If you’ve spent much time online in the last few years, you might have the impression that society is obsessed with conspiracy theories. Look no further than your Facebook feed to see posts about secret elites, hidden meanings in various logos and monuments, and other strange ideas that seem to fall somewhere between fiction and paranoia. But why are so many people willing to believe in things that are so clearly not true? What makes some people more prone to believe in conspiracy theories than others? And how can we inoculate ourselves against these destructive ideas? These questions are at the heart of a new book called “How Conspiracy Theories Break Our Brain, Ruin Relationships, And Mess With Our Lives.” Written by psychologist Dr. Joseph Bates and artificial intelligence researcher Thomas Halls, it’s an accessible yet insightful look at why so many of us believe in things that clearly aren’t real. This blog post contains a summary of some of the most pertinent parts of the book. If you find it interesting, you can pre-order a copy here .

What Is A Conspiracy Theory?

A conspiracy theory is a belief that a small group of bad actors is working behind the scenes to enact a harmful plot. This general definition leaves a lot of room to interpret what that means in practice, especially given that many people tend to use the term to describe almost any non-mainstream belief. While someone may disagree with your political ideology and call it a conspiracy theory, in reality it’s an entirely different phenomenon. Despite this, the term conspiracy theory is often used to describe any undesirable belief, from questionable science to obvious hoaxes. In order to better understand how the phenomena discussed in this book function, it’s important to be mindful of the differences between these seemingly related beliefs.

How Do Conspiracy Theories Start?

The foundation of almost every conspiracy theory is a kernel of genuine concern. Sometimes this is about a real-life event, and other times it’s about a possible future event. Regardless of the situation, the first person to believe in the conspiracy theory is often someone who has a genuine desire to make the world a better place. Unfortunately, in their attempt to help, the person ends up misinterpreting data and making conclusions that don’t actually follow from the available evidence. This is almost always the result of one or more cognitive biases that distort our thinking.

Why Are Some People More Susceptible To Believing In Conspiracy Theories?

These are the psychological processes that make some people more likely to believe in conspiracy theories, some of which has to do with early childhood manipulate, abuse, and trauma.

4 Psychological Processes That Make Us More Susceptible To Conspiracy Theories

Social Loafing – When we associate with a group, we often feel less responsible for what they do. This makes us less likely to push back against our peers, even when they say something wrong. This can lead us to accept their bad ideas, even if we would have opposed them when we were alone.

In-Group Bias – We’re more likely to believe the things that are said by the people we see as being similar to us. While this can lead us to accept beliefs that are true, it can also lead us to accept beliefs that are false.

Too Much Self-Confidence – While it’s important to be confident in our abilities, taking it too far can make us more likely to believe in things that aren’t true.

Sticking To Your Gut – While it’s important to trust your instincts, it can make us more likely to believe in bad ideas. This is because it’s incredibly difficult to step back and analyze a decision when your emotions are telling you to trust it.

3 Ways Society Facilitates Belief In Conspiracy Theories

We’re human, which means that we’re prone to making mistakes. And while we all make them, some are more common than others. Surprisingly, these common mistakes can lead us to accept harmful conspiracy theories.

Here are two ways that society facilitates belief in conspiracy theories.

The Lone Wolf Mentality – This highlights the importance of being part of a community. While we can’t rely on our peers to make all of the right decisions, it’s important to have people around us who can point out our mistakes.

Culture of Controversy – Our culture revolves around conflict, and controversy is one of the highest-valued types of content in modern media. While there’s nothing wrong with controversy per se, the type of controversy we tend to promote does nothing to advance our understanding of the world.

5 More Strategies To Protect Yourself From Harmful Conspiracy Theories

Sleep More – While we often think of conspiracy theories as being all-consuming, it’s possible to ignore them entirely. The only reason you believe in conspiracy theories is that you believe they are true, which means they stop existing once you close your eyes.

Eat Better – If you’re not getting the proper nutrition from your diet, your brain is working less efficiently. This can lead you to accept harmful conspiracy theories that you would have otherwise ignored.

Moderate Your Media Consumption – While it’s impossible to completely avoid the content that makes you more likely to believe in conspiracy theories, you can moderate the amount of time you spend consuming it.

Pray Often and Forgive Everything!

Conclusion

Conspiracy theories are harmful because they divert our attention from more pressing issues. By focusing on something that might not even be real, we miss out on opportunities to improve our real lives. However, it’s important to remember that not all conspiracy theories are harmful. In fact, it’s important to hold the people in power accountable for their actions. While these people could be doing something shady, it’s possible that they’re just doing their jobs. If you’re ever unsure about a conspiracy theory, it’s important to research it before you accept it as being true.

Meet Paul Wagner

Paul Wagner is an Intuitive Life & Business Coach, clairvoyant reader, and a five-time EMMY Award-winning writer. He created “THE PERSONALITY CARDS,” a powerful Oracle-Tarot deck that’s helpful in life, love, and relationships. Paul studied with Lakota elders in the Pecos Wilderness, who nurtured his empathic abilities and taught him the sacred rituals. He has lived at ashrams with enlightened masters, including Amma, the Hugging Saint, for whom he’s delivered keynotes at Her worldwide events.

Paul tours the world lecturing on spiritual liberation. He lovingly offers intuitive readings, inspirational coaching, and illuminating courses to help others with self-discovery, decision-making, healing, and forgiveness. Book a session with Paul: HERE

Paul Wagner is an Intuitive Life & Business Coach, clairvoyant reader, and a five-time EMMY Award-winning writer. He created “THE PERSONALITY CARDS,” a powerful Oracle-Tarot deck that’s helpful in life, love, and relationships. Paul studied with Lakota elders in the Pecos Wilderness, who nurtured his empathic abilities and taught him the sacred rituals. He has lived at ashrams with enlightened masters, including Amma, the Hugging Saint, for whom he’s delivered keynotes at Her worldwide events.

Paul tours the world lecturing on spiritual liberation. He lovingly offers intuitive readings, inspirational coaching, and illuminating courses to help others with self-discovery, decision-making, healing, and forgiveness.

Book a Session With Paul

In the world of first contact and alien communication, there are many different types of ETs to discover and learn about. One such group that has recently gained popularity is the ‘Arcturian’ contingent. These beings have been portrayed as a type of Starseed (interventionists who help bring about positive change in the world), or as a fifth column from another galaxy, depending on your viewpoint. So what does this mean exactly? Are they really from a different star system? Do they have special powers? Are they really just humans from another dimension? The truth is, we don’t know yet. But more information is coming out all the time. This article will explore everything we currently know about the Arcturians, including their origin story, their appearance and attributes, what their message means for us, and how you can meet them in person!

Who Are the Arcturians?

To begin, it’s important to set the record straight. We don’t actually know if the Arcturians are real as a race, or just a collection of mythologies from different cultures. In fact, most of what we know about them are myths and legends. So who exactly are the Arcturians?

Arcturians are a group of extraterrestrial beings who are associated with the star Arcturus. This star system is located 36 light years away from Earth, which makes it significantly closer to us than other popular ET groups like the Pleiadians, who hail from the star system Pleiades which is 400 light years away. The name ‘Arcturian’ is said to come from the fact that this civilization is located in the ‘Arcturian System’. Although the word ‘system’ usually refers to a collection of planets, moons and asteroids that orbit a star, it’s unclear whether Arcturus has any planets, moons or other entities orbiting it.

Origins of the Arcturian Race

The first thing to know about the Arcturians is that they have been around for a long time. In fact, they have existed since before Earth even formed! They are said to be one of the oldest races in the galaxy, and they have watched other civilizations rise and fall. This makes them quite unique, and it gives them a very special place in the universe. The Arcturians are said to be highly advanced beings who live in a highly advanced society. They have been exploring the universe for millions of years and have come into contact with many other races throughout this period. The Arcturians were once a very primitive race, but they eventually ascended to a higher state of being and became who they are today. This happened billions of years ago and is said to be a very rare occurrence, with precious few races managing to achieve this.

What Do Arcturians Look Like?

Now that we know a bit about the Arcturians, let’s take a look at what they actually look like. We have to remember, however, that we only have legends and myths to go on, so it’s hard to know how accurate these descriptions are. Arcturians have been described as being humanoid beings who look similar to humans. These extraterrestrials are also said to have two eyes, two legs and two arms, which makes them appear very similar to humans. In terms of skin color, Arcturians have been said to have either red or blue skin, and they also have long hair that is either red or blue. Arcturians are said to be very tall, with one source claiming that they can be up to 12 feet in height.

Arcturian Meaning and Messages

If we look at the myths and legends surrounding the Arcturians, we can start to see what their primary meaning and message is. The following myths are associated with the Arcturians: The Arcturian Council, the Arcturian Shift, the Arcturian Starseed and the Arcturian Corridor. Let’s take a look at each of these myths.

The Arcturian Council – Each race in the universe has a council that oversees the administration of the planet, solar system and galaxy where they live. The Arcturian Council oversees the Milky Way galaxy.

The Arcturian Shift – The Arcturian Shift is when a race begins to make the transition from a lower state of being to a higher one. This usually happens slowly over a period of millions of years, but during this time, the society is said to be in a state of transition. During this time, a society might make many mistakes, act irrationally and make significant errors. Eventually, however, the society will reach a higher state of being and will no longer be in transition.

The Arcturian Starseed – Starseeds are said to be tiny particles of light that are sent out by higher civilizations so that less advanced civilizations can use them to assist in the transition process. Starseeds travel through space and come into contact with planets that have less advanced civilizations on them. Once they reach these planets, they enter the electromagnetic field of the planet and orbit it.

The Arcturian Corridor – The Arcturian Corridor is a hyperspatial path that leads to the Arcturian System. Hyperspatial paths are wormholes that can be used to travel very quickly across the universe. This is the only way to reach the Arcturian system, as it is very far away from Earth.

The Message of Ascension and the Rainbow Body

One message that the Arcturians seem to be trying to convey is that of the ascension process, where a person transitions from a lower state of being to a higher one. This process is likened to a plant growing from a seed, where the plant grows from a tiny seed and becomes a great tree. During this process, the plant goes through many phases where it starts to die before finally being reborn again as a beautiful tree. This process is said to be the same as what happens to a person who is making the transition from a lower state of being to a higher one. During this process, the person dies and is then reborn again as a more advanced being. During this process, the person may experience many things, including the death of loved ones, the collapse of their society, their own death and even their own destruction.

The Meaning of Communication With Arcturians

While the above messages are important, they are also very general. They don’t give us much insight into how we can change our lives or how we can improve as humans. So let’s look at two other myths that give us more insight into how we can live better lives. The first is the myth of how the Arcturians communicate with the people of Earth. As we’ve already mentioned, the Arcturians communicate with other civilizations through starseeds. The reason why they do this is that they are trying to keep their civilization isolated from the rest of the universe. This is because their civilization is so advanced that if they communicated with other civilizations, they would likely influence those civilizations to make wrong choices and mess up their development. Thankfully, the Arcturians have been dropping starseeds on Earth since time immemorial. This has been happening all throughout human history, with starseeds being dropped on Earth whenever the Arcturians wanted to communicate with us.

How to Meet an Actual Arcturian in Person

Now that we know a bit about the Arcturian Starseed, let’s conclude by looking at how you can meet one in person. In order to meet an Arcturian, you have to be open to the idea of first contact. You also have to be open to the idea of visiting the Arcturian star system. From here, you have two choices. To meet an Arcturian in person, you can ask an Arcturian to visit you. You can do this by asking to be visited by an Arcturian. To meet an Arcturian in person, you can also go to their star system. You can do this by entering a hyperspatial path and reaching the Arcturian star system.

Conclusion

The Arcturians have been associated with the stars since ancient times, and they have been used as a metaphor to explain many different types of experiences and phenomena.

Meet Paul Wagner

Paul Wagner is an Intuitive Life & Business Coach, clairvoyant reader, and a five-time EMMY Award-winning writer. He created “THE PERSONALITY CARDS,” a powerful Oracle-Tarot deck that’s helpful in life, love, and relationships. Paul studied with Lakota elders in the Pecos Wilderness, who nurtured his empathic abilities and taught him the sacred rituals. He has lived at ashrams with enlightened masters, including Amma, the Hugging Saint, for whom he’s delivered keynotes at Her worldwide events.

Paul tours the world lecturing on spiritual liberation. He lovingly offers intuitive readings, inspirational coaching, and illuminating courses to help others with self-discovery, decision-making, healing, and forgiveness. Book a session with Paul: HERE

Paul Wagner is an Intuitive Life & Business Coach, clairvoyant reader, and a five-time EMMY Award-winning writer. He created “THE PERSONALITY CARDS,” a powerful Oracle-Tarot deck that’s helpful in life, love, and relationships. Paul studied with Lakota elders in the Pecos Wilderness, who nurtured his empathic abilities and taught him the sacred rituals. He has lived at ashrams with enlightened masters, including Amma, the Hugging Saint, for whom he’s delivered keynotes at Her worldwide events.

Paul tours the world lecturing on spiritual liberation. He lovingly offers intuitive readings, inspirational coaching, and illuminating courses to help others with self-discovery, decision-making, healing, and forgiveness.

Book a Session With Paul

The Conspiracies & Theories That Are Unwinding Virtue And Compassion

Every individual in every demographic across the globe has their own life experiences, struggles, and accomplishments. While this thing we call “life” is universal, what life looks like to every one of us is drastically different. Embracing that each person has their own identity, struggles, and points of view is key to harmony and love in our Universe, and yet that is often what is standing in the way of our happiness.

Often, what we think comes first, and other people’s emotions and opinions come second. Unfortunately, this means that genuinely connecting with others and expanding our minds becomes nearly impossible. If we want a world of virtue and compassion, we must be a source of that virtue and compassion, not the bullshit “woke” that everyone claims that they are.

Opposing our loving efforts is what many are now calling an “infodemic.” Aside from the pandemic sweeping the globe, we also have a rapid-fire inundation of “information” and “data” from millions of sources, all competing for our attention and seeking to persuade us of their “truth.” This infodemic is fueling conspiracy theories that turn us against each other. We must address these theories, pinpoint their sources and motivations, and work to dismantle them.

Anti-Chinese Theories

Americans are very familiar with anti-China rhetoric. Past Presidents have warned against China’s motivations and dealings behind closed doors. Behind these anti-China feelings is the lack of experience and understanding of China throughout history and how their experiences and belief systems have shaped their culture. With every observation about another culture or government, we must first preface our discussion to acknowledge that someone else is not wrong just because they don’t think, look, and act the same as we do.

Nothing on our planet can be exactly perfect, especially not when human beings construct it. We are not perfect and therefore cannot expect to create an ideal political structure–we can only do our best to set a guide that we think will ascertain justice while functioning within the global economy. China is an extremely old civilization and has evolved to function within modern society in its own unique way, while America is one of the youngest nations and has not been tested by many of the other historical events that other countries have weathered.

Anti-China sentiments in the past have ranged from racist beliefs about the Chinese individuals to conspiracy theories about their government. The main source of these conspiracy theories is the wide disconnect between America’s democratic political structure and China’s communist political structure, combined with a history of anti-Communist sentiment stemming from WWII. Americans, who tend to be extraordinarily nationalistic and tie their political leanings to morality, see China and its communist structure as a threat to their way of life. Any spreading of Communist China’s ideas into American land leaves many Americans uneasy, motivating anti-Chinese conspiracy theories.

While these conspiracy theories aren’t new, they’re certainly renewed due to the Coronavirus pandemic. From the beginning, theories have been rising and evolving surrounding China’s involvement in the virus’s origins. These conspiracies have infected the hearts of the minds of others to the point that Chinese individuals outside of China have been attacked verbally and physically in public. At the same time, China is not an innocent victim–the government has been known to spin conspiracies of its own in order to deflect blame for past faults and stop rhetoric against their practices.

These misinformation wars only hurt us as humans. Instead of meeting on common ground and tackling problems rationally as a united race, we’ve been kicking issues down the road and playing the blame game. To find harmony with each other, we must show compassion and work together to move forward.

Anti-Vax Movements

Similar to anti-China theories and sentiments, anti-vax conspiracies aren’t new. For as long as we have had vaccination technology, people have been skeptical of the science’s effects and motivations. Notably, the 1800s saw anti-smallpox vaccination movements in both Europe and the U.S. When we developed vaccinations for diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus, and started distributing the MMR vaccine, we had anti-vaccination movements for those, too. Vaccination conspiracies ran so deep that they resulted in anti-vaccination leagues.

At first, vaccination conspiracies needed to spread literally by word of mouth and print publications. Now the internet, full of social media platforms and opinion-based websites, makes it so much easier to spread hysteria and misinformation with very few standards for reliable sourcing. Not helping the matter is the decreasing levels of trust in news networks, publications, and leaders in both the medical community and politics. When the public trusts no one, conspiracy theories abound.

The COVID-19 pandemic showed just how much the lack of trust in leaders and the rapid spread of misinformation could spur conspiracies and get in the way of listening to recommended safety measures. Theories rose about how the companies producing the vaccines were only motivated by money, hospitals were faking COVID statistics, and vaccines were actually a mechanism to plant trackers in everyone. Making it worse were those who continually disparaged people who were genuinely scared of getting vaccinated–the lack of compassion and understanding on both sides only fueled these conspiracies. It made people dig in their heels even more.

The results of these conspiracy theories, fueled by uncompassionate pro-vaccination people, the rapid spread of misinformation, and distrust in leadership, is the loss of virtue and sense of responsibility for others. People, too worried about the consequences of masking and vaccinating for themselves, lose sight of how their refusal to mask and vaccinate during COVID affects others. As a result, those who have chronic and terminal illnesses, can’t be vaccinated, or are otherwise extremely vulnerable to severe consequences of catching the virus, are left to fend for themselves and cower in fear.

Not many are willing to do it, as it seems humans have an intrinsic tendency to take sides and fully disown those who do not align with them, but some people have attempted to build bridges. Many health professionals have attempted to offer an olive branch to anti-vaccination advocates, offering their professional advice compassionately. Some academics and thought leaders have attempted to trace the history of the anti-vax movement and conspiracy theories in general to pinpoint the reason why so many people fall into the traps of misinformation.

By fully understanding the feelings and motivations of both sides of the argument, we can work together as a human race to find solutions and make the world safe for everyone.

Antisemitic Conspiracies

Of course, old recurring conspiracy theories and sentiments do not stop at anti-Chinese and anti-vaccination movements. Antisemitism has existed for as long as the Jewish faith has, and that’s an extremely long time. The Bible and the Talmud accounts for many of the original social and political efforts to enslave and slander the Jewish people, including the Egyptians, Romans, and Persians. Modern history shows a very similar story, marked by the Holocaust and hatred in the Middle East.

In current day America, we are not free of antisemitism, either. To this day, anti-Jewish sentiments and theories abound. While the Jewish population only makes up a small amount of the American population, they generally are a very successful demographic. Many people note that they dominate very financially lucrative industries, and this causes both jealousy and skepticism in other sections of the population. Some people claim that Jews are part of an elite group that runs the world and that they plot to wipe out white Christian society.

Even if you’ve never heard of any other conspiracy theories about the Jews, you’ve likely heard of the Rothschild family. This family, which is the most wealthy family in the world, happens to be Jewish. They also happen to be at the center of the most deep-rooted and perpetuated conspiracy theories revolving around the “one-world order.”

It’s true: people do make decisions based on money. They do make bad decisions, in fact, and often act with selfish motivations. Conspiracy theories, however, often are based in the fact that a single demographic or group of people has the power to hold total control over the entire world to the extent that everyone is in on the scheme except those who are “woke.” Much to conspiracy theorists’ dismay, this is barely possible. When we can never agree with even our close family and friends, how can we believe that everyone on the planet could conspire and uphold such a mighty plan without ever slipping up or saying something that could give away their plans?

Proof? History shows us that even extremely mighty and conniving forces who have sought to take over the world were incapacitated by everyone else who knew their bad motivations and stepped up to stop it. Most famously, the Nazis’ terrible motivations and plans were eventually revealed as stopped by global forces.

In other words, if there was a reason to have suspicions about the motivations of Jews, it wouldn’t be something we’d need to speak about in hushed tones or wonder about without hard evidence.

Climate Change Denial

The jury is still out on what motivations some have for denying climate science, but vocal groups have been spinning rhetoric for years to undermine the efforts of scientists and those making sustainable changes to their daily life. Over years, scientists have been polling at over 99% agreement that the climate is changing and humans play a major role in that change. The Intergovernmental Panel Of Climate Change (IPCC) has been tracking and reporting that the number one cause of climate change since 1750 is increased CO2 production due to deforestation and the advancements that came from the industrial revolution.

While climate scientists are continually compiling data on the changes in the earth’s climate and the root causes, many people claim that the entire concept is a hoax. Particularly among conservative media, groups have claimed that climate scientists are part of a conspiracy to fake data and corrupt the peer-review process. They believe that the reports have been doctored to prove climate change despite evidence that it is the earth’s natural process or not a concern at all.

Most likely, climate change deniers truly believe that climate change is a hoax and feel they have seen persuasive evidence of the conspiracy. This denial is combined with an overall distrust in government and scientific leaders who are increasingly losing their standing with much of the public. Many groups are convinced that governmental powers and experts are swayed by money and selfish gains, so perpetuating a climate change hoax could be in their favor. This is even truer for people who want to keep power in the hands of local small governments rather than handing all control over to centralized, big governments since many political leaders have taken action to impose sweeping limitations on the use of certain unsustainable products or practices.

Further, many sustainable companies have popped up to offer “green” products and services in the face of climate change. Of course, when profit is involved in the pursuance of an otherwise good cause, motivations and intentions are called into question. Many believe that green companies are a scam, taking advantage of the climate crisis to profit from people’s fear and desire to improve their lifestyles. Not helping this matter is the fact that many large companies have muddied the waters for what it means to be sustainable and meet true standards for helping the environment, causing several PR scandals and perpetuating false advertising.

Again, it’s important not to enter the conversation as judgemental and arrogant. Most people do not make claims or believe in conspiracies just to cause frustration or perpetuate bad practices. Climate change deniers have good intentions, such as protecting their families from what they perceive is an unnecessary fear, trying to keep their businesses afloat in the face of limiting policies, and genuine distrust of leadership.

On the other hand, it’s important to consider what ignoring climate change warnings will do for the global population and future generations. Countries throughout the world are feeling the real threat of climate change imminently, such as in Venice, where the city is increasingly underwater, and our Great Barrier Reef, which increased water temperatures have bleached. As temperatures continue to rise and make the climate less habitable, many countries’ cash crops will die off and no longer grow, such as coffee and maize, leading to economic disasters.

All of this is to say that denying climate change is not just a matter of protecting ourselves now. Continuing to ignore the reality of climate change fundamentally fuels a lack of care and responsibility for others. The lack of compassion for how the effects of climate change will affect our own lineage and the generations that live around the world is a serious issue for how we live together as a race on this planet.

Government-Mandated School Shootings

Of all the tragedies that frequently occur in America, one of the most terrifying and depressing is school shootings. Parents looking for an education and chance to grow for their children send their kids as young as 4 and 5 off to public schools and educational programs. Now, every goodbye kiss before school seems like it’s laced with impending doom. Every day,  eight children are killed by gun violence, and guns are the leading cause of death among those under 18.

As a country, we should be absolutely stunned by these facts, and yet large groups of people deny that laws should limit gun ownership and usage. Further, groups of people are claiming those school shootings aren’t just coincidences—the government mandates them to push for radical gun control and incite further divide among party lines. Many of these conspiracies even link George Soros, a commonly targeted man for antisemitic theories.

These conspiracies involve “crisis actors,” which many claim are also at the heart of the media’s coverage of other politically-fueled controversies such as events involving the Black Lives Matter movement. These crisis actors, according to theories, are paid to play a part in the events themselves and as interviewees on news networks. Their goal? To push agendas of gun control advocates and force strict laws on gun ownership.

People who believe in the conspiracy theories, as much as they might genuinely believe them, forget what perpetuating these theories can do to the real victims and those around them. Hate mail and threats of all kinds from more malicious people stream in to harass and abuse those who are already suffering so tragically from these events. The concerns of kids and families about being safe at school are dashed and ignored. Ultimately, it becomes even more difficult to introduce measures that will keep schools safe and save lives.

REMEMBER!

It is okay to ask questions and have concerns about other peoples’ motivations. After all, the world isn’t made up of only beautiful and pure things. It is great to be cautious, but it is even greater to remember that your speech and actions have consequences. Remember to always be compassionate to those around you and stay aware of how your speech might incite violence or harm, even if you don’t intend it to.

You are a beautiful Living Being filled with light and love, born from stardust. You are unlimited potential in every direction. With a focus on discipline, virtue, and your own goodness, you can become as expanded and liberated as you desire.

Pray for others and the Universe prays for us.

Paul Wagner is an Intuitive Life & Business Coach, clairvoyant reader, and a five-time EMMY Award-winning writer. He created “THE PERSONALITY CARDS,” a powerful Oracle-Tarot deck that’s helpful in life, love, and relationships. Paul studied with Lakota elders in the Pecos Wilderness, who nurtured his empathic abilities and taught him the sacred rituals. He has lived at ashrams with enlightened masters, including Amma, the Hugging Saint, for whom he’s delivered keynotes at Her worldwide events.

Paul tours the world lecturing on spiritual liberation. He lovingly offers intuitive readings, inspirational coaching, and illuminating courses to help others with self-discovery, decision-making, healing, and forgiveness.

Book a Session With Paul

The Dawn of Mankind: Theories & Possibilities

Recently, scientists have figured out the methods and technology needed to hypothetically create a baby universe. At first, this discovery is extremely fascinating, but then the reality sets in–what does that mean for the dawn of mankind and our universe?

If you have ever wondered how we all came into existence, this scientific advancement should strike your interest. If we, as a very young race, have figured out what would be needed to create an entirely new universe, what stops other advanced civilizations, species, and divine beings from doing the same?

The universe is more ancient than we could even conceptualize, but Earth has only been around for a few short billions of years. Believe what you’d like about the dawn of mankind, but the best way to get to a conclusion is to explore the theories yourself!

The Dawn of Mankind Starting with a Big Bang

Until this very moment, the most popular theory about the creation of the universe among scientists is the Big Bang. Without having been there to experience it ourselves, though, we might never know for sure. The first observation that spurred this theory was the realization that other galaxies were steadily moving further away from ours. They’re racing away as if they are escaping the center of an explosion.

The theory goes that around 13-15 billion years ago, all energy and matter existed within one compact point. At some point, that compacted area exploded, sending all that matter and energy away in all directions at almost the speed of light. It is believed that all elements in our universe at present exist and move as a result of this explosion. Necessarily then, humankind only exists due to the Big Bang and a series of fortunate events. The perfect combinations of matter, elements, and energy created the materials and environments necessary, leading to our existence.

Many then ask the question, “Is the Earth the center of the universe if all the other galaxies, planets, and stars are moving away from us?” At first glance, it might seem that this supports many religious theories that the Earth received extra special attention from God. In truth, it is merely an illusion that the Earth is standing still.

Just as how a cookie or cake expands in the oven, the energy and matter in the universe expand. There is no one point–chocolate chip or nut in the baked good–that stays still while the other moves away. Instead, all things are expanding and moving at the same time.

The Big Bang, while unproven, is not a farfetched theory. There are tons of explosions happening throughout the universe, and we have observed many ourselves using our technology. We also have advanced scientific principles and laws that have arisen and explained many occurrences we know have happened, making this theory even more plausible.

Unfortunately, there are a few companion theories about what the Big Bang means for the end of the universe. Some say that eventually, like a rubber band, the universe will reach a pivotal point at which it begins to collapse back in on itself by the force of gravity, otherwise known as the Big Crunch. Others have noticed that the universe seems to be accelerating its outward trajectory as if pulled by an anti-gravity force.

The Dawn of Mankind as Apelike Ancestors

As part of the Big Bang theory, the dawn of mankind and evolution is commonly believed to have started with apes. Scientists mark the first significant stepping stone towards the present version of our species at the point when we began walking on two legs, also known as bipedalism. It wasn’t until very recently that our species began forming more complex brains that allowed us to use language and tools. Further, many philosophers use the point at which we began creating art as a significant turning point in our species’ existence.

Apes still exist, yes, but scientists explain that the human species evolved as a branch from a common ape-like ancestor and evolved alongside several other versions of evolved ape species. Today, humans are primates and closely related to apes in genetic makeup. The oldest known evidence of humans and their evolution primarily involve Africa, where most of humankind’s evolutionary journey occurred.

There are many competing theories about the number of different human species, how they ceased to exist, and what their roles were throughout time. There are theories that our human species, homo sapiens, was dominant and exterminated the other versions of our species in one way or the other. Many people also do not accept these theories, whether they don’t believe in evolution or agree that the evidence found so far proves any one solution.

Our Alien Creators

If we could hypothetically create a new universe, what stops us from believing that another civilization created ours? According to Scientific American, our universe has zero net energy and flat geometry, which makes it incredibly easy to use quantum tunneling to recreate it.

Of course, “easy” should be taken relatively. We don’t yet have the advanced technological devices to create a universe ourselves, and we still have yet to connect the theories of gravity and quantum mechanics. Still, our increasing knowledge in the areas makes the eventual ability very likely.

Our current inability to create a universe still makes our existence unproductive in the minds of this theorized creator civilization. It’s most likely that we have been designed as a stepping stone to produce more advanced societies, and we won’t be able to fulfill this purpose until we achieve universe-creating abilities. In the meantime, our race goes through an evolutionary journey, driven by Darwinian selection, until we have the advanced technology and knowledge required.

The idea that aliens have created our universe with the intention for it to evolve into another advanced civilization is the theory most thought-out by leading scientists, but the possibilities are endless. We can only rely on science so much when the potential for boundless knowledge means that so many of our theories are incorrect or not built out enough. The truth is, science is limited to understanding what we can physically test ourselves within our dimensions and universe. There’s no way to test the laws of other universes and dimensions that we have not yet accessed, and there’s no way to prove and explore immaterial occurrences and beings.

Several decades ago, the Nobel-Prize Winner, named Enrico Fermi, casually remarked that if there were aliens, we would have experienced them on Earth already. These comments sent scientists and philosophers in a tail-spin: Why haven’t we heard from aliens yet if they really do exist?

Thinks came to some conclusions. Either aliens don’t exist, they only exist as beings less intelligent than ourselves, or that they have come to Earth and we just haven’t noticed!

The last possibility is more likely than you think. For example, there is a theory that many human beings walking among us are actually Starseeds, or reincarnated aliens from other planets and universes that have come to help humankind advance and achieve their true purpose. Only when these beings reach self-enlightenment will they remember their past lives and purpose on Earth. Who knows, maybe you’re a Starseed!

God as Creator

The most recent results from a Gallup poll, which occurred in 2019, revealed the most popular theories for the dawn of mankind and evolution in relation to God as Creator. Three possible answers were offered to survey takers: (1) Humans evolved with God guiding the journey over millions of years, (2) Humans were created by God in their present form around 100,000 years ago, and (3) Humans evolved without God’s intervention over millions of years.

The same question has been asked since 1982 and has yielded 14 years of solid results. Even in 2019, as sentiments toward agnosticism and atheism grow, the prevailing beliefs surrounding humankind’s creation and journey on Earth involve God in the process.

The most consistent response? In every one of the poll’s results except one, 40% or more of those surveyed answered that they believed humans have evolved with the guidance of God. Close behind, consistently polling at over one-third of those surveyed, is the belief that God created humans in their present form. Answers of “no opinion” or the idea that humans evolved with no divine intervention consistently poll at meager numbers. It was not until 2019 that at least 22% responded with the third option.

What do these results tell us? The theories surrounding God’s intervention in the creation and guidance of the universe are compelling and well-received. Around 70% of those surveyed feel the presence of God in their lives, one way or the other, or at least are willing to admit that it’s very likely divine intervention is real. Further, a majority of the population receives scientific knowledge and advancements withl the acknowledgment that they do not disprove the possibility of a divine presence.

There are many theories surrounding God’s role in the creation and evolution of the universe. Many of these theories are widely held by Christians and Jews, such as the story of Creation and Adam and Eve in the Bible. At the very least, the story is a metaphor for how God set up our world and race to many religious people. Some believe that the planet and humans have not evolved but exist precisely how God created them. Others believe that God created us and the universe with the ability to evolve, only intervening to guide the process subtly.

Other religions have their own stories of the dawn of mankind as Creation. In Hinduism, the three gods of creation, destruction, and preservation continually cycle the existence of the material world. Islam shares the story of Creation with Judaism and Christianity but recounts it much more generally. They believe all humankind comes from Adam, and many believe the story supports the Big Bang theory.

God as Creator is a well-received theory because God means so many things. This theory does not only include the Christian, Islamic, or Jewish gods, but God as a divine being throughout all different religions. Religion itself goes back further than humankind can remember. The feeling that something bigger than ourselves is out there, and that our race has a divine purpose and potential, is an innate gut feeling built into our existence.

Dawn of Mankind or Consciousness-Birthed Reality?

Scientists and philosophers have been battling with the concept of consciousness for hundreds of years. From René Descartes to Thomas Nagel, different theories about consciousness and how it affects our existence have arisen, evolved, and collapsed. Does our brain create consciousness? Does consciousness create us? Is consciousness real at all?

There are so many questions to ponder, yet doing so can lead us to feel small and disillusioned. It can even send some into panic as they consider that nothing around them is real at all! How do we tackle these theories? Let’s go over them, starting with dualism and materialism.

René Descartes argued that human existence is split into two parts – the body and the mind. In this strain of thought, our physical bodies exist and function in the physical world. In the immaterial world, our consciousness and souls exist. In direct opposition, materialism argues that our brains are part of our physical bodies and create the illusion of more immaterial things, such as our souls and consciousness, using neural activities.

How do these theories relate to humankind’s origin and existence? Many who believe there is an immaterial aspect to our existence hold the theory that at least part of our human experience lives in the conscious. For example, our feelings, souls, and other divine aspects have no basis in our physical bodies. Further, some believe that nothing physical actually exists at all–it is the consciousness that creates our human experience, built with illusions of a physical world.

Even further: is it possible that only one consciousness exists, meaning that there are not billions of people, but just one being in existence that lives in its own creation?

Taking a step back, we can assess the different levels of consciousness. How can we explain the states of mind that people are in when they experience a coma, dreams, and otherworldly visions? Can all these levels of consciousness be explained away by the science we already have, or is there still so much more to learn about how our brains and consciousness work?

Scientists continue to struggle to encapsulate the concept of consciousness. While some thinkers argue that there is no need to create new scientific laws and terms for consciousness, given that it is a physical phenomenon, it’s hard to deny that we still know almost nothing about it. Even if consciousness can be bound in scientific laws, those laws are still unknown. Some circles are now exploring the idea that consciousness might have something to do with quantum mechanics, but we have yet to understand these theories fully.

We still don’t know much about how the mind perceives the world and creates our experience, and until we know for sure, there’s no way to discount the theory that our reality is born out of an immaterial consciousness.

Diving Deeper into The Dawn of Mankind

No matter which theories you’re more inclined to believe or consider, it doesn’t negate the fact that our universe and humankind have a story that unites us. As a result, our search for the truth of that story is critical and beautiful. Seeking the truth of that story is also essential to your own self-discovery, and including that intention in your daily practices of meditation and prayer can help you delve deeper into your self-awareness!

Need proof? Check out my personality cards, which detail the many different personalities that we all have and use throughout our life journey to cope and thrive. The fact that all of us have encountered these personalities, whether with others or with ourselves, is proof that there’s a common thread that runs through all of us as a species!

REMEMBER!

When it comes to theories about the origins of the universe and humankind, there’s no way to prove the truth, at least for now. By diving within yourself, you can find truth and light! You are far more powerful than you realize. As living beings, we are responsible for ourselves and ourselves alone, so do the best with the existence you have, no matter where it came from.

Pray for others and the Universe prays for you.

YOU ARE LOVE!

You are a beautiful Living Being filled with light and love, born from stardust. You are unlimited potential in every direction. With a focus on discipline, virtue, and your own goodness, you can become as expanded and liberated as you desire.

Paul Wagner is an Intuitive Life & Business Coach, clairvoyant reader, and a five-time EMMY Award-winning writer. He created “THE PERSONALITY CARDS,” a powerful Oracle-Tarot deck that’s helpful in life, love, and relationships. Paul studied with Lakota elders in the Pecos Wilderness, who nurtured his empathic abilities and taught him the sacred rituals. He has lived at ashrams with enlightened masters, including Amma, the Hugging Saint, for whom he’s delivered keynotes at Her worldwide events.

Paul tours the world lecturing on spiritual liberation. He lovingly offers intuitive readings, inspirational coaching, and illuminating courses to help others with self-discovery, decision-making, healing, and forgiveness.

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