Bruce Lipton - Epigenetics and the Power of Consciousness
Bruce is a local here in Santa Cruz and has been a pioneer in the integration of Science and Spirituality, specifically Biology.
Here are the highlights:
1. He did research in the 60's showing that cell reproduction is more controlled by their environment than by their genetic programming. This later became know as Epigenetics - external factors that effect the growth of cells as much as their internal programming.
2. He applied the insight to the idea that the physical and emotional environment in which people find themselves has a controlling effect on their health and well being. He included the thoughts and internal programming we carry with us as part of this environment.
3. He points out that 95% of our daily activity is carried on by subconscious processes which he believes are largely formulated in the first 6 years of life as an imprint of our family and social environment. The other 5% are conscious processes. This is why people have so much difficulty making changes in their lives - the conscious ideas do not take root in the subconscious patterns.
4. He suggests a process of staying present, of becoming more aware of subconscious programming and making a concerted effort to reprogram our responses and thinking will bring about change.
5. He points out that a human being is made up of 57 billion cells and that each of us is like a community. Our minds are like the government, which can either be effective and gain the allegiance and harmony of the 'people' or can descend into a state of rebellion, which gives rise to diseases like cancer.
My responses:
1. I was particularly impressed with the way Bruce holds himself and communicates - he is calm, enthusiastic without being overbearing, thoughtful and engaged, but relaxed. It made me realize the value for me of being on video - seeing someone can communicate directly to the subconscious and be as or more important than conscious content.
2. Afterwards, youtube rolled over into a promotional video for something called the Uplift Festival. Even though I probably would have enjoyed being there for some period of time, I was less impressed by Bruce in the role of New Age promoter, lending his celebrity to the event and dressed in Guru garb with his partner. I resonate with him as a bridge person between Science and Spirituality and this was him having left the shore of his background and sailing on the seas of his new life. Of course, this is the problem and benefit of internet directed searches, they are not consciously created - better for finding the holes in someone's persona.
3. On to Bruce's Astrology ( public birth chart - 10/21/44 ): He is representative of the Pluto in Leo generation - people who helped to transform consciousness by lighting a fire through expressing their individuality. Some of these ideas are great and there is a high from seeing someone who you like becoming popular - it makes you feel justified in your thoughts and feelings. For me, born in the Pluto in Virgo generation, it is more of a priority to figure out how to apply these insights in structural form - in community or in ongoing processes like programs or social structures. He has Uranus in Gemini, opposed by the Moon in Sag. Uranus is the planet of technology and revolutionary concepts - he applies this in the Gemini mode of making sense of life on the elemental level, giving names to things and recognizing the multiplicity of life. His Moon in Sag balances this with a firm sense of applying the information he has discovered to greater Social Issues like how people should live. The Moon in Sag is trine Pluto in Leo, disposing him to seek transformative ideas that will effect the very fabric of life. His Astrological elemental breakdown is 4 air, 3 water, 2 fire and 1 earth - his philosophy is definitely reflective of this emphasis 'The Power of Consciousness' can be seen as the power of thought (air), feelings (water), and motivation (fire), with his earth providing an anchor point, but still being the lesser emphasis. Jupiter in Virgo is the one earth planet - his career in Science and his methodical approach are fully evident. It is interesting how elements that are under-represented can come out more strongly as a form of compensation.
Conclusions:
1. Bruce's work is well worth the time to engage. He has a great combination of being very simple and clear with being profound, yet unassuming.
2. Like anyone who applies scientific findings in order to legitimize Spiritual principles, his scientific information should be explored more fully before adopting his conclusions and using his ideas as 'proof' of anything. I am not questioning his information - this applies as much to me as anyone else - in the information age, it is too easy to find superficial proof for any assertion. If you are going to use science to prove something, at least get familiar with the specifics of how things were proved and what are the possible counter-conclusions that might put the findings in question.
3. I resonate strongly with some of his ideas and am going to do some futher work in figuring out how to incorporate his insights into an Astrological framework. The immediate thing is that Astrological forces and past life influences account for some part of what he calls the subconscious and are therefore precursors of the patterning he attributes to the role of the environment in determining peoples subconscious patterning. In addition, current Astrological forces play some role in the 'quantum field' that currently exists. Yet his grounded positive approach emphasizes the capacity of each individual to exercise free will to turn any Astrological factor into 'grist for the mill', a stepping stone for development and for living according to one's ideals.
4. Thanks to Bruce for giving some real nourishment in the world of ideas. I feel better for having listened to him.