The second stage is exploration, where new answers are sought by letting inner knowledge come forth in a new synthesis. The third stage is integration, where intuition leaps ahead of understanding. One experiments, refines, tests new and old ideas, sharpens and expands upon them. Many individuals explore subjects which formerly held no interest for them, including philosophy, quantum mechanics, brain research and psychology.

The fourth stage brings about conspiracy, where an individual discovers other sources of power and different ways to use it for fulfillment of self and in service to others. This is done more and more in conjunction with other conspirators.³⁷

Ferguson states that, "The `importance of process' is another discovery. Goals and end-points matter less. Learning is more urgent than storing information. Caring is better than keeping. Means are ends. The journey is the destination....³⁸...[T]he dream of the Aquarian Conspiracy in America is a framework for non-materialist expansion: Autonomy, awakening, creativity--and reconciliation.".³⁹

One of the outcomes of the continued evolution of intelligence and consciousness is a growing movement that has been recognized by various people. It comprises the "growing tip" of humanity, as defined by Abraham Maslow. It has been referred to as the "Aquarian Conspiracy" by Marilyn Ferguson. This is a leaderless network without a political doctrine or manifesto whose strategies are pragmatic and scientific.⁴⁰...The common denominator which sets them apart from the rest of humanity is their predilection for transformative experience, or as Maslow has defined it, "peak experience." The mind of humankind has evolved to its present level, and continues to evolve even now, as our brains have become greater in their ability to both store and integratively process more and more information. As this process continues, humans will be subject to continually higher states of consciousness. Even though the process may seem gradual to us, it will actually occur quite rapidly relative to universal time since it continues its upward progression at an accelerated non-linear rate, the exact slope of which has yet to be established.

Creative thinking, and the ability to synthesize new ideas and achieve a higher level of understanding of reality, is an attribute which lies at the uppermost end of the intelligence spectrum. We are beginning to understand the processes that occur during this most important act, even though we have only scratched the surface at this point in time.

Graham Wallas has identified four stages in creative problem- solving. The first stage requires preparation, which usually involves a long period of intense conscious work without success. The problem is then often put aside and no longer thought about consciously, during which a period of incubation occurs. The unconscious mind would appear to continue the quest for a solution during this incubation interval. If successful, the next stage results in illumination, or sudden insight into the solution of the problem. This illumination is often accompanied by a feeling of certainty that the solution is correct. A stage of verification is then required for the benefit of and obligation to others.⁴¹

Netscape CTRL + D MAC Command + D

page 16.6