Dr. Robert E. Carter talks about self-cultivation

3D Dialogue: Self-Cultivation

Human consciousness, intelligence may suddenly shift

Image Courtesy NASA/JSC

By Steve Hammons

This article also appears on AmericanChronicle.com and Joint Recon Study Group

Many researchers have hypothesized and attempted to prove that human consciousness is undergoing significant change.

This alleged change is not just increased intellectual knowledge or even social networking via the internet and other mass media.

Rather, people from diverse fields including, but not limited to, various sciences, education, defense and intelligence communities, psychology and spirituality have conducted research about the fundamental nature of individual and group changes in human consciousness.

That is, our individual awareness is purported to be increasingly linked with a larger energy or field in terms of quantum physics theories, spiritual concepts and Nature in ways we may not fully understand at this time.

Over the last few decades, research into extra-sensory perception (ESP), “anomalous cognition” (unusual or unconventional awareness or abilities), “remote viewing” (ESP methods developed in Project STARGATE by the U.S. military and intelligence communities) and similar areas have indicated that new ways of understanding human consciousness were emerging.

Sorting out the truth and the questionable claims and beliefs can be challenging.

Learning about theories of changing consciousness and changing realities around us can cause anxiety for some people, be interesting for others and a little of both for many folks.

With the difficulties facing us in terms of war and armed conflict, social problems, natural disasters, threats to our natural resources (including global climate change) and other developments, any help we can get in improving human intelligence, knowledge and consciousness would seem to be very helpful.

SCIENCE AND SPIRIT

Accompanying continued progress in understanding the potential and apparent direction of human consciousness, some researchers point out that a “unified field” or “zero-point field” probably exists around us and within us.

In addition to this hypothesized energy field underlying what we see and experience around us, there may be various dimensions that we may not always see. Some researchers propose that boundaries or membranes, sometimes referred to as “branes,” separate these dimensions.

For people who wonder about ideas like an afterlife, Heaven and angels, theories about other dimensions actually existing along with our normal reality might make sense. Individuals who say they have had a “near-death experience” or NDE report crossing a boundary, a tunnel of beautiful light, to a different reality.

Some spiritual researchers have hypothesized that there could be several layers or kinds of dimensions in the afterlife.

How do these ideas fit with emerging discoveries and theories in modern physics and other sciences? There seem to be some common elements between the scientific and spiritual views.

Spiritual philosophies and faiths often note that intellectual or brain-oriented thinking can only get us so far in understanding a larger intelligence or force around us.

Transcending our thinking minds, then using our hearts and what is often called a soul take us to new levels of perception, according to certain belief systems.

These same kinds of methods are used in ESP and remote viewing. Using internal resources that are not simply thinking with our brains, people can tap into perceptions we often call intuition, instincts, gut feelings, hunches, dreams and visions to gain new insights and information.

This is one area where science and spirituality seem to be merging. And it seems to be where new phenomena and insights are emerging.

GRADUAL AND SUDDEN DEVELOPMENTS

Will the human race continue to develop in awareness, intelligence and compassion at a steady pace so that we will gradually solve some of our problems and succeed as a species on our planet?

Or, might more sudden events trigger increased urgency or progress toward positive and constructive developments? It could be that both a steady trend in our understanding of new discoveries and certain significant events and breakthroughs will happen together.

Our trajectory of increased knowledge and understanding seems to be increasing steadily. And, the possibility of sudden jolts of events could also be on the horizon.

A reason for concern, of course, is that these jolts could be of a problematic nature.

Things like a significant increase in human warfare, including the use of nuclear weapons, are real and current concerns that we see in the news quite frequently.

Natural disasters such as earthquakes, volcanic activity and powerful storms are also occurring in devastating ways, causing loss of life and human suffering.

Global climate change with melting polar ice, rising sea levels, impacts on agriculture, fresh water supplies and other outcomes could also be very damaging.

Some people even talk about legends and theories of a global “pole shift” of the Earth’s crust, causing devastating damage to human civilization. A magnetic pole shift is reportedly already occurring, according to some reports.

Concerns about meteors, activity of the sun and possible events in or from space can make us wonder about possible threat scenarios.

Theories of a “Planet X” that may be heading for our solar system also can be interesting and alarming.

For those with very open minds, or maybe inside intelligence information, visitation to Earth of intelligent beings from other planets and/or other dimensions cannot be ruled out. In fact, the nature of possible visitation of this kind could include developing friendships and alliances with extraterrestrial visitors as well as preparing for conventional or unconventional and asymmetric defense and conflict.

The unidentified flying objects (UFOs) that are sometimes spotted in the skies around the world, and even closer encounters that some people report, make us wonder if something along these lines could actually be going on.

Very credible people within the scientific, military and intelligence fields seem to be gradually and carefully letting us know that it is wise to be prepared for more information about this kind of situation.

From the down-to-Earth views to the far-out scenarios of both positive and problematic trends and events, we can see an interesting range of possibilities. What will the future bring?

Native Indians of the Americas, for example, have many legends about the larger cycles of life on this planet and about different ways of looking at and interpreting the nature of Nature around us and within us.

From ancient Native American sources, we might look at prophesies about the year 2012, when some significant development might occur. But what?

As we go about living our everyday lives, many of us wonder about what could happen in the coming days. What disasters or miracles might occur? Are there wars and battles on the horizon or a new era of peace?

Will the human race develop into a more wonderful species or will we destroy ourselves in foolish warfare and destructive treatment of our planet?

Human consciousness is a key element of all of these possible scenarios.

Maybe now is the time to continue and improve our understanding about discoveries in human perception. Because time may be running out for us. Or, time as we know it may itself change in unusual ways.

We can all look into our consciousness. We might discover surprising new insights that can help us individually and globally prepare for the trends and sudden shifts that we face in the days ahead.

In the news

Earthpages.org has no affiliation with these stories, their authors nor the websites they appear on

• Spirituality can have an important role to play in healing  http://www.bclocalnews.com/opinion/18822129.html

• Vatican scientist says OK to believe in aliens and God  http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080514/sc_nm/pope_extraterrestrials_dc_2

• Vatican says aliens could exist http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7399661.stm

• Alien life ‘doesn’t negate God’s existence’ http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23696497-663,00.html

• The show goes on for Stephen Hawking http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10086479/

• Einstein describes religion as ‘childish’ in letter now up for auction http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5g2scx-eSFJQXp2SmWBXgRGhOH33A

• Vatican: It’s OK to believe in aliens http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jNDAezCCDKzEJpnyPFSj7IVCvwawD90KVBC00

• Father of ‘black hole’ dies http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2008/04/14/science-wheeler.html?ref=rss

• The Psychology of Propaganda and Elite Control http://www.finalcall.com/artman/publish/article_4698.shtml

• Forget science and religion, this is about ethics http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/science/article3909030.ece

• Vatican scientist says OK to believe in aliens and God  http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080514/sc_nm/pope_extraterrestrials_dc

• Files released on UFO sightings http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7398108.stm

Review - The Spirit of the Serpent: An Exploration of Earth Energy by Reality Films (DVD)

Written, directed and produced by Tim Walter, The Spirit of the Serpent opens with a beautiful shot of the sky near the megaliths known as the Merry Maidens, a Neolithic stone circle in Cornwall, UK.

Host Rupert Soskin explains that a team of experts previously investigated the Maidens with the intent of making a TV documentary.

We’re then introduced to the experts.

The first expert, Hamish Miller, gives an utterly credible account of a near death experience (NDE) that he says changed his life for the better.

Miller also forwards theories about the relationship between ritual and energy at sacred sites, Feng Shui, ley lines and differences in ancient vs. contemporary perspectives.

Jim Lyons, the second expert, is an academic specializing in the sciences with an interest in quantum physics. Lyons is primarily concerned with potential correlations between (a) Earth energy and (b) hormonal and neurological changes. He provides an interesting discussion on hypothesized links between consciousness and biophysics within the non-local paradigm that has arisen from the world of subatomic physics.

Julle Soskin, the third expert, is a psychic who prefers to be known as a ‘sensitive’ due to the negative connotations and practical repercussions often associated with the term ‘psychic.’ Soskin gives a candid and, I think, valuable first-hand account of some of the pros and cons that the gifted saint, seer, mystic or psychic may encounter along the course of his or her psychosocial development. In fact, she’s a good reminder that even unusually gifted people are still just people.

The fourth expert, Ba Russell, is a former physiotherapist turned spiritual healer who discusses the need to release the selfish, fearful, controlling and biased aspects of the ego and yet respect boundaries when working with sacred power. Russell claims that everyone has healing abilities (such as the laying on of hands) but adds that some individuals feel especially drawn to better develop them.

The final expert and host, Rupert Soskin, is a researcher, outdoorsman and guide interested in diverse forms of energy that he, drawing from the work of Aristotle, defines as “the capacity for movement and change.” Soskin touches on the notion of subtle energy, an idea tacitly assigned to the fringes of Western culture but often embraced and even carefully classified in the spiritual traditions of other, so-called underdeveloped societies.

Next, the DVD turns to the experts’ work at the Merry Maidens site. This portion of the video is presented by Clare Grogan (pictured above with Rupert Soskin) whose lighthearted approach helps to keep things moving at a good, fast pace.

At this point it should be noted that, until watching this DVD, I have been somewhat indifferent to idea of Earth energies and, for that matter, the entire phenomenon of dowsing. Rightly or wrongly, I’ve tended to see dowsing as a curious folkloric practice stemming from a somewhat limited cosmology that excludes the upper reaches of the spirit.

So while watching Mr. Miller traversing the field with dowsing rod in hand, at first it seemed a bit too easy the way his rod dipped along precise points outlining flower and spiral patterns in the turf, patterns which the academic Jim Lyons noted bore some kind of relationship to mathematical formulae (a relationship that I felt might have been better explained).

But not being an ideological ‘control freak’ nor close-minded debunker, I did a bit of research and found that, historically speaking, dowsing has its fair share of supporters and detractors. Like most kinds of paranormal practice, defenders of dowsing say that skeptics and scientific researchers do not appreciate the holistic paradigm required to yield positive results. Experimental research, dowsers say, fails to exhibit significant figures because, quite simply, the vibes aren’t right.

After thinking it over, I concluded that Mr. Miller is either a very talented dowser or perhaps unconsciously engaging in a bit of wish-fulfillment. It’s really impossible to tell from the outside and I’ll have to admit uncertainty on this point.

My main concern with the Serpent, however, isn’t about the truth or falsity of dowsing but with the DVD’s apparent homologizing of the, in my opinion, distinct realities of energy and spirit.

Is energy or even subtle energy qualitatively equivalent to spirit? And what of the Holy Spirit? Might this differ from other spiritual manifestations?

Postmodern thinkers may wrongly suppose that I’m just playing word games. And some New Age enthusiasts might blithely assume, as has been the case in the past, that I’m merely an overzealous Catholic passing on the latest teachings from the Vatican.

I’m definitely not alone, however, in discerning subtle energies from forms of spirituality that are rightly called Holy.

Having said that, I would urge some conservative Catholics and fundamentalist Christians to think again before denouncing the notion of Earth energies as a mere Satanic deception or perhaps as an instance of unsound magical thinking. Surely there must be some middle ground where adherents of these disparate cosmologies could meet and learn from one another.

How dull, insipid and perhaps oppressive life would be if we uncritically agreed with any religious or professional group pretending to have all the answers to our essentially mysterious universe.

In short, The Spirit of the Serpent is a thought-provoking, wide-ranging DVD that any serious investigator into things paranormal will surely want to add to their collection.

–MC

Project STARGATE’s transcendent effects surfacing now?

Do you know what I’m thinking?

Originally uploaded by Saffanna

By Steve Hammons

This article also appears on Joint Recon Study Group and AmericanChronicle.com

More than 30 years after elements of the U.S. military and intelligence community began research into unusual “psychic” projects being conducted by the government of the former Soviet Union, we may be seeing interesting results emerging.

When looking at anomalous phenomena like the ESP “remote viewing” techniques developed and used by U.S. military and intelligence personnel (later called “Project STARGATE”) as well as other unusual developments, it can be useful to consider that in 2008 the unconventional can be integrated with conventional thinking and human activities.

For example, in 2001 a Navy SEAL officer studying at the Marine Corps War College submitted a paper on remote viewing titled “Unconventional Human Intelligence Support: Transcendent and Asymmetric Warfare Implications of Remote Viewing.”

To some readers, the report appeared to indicate that discoveries in remote viewing extend to many others areas of human endeavor - not just national intelligence, defense and warfare.

In fact, the very nature of remote viewing makes it clear that human consciousness, and what human consciousness is connected to, are elements that are fundamental to our survival and success as individuals, communities, nations and as a species on Earth.

TRANSCENDENT SOLUTIONS

SEAL officer L.R. “Rick” Bremseth, who held the rank of commander in 2001, wrote in his paper about transcendence when it comes to national defense activities.

“The real challenge for the United States is not asymmetric warfare, but rather what this writer calls transcendent warfare, the ability to conceptualize and subsequently actualize an entirely new form of warfare that transcends all previously known models,” Bremseth wrote.

He continued, “Granted, transcendent warfare reflects Zen-like qualities that elude definition thereby making the above challenge more difficult. Non-linear/multidimensional and abstract/metaphysical are tentative terms that convey this concept, however, ascribing to a pat definition may in fact signal inability to comprehend the concept altogether.”

These concepts can be somewhat confusing to the average reader. However, if we familiarize ourselves with psychological concepts of the “collective unconscious” and physics theories of a “unified field,” “zero point energy” and related ideas, we can get a glimpse of what Bremseth was getting at.

Put simply, there may really be an energy in the Universe like “The Force” described in the STAR WARS movies. It is within us and around us. We can tap into it. It works with us. It has intelligence and a communication capacity.

When we transcend our everyday thinking, we can utilize new approaches to accomplish many worthwhile goals.

Transcendent operations can apply to “peace operations” and humanitarian efforts. Transcendent solutions can be geared toward the problems of climate change, oil dependence, overpopulation, disease, poverty, hunger, injustice, crime, drug abuse, slavery, child abuse, social and international conflict, political corruption, pollution of natural resources and many other challenges.

The relatively narrow slice of unconventional and transcendent phenomena called remote viewing is a small part of the larger opportunities available when examining the potential of human consciousness.

“Anomalous cognition” is a term that is related to remote viewing that sometimes brings to mind wider and deeper kinds of abilities and insights via consciousness. Still, for many of us, this term, too, can be limiting.

How can humankind achieve transcendent breakthroughs on the many difficulties we face through, as Bremseth said, “Zen-like qualities that elude definition?”

PROJECT STARGATE’S LEGACY

When information about the U.S. military and intelligence community’s activities in Project STARGATE surfaced in 1995, some people made fun of it as another waste of money by the defense community.

Some people were concerned that “mind control” programs by unethical people in government could damage our liberty and our nation.

What had the intelligence officers and scientists been doing in this field from the mid-1970s, when projects were developed, through the mid-‘90s when the public was told that these programs were discontinued? And, what has been going on since? Were these activities really ended or did they just go to a more covert or “black ops” status?

However, as the ideas of connections between human consciousness and modern quantum physics started to seep into society through films, books and other communications, and people saw how these ideas merged with spiritual thought, a different kind of awareness slowly developed.

Those who chose to take an objective look at remote viewing started to understand that this was something very empowering for individuals and for the human race. It was something within all of us and an ability that we can all tap into.

What Navy SEAL Bremseth called “non-linear/multidimensional and abstract/metaphysical” was a way of saying that concepts like time, space, spirituality, a higher intelligence and other ideas may not be exactly as some people thought. Or, they may be more surprising and interesting than people believed.

Now, more than a decade after news of Project STARGATE reached the general public, not only in the U.S. but internationally, and we face continued serious threats and dangers of many kinds, we might wonder if or when the seeds of remote viewing research will bear fruit.

Bremseth noted in his 2001 paper that “… transcendent and asymmetric warfare necessitate and exemplify proactive approaches that envision these efforts as opportunities … for the exploration and advancement of human and/or institutional potential. Such a readjustment in thinking will require dynamic, visionary leadership …”

Do we have that kind of leadership now? Maybe more importantly, do we have this kind of visionary consciousness among the grassroots people of America and the rest of the world?

If we are to see the significant advancement of human potential, it may be probable that it will emerge from everyday average people - people with good hearts, compassion, intelligence and courage to look within their societies, themselves and the deeper realities we are connected to.

The legacy of Project STARGATE may not yet be fully apparent. This may be because these kinds of phenomena are subtle and discreet.

The possible outcomes related to anomalous cognition could include greater knowledge of other dimensions in physics and Nature, discovery of new energy sources, enhanced human development and other improvements … improvements that could be viewed as miracles.

Review - The Order of the Alchemists by Reality Films (DVD)

Philip Gardiner’s The Order of the Alchemists takes Reality Films to a new level, both in terms of production and content.

As a writer who enjoys words and analyzing different styles of writing and speaking, I was quite impressed by the narration.

On the arts side, the CGI (computer generated imagery) was a definite step up from earlier productions. And the soundtrack for this DVD is simply beautiful. 

Gardiner himself seems to be something of a modern day Gnostic or, at least, an advocate for Gnosticism. But he’s certainly not lost in the clouds as some New Age enthusiasts seem to be. Rather, this video showcases his considerable abilities as a sometimes edgy but never too jagged communicator of ideas.

The DVD begins by looking at the 11^th century bigotry, as Gardiner puts it, of the Roman Catholic Crusades. Gardiner is critical of a Catholic Church that, so he implies, was chiefly concerned with the acquisition of riches and power through means of unsavory aggression.

While watching this part of the video and writing in my notepad,“he points the finger at the Roman Catholic Church” Gardiner soon after adds that Islam, historically speaking, was not exempt from succumbing to the forces of unseemly aggression. But the Catholic power brokers, he says, started it all.

After this bold kickoff the narrative turns to the Portuguese nobleman Manuel Pinto da Fonseca (1681-1773). Here Gardiner provides a visually rich portrayal of this curious man’s quest for political power alongside his pursuit of the alchemical Elixir of Life.

Throughout his account Gardiner develops a controversial theory dealing with alleged connections between the longstanding Knights of Malta and an assortment of contemporary world powers.

But to keep this from being a spoiler I won’t reveal Gardiner’s unsettling conclusions.

Suffice it to say that I found The Order of the Alchemists a provocative investigation into some hidden histories that, for all we know, just might need more telling.

–MC

Review - Reality UFO Series Volume 1: The Evidence is Here (DVD)

Reality UFO Series Volume 1: The Evidence is Here by Reality Films is a fascinating, many-sided look into the possibilities of alien life, expanded reality and directed human evolution.

The DVD features three different speakers at the 2003 International Scientific & Metaphysical Symposium as well as an interview with an American reporter on the Billy Meier case.

Part 1 involves a down to earth medical man, Dr. Roger K. Leir, who forwards original theories about alien implants, genetic manipulation and accelerated human development.

Dr. Leir presents evidence from his alleged alien implant removal procedures along with several decades of statistics on the changing rates of child development. But as a scientist he rightly admits that he doesn’t have all the answers–just theories leading to more questions.

Part 2 introduces Travis Walton who tells of his encounter with an alien spacecraft while working as a logger in 1975. Walton says he was forcibly taken aboard and describes in detail what he saw, right down to the unusual instrumentation panels and strange, morphing star charts. Travis concludes his account by telling how he was rudely ejected from the craft, left lying face down beside a highway and having to struggle, utterly exhausted, to the nearest town.

Next, in Part 3 an interview with Michael Horn provides an engaging account of the Billy Meier case. Horn summarizes Meier’s life and thought and reflects on the nature of knowledge and religious belief. Those interested in Meier, his prophecies, dire warnings and advocacy of a collective “course correction” toward a peaceful New World Order should find this segment of the DVD extremely useful.

Part 4 includes Kathleen Anderson’s fast-paced presentation on UFOs, the ancient Sumerians, theories about multidimensional reality and the relativity of space and time. Anderson’s relentless questioning combined with her considerable research skills and innovative examples should compel even the most hardened skeptics, scholars and pragmatists to stop and rethink their positions on life and the world around us.

The Evidence is Here is a must see for those wanting to get the inside track on recent theoies about ET and UFO phenomena as viewed through the dual lens of science and spirit.

–MC

Look familiar?

Dr. Seuss - The Zax

Pope Benedict XVI setting up exorcism squads…

Pope Benedict XVI setting up exorcism squads to fight rising

In the news

Earthpages.org has no affiliation with these stories, their authors nor the websites they appear on

• CNN apologizes for China misunderstanding  http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2008-04-16-china-cnn_N.htm?csp=34

• Argentina: UFO Wasn’t Photographed  http://www.ufodigest.com/news/0408/argentina.html

• Frog breathes through skin, has no lungs  http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/2008-04-10-frog-lungless-indonesia_N.htm

• The Clash of Civilizations:  Some Beginnings of Psychological Analysis   http://www.theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/the_clash_of_civilizations_some_beginnings_of_psychological_analysis/0016129

• Creative Advertisements: Psychology of Winning Ads   http://www.seochat.com/c/a/Website-Promotion-Help/Creative-Advertisements-Psychology-of-Winning-Ads/

• In search of the good old nervous breakdown  http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24071689/

• Help wanted: Serious thinkers  http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/editorials/story.html?id=702aa06c-e16d-4830-94aa-cddf16449c14

• Japan looks to a robot future  http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23438322/wid/11915829?GT1=40000

• Bill Cosby goes hip hop with new album  http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D902BCEO1.htm

• Rome’s Exorcist Gives Inside Look at Devil  http://www.zenit.org/rssenglish-22264

• Hawking, space holes only half baffle  http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23508547-23375,00.html

• Abuse Victims Not Placated by Pope  http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/16/us/nationalspecial2/16victim.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

• PYRAMID SKEPTICS STRIKE BACK  http://cosmiclog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/06/15/414.aspx

• Tooth discovery suggests Neanderthals traveled  http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23073771/