“The requirements for our evolution have changed. Survival is no longer sufficient. Our evolution now requires us to develop spiritually – to become emotionally aware and make responsible choices. It requires us to align ourselves with the values of the soul – harmony, cooperation, sharing, and reverence for life.”—Gary Zukav
Albeit a hard read, I enjoy The Phenomenon of Man by Pierre Teilhard de Chardin. Teilhard’s vision of the evolution of man and the Universe from early chaos to unification of consciousness under the watchful eye of the Creator God is an underlying theme of my philosophy of “well-centered fitness” (SPIES, as my friend Jay has coined—Spiritual, Physical, Intellectual, Emotional, and Social well-being). As we progress from a developing Universe that can be described, in part, by Charles Darwin’s theory of “survival of the fittest”, we develop into a species that is increasingly dependent upon one another for survive—dependent upon “well-centered fitness.”
My original intent for this posting was to write about cooperation. This led me to the above quote from Gary Zukav. The “Universe” had another plan in my evolution of thought and for my SPIES growth.
As a professor of exercise science, I have found my teaching has evolved to include a greater bio-mechanical-psycho-social theme. I can’t teach exercise physiology, pathophysiology, and exercise prescription (for clinical, sport, and general fitness performance) without leaning into this theme—without including some elements of SPIES growth. I would paraphrase Zukav and say our evolution now requires us to become Spiritually, Physically, Intellectually, Emotionally, and Socially aware and make responsible choices. As such, I regularly draw on the concept of the Commons (from Garrett Hardin’s essay, “The Tragedy of the Commons”).
One of my greatest struggles is that, as a community, we just don’t get it. We don’t understand the “values of the soul – harmony, cooperation, sharing, and reverence for life.” It is why I need a practice of “hevel” (see my post from November 11, 2019) and to always look to the big picture (and to consider my role in the big picture). It is a struggle that often trips me. It is a struggle that often paints me a harsh and, ironically, uncooperative. I want to “get it.” I want others to “get it.” Fortunately, I understand that growth and change first require a stress greater than that to which we are accustomed.
I have hope, despite my current frustrations, that we are on a path to Teilhard’s vision. The road there will not be easy. Growth never comes easily.
Be your best today; be better tomorrow.
Carpe momento!