Consciousness evolution and planetary survival: Psychological roots of Human violence and greed
D Stanislav Grof M.
World Futures November 1, 1996 DOI: 10.1080/02604027.1996.9972599 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Citations | 9 |
| Key points | Argues that current global crises are products and symptoms of a psychospiritual crisis that diplomatic, legal, economic, and military measures have failed to alleviate. Drawing on forty years of consciousness research, the author contends that greed and aggression are better understood through an expanded map of the psyche, and that solutions require deep inner transformation and a new worldview emphasizing unity, co-evolution, and cooperation. |
Abstract
Diplomatic negotiations, administrative and legal measures, economic and social sanctions, military interventions, and other similar efforts have had so far very little success in alleviating the rapidly escalating global crisis. Drawing on the observations from forty years of research of non‐ordinary states of consciousness, the author explores the implications of this material for the understanding of the psychological and spiritual roots of the problems humanity is currently facing. The vastly expanded cartography of the human psyche that has emerged from this work offers a new understanding of insatiable greed and malignant aggression, two powerful forces that have played a critical role in human history and currently represent a serious threat for life on our planet. The author suggests that the problems in modern world are products and symptoms of a psychospiritual crisis and that any effective solution will require a deep inner transformation of humanity and a new scientific world view emphasizing unity, co‐evolution, and cooperation. He explores the possible role of ancient and modern methods facilitating spiritual opening and consciousness evolution in achieving these goals.