We are truly living in exciting times. The challenges and crises facing the world today are portents of imminent change in civilization. We are on the threshold of an incredible global evolutionary shift.
The current panoply of global crises collectively reveals we are facing our own extinction. Scientists acknowledge that the current degradation of the environment and the massive loss of species are evidence that we are deep into the sixth mass extinction to hit Earth since the origin of life. Unlike the first five massive die-offs, attributed to physical causes such as life-destroying geological upheavals and the impact of comets and asteroids, the current wave of extinctions is due to a source much closer to home: human behavior. Our way of life is wreaking havoc in the global community and our survival is now in question.
Crises are harbingers of evolution. Albert Einstein wisely proffered, "We cannot solve the problems with the same thinking that created them." Consequently, the planet's hope and salvation lies in the adoption of revolutionary new knowledge being revealed at the frontiers of science. This new awareness is shattering old myths and rewriting the "truths" that shape the character of human civilization.
New science revises four fundamental beliefs that shape civilization. These flawed assumptions include:
1) The Newtonian vision of the primacy of a physical, mechanical Universe;
2) Genes control biology;
3) Evolution resulted from random genetic mutations; and
4) Evolution is driven by a struggle for the survival-of-the-fittest. These failed beliefs represent the "Four Assumptions of the Apocalypse," for they are driving human civilization to the brink of extinction.
Modern science is predicated on "truths" verified through accurate observation and measurements of physical world phenomena. Science ignores the spiritual realm because it is not amenable to scientific analysis. As importantly, the predictive success of Newtonian theory, emphasizing the primacy of a physical Universe, made the existence of spirit and God an extraneous hypothesis that offered no explanatory principles needed by science.
In the wake of Newtonian theory, with the Hand of God out of the way, society has been preoccupied with dominating and controlling Nature. Darwin's theory further exacerbates the situation by suggesting that humans evolved through the happenstance of random genetic mutations. Accordingly, we evolved by pure "chance," which by extension means: without an underlying purpose for our existence. Darwinian theory removed the last link between God, spirit and the human experience.
Additionally, Darwinism emphasizes that evolution is based on "the survival of the fittest in the struggle for existence." For science, the end of the evolution struggle is simply represented by "survival." As for the means to that end, apparently anything goes. Darwinism leaves humanity without a moral compass.
A mechanical Newtonian Universe in combination with Darwin's theory of random evolution disconnects us from Nature and spirit, while legitimizing the exploitation and degradation of our fellow humans and the environment.
Modern science has led the world to shift from spiritual aspirations to a war for material accumulation. In addition to terrorizing the world's human population, scientific "progress" has terrorized Mother Nature herself. Our credo, "Better Living Through Chemistry," has led to our efforts to control Nature with toxic petrochemicals. As a result, we have polluted the environment, undermined the harmony of the biosphere and are rapidly driving ourselves toward extinction.
All is not lost. Advances from science's frontier offer new insights that provide a bright light at the end of this dark tunnel. Firstly, in contrast to the emphasis on the Newtonian material realm, the newer science of quantum mechanics reveals that the Universe and all of its physical matter are actually made out of immaterial energy. Atoms are not physical particles; they are made of energy vortices resembling nano-tornadoes.
Quantum physics stresses that the invisible energy realm, collectively referred to as the field, is the primary governing force of the material realm. It is more than interesting that the term field is defined as "invisible moving forces that influence the physical realm," for the same definition is used to describe spirit. The new physics provides a modern version of ancient spirituality. In a Universe made out of energy, everything is entangled, everything is one.
Biomedical research has recently toppled the widespread belief that organisms are genetically controlled robots and that evolution is driven by a random, survival-of-the-fittest mechanism. As genetically controlled "robots," we are led to perceive of ourselves as "victims" of heredity. Genes control our lives yet we did not pick our genes, nor can we change them if we don't like our traits. The perception of genetic victimization inevitably leads to irresponsibility, for we believe we have no power over our lives.
The exciting new science of epigenetics emphasizes that genes are controlled by the environment, and more importantly, by our perception of the environment. Epigenetics acknowledges that we are not victims, but masters, for we can change our environment or perceptions, and create up to 30,000 variations for each of our genes.
Quantum physics and epigenetics provide amazing insight into the mystery of the mind-body-spirit connection. While Newtonian physics and genetic theory dismiss the power of our minds, the new science recognizes that consciousness endows us with powerful creative abilities to shape our lives and the world in which we live. Our thoughts, attitudes and beliefs control behavior, regulate gene expression and provide for our life experiences.
In contrast to random mutations, science has identified "adaptive" mutation mechanisms, wherein organisms adjust their genetics to conform to existing environmental conditions. We did not get here by chance. Every new organism introduced into the biosphere supported harmony and balance in the Garden. Every organism is intimately engaged with the environment in a delicate pas de deux. Human existence is not a random accident, but a carefully choreographed event that takes into account the cooperative nature of the biosphere. Humans evolved as the most powerful force in supporting Nature's vitality. However, we have misused that power and are now paying the price for our destructive behavior.
The crises we face present us with the greatest opportunity in human history-conscious evolution. Through consciousness, our minds have the power to change our planet and ourselves. It is time we heed the wisdom of the ancient indigenous people and channel our consciousness and spirit to tend the Garden and not destroy it.
The story of human life on Earth is yet to be determined. Our evolution depends on whether we are willing to make changes in our individual and collective beliefs and behaviors, and whether we are able to make these changes in time. The good news is that biology and evolution are on our side. Evolution -- like heaven -- is not a destination, but a practice.
A miraculous healing awaits this planet once we accept our new responsibility to collectively tend the Garden. When a critical mass of people truly own this belief in their hearts and minds and begin living from these truths, our world will emerge from the darkness in what will amount to a consciousness-based world-shift -- a spontaneous evolution for humans, by humans.
Integral spirituality, modern science, and conscious evolution
YouTube - SCIENCE & SPIRITUALITY Kabbalah Meets Modern Science P1/2
Modern PSEUDOSCIENCE has bankrupted our souls.
"Evolution makes people mean and stinky, because it's focused on evidence and not the supernatural. So i'm using creationist arguments to say that we should all be nice to each other and awaken our 'spirits' to 'evolve' past societal and moral differences."
Also, surprise, he bungles modern Evolutionary theory, while posing no proof for his ayurvedic space woo or 'souls'. There's a reason science doesn't deal with the supernatural, Mr. Lipton: Because it doesn't exist.
Science has gone through many paradigm shifts after which certain ideas came to be accepted as fact that were seen as absurd before. I believe that is what is going to happen with quantum mechanics: theories will be put forward that will be seen as absurd by most people but then eventually will be accepted.
This paradigm shift, since it will involve the nature of the most fundamental building blocks we know of in the universe, will have wide repercussions on how we think about just about everything.
This article is pretty vague though...I don't think we should rely on everyone to spontaneously evolve in order to save the world. I would rather that governments pass stricter regulations on pollution, deforestation, etc.
But still, try not to just dismiss claims or theories involving quantum mechanics, since so little is know about it (that's my opinion, at least).
Quantum physics and relativity do overthrow the Newtonian conception of a clockwork universe, but they don't provide any support for mumbo-jumbo made up to justify some groups of people in oppressing other groups.
As for the degradation of the Earth, which might lead to extinction is probable, but can be ultimately reduced by rethinking our attitudes and methods by which toxic wastes are disposed of. I believe most industrial nations are putting up stringent measures at controlling pollution of our waters and environments. China, a nation that is undergoing very rapid industrialization produces perhaps the highest level of pollutants which their government is struggling to control and I hope they succeed in order to give a respite to the surroundings and the world at large.
This is a legitimate question. In what sense is a materialistic scientific method “biased”? Is materialism a fundamental principle of science? Well it has come to mean just that, as a materialistic world has become the only paradigm for most of science.
Science is discovery using the scientific method to discover these mysteries of life and observable and testable universal laws. Science in its purest sense means that nothing needs to be off limits but if the scientist has a materialistic paradigm then only that which lies in the realm of materialism will be investigated and any data that does not fit into his or her materialistic paradigm will be excluded as we only discover what lies within our paradigms.
You defined the fundamental principle of science as the principle that there exists an objective physical world that is the same to all observers indicates a materialistic paradigm. The mystic sees a much different world than a materialistic scientist.
Qualitative data exists for a reality that is beyond a materialistic world as the only reality. Qualitative data collected in accordance with scientific methods is considered scientific and acceptable knowledge. That data is rejected before investigated by anyone with a materialistic paradigm.
Science, as a method, is open to the investigation of anything that can, at least in principle, be experienced by anybody. In other words, it is the study of things that we regard as having objective existence.
It's difficult to tell what you're talking about here, but I suspect you're objecting to the fact that metaphysical concepts such as ghosts and gods are not taken seriously by mainstream science.
Science can be used to investigate anything as long as you can describe a way in which it can be observed by anybody. I've never seen any such description of ghosts and gods. Maybe they exist, but I've not seen them.
First, evolution via natural selection is not a random process, as the environment (including both biotic and abiotic factors) favors organisms with phenotypes that enable them to out-reproduce their conspecifics. Since the environment is imposing a filter on organisms living in any area, the end result cannot, by definition, be random. What is random is the process of mutation that generates the genetic variation that natural selection non-randomly filters.
Second, conventional evolutionary theory recognizes four other factors that can drive evolution in addition to natural selection (mutation, migration, non-random mating, and genetic drift), although natural selection remains the most important driver. Epigenetics IS an intriguing field of study. However, it can be fit into existing theory quite well without problem as it provides for more genetic and phenotypic variation upon which natural selection may operate.
Third, he might want to read "On the Origins of the Species by Means of Natural Selection". He'll quickly realize that the phrase "survival of the fittest" is nowhere to be found in that book and was coined not by Darwin but by T. Huxley.
Finally, there's an old saying in science that extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. What he shares little more than his opinion. Where are the references to published peer-reviewed papers that support his claim that evolution by natural selection is a failed myth?
Surely stem cell biologists would have to have at least some understanding of physics and of the theory of evolution by natural selection? You seem to be ignorant of the workings of both. The errors are too numerous to list here, but one glaring one is this:
"quantum mechanics reveals that the Universe and all of its physical matter are actually made out of immaterial energy"
No it doesn't! Where did you get that idea? Certainly not from a quantum mechanics textbook. You might as well say:
"thermodynamics reveals that the Universe and all of its physical matter are actually made out of yogurt"
Why would you bother writing an article full of random fabrications?
http://www.wisebrain.org/science/key-scientific-papers.
2. The religious myths of the subsequent nations were based on the myths of former nations.
3. To read myths as objective truth is to deform the soul.
I really don't advise picking your "facts" that way. Evolution is a fact, how you decide it effects your world view is up to you, but it is reality either way.
And btw, Evolution didn't suggest life has no purpose. It actually gave life a clear and realistic goal: to reproduce. No one should find that a disappointing purpose in life, it happens to be one of the funnest things we get to do!
Scientific "facts", unlike religious dogma, are only "facts" unless things are proven to be otherwise. Science is an ongoing journey through knowledge, not a "this is how it is, so listen up, and by the way, send in your money" religion.
You ignore that science itself is a way to try to control nature through understanding of natural laws and phenomena; scientific advancements have pre-dominantly been used to control nature. Science has brought us some blessings like modern medicine, transportation etc. it has also brought us things considered not as much blessings like more frightening weapons of war and radioactive and toxic by-products. As Michael Crichton wrote in Jurassic Park: "Science can tell us how to make pesticides, but it can't tell us not to use them, science can make a nuclear reactor, but it can't tell us not to build one. . . . forcing everyone to ask the same question, what should I do with my power, which is the same question science says it cannot answer." While you are right in that science is a quest for knowledge, factual truth, religion primary purpose is the quest for wisdom, philosophical and spiritual truth. Knowledge not tempered with wisdom can be dangerous.