"Just as there are relatively distinct stages that characterize the development of an individual from infancy to early adulthood, so too are there discernible stages in the development of our species as we move toward a planetary-scale civilization. Awakening Earth brings together views from science and spirituality, East and West, the practical and the visionary, to present a compelling new picture of human evolution. Based upon twenty years of research, this book explores the human journey from the initial awakening of hunter-gatherers roughly 35,000 years ago, through the agrarian era and Industrial Revolution, and then goes on to describe three additional stages of development essential for realizing our initial maturity as a global species-civilization." "A disoriented world civilization faced with dwindling resources, mounting pollution, and exploding population is a recipe for ecological collapse and social anarchy. It is imperative that the human family begin to make rapid and profound changes in how we live together on the Earth. To accomplish this, we must now ask ourselves fundamental questions: Who are we? What are we doing here? Where are we going as a species? Awakening Earth provides a catalyst for this conversation with its integrative vision and inspiring map of the journey toward a sustainable, compassionate, and creative future. While not predicting a sudden "new age" of social enlightenment, Awakening Earth does present the promising view that humanity is roughly halfway through seven major transformations in culture and consciousness required to build a planetary civilization that can endure into the deep future."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved

"First published in the United States of America by Dutton, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC, 2005"--Copyright page.

Ben is seventeen years old, tall, athletic - and happy. His life is typical of a western middle class teenager living in a modern world. Until one evening late at night he finds he is unable to resist a compulsive impulse to wake from his deep sleep. Finally giving in he sits up in bed to discover that everything in his room is emitting soft coloured light. This is weird to be sure, but when Ben realises that he is not alone, there is someone else there, in his bedroom, Ben's life changes, and is never the same again. After this night's amazing events finally pass. Ben is informed that there is a reason he has incarnated. He has come to earth to achieve a very important task before a dramatic change comes upon the planet. If he does not complete a personal transformation by the time the change occurs he will be spiritually lost for eons. What he has to do is extremely dangerous and could take a while to achieve. He is told he has about three days - maybe. There's not going to be enough time. He is advised to enlist the help of a school friend - Julia. A girl at school whose very presence causes Ben to fall into a seriously embarrassing, stuttering mode. How can he convince her that what is happening to him is not made up, it is real.

Originally published in 1982 The Awakening Earth explores the idea of the Earth as a collective, self-regulatory living organism, and considers in this context, the function of the human race. The book provides an exploration of humanity’s potential and explores the possibility of mankind’s evolutionary future. Drawing on the work of physicists, psychologists, philosophers and mystics, the book argues that humanity is on the verge of another evolutionary leap and explores evolution in the context of spiritual growth, arguing that widespread inner awakenings could lead to a more analogous society, functioning as a single social super-organism, much in the way cells in a body function as a biological organism.

Presents author-selected inspirational passages from "A New Earth" enhanced by commissioned artwork.

When Christians are confronted by media with a "new" theology, they aren't always sure what to do. It may sound spiritual, almost Christian. But something isn't quite right. Richard Abanes helps believers as well as the curious understand that Eckhart Tolle's message in A New Earth is dangerous. He then provides a clear biblical response to this New Age message. Topics include Tolle's misuse of Scripture, false teachings on God, the Bible's teaching on evil, A New Earth's version of salvation compared to God's plan, and much more.