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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Welcome Aaron!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>spike<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b>From:</b> extropy-chat <extropy-chat-bounces@lists.extropy.org> <b>On Behalf Of </b>Aaron Force via extropy-chat<br><b>Sent:</b> Monday, November 4, 2019 3:57 PM<br><b>To:</b> extropy-chat@lists.extropy.org<br><b>Cc:</b> Aaron Force <aaronforcedesigns@gmail.com><br><b>Subject:</b> [ExI] Transpersonal Extropianism?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Hello,<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'>My name is Aaron Force. I'm 48 years old and live near Seattle, Wa. A few years ago I unexpectedly underwent a spontaneous spiritual awakening (ego-transcendence) forever changing my understanding of myself, the universe, and my role within that universe. I have since developed an increasing fascination with all things future-oriented for humanity. However, my most intense passion centers around my own experience of ego-transcendence and what it could mean not only for other individuals but for our species as a whole.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Because of the nature of the psychological construction of the ego to have a strong belief in separation and often putting a personal agenda of one's own protection and promotion before others or without general regard for consequences, I propose that the ego is ultimately the source of all mankind's problems. For instance, if we collectively had the higher consciousness that ego transcendence brings we would likely not be facing down the doomsday scenarios of the modern-day.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>While I think humanity must absolutely embrace technology I also believe it is imperative that we equally find advancement in our psychological capacities, something that The Principles of Extropy / Perpetual Progress seems to support. It appears to me that as technology increases to the point of potential existential risk we should have a commensurate degree of consciousness to have better understanding and wisdom in our actions and in any potential scenarios that might arise. In other words, it is not all just about increasing intellect.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>While our technological advances are currently spiraling upward it seems that humanity as a whole is socially and ecologically spiraling downward. The nature of the ego is that it is unconscious in its operation and always leads us to less order in life. This is plainly seen in how our blatant consumerism and drive for profits by producing single-use items or junk that deteriorates nearly immediately and must be disposed of has led us to our ecological crisis, for instance. <o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>It is in embracing higher consciousness as a species that we will evolve higher in all regards. I believe by the expanded consciousness that occurs outside of the limiting, <i>un</i>-conscious ego that we can not only avert disaster but find a balance of sustainability and eventually push through to a higher potential than we have ever known.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>I have loosely been describing this process to myself as <i>Transpersonal Extropianism</i>, that is, that we can find greater order, complexity, and energy through the consciousness we access by transcending the self (the ego). It's been my goal to make this a more public term for my mission ("to share the vision of TE and empower others by it, that by transcending the ego we can individually and collectively as a species avoid disaster, maintain balance and sustainability, and then begin to evolve higher than we have ever known and reach our ultimate Potential") and to begin sharing this vision to a greater degree. However, I want to be mindful of the fact that this term attempts to marry with yours (<a href="http://extropy.org">extropy.org</a>) which has been far more established and is, of course, more technologically-oriented.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>It would be very helpful for me if I could bring this proposal up for discussion in a forthright and preemptive manner and receive some feedback. It is a cause I will be championing for many years into the future and wish to find a cooperative spirit rather than a conflicting one. Please advise if this choice of wording seems to muddy the waters with that which has been established or could find a place within the greater context.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>I can prepare and provide additional context for this proposal as necessary.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Regards,<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal>-- <o:p></o:p></p><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>AARON <b>FORCE</b></span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://aaronforce.net" target="_blank">aaronforce.net</a><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>@Aforce01 (Twitter)<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></body></html>