As I broadcast to the ether in the manner of SETI , I have to reassure all those (still) silent extraterrestrial beings in space that I have not abandoned my efforts here.
I am very much committed to exploring the ultimate issue of the evolution of our human consciousness – perhaps even more so, if that is possible.
The challenge now is that I am tackling three books that are very profound and dense. I have the messy habit of reading a number of books at the same time as I hop around from idea to idea – tumbling further down the rabbit hole. Hmm… bit of a mixed bunny metaphor – my apologies.
The three books are:
- The Ever Present Origin by Jean Gebser
- The Master and His Emissary by Iain McGilchrist and
- The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind by Julian Jaynes
I will be talking about all three books as I explore them more.
All three of the books are highly recommended. The third is much more speculative and controversial. I am not sure how much I am in agreement with Jaynes’ conclusions, but the book is a very interesting look at the possible evolution of consciousness in the past and gives some useful perspectives in considering consciousness.
The other two books are brilliant. Gebser’s in particular, presents ideas that are completely original. He has had a profound effect on a number of people, including Ken Wilber. If you are at all interested in Ken Wilber, I would urge you to go to the source, as I see it, Jean Gebser. Ken Wilber can be less than satisfying for me, but Gebser is not to be missed by anyone seriously interested in the evolution of consciousness.
In reading these books, even as far as I have, it is very clear that we have only scratched the surface in considering the complexity of human consciousness. There is an enormous amount to be considered and explored. It is also clear that we are all qualified to speculate and think on this material. We are so early in our exploration of human consciousness, that anyone could make a real contribution. Humanity has just begun the task of understanding our humanity and our individual natures. I would urge everyone and anyone to jump in to explore and consider our relationship to ourselves, to each other and to the universe at large. Do not be intimidated.
Finally I have to credit the person who has pointed me to these books through his own writing and blogging.
Gary Lachman is a wonderful writer, and former member of Blondie (rock and roll hall of fame and all that). He was always interested in the esoteric and he has became an accomplished author and explorer in the tradition.
He characterizes himself in his blog as: “the author of more than a dozen books on the meeting ground between consciousness, culture, and the western inner tradition“. He’s an American, now living in the UK.
He really helped to kindle my interest in all this, through his books and blog.
He too, is highly recommended as a good source of inspiration and knowledge in all of this.
I will be writing more about Gary as well.
I should also add that I have plunged back into reading, or rereading Joseph Campbell – sadly no relation, as far as I know.
Campbell was a scholar of mythology who popularized it for a modern audience. In that, he championed the importance of Carl Jung – our most important guide to the mythic realm and its importance for our lives and our enlightenment.
I am listening to a book not widely available – The Wisdom of Joseph Campbell from Audible.com. This is over five hours of interviews of Campbell by Michael Toms. It gives an excellent overview of Campbell’s thoughts on his work. Campbell comes across as a very wise, kind, and passionate uncle or grandfather. I cannot recommend this audible book too highly. I would give anything to have sat down in person with Campbell, but this conversation comes as close as possible.
I am reading Campbell’s major work – The Hero With a Thousand Faces. It is very inspiring . We are all, or should aspire to be, heroes in our own journey. As the title suggests, the hero and the journey are universal themes across all cultures and periods in history.
And I just received The Portable Jung, edited by Campbell. Jung is a daunting and towering figure in the area of the human psyche and consciousness. I am glad of any guidance in my exploring of his ideas as I pursue my own quest for knowledge and understanding of human consciousness. Campbell is himself, an excellent guide.
We are here to change the world.
It is time.
Begin.