Approaching the new millennium, many make extraordinary claims. Prophets see cataclysmic earth changes in the offing, forecast dimensional shifts, foresee the arrival of space siblings or otherwise expect the "End of the Age." Similar situations existed prior to the arrival of the 20th Century and a thousand years ago, when the phenomenon of "millennial fever" was recognized.

During these periods, charismatics attract followers by "revelations" regarding some miraculous event (end of the world, coming of the Christ or a spaceship) to occur on a particular date. People sell homes, move to the appointed site, and await ascension. When the time arrives and nothing happens, followers awaken to reality, postpone the "date," commit suicide, or otherwise deal with the fact of a misguided prophecy. Comparable dismantlings of illusions will occur with some frequency as the coming months put mystical fantasies to the test of time.

Given the wondrous nature of the universe highlighted by the work of modern metascientists, people do not need the titillations of such unfounded prophecies to motivate profound social change. Nevertheless, many will be taken advantage of by promoters of visions or inspirations without solid, confirmable sources. Caveat emptor (let the buyer beware) applies to the knowledge seeker during the "millennium countdown."

Offered so many siren songs, people seeking a more satisfying, long-term spirituality must focus on the reality of human existence instead of giving in to escapism. Some guidelines to help people distinguish between new, fact-based hypotheses and false prophecies include: (1) Does its manifestation require some human input or participation? The answer should be "yes." (2) Can skeptical people seek and find the same answer. Another "yes" required here. (3) Does the prophet materially benefit from those who follow him or her? The answer should be "NO." (4) Can the promised "miracle" be realized without the intervention of its promoter? The answer should be "yes."

What if all the energy dedicated to chasing ephemeral metaphysical claims could be focused on development of ignored areas of knowledge and under-used subtle senses and powers, hypotheses that can stand the test of human experience? What if we ignored all the fanciful inventions of people whose communications seem motivated by the hope that some benevolent being or force will step in and save (or punish) humanity? Not only would we have less disappointment (and less egg on the face) two to three years from now, but we would also have a more creative and progressive planetary society. Getting excited about the farfetched idea of salvation by a mother ship rescue or divine intervention (even from Mother Earth herself) only diverts us from the real work to be done on ourselves and our society.

A review of some ground-breaking, frontier science research can help us keep our feet on the ground during 1999, while at the same time contributing to the advent of a new renaissance in human society. Recent and soon-to-come metascience announcements fundamentally change the story we tell ourselves about who we are and how we fit into the schema of this universe. Some "paradigm busters" are:

• The integral, yet directive role consciousness plays in the creation of matter and energy (matenergy) in our universe. (From the realm of subatomic particles to the building blocks of human DNA and immune systems, research reveals the influence of conscious intent.)
• Implications of the above for biological processes, including mind/body healing and the use of "prayer." (An understanding of the co-influence of one's conscious intentions on the health of self and others, including ecosystems, emerges from experimentation.)
• Human influence in the so-called inert world of chemistry. (Current manipulations at the subatomic level extended to the molecular and cellular levels reveal humans interact with all aspects of nature.)
• Subtle sense communications between humans. (Our dependence on and power from use of the subtle senses opens new avenues of conscious interaction.)
• Conscious communications between species. (The reality and value of the web of life becomes clear.)
• Harnessing new forms of energy in upper ranges of the electromagnetic spectrum, and perhaps in other spectra. (It becomes feasible to tap into the plenum of energy physicists now manipulate in the vacuum.)
• Documentation of other conscious beings in this and perhaps other universes. (Historical records and current UFO/ET events become more widely known and accepted.)
• Recovery of knowledge about the lost history of the human race in pre cataclysmic or antediluvian times. (Current human society's debt to, and scars from, prehistory are indisputably documented.)
• Cloning experiments - yet to come - that illustrate the merits and weaknesses of the theory of biological determinism. (Study of human clones and twins can reveal the nature of interplay among the forces of biology, environment and consciousness.)

In the context of a realistic, long-wave historical perspective and these findings of frontier science, there is reason to believe that in the not-too-distant future significant changes will occur in the course of human civilization and its occupation of this planet. The convergence of 20th Century communications and information-processing technologies with leaps and bounds in the advancement of consciousness gives us the base for widespread and dramatic human developments.

Humanity's 1999 "dawning of awareness" of its own inherent potential will be the most significant force for social change early in the new millennium. With an increased sense of its own powers of co-creation, humanity will no longer invent fanciful angels or devils as hoped-for ushers into a new age. (When our cosmic siblings show up we will deal with them on practical terms, not as cowed initiates.) The challenge is how to "stay the course" and "keep our feet on the ground" while, at the same time being flexible enough to test out new ideas that could change the way we think about both our "feet" and the "ground." We need to be willing to listen to all prophets at least once, and disciplined enough to test out, with the help of a few friends, all the prophetic assumptions.

(Click on the above image to order)

Paul Von Ward, MPA and M.S., is a researcher and writer in the fields of consciousness and frontier science. His most recent publication is the book Solarian Legacy: Metascience and a New Renaissance. An Oughten House imprint, it is distributed by Medicine Bear Publishing and is available to individuals in bookstores, on www.Amazon.com, or by calling the publisher at 207/374-3831. Paul can be contacted at www.mind.net/solarian.

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