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"The American Evolution"
A New Story for a New World
August 15, 2006
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Dear Friends,

If you’re like millions and millions of others, you’ve watched events unfold over the past several years and wondered, “Is there intelligent life on this planet?” From global warming to political “hot spots,” the entire momentum of so-called “Western civilization” appears to be on a downhill apocalyptic superhighway to hell. Or as Swami says, “Hey, who needs Four Horsemen when you have One Cowboy?”

For the past few years, both through my comedy as Swami Beyondananda and through more “serious” conversations, I’ve been looking to apply higher principles to what we call “politics,” and I’ve come to the conclusion that the issues we face on this planet are far bigger than politics. Ironically, this world of “dueling dualities” has finally come down to one either/or choice: Do we empower a world where “we’re all in it together,” or do we devolve back into “it’s every man for himself?” In other words, do we go for love or do we go for fear?

I would still be mulling this issue on a purely philosophical basis, were it not for an extraordinary connection I made nearly 18 months ago. I got to spend a weekend with cellular biologist Bruce Lipton, author of The Biology of Belief. In that and many subsequent conversations, Bruce and I realized that we shared similar perceptions, realizations and hopes for conscious human evolution on this planet. The difference is, Bruce has the the scientific evidence to show us how this evolution is not only possible, but inevitable!

The result of our conversation and subsequent collaboration is an exciting and world-changing book we’re calling The American Evolution: A New Story for a New World. We are now at the point in the creative process where we feel comfortable and confident enough to make the project public, as we aim for a publication date in mid-2007.

We are telling you now because we can use assistance in several key areas. But first, more about the project.


The Story and the Mission
The state of our world now might be summed up in a classic biological story about the caterpillar’s metamorphosis into a butterfly. Inside the cocoon, new cells -- called, appropriately “imaginal cells” -- begin to pop up. Initially, these cells are recognized as “not the caterpillar” and are attacked. At some point, there are enough imaginal cells that they begin to communicate with each other and cluster together in communities. Although the caterpillar organism is still attacking these cells, they become stronger and eventually and inevitably, the imaginal cells become the new butterfly.

From the outside and from the “news reports” right now, it’s all caterpillar out there. The good news is, the “butterfly” field is growing in awareness, connectedness and intention. This book is an important part of focusing this field, and in fact noted futurist Barbara Marx Hubbard calls our project “the prow of the ship” that will usher in the new paradigm.

What makes us think we humans will take this unprecedented leap into conscious evolution? Well, necessity is the mother of invention and more and more, reality is becoming quite a “mother!”

We are now at the point where the current dominant paradigm, Materialism, has put us so out of touch with natural law that we are literally destroying the environment we need to live. The good news is we are poised on the threshold of a new integrative world view that weaves together ancient wisdom and modern science, and where humanity itself becomes a conscious, coherent “organism.”

The even better news is that this isn’t just wishful conjecture but based on the latest discoveries in quantum physics and cellular biology. And -- no surprise here -- these discoveries resonate with what spiritual teachers have been saying for millennia, that everything is connected. To quote the Swami, “Einstein and Jesus both can’t be wrong, can they?”

Some of the exciting and empowering ideas we present include:

? What the Founding Fathers knew and understood 230 years ago that the world is finally ready for today.

? The four “myth-conceptions” of the Materialist paradigm that have been conclusively disproved scientifically -- and yet are still accepted as “conventional wisdom.”

? What we can learn from the 50 trillion cell “community” called the human body -- a thriving “economy” under the skin that can boast universal health care, full employment and truly “no cell left behind.”

? The striking self-similarity between diseases of the human body and diseases of the body politic, and a new “treatment plan” for both.

? The next stage of human societal evolution, why it’s inevitable, and how we can get there from here.

? The “One Suggestion,” and why it is the natural operating system for planet earth.

? The “imaginal cells” that are already emerging, and what we can do to strengthen and intensify the field.

If you’ve ever seen Bruce Lipton in person, or watched his DVD you know what a dynamic, inspiring and entertaining speaker he is. Combine that with my own background in political science, psychology and spirituality (and Swami’s cosmic comedy), and we have the support materials, the touring show, and the potential media attention that can get these ideas established in the world. In addition, our American Evolution website will be a portal to the “imaginal” organizations, people, projects, ideas and activities that will help us -- in Swami’s words -- “re-grow the Garden from the grassroots up, and have a heaven of a time doing it.”



The Plan and How You Can Participate
Our three-step plan for The American Evolution.

1. Complete the book.

2. Develop the website.

3. Create the slide show presentation, media materials and tour.

We have decided for a variety of reasons to self-publish this book in partnership with Elite Books, using the same team and infrastructure that made the Biology of Belief such a huge success (75,000 hard cover copies sold). This gives us creative and artistic control as well as the ability to work on our own timetable. The funds are in place to pay the costs of publication, printing and promotion. However, we need to generate additional funds to pay for the writing process itself. Customarily, a publisher will provide an author’s advance for this purpose. As self-publishers, we have to find another way of raising those funds.

Enter Telecosm. Telecosm is a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation with the specific purpose of supporting transformational creative endeavors. They have generously set up an American Evolution Grant Fund to accept tax deductible gifts to support this project. They are equipped to accept donations of $100 or more (see below).

To expedite the fund-raising process and make it easier to meet our deadlines, we are looking for an individual or individuals with experience and contacts to help us raise the funds very quickly. What is needed for this phase is $33,000. While we are more than willing to get 330 $100 donations if that’s what it takes, we are also willing for it to come “in one swell poop.” All we know for sure is that this project will go forward with the necessary funds. I’ve always been encouraged by the story Deepak Chopra tells about working with the Maharishi many years ago. At one point, someone suggested a very expensive project. “But where will the money come from?” someone else objected.

“From wherever it is now,” replied the Maharishi

So now our task is to get that flow flowing. If you’re one of those who want to help us raise the funds, please contact Trudy now at (707) 525-0778. If you’re one of those 330 people who can make a tax deductible donation of $100 or more, please do that now as well.

Checks should be made out to Telecosm and sent to:

Telecosm
c/o Steve Bhaerman
400 W. Third St., Suite D-144
Santa Rosa, CA 95401

In addition to fund raising, we are looking for a research assistant or assistants to help us gather resource materials. If you’re interested in participating this way, please respond to this e-mail.

If you’re not in a position to make a $100 donation, there are other ways you can help.

• You can go to the Swami’s website and buy your holiday or birthday gifts early.

• You can make a $25 donation to support Notes From the Trail.

• Or, perhaps there’s someone you know who resonates with this project and is ready to support it financially.

There’s an old saying, “No story, no world.” We have a new saying. New story, new world.

Thank you in advance for supporting our practical vision for an abundant and joyful life on a peaceful planet.

Steve Bhaerman
(707) 525-0711
https://www.wakeuplaughing.com/

Feed Two Birds With One Scone
If you’re as concerned as we are about the serious condition of this world (due no doubt to serious conditioning), here’s how you can help. To make it easier and less expensive to give the gift of laughter, raise the laugh expectancy on the planet, and create a farce field powerful enough to laugh the current bunch of unfunny clowns out of power, we have redesigned the Fool Enchilada Special to make Swami’s cosmic comedy more affordable. The Fool Enchilada Special includes:

The Swami for Precedent book now with an extended shelf-life through 2008!

Swami’s Tickling the Body Politic DVD, described by raving critics as a “kitschy, kitschy coup!”

Swami’s Supreme Court Jester CD, where he finally reveals his true political ambitions.

His Drive Your Karma, Curb Your Dogma music and comedy CD, filled with studio comedy and hummable tunes such as “Nonjudgment Day” and “May I Have This ABunDance With You.”

His Beyondananda and Beyond: Two Takes on the Healing Laughter CD featuring both Swami and his alter ego Steve Bhaerman on how to stay on the “Foo Ling” path.

His Don’t Squeeze the Shaman CD, early metaphysical Swami remixed with an added feature -- the G-U-R-U Rap Song (“Gee You Are You”)

All for the absurdly low price of $69, which includes domestic shipping. If you were to buy these items individually online, they would cost $112 Act now before Swami gets sellers’ remorse! Just click here and scroll down one line.



Notes From the Trail
If you’re interested in Steve Bhaerman’s spiritual / political “uncommontary,” subscribe to Notes From the Trail. It’s absolutely free, although donations are cheerfully accepted. For a $25 donation (click here and scroll down), Swami will send you an autographed copy of his latest book, Swami for Precedent: A 7-Step Plan to Heal the Body Politic and Cure Electile Dysfunction -- or the CD or DVD or your choice. If you enjoy this mix of current affairs, timeless wisdom and just the right measure of healing laughter, put your money where your mouse is. Subscribe now, and enjoy your gift.

May the FARCE be with you,

Steve Bhaerman
(800) SWAMI-BE

www.wakeuplaughing.com

Read Swami's 2006 State of the Universe Address

Contact Information
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email: [email protected]
web: https://www.wakeuplaughing.com
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Wake Up Laughing Productions | 400 West Third Street | Suite D-144 | Santa Rosa | CA | 95401