Van Ness, John H.

THE PROMISE AND PERIL OF HUMAN CONSCIOUS EVOLUTION BROUGHT ON BY THE INTERNET - PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SPIRITUAL REFLECTIONS

Abstract

Transpersonal psychology students in the east coast and west coast of the U.S.A, and in Kosova share their spiritual experiences, insights, and their developing psychological ideas on an Internet link that provides instant communication. Their work develops a depth impossible even in a classroom situation. A home-bound psychotherapy client learns the latest research data regarding an inoperable brain tumor she has developed, without leaving her bed. Students in a graduate course in psychology share their insights and questions from reading assignments weekly before class, creating a synergy in classroom interaction that stimulates a new level of insightful learning. Americans horrified by the tragedy of Sept. 11, 2001 and largely ignorant of Islam, have been going to the Internet to learn what respected Islamic leaders from around the world are saying about the religious aspect of that tragedy. Using the Internet, individuals are experiencing the reality that they are cells in the biological entity called humanity and that their minds are individual manifestations of the One Universal Mind.

In addition, individuals have become addicted to web-surfing, to more information than they can possibly use, to pornography instantly and graphically available in the privacy of their home or office. Privacy has been lost, since every Internet transaction can be traced, and every computer can be invaded by pernicious viruses and worms. At the same time the Internet brings the promise of expanded human consciousness, it also brings increases the possibility of human degradation.

In my panel presentation on the panel, THE INTERNET AND THE TRANSFORMATION OF CONSCIOUSNESS, I will elaborate on these and other examples from my clinical practice and my teaching as well as from the literature in the field. Web sites and other interactive material will be used in the presentation.