Next Steps in Human Evolution and the Advancement of Consciousness
Introduction
When we take some time off our busy personal life and private occupations and try to zoom out to see a bigger picture, we may rely on information from quality journalism, respected analysts, opinion writers, cultural critics, historians and so on.
Looking at present geopolitics, historical developments and the general state of the world in terms of ever increasing global warming, species extinction, brutal warfare, techno oligarchy, cooperative greed, nationalistic and isolationist tendencies in politics, a general us-versus-them attitude, fake news and social-media brainwashing, extreme economic inequalities on the one hand and extreme me-me-me-hedonism, blind consumerism, crude materialism and a after-us-the-flood on the other side.
Sprinkled over all that we have an epidemic of depression, attention deficit disorders, crisis of meaning, domestic violence, drug use and what else?
You may say that I am exaggerating but I don’t think so. I think if I would line up all the ills of our world in the 21 Century, I would fill 10 pages and more. Many others do that much more eloquently than I could ever manage.
So I rather not do it. It is not the intent of this article.
My main interest is about the road onward, a path thru this terrible and frightening bottleneck that anybody can see who has the guts to zoom out and dare to take a honest look at our predicament.
Personally, I don’t believe too much in short term fixes neither do I trust in revolutions or even anarchy, nor do i really believe in incremental changes of systems, nor in moving humanity to Mars or escape to a paradise island.
We will always take us with us wherever we go, whatever we try to change we will always project our present level of consciousness.
Not that I am against making things better, I am all for care-full improvements, activism and smart plans.
But in my opinion at the end of the day this multi-crisis is a crisis of our present level of consciousness. And in recognizing that, there is also the path onwards that I suggest. Individually and as well as collectively.
I’d call it The Road Less Traveled and I have based this article on some of the best sources I have found in my life, when it comes to advancement in personal and collective consciousness.
Obviously, these are weighty and complex matters and here I can only try an overall perspective, also naturally it is my point of view, my integral synthesis.
I will list the source books at the end of the article, in case you wish to dive deeper into the matter.
Next Steps in Human Evolution and the Advancement of Consciousness
Humanity stands on a tall cliff, a chasm actually of profound change, a moment in our long history where the very nature of what it means to be human is undergoing severe challenge and hopefully a re-evaluation. The journey ahead, as envisioned by a range of deeply informed perspectives, suggests a transformation that extends far beyond mere physical or societal shifts.
At its core lies a fundamental evolution of consciousness, maybe even a quantum leap. A movement towards a more integrated, interconnected, and ultimately, more aware existence.
A key aspect of this next evolutionary phase is the potential transcendence of our current ego-centric awareness. The dominant mode of consciousness, often characterized by the individual ego and a primarily rational intellect, is increasingly seen as a limitation on our full potential.
The horizons of human experience may be expanding towards what some describe as transpersonal consciousness, superconsciousness, cosmic consciousness, or a fifth-dimensional integral awareness.
These concepts point to a broadening of our perception beyond the boundaries of the individual self, fostering a deeper sense of connection with others, the natural world, and perhaps even the cosmos itself. This expanded awareness could unlock greater capacities for empathy, heightened sensitivity, and a more intuitive understanding of the interconnectedness of all things.
Integral to this evolution of consciousness is the idea of spiritual growth and transformation. This involves a progressive unfolding of our inner being, moving through various stages of awareness.
The development of an intuitive mentality, a more direct and luminous apprehension of truth, is considered a vital step beyond the constraints of purely logical thought. Intuition, acting as a bridge to higher forms of knowing, can offer insights that transcend purely rational processes.
This development may pave the way for even higher states of consciousness, such as the Illumined Mind, the Higher Mind, and ultimately, the Overmind, a state associated with cosmic consciousness and comprehensive knowledge.
The culmination of this spiritual ascent is envisioned by sages like Aurobindo as the manifestation of Supermind, a consciousness marked by knowledge through identity and a fundamental transformation of our very nature.
This transformative journey also involves a psychic opening, a turning of our entire being towards the soul and its inherent qualities of truth, goodness, and beauty, alongside a spiritual change involving the infusion of higher light and power into our being.
Beyond individual transformation, the next stage in human evolution is also characterized by increasing social inter-connectedness and the emergence of a planetary consciousness via technologies like the Internet.
The growing interconnectedness of humanity, fueled by technological advancements and a rising awareness of shared global challenges, is fostering the development of a Noosphere, a sphere of collective thought and consciousness.
This “Planetization of Mankind” suggests a future where humanity operates with greater interdependence and a shared sense of destiny, potentially leading to a higher level of collective reflection and a more unified global consciousness.
Unlike the largely unconscious processes of biological evolution in the past, the coming phase of human development is marked by an increasing element of conscious and purposeful evolution. Humans possess the unique capacity for self-awareness and aspiration, enabling us to actively participate in our own evolutionary trajectory. This involves a deliberate striving for inner growth, self-perfection, and a more elevated state of being. The direction of this evolution is not rigidly defined but is shaped by our collective will, choices, and aspirations.
These evolutionary trends suggest the potential for humanity to transcend its current limitations and move towards states of “ultra-humanity” or “super-life”. These concepts envision a future where human potential is more fully realized, characterized by enhanced consciousness, greater interconnectedness, and a more harmonious relationship with the universe. As Aurobindo pointed out, the emergence of a “supramental being” capable of guiding terrestrial existence is one such vision, hinting at a radical transformation of human nature and potential.
The cultivation of Intuition plays a significant role in this evolutionary process. By quieting the mind, refining the intellect, and fostering inner stillness, we can become more receptive to the subtle guidance of intuition, which serves as a vital link to higher consciousness.
Developing the ability to distinguish between genuine intuition and mere mental constructs and philosophical or metaphysical concepts is also essential. Engaging with the world with focused attention and inner feeling, while lessening our reliance on purely rational thought, can further nurture intuitive development.
Obviously, practices such as meditation and mindful observation of thoughts, along with the purification of judgments and the cultivation of receptivity, are seen as crucial steps in fostering this faculty.
The concept of the Akashic Field, a universal field of information rooted in the quantum vacuum, offers a potential scientific framework for understanding the deep interconnectedness of all things and the enduring record of all experiences. This field suggests that information is a fundamental aspect of reality and that everything is interconnected through this cosmic memory.
When we talk of Intelligence, our inherent ability to connect diverse concepts and creatively manifest new possible realities from mere potential, understanding the diversity of human intellectual capabilities, as proposed by the theory of multiple intelligences, can inform our approach to personal and collective development.
Recognizing that intelligence encompasses a wide range of abilities beyond the purely linguistic and logical, such as spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, musical, interpersonal, and intrapersonal skills, can lead to a more holistic understanding of human potential and the different ways consciousness can manifest and evolve.
While the future remains wide open from an evolutionary perspective yet at the same time quite constricted when seen with “external eyes”, we do have the choice and ability to turn on our “inner, visionary eye” to see potential where others see doom and chaos.
Even then the precise nature of the necessary evolutionary steps is not definitively known, but the convergence of various deeply informed perspectives points towards a profound transformation of human consciousness as a central driving force.
This evolution involves
- – a move beyond the limitations of the ego
– a cognitive quantum leap from information gathering to direct knowing via Intuition. - – a spiritual ascent towards higher states of awareness
- – an increasing sense of global interconnectedness
- – and a more conscious and purposeful participation in our own unfolding journey.
In a followup article I will try to formulate my view of Collective Consciousness, the Noosphere and Akashic Records, Quantum Fields and the role the rapidly emerging Artificial Intelligence Phenomena is playing in this dynamic development.
Here are a few of the main sources that have helped me to gain the understanding that I tried to articulate in this article.
Ervin Laszlo – Science and the Akashic Field
Howard Gardner – Frames of Mind
Ken Wilber – An Integral Theory Of Consciousness
Ken Wilber – Integral Spirituality
Ken Wilber – The Atman Project – A Transpersonal View Of Human Development
Ken Wilber’s Stages of Consciousness.png
Rudolf Steiner – An Outline of Occult Science
Rudolf Steiner – Knowledge of the Higher Worlds
Rudolf Steiner – Philosophy of Freedom
Rudolf-Steiner- Theosophy
Sri Aurobindo – Growing Within – The Psychology of Inner Development
Sri Aurobindo – Savitri
Sri Aurobindo – The Life Divine
Sri Aurobindo – The Synthesis of Yoga
Teilhard de Chardin – The Future of Mankind
Teilhard de Chardin – Human Energy
