CE 501

The History and Philosophy of Conscious Evolution
This course establishes general principles concerning the growth and development of evolutionary systems. Colleagues undertake an exploration of relatively simple physical and biological systems (such as metabolic processes that constitute single-celled organisms) and progress to a more complex study of highly evolved plants and animals and eventually, entire ecological systems.  The principles learned are applied to technological, economical, and social contexts as a foundation for understanding the energy, mechanisms, and processes that create and sustain complex systems. The course approaches consciousness as a systems phenomenon that has continuously evolved from its simplest iteration to achieve increasingly higher levels of complexity and flexibility.  Colleagues identify patterns of transformation in diverse systems phenomena and consider the evolution of consciousness for its role in generating competence, self awareness, and creativity. 

The role of belief systems in creating and sustaining diverse cultures provides the focus of this course. Colleagues identify and explore paradigms of consciousness that have influenced the development of Western civilization, and compare these with historical belief systems of indigenous, pre-Classical, Classical, pre-modern, modern, and postmodern societies. This discussion is extended to include aspects of Eastern philosophy and modern science. Holism is studied as an emerging paradigm that promotes the integration of both Eastern and Western belief systems. Colleagues undertake an intense exploration of their own personal beliefs and analyze the way in which these impact their mode of functioning in the world. The unique differences between beliefs, assumptions, opinions, and knowledge are delineated and analyzed. Cognitive dissonance is also addressed as a phenomenon encountered when beliefs conflict with experience, and is resolved through the modification of existing beliefs and the integration of new perspectives. Emphasis is placed on the transformation of belief systems as a viable means of resolving both individual and cultural crises. The course is grounded in rich resources provided by notable thinkers in the fields of history, anthropology, philosophy, and social science. 

This course explores epistemological and ontological foundations of reality as the basis for understanding the scope and breadth of consciousness and the ways in which knowledge is transformed into experience and action. Colleagues examine intuitive, emotional, somatic, aesthetic, and spiritual modes of knowing and cultivate techniques for bridging these experiences with insights of the rational mind. The notion of an emerging “science of consciousness” in contemporary scholarship is considered as potential pathway for extending the domain of conscious inquiry through the practice and implementation of alternative methodologies and experientially-based learning.  

Physiology, Neurobiology, and Conscious Evolution
The experience of consciousness is inextricably connected to the body’s transmission of sensory information and its corresponding processing in the brain.  At the highest levels of consciousness, the brain is capable of translating experiences into abstract theoretical concepts, which are identified as ideas and beliefs.  Any comprehensive examination of conscious evolution must take into account the biology of the human organism and the fundamental sensory processes of the nervous system. This course explores the physiological and neurological systems that are responsible for the manifestation of consciousness. Emphasis is placed on the visual, limbic (emotional), and cortical (cognitive) systems of the brain. Colleagues study the mind-body relationship in the context of these core sensory processes and extend their learning to engage in complex theoretical structures that arise from basic perceptions, feelings, and thoughts. 

Art and Expression in Conscious Evolution
This course explores the arts, as a principally non-verbal medium, for the access they provide to broad realms of consciousness. Light, rhythm, and form, as expressed in art, music, and dance, are considered for their value in generating meaning through intuitive, emotional, aesthetic, and somatic interactions.  Colleagues examine prominent art of both ancient and contemporary cultures as a means of analyzing the evolution of human consciousness. Aesthetic translation is employed as a mechanism for interpreting the perceptions, beliefs, and worldviews of specific cultures and societies. The work of Jung, Bohm, Gerber, and Young provides a significant context for evaluating tacit intelligence in diverse forms of creative expression. The course emphasizes the function of art as an experientially-based phenomenon, both in its execution and interpretation, that generates pathways toward personal transcendence. Colleagues extend their learning by exploring the artist’s potential to forecast the nature of conscious evolution. 

The Wisdom Traditions and Recent Syntheses
This course examines core principles of evolution within the context of psychological and psycho-spiritual development.  Colleagues undertake intensive research in both contemporary and indigenous wisdom traditions, and explore correlations between principles of time-honored cultural philosophies and those of developmental psychology and modern science. The interaction between beliefs promulgated by the wisdom traditions and standards established by scientific evidence are explored simultaneously as an opportunity to analyze the complementary aspects of science and psycho-spiritual systems. The study of fundamental evolutionary systems is extended from its physical, biological, and social contexts to consider the nature of consciousness at the level of psycho-spiritual transformation. Colleagues investigate various experiential paradigms as a means of identifying pathways for the application of practice to belief. The course focuses on generating effective geo-political and cultural leadership through the integration of diverse evolutionary pathways. Here, conscious evolution is considered not only as a transformation of the mind, but as a totality phenomenon affecting all aspects of body, mind, spirit, and culture. 

Transpersonal Values and the Global Challenge
Significant cultural transformations are often foreshadowed by the progressive breakdown of existing institutions, as antiquated beliefs are challenged and replaced by emerging world views.  The rise of new cultural perspectives typically parallels pivotal discoveries in modern science, as pioneering leaders embrace cutting edge thinking and pursue their vision of humankind’s evolutionary potential. This course explores the phenomenon of “breakdown” as an opportunity for conscious evolution. Colleagues identify current political, organizational, economical, ethical, environmental, technological, and social practices and processes that contribute to the destruction of society, and apply their knowledge of evolutionary principles to propose methods for generating change. The function of individuals within the social matrix is studied as a means of evaluating the evolution of organizational and institutional operations. Research is conducted to analyze dysfunctional trends and to examine alternative views presented by ground-breaking leaders in the arts, sciences, and humanities. 

This course is a mentorship experience that allows colleagues to apply the principles of Conscious Evolution to practical situations that are related to their personal interests and goals. The formal mentorship assignment reflects a self-selected area of interest and is designed demonstrate professional development and personal growth through disciplined inquiry. The mentorship is conducted with a leader in the field of Conscious Evolution, and requires a minimum of eighty hours of contact time. Systematic journal writing, a mentorship abstract, a comprehensive written report, and an oral presentation are required to document the experience and provide an assessment of the learning that resulted as an outcome of the mentorship.

The Culminating Project is an action-based research inquiry or meta-analysis intended to correlate with the mentorship experience.  It is a participant-driven initiative that is supported by educative feedback provided by the Program Coordinator. The Culminating Project constitutes the final course of the Conscious Evolution program. It represents four credits of independent research in a field or subject of personal interest that has emerged during the course of academic study. 

The Culminating Project provides participants the opportunity to refine and demonstrate their understanding of a particular area of conscious evolution, to explore in detail a specific topic, and to exemplify their knowledge, ability and skills as independent researchers. Colleagues complete a comprehensive report at the level of sophistication and efficacy of a Master’s thesis that establishes a foundation of knowledge, documents their research, presents an overview of findings, analyzes and synthesizes perspectives and interpretations, evaluates the learning process, and proposes outcomes and conclusions. The Culminating Project also serves as the basis for group dialogue, as each colleague formally presents his or her report to the cohort. Successful completion of the Culminating Project confirms learning throughout the Conscious Evolution program in accord with the program’s mission and goals.