The journey from the unconscious state of being where most humans dwell to the illumined realms of higher consciousness and divinely inspired action has three major phases. These phases are purification of both the mind and emotions, consecration of the willing personality to a higher purpose, and unification with the divine soul or higher self. The stage of purification frees the energies of the personality so that they can be directed by the will toward the attainment of spiritual goals. Consecration can be likened to a second birth of the personality, since it represents the beginning of dedication to one's spiritual work on earth. This second phase consists of self-realization, self-actualization, and visionary unfoldment. Unification can be seen as a resurrection of the spirit, wherein the personality becomes reunited with its divine source. This source can be conceptualized as the Kingdom of God, Mount Zion, Valhalla, or some other place in the spirit world. The Mystery behind these concepts lies beyond the ability of the human mind to conceive, yet It contains them All. Unification includes the opening of the third eye or discovery of the intuition, illumination or the dawning of Christ consciousness, inner Armageddon or the war between the unconscious and superconscious, and finally resurrection or spiritual reawakening.

As the end of history approaches, things seem to get a little bit crazier every day. In his book Apocalypse Now (1988), Peter Roche de Coppens identifies the major apocalyptic themes or "laws" which can be used to describe the escalating chaos of these "last days." The first of these themes can be called the "law of polarization," which describes the increasing necessity for people to choose between spiritual values and material concerns. As we get closer to the Eschaton predicted for 2012 A.D., commitment to one set of values becomes crucial. Less and less middle ground exists between moral extremes. Each individual must decide whether to dedicate themselves to the pursuit of material gain at the expense of ethics and dreams, or to risk the hazards of economic uncertainty in order to remain dedicated to a higher calling. Those who attempt to walk the middle way will find themselves caught between these conflicting polarities, and even alienated from both sides to an increasing extent.

The second theme, called the "law of intensification," describes the increasingly dramatic interplay between outer events and inner responses. Self control becomes crucial at this time, as the ever intensifying storm of chaos in the outside world will tend to throw us off balance more and more as time goes on. Prices continue to rise, laws become more oppressive, social interactions become more stressful as a result, and so on. The increase of available information, and the greater intelligence made possible by the expansion of knowledge, also tends to make our thoughts, emotions, and imaginations more liable to spiral out of control. An increasing focus on the inner world can provide a counterforce in our own lives to balance the greater intensity of life in the outside world.

The next theme can be named the "law of acceleration." Events at this time take place ever more rapidly. The exchange of information now occurs almost instantaneously by means of computer networks. Jets make most places in the world accessible to travelers overnight, and goods can be delivered just as fast. The availability of knowledge allows children to grow up more quickly, and increases the rate of cultural mutation. Political, social, and economic events all accelerate as a result of a faster infrastructure. Individual change must parallel this ever accelerating rate of movement in the outer world, lest one be left behind and disregarded by society as obsolete. This effect has been called "future shock," and causes a great deal of stress that can prompt an individual to seek ever more desperately for some kind of escape. Once again, turning our attention toward the world within can provide a sanctuary from the deadly speed of end times existence.

Two spiritually oriented apocalyptic themes provide a counterpoint to the previous three "laws" operating in the physical world at this time. These are the "law of etherealization" and the "law of consciousness expansion." Etherealization refers to the increasingly inward focus of people that develops as a response to the polarization, intensification, and acceleration of outer events. Thus, metaphysical interests become predominant as material concerns lose importance. Emotional, psychological, and spiritual survival take precedence over physical security. Consciousness becomes more valuable than wealth, which brings us to the next theme: the law of consciousness expansion. This law states that vital energies in the human being increase as one's level of consciousness rises. Increasing perception and intelligence give us greater power over the world we know. This power can be used for good or ill, and thus the law of consciousness expansion feeds into the law of polarization. Here lies the key to the dark side of the New Age, and the potential for dystopian scenarios to arise from the more intelligent manipulation of destructive machinery. The simple expansion of consciousness and increase of intelligence won't be enough to bring on the Golden Age. In order for higher ideals to triumph, the light of the divine mind or superconscious must illuminate and transform the mechanistic forces of the unconscious into tools for the attainment of spiritual goals.

We have now reached a turning point in our development as a species. The culture or civilization that we might call the Old Order, which seeks to conquer the material world and offers the promise of an ever higher standard of living to its adherents, has reached its peak and begun to wane. The new culture rising from the ashes of the old seeks rather to explore the spirit world, to harness invisible energies accessible to the mind, and to develop sensitivity to the subtle realms previously beyond the perception of ordinary humans. Thus the original meaning of "apocalypse," "the revelation of hidden knowledge," perfectly describes the goal of this emerging culture from which a new civilization will spring. Thus, the end of history also will be the beginning of a new story in which the previously dominant theme of physical conquest will give way to transcendence and spiritual development, provided that a critical mass of human beings can achieve illumination before the 2012 A.D. deadline.

This turning point in cosmic time represents a great test as well as a great opportunity for all human beings. Will we pass the test? The answer to this question lies in your hands. Even one individual can make the difference between the success and failure of the species. "But what can I do?" I hear one student ask. Apply yourself diligently to the exercises and practices that follow. Read some of the works listed in the bibliography. Develop your own lines of research. Most of all, seek the inspiration and develop the dedication that will make you a hero. Dare to live your dreams, so that others may gain courage to do so as well.