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the different states of consciousness experienced during sleep, meditation, and lucid dreams before we can begin to recognize that these states of awareness are linked by a common flow of consciousness. All states of awareness are connected; even death is the movement of consciousness from one area of the continuum to another. The continuum of consciousness is not just another theory, but a fact that each of us can observe and verify for ourselves. Controlled out-of-body experiences give us the unique opportunity to explore the continuum of energy firsthand. In a sense, our awareness is like a light that has the natural ability to illuminate any portion of the universe. Wherever we focus our light, that area of the universe (in the physical body or out) becomes conscious and real to us. All movement of consciousness is inward within the non-physical interior of the universe. The states of awareness we currently perceive are only a tiny fraction of the whole. The continuum extends deep into non-physical areas of the universe far beyond our current physical comprehension. The states of consciousness illustrated above are not the continuum itself but our modes or methods of perceiving this continuum of consciousness. The various states of consciousness, such as meditative, hypnagogic and hypnotic, obviously overlap and exist differently for different people. Meditative states, for example, can extend over the entire spectrum of the consciousness continuum, but most people experience only a peaceful state of relaxation occurring in the light alpha range. The vast majority of those who practice meditation are not highly trained yogic masters who can control and extend their awareness at will. It is important to recognize that our individual states of consciousness exist as perceptions or segments of a whole. This recognition is the first major step in understanding the non-physical essence and function of consciousness. Such an understanding is critically important because all the mysteries of our existence and the universe itself are related to consciousness. This will be confirmed in the near future when it is discovered that our individual consciousness is a microcosm of the universe itself. Dreams, out-of-body experiences, and near-death experiences are the recognition of our awareness as we move beyond the physical viewpoint and explore the non-physical continuum of consciousness. This concept of human consciousness moving through an unseen universe is gaining support. Physicist and author Fred Alan Wolf postulates that lucid dreams are actually visits to parallel universes. He has repeatedly stated that lucid dreams might better be called “parallel universe awareness”. The states of consciousness that we are currently aware of are, I contend, but a tiny fraction of the continuum that we will experience after we permanently shed our physical bodies. Each year millions of near-death and out-of-body experiences provide convincing evidence that this is true. Observations obtained when out-of-body show that our current concepts of consciousness and awareness are severely limited. Physical-based states of consciousness are relatively crude and encumbered when compared with the non-physical states. Once we transcend our biological vehicles, we are free to experience the unlimited essence of our consciousness. This essence exists and extends far beyond our imagination. The continuum of consciousness extends inwardly to the very heart of the universe; unending levels and frequencies of non-physical life and realities exist just beyond the dense limits of our sight. Each of us has much to look forward to: incredible worlds of beauty and light patiently waiting for us to explore. To experience this ourselves, we must simply extend our awareness beyond our physical body and explore our individual continuum of consciousness. Evolution of Consciousness Our current concept of evolution derives from the Darwinian theory that biological organisms adapt and change in response to the physical conditions around them. This theory, built entirely upon the observed changes of biological organisms, has remained the scientific basis of evolution for over one hundred years. Millions of reported out-of-body experiences provide convincing evidence that our evolution is far more complex than the biological changes we observe around us. In fact, out-of-body experiences point to an entire new vision of evolution, one that is more comprehensive than any previous theory in human history. On the basis of non-physical explorations, we can say that evolution is the progressive development of conscious energy (soul) through the use of temporary biological vehicles of expression. Biological birth and death are simply the entrance and exit of consciousness within this dense outer dimension of energy. The observed changes of biological organisms are actually a secondary effect, created by the unseen development of consciousness. Currently, evolutionists observe and record only the outer physical changes occurring around us, while the truly important changes remain unseen. Every day we encounter new situations that psychologically stretch and mold us. Every physical problem is a new opportunity to grow; each hardship helps us to develop our inner qualities of courage, love, and compassion; each new challenge is an opportunity to learn. In a sense, each of us uses matter as a tool of transformation. Our biological bodies are temporary vehicles for expression and experience in this dense realm of matter. The very act of assuming physical form and being human is an integral element of our development. Each of us is currently experiencing the most effective system of growth ever devised: evolution by direct personal experience, by the very act of being. It doesn’t matter what we believe or don’t believe; each of us will shed our temporary biological vehicle and continue to evolve. We are all active participants in a magnificent evolutionary system that extends far beyond the narrow limits of our physical vision. Birth and death themselves are essential elements of our progress—the entrance and exit of consciousness upon the molecular playing field of evolution. Over the last twenty years, new insights concerning our spiritual existence have emerged. Two decades ago, subjects such as near-death experiences, out-of-body experiences, parallel universes, multiple dimensions, and energy tunnels between universes were unknown to the vast majority of our species. Today, these topics are debated in households around the world. In a single generation, our concepts of reality have dramatically changed. This shift will continue as people open their minds to a new vision of themselves and their existence. Throughout history the evolution of human consciousness has been molded by countless people worldwide. The following are a few examples of individuals who have influenced the group consciousness and evolution of our species in the last few decades. This process of human evolution will accelerate in the next millennium as we expand our search for answers beyond the dense limits of matter. 29