Approaching the Omega Point: Philanthropic Travel

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"Someday after mastering winds, waves, tides and gravity, we shall harness the energies of love, and then, for the second time in the history of the world, man will discover fire." -Teilhard de Chardin

There are times when we share with others a special, fully interconnected consciousness. When great music thrills us, or we are mutually inspired by an awesome sunset, or when we fall in love, we are transported temporarily into a shared world which is remarkable.

This state of true intermingling is rare, for most of us, but it is experiential, and that means we know it for what it is; we feel it immediately as real and filled with meaning. When such an experience is past and we return to our normal, separated perceptions, the experience becomes a vulnerable memory, and our educated personality may reject the consciousness that knew this deeper connection.

Yet, the suspicion remains that there is something of mind that is not just inside our heads. We feel interconnected with each other and the world in a profound and important way. We know at some level that we are not isolated, but interdependent, so that a subtle energy of mine can reach out and mingle with yours, allowing us to share a moment that is important to both of us.

If we think of this potential extending beyond the two of us to a world full of living beings, we have the foundation for a model for global consciousness. Maybe, as Teilhard de Chardin believed, the world ultimately needs that shared consciousness and is actively growing toward it.

The research described here points to subtle indications that we do live in an interconnected, potentially conscious world, in which we surely play an important role. We have shown immense capacities for both destructive and creative impact, and this implies that the future is ours to mold.

It will be a desirable future in proportion to our level of consciousness, individually and globally.

-Roger Nelson


Learn More:
Back to the Future, the Evolution of Philanthropy: Philanthropic 2.0
The One's Who Do: Visionary Philanthropic Travelers
Project Diaspora's Women of Kireka Uganda Project
The Advent of Philanthropic Travel by Mark Lovett Global Patriot
NPR: Talk of the Nation Slumdog Millionaire Thursday March 5, 2009 with comments by David Chamberlain
The Globalization of Empathy: Exquisite Safaris Philanthropic Travel
What Should a M/Billionaire Give -and What Should You?
Financial Times/FT.com: Exquisite Safaris Philanthropic Travelers

Vacationing in Generosity: Philanthropic Travel
Your First Philanthropic Travel Experience

Philanthropic Travelers:
The One's Who Do: Philanthropic Travelers
John Legend: Philanthropic Traveler