The Biology of Transcendence: A Blueprint of the Human Spirit

by Joseph Chilton Pearce

Uses new research about the brain to explore how we can transcend our current physical and cultural limitations

Reveals that transcendence of current modes of existence requires the dynamic interaction of our fourth and fifth brains (intellect and intelligence)

Explores the idea that Jesus, Lao-tzu, and other great beings in history are models of nature's possibility and our ability to achieve transcendence

17,000 sold in hardcover since April 2002

Why do we seem stuck in a culture of violence and injustice? How is it that we can recognize the transcendent ideal represented by figures such as Jesus, Lao-tzu, and many others who have walked among us and yet not seem to reach the same state?

In The Biology of Transcendence Joseph Chilton Pearce examines the current biological understanding of our neural organization to address how we can go beyond the limitations and constraints of our current capacities of body and mind--how we can transcend. Recent research in the neurosciences and neurocardiology identifies the four neural centers of our brain and indicates that a fifth such center is located in the heart. This research reveals that the evolutionary structure of our brain and its dynamic interactions with our heart are designed by nature to reach beyond our current evolutionary capacities. We are quite literally, made to transcend.

Pearce explores how this biological imperative drives our life into ever-greater realms of being--even as the cultural imperative of social conformity and behavior counters this genetic heritage, blocks our transcendent capacities, and breeds violence in all its forms. The conflict between religion and spirit is an important part of this struggle. But each of us may overthrow these cultural imperatives to reach unconflicted behavior, wherein heart and mind-brain resonate in synchronicity, opening us to levels of possibility beyond the ordinary.

Genres: Spirituality, Philosophy, Science, Psychology, Nonfiction, Religion, Biology

288 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2002

About the author

For nearly half a century Joseph C. Pearce, who prefers to be known simply as Joe, has been probing the mysteries of the human mind. One of his overriding passions remains the study of what he calls the "unfolding" of intelligence in children. He is a self-avowed iconoclast, unafraid to speak out against the myriad ways in which contemporary American culture fails to nurture the intellectual, emotional and spiritual needs and yearnings of our young people. Part scholar, part scientist, part mystic, part itinerant teacher, Joe keeps in close touch with the most brilliant men and women in each field of inure relevant to his guest. He creates a unique synthesis of their work and translates the results into a common language-such a valuable contribution in these days of increasing scientific specialization.

Reviews

[Darlene Lambert (Meredith) · Rating 5 out of 5]

For the past two years I have not wanted to go to church. Something was missing in my religious experience. As a Catholic I did not question religious doctrine; went to church every Sunday and every Holy day but felt "empty".
This book "the Biology of Transcendence" has put things in perspective for me. It acknowledges and validates my quest towards transcendence. The reasons societies seek Religious shelter, the guilt and shame imposed upon you by loving but unsuspecting parents are tied into the enculturation of societies.
He quotes Jesus but takes out the twist given to His words by Paul, the Apostle and clearly states to go back to the silent chambers of your heart. There I have found the missing link in my life. God in His true essence. Pearce discusses the biological effects of violence and distrust; the reptilian brain grows larger in these conditions and takes over without thought; the struggle nature has had trying to create a larger prefrontal brain that is needed if ever we are to transcend to Higher aspirations. With every human born nature tries to elaborate (perfect) the brain but it's squelched by care takers following rules of enculturation.

[Dbzvfp · Rating 5 out of 5]

The human species is evolving toward a higher consciousness. Neurophysiological studies are demonstrating the wisdom of the mystics. All we need to fear is the lack of courage to grow and change, to recognize our own Divinity and to put aside the practice of projecting the Divine onto some external Authority.

[Magnus Itland · Rating 2 out of 5]

This pseudoscience is so weak that it is embarrassing to read. It is not devoid of good points, in particular the importance of investing our time in children in order for them to develop well. Children are really undervalued, so the book is commendable on that. Also the long duration of human maturation - our brains really are not finished growing until sometime in our twenties (not that most people use them fully even then). But much of its science is misinterpreted, and pure myth is taken as fact. This is really a warning of what can happen when experts (both the author and some of his sources) speak with confidence outside their narrow expertise.

[Sornchai]

Enculturation is the process of External Ethics.
Socialization is the process of Inner Way.

[Duncan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This visionary book speculates upon the potential of humanity to evolve at a much accelerated pace with expanded compassion, tolerance, and altruism as suggested by Pierce's analysis of the true Jesus Christ, as well as Bhudda, Ghandi, and other highly-evolved prophets and leaders. Pierce beautifully weaves this all into an understanding of Pre-and perinatal psychology, emphasizing the need for a truly caring, attentive and mindful conception, pregnancy, birth and infancy of all newborns, which will produce children with fully developed frontal lobes (and the capacity to imagine and design a non-destructive way of being). Philosophy, neuroscience, spirituality and psychology all meet in Pierce's profound hypothesis.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

It gets you thinking--and for me that is one of the most important values in a book. I think we can evolve or become extinct. I value his ideas and the push they give me to examine some of my own.

[Liam See · Rating 5 out of 5]

Utterly holistic insights and perspectives based on a lifetime of global travel, firsthand interviews with a wide range of spiritual leaders, research and teaching. Seminal stuff abounds here, with many critical interpretations of cultural trajectories and recommendations.

The Heart Math Institute is a medically and scientifically based research center that very carefully measures how our brain waves, heart rhythms and other inner biometrics.

[Ricardo Acuña · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book, Pearce presented the mutual influence between culture, religion, biology, mind and consciousness. I found it very interesting, in particular the way in which our brain extends to the heart and the influence of electromagnetic fields. I agree with the mutual influence between mind-body-biology-society. But mixing christianity and mystical topics can be a bit controversial.

[Heiki Eesmaa · Rating 1 out of 5]

The book would be fine if it limited itself to Steiner and the author's own mystical experience and utopian fantasies. But bringing weak science like Bruce Lipton into it and reinterpreting solid science like Allen Schore is too much for me. I cannot really recommend it to anybody who already hasn't read quite a bit, but they won't need it nor find it interesting.

[さやか むらさと · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Fear of death locks our mind into survival strategies that counter our discovery of possibilities other than death."

Ken Wilber says this about his own books: "Read them, but also go out there and act upon that knowledge." Same goes for this one. Also, both Ken and Joseph seem to value the prophetic work of William Blake. I find such bits particularly rewarding.

I strongly recommend "Biology of Transcendence" to anyone who wants to learn a lot about themselves and possibly why a transcendence of the mind is virtually out of our reach. Yes, this book also draws a pretty gruesome picture of the future of our grand children. But you are not one of them, so why worry. Enjoy.

[M.V.]

I synchron read it with Platon’s the State, and they make sense together in a beautiful way.

To be rather precise, in a tl;dr excerpt, it proves among other things that we should strive to be like calm, curious children and play. Everyday.

My own rambling: There is justice in play, in as much as we can all do it, for free. No one can, in fact, threaten to take it from any of us. It is the most brutal choice we can lay down, to make our vision wide and our breath large, and to take it all in no matter what.

[Alicia Randisi-hooker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is life changing. I have been a long time student of theology and spirituality, and this book is one of the best articulations of my philosophy and experience on my own journey. Pearce distills not only the physical world into taut and incisive prose but describes a holistic spirituality that embraces the incarnation of Jesus and the physical reality of our world. I recommend it to all seekers on the path to reconciling the Jesus they may experience and encounter in prayer and communion, with the dogmatic Jesus of so many Christian religions.

[Sheila Pritchard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent and fascinating. Sometimes depressing in terms of how profoundly negative early childhood experience leads to violence later in life. But also encouraging in how our brains and our spirits are intimately connected.

[M.A USman Jr · Rating 5 out of 5]

If nothing but the ability to transcend we could have a better understanding of of what lead us to identify us in front of ourselves.

This book worth all the time to read, study and analyze.

[Devon McCornack · Rating 5 out of 5]

The woo-woo ramblings of a wild man

[Simedrea Adrian · Rating 4 out of 5]

The main gist of this books centers around the ideas of unconflicted behavior and heart intelligence. I will write a more comprehensive review once I sketch the main ideas. All in all, a fascinating read.

[Maša Bratuša · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although it is not completely devoid of insight and fine opening thinking points, this is just about as far as it goes. The author is definitely well-meaning, but he paints a rather dull, black and white picture, with hear-say evidence and ambiguous explanations of otherwise scientifically valid phenomena ar probably doing them more of a disservice. Due to the lack of citation, it is far from a scientific read and it doesn't grasp the rim of transcendence in the philosophical/theological sense. Not to mention that the style of writing is unparsimonius - large words and long sentences for average ideas. The author makes grand claims across various fields (anthropology, sociology, history, theology...) while it is obvious (and natural) that the nuances have escaped him.
A reader who has had his fair share of thinking in these fields might profit from excersize in elaborating nuances on initial points, but I am worried that this book might cause more harm than good to the scholar with a "untrimmed" mind. Would advise to read C.G. Jung instead. :))

[Louis Dallara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't find words to describe this great book, it expanded my consciousness and created a new way of looking at things.
It's explanation of Heart Math was new and fresh, which helped me with my mediation practice.

[Sarah Bonham · Rating 5 out of 5]

brilliant, but kind of rough to get through. i wouldn't suggest it for a "light read"

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has enlightened perception of the ways of evolution within the brain of the human being. Transcend into a clear field of spiritual awakening.

[Tiarekhalo Tiarekhalo]

I'd like to read this book as a friend recommended it, so its on a must read before the year is out list!

[Joanne]

Interesting - not finished with this one yet!

[Karen Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent. Thought provoking ideas. Some parts were a bit dry but worth wading through.

[Barbc]

16

[Claudia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good points, but too woo woo.

[Salvatore Familia]

Uses the insights and research of a new wave of biologists and neurologists to explore how we can transcend our current cultural and societal crises.

• Explains new biological understanding of the human organism having five brains, the fifth of which is located in the heart.

• Explains that transcendence of our current modes of behavior, thinking, and believing require the dynamic interaction of our fourth and fifth brains (intellect and intelligence).

• Explores the idea of Jesus, Buddha, and other historical great beings as models of nature's possibility and our ability to achieve transcendence.

• How is it that we as humans seem stuck in a culture of violence and injustice? How is it that we can recognize the transcendent ideal represented by figures such as Jesus, Buddha, Lao-tzu, and many others who have walked among us and yet cannot seem to reach the same state?

In The Biology of Transcendence Joseph Chilton Pearce examines the current biological understanding of our neural organization to address how we can transcend our current evolutionary capacities and limitations. This latest research identifies our five neural centers--or brains--and establishes that our fourth and most recently developed brain is located in the head while the fifth is located in the heart. It is the dynamic interaction of this head brain (intellect) and heart brain (intelligence), of biology and spirit, that allows transcendence from one evolutionary place to the next--we are, quite literally, made to transcend. Conversely, it is the breakdown of this interaction through the effects of cultural dictates surrounding us from the time we are children that keeps us where we are, mired in the current crises of violence among people and between people and the planet.

But Pearce reminds us that we are not stuck for good. Transcendence is our biological imperative, a state we have been moving toward for millennia.