Psychology Consciousness Studies

The View: Mind over Matter, Heart over Mind

by Dave Patrick Review by David Lorimer, August 2009

Published: 2009
Publisher: Polair Publishing
Format: Paperback
Pages: 288 pp.
ISBN: 9781905398188

Publisher’s description

Twenty-NINE influential thinkers present their own 'vital messages' about the changes that are happening and the changes that must happen as we move fully into a new world consciousness. Symbolic of the changes is the year 2012, the year the ancient Mayan Calendar simply ends. It is probably best to think of it, though, as the great symbol of a new beginning. THE VIEW adds greatly to our understanding about this watershed, beginning from the simple question, 'How do we take charge of the change?'. THE VIEW also offers a look forward and back at what has led us to the brink of a new spirituality in life -'heart over mind': the movement that was once called simply 'the New Age'. It begins with one of the world's great pioneers. In 1919 Sir Arthur Conan Doyle published a call to the world to take up the challenges death and the afterlife offered, and acknowledge a spiritual framework wider than any church then offered. He called his book THE VITAL MESSAGE, and from the start he made at changing people's consciousness much of the inspiration of other writers has unfolded. This book celebrates the 150th anniversary of his birth, on 22nd May 1859. The 'Aquarian Age', another term for our evolving consciousness, is radical in its ideas: distrustful of large organizations, thriving when it works in small groups, respectful of diversity and counter-cultures. It is also faced with dramatic new problems - sustainability in a threatened world, for instance - and huge intellectual opportunities, such as the new physics. THE VIEW makes it plain that while we may harness science, science cannot do without the simple human understanding that comes from the heart. The new spirituality is thus personal, but it is authentic. In different ways the contributors to THE VIEW take up today's opportunities and challenges with great insight. They suggest ways in which humankind may now move forward, and describe some of the discoveries and innovations which may reshape our lives in years still to come. Chapters cover Conan Doyle, Spirituality, Health, Community, Future-thinking and Business. Contributors include Neale Donald Walsch, Ervin Laszlo, Peter Russell, Owen Dudley Edwards, Gaye Mack, Roger Straughan, Drew Pryde, Colum Hayward, Darrell Mann, James Baltzell, Errol Weiner, A&K Laszlo and Hunter Lovins.

Published for the 150th anniversary of the birth of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, this volume centres on his contribution to humanity's spiritual advancement through the works he wrote on spiritualism later on in life and on ostensible communications after his death. His two key principles can be summed up as personal responsibility and the redeeming power of love. As the book unfolds, it goes far beyond the legacy of Conan Doyle, touching on spirituality, empowerment and health, nature and community, sustainable business leadership and even 2012. The subtitle is a good indication of the 'vital message' of the book, mind over matter, heart over mind. Sometimes there is a tendency for some authors to polarise heart and mind when they need to work together. For me, the most powerful contribution was an extract from Neale Donald Walsch reminding us of the perils of what he calls separation theology, separation psychology, separation cosmology, and separation sociology leading to separation pathology. He reminds us that change is not a disruption, but rather an eruption, life erupting into fuller bloom as a self-sustaining system. The only caveat is that separation or individualisation is an aspect of our being and experience expressed by Arthur Koestler as the holon, which is both a whole and part. So separation is not to be denied but is part of the dance of life.

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