The Biology of Transcendence

Already famous for his Crack in the Cosmic Egg and other notable books, this latest Pearce (JCP) contribution is a fascinating and thoughtful exposition on the human potential to transcend our current evolutionary capacities. Weaving a nearly seamless fabric of scientific evidence and personal spiritual insights JCP argues for a simple new natural law: the co-inspiring of the creator and created: "intelligence, no matter how innate or genetically encoded, can enfold within us only when an actual model for that intelligence is given." Thus from childhood we require good role models be they parents or spiritual gurus. But it is not enough simply to revere or institutionalize great mentors: we must live our/their creative potential to fully develop these powers.

JCP retells his famous Cosmic Egg experience of pressing burning cigarettes to his flesh with complete impunity. He labels the phenomenon "unconflicted behaviour" a non ordinary state arising from his perception that " a major part of me had died. " Like Carlos Castaneda he realizes that "our fear of death blocks us from using our full potential and the full spectrum of our humanity." In the context of Paul McLean's "triune brain" (reptilian, limbic and neocortex) it is fear that shuts down the higher functions. The first third of this three-part book is mostly devoted to brain research and nature's newest (and fourth) brain addition: the prefrontal lobes. The three main lobes develop in the first, second and third trimester but the prefrontals "make their debut after birth." Understanding such time structure in human development is essential to a mature and holistic perspective on evolutionary biology (cf., Verhulst, 2003) and, moreover, provides a sound basis for understanding child development and education as demonstrated by Piaget, Steiner and others. JCP also stress the heart-brain neurological connections (the heart is full of neural cells) and the difference between intelligence (heart) and intellect (brain). Heart cells also produce strong electromagnetic signals and collectively radiate a holographic field, with torus configuration, some 12-15 feet from the body. JCP nods approvingly at Goethe (and Steiner) for noting that the "human mind, as a field effect, is unbounded" and reminds us of the work of Rupert Sheldrake and Mae Wan Ho. In section two, on evil and why nature's plan breaks down, JCP reminds us of the danger's inherent in not nurturing children (damage to emotional intelligence) and the resulting deterioration of culture (another field effect) - especially in America. Brain scan images show prefrontal lobe damage in violent patients, and contrast with patterns in healthy, nurtured individuals. Statistics on declining aptitudes for people born before 1949, between 1949 and 1969, and after 1969 are depressing at first sight. However, JCP is perhaps too inclined to see the trend as a linear descent to disaster rather than a cycle of generations in which death (katabolic break down) is inevitable before rebirth (anabolic rebuilding). For example, home schooling in America is already producing encouraging results. Systems can self-correct after breaking down.

Throughout the book JCP reminds us of the untainted spiritual wisdom of his mentor Jesus (JC) and the unconditional love and intelligence of heart. (Hence the JCP abbreviation). Nevertheless, harsh criticisms of institutionalized religion are delivered at the close of section two. Paul comes in for the greatest dressing down as the "Christian" most responsible for distorting and "enculturating" the original spiritual message. It is a "cultural lie that we are violent by nature." Culture is the culprit, demanding conformity as it did of Jesus, and condemning prophets as heretics.

In section three (Beyond Enculturation) JCP returns to his initial theme of creativity noting that discovery may well be creation. Thus, in our search for knowledge or enlightenment we build up the pathways to receptivity and create the potential for discovery. Thus the gift is not given to a channel not already prepared. Thus Jesus "brought his father into being inasmuch as God created Jesus." Thus, all great genius, brings into being (creates) what is latent until sought, including love and compassion. Likewise spirituality is sought and created within, as told in the original undistorted message of Jesus and like-enlightened mystics. After detouring through "mind tool" exercises to override stress events with conscious, heart warming, thoughts of joyful experience, JCP ends at the beginning: with conception, gestation, birth and infancy. These formative phases of forebrain development should absorb only unconditional love as a prelude to becoming what some native American cultures called a real human being. This compassionate good sense resonates with the gentle, instinctive child-rearing wisdom still practiced by archaic societies undistorted by excessive enculturation. I see this as a manifestation of conscious engagement with biological evolution, which has progressively enlarged the mammalian/hominid forebrain through progressive foetalisation (Verhulst 2003). This is the biological equivalent of remaining close to our ever present origin (Gebser, 1985) where we are most in touch with our, unsullied, flexible, and creative evolutionary potential.