Radical Knowing: Understanding Consciousness through Relationship (Radical Consciousness Trilogy) (Paperback)

~ Christian de Quincey (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The first book from a philosopher to address consciousness from such a multidimensional point of view."
(Amit Goswami, Ph.D., author of The Self-Aware Universe )

“A better understanding of the nature of consciousness may be the best, and perhaps the only, way we can move out of the morass of crisis, chaos, and violence in these troubled times. We need to feel our way (rather than just ‘know our way’) to a more sustainable and peaceful world. Anyone who wants to be part of the solution rather than part of today’s problem should read this gem of a book.”
(Ervin Laszlo, author of Science and the Akashic Field )

“One of the most readable books of philosophy I have ever encountered, from a philosopher equally at home with mystics, shamans, and scientists. Christian de Quincey is one of those rare visionaries who blends scientific rigor and deep metaphysical insights for transforming consciousness. Immensely inspiring as well as informative, Radical Knowing offers a surprising, yet solid, foundation for exploring the alchemy of relationships. This may be the first book to focus the power of philosophy on the joy and challenges of being in relationship.”
(Stephen Simon, Academy-Award-winning producer/director of What Dreams May Come, Somewhere in Time, and Indigo
)

“A ground-breaking book. Christian de Quincey brings a lifetime of studying consciousness to a little-explored aspect of the subject--its essential role in all our relationships. More than just philosophy simply explained, Radical Knowing offers valuable guidance on how to put spirituality into practice in our lives.”
(Peter Russell, author of From Science to God and Waking Up in Time )

“The most mysterious question confronting us is consciousness--its nature, origin, and destiny. Radical Knowing reveals dimensions that are crucial for anyone in our third millennium. Highly recommended!”
(Larry Dossey, M.D., author of Healing Beyond the Body, Reinventing Medicine and Healing Words
)

“Animals naturally do what Christian de Quincey recommends we humans do: forge an unobstructed dialogue between the mind and the heart, and ‘feel our thinking.’ We are not alone; we are part of an infinite web of relationships. In cultivating the art of relationship, we reunite mind and heart, becoming conscious collaborators with the mysteries that stir within us, around us, and beyond us. In Radical Knowing, de Quincey shows us how it is ultimately through conscious, consensual relationships that we mine the depths of what it means to be a human tuner and receiver for a much vaster intelligence, ultimately fulfilling our destiny: that of ‘giving voice to the cosmos.’”
(Linda Kohanov, author of The Tao of Equus and Riding between the Worlds: Expanding Our Potential through the Way of the Horse
)

“When it comes to the subject of consciousness, Christian de Quincey is like a dragon on fire. His evocative, lively, and remarkably engaging prose is a bracing antidote to the glum academicism of most philosophical writing. With new and penetrating insights into ever-topical and pesky questions, de Quincey invites us to feel our way into consciousness in ways that transform the reader. The split between inner and outer knowing is healed, and we are awakened to the sky-high possibilities of enlightenment as a manifestation of universal mind. This book alters energy patterns and installs new microchips into the philosopher’s stone.”
(Suzi Gablik, author of Has Modernism Failed? and Living the Magical Life
)

“If interconnectivity is an inherent feature of life, as both ancient wisdom and postmodern science suggest, then relationships are primary to the human experience, not secondary additions to ‘our lives.’ Starting here, Radical Knowing takes the reader on a provocative journey beyond the boundaries of traditional philosophy. Expect reversals of perspective, innovative formulations, and, most importantly, opportunities to experience anew the integral fabric of consciousness.”
(Chris M. Bache, Ph.D., author of Dark Night, Early Dawn
)

“In this wonderful new book Christian de Quincey shares personal experiences to reveal the central importance of consciousness in our relationships. Consciousness isn’t simply a lonely, isolating subjectivity. In all its multi-faceted majesty, consciousness is shared, like the precious air we breath. Relationships naturally begin and exist within our shared consciousness--and de Quincey teaches us to use our relationships for exploration and understanding of consciousness itself.”
(Obadiah Harris, president of the University of Philosophical Research and Philosophical Research Society )

“Radical Knowing deals with one of the most important, and neglected, subjects: how we know what we know. Christian de Quincey writes in joyfully simple language and thinks through complicated questions with great clarity. As soon as I heard about this book it went straight to the top of my must-read pile.”
(Jeremy Narby, Ph.D., anthropologist and author of The Cosmic Serpent and Intelligence in Nature
)

“Christian de Quincey takes us right to the metaphysical heart of relationship, and, in doing so, pushes back the frontiers of consciousness.”
(Gay Hendricks, Ph.D., author of Conscious Loving and Lasting Love )

". . . opens the way for a new kind of science that honors wisdon as much as truth."
(Michael Toms, cofounder of New Dimensions World Broadcasting Network )

"Mr. de Quincey, who is co-founder of The Visionary Edge, is quite familiar with the mind-brain-consciousness connection. His pioneering work in the area of transforming global consciousness by transforming mass media has led to very interesting observations particularly in relation to the dynamics of what is termed "inter-subjectivity" and its effects on the social order. Many of the subjects dealt with in this book will resonate with both students of esoterism and those working within the various fields of scientific endeavor."
(The Beacon, Mar-Apr 2006 )

"Interested readers will find a refreshing approach to familiar elements that can stimulate their own thought and further their understanding of consciousness to day."
(Lyle Bridgers. Ph.D., Shift, June-Aug 2006 )

"Understanding our consciousness through our relationships could very well be the key to unlocking our potential for higher consciousness and spiritual evolution."
(Rahasya Poe, Lotus Guide, Feb 2007 )

Product Description

A radical reassessment of what we mean by "consciousness" and how we experience it in relation to others

• Shows the importance of integrating different ways of knowing--such as feeling and intuition, reason and the senses--in our approach to life

• Discusses the technique of Bohmian Dialogue where you can learn not only to "feel your thinking," but also to experience true communion with others

In Radical Knowing Christian de Quincey makes a provocative claim: We are not who we think we are. Instead, we are what we feel. Giving disciplined attention to feelings reveals the most fundamental fact of life and reality: We are our relationships. Most of us think we are individuals first and foremost who then come together to form relationships. De Quincey turns this "obvious fact" on its head and shows that relationship comes first, and that our individual sense of self--our "private" consciousness--actually arises from shared consciousness. This shared, collective consciousness is at the heart of indigenous ways of life and their worldviews.

De Quincey explains that participating in shared consciousness literally builds the fabric of reality, and that understanding this process is key to unlocking our potential for higher consciousness and spiritual evolution. He presents the technique of Bohmian Dialogue, developed by groundbreaking quantum physicist David Bohm, as one method for experiencing this powerful process. He also explores the mystery of synchronicity, offering a new understanding of the relationship between matter and mind and the underlying nature of reality.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Park Street Press; annotated edition edition (August 27, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1594770794
• ISBN-13: 978-1594770791
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #457,302 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Author's Description, September 13, 2005

By	Oblio (CA, USA) - See all my reviews

RELATIONSHIPS
* "Radical Knowing" is about what it means to be in relationship--with people, planet, and cosmos; why relationships go wrong, and how we can heal them by cultivating different ways of knowing.

* Ever wondered why relationships often seem dominated by one side? Ever felt your voice, your very soul, has been suppressed by someone you love?

* It can happen to the best of us--and often no one is to blame.

* The problem is invisible. But we can identify it if we know where to look:

CONSCIOUSNESS & BELIEF
* Your mind. It all comes down to how you think and feel-and believe.

* Belief. Very often, the root of the problem in relationships is our beliefs. It's not just what we believe that's the problem--but the very fact that we believe our beliefs!

* "Radical Knowing" shows us how and why our beliefs get us into trouble, and what to do about them.

* The solution? Cultivate experience beyond belief.

WAYS OF KNOWING
* "Radical Knowing" reveals a simple method for exploring our own consciousness and for cultivating "experience beyond belief."

* The book describes the "Four Gifts of Knowing" that everyone is blessed with:

* The Scientist's Gift of senses. The Philosopher's Gift of reason. The Shaman's Gift of feeling. The Mystic's Gift of sacred silence.

A NEW PHILOSOPHY OF LIFE
* If you have ever felt "stuck" in your personal growth, or in a troublesome relationship, or wished you could tap into a deeper, wider wisdom . . . "Radical Knowing" shows why people get stuck and how we can move on.

* If you are part of the growing movement of people fascinated about consciousness--its nature and evolutionary potentials . . ."Radical Knowing" is likely to surprise you: We are not who we think we are.

* If you are among the millions of people who want to develop mind, soul, or spirit . . . "Radical Knowing" offers new tools and insights for cultivating consciousness.

* If you feel the world needs a radical new philosophy of life to get us out of the current global mess . . . "Radical Knowing" presents a revolutionary blueprint for enhancing relationships--among families, communities, and nations.

* If you have ever felt that to be fully human we need to recognize our fellowship with the rest of nature . . . "Radical Knowing" provides a rigorous foundation for exploring interspecies consciousness.

* If you have ever sensed "We are the world," this book confirms that insight.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful, rigorous, balanced and thought provoking, October 31, 2005

By	Patrick D. Goonan "www.meaningful-life.us" (Pleasanton, CA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

In the book Radical Knowing, Dr. de Quincey explores the issue of consciousness and how this relates to various epistemologies. Special attention is given to the need to honor various ways of knowing, especially the "feeling of knowing" that is central to indigenous cultures.

What makes this book outstanding, is Dr. de Quincey's ability to eloquently express his ideas in a way that is insightful and rigorous without sacrificing a sense of honoring the subjective and sacred dimension of reality. His words, not only appeal to the intellect, but they also appeal to the heart and one's own innate wisdom.

Among other topics, this book is a deep exploration of panpsychism as a worldview. It stresses the importance of embodied knowledge and the author's sense of passion and dedication to his life long quest to understanding consciousness comes through on every page. This made the book particularly appealing and thought provoking. Dr. de Quincey is certainly someone who has looked at these questions deeply and challenges the reader to do the same without pushing any particular worldview. In short, it is written very much in the spirit of Bohmian dialogue, rather than the more standard academic and often confrontational style common to many modern philosophers.

This is a real gem and will stimulate your thinking about consciousness whether you are a materialist, idealist or panpsychist. In short, this is philosophy writing at its best.
Radical Nature is also excellent, but a bit more challenging reading.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unique integrative philosophy book, November 22, 2005

By	Jed Shlackman (Miami, FL United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This book bridges disciplines as it explores profound issues concerning the nature of consciousness and experience. It is a blend of philosophy, metaphysics, anthropology, psychology, and physics. The author expands on some of Ken Wilbur's ideas and explores how consciousness operates through relationships, with relationships being an essential aspect of consciousness. The author describes different ways of "knowing" as well as the role of different states of consciousness in this process. Many interesting ideas and concepts are discussed and the author seems to have a solid recognition that consciousness is the essence of all reality - while explaining how relationships are essential to the ongoing transformation of consciousness. There is ultimately nothing new about what the author describes, yet he puts indigenous wisdom in a modern context where we can relate metaphysical ideas and experiences in a format that can bring these forms of awareness into our conscious, rational awareness. This is difficult to summarize in a review - just read the book and consider how it expands your idea of self and raises awareness of the integrated, essential Whole from which all foci of consciousness arise.