Toward 2012: Perspectives on the Next Age

by Daniel Pinchbeck (Editor, Introduction), Ken Jordan (Editor)

While some see 2012—the end of the Mayan Calendar—as a doomsday deadline, the authors go these challenging and engaging essays envision an ongoing transformation of human culture and consciousness.

This fresh and thought-provoking anthology draws together some of today’s most celebrated visionaries, thinkers, and pioneers in the field of evolving consciousness— exploring topics from shamanism to urban homesteading, the legacy of Carlos Castaneda to Mayan predictions for the year 2012, and new paths in direct political action and human sexuality.
Toward 2012 highlights some of the most challenging, intelligent pieces published on the acclaimed website Reality Sandwich. It is coedited by Daniel Pinchbeck, the preeminent voice on 2012, and online pioneer Ken Jordan, and features original works from Stanislav Grof, John Major Jenkins, and Paul D. Miller (DJ Spooky); interviews with Abbie Hoffman and artist Alex Grey; and a new introduction by Pinchbeck.
Here are ideas that trace the arc of our evolution in consciousness, lifestyles, and communities as we draw closer to a moment in time that portends ways of living that are different from anything we have expected or experienced.

Genres: Nonfiction, Spirituality, Essays

351 pages, Paperback

First published December 24, 2008

About the author

Daniel Pinchbeck is an American author. His books include Breaking Open the Head: A Psychedelic Journey into the Heart of Contemporary Shamanism, 2012: The Return of Quetzalcoatl, and Notes from the Edge Times. He is a co-founder of the web magazine Reality Sandwich and of the website Evolver.net, and edited the North Atlantic Books publishing imprint Evolver Editions. He was featured in the 2010 documentary 2012: Time for Change, directed by Joao Amorim and produced by Mangusta Films. He is the founder of the think tank Center for Planetary Culture, which produced the Regenerative Society Wiki.

Reviews

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection of essays provides a more optomistic perspective for the future of the human race. A few essays lacked but for the most part they all were very intriguing.

I read this book while traveling Peru and some essays gave me a deeper understanding of where I was going and the people I met.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a collection of writings from www.realitySandwich.com, and I had already read most of the selections online. It's a mixed bag, as you might expect, but well worth a read. I'd suggest checking it out from the library or reading the articles on the website as opposed to buying the book, however.

[Reiden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite it's name, Toward 2012 doesn't focus so much on the 2012 date itself. I have to admit I didn't really get into a few of the essays in this book, but overall I really liked the positive outlook and practical ideas it gave. I especially enjoyed the chapter on community and found it to be very inspiring.

[Kfray]

A nice array of essays dealing with shamanism, spiritualism, religion and the like. A few quirky and off-beat essays to fill in the spaces between some extraordinarily insightful and thoughtful pieces.

[Rafael Suleiman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good book about the beginning of the new age of enlightenment.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Toward 2012: Perspectives on the Next Age is a collection of articles originally published on Reality Sandwich, the brainchild of one of my favorite writers and psychedelic thinkers: Daniel Pinchbeck. He serves as one of the editors of the book, along with Ken Jordan, who launched SonicNet.com before MTV acquired it.

In all honesty, this is one of the best books I have read in a long while. Reality Sandwich puts out a lot of great writing, and at the same time, a lot of not-so-great writing. That’s basically what you get with this book. I would say that 30% of the book made me say “Seriously now, what?!” and the other 70% was really enlightening. That’s what I have come to expect from the web site, so that’s how I approached the book.

You will find in this book everything from social media analysis to Mayan prophecies to contemporary shamanism to urban homesteading. It is a very quick read and has a plethora of information for you to digest. By the way, for the uninitiated, Reality Sandwich is a phrase from an Allen Ginsberg poem. The book also has some of the best writing on religion that I have ever read, which I was very surprised by. This is one book that most of my friends are going to end up borrowing!

5 Stars. 351 pages. Published in 2008.

[Elizabeth · Rating 1 out of 5]

notes for EA by DE:

PART IV: SEX p. 205-232

"The Testicular Age," Charles Eisenstein, p. 205-208
Argues for the emergency of masculine yang and feminine yin, likening social change as giving birth.

"Transforming Repression of the Divine Feminine," by Wahkeena Sitka Tidepool Ripple, p. 209-218
Argues tantric awareness can de-alienate people from each other and from their own bodies, thus leading to radical social change.

"Finding Peace Between Our Sheets: Talking with Marina Robinson," by Adam Elenbaas, p. 219-227
quote, "'Peace Between the Sheets' author Marina Robinson suggests that orgasm addiction might be the single-largest problem plaguing intimate, romantic relationships." She asserts that non-orgasmic sex is more bonding, and that orgasm-related dopamine cycles also 'nautrally' push mates apart.

"Gender Evolution," by Kal Cobalt, p. 228-230
Argues to move beyond gender binarism, based on personal experience. Some discussion of slash fic and Dr. Who spin-off, "Torchwood."

[GeekChic · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't think I have ever done this before...but I am not even going to finish this book. I tried something new, feel I gave it a fair shot, but I just can't do it, I cannot read another page.
I think the general idea of the book is interesting, that the so called end of the world is not an ending to our physical world, but more of a transformation of ourselves, but quite honestly I just can't relate to most of this book. But I would like to point out that I don't think that is the fault of the contributers, I think it has more to do with the fact that I know absolutely nothing about this genre, way of life, way of thinking. That, and I have never done drugs, which seem to play a large part in many of the works in this book.
I cringe to give this book only 1 star, I don't think it's fair b/c I don't think I am really qualified to critique a book like this, but given the current rating system it's the only honest rating I can give it.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mixed bag: readers should definitely pick and choose essays that seem interesting, and jump around in the book, rather than attempt to read straight through from beginning to end. Had I been editing this collection, I would not necessarily have opened with a section on transformation through psychotropic-induced experiences. Articles on astronomy and mythic cosmologies elucidate theories of 2012 (fascinating stuff!), and an essay on Kubrick made more sense to me than anything I have ever read about the man's work.

[Nick Mather]

2012 is the New Age apocalypse, a meme upon which people are projecting all sorts of ideas about cultural and consciousness transformation. Little in the book is about 2012 or the Mayan calendar. Instead, it is acollection of articles from the website Reality Sandwhich. Some are interesting, others not so much.

[mayhugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always come back to this fine collection of perspectives. Tonight I am reading the 'Gnosis: The Not-So-Secret History of Jesus' essay by Jonathan Phillips. He defines gnosis as "knowledge through direct experience or personal revelation".

[Christopher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, dispenses with most of the 2012 nonsense and is rather a reader for new age concepts and ideas floating around these days.

[Deanna · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book's was a little too far out there for me. I liked the book, but I do not share the same beliefs as some of the authors. It was nice to get other perspectives on the issue.

[Megs · Rating 2 out of 5]

Started out strong but fizzled out as it went on. The website itself would be more useful to check out given that you can sift through the articles you want :)

[Maple]

SSDD

[Ralph Zoontjens · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book that may serve your spiritual transformation well.