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We are living in a world shaped by Darwinian Evolution theory. A theory that is commonly reduced to: “Survival of the fittest in the struggle for life.” The struggle aspect is related to the widely accepted notion propagated by Philosopher Thomas Malthus that animal populations reproduce at a rate more than twice as much as plants. Consequence: there will be more animals than food, hence the “struggle” to survive. In today’s world, a Darwinian culture based on competition contributes to violence, war, and the breakdown of civilization. How’s Darwinian theory working out for us? Well, 1% of the population has the wealth (the fittest???) and 99% struggle to survive while supporting the 1% at the top. The planetary chaos we are experiencing is a direct consequence of Darwinian competition in a world facing an evolutionary upheaval. Guess what … Darwinian evolution theory is WRONG! Evolution is NOT based on genetic control and competition as the theory suggests. In fact, the most valid insight into the nature of evolution was predicted in the first scientific theory of evolution, published fifty years before Darwin’s theory, by French scientist Jean-Baptiste Lamarck In describing the mechanism by which evolution occurs, the “how” of the process, Lamarck emphasized a profoundly important observation: plants and animals are designed to fit the environment in which they live. Polar bears are not in Africa and roses are not in the arctic. Lamarck predicted that evolution was based on an interactive “dialogue” between the organism and its environment. Lamarckian theory is driven by a process of adaptation to the environment. In contrast, Darwinian theory is driven by random (accidental) mutations followed by natural selection (Nature selects the fittest of the mutated organisms and eliminates the weakest). Lamarck’s theory emphasizes evolution based on “cooperation,” which is in direct contrast to the Darwinian emphasis on “competition.” Epigenetics provides the scientific foundation for Lamarckian Theory, for it reveals the mechanism by which environmental signals shape gene expression. An epigenetic response to a healthy environment activates genes and behaviors manifesting a health biology. In contrast, an unhealthy environment engages genes and behaviors that generate a life-threatening stress response. Therein lies the problem: Human behavior has destabilized Nature and precipitated a life-threatening collapse of the web of life. In response, epigenetic mechanisms direct the body’s systems to engage protection behaviors to survive the environment’s destabilization. The public’s reaction to today’s environmental stressors has precipitated a global healthcare crisis. Well, thank goodness … here is the GOOD NEWS! The body does not directly respond to the environmental signals derived from the outer world. It is the environment within the body that epigenetically controls the genetics and behavior of the body’s cells and organs. The body’s internal environment is controlled by the mind’s “interpretation” of that outer world environment. This awareness is in perfect agreement with the principles of the most valid of all the sciences, Quantum Physics. This science recognizes “consciousness” as the creator of our reality. Epigenetics is a biologic parallel to quantum physics in that it illuminates the mechanism by which “consciousness” controls genes and behaviors in manifesting our reality. Today’s planetary chaos is a direct consequence of facing a civilization-induced evolutionary upheaval. Threats to survival engage the stress-response, which shuts down the body’s growth and maintenance functions, as well as inhibiting the immune system, to conserve energy for an anticipated life-sustaining fight or flight response. Consequently, the elevated stress chemistry within the body is directly responsible for over 90% of today’s healthcare crisis. It’s all a matter of perception. One of the most important insights to successfully navigate today’s chaos is provided in the Serenity Prayer: God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. The significance of this prayer is in reference to the fact that ENERGY is life and behavior is empowered by using the body’s energy reserves. As the prayer emphasizes, we must not waste life-providing energy on empowering behaviors to change things we cannot change. It is necessary to conserve energy to support behaviors that can directly enhance the wellbeing in our lives. Consciously budgeting the energy reserves in our body is the same as budgeting money in our bank account… both are needed to fund the behaviors that will enhance our health, happiness, and the quality of our lives. In this season of New Year’s resolutions, perhaps it is a good time to enhance the quality of our lives.
