Saturday, May 31, 2008

Fluid Intelligence



If you do what you've always done, you will get what you've always gotten.

In exploring personal and global transformation, it is important to talk about the concept of fluid intelligence in relation to the ability to grow and expand our awareness. Fluid intelligence has little to do with IQ or "book" intelligence. It is rather the ability to step outside of our beliefs and consider information which does not fit into our previously accepted view of reality.
Our deepest beliefs and conceptions about life and the world are to some degree conditioned by our childhood experiences, our education, the mass media, and various other external influences. An individual's level of fluid intelligence can be determined based on the degree to which he or she is able to let go of previously held conceptions on encountering reliable information or experiences which show these conceptions to be mistaken or overly simplistic.
At the other end of the spectrum from fluid intelligence is static intelligence. When those with a high degree of static intelligence encounter information which seriously questions the established paradigm, they attempt to discredit the new information using laws and principles previously agreed upon under the old paradigm. If they fail at this, the new information is then deemed not worthy of study and discarded. At worst, the new evidence is actively attacked as being irrational or unscientific, even though it may be easily verified.
Scientists with a high degree of fluid intelligence who are attracted to study matters outside the current paradigm are often labeled kooks or wacky by those operating with static intelligence. Yet history shows us that it is often these "kooky" scientists who go on to make the most astonishing discoveries which pave the way for entire new areas of study which were once considered nonsense. Einstein, Galileo, and Pasteur were all ridiculed by adherents to the old paradigm of their day for their amazing discoveries which ushered in entire new branches of knowledge.
All of us are sometimes resistant to letting go of old beliefs, while at other times we are excited to explore new ways of thinking and being. Static intelligence and fluid intelligence are but two ends of a continuum, and each of us may shift to varying points on that continuum over time. As an example of this, please watch the three-minute video clip below which will test the sharpness of your perceptual abilities:
http://www.nhne.com/misc/perceptual_experiement.html
Things are not always as they appear. Now watch this impressive eight-minute clip which may expand your beliefs about animal intelligence:
http://www.transformationteam.net/video/elephant_artist_wtk
We encourage you as much as possible while reading through the materials on our website to prepare yourself for the unexpected and to choose the more fluid end of this spectrum. Consider asking for guidance and support in exploring areas where you might feel stuck in old belief patterns.
In recent years, many key pioneers have been successful in operating within the modern scientific paradigm with a very high degree of fluid intelligence. These courageous individuals have used accepted scientific principles and careful research to challenge old paradigm beliefs. Below are a few shining examples of this pioneering group:
• Stanford University's neuropsychologist Karl Pribram and his in-depth studies of the holographic qualities of consciousness.
• University of Connecticut Psychologist Kenneth Ring who completed breakthrough studies of near-death experiences.
• Dr. Hal Puthoff and Russell Targ (see his excellent paper) of Stanford Research Institute in their copious studies of remote viewing and nonlocality.
• UCLA's Valerie Hunt in her systematic studies of human energy fields and measurable psychic phenomena.
• Dr. Bruce Lipton's pioneering cell biology research suggesting that contrary to popular belief, genes do not determine life, but rather our perception of the environment controls gene activity.
• Princeton's PEAR Laboratory (now closed) which established the ability of consciousness to interact with physical matter.
• Robert Monroe, founder of the Monroe Institute which teaches methods to achieve out of body experiences and remote viewing (see his landmark book Far Journeys).
• The many pioneers of quantum physics who are finding that for deeper understanding of our world, it may be impossible to separate the physical world from consciousness.
Two classics which challenge static scientific paradigms using reliable, verifiable research from hundreds of scientific studies are the books The Holographic Universe by Michael Talbot and The Field by Lynne McTaggart. The paradigm-busting film What the Bleep!? covers similar territory in a less scientific, yet very fun way. We highly recommend these engaging books and film for those who are interested in exploring the work of scientists who are promoting greater awareness of ourselves and our universe, and helping people to develop more fluidity in consciousness.
In the old paradigm, static intelligence generally does not acknowledge the existence of a non-physical consciousness apart from a brain. In the new paradigm, quantum physics is increasingly recognizing that consciousness may be a critical factor in what determines reality. Static intelligence places high priority on stability and security. Fluid intelligence welcomes change and even chaos as potential vehicles for personal and global spiritual growth.
The materials presented on this website are designed both to inspire fluidity and to challenge rigid beliefs of the old paradigm. In moving through the site, you may find some of your beliefs about the world challenged. Please understand that we have no desire in this material to make you believe anything. Yet we are interested in challenging all of us to open to more expanded levels of belief and experience in all aspects of our lives.
The entire WantToKnow.info website provides an abundance of rich material which challenges us to explore more expansive and integrated ways of living together through stretching beyond our old beliefs and conceptions. It invites us to explore reliable, verifiable information which suggests that the commonly held view of the way things work in the world may be very simplistic and distorted. The website also encourages us all to move toward less secrecy and greater transparency as we work together to support what's best for all who share our world.
Transparency and Dynamic Fields of Energy and Consciousness
There are many levels of consciousness within each one of us. It is not uncommon for us to have beliefs or knowledge at one level of consciousness which are in complete opposition to that of another level. On one level we may know, as Galileo once contended, that the Earth is the third planet from the sun. We also know that our solar system is located in one arm of a spiral galaxy far from its center, which is far from the location of the Big Bang which allegedly formed the universe. Yet on another level, the Earth is for us in our lives the very center of our universe, as the church once argued against Galileo.
On an expanded level of consciousness, we may believe that each of us and all of humanity is meant to find ways to let go of anger and to live in peace and harmony with each other. Yet on a more contracted level, we may feel fully justified in being quite angry and upset at someone in our family or at some politician or powerful group. Something that very much makes sense on one level may appear quite "illogical" on another. Though our minds might like to convince us otherwise, most of us walk through life with many contradictions within our consciousness.
As we become increasingly transparent to ourselves and others, we naturally become more open and better able to interpret what is happening both in ourselves and others. We become more intuitive. By choosing to be transparent, the inconsistencies within us and in the world become increasingly apparent, thus allowing us greater choice in how we deal with them. Through choosing to identify, understand, and transform the inconsistencies within ourselves, they can actually become potent teachers inviting us to deepen our understanding of life, if we allow them to.
The more coherently we believe something on all levels of consciousness, the more the universe tends to shape itself around those beliefs. The more deeply we know something to be true, the more likely it is to manifest in our lives. This however, does not necessarily mean that it will be true for others. Each person—through their interpretation of what happens to them throughout life—develops their own version of reality, which has varying amounts of overlap with those who share this physical world with them.
Yet some have a greater ability to influence the beliefs of those around them than others. Those who have a very strong, coherent energy field that is directed outwards generally appear dynamic and charismatic to others. They are thus more easily able to convince those around them of what they believe or know to be true. They are often considered to be great communicators and influential people. This does not necessarily mean, however, that they know "The Truth."
On the other hand, a more "shy" person or one who keeps their energy more contained or directed inward may have a knowingness about something just as strong as an outgoing charismatic person, but because of their shyness or inwardness, they are much less likely (or may not even want) to persuade others to believe as they do.
There is no ultimate right or wrong here. Whether we choose to direct our energy more outward or inward, each of us is doing what we believe to be right in each moment. Yet the more transparent we are to ourselves and to the world around us, the more consciously we can make choices. And the more fluid we are in expanding our intelligence and beliefs, the more powerfully we can adapt to and make good use of the changes that occur in our lives and world.
As we choose both fluidity of intelligence and transparency, we increasingly invite learning, growth, and expansion on many levels in our lives. This further enables us to better make choices which serve the highest good of all of us. Let us then choose to be open, transparent, and fluid both with ourselves and with each other, and to offer support for the limitless possibilities of growth and expansion which lie within each one of us. The materials on this website are designed to assist us in this worthy purpose.

Saturday, May 3, 2008

Thoughts are Things

Thoughts Are Things
I hold it true that thoughts are things,

They’re endowed with bodies and breath and wind And that we send them forth to fill The world with good results, or ill That which we call our secret thought Speeds forth to Earth’s remotest spot, Leaving its blessing or its woes Like tracks behind it as it goes.
We build our future thought by thought, For good or ill, yet know it not. Yet, so the universe is wrought Thought is another name for fate; Choose then thy destiny and wait, For love brings love and hate brings hate.
You never can tell what a thought will do In bringing you hate or love; For thoughts are things and their airy wings Are swifter than carrier doves. They follow the law of the universe… Each thing creates its kind. And they speed o’er the track to bring you back Whatever went out from your mind.

Author??

Friday, May 2, 2008

Arrested Time

It's 9.45 A.M , the train pulls into Pune station.A few minutes pass. There’s a delay. People are gathering on the platform. Voices. I leave my seatto investigate. A young man appears to have ‘OD’-edon the platform. Another young man, proficient infirst aid, squats beside him. He feels for a pulse, ormovement of the chest, signs of life. I encouragethe fellow next to me to touch the comatose man, use our body warmth against the ever-cooling night.A young woman has just rung for an ambulance.The train driver asks if the two men can stay besidethe collapsed victim of drugs until medical assistancearrives. As I stroke the man’s forehead I wonder whoseson is he? What has brought this young body to the brink?Who supplied the drugs? I am glad that basic human feelingsstill exist in our suburbs. People do care, do want to help.But our stations now feel abandoned. No-one can convinceme that video surveillance can ever be as effective as the presence of station staff. The Prime Minister’s ‘druginitiative’ may need to look at these isolated incidents andmake a greater effort to understand why people are riskingtheir lives for a temporary ‘high’. Is this young manunemployed, or homeless … or affluent and bored?I can’t rest easy with his after-image in my mind.

Steve Jobs