Chapter 1: The Concept of the Noosphere

The other day, I came across a fascinating video titled "The Extraordinary Realm." It is part of a series created by cosmologist Brian Swimme for his initiative, The Human Energy Project. This group is dedicated to exploring the evolving concept of the Noosphere, a term introduced by the French Jesuit priest and paleontologist Pierre Teilhard de Chardin.

The Noosphere refers to the realm of human thought, derived from the Greek word "noos" (mind) and "sphaira" (sphere). It represents the third phase in a sequence that includes the geosphere (the earth's physical elements) and the biosphere (all living organisms). Each of these spheres relies on the others; the biosphere depends on the geosphere's resources, while the Noosphere emerges from the cognitive capabilities of beings within the biosphere.

Swimme describes the Noosphere as a planetary superorganism that integrates all geological, biological, human, and technological activities into a higher level of global functionality.

The video dives into the origins of the Noosphere during ancient classical civilizations. As urban populations grew denser, individuals began to contemplate matters beyond mere survival, leading to an awareness of an extraordinary realm that transcended the physical world. This realm has been known by various names, such as Paradise, the Transcendent, the Tao, Brahman, and Heaven—a domain imperceptible to our five senses.

Section 1.1: The Rise of Intellectual Communities

With the establishment of universities and temples, small groups emerged dedicated to the pursuit of rational discourse, meditation, prayer, and philosophical inquiry. This focus not only enriched their understanding but also deepened their experiences of the extraordinary realm, allowing them to become prophets, sages, rishis, and saints.

These individuals could devote themselves to such studies because they were supported by the labor of the vast majority of the population—serfs who constituted about 98%. According to Swimme, the spiritual enlightenment of a select few ultimately led to significant societal transformations.

Subsection 1.1.1: Challenging Societal Structures

Swimme argues that the insights gained by these thinkers prompted them to question and deconstruct the unjust societal systems that enabled their pursuits. Ironically, their realizations about the inequities of their civilizations fostered a belief in the inherent equality of all humans, leading to calls for more egalitarian societies. They came to understand that the spiritual and intellectual growth once reserved for a few should be accessible to everyone.

This shift has borne fruit in our contemporary world, where spiritual and intellectual development is increasingly available to the masses, aided by significant reductions in extreme poverty over the centuries.

Chapter 2: Following Our Passions

To access this extraordinary realm, Swimme advocates following our fascinations and allurements. Mythologist Joseph Campbell refers to this as "following our bliss." To embark on this journey, we must heed Socrates' advice to "know thyself." Without self-awareness, how can we discern what captivates and inspires us at a fundamental level?

Many individuals today traverse the world feeling lost, unaware of their true identities or purposes. They remain oblivious to their deeper fascinations, which prevents them from engaging with the extraordinary realm.