The Biology of Transcendence : A Blueprint of the Human Spirit

Uses new research about the brain to explore how we can transcend our current physical and cultural limitations • Reveals that transcendence of current modes of existence requires the dynamic interaction of our fourth and fifth brains (intellect and intelligence) • Explores the idea that Jesus, Lao-tzu, and other great beings in history are models of nature's possibility and our ability to achieve transcendence • 17,000 sold in hardcover since April 2002 Why do we seem stuck in a culture of violence and injustice? How is it that we can recognize the transcendent ideal represented by figures such as Jesus, Lao-tzu, and many others who have walked among us and yet not seem to reach the same state? In The Biology of Transcendence Joseph Chilton Pearce examines the current biological understanding of our neural organization to address how we can go beyond the limitations and constraints of our current capacities of body and mind—how we can transcend. Recent research in the neurosciences and neurocardiology identifies the four neural centers of our brain and indicates that a fifth such center is located in the heart. This research reveals that the evolutionary structure of our brain and its dynamic interactions with our heart are designed by nature to reach beyond our current evolutionary capacities. We are quite literally, made to transcend. Pearce explores how this "biological imperative" drives our life into ever-greater realms of being—even as the "cultural imperative" of social conformity and behavior counters this genetic heritage, blocks our transcendent capacities, and breeds violence in all its forms. The conflict between religion and spirit is an important part of this struggle. But each of us may overthrow these cultural imperatives to reach "unconflicted behavior," wherein heart and mind-brain resonate in synchronicity, opening us to levels of possibility beyond the ordinary. Cover Image Title Page Dedication Acknowledgments Table of Contents Introduction Part 1: Nature's Transcendent Biology Preface To Part 1 Chapter 1: Evolution and our Fourfold Brain THE STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF OUR THREEFOLD BRAIN THE EVOLUTION OF OUR BRAIN: INCORPORATING OLD INTO NEW THE INDEPENDENCE AND INTERDEPENDENCE OF OUR THREE BRAINS BEASTLY KINGS AND FROG PRINCES Chapter 2: Evolution's Latest: The Prefrontal Lobes THE STAGES OF PREFRONTAL DEVELOPMENT Chapter 3: The Triune Heart: Electromagnetic, Neural, Hormonal ELECTROMAGNETIC BONDS THE BRAIN IN THE HEART Chapter 4: Fields within Fields: Of Frequencies and NeuronsFIELDS OF POTENTIAL DOES A FIELD EXIST? DO ACTIONS STRENGTHEN A FIELD? THE FIELD AS A UNIVERSAL NO MAN HAS SEEN A FIELD BIRD BRAINS AND FIELDS OF KNOWLEDGE THE VIRGIN WHO SWINGS THE SUN Part 2: The Anatomy of Evil Preface To Part 2 Chapter 5: Why Nature's Plan Breaks Down THE MODEL IMPERATIVE UNDERMINING THE FAMILY TRIAD OF NEEDS THE NEW INDIFFERENCE WHAT "FORTUNATE" CHILDREN LACK WORD DETERIORATION Chapter 6: Bioculture and The Model Imperative THE BIOCULTURAL DYNAMIC THE EFFECTS OF THERA AND VENUS CULTURE AS A FIELD EFFECTCULTURE AS ARCHETYPE ENCULTURATION AND SOCIALIZATION OUR CHILDREN'S GROWTH: JOYFUL LEARNING OR CULTURAL CONDITIONING? COUNTERFEITS OF TRANSCENDENCE Chapter 7: The Enculturated Self THE POWER OF THE NEGATIVE TODDLER AT THE CROSSROAD TAMING THE BEAST WITHIN A CAREGIVER'S PROHIBITIONS THREATENING THE BOND PASSING ON THE SHAME THE WORK OF SHAME THE GREAT NEURAL PRUNING NO TIME FOR NURTURING THE GUILT LIVES ON: THE LIFELONG SEARCH FOR ABSOLUTION Chapter 8: The Great Accusation CREATING THE MYTHICAL STORY OF JESUS OLD GOD IN NEW VESTMENTS PAUL'S INTELLECT AS CULTURAL BACKLASHSTANDING IN THE GATE THE WANING OF THE PARACLETE MONUMENTS OVER THE MURDERED THE CHURCH AS MEDIATOR "BY THEIR FRUITS YOU SHALL KNOW THEM" BITTER FRUIT Part 3: Beyond Enculturation Preface To Part 3 Chapter 9: Laski's Revelation LASKI'S SIX STEPS IN ACTION WHY TRANSLATION? WHY LIGHTNING? IF YOU ARE THIRSTY FIELDS OF INTELLIGENCE AND THE INTELLIGENCE OF FIELDS Chapter 10: Always Becoming THE BOND OF HEART HINDBRAIN BEFORE FOREBRAIN IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH THE PATH TO FORGIVENESS TEACHING OURSELVES HOW TO FORGIVE: HEARTMATH'S FREEZEFRAME THE SIX STEPS, IN DEPTHTHE PROMISE OF REFLECTIVE ACTION FROM THE HEART'S INTELLIGENCE CROSSROADS OF DECISION Chapter 11: Why Bother and Who Cares? THE ABSOLUTELY OTHER BONDING AND DOMINION DOMINION AND UNKNOWING UNCONFLICTED BEHAVIOR ON A SOCIETAL SCALE DEATH AND RESURRECTION OF FIRE, FLESH, AND FAITH BODIES WITHIN BODIES THE POWER OF PASSION AND COMPASSION Chapter 12: The Resurrection of Eve FLING WIDE THE GATES Epilogue Resources Footnotes Endnotes Bibliography About the Author About Inner Traditions Bear & Company Books of Related Interest Copyright & Permissions Cover Image; Title Page; Dedication; Acknowledgments; Table of Contents; Introduction; Part 1: Nature's Transcendent Biology; Preface To Part 1; Chapter 1: Evolution and our Fourfold Brain; THE STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF OUR THREEFOLD BRAIN; THE EVOLUTION OF OUR BRAIN: INCORPORATING OLD INTO NEW; THE INDEPENDENCE AND INTERDEPENDENCE OF OUR THREE BRAINS; BEASTLY KINGS AND FROG PRINCES; Chapter 2: Evolution's Latest: The Prefrontal Lobes; THE STAGES OF PREFRONTAL DEVELOPMENT; Chapter 3: The Triune Heart: Electromagnetic, Neural, Hormonal; ELECTROMAGNETIC BONDS; THE BRAIN IN THE HEART;Joseph Chilton Pearce examines the current biological understanding of our neural organization to address how we can transcend our current evolutionary capacities and limitations. It is the dynamic interaction of the head brain (intellect) and heart brain (intelligence), of biology and spirit, that allows transcendence from one evolutionary place to the next.