Evolution of Consciousness
Feeling so inspired. Even though "evolution" does not necessarily imply "improvement" in strict anthropological terms.
When I say "evolved" I definitely mean better, smarter, not just newer.
Consciousness evolves, not just genetics. What does is it mean for consciousness to evolve?
Last night at dinner my youngest son said that attending Burning Man was a major turning point in the evolution of his consciousness. That he "saw the light," and realized he no longer wanted violence in his life. He had been in a few fights, and had grown to believe that fighting was a natural, unavoidable behavior. He no longer believes that violence is natural or unavoidable.
I watched my other son listening. He, too, somehow grew up into a belief that violence is acceptable. He's incredibly social, diplomatic and beloved by many people, but if someone crosses the line with him, he will take a swing. I don't want to think about how many times he has done that.
I wonder about how that happened. He grew up in a town where in general the consciousness is very high and evolved, where people are dedicated to working together toward the common good, yet fighting became acceptable. Does it have to do with the perception of limited resources? That is one of the theories put forth in Sex at Dawn. That wars only came about with the advent of agriculture, land ownership, the perception of limited resources and consequent greed.
If a young man who grew up into a belief that fighting is acceptable (and I mean serious fist fights where people get injured), what does it take to change his consciousness?
For Ian, who was 18 last year when he attended Burning Man, it was experiencing a cooperative community where violent behavior is totally unacceptable. Or perhaps that isn't correct: where violence is contained and only expressed in ways that are consensual and not harmful to anyone involved.
Burning Man is a week long experiment in a different kind of society, where freedom of expression is celebrated, money is not exchanged (except for coffee and ice) and shared resources flow freely.
I was so moved to hear Ian talk about his commitment to nonviolent communication.
At the end of the conversation we went to the Burning Man website and registered to buy tickets. It will be Joseph's first year, and the first time all five Benders will be there.
If you hope for an incremental change in your own consciousness in 2012, how do you envision that happening?
When I say "evolved" I definitely mean better, smarter, not just newer.
Consciousness evolves, not just genetics. What does is it mean for consciousness to evolve?
Last night at dinner my youngest son said that attending Burning Man was a major turning point in the evolution of his consciousness. That he "saw the light," and realized he no longer wanted violence in his life. He had been in a few fights, and had grown to believe that fighting was a natural, unavoidable behavior. He no longer believes that violence is natural or unavoidable.
I watched my other son listening. He, too, somehow grew up into a belief that violence is acceptable. He's incredibly social, diplomatic and beloved by many people, but if someone crosses the line with him, he will take a swing. I don't want to think about how many times he has done that.
I wonder about how that happened. He grew up in a town where in general the consciousness is very high and evolved, where people are dedicated to working together toward the common good, yet fighting became acceptable. Does it have to do with the perception of limited resources? That is one of the theories put forth in Sex at Dawn. That wars only came about with the advent of agriculture, land ownership, the perception of limited resources and consequent greed.
If a young man who grew up into a belief that fighting is acceptable (and I mean serious fist fights where people get injured), what does it take to change his consciousness?
For Ian, who was 18 last year when he attended Burning Man, it was experiencing a cooperative community where violent behavior is totally unacceptable. Or perhaps that isn't correct: where violence is contained and only expressed in ways that are consensual and not harmful to anyone involved.
Burning Man is a week long experiment in a different kind of society, where freedom of expression is celebrated, money is not exchanged (except for coffee and ice) and shared resources flow freely.
I was so moved to hear Ian talk about his commitment to nonviolent communication.
At the end of the conversation we went to the Burning Man website and registered to buy tickets. It will be Joseph's first year, and the first time all five Benders will be there.
If you hope for an incremental change in your own consciousness in 2012, how do you envision that happening?