Liminal Consciousness

This clearly written work brings together quantum sciences and wisdom traditions within the framework of what the author calls liminal consciousness where liminality 'is the space and time in between rational thinking and our mystical and intuitive experiences.' In her foreword, Dianne Collins observes that a key starting point is to 'understand the true nature of mind as the individualised form of all-pervasive Consciousness and its inherent creation dynamics' in terms of information and energy. More and more people are realising that it is consciousness itself that needs to evolve, especially that of leaders in their fields as it is our very way of thinking and operating that is called into question. Ed's emphasis is on the principles of unity and diversity, equality, humanity, empathy, kindness and love. (p. xxxi) Crucially, the emergent process involves confronting our individual and collective shadows.

The three parts are dedicated to developing liminal consciousness, transforming our complex systems, and making the world a better place. This is all based on a Consciousness Worldview, as also articulated by Willis Harman in the 1990s. Our current mechanistic and exploitative worldview is now non-adaptive and can only lead to destruction and a dead end. We need to receive and apply guidance from this universal field, developing the liminal alongside the rational self. Ed understands that we are operating within nested complex adaptive systems, and it is very important that leaders and their teams and organisations develop creative choices to embody their social purpose and inspire others to work cooperatively towards a common higher purpose and the evolution of the consciousness of humanity as a whole in terms of wholeness and connectedness. The power of teams can be developed intentionally through respect, connection, reflection and direction while holding tensions in the process – there is a useful table comparing the dream team with the liminal team (p. 50).

Spirit must be infused by – in the words of Vaclav Havel – restoring the feeling for what transcends humanity, arguably the role of elders sitting in a wisdom circle. Action must be in-formed with being, and Ed provides a number of liminal methods for change involving self-reflection by cultivating openness and embracing uncertainty while aligning with 'the fundamental force of love in the universe.' This will give us 'the capacity for greater wholeness' (Ilia Delio) that can also be articulated as a wholeness narrative (p. 94). Ed lists a number of organisations working in this direction, including our own, based on serving the greater whole and co-creating the fundamental and essential shift in worldview and practices characterised by the following sentence from his conclusion: 'Rather than live a materialist, rational, ego-driven dream that society has concocted, the soul accesses the nonphysical realm as native people have done for centuries.' We are then able to move from separation to care. This book is an inspiring contribution towards such a transformation.