“The key to growth is the introduction of higher dimensions of consciousness into our awareness.” — Lao Tzu
Becoming aware of our individual consciousness may at first blush seem daunting, and for some it may be, although what in the last analysis is the alternative to becoming conscious? Would that involve being numb for the better part of this life’s journey, and masquerading as being present, concerned, involved, active, alert, prepared, compassionate, or caring on most levels? This manner of living may serve its purpose for awhile, however, in some way or during some event we bump into change that completely transforms our existence, perspective, perception and journey. For each of us that change is different and as Ram Dass suggests . . . “Everything changes once we identify with being the witness to the story, instead of the actor in it.”
Gary Klaben has noted, that a continuum of change involving technology, and in the moment Qualcomm is launching 900 shoebox-sized satellites in to low earth orbit to provide worldwide internet access, which will take a few years to become operational. However, Tesla plans to launch 4,425 satellites to do the same thing. Then there’s 3-D Printing where autodesk now prints an entire house at $200 per square foot, four times stronger than one built with traditional materials, with those modifications and others would make a huge difference in how we construct and power our homes. Autonomous Vehicles are factoring into our existence along with Drones and Robots replacing workers by the thousands. Of course, there is Artificial Intelligence (AI) via Amazon’s Alexa and Google’s Home which is confounding to understand as was the internet, at first, until we broached what it would mean to us. And now we arrive at Augmented Reality (AR), as most people have a familiarity with virtual reality but augmented reality is different. Physical reality you can touch, feel, smell, taste etc., and with virtual reality it is created, made up from information input to computers and other technology. Augmented reality is a combination of both, and Mircrosoft developed the HoloLens where you see the physical world around you, but you can also bring in elements of the virtual, which is happening now. Make no mistake, these advances will affect you, your family, friends and loved ones impacting some more than others. Becoming conscious of these changes may shift areas of your life immensely as the words of Peter Senge state, “People don’t resist change. They resist being changed.”
Our technology marches along at an inordinate pace reflecting speed, progress, opportunity, discovery and challenge. What about our basic humanity and consciousness? Are we in lock step with those technological advances, or impeded by the questions of knowing who we are, why we are here and what might be our purpose to exist in conjunction with our fellow man? With Artificial Intelligence and/or Robots which could conceivably engender “consciousness,” would man ultimately be thought of as a “pet, plant or problem?” This along with many other questions need to be addressed. For centuries, these questions have only compounded . . . permeating the minds of men. And yet, are we any closer to the resolution of those questions and how we perceive our lives? There is no end to the possibilities ahead for mankind, contingent on the choices made today as the words of William Blake illuminate . . . “If the doors of perception were cleansed, everything would appear to man as it is, infinite.” JLR