The Gradual Story of Evolution

The story of evolution is one of gradual progress mixed with some vital shifts in development creating what we might call eras or epochs. Some argue that before the big bang of evolution came the period known as involution, the gradual emergence of the explosive energy from what can best be called emptiness. (to signify the unfathomable beginning, or alpha that Teilhard de Chardin named it) before the first vital shift in development with the Planck Epoch and inflationary big band and hence the beginning of the emergence of evolution.

This was followed by the very gradual periods of consolidation then interspersed with vital shifts in development, the emergence of cells, multi cells, the planetary system progressing all the way to life and dinosaurs. We hear a lot about their extinction, but they are not the only ones. In time it was Homo Erectus, then Homo Neanderthal, before the emergence of Homo Sapiens and Homo Sapiens-Sapiens. This is the modern form of humanity.

We talk about the demise of the planet. If not caused by the nuclear build-up of weaponry, certainly by the outcome of climate change. At our present rate it is inevitable. The long- time mentality of the top end of society cannot help itself. It is committed to exploiting carbon emitting gases and shows a determination to ignore the warnings. They are locked into disastrous levels. Sadly, but to a far lesser degree, the very poor nations are ignorant to the problem. They are fighting daily for survival.

This factor is certainly heading toward the extinction of life on the planet earth. But should we talk in terms of extinction. Not necessarily. It is certainly as life as we know it. It will come bringing major changes. Life will not be able to survive as we know it, but it will continue in very much a different form, just as it has all the way through the world’s history. I suspect that Artificial Intelligence will reach a level and plateau. Before that, it will be supported by a level of autocracy that will make life unpleasant for the majority of citizens. But it will not be able to match the progress of climate change and eventually life as we know it will end. It will lead to the demise of the life as we know it before we gradually leave this long era of conflict behind us.

In time I for-see a simpler life emerging in the new era of evolution. So far every era has led to a higher level of consciousness. Maybe the new era will be characterised where power is not associated with money. Maybe the formation of closer communities of networking. Maybe one of a brighter shade of peace, unity and harmony. Maybe one matching the growing era of mindfulness, prayer, meditation and contemplation. Each previous era has advanced humanity toward its goal; we are set for a major change. Even if it still takes a long time to come, it surely will.

Maybe with the corresponding evolution of consciousness we will enter an era where figuratively:

The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and the little child lead them. Is 11:1f

Maybe the final goal will follow after several more eras and fulfill the saying;

I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth heaven and the first earth had passed away and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem… Rev 21: 1f