The Mystery Of 2012: Predictions, Prophecies, and Possibilities [Illustrated] [Hardcover]

Gregg Braden (Author), Peter Russell (Author), Daniel Pinchbeck (Author), Joanna R. Macy (Author), John Jenkins (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2007

It began with the Mayan calendar - a startling astrological artifact that reaches its end point in the year 2012. As major spiritual traditions, independent researchers, and archaeological findings all point toward this date as a critical moment in human history, readers everywhere are starting to ask the same question: What will happen in 2012? For the first time, the leading authorities on the 2012 phenomenon are all given voice in a single book: 2012 - An invaluable resource for readers who want to learn more about this time of change, this fascinating book features essays from dozens of prominent thinkers, including: Gregg Braden's examination of the scientific evidence for a shift in the earth's magnetic field - and how it will affect all life; Barbara Marx Hubbard's and Peter Russell's explorations of the "accelerating pace of evolution" - why we may literally be transforming into a new species; John Major Jenkins' journey to the source for answers: the original Mayan calendar.

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Product Description

It began with the Mayan calendar--a startling astrological artifact that reaches its end point in the year 2012. As major spiritual traditions, independent researchers, and archaeological findings all point toward this date as a critical moment in human history, readers everywhere are starting to ask the same question: What will happen in 2012? For the first time, the leading authorities on the 2012 phenomenon are all given voice in a single book, now available in paperback: The Mystery of 2012. An invaluable resource for readers who want to learn more about this time of change, this fascinating book features essays from dozens of prominent thinkers, including: * Gregg Braden's examination of the scientific evidence for a shift in the earth's magnetic field--and how it will affect all life * Barbara Marx Hubbard's and Peter Russell's explorations of the "accelerating pace of evolution"--why we may literally be transforming into a new species * John Major Jenkins' journey to the source for answers: the original Mayan calendar * Ecologist Joanna Macy's vision of "the Great Turning," and how we can take part in this shift to a life-sustaining culture * Daniel Pinchbeck on the meaning behind the rise in psychic phenomena as we approach 2012. Are we coming to the end of a cosmic cycle? Will there be an age of awakening, a new step in human evolution, or even an end to the world we know? For the growing audience of the "2012-curious," here is a thought-provoking and comprehensive exploration into the possibilities of this pivotal time.

Amazon Exclusive: Daniel Pinchbeck on 2012: The Truth Behind the Doomsday Hype

The Classical Maya developed a highly sophisticated civilization in the Yucatan and Guatemala that vanished 1,000 years ago. They were extraordinary architects and astronomers, and developed methods of timekeeping that are far more precise than our Western calendar system. Although we destroyed most of their scrolls, our archaeologists have discovered that the Maya looked toward the year 2012 – specifically the date December 21, 2012 – as the end of a "Great Cycle" of 5,125 years on their Long Count calendar. According to the Mayan creation myth, the Popol Vuh, such cycles end with the destruction of the old way of life and the inception of a new world. Many scholars agree that the Classic Maya pointed to this time, around the year 2012, as the juncture between one world age and the next.

As we approach the threshold, it becomes more and more difficult to escape the feeling that the Maya had mysterious foreknowledge about our time. We are currently in the throes of an ecological crisis, brought about by human activity, which threatens us with disaster if we do not immediately change our ways. Basic resources such as fuel, water, and food are becoming scarce around the world. Many scientists have predicted cataclysm due to climate change and pollution that could lead to the extinction of the human species in a short span of time. On the other hand, we are also experiencing a massive leap in human consciousness. Our world is now meshed together through communications technology and social networks that act as a "global brain." We can transmit new ideas and transformative practices instantly across the world.

In my book, 2012: The Return of Quetzalcoatl, I proposed that what happens in "2012" depends on what humanity decides to make of it. We might see global famines and wars and increasing misery, or we might decide to institute a new planetary culture based on empathy, alternative economic systems, sustainable design, and an equitable sharing of wealth. According to the prophecies held by the Maya and other indigenous cultures, we may integrate modern scientific knowledge with Eastern spiritual wisdom and indigenous shamanism, leading to a new understanding of the physical and psychic cosmos. Rather than "doomsday," 2012 could be a time of positive transformation and the opening to a new way of life.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

New York Times bestselling author Gregg Braden is known for his writing style that bridges science and spirituality. After a successful career as a Computer Geologist for Phillips Petroleum during the 1970s energy crisis, he worked as a Senior Computer Systems Designer with Martin Marietta. In 1991 he became The First Technical Operations Manager for Cisco Systems. For more than 22 years, Gregg searched high mountain villages, remote monasteries, and forgotten texts to uncover timeless secrets. To date, his work has produced many thought-provoking books: The Isaiah Effect, The God Code, The Divine Matrix, and his most recent, Fractal Time: The Secret of 2012 and a New World Age.

Sir Peter Russell was until his retirement King Alfonso XIII Professor of Spanish Studies and for many years also director of Portuguese Studies at the University of Oxford.

John Major Jenkins is an independent researcher on ancient Mesoamerican cosmology who has worked with the highland Tzutujil and Quiche Maya communities. He currently resides in Boulder, Colorado.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 417 pages
• Publisher: Sounds True, Incorporated; First Edition edition (September 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591796113
• ISBN-13: 978-1591796114
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (97 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #560,026 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

190 of 208 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars MYSTERY 2012 - Useful compilation of essays, November 15, 2007

By 

DJ Hancock (New Zealand) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: The Mystery Of 2012: Predictions, Prophecies, and Possibilities (Hardcover)

The MYSTERY of 2012 contains four parts:

Part 1 - The Mayan Calendar and Mayan Cosmovision (4 essays)
Part 2 - Science, Business and Politics in the Context of 2012 (6)
Part 3 - Spirituality, Signs, and Symbolism Surrounding 2012 (8)
Part 4 - A New Humanity: Evolution Toward 2012 and Beyond (6)

Being a long time reader of Gregg Braden and Peter Russell I was naturally drawn to MYSTERY 2012 but their contributions are minor.

Although MYSTERY 2012 claims to offer all the information necessary to examine the mystery from every angle - there are some gaps. There is no contribution from Sri Yukteswar followers who claim the traditional interpretation of the Yuga time span is incorrect, and no reference to the Book of Daniel, where he interprets a dream of Nebuchadnezzar into the four Ages of Humanity, which in addition to connections to the consciousness of the Great Year cycle, can also be linked to the metallic characteristics of the Yuga cycle. Alan Oken's 'Complete Astrology' has a great summary of the Aquarius Age and the Great Year cycle, including an important connection to Leo. MYSTERY 2012 makes no mention of this important Leo polarity, nor of the work done by Thomas Brophy in 'The Origin Map' about the amazing astrological alignments on the Nabta Playa site in the Eyptian Sahara desert. There is growing awareness of the possibility the Sphinx at the Giza plateau is a lot older than mainstream theory, that it was constructed during the Age of Leo, around 11,000 BC - 13,000 years ago or one half of a great year from where our consciousness is now.

Also unsure to the inclusion of an essay from Janosh. Janosh produces lovely artwork based on the sacred geometry contained within crop circles, and his essay introduces the Arcturians as prime candidates for genuine crop circle makers, without really explaining the relevance to MYSTERY 2012. All I can surmise, is that there is some thought, when viewing the galactic centre from Earth, as we shift our focus in the direction of the northern galactic pole (similar to looking up towards our pole star - currently Polaris) the star that shines most brightly for us from the direction of Earth, is Arcturus. So if the fractal nature of consciousness is consistent, then in the same way the pole star has guided explorers across vast unknown oceans discovering new lands on Earth, so we can use our friend Arcturus to guide us across the galactic oceans towards new dimensions of being. So if one is going to mention Arcturus, then this celestial guidance role to me, is much more important than a crop circle connection.

So MYSTERY 2012 could have been a lot better in my opinion, however, apart from a few omissions, I would still recommend MYSTERY 2012 to readers interested in future studies and its links to spirituality, or vice versa. There are some big hitters in this book - and Sounds True has done a pretty good job linking the essays together. There is some repetition, such as the focus on the number `26' - 26,000 solar years is a full year of precession, both the Mayan Tzolkin and the average gestation period for a human embryo is 260 days, our solar system is located 26,000 light years from the galactic centre, etc. Rather than being monotonous, this repetition was useful to reinforce the concepts being discussed.

Not all the authors agreed on a specific date for the hypothetical window of opportunity which does produce a more realistic presentation of something as controversial as the evolution of our being. If everyone agreed then it may have lacked certain credibility. MYSTERY 2012 will save a lot of individual time and effort searching to pull together a thematic approach to the 2012 question from some of the various mystery schools. Having such a blend and variety of contributions means there is sure to be something relevant for every reader. The notes and credits sections provide useful follow up sources if specific authors appeal, also useful.

Regards,
Daniel John Hancock

135 of 150 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Mindful Transformation or Mindless Jabber?, October 14, 2007

By 

R. Elliott Ingersoll (Kent, OH United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Mystery Of 2012: Predictions, Prophecies, and Possibilities (Hardcover)

The Mystery of 2012 is worth reading - let me start there. For quasi-Millennialists like myself, it offers yet another set of opinions for why we feel unrooted, in transformation and called to something we can't quite wrap our minds around. The other side of the coin of course is a stunning array of purple prose, baseless conjecture, and New Age gurus cashing in on the latest "prophecy." I think "teachers" and "gurus" should be held accountable - for example if nothing happens in 2012 beyond "business as usual" some of them should turn in their new age workshop licenses and go work at Walmart.

This is par for the course though - pearls of wisdom are always mixed with parking lot gravel and both have their place -it is hard to drive a motorcycle over pearls. What is noteworthy in the book are essays like Gregg Braden's that cite reliable literature on phenomena like the magnetic pole reversal and electromagnetic influence on mammals. As a psychologist I am particularly fascinated by this since the introduction of magnetic fields (repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation - rTMS) is the latest physiological treatment for severe depression and other symptoms. If our brains do have millions of magnetic particles, one wonders what a pole shift might do.

There are of course poor essays in the book such as the one by Lawrence Joseph on "The Bible Code." He describes amazing research by Israeli statisticians entering the Torah into a computer and finding predictions in code. What is most amazing is that he claims this was published in a statistics journal but doesn't bother to cite the article that supposedly went through a peer-review process. Either he is not being truthful, he is terribly out of touch with the center of gravity of most people, or he is a poor researcher. Extraordinary claims require at the very least a trail of documentation, not just the proclamation of a prophet (or a for-profit-prophet).

Reading the more questionable essays one wonders if these "futurists" will settle down to a life of farming and meditation after 2012 or if they imagine themselves still conducting expensive workshops. We'll see of course since 2012 is only around the corner.

The best essays in the book remind us that how we live now, that living with integrity, and that cultivating connectivity via compassion are helpful both for ourselves and others. Whatever does (or doesn't) happen in 2012 and the time leading up to it, now is the time to find out who we are and be that.

WHile the worst vice is advice here is mine: use the book as a projective test. Do you find yourself more drawn to explore what you are doing now or what outside forces will do in 2012 (e.g. sweeping down with magic powers to do the hard work for you)? If reading the book helps you answer that question, it is well worth the time and money.

36 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mostly a load of useful essays, February 15, 2008

By 

DavOS (Seattle, WA United States) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Mystery Of 2012: Predictions, Prophecies, and Possibilities (Hardcover)

I'm a little over half way through the book and have to give it 5 stars if only just to balance out the overly gross generalized 1-star review about it being mostly a load of hooey. The 4-star review about the useful essays is spot on, and the 1-star review alludes to the validity by virtue of complaining about known risks at hand the book points out. The book does point out known environmental factors but squarely in the 2012 context and correlated with other conscious or cosmic realities that help envision the fractal picture unfolding.

Also, the 1-star hooey reviewer keenly points out that some of the biggest threat of 2012 could likely lie in the volatility of the paranoia surrounding it similar to the situation faced with Y2K. While the book doesn't talk about that, general awareness of the destabilizing force of such paranoia is to me precisely the validation for swaying to the other extreme pondering possibly over idealized esoteric implications of galactic alignment the hooey reviewer cites as a primary complaint. But that's just one dimension of the book, with other essays pointing out scientific facts and implications, along with socio-economic perspectives and trends evident as we cascade toward 2012.

If you're trying to make sense of the disorienting rapidity of transformation going on in the world today, you owe it to yourself to ponder these essays. The uniqueness of the time and space our era of humanity occupies can't be disputed, with greater dimensions of existence to be made sense of than ever collectively grasped. Pondering the environmental, cosmic and nuclear realities surrounding 2012 are valid perspectives to consider right alongside idealizing human consciousness as an extension of the evolution of the universe (whatever the hooey esoteric interpretation).