Quantum Shift in the Global Brain: How the New Scientific Reality Can Change Us and Our World, by Ervin Laszlo. (c)2008. Inner Traditions, One Park Street, Rochester, VT 05767. http://www.innertraditions.com. 182 pp. $14.95. ISBN-13: 978-59477-233-7; ISBN-10: 1-59477-233-9. Reviewed by Drema Baker.

This is the second book by this author that I‘ve read all the way through, the first being Science and the Akashic Field, which I absolutely adored. I feel the same about Quantum Shift, which is less about the spirituality inherent in the new science (although that is present as well), and more about the vital necessity for humankind to shift its consciousness if we are to survive. In these days, when we are finding out how very close we have come to the point of no return in our global environmental crises, Laszlo‘s message struck me as timely and appropriate.

Now before I gush on too much, let me outline the technical parameters of this volume, which is divided into three sections. The first (chapters 1-8) covers what Laszlo describes as a "macroshift" in global society. The second (chapters 9-13) covers the paradigm shift in science that is currently taking place. The third (chapters 14-20) covers a collection of international efforts already underway that approach the issues discussed in ways that meet global needs and fill global niches. The copy I am reviewing is a galley (one that is not yet ready for public release), so there is no index included, but there is a space reserved for one. A lengthy bibliography offers a selection of resources for further study.

The topic is covered as succinctly as possible, without bogging down overmuch in the emotions that naturally come with such a topic. While the author is understandably rooting for the human race and a globally shifted set of ethics and strategies for dealing with the environmental issues at hand, he flatly states that we are facing a critical choice; we must choose between making an ethical shift in our very consciousness -- which will require that the groups around the world working toward these ends reach critical mass if all of us are to survive -- or continuing in the "business-as-usual" mentality, the fractured socio-political culture, and ego-centric practices that are driving us over the edge into crisis and an unsustainable future.Will we make "critical mass" in time? Laszlo thinks we can.

Laszlo, a scientific philosopher and integral theorist from Budapest, Hungary, is one of the foremost thinkers of our time with more than 70 books and over 400 papers to his credit. Yet his style in Quantum Shift is, for the most part, written for the layperson. I must admit that some of his content was a little over my head, and I had to read it several times to have a better idea of his meaning in order to move ahead to the next chapter. Especially chapter two -- which deals with socio-cultural and socio-technological evolution, and the bifurcations inherent in these processes -- left me glazed; in spite of this (which is the only reason I gave this book four stars instead of five), I made it through the instructional text and diagrams, since the information provided therein is essential to understanding the context on which the remainder of the book rests. But don‘t let that stop you from reading further. In the pages of this volume, Laszlo brings to the reader‘s attention some startling facts and eye-opening data; chapters three and four -- which discuss exactly how what we‘re doing is unsustainable and one possibly better way -- were for me the best parts of this book. Wow! The facts and data the author has included in chapter three are most illuminating. I had to put the book down for a while after reading it, and contemplate what I‘d just read. The feelings that information evoked in me lingered heavily for days, and in fact are still with me. That chapter alone gave me a whole new way of looking at the system and the structure of society around me, as well as the role I play therein.

And it doesn‘t stop there. Laszlo goes on to discuss not only how we have to change our culture and our very mind-set, but some cutting-edge science supporting the deeper reasons why even small groups of people can make a difference. His discussion of EM fields, the cosmic plenum, and his own ideas of the akashic field tie in very well to how an evolving consciousness and science can work hand-in-hand to make a difference. There is an entire chapter on the metaphysical, theological and ethical implications to what he is suggesting, content well worth reading.

The final section of the book deals with various international organizations and groups that are already working toward the ethical and consciousness goals discussed throughout the book. Of note is the fact that all these organizations, projects and efforts were founded by the author, or in collaboration with him. While this sort of fact would usually make me raise an eyebrow (what‘s in it for him to promote his own efforts in this way?), I feel that in this case, the author‘s inclusion of his own organization‘s efforts are entirely warranted and appropriate. The Club of Budapest, GlobalShift University, the World Wisdom Council, the International Survey of Emergent Cultures, and the Global Peace Meditation/Prayer Days are only small parts of a growing global shift discussed throughout the book; and the author makes mention of the fact that he and his collaborators are well aware of this. Therefore one of their primary functions in at least one of these projects is to make all those in other projects and organizations aware of each other, so that no one feels alone in this effort, and so that further collaborations can make them all stronger. Certainly, this can only benefit us all.

In all, I truly enjoyed Quantum Shift in the Global Brain. As Laszlo no doubt intended, it made me feel that even if my efforts are small, I am in good company. It also deepened my current understanding of the fact that if humankind is to avoid the global changes that are coming, if we are to survive, our societies can no longer continue in the business-as-usual mindset. We need a new ethic, a new mentality. Here is a place to start. Very highly recommended.