We went to the Moon as technicians; we returned as humanitarians.
Edgar MitchellRead
I theorize that there is a spectrum of consciousness available to human beings. At one end is material consciousness. At the other end is what we call 'field' consciousness, where a person is at one with the universe, perceiving the universe. Just by looking at our planet on the way back, I saw or felt a field consciousness state.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote describes two extremes of human consciousness: material and field consciousness.
Edgar Mitchell's quote explores the concept of consciousness, suggesting that there exists a spectrum that ranges from a purely materialistic understanding of existence to a more holistic, 'field' consciousness where individuals feel interconnected with the universe. This perspective invites a deeper consideration of how we perceive reality, suggesting that true understanding may lie beyond mere physical observation.
Themes
ConsciousnessUniversePerceptionMaterialField
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion on spirituality and science, one might use this quote to emphasize the interconnectedness of all things.
More from Edgar Mitchell
All quotes →We should be ready to reach out beyond our planet and beyond our solar system to find out what is really going on out there.
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We need to make the world safe for creativity and intuition, for it's creativity and intuition that will make the world safe for us.
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We're at a point in history were we have to become a part of the neighborhood of inhabited planets, like a neighborhood of a community, which we have not even acknowledged that that community exists up until this point.
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You develop an instant global consciousness, a people orientation, an intense dissatisfaction with the state of the world, and a compulsion to do something about it. From out there on the moon, international politics looks so petty.
Edgar MitchellRead
My view of our planet was a glimpse of divinity.
Edgar MitchellRead
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