Week 1: Structures of Consciousness
Reading
From The Religion of Tomorrow by Ken Wilber, read Chapter 2 up to the sub-section called “Summary”; and Chapter 6
—– Optional further reading: The Religion of Tomorrow: Chapter 3
Week 2: Realms of Consciousness
Reading
From Ecology of Consciousness by Ralph Metzner, read Part 2 Chapters 2, 3 & 6; Part 4 Intro & Chapter 1; Make a Self-System Map
Week 3: Life & Nature
Reading
From Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer, read “Asters and Goldenrod,” “Epiphany in the Beans,” and “The Sacred and the Superfund”
– Optional further reading, “Learning the Grammar of Animacy” and “Allegiance to Gratitude”;
– You may also check out The Rebirth of Nature by Rupert Sheldrake, Chapters 4, 5 & 7
Week 4: Spirituality
Reading
No reading this week. Instead watch and follow along with the guidance in this video.
Week 5: Conclusion
Reading
Religion of Tomorrow read Chapter 7
Ecology of Consciousness read Part 7
Braiding Sweetgrass read “People of Corn, People of Light” and “Epilogue: Returning the Gift”
Final Essay
- Through this course, we’ve heard Matt’s perspective and the view of a number of thinkers about consciousness reaching a new level. This New Paradigm is still being molded by those of us who are exploring it – your perspective is contributing to the New Paradigm! Describe YOUR version of the New Paradigm. How would you explain it to someone who is new to this field?
- Write a vision statement for your life. What important qualities do you want to include? Consider a variety of aspects, for example: body, mind, spirit, community, and ecology. Write each statement from the perspective of “I am…” So instead of saying, “in the next year, I will be transition my career,” you could say “I am transitioning into purpose-driven work.” Be creative!
- Who are you? What is your essence? What is your true nature, and how does it relate to the nature of the universe?
Bibliography for Further Reading
Bohm, David – Wholeness and the Implicate Order
Carse, James – Finite and Infinite Games
Eakins, Pamela – Visionary Cosmology
Fowler, James – Stages of Faith
Gebser, Jean – The Ever-present Origin
Grof, Stan and Tarnas, Richard – Way of the Psychonaut (2 vols)
Hanh, Tich Nhat – Living Buddha, Living Christ
Hanh, Tich Nhat – Love Letter to the Earth
Ingerman, Sandra – Awakening to the Spirit World
Macy, Joanna and Brown, Molly – Coming Back to Life
Maslow, Abraham – The Farther Reaches of Human Nature
Merzel, Dennis Genpo – Big Mind, Big Heart
Metzner, Ralph – Green Psychology
Swimme, Brian and Tucker, Mary Evelyn – The Journey of the Universe
Watts, Alan – The Book on the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are
Whitehead, Alfred North – Process and Reality
Whitehead, Alfred North – Science and the Modern World
Wilber, Ken et al – Integral Life Practice