2012 : The Return of Quetzalcoatl

2012: The Return of Quetzalcoatl (Tarcher/Penguin nonfiction, May 4, 2006, $26.95, ISBN 1-58542-483-8) by Daniel Pinchbeck

What was I to think when I heard that the new book by Daniel Pinchbeck was going to be an exploration of crop circle phenomena, alien abductions and Mayan apocalyptic prophecy? I had recently read his first book, "Breaking Open the Head: A Journey Into the Heart of Contemporary Shamanism" and I was fascinated by it, but crop circles??? Didn't they figure out that people make them years and years ago? With that in mind I started into Pinchbecks latest work, which will be released on May 4th titled, "2012: The Return of Quetzalcoatl".

It is a hefty read, clocking in at almost 400 pages and the writing is dense. Pinchbeck takes the reader on a philosophical journey, the scope of which I have not seen accomplished before. Coverage of such topics such as crop circles are approached as thought experiments in which he uses the topic more as a springboard into a detailed treatise on some philosophical tract. This book is a veritable reference text on the teachings of the likes of Carl Jung, Rudolph Steiner, Rick Strassman, Terrence McKenna, Nietzsche, Marcuse, Yeats and so many more. One can't help but walk away from this work without feeling a bit schooled in the teachings of the important modern visionary thinkers. Pinchbeck has done his research and he cites such a huge variety of sources that even if the topic is a little bit far out for you it is okay; Daniel never asks you to believe any of it, and on a number of instances his own post-agnostic and rational New-Yorker-cynicist tendencies emerge. Pinchbeck is not a new ager by any stretch. His feet are much more firmly planted in my beloved neo-shamanic culture. ;) He is a harsh skeptic, and as a philosopher he is not lazy. His examinations of quantum physics, evolution of consciousness, shamanic spirituality, the gospel of Thomas, etc. obviously required an enormous amount research which is presented in a way that is a pleasure for the reader to absorb. Daniel takes the reader along a journey which paints a picture of a global human consciousness that has been predicted to evolve late in the year 2012 in accordance with ancient Mayan prophecy. Not an easy topic for anyone to tackle in a way that could be considered "ready for prime-time", but Pinchbeck tackles the task swimmingly. I really loved his exploration of quantum physics and consciousness. There are a whole lot of parallels which can be drawn between Pinchbeck's work and the perhaps less controversial singularity, as discussed in a recent best seller by Ray Kurzweil.

So did 2012 change my mind about crop circles or alien abductions? I'm not sure I gave them much thought before, and I doubt that is really going to change all that much in the future. The Mayan calendar is really cool though, even if you're not interested in apocalyptic prophecy. Pinchbeck is an interesting read in no matter what the topic is. 2012 is smart, complex, daring and ultimately the most enlightening book I've read in quite some time. Check it out.

From the publisher:

"This literary and metaphysical epic unifies the cosmological phenomena of our time - from crop circles to quantum mechanics to the worldwide resurgence of shamanism - in support of the Mayan prophecy that the year 2012 portends an unprecedented global shift.

Cross Umberto Eco, Aldous Huxley, and Carlos Castaneda and you get the voice of Daniel Pinchbeck. And yet nothing quite prepares you for the lucidity, rationality, and informed audacity of this seeker, skeptic, and cartographer of hidden realms.

In tracing the meaning of the end of the Mayan Calendar in 2012, and the imminent transition from one world to another prophesied by the Hopi Indians of Arizona, Pinchbeck synthesizes indigenous cosmology, alien abductions, shamanic revivalism, crop circles, psychedelic visions, the current ecological crisis and the Judeo-Christian Apocalypse into a new vision for our time. The result is an unprecedented and riveting inquiry into where humanity is immediately headed - and its strange and startling congruence with the ideas of the mysterious civilization of the Classical Maya.

Comments

[c]

I read Terrence McKenna's Archaic Revival back in my "seeking" days. It really was an interesting read. I also delved into some some Carlos Castaneda, new age, buddhism, etc. This work does look interesting.

What I've been wondering lately is why Shamanism and psychedelics are so hip and "enlightened", and yet Christianity (unless it is a gnostic text) or Islaam are viewed as non-intellectual or "Archaic". Perhaps the appeal of Gnosticism or Shamanism is partly because they require little personal discipline. Just drop some acid, commune with Gaia and you're "spiritual".

c

[Non-Prophet]

I don't think that Christianity or Islam is considered non-intellectual unless you talk about the fundamentalist or neo-protestant factions. Within these groups ultimate truth is rigid and so well defined that they rely heavily on faith as opposed to personal spiritual experience. Some neo-protestant factions have distilled almost everything down to a single concept of salvation. When you add in radical grace and eliminate legalism the philosophy is quite narrow and the personal discipline is in fact optional. That is a good thing if you want to reach a lot of people: make it simple and easy. Buddhism has a real problem in that it requires more disipline and hard work than most people in the USA are willing to put in these days. It has a "do everything for yourself" message that probably doesn't resonate well with lots of folks. The evangelicals I know love to talk about how the good news is go good and easy.

Shamanism provides something quite different in that it does not contain an established dogma and is real authentic free market spirituality. It promises authentic and personal contact with God and the possibilities for intellectual wanking on the topic are nearly endless. Shamanism isn't concerned with establishing social order through dogma, it is concerned with spirituality. Establishing a social order is useful when controlling large groups of people, as has been done by the great religions of the world.

Shamanism might be all bullshit, as might be Christianity. Who knows. The attraction lies in how shamanism does not ask one to check his autonomy at the door in favor of an accepted experience, as some fundamentalist forms of religion do.

Charismatic christianity actually has some striking similarities to shamanism.

[Wynne Kinder]

"the 100th human" Here is another book you may be interested in. It is far less heady, though with plenty of complex philosophical, scientific and dare I say spiritual ideas. I will venture that it is much more fun, and perhaps just as intriguing in the end. I really loved how positive its message was/is. http://www.the100thhuman.com

The description (from the website):
“the 100th human” tracks the life-or-death, heroic quest of three unforgettable characters as they navigate the epic challenges facing the earth and her inhabitants.

In this novel, Chris Fenwick successfully explains such complex scientific theories as critical mass, zero point, wave functions and punctuated equilibrium, making them accessible and even important to our daily lives.

This fast-paced journey melds the teachings of the Kabbalah, the Vedas and Christ, fusing the universal concepts of purpose, gratitude, consciousness and love into one compelling story of hope, but also of responsibility.

[c]

I have to say you're largely correct about many neo-protestants. The mega-church evangelicals meet in an arena setting, listen to cliche ridden pop-rock, exchange a phony forced greeting, and then listen to a watered down multimedia message.

You're also right about the lack of discipline, but I think that is a function of our culture. I doubt many are willing to make the sacrifices Jesus asks. What? Give up our iPods and entertainment centers? And, unfortunately, it's the whole camel/needle eye thing.

But, as misguided as the super-church evangelicals may be, I don't think they are really a menace or anything. I keep hearing fears that they want to take over the world and legislate religion. Pfui. You're giving them more power over you by worrying about them than anything.

c

[Zen]

I doubt many are willing to make the sacrifices Jesus asks

I doubt many understand what Jesus might really have been talking about. Many christians seem to be under the impression that Jesus was talking about giving up ownership. He wasn't. He was talking about giving up our NEED (desire) to possess. Clinging to temporal forms. The reason why it's so hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven has nothing to do with the value of his possessions. It is the love (grasping) of our possessions that deludes us, and leads us astray. Just one of the many similarities between Jesus and Buddha.

Some thoughts on why shamanism, neo-paganism, wicca, western zen, etc. are so popular with Gen X...

(A) Because Gen X is the first generation to truly be raised under the banner of the environmental movement, which started in the late 60s. We BELIEVE in the protection of Mother Earth and stewarship of the Creation. We "feel" the inherant sacredness of the created natural world. But these are feelings the mainline christian and evangelical churches have all but ignored (or even demonized), alienating millions who cannot imagine a God that doesn't care about His Earth like we do. It makes little sense to us. However, these are values that are not only welcomed, they are encouraged and cherished in shamanism, neo-paganism, wicca, western zen.

(B) Christianity is way too institutionalized. There are how-to books, how-to sermons, how-to pastors for every aspect of the faith. Risk, surprise, mystical experience have all taken a back seat to the "rules" of the establishment. We don't need these things, we're told. Just follow the "four spiritual laws" and you're in. But alas, we are also the "question authority" generation. Hearing about God isn't enough. We want to experience God.

(C) Perhaps most important of all - Jesus may well be alive, but in the church his message is mostly dead. It is a powerful, vibrant, fluid message of spiritual awakening that has been choked to death by the rigidity of the establishment. It's hard to find Christ in the Christian Church these days (hence why I left the ministry) and many are leaving the church to find him.

[c]

Wow, Zen. I'm really impressed with your insight. You nailed it: Jesus spoke about the heart, not religion. So many miss that.

c

I'm looking forward to your website when you get it going. (When?)

[Zen]

Thx, C. Don't know when I'll get the site up. I had a site up, but took it down because I didn't like the direction it was going. I've spent the past year meditating on it's future (and mine), and hope to get something up this summer.

[Non-Prophet]

Perhaps most important of all - Jesus may well be alive, but in the church his message is mostly dead. It is a powerful, vibrant, fluid message of spiritual awakening that has been choked to death by the rigidity of the establishment. It's hard to find Christ in the Christian Church these days (hence why I left the ministry) and many are leaving the church to find him.

Zen, could you elaborate please.

[ProphecyKid]

Interesting conversation. Who truly knows what the real answer is. I have a site that serves as an intro into topics such as this. Let me know what you think.

http://www.2012endofdays.org

[Allen Johnson]

As an ancient retired sailor, (76 and counting), I have of recent been subjected to a myriad of ideas. books etc on this modern life. My blushing Bride (51) got me to reading Margot Adler, Laurie Cabot and many more on Kaballa, Wicca, Neo-Paganism, Shamanism, New Age and I even got into Tarot reading. For and old f--t this last year & half has been a heady awakening for one raised in the 30's, but seeking truth is extremely difficult. Your treatise was very enlightening and well written. I thank you for your insight and honesty, but as you have probably already noted I am becoming deeper in a quandry the more I read. It is very exciting though. I look forward for more of your thoughts.
Your humble servant
Allen Johnson
St. Johns, Arizona

[Daniel]

Dear Sir

I have what you call the 'holy spirit' in my body right now

this was not given to me in some incantation or breathing meditation technique but upon being risen from a deathbed of a fiery spiritual death and given a messaage for all mankind

what im going to say is not new ... but very, very old

it just got lost

if you would like to know more id be delighted to enlist you to help get it out there

gods faithful servant, in love

Daniel

[Zen]

LOL - yet he left no contact info. Damn!

We were so close to salvation too.

:0)

[Glenn Scheper]

Heard Pinchbeck on public radio, liked it. Fetched all
of realitysandwich.com for reading, joined there. What
the last poster did not do, I can and will do. I have
three texts embedded in a freeware web research tool:
http://home.earthlink.net/~glenn_scheper/WordsEx.exe
Nearly complete. Try it. Should be self-disseminating.

[Non-Prophet]

My momma taught me to stay away from strange executables. :0)

[pete]

appears virii/trojan free, but why embed your texts in an suspicious exe anyway? if it's all text, just copy and paste it here, or give us a link to some html or txt pages.

its VERY very good that you laugh sir :D

you will certainly need that sense of humour soon

dont be worse than a clown when news hits town

even clowns enjoy others laughing at them

life is a comedy if you have the right education to enable your eyes to see it

i did leave my contact details but i guess they didnt show up

apologies for my technical backwardness

if anyone is serious about this then id be delighted to help

that is what i am here for

buti do warn you to laugh instead of cry

some will awaken to glory and others to shame

hope you havent made fun of anyone lately :D

Gods faithful servant,

Daniel

p.s. you lot really do have absolutely no idea how much god loves you, until you get to meet him

its a lot more than you think :D

remember when you were young .... and you shone like the sun! ?

if your VERY brave, and not too proud

come talk to me and help spread the good word!

dbrambley@hotmail.com

p.s. you might not like it! :D at first! LOL

biglove

[Daniel]

Dear Sirs

I want to repeat this as a filter/safety precaution

The kingdom of heaven has no place for cowards

If you do not have the stomach or the nerve to hear some very hard home truths, simply do not bother

i am looking for people without a million denial triggers and excuses who can see whats infront of their face

Gods faithful servant,

Daniel

dbrambley@hotmail.com

Your going to laugh so hard, cry so bad, or simply not hear it

be brave, be humble, be receptive, otherwise youll miss it

[pete]

In your above comment, you said, "what im going to say is not new ... but very, very old" but (of course) you don't actually say anything. Why must we contact you personally for this critical information? Why can't you just post it out there for the world to read and share it? Sounds awfully selfish of you.

Why are you so quick to exclude skeptics, cowards, and the proud? Don't they need saving too?

Selfish, exclusive...surely YOU ARE a man of GOD!

i am looking for people without a million denial triggers and excuses who can see whats infront of their face

Sounds like you're lookin for suckers to build you own personal following.

[Daniel]

you are too funny :D

i hope you leave some humour in the gland for yourself

anything else nice you'd like to say about me?

tell me, what else am i?

what sort of person am i?

Gods faithful servant,

Daniel

[Daniel]

isn't it interesting how just through some typed words on a screen you all think you can tell so much about me! :D

i suppose i've given you enough rope to hang yourself already

you see sir

you dont see me as i am, you see me as YOU ARE

and so every filthy degrading insult you've thrown at me merely reveals you OWN HEART THOUGHTS MIND AND INTENTIONS

a baby knows nothing other than love, kindness and pure trust ... and so all it sees is love, kindness and pure trust ... heaven!

but you

you've described exactly your own heart, mind and intentions for all to see here

well done

on the road of life, ytou can THINK you see lots of your OWN CAR

if you cant see any love in the world, its because you have no love in yourself

if you see a wicked world its because your wicked and you think your seeing yourself everywhere

if you see a dishonest world its because your dishonest and you think everyopnes like you

if your a nasty selfish arrogant badmouthing judgemental idiot, you think you see them everywhere and in everyone

change your own heart, and youll change the world you see

your ill, your going against your nature and its killing you, but you think you love it

because to be a REAL HUMAN BEING FRIGHTENS YOU

and the only reason is because you live in FEAR of being your REAL self

heal yourself, and youll heal the world you see

it's a comedy

god let you run your mouth for a few thousand years to find out exactly what was in your own soul, and you PROJECT it out your mouth

and you can think about that tonight when your reflecting upon every bad name or character assasination youve performed on anyone you thought was 'beneath you'

have a great night while you realise every loose word you ever spoke to anyone merely described your own thoughts and feelings for all to see

just like your posts above

your haven't been very nice

if you cant see the loving god in me, its because you lost it in you

find your inner child and feed it the milk of human kindness

Gods faithful servant rolling around laughing

Daniel

its a comedy, and your the main star big man! LOL :D

did you know that godly people are GAY?

they are very HAPPY

learn the real meanings of words and the real feeling of emotions before you step out in life, or you could accidentally end up ggetting them round the wrong way, and never noticing, capiche?

people who run their cars on love think clowns are funny because the chemical for love makes everything seem funny

people who run their cars on fear think clowns are creepy because the fear chemical alters your vision and makes everything appear spiky and dangerous, like something to be afraid of! lol

just like your afraid of me, and yet i love you

truth is, you IMAGINE you see part of your self in me

you do see part of yourself, but it isnt in me

my spirits been made perfect and im enjoying the fruits of it right now

i have lots more to tell, but i dont think you have the ears to hear

you were expecting me to comeback and sort out all your problems?

well i am, YOU ARE YOUR PROBLEM

get on with the solution by practicing the 7 virtues, then youll SEE them everywhere!

you dont notice many cars on the road youve never take into your heart do you?

its the same with people and characteristics

your in your own self made hell because you think EVERYONE IS JUST LIKE YOU

and its hilarious!

karma baby!

you cant hide from yourself tonight

every move you make .... every breath you take ... ill be watchin you ... LOL

so lets add up your own admissions and desires so far shall we ?

selfish
coward
skeptic
proud
and your looking for suckers for a following

so nice of you to describe your own thoughts for the world to see

haha!

[pete]

Oh thank you! I feel so blessed to be able to read your holy and enlightening words.
You truly are, a GODLY MAN.
I don't know where you came from but I hope you stick around!
We all need more of YOU!

I don't know about everyone else, but all I can think of is THIS!!!

[Daniel]

totally brilliant!

you shoot the messenger and avoid the message! LOL

deja vu ...

one day, it will creep up on you

good luck making it through the night

Daniel

every judgement you made on others, you were really PROJECTING yourself

go on, face it, i dare you

cant get to heaven till your old heart dies sunshine

im not a godly person

im god, you can be too, if you face the pain

but you dont have it in you

Daniel

[Daniel]

you fucking pricks make me sick

tell me

what mental gymanstics do you go through when you fill your car up with petrol to convince yourself your not pulling the trigger on a childs head overseas?

what comfortable excuses do you provide yourself with to jusitfy it?

the devil in you will come full circle

when the karma train arrives at your door for your children with the same weak ass excuses you unethical peice of spiritual pollution

oh i bet there would be wailing and gnashing of teeth on that day

there is wailing and gnashing of teeth every time you goto the petrol pump, its half a world away, but your blind so you cant see that were all conected

and when you hurt someone else you hurt yourself

and the ones you hurt goto heaven,. and you goto hell, its a place i know well

you forget i run bopth houses, i just loose the dog occasionaly

if your ok hurting others and can find a reason

others will be ok hurting you, with a reason

and until we all stop, and take stock, look inwards and not outwards

and calla stop to it all

youll NEVER find the answer

if you want some more of my wrath sunshine

just fucking try me

i didnt die for nothing, i learnt how to battle the best minds in the world on the way and have knowledge about you all you could only dream of

your pride and ego are going down in flames

Daniel

a pit of lions doesnt frighten me

you think im scared to speak my mind?

its a fine mind, try me

[Daniel]

here it is in a nutshell

in the beginning was the word

everything else since has been bullshit

the feelings you think you get from outside

are really inside

they just convinced you to have to find REASONS to relax and find them!

go read the parable of the 4 wives and then we can talk more, your a moron, and i know this because i am a moron

but at least i can admit it!!

if i called you a liar you'd get defensive and defend some image you have of yourself wouldnt you!

you dont think your a stinking liar do you?

well how many lies do you get to tell before your a liar?

1? 4? 3345345443?

wheres your fucking limit?

what else do you lie to yourself about?

do you tell yourself your more of a man living in your house than a man who sleeps on the streets you ?

then why aren't you out there helping him?

i do and im on benefits because they think im insane!

you can come home afterwards, nice and comfy, have a hot bath

your living in fear

maybe once a year you unclench your heart and feel the love thats all around

but its inside all the time, your just so stupid you have to find reasons to feel complete

you felt complete when you were born

what good has your education been since then if its made you fucking miseranle?

you dont have one single thing to fear in this world

except a life living in fear

that would be pretty stupid, the age of reason gave you 5 million reasons NOT to feel GREAT

well done for buying the tshirt

remember to laugh!

i am! :D

biglove

Daniel