The Crack in the Cosmic Egg: New Constructs of Mind and Reality

by Joseph Chilton Pearce, Thom Hartmann

The classic work that shaped the thought of a generation with its powerful insights into the true nature of mind and reality.

• Defines culture as a "cosmic egg" structured by the mind's drive for logical ordering of its universe.

• Provides techniques allowing individuals to break through the vicious circle of logic-based systems to attain expanded ways of creative living and learning.

The sum total of our notions of what the world is--and what we perceive its full potential to be--form a shell of rational thought in which we reside. This logical universe creates a vicious circle of reasoning that robs our minds of power and prevents us from reaching our true potential. To step beyond that circle requires a centering and focus that today's society assaults on every level. Through the insights of Teilhard, Tillich, Jung, Jesus, Carlos Castaneda, and others, Joseph Chilton Pearce provides a mode of thinking through which imagination can escape the mundane shell of current construct reality and leap into a new phase of human evolution.

This enormously popular New Age classic is finally available again to challenge the assumptions of a new generation of readers and help them develop their potential through new creative modes of thinking. With a masterful synthesis of recent discoveries in physics, biology, and psychology, Pearce reveals the extraordinary relationship of mind and reality and nature's blueprint for a self-transcending humanity.

Genres: Philosophy, Psychology, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Science, Metaphysics, Education

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1971

About the author

For nearly half a century Joseph C. Pearce, who prefers to be known simply as Joe, has been probing the mysteries of the human mind. One of his overriding passions remains the study of what he calls the "unfolding" of intelligence in children. He is a self-avowed iconoclast, unafraid to speak out against the myriad ways in which contemporary American culture fails to nurture the intellectual, emotional and spiritual needs and yearnings of our young people. Part scholar, part scientist, part mystic, part itinerant teacher, Joe keeps in close touch with the most brilliant men and women in each field of inure relevant to his guest. He creates a unique synthesis of their work and translates the results into a common language-such a valuable contribution in these days of increasing scientific specialization.

Reviews

[Nicholas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't sure I'd made a good choice when I ordered this book, as I prefer my data empirical and this seemed to lean more towards the speculative. Coupled with the fact that it was written in the seventies, referenced Don Juan and held Sri Lankan firewalking to be the principle evidence in the flexibilty of reality, made me even more suspect of my own decision making process, but I proceeded to read it regardless. By the end of the first chapter my fears where not confirmed and I began to enjoy the book for what it is.
Basically it's subject matter is the power of belief systems and the extent to which they effect the presentation of reality. The author makes many references to Blake, Jung, William James, David Bohm, to name but a few, so many in fact that he seems, at times, to have no ideas of his own, but that's besides the point I feel, as this work is more of a synthesis of ideas.
I did get the feeling he was out of his depth criticising scientific methods, the suggested ability of scientists to create what they search for seemed to push the boundaries of credibility, but maybe I was reading him wrongly on this point. The final chapters got quite convoluted and preachy as well, which wasn't to my taste but it didn't spoil the overall impression the book made.
So overall there's enough sense talked and presented in a readable fashion to justify it's classic reputation in my view.

[Nate · Rating 1 out of 5]

Some interesting ideas. But I thought the author was obnoxiously pretentious.

I also didn't like how he put Carlos Castenada up on a pedestal. Since Carlos is a proven liar.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book it's just great and I ended up understanding everything in the end.... Just good stuff... I would suggest it definitely to those with an open mind or at least those who like to read of new ideas or ones that my questions there own pereceptions. I even liked it so much i blogged about it. So lame am i but the book was really that good. "It is our capacity of production, not our products,
that is key."- joseph pearce
"Desire, passion, curiosity, productivity, lust for life,
ecstacy, joy, adventure, all these are the highest thrusts
of life, the most divine of attributes, the most sacred
of possessions."-j.p.
"Christendom has largely ignored Jesus' insistence that
act greater than his would be a product of his system."
- j. p.
compares jesus to don juan it's just crazy stuff... you know you want to give it a try... maybe just to know how really odd i am?

[Stewart · Rating 4 out of 5]

This 1971 book I read in the late 1970s, and I have just reread it. The subject is mind and reality. Our consciousness and perceptions shape our reality, Pearce writes. "Our cosmic egg, that cultural milieu into which we were born, is created by the statistical average of consensus," Pearce says in his introduction to the 1988 edition. The book looks at insights, the Eureka! moment of scientific discovery, and creativity in general.

[David Biddle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the single most influential book I read in my teens about the inner mind. I re-read this in 2009 as I finished up the manuscript to Beyond the Will of God. There's a lot more going on in their than you know...have a look.

[Justus Bradshaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit dated, but holds up pretty well. Insightful dive into the behaviors which we take to be natural, but which are a product of the culture we live in. Losing our childhood creativity isn’t a natural phenomenon, but a taught behavior.

[Harry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful and well considered. Required reading for anyone exploring reality and our relationship to it.

[Asa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, I liked some of the thought presented in this book, but after I finished, I was left with this feeling that his motive in writing it was to rationalize, categorize, and scientifically prove "breaks in reality" and other spiritual experiences. I find this distasteful considering he criticized this act several times in the book. By his own statements, there are just some experiences that can't be explained by reason or logic.

[Hayden Reed · Rating 1 out of 5]

Despite what 2000 years of church history has to say, Joseph Chilton Pearce, the Chosen Enlightener of the Unbelieving West, has figured out Jesus! Turns out his gospel is quite simple and the “Christ” is just a slightly more socialist version of don Juan but without the peyote.........four stars for Pearce’s main idea, one star for his disjointed delivery and awkward imagery, and negative three stars for his insufferable hubris and vanity. Final tally: one star.

[Wendy 'windmill' · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Very interesting. Thought provoking. The concepts/ideas in this book are more common these days, which is good, but JCP has his own unique way/style of writing which is easy to follow & very interesting.

[Frodo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoroughly challenging read. Pearce’s effort to integrate the ingredients of human emotional, spiritual and experiential growth and knowledge is amazing to me.
I read through this book, sometimes understanding and often stretched beyond understanding.

[Mounir Bashour · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable.

[Whoisabishag · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Book Helped Propel Me Beyond The Stale Boundaries Of Junior High School.

[Moon Captain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid! No real egg-cracking revelations for me, but I've studied this stuff a lot. A pleasant and fascinating read. I'll be handing it out to people I think could use it.

[McKenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Found this book in my university library and was immediately drawn to it. Pretty solid, lots of interesting stories and points

[Mark · Rating 2 out of 5]

Provocative title for book that seeks to expand consciousness by breaking "cosmic egg' (culture). Did not find edifying, then, not presently, in this age of knee-jerk reactive, social media. Maybe reduced estimation to self-help in conscious expansion - a premature look for quick-fix when, later discovering, intellectual pursuit is lifelong and partial? Apt metaphor for epiphanies?

[Katharine · Rating 5 out of 5]

His thoughts on expansive thinking. How the Autistic mind works, how the artist thinks, how scientists have made huge theoretical jumps. He also explains how people can walk on fire and cure themselves from illness.

[Rob Springer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book got me thinking, and that's always a good thing (hence three stars). Described in its rerelease as a "New Age Classic," it purports to show the readers paths out of the "egg of rationality." I read it when it came out, but by then my own cosmic egg had long since cracked.

[Jeffrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

You gotta know . . . You gotta know, man!

[Linda Branham · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting book and ahead of it's time when it was written

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is totally mindblowing! I have read it twice now and will probably read it again. His thoughts are reflected in many books I have read.

[Strings · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I read it in my teens"...I see a few other reviews say the same thing. It didn't totally blow my mind. I should lookk into it it again.

[jeffrey · Rating 1 out of 5]

hated it!

[Jmolentin]

Okay time to read it again as I originally read it about 40 years ago, and carried it with me to SD, so I must have thought it was worth having around.

[Kaleb · Rating 5 out of 5]

William Blake had a very supportive Mother.

[Justin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Difficult to read, didn't feel it was worth the best use of my effort

[Frank Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good introduction to the many aspects of consciousness, perception and reality.

[Astrid Galactic]

I've started reading this book a couple times eons ago but just never got through it which is very much unlike me since I have a neurotic thing about finishing books that I start. One of these days, I'll finally start it again and get through it sometime before I die. When I do, I'll come back and give it a fair rating.