Steve McDonald
Human evolution: Who are we becoming?
Is humanity in the process of making a momentous leap in consciousness - what Terence McKenna called the Archaic Revival?
In 1974 Dr Clare W Graves, a US based professor of psychology, wrote an article for The Futurist magazine called Human Nature Prepares for a Momentous Leap. The article was based on Dr Graves extensive research into human development and change dynamics, conducted over more than 30 years. Unfortunately Dr Graves passed away in 1986 before his research findings were formally published, therefore his work remains obscure. His full research notes were only made freely available in 2005, in the book The Never Ending Quest (Cowan & Todorovic).
Dr Graves’ work provides a credible map for what Terence McKenna called the Archaic Revival. His findings indicate that humanity is indeed making a momentous leap in consciousness, the biggest shift of awareness since our ancestors first become human. According to Graves this leap involves a move from a survival mindset into a multidimensional awareness that brings a neo-tribal revival on a global scale. The evidence for this is all around us right now, including the emergence of neo-shamanism involving entheogenic plants.
This lecture will look at the drivers of change, the steps before and after our momentous leap in consciousness, and the role that entheogens are playing in the process.
Steve McDonald has worked as a professional change agent since 1997. Prior to that he gained significant experience in human nature and social change dynamics during a 15 year career in the Australian Army, which included war service in Somalia in 1993. He also worked as a rescue helicopter pilot for five years in Queensland.
Since 2005 he has trained in Dr Clare W Graves’ model of human development both in Australia and the USA. In 2009 he qualified to deliver training courses covering Graves’ model and became the first Australian to do so. Since then he has employed the model in organisational change engagements with state government departments and major corporates including the NAB. He has also made presentations to the Australian Defence Force’s Joint Operations Command and the Australian Army’s Headquarters Training Command.
Steve has a keen interest in the role of entheogens in the awakening of human consciousness and also as sophisticated medicines. He is a founding member of Psychedelic Research in Science and Medicine (Australia) and a member of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (USA).