Beyond Soul Growth. Lynn Sparrow Christy

      Salk, the medical researcher best known for the development of a polio vaccine, held what he called a “biophilosophy,” which dealt with the implications of biological evolution for our cultural, social, and psychological issues. “We are to be co-authors with nature of our destiny,” he said. Semantic differences aside, we can recognize that the Cayce readings said pretty much the same thing in “…man is the co-creator with the builder and the maker of the universe…”⁸²

      Some Thoughts to Ponder

      From the standpoint of evolutionary spirituality, we can see the fingerprint of an irrepressible drive to create in both the exterior world of stars, planets, plants, and animals, and the interior world, where consciousness itself is evolving on a cosmic scale, influencing every atom of manifest creation as it does so. How ready and willing are we to engage fully in that co-creative process? The Cayce readings are pretty clear that our purpose in being here transcends our own agenda, insisting that the purpose of our material manifestation “…is not then that there may be the satisfying of the mental or material body, or mind. It is not to the indulgence of, nor to the glory of self alone, but that—through the very activities of the body and mind—the fruits of the spirit of truth may be manifested in the material experience.”⁸³ Our spiritual quest is not to “graduate” from this earth, as if it were a mere school to get through, but to participate as incarnate, awakened souls who can serve as pacers for what may be the greatest evolutionary advance this world has ever known—to be agents of transformation.

      What is your response to this call?

       Examining Your Response to the Evolutionary Call

       Points for Personal Reflection

      The lists below encompass the main premises and commitments of evolutionary spirituality. Reflect on both what you think and how you feel about each one. Some may be more naturally acceptable to you than others. You may experience some as exciting calls to action and experience others with more trepidation. Which premises or commitments are you already working with? Which ones would be the biggest stretch for you to really live out in your life? If you sense disagreement or hesitation anywhere, get in touch with just what it is that you object to. If you are inclined to journal, consider journaling about some of these premises and commitments and how they do or do not apply to your experience. Return to these reflections periodically as you continue your internal dialog with the ideas presented in this book.

      1. Premises: Evolutionary spirituality is a world view, an interpretation of the facts at hand, that suggests:

       The manifest universe is evolving: not just the cosmos, not just plants and animals, but consciousness itself is evolving on a cosmic scale, influencing every atom of manifest creation.

       The manifest realm has intrinsic meaning and purpose; it is far more than just an illusion to be rolled away or a dream to be awakened from.

       Our purpose in the manifest realm goes beyond “soul growth.” We are called to nothing less than co-creatorship.

       We are the leading edge of evolution in the manifest realm; in us and through us comes the evolutionary advance of all that is.

       Death and dissolution is a necessary component of life and evolution.

       The outcome of the evolutionary trajectory is in our hands.

      2. Commitments: Evolutionary spirituality is a commitment to:

       Take responsibility for bringing consciousness into our thoughts, our bodies, the world, and creation itself.

       Embrace the unique opportunity of incarnation.

       Transcend our personal agendas in service to the whole.

       Applying Evolutionary Purpose and Priorities to Your Life

      1. With your most normal habits in mind, think about some of these life areas:

       Time you spend attending to inner work. That would include meditating and/or praying, reading or listening to materials that feed your spirit, inspire you, or spiritually strengthen you in some way.

       Time you spend with other people—family, friends, partner, neighbors, co-workers, intentional group bonds. How satisfactory are these aspects of your life? What are you doing (or not doing) to care for the relationship dimension of your life?

       Your relationship with your body. Include things like eating habits, exercise, and any other activities or habits that support or detract from physical health and well-being.

       Your work (whether through formal employment or other structures). What about it do you enjoy most, what fills you? What do you enjoy least, what drains you?

       Creative pursuits and interests, whether you are the one doing the creating or the one enjoying the creations of others. Consider music, art, literature, dance, or inventions—whatever may come to mind as an interesting aspect of creativity to you. Notice those feelings and senses that are gratified by creative expression.