Conscious Evolution: Awakening the Power of Our Social Potential

by Barbara Marx Hubbard, Terry Patten (Foreword), Neale Donald Walsch (Foreword)

A Seminal Work of Visionary Hope, Updated for the 21st Century

In this era of government gridlock, economic and ecological devastation, and seemingly intractable global violence, our future is ever more ripe for — and in need of — fresh, creative reimagining. With her clear-eyed, inspiring, and sweeping vision of a possible global renaissance in the new millennium, Barbara Marx Hubbard shows us that our current crises are not the precursors of an apocalypse but the natural birth pains of an awakened, universal humanity. This is our finest hour. Conscious Evolution highlights the tremendous potential of newfound scientific knowledge, technological advances, and compassionate spirituality and illustrates the opportunities that each of us has to fully participate in this exciting stage of human history. As we do, we will bring forth all that is within us and not only save ourselves, but evolve our world.

Genres: Spirituality, Philosophy, Nonfiction, Psychology, Religion

296 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Jared Woods · Rating 4 out of 5]

On my quest to crawl inside of new spiritual leaders, I bumped into Barbara Marx Hubbard then fell off my chair. My god, she was affirming words that I had been mumbling for years! The philosophy I am developing (Janthopoyism) was too uncomfortably similar! So I quickly purchased her most famous book and held my breath, excited to be educated by a kindred soul yet fearful that my original thoughts were nothing but trodden ground.

Thanks to Barbara's extraordinary resume, I soon forgot my worries, as she presented a scientific-meets-spiritual approach while quietly boasting about how she was the first-ever female US Vice Presidency nominee. But more impressive than those badges is where she pulls upon the common thread I value most from enlightened personalities, namely the radiance of pure positivity. Referring to her viewpoint as "potentialism" (avoiding the oft-misinterpreted "optimist" term), her beliefs are not some cloud of naive fairy dust. She understands the unsustainability of many earthly pursuits that rush down a damaging direction. Yet, she recognises how we are in such an unprecedented position of awareness and technological advancement that we now have the power to control where we want to go. The collective human potential could realign the trajectory! If only enough of us join the party!

Barbara sets out various workable plans on achieving her vision. One is a governmental system that nurtures the most innovative people in very specific fields, freely collaborating their findings across nations until we merge everything into a singular win-win-win system. Another is a media channel dedicated to broadcasting positive progress. These propositions are not about undoing what society has done but building up from it, gradually influencing our growth until we reach a critical mass of forward-thinkers/doers, ultimately controlling the evolutionary wheel deliberately.

My only apprehension is Hubbard's certainty that we're currently living during some exceptional age. Every generation believes the world is either on the verge of catastrophe or awakening, and I have convinced myself that it's an ego response inherent to human genetics. Then again, this 1998 book talks about an unknown global event that could surge our evolution forward, and maybe I have some idea what that could be. It's a pity, then, that Hubbard passed away in 2019 because I'd love to hear her take on recent events.

I conclude by cheerfully addressing my friends who forever challenge my optimistic attitude, pointing towards Conscious Evolution as a validation for my confident mindset. And while Janthopoyism stands on its own (more an individual practice rather than Hubbard's social concerns), this book is the closest I've found to what I've been preaching, like sister ideologies functioning concurrently. Furthermore, it's inspired a fire in my belly, one that screams, "we can do this!" and all it would take is enough people to grasp these teachings. Hence why I regard Conscious Evolution as essential reading for everyone, especially you.

[Amanda Koh · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books of all time...... for how it opened my mind... and allowed me to see the patterns present in our current society, and where we may be headed as a species. Barbara uses analogies of several different species in the world, and the transformations which occur under specific conditions - and how we, as a species, are now experiencing those same conditions. We may very well be on the precipice of a major societal shift. Indeed, since I read this book in 2000, I have seen the consciousness rising......... and I believe this is happening. If you focus on conspiracy theories, like I did - this may be something that shifts your thinking, allowing you to see the light present...... it's the other side, of the same coin.

[Miyuki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Barbara challenged me to expand my consciousness and think beyond my lifetime. Say, what visions do I have for the next 500 to 1000 years? All evolutions begin with self, and nowadays they are made more consciously than ever. I'm reminded how important it is for each of us to be honestly who we are, for the goodness and benefit for all of us.

[Ian McGaffey · Rating 3 out of 5]

As we are currently living in the decade the author said this change would occur its hard to say much about it beimg true or not. Its a nice idea and has the feel of something that should occur. The author talked about spontaneous transition, which is not really what the theory of evolution is about. I struggled to get behind this message.

[KittyCake · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very phenomenal !!! Great parallels Barbara makes between the old world, the current scientific understandings, and the new world where we are going.

[Cara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book had some fascinating ideas but it tended to meander, it seemed overwritten, and repetitive. Would have preferred more tangible discussion on how to continue this work.

[May Ling · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the way this book talks about the co-creater concept and the idea that the new consciousness is a creative one. I think that there are some really great ideas about where the future of society goes and what it means to care about others in the new world.

I think there is even more that could have been said. In many ways, the themes of this book dovetail with what I'm currently researching and writing on. This stuff is all hard to formulate because it is so opposite the current dialogue and in that regard, Hubbard points this out.

P. 157 lists a group of global co-creators that I will likely research further into.

[Katelynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barbara was an idealist. I'm so grateful for her approach, though I feel she was a bit too idealistic and a bit intensely technocratic to be able to ground her vision well enough. She seemed to expect things to happen much faster than they naturally can.
Regardless, this book is profound and insightful read. she had such a big vision. Well worth the read.

[Dulcinea Contreras · Rating 5 out of 5]

""Conscious Evolution: Awakening Our Social Potential" by Barbara Marx Hubbard is an action-oriented handbook for the current generation to utilize to fulfill its current potential. The book is filled with a structured layout to help humanity fully participate in this chapter of the human story, particularly reinforcing that with rapid technological development the last fifty years that humans have the conscious capability to choose to abuse, or preserve, existence through a conscious co-creation process. A revolutionary concept has been introduced and captured by Barbara within these pages!" ~Dulcinea Contreras, 2003

[Colleen Chen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has a few good concepts that could have been explained much more succinctly. I ended up skimming a lot of it because it was a little repetitive and boring.

The things I liked: she does a great job delineating the history of human evolution and some of the major ideas of the holistic movement. She also clearly identifies the problems we face and the categories of things that need to be changed.

I was less on board with her solutions for making those changes--it seems sort of like she preaches to the choir. How can we actually extend these changes to those who think these ideas are bulls***? I mean, beyond just putting more support of the ideas into the noosphere.

[Stephanie Barko]

This title is the July 2012 selection of South Austin Spiritual Book Group.

[Patricia Tawnelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting approach to a positive future for humans on planet Earth