Human ecologies and conscious evolution1

Abstract

Human patterns of living are changing our environment faster than species and their ecosystems are able to adapt. In spite of our intelligence, knowledge, skills and technologies, we seem unable to change our behaviour and manner of living quickly enough to arrest the damage we are inflicting on our environment, other species, one another and on ourselves. Because human technologies are already being used to manipulate ourselves and our world in ways that alter our evolutionary path, the claim here is that conscious participation in our evolution as a species is urgently called for. Because mindful movement integrates cognition and consciousness (as defined by Maturana and Varela) and enhances cognitive functioning and awareness, the contributions of mindful movement experts and practitioners are critical to this project. The author claims that evolving our consciousness so that we can consciously evolve is the most critical challenge of our times.