecial gnms addresses, ng names, allreceive theReview e truth wherever it e truth nt toopenenquiry