Bear & Company, 2022
ISBN: 978-1591434252
Reviewed by Ian Mowll
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Broadly, this book is about the integration of the physical world (as expressed by modern science), with our inner world so that they become one. As we become part of the evolutionary journey of the Earth, we are enabled to make wise choices for the health of our planet and all living beings.
Harding’s quest in the book is to … discover whether we can experience a Gaia that is more vibrant, full of meaning, and alive by alchemizing science, thereby re-ensouling science and our culture and thus freeing both from their analytical dryness. Encouragingly, he says that more scientists are recognising the need to listen psyche. Furthermore, C.G. Jung is quoted as saying: Hemmed round by rationalistic walls, we are cut off from the eternity of nature.
Harding explains Gaia Theory as a scientific understanding of the Earth as a great planetary organism, as a self-regulating complex system. This much may be familiar to many, but what I found exciting is that there is a growing body of scientists who now propose that natural selection may well be selecting feedback loops that enable life to exist and therefore evolve. It is also encouraging to read that there is more interest amongst scientists in a holistic approach to Earth System Science.
To bring science and feelings/values together, Harding proposes an alchemical approach, drawing on the writings and ideas of alchemists from the medieval period. Alchemy is the ancient art of personal transformation and Nature connection and this author draws on one particular alchemical process which is: calcination, dissolution, separation, conjunction, fermentation, distillation, and coagulation. He explains each of these processes and, in one part, makes a link between this and depth psychology, thereby helping to heal our culture’s relationship with Nature.
Harding’s view, which I share, is that our planet, Gaia, wants consciousness to develop through the evolutionary processes of the universe. And by living a Gaian alchemical life, we can integrate our inner experiences with the outer physical world, and in so doing, unify ourselves with the mysterious and amazing evolutionary life-journey of our planet.
This book is an important contribution to the growing awareness of planetary consciousness and integrating the inner and outer evolutionary processes of the universe.