Sunday 28 December 2008

Quantum Shift in the Global Brain by Ervin Laszlo (Book Review)

How the New Scientific Reality Can Change Us and Our World




Our world is in a Macroshift. The reality we are experiencing today is a substantially new reality--climate change, global corporations, industrialized agriculture--challenging us to change with our rapidly changing world, lest we perish.

In this book, Ervin Laszlo presents a new “reality map” to guide us through the world shifts we are experiencing--the problems, opportunities, and challenges we face individually as well as collectively--in order to help us understand what we must do during this time of great transition. Science’s cutting edge now views reality as broader, with multiple universes arising in a possibly infinite meta-universe, and deeper, extending into dimensions at the subatomic level. Laszlo shows aspects of human experience that had previously been consigned to the domain of intuition and speculation are now being explored with scientific rigor and urgency. There has been a shift in the materialistic scientific view of reality toward the multidimensional worldview of multiple interconnected realities long known by the world’s great spiritual traditions. By understanding the interconnectedness of our changing world as well as our changing “map” of the world, we can navigate with insight, wisdom, and confidence.

The current reality experienced is the beginning of a rapidly changing world. It is important for humans to understand the new transition in science: multiple universes and how to interact with them. Ervin Laszlo acknowledges a shift from the “scientific view of reality toward the multidimensional world-view of multiple interconnected realities long known by the world’s great spiritual traditions.” It all comes down to change or become extinct. It is well known that complex systems evolve and science, as we know it, is in the midst of a paradigm shift.

We are headed toward a collapse of the economic and political processes, and military fallout…it is a necessity to transform ideas into solutions to combat these processes, to negate the collapse of economic and political processes, and prevent ecological shortages.

Currently humans are at the brink of extinction unless a positive outlook is formed and fresh opportunities are developed to evolve into a new civilization. All complex systems that evolve through bifurcations and species mutating to avoid extinction are known as macroshifts.

Ervin Laszlo presents a different approach for his ‘reality map’ which guides us through the changes in science and discovery for individuals and society. Quantum science has many shifts related to the worldview, values and Mr. Laszlo provides explanations on the maximum code, on how to manifest a new reality. This is humans’ time of great transition of old ways yielding to new multi-dimensional realities.

The current method of human morality is out-dated by allowing people to live any way they desire. Those at the top of the scale, the rich and mighty, consume a disproportionate share of the planet’s resources while blocking access to vital resources to the less privileged. The suggestion presented is in developing a new planetary ethic where others less fortunate are able to live properly and without resentment towards those who control the greater quantity of essential items to provide the ability to live.

In supporting his theories of making these global changes, Ervin Laszlo discusses life and mind-transforming experiences of people who have had a near-death experience returning to life with a changed consciousness and awareness of a new energy: they have achieved inner peace, empathy for others, a reverence for nature and a new found appreciation of existence. For those who dismiss this, I have personally had two near-death experiences which left me with a realization of being part of a larger plan and all people on this planet are inter-connected though we are individuals. It is through spiritual emotions that we are all connected, whether by use of negativity or positive thoughts. It is preferable to create positive emotions in order to create a new methodology of saving our planet and ourselves. Currently there is an excess of negative emotions which is dragging down mankind and creating unnecessary struggling. With these ideals Ervin Laszlo is trying to provide an explanation of how we might overcome these negative struggles to a better and more positive lifestyle that benefits everyone.

In creating a globally interdependent and interacting world the ethic must be an amalgamation of all the ethics of mankind to produce what Mr. Laszlo calls a ‘planetary ethic’. There have been ongoing changes in how some sub-culture organizations and individuals who desire a better lifestyle through the development of producing natural and organic foodstuffs, alternative healthcare, personal development and a stable ecological lifestyle.

He goes on to explain the new fundamental concept of reality as it relates to science as opposed to what most people believe. Everything is composed of different elements of energy complete with information: there are no bits of matter floating around in empty space. The universe is constantly changing and evolving into new realities.

Scientists working on quantum science have rediscovered a cosmic meditative state that has been in existence for thousands of years known as “akasha”, a Sanskrit term for the most fundamental of the five elements of the cosmos, from an Indian philosophical tradition. As “akasha” underlies all the manifest phenomena of the cosmos, it can be sought through spiritual practice of meditation, reached and implemented to manifest phenomena.

This is the same reality that a person who has a near-death experiences touches, if only briefly. There is nothing on earth quite like it.

Ervin Laszlo continues with probable explanations on how to evoke the next evolution of human consciousness by gradually developing the ability, not unlike the mystics, sages, healers and yogis who are able to raise their intuitive levels to seek their answers or manifest healing properties.

Ervin Laszlo, twice nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, is editor of the international periodical World Futures: The Journal of General Evolution and Chancellor-Designate of the newly formed GlobalShift University. He is the founder and president of the international think tanks the Club of Budapest and the General Evolution Research Group and the author of 83 books translated into 21 languages. He lives in Italy.

This is a book I recommend for those who are interested in quantum physics and the meditative state as it is written in a style I was able to understand, considering my strengths are not in science and mathematics.

Publisher: Inner Traditions International
Pages: 184

21 comments:

J. L. Krueger said...

I connect witht the comments about near-death. I had three such episodes right around Christmas in 2000 while we were Scotland with the kids. The wife had to revive me three times...good thing she's a nurse.

The experience fundamentally altered my feelings about death.

I care how I check out, but the actual checking out isn't that bothersome.

I think that people, especially those in the West have lost touch with their connection to nature and natural processes.

Charles Gramlich said...

I've been wondering about this book and thinking I might check it out. Very unlikely that humankind is on the way out though. We might experience a drastic reduction in population, but humans are survivors and I don't foresee an extiniction of the species as a whole.

Maria said...

What a breathtaking story about your little poodle! That was luck!
After returning with D'Ora from Italy we went into our flat, opened the window, the dog heard another dog bark outside, started to jump towards the window sill(perhaps she was used to jump out of the window in Italy b, but we live on efore she came with us to Vienna, but we live on the third floor!). We shouted at her and luckily she did not jump.
We put a flower pot on the window sill and she never tried to jump again! I still get excited when I remember this!

David Cranmer said...

Barbara, I appreciate this review but I will probably pass on reading it. The last book I bought in this vein just sat on my coffee table. It made me look smart but I never got pass chapter one.

Barbara Martin said...

J.L., part of losing that connection to the natural processes lies with the doctrines of the Roman Church, where anything outside the realm of the scriptures was considered heresy. Too many paid with their lives.

Barbara Martin said...

Charles, I bought this book on the basis that some scientists had accepted a person going into a meditative state where they connected with the cosmos and were able to obtain images and healing abilities, i.e. Reiki.

Every person is capable of tapping into the cosmos energy, it's just a matter of practice and intent.

Barbara Martin said...

David, an author you might do better with on the topic of quantum physics is K.C. Cole. She writes a science column in the Los Angeles Times. Two books of hers which I recommend for their ease of reading and understanding are: "The Hole In The Universe" and "Mind Over Matter".

I began reading about quantum physics to learn about alternative universes and how one might go from place A to place B. With an added benefit of using this gleaned information in a fantasy story.

laughingwolf said...

thx barbara, this goes to the top of my book list for the new year

Donnetta said...

Hi, Barbara: This is a very thorough, sound book review. Well done. I have long been interested in quantum physics but got off track in the last ten years trying to concentrate on completing retirement, living in two states, keeping up with hubby, etc. I may give this book a look see. I am intrigued by the idea of alternate realities. Takes me back yet again to my youth and the original Twilight Zone series. Tells ya how old I am!! D

Barbara Martin said...

Tony, may the book enlighten you to greater exploration.

Barbara Martin said...

Donnetta Lee, then you would like the information in the following link: http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20026861.500-did-our-cosmos-exist-before-the-big-bang.html?full=true

There you might find something intriguing to write for your Friday 55 posts.

Shauna Roberts said...

This sounds like fascinating reading. It reminds me somewhat of Julian Jane's The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind, which posits that consciousness did not develop until about 3000 years ago.

Does Laszlo cite any neurological research or present any hypotheses about the neurological changes needed?

Anonymous said...

Very interesing Barbara. I appreciate that you back up certain aspects with your own near death experience.Thanks for bringing this book to my attention and I will certainly check it out.

Gary's third pottery blog said...

these are scary times, aren't they?

debra said...

sounds like a fascinating read---we are certainly entering an amazing time---and a new paradigm is crucial
Thanks for the recommendation.

David Cranmer said...

K.C. Cole. I will check it out. Thanks.

L.A. Mitchell said...

Barbara,
This book sounds like a fascinating read and just the kind of new scientific thinking that may spark the next story. Thank you so much for highlighting it.

Barbara Martin said...

Shauna, the “akasha” meditative state has been in existence for 7,000 years. Yes, Laszlo does present neurological research.

Pam, new knowledge is good for everyone.

Gary, to take action against scary times is the best method rather than allow things to overcome your senses.

Barbara Martin said...

Debra, this book will help people to open up their minds to new possibilities. It's too bad mankind has been hampered in a true thirst for knowledge that would be beneficial for everyone including the flora and fauna.

David, you won't be disappointed with Ms Cole's books. She provides diagrams to assist in the explanations, and begins with simple explanations working up to a slightly more advanced level chapter by chapter.

Barbara Martin said...

L.A., there are many possibilities for creative works through the use of quantum physics. Michael Crichton did it with "Timeline".

Barbara Martin said...

Leslie, welcome. There are many asoects to quantum theory which makes it an interesting topic.