Subtle activism : the inner dimension of social and planetary transformation / David Nicol.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Nicol, David, 1970- author.

Series:

SUNY series in transpersonal and humanistic psychology.

SUNY series in Transpersonal and Humanistic Psychology

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Transpersonal psychology.

Human evolution.

Self-actualization (Psychology).

Consciousness.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (247 p.)

Place of Publication:

Albany, New York : State University of New York Press, 2015.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Can awakened consciousness contribute to social change and, if so, how? David Nicol introduces the concept of "subtle activism" to describe the use of consciousness-based practices like meditation and prayer to support collective transformation, such as global meditation directed toward peaceful resolution of a conflict. Subtle activism represents a bridge between the consciousness movement and the movements for peace, environmental sustainability, and social justice. It is not a substitute for physical action but rather a potentially crucial component of a more integrated approach to social change. Although ancient lore is rife with tales of shamans and adepts intervening on spiritual levels for the benefit of humanity, this book is the first comprehensive treatment of this topic. Nicol grounds his consideration in the available scientific research and in dialogue with a broad range of thinkers in the fields of consciousness studies, transpersonal theory, and New Paradigm thought.

Contents:

CONTENTS; LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS; ACKNOWLEDGMENTS; FOREWORD; INTRODUCTION; An Ancient Approach, Revisited; Science and Consciousness; Empirical Evidence; Direct "Versus" Subtle Activism; Skepticism; Meaning; CHAPTER ONE: The Inner Dimension of Social and Planetary Transformation; The Planetization of Humankind: Teilhard de Chardin; The Integral Earth Community: Thomas Berry; The Re-enchantment of the Cosmos: Richard Tarnas; Summing Up; The Path of Subtle Activism; What Is Subtle Activism?; "Weak" and "Strong" Versions of the Hypothesis; Broadening the Scope of Activism

An Integrated Approach to ActivismBroadening the Scope of Spirituality; Global Meditation and the Evolution of Consciousness; CHAPTER TWO: Subtle Activism and Spirituality; Shamanism; Yoga, Hinduism, and the Vedic Tradition; Buddhism; Judeo-Christian Tradition; Western Mystery Traditions; Eclectic/Interfaith; Caveats; CHAPTER THREE: Subtle Activism and Science; Lessons and Metaphors From Quantum Physics; Parapsychology; The Controversial Science; Evidence for Spontaneous Psi; Experimental Evidence of Psi Phenomena; J.B. Rhine's Pearce-Pratt Series

Helmut Schmidt's Precognition Reg ExperimentsMaimonedes Dream Telepathy Studies; Ganzfeld Studies; Remote-Viewing Studies; Discussion of Experimental Psi Research; Distant Healing; Laboratory Studies; Clinical Studies; Implications of Psi and Distant Healing Research for Subtle Activism; The Maharishi Effect; Early Research: The "1 Percent" Cities; The "Extended" Maharishi Effect; International Peace Project; Effect of Multiple Super Radiance Assemblies on War Intensity in Lebanon; Washington, DC Demonstration Study; Biochemical Effects of Group TM Practice in Nonmeditators

Qualitative Analysis of Responses to International Peace Project Research FindingsCritiques and Responses; Assessment; Field REG Research; Global Consciousness Project; Global Coherence Initiative; Discussion; CHAPTER FOUR: Foundations of Subtle Activism; What is Consciousness?; History of the Scientific Study of Consciousness; Theoretical Perspectives Examined in this Chapter; Maharishi's Theory of Vedic Defense; Sheldrake's Hypothesis of Formative Causation and Theory of Morphic Fields; Bache's Model of Collective Healing by Individuals in Non-Ordinary States of Consciousness

Areas of Overlap and DifferenceParallels in Physics: Bohm's Theory of Holomovement and the Implicate Order; Parallels in Psychology; Parallels in Esoteric Thought; A General Hypothesis of Subtle Activism; CHAPTER FIVE: Subtle Activism and the Emergence of Planetary Consciousness; Definitions and Concepts of Planetary Consciousness; Owning the Shadow; Embracing Difference; Identifying Resistance; Signposts of an Emerging Order; Crossing the Threshold; Subtle Activism and Planetary Consciousness; CHAPTER SIX: Conclusion; APPENDIX 1 Subtle Activism Resource List

APPENDIX 2 Subtle Activism: Science, Magic, or Religion?

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

1-4384-5752-9

OCLC:

919720161