Axinia, the lovely blogger behind 1000petals, wrote a post on evolution recently. Her discussion juxtaposed evolution of the human race with evolution of the individual–that is evolution of the individual in a spiritual sense. A growth sense.
Her post really got me thinking. I’ve heard it said, by the wisest of the wise in my opinion, that as it is above, so it is below. For example, in nature we see transition, and we’ve come to know that really, that is all we are doing here. Transitioning.
We see cycles repeat themselves. Fall gives way to winter, to spring, to summer. The moon’s phases. The tides. A woman’s menstrual cycle. It all seems to work in cycles. On a very macroscopic scale it has become apparent that the universe is expanding. This behavior is quantified and observed. In general it seems that the overwhelming feeling in science is that it is expanding eternally. But there are prominent scientists who have come up with a theory, backed by mathematical equations, that the universe will not do so eternally. That it will eventually begin to contract again, and eventually another big-bang will happen, and so-on and so-forth. Kind of like eternal seasons. Cycles. Without understanding the science behind any of it, I’m on board with the latter theory. But I digress.
The evolution piece: if we observe the macroscopic evolve (humanity, nature), and we see the microscopic evolve (the soul, well, sometimes), would it be fair to assume that eternity–the divine– is also evolving?
I realize that we can only deliberate about that (at least from where I stand). Maybe the perfectly enlightened individual gets it because they are, well, enlightened.
What are your thoughts?
June 4, 2009 at 7:12 pm
Thanks for this, Molly. I wonder if evolution is simply a fancy word for change? If it is, then we can ask ourselves what it takes to change.
We know that if we kill off wolves, for example, that we’re gonna have a lot of deer on our hands. So we understand that kind of evolutionary change moderately well.
But what about change in the human heart/mind. What do we really know about that? All I know is that if we want to manifest the “divine” in our own lives, then we need to make a change. And whenever any one of us makes that change, it changes the entire universe.
June 4, 2009 at 7:21 pm
Hi Molly, another perspective is that nothing evolves exactly. Rather, human beings, for instance, are gradually removing veils of their own self-created illusions. This is about remembering what they forgot and always are. In this sense, it is a kind of change but, its also reverting back to what you already know but obscure in mind in order to learn here now. When it comes to spirit and entities on higher planes, they are each at different stages of awareness or consciousness. You may be interested to read more about the 7 planes of energy and the spirit and energy beings found on different levels. I am including perspectives on this subject in my coming ebook on dreams. As dreamers learn to recall with consistecy, they grow to train the mind to be more conscious and lucid during the dream experience. They learn to raise energy vibration and the astral (or dream) body visits other energy planes beyond the physical. Now each of the seven main planes can be broken down (or branched out) into subdivisions and related realms. Its actually more complicated than 7 levels but this is a great starting point. Look out for the coming ebook.
June 4, 2009 at 7:49 pm
Barry–Well put. And thank you. “Whenever any one of us makes that change, it changes the entire universe.” You said it.
Liara–thanks for your insights.
June 4, 2009 at 11:05 pm
Interesting post, I have been contemplating this idea in a sense too, from a different angle. Lots of spiritual teachers today are saying humanity needs to evolve to survive – grow beyond ego-based living. Some posit 2012 as a turning point in this evolution. And my question always is, are we projecting a utopia-Eden like state when we think in those terms? Goodness knows we humans like to idealize. So are we projecting these ideas of permanently expanding consciousness on a mass level? On another note, from what I have read about Hindu yugas or time cycles, the cycle we are in is actually considered a dark time, a contracting time, which will be followed by a lighter, expanding one, so not sure where that all fits in!
June 5, 2009 at 1:11 am
Everything changes.. evolves denigrates and evolves again.. again a cycle.. it seems like whole world is nothing but thousands of circles isnt it ?
June 5, 2009 at 3:23 am
MommyMysic–I suppose there is the macrocosm and the microcosm. Hmmm. Really interesting. Yeah, I think we idealize also. It is almost an affliction sometimes, that leads to our suffering, huh?
WinnieThePooh–Yeah, it does seem like everything is many many circles, sometimes. Interesting thought.
Thanks for your comments!
June 5, 2009 at 7:41 am
Hi Molly-
It must be this ‘cold’ I have – oh my.
Interesting post which sent me to thoughts and understandings I have come to know and not know. I don’t think much about evolution, evolving – believing that each new experience is taking me to the next moment, phase, of life – a flow if you will, which I try not to resist. Evolving and resisting don’t co-exist all that well. And at the same time, resisting is also important to the changes that are about to ensue – and as I re-read my own words I wonder what the heck I am talking about!!!
Love to you
Gail
peace…..
June 5, 2009 at 8:06 am
I love the thought that you propose, is the divine expanding, growing, evolving, I would say YES, it is. We are part of the divine and we are growing and with each growth step that we take we in turn our a growth of source, i.e. the divine! Great thinking, thanks for posing this question.
June 5, 2009 at 8:35 am
Hi Molly, This is an interesting topic. The way I have it worked out is this. If we are all one, or One, then the only question is, is the One evolving? And since I am part of the one and I can feel my own evolution, then I’d say yes the one is evolving.
As for my thoughts about it, it makes perfect sense to me that any who is eternal is both complete and incomplete.
Fun question, thanks for asking it.
June 5, 2009 at 9:12 am
While it might seem at time that nothing is changing, there is always motion. So it must be true that our spirits are ever-evolving whether conciously or unconciously.
Nature sets a great example.
June 5, 2009 at 11:05 am
Great post, which leaves much for thought. My personal view is that evolution in one form or another is infinate. Through out life we evolve as people, I am not who I was yesterday nor am I who I am tomorrow, the key to the future lays somewhere hidden in the past, but I also thing choice plays a part, we have to choose to evolve, we choose to make changes, so good some bad, but still change, each change opens up millions of pathways, and each pathway opens up more change and more scope to evolve as an individual, as a person, as a soul. My past well is colourful to say the least, mistakes made, echos of yesterday, but I am not who I once was, so how in the changes in my life I have made, I have evolved as what once appealed now no longer does, I could not go back even if I wanted to. Though I digress. I think we are all on some rainbow, a rainbow of life each with colours, each some further or higher than others, each just a vital, each just as valuable, each part of the great spectrum of evolution, we float between the bands, and once understanding here reaches its primal point we slide away, and begin our evolution on a higher rainbow in another place, may be our eternal quest to fall back to light, the light from which we came!
June 5, 2009 at 1:54 pm
This is one path of thought that makes me believe in the eternal rather than no life beyond death. We just transition. Great post.
June 5, 2009 at 7:57 pm
Gail, ToBeMe, Anne, Talon, Duma, Aggs–
Wow. Thanks for your thoughts, your insights. I am really moved that you guys would share so much with me here. I’m happy to have you guys to bounce these things off of. I am grateful for all of your perspectives. Thank you for your presence.
June 7, 2009 at 12:28 pm
I agree to the cyclic patterns and it is too obvious from how I look at things. The way the cyclic patterns are controlled by some unknown force even creates fear within me. Do you think we have any freedom of choice at all?
Destination Infinity
June 7, 2009 at 2:25 pm
DI–I think we have absolute freedome of choice, but no control over outcome at all. Does that make sense?
June 7, 2009 at 3:05 pm
i feel evolution is more how we evolve rather than how the universe evolves, the way we can be better than what we were, and how we can evolve so that others feel better as well. Just a thought
June 7, 2009 at 3:35 pm
Rambler–Since we aren’t separate from the Universe, then as we evolve, wouldn’t it evolve?
June 7, 2009 at 6:10 pm
At most stages of our lives, we believe we’ve got it, we know the answers to life. So, I’m not sure if there is truely a perfectly enlightened individual. I have often wondered whether we all evolve to know all at the brink of our deaths. If, at that time, it all becomes so very clear. I do know that many individuals who have been diagnosed with terminal illness come to realize what is most important in their lives.
Peace, Light and Love. . . C.
June 7, 2009 at 9:29 pm
Interesting input, Molly.
I think cycling between ‘UPs-and-Downs’ is a natural law that ensures the balance from the physical point of view; for environment, women, etc.
However when it comes to the personnel, we are a complex combination of ‘soul’, ‘mind’ and ‘body’ therefore the word ‘evolution’ isn’t enough to describe what happens to us; it’s rather the ‘development’ and ‘enlightment’. Such stuff is in action when we understand ourselves better.
June 8, 2009 at 6:58 am
molly that realization is a part of our evolution in iteself
June 8, 2009 at 11:49 am
If I think of evolution as a constant state of growth and progress, then yes, I believe that we are a constant state of evolution, externally and internally as beings. A friend of mine once astutely pointed out that we are not the exact same person in this moment as we were one moment ago; we are constantly changing, and even if we don’t see it as growth, our view of the world will continuously change, or at least, have the potential to change, because we always gain new information. There have been so many times when I really reflect fully on how far I have come, and then look back at those times awhile later, and am amazed at how much more I have come to know, mostly about myself.
I have come to view my own evolution as an adventure, and even when the lessons are extremely painful, I do my best to explore where the pain comes from, and how I can understand it, even if it still hurts.
I am sorry to go on and on; this one is really calling to me today and something that I needed to hear and read. Thank you.
June 10, 2009 at 7:30 am
I was never really aware of the “cycle” until I underwent the “big bang”… It felt like I was literally overhauling my entire life; examining my values, trying to figure out where to go, a lot of letting go and forgiving.
The nine-year cycle, cat’s lives so they say. That’s what I went through. And true that we are given the chance to break the cycle and evolve. Otherwise, the repeating patterns will continue. It’s up to us to decide which path to take. If we want to stay in our old world or if we want to move on to a different one.
It’s overwhelming sometimes. But we’ll get there. Eventually. I’m positive I made the right choices myself.
June 11, 2009 at 9:10 pm
It does and I agree! But my deepest fear is that we may not have the control over our actions too! I hope it is not true.
Destination Infinity
July 22, 2009 at 12:39 pm
i’m studying five element acupuncture at the moment, and learning a lot about the dao, also know as the way, or the path. the basic principles of nature that five element theory is based upon are that the macrocosm (nature and the dao) is reflected in the microcosm. within each of us are the five seasons (yes five) that exist within nature.
the energetic movement that happens during a season happens within us also. in spring nature comes alive, pushing upwards and outwards with new growth, birth and regeneration. in summer nature has the power of maturity, everything comes into fruition and blossoms. come late summer nature reaps its harvest and the land is nourished. autumn sees the rising yin and declining yang as leaves die and fall to the ground, nourishing the soil for crops to come. winter sees the hibernation of animals and plants, replenishing their reserves for the spring to come.
all of the elements and the seasons are interdependent on one another; it is all about balance. a scortching summer renders the harvest poor. a poor harvest renders the reserves for winter less than ideal.
there are seasons within the human; seasons of the body, the mind and the spirit. all of the seasons, the elements, enrich our bodies, minds and spirits with different gifts and challenges. and most importantly, they are all reliant upon one another for health and balance.
if you’re interested read JR Worsley’s book, The Five Elements and the Officials. it’s eye-opening.