Attending ‘The Evolution of Consciousness’: Dr Derek Tracy KMMS Talk was just an activity probably based on the intrigue of the title but… Have we evolved in our consciousness?

_{Prehistoric hand paintings at the Cave of Hands in Argentina, thought to be over 10,000 years old (Getty/iStock)}

Sitting in a lecture theatre being reintroduced to the stages of evolution and reminding myself of the work of Sapiens (Yuval Noah Harari, 2015) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTchioiHM0U and the deep impact it had on my awareness of our earliest stories. I studied Anthropology in my first-degree attempt at Brookes University Oxford in the early 1990s. I found It fascinating and remembered a significant amount which was clearly not the case for other aspects of the course as I made it two years and then left out the back door into the shadows hand in hand with the imposter.

What made yesterday different was the patterns in my mind and the evolution of my own consciousness in relation to the information being woven together by the humorous and creative thinking Dr Tracy. He placed the building block of being together in front of us and then explained the importance these had in defining our paths of being.  I remembered then an article I cannot find still, from Cambridge or Oxford anthropology specialists ‘asserting that some have suggested it’s likely that tribal leaders were neuro-atypical’ not being able to find it now leaves it as a cognitive dream. But one I am sure about reading or I hope I did…

Never more so than at the conclusion of the lecture where the image of the hands on the wall was left up and we as an audience were asked to think about the metacognition needed from our ancestors to want to tell a story through art for others to find. There is nothing more natural and beautiful than that thought, and it resides now as a central reason for me being a researcher and Doctoral candidate. The doctorate doesn’t matter, it’s the evolution and legacy we leave behind that matters and today, now in the present I choose to place my hand upon the wall.

So I sit, happily listening to ‘The Nothing Song’ by  the always transcendent ‘Sigur Ros’ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eu88YqwUz0Y&t=486s ) whilst reading a reflection on the thoughts and works of the great Spinoza within the Florida Philosophical review (volume XVII, issue 1, 2017). Aware of the grace to think and the joy of play. But still I am troubled by this idea of conscious evolution and the idea of the 5^th layer of metacognition.

Art has long been recognized as a prophetic force, capable of expressing what cannot be easily conveyed through words alone. Barbara Holmes, in her emphasis on the integral role of the arts in crisis contemplation and communal healing, underscores the power of artists as prophets. They dance, rap, and write dramas to convey messages that resonate deeply within communities, serving as forerunners for social change. This article explores the potential of art, poetry, plays, and festivals in translating nurses’ trauma, drawing inspiration from Richard Rohr’s Daily Meditations and the works of Gabor Maté, Rudolf Arnheim, Sir Ken Robinson, and Herman Hesse, among others.

Art as a Prophetic Voice: In Richard Rohr’s Daily Meditations, the notion of art as prophetic becomes evident. Art opens portals to new realities and serves as a powerful tool for humanization. It speaks truth to power and provides a platform for communities to express themselves in ways that defy the limitations imposed by existing power structures. Through art, communities can come together, knitting themselves through shared experiences and collective expressions. The Civil Rights Movement stands as a vivid example, where the songs and art served as unifying forces despite disagreements on strategies and processes. The poetry and rap rhythms offered survival and turned the experience of poverty on its head, empowering marginalized individuals to find strength and resilience.

The Neurodiverse Mind and Metaphorical Awareness: Gabor Maté’s works, “Scattered Minds” (1999) and “The Myth of Normal” (2022), published by Penguin Books, shed light on the neurodiverse mind as a key to unlocking healing potential. Embracing neurodiversity allows individuals to tap into alternative ways of perceiving and understanding the world, a valuable aspect in translating nurses’ trauma. Rudolf Arnheim’s “Visual Thinking” (1969) further accentuates the power of artistic expression through visual and metaphorical awareness. As Socrates discusses Phaido and the loss of the mind’s eye, it becomes clear that art enables nurses to convey complex emotions and experiences that defy conventional language. By delving into the realm of metaphor and symbolism, nurses can find solace and communicate their trauma in profound and transformative ways.

Imagination, Education, and Healing: Sir Ken Robinson, in ‘Imagine if’ [2022], published by Penguin Books, advocates for nurturing imagination and dreams within education. This resonates deeply with the transformative power of art in translating nurses’ trauma. Allowing dreams to flourish and embracing the imaginative capacities of individuals can facilitate profound healing and personal growth. As Herman Hesse beautifully illustrates in “Siddhartha,” particularly through the character Vasudeva, learning is not confined to scholarly pursuits. Instead, true understanding emerges through listening, being present, and connecting with nature. Hesse’s work aligns with Husserl’s “Transcendental Phenomenology” (1928), emphasizing learning through direct experience and introspection rather than a linear building-block approach.

Towards Co-Defined Learning: John Biggs, in “Teaching for Quality Learning” (2003), published by Open University Press, advocates for a shift in educational paradigms. Rather than a prescriptive and linear approach, co-defined learning encourages exploration and creativity. Aligning educational goals and outcomes, while allowing for artistic expression, empowers nurses to embark on personal journeys of healing and growth.

Artistic mediums such as art, poetry, plays, and festivals possess transformative power in translating nurses’ trauma. Inspired by the understanding that art is prophetic, communities can harness the creative and strategic power that comes through collective artistic expressions. By making art together, nurses and their communities can embark on a healing journey that goes beyond words and taps into the depths of human experience.

Integrating the insights of Gabor Maté, Rudolf Arnheim, Sir Ken Robinson, and Herman Hesse further enriches the transformative potential of art in translating nurses’ trauma. Maté’s (2019, 2022) exploration of the neurodiverse mind highlights the importance of embracing diverse ways of perceiving and understanding the world. Nurses, with their unique experiences and perspectives, can tap into this neurodiversity to express their trauma through artistic mediums that transcend conventional communication.

Arnheim’s work on visual thinking emphasizes the power of metaphorical awareness in artistic expression. By harnessing the metaphorical language of art, nurses can delve into the depths of their experiences, allowing their trauma to be heard and understood on a profound level.

Sir Ken Robinson’s call to nurture imagination and dreams within education aligns perfectly with the transformative potential of art in translating nurses’ trauma. By encouraging nurses to tap into their creative imagination, art becomes a vehicle for healing and personal growth.

Herman Hesse’s “Siddhartha” reminds us of the wisdom in embracing alternative forms of learning. Vasudeva’s profound understanding, derived from listening and being present, reflects the power of experiential and introspective learning. This aligns with Husserl’s theory of “Transcendental Phenomenology,” emphasizing the importance of direct experience in understanding oneself and the world.

Building upon these insights, a shift towards co-defined learning can be embraced in the field of nursing education. By aligning educational goals and outcomes while providing space for artistic exploration, nurses can embark on a personal and collective healing journey. This approach acknowledges that healing and growth are not linear processes but require creative and individualized pathways.

The transformative power of art in translating nurses’ trauma is profound. Drawing inspiration from Richard Rohr’s reflections on art as prophetic, Barbara Holmes’ emphasis on the integral role of art in communal healing, and the works of Gabor Maté, Rudolf Arnheim, Sir Ken Robinson, and Herman Hesse, nurses can find solace, expression, and healing through artistic mediums. By embracing the neurodiverse mind, metaphorical awareness, imagination, and co-defined learning, nurses can unlock their potential for growth, resilience, and profound healing through the transcendent language of art.

Arnheim, R. (1969). Visual Thinking. University of California Press.

Biggs, J. (2003). Teaching for Quality Learning. Open University Press.

Harari, Y. N. (2015). Sapiens. Harper.

Hesse, H. (1922). Siddhartha. Reclam.

Holmes, B (2023) https://cac.org/daily-meditations/art-is-prophetic-2023-06-30/ {accessed 28/09/23}

Husserl, E. (1928). The phenomenology of consciousness and internal time. Kluwer Academic Publishers.

Jaspers, Karl. The Great Philosophers: Spinoza. Edited by Hannah Arendt. Translated by Ralph Manheim.

New York: Harvest Books, 1966.

Maté, G. (1999). Scattered Minds. Penguin Books.

Maté, G. (2022). The Myth of Normal. Penguin Books.

Robinson, K. (2022). Imagine if. Penguin Books.