At the essence of the huge challenges we are facing today as a global civilization is the question of who we are and what we are being called upon to develop. As is clearly shown in this extraordinarily wide-ranging book, one’s self-image influences how one perceives reality. If we see ourselves simply as advanced animals or pre-programmed robots, the will for self-change and autonomous action is weakened. But if we are willing to extend our rationality and imagination to encompass not only the bodily levels of existence, but those of soul and spirit, everything changes. This extension of scientific method can awaken new levels of strength and compassion in this time of enormous suffering. Such is the ‘sacred mountain’ around which readers are invited to journey during the first three parts of the book. Such too is the ‘lake of self-reflection’ at which, in the fourth part, we attempt to recognize the capacities we have gained through this mighty paradigm, to pioneer new ways through all that is threatening us from the future.It is one of the purposes of this book to demonstrate that we carry both the greatest propensity for destruction of any life form on earth and the greatest capacity for healing. This is because within us is not only an intelligent animal or bio-chemical machine, but a living power of spirit that can be a force both for evil and good.You will not find here a book of ready answers and remedies, but a journey towards deeper insights and a gathering of possibilities and questions that can hopefully bring more meaning and love into our lives, and life-giving forces for health and healing in the world.
