--- Raymond Moody
Hello again. It's your friendly Steemit Gecko here. I would like to start by saying another heart-felt thank you for the multitude of upvotes on my last piece, The Origin of Consciousness, in which I introduced the idea that there are 4 stages to each new radical shift in mankind's thinking before the idea becomes publicly accepted:
https://steemit.com/science/@steemitgecko/the-origin-of-consciousness-gecko-takes-on-the-most-important-question-of-all
If you don't feel like reading that, here is a quick re-cap:
In Stage 1 skeptics confidently proclaim that the idea is impossible because it violates the Laws of Science. This stage can last for years or even centuries, depending on how much the idea challenges conventional wisdom.
In Stage 2 skeptics reluctantly concede that the idea is possible but that it is not very interesting and that the claimed effects are very extremely weak.
Stage 3 begins when the mainstream realises not only that the idea is important but that its effects are much stronger and more persuasive than previously imagined.
Stage 4 is achieved when the same critics who previously disavowed any interest in the idea begin to proclaim that they thought of it first.
And eventually, no one remembers that the idea was once considered a dangerous heresy!
What is a Paradigm Shift?
Brendan Murphy (quoted from his amazing book The Grand Illusion, which has completely inspired this work) describes a paradigm as:
- Distinct concepts
- A set of assumptions, concepts, values and practices that constitutes a way of viewing reality for the community that shares them.
- An example or pattern, especially an outstandingly clear or typical example or archetype.
So, where are you now?
The established scientific world view is based on centuries-old Newtonian-Cartesian thinking in which everything is broken down into carefully labelled parts in a giant predictable clockwork machine. All parts are studied and understood through analysis using known maths and science.
You view the human body as a machine made up of many working parts and when one part breaks you medicate or replace it.
You believe consciousness originates in the brain, so when you die, so too does your consciousness. However, if you read my previous article, you will see this is not the case.
Physicist Harold Puthoff (said in the 1990s)
"The paradigm has already shifted, especially for those people close to the data, who have done experiments and seen the results. They've seen there is something to it and this has changed their world view."
For the rest of you, the paradigm shift is much slower. Though the birth of the internet has certainly aided the speed of this process.
You are blessed as humans to be alive at this very special turning point in your evolution. As I see it, you are currently making the transition from a materialistic paradigm to a holistic, non-dualist paradigm in which spirituality and science stand side by side in harmony.
Eric Hoffer (1898-1983)
"In a time of drastic change, it is the learners who inherit the future. The learned usually find themselves equipped to live in a world that no longer exists."
What's at stake for the leading scientists of today?
Hmmmm, let me see now... EVERYTHING!
Most of them have built their entire careers on a world model created by the paradigm we are leaving behind. And to acknowledge the possibility of a new paradigm would be like admitting that all their books, all their articles, all their research and all their paid lectures given to those innocent young minds... were completely wrong.
Yeah, it ain't gonna happen. I know you humans. Most of you are trapped by your ego one way or another. Especially those with money and status. You are addicted to it and live in fear of change. And as such, you will go to any lengths both psychologically and physically to protect your paradigm.
Max Planck (1858-1947)
"A new scientific truth does not triumph by convincing its opponents and making them see the light, but rather because its opponents eventually die, and a new generation grows up that is familiar with it."
The Eduction System
The over-all closed mindedness of scientists and the public at large is almost entirely the result of the eduction system, ironically thought of by many as the road to wisdom. But from where I am perched, all I see is a psychological prison imposed upon you through this very static system of teaching and in order to find your own truth and break free of this ageing paradigm you must take nothing for granted and go back to the basics, questioning everything with an open mind, without any connection to the results.
Difficult... but not impossible.
Carl Jung (1875 - 1961)
"I shall not commit the fashionable stupidity of regarding everything I cannot explain as fraud"
New Age Education
There is a growing movement in which people have taken the solution into their own hands because they are no longer prepared to put their children in front of closed-minded 'professionals', clinging on for dear life to their beloved paradigm.
The idea of homeschooling is that a syllabus is followed from home, usually because to teach your own syllabus would be illegal. I still have hope for this idea however, because in the non-competitive environment of a home, a child is more likely to enjoy the learning process, leading to a focused interest in one particular area which they can develop at their own pace, with no separation between work space and home space.
Unschooling encourages learner-chosen activities as the primary means for education. It has been observed that children, upon developing a healthy interest for knowledge they naturally embrace reading, writing & mathematics as essential tools. To force it on them in a competitive environment may have the adverse effect of stunting their ability to pick these things up quickly. However, Unschoolers are as accountable to the government as homeschoolers, and must show “educational progress” (as defined by the state) just like children who learn from syllabus textbooks at home.
Alternative Schools are growing in number every year. There are numerous different systems of thought from Montessori to Steiner to Krishnamurti's Brockwood school in the UK. And many in between.
Brockwood (my personal favourite) encourages those all important learner-chosen activities and does it in a non-competitive environment with a focus on developing a new international curriculum for all.
In Conclusion
When this new generation of children become adults, you will no longer be anticipating the paradigm shift to come but embracing it fully in the now, whilst smiling respectfully at the thinking of old, in the knowledge that your progress here has an order to it. No matter how much it might be slowed along the way.
Until then all you can do is play your own part in the turning of this tide and focus upon yourself and the way in which you live your life.
And if you have kids, do them a favour and think about their education more carefully. Just because it was a certain way for you doesn't mean it has to be the same for them.
Know that everything changes.
And then remind yourself that humans are the most stubborn creatures of all!
Albert Einstein (1879-1955)
"The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existence. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery each day."
Next time I will be taking a look at quantum physics and how it is leading the way in your current paradigm shift.
over and out,
Steemit Gecko
Image library source:
http://clipart-library.com/scientist-cliparts.html