21 levels of Self-Deception: THIRD EDITION by Tom Wallace - HTML preview

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unfortunate situation. I have identified this ascendancy primarily with ‘spirit’. I do not use the word to imply any pre-existing entity who inhabits us, or some aspect of ourselves that might survive bodily death. Rather it is to try to emphasise the rarefied, aspirational aspect that is so much part of Western religion, science and culture. Likewise, I use the word ‘soul’ to designate all that is ‘descendant’ in human nature and not in any sense to suggest that the soul can have a separate existence. ‘Descendant’ is used by way of contrast to ‘ascendant’. However, the notion of going ‘down’ and embracing the Earth and other people is perhaps somewhat difficult. In a way we are already ‘down’ — or more properly we are in the midst, surrounded, enfolded, embraced and cherished by nature. However, as the hierarchical role of ascendancy is often assumed, then some going down is needed just to bring us back to where we really are. We need to acknowledge our true relation with nature and culture.

Where to begin then, in trying to explain what the aim of this book is about? Well, two things:

I want to celebrate life — my body, my relationship with other people, my place in nature and my place within the wider universe. This is the erotic nature of life seeking expression. But various things seem to prevent me from fully realising this goal. How can this be resolved? Added to this, I see the suffering of others. I want to help meet their needs. Again though, this desire is frustrated. My own search for happiness and the suffering of others are difficult problems to relieve. What can be

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