| Explorations on a path to a higher state of consciousness |
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| Written by Dr. Ian D.D. Brown - Published in: Consciousness Review, Vol. 3, 1997, ISSN 1180-0658 | |
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Page 1 of 5 INTRODUCTION As the evolution of humankind unfolds, the overall collective consciousness of humankind is gradually being elevated. Every day more and more people are taking steps towards self-improvement. Across all cultures and in all walks of life humans are exploring and employing techniques to better themselves. Studying those who have evolved before them and learning from there past mistakes they are choosing their own path. Our thirst for knowledge in the area of higher states of consciousness can be reflected in our daily lives and the religions and sciences that shape it. A remodeling of science is currently underway in an attempt to explain and provide models that replicate the discoveries being made as we investigate ways to further elevate our consciousness. Research methods are being employed to further our understanding and make this knowledge accessible to the masses. Collectively, our efforts will be rewarded with an improved society and a higher sense of self. The path to a higher state of consciousness is of utmost priority, unique for each individual, and will change life, as we perceive it. IMPORTANCE The search for a path to a higher state of consciousness is important in our life here on earth. It can be observed across all cultures as an important goal in life. Such “efforts” have been highly valued across cultures for centuries…they have been regarded as the “summum bonum”, the highest good and highest goal of existence” (Walsh, 1995, p.25). As researchers interact with society to study higher levels of consciousness they begin to realize its importance. Maslow observed that individuals who had experienced transcendent forms of peak experience valued them as the most important part of their lives (Cleary and Shapiro, 1995). The prevalence and importance of altered states of consciousness may be gathered from Bourguignon’s (1973, p.11) finding that some 90% of cultures have institutionalized some form of them. She concluded that this is “a striking finding and suggest that we are, indeed, dealing with a matter of major importance, not merely a bit of anthropological esoterica.” Therefore, the path to a higher state of consciousness is of utmost priority in our life here on earth. The search for a higher state of consciousness has puzzled humankind for a long time. As new doctrines of science have come into reality, people have tried to explain and complete the puzzle to grasp an overview of how it all fits together. Several prominent scientists have taken up the task. Maslow, in fact, had modified his need hierarchy theory to provide a place for transcendent states of awareness at the top of the need hierarchy. He did this after his “post mortem” life experience. Abraham H. Maslow had a heart attack about nineteen months before he eventually died of a massive heart attack. He defined that time after his first heart attack as his post mortem life. He said, “I could just as easily have died, so that my living constitutes a kind of an extra. A bonus…I might just as well live as if I had already died… Every moment of every single day is transformed because the pervasive undercurrent - the fear of death - is removed” (Cleary and Shapiro, 1995, p.21). He changed his hierarchy of needs theory to include at its top rank the need for transcendence. Maslow recognized the need for transcendence as an important piece of the puzzle of life and asserted that “the desire to transcend one’s nature was as much an aspect of human nature as lower needs” (Cleary and Shapiro, 1995, p.21). Maslow realized the importance of taking steps towards a higher state of consciousness. Nearly a hundred years ago, William James, one of the fathers of modern psychological research, reflected on how we ourselves created arbitrary boundaries that in effect fence in our psyches. Like Jung and Maslow, he made urgent pleas to open ourselves up to the vast possibilities inherent in an openness to the concept of a higher state of consciousness (Grof, 1990, p.86). “Most people live… in a very restricted circle of their potential being. They make use of a very small portion of their possible consciousness, and their soul’s resources in general, much like a man who, out of his whole bodily organism, should get into a habit of using and moving only his little finger” Most of our higher abilities lie dormant within us. They need to be recognized so that we may learn from them and further develop their possibilities. As individuals undertake the task of elevating their consciousness and accessing these dormant qualities, the effects will be tremendous. In fact, the understanding of evolution itself will be in for a change. In the words of Sri Aurobindo. “In the previous stages of evolution Nature first came and effort had to be directed toward a change in the physical organization, for only so could there be a change in consciousness… But in man a reversal is possible, indeed inevitable, for it is through his consciousness, through it’s transformation and no longer through a new bodily organism… that the evolution can and must be effected.” (Metzner, 1980, p. 46) To a considerable degree, the evolution of society and humanity is anchored in and depends upon the evolution of individuals. Here, modern frontiers of scientific thinking converge with ancient Eastern and esoteric teachings (Ouspensky, 1949; Satpren, 1968). These philosophies view self-transformation as the essential feature of human life on earth, and the key to our participation in the evolutionary design of life and nature as a total system (Metzner, 1980, p.47). My own personal interest in higher states of consciousness came about after realizing that there must be more to our life here on earth than the limitations of materialistic joys. I had gone to university like most of my contemporaries to further what seemed to be the logical progression towards a fulfilling lifestyle. This decision had affected one of my burning passions -a love of sport. I was on the Canadian team and training towards the Olympics while trying as the same time to balance school. Two years before the 1996 Summer Olympics I left school to focus full time on my training. Training and competing with the Canadian team became my vehicle to travel the world, explore remote places and meet the most beautiful people. No monetary sum can represent these experiences. I realized that all material things are transient. Happiness must come from within. And basicalyy, the purpose of life is to serve other people. The path towards this goal is to be enjoyed, and the experience is more important than attaining the specific goal. With respect to myself, I realized the importance of physical and mental health. With these come mental clarity, optimum performance and well being. The concept of perfection has always been foremost in my mind. Interacting with other Olympic athletes and meeting people who worked at transcending their own consciousness convinced me of the importance of achieving a higher state of consciousness. As the 2000 Olympics are happening right now in Sydney, Australia it is an important time for the world to watch how far it is possible to take human potential. Competition aside, it is a great opportunity for the world to unite on friendly ground. |
