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The
Remarkable Changes Observed
in
the Lives of EHEers Through
The
Spiritual Emergence Network
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Originally brought to wide public attention through the highly
influential classic, Spiritual Emergency: When Personal
Transformation Becomes a Crisis, by Stanislav
and Christina Grof.
Their sustained and revolutionary healing work and understanding
[along with that of their now many-thousands-strong, worldwide
professional association, the Spiritual Emergence Network / SEN]
has been a major piece of an experientially informed movement
that has had an incalculable impact on the world of psychiatry
and psychotherapies, and on the lives of the countless
Experiencers whom they have been privileged to assist.
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In Spiritual Emergency, the Grofs remark on the
frightfully dismaying global crisis as they saw it circa 1989, for
which we certainly have more than a few new smelly additions to
add, since! But they also express much hope in lieu of the
"renaissance of interest in ancient spiritual traditions" as
well as more contemporary spiritual lifestyles and
disciplines. Say the Grofs, "People who have had
powerful transformative experiences and have succeeded in applying
them to their everyday lives show very distinct changes in their
values. This development holds great promise for the future of
the world, since it represents a movement away from destructive and
self-destructive personality characteristics and an emergence of those
that foster individual and collective survival.
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People
who are involved in the process of spiritual emergence tend to
develop a new appreciation and reverence for all forms of life
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and
a new understanding of the unity of all things, which often
results in strong ecological concerns and greater tolerance
toward other human beings.
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Consideration
of all humanity, compassion for all of life, and thinking in
terms of the entire planet take priority over the narrow
interests of individuals, families, political parties, classes,
nations, and creeds.
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That
which connects us all and that which we have in common become
more important than our differences, which are seen as enhancing
rather than threatening.
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In
the attitudes characteristic of spiritual emergence, we can see
the counterpoint to the intolerance, irreverence toward life,
and moral bankruptcy that are the root causes of the global
crisis.
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Thus
we hope that the growing interest in spirituality and the
high incidence of spontaneous mystical experiences herald a
shift in the consciousness of humanity that will help to
reverse our current self-destructive course.
We have seen repeatedly that people experiencing spiritual
emergencies benefit greatly from approaches that support the
transformative potential of these states. The new
strategies can also have very beneficial effects on their
immediate human environment -- family, friends, and
acquaintances. It is exciting to consider that such
activity might, in addition, have relevance for human
society as a whole, in helping to alleviate the crisis faced
by all of us.
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