The WOODREW Update

Magazine Overview

Title: The WOODREW Update
Issue Date: January/February 1984
Volume: 3, Number 3
Publisher: A S.T.A.R. FOUNDATION publication

This issue of The Woodrew Update explores a diverse range of topics, from the intriguing 'hundredth monkey' phenomenon and the concept of morphogenetic fields to the ancient practice of color therapy and pressing global concerns like the greenhouse effect and international debt. The publication aims to present information that challenges conventional thinking and encourages a broader awareness of interconnectedness.

The Hundredth Monkey and Morphogenetic Fields

The lead article, "The Hundredth Monkey," details the story of monkeys on a Japanese island who began washing their sweet potatoes in a stream, a behavior that spread to other monkeys and even to those on nearby islands. This phenomenon is linked to Rupert Sheldrake's theory of "Morphogenetic Fields." Sheldrake, a Cambridge University biologist, postulates that previously undetected fields connect species, allowing members to tap into a collective memory or history. This concept suggests that knowledge and habits can transcend normal senses, time, and space, implying a deep interconnectedness within species and potentially across the universe.

Dr. Carl Jung's concept of the "collective unconscious" is also mentioned as a precursor to understanding this interconnectedness. The article touches upon the work of physicists like Albert Einstein, whose "thought experiments" (EPR effect) suggested instantaneous information transmission between particles, and J.S. Bell's Theorem, which posits that all parts of the universe are intimately connected.

Color Therapy: Ancient Practice, Modern Relevance

Another significant section, "Color Me Pink," delves into the practice of color therapy. It highlights how color healing has been used for centuries, with ancient Egyptians and Greeks employing it for therapeutic purposes. The article notes modern applications, such as using blue light to treat neonatal jaundice in premature babies and 'bubblegum pink' in hospitals for its pacifying qualities. It also mentions the use of ultraviolet light for psoriasis and the positive effects of sapphire blue in surgery recovery rooms, leading to less pain and faster recovery. The article explains that each bodily part radiates energy with a specific frequency that relates to a color, and that color can harmonize these frequencies to restore balance.

Alexander Schauss is cited for his research indicating that the electromagnetic energy of color interacts with the pituitary and pineal glands, affecting blood pressure, pulse, respiration, and brain activity.

Global Concerns: Greenhouse Effect, Food Shortages, and Earthquakes

The issue addresses pressing global issues. "Stalking the Greenhouse Effect" revisits the concept of the greenhouse effect, driven by the build-up of carbon dioxide, and its potential consequences, including global warming, altered rainfall, and melting glaciers. It contrasts the EPA's and National Academy of Sciences' views with John D. Hamaker's theory that a CO2 build-up could trigger an ice-age by causing large-scale evaporation and dense cloud cover. The article also mentions research by Michael McElroy on oceanic absorption of CO2 and the Soviet Union's concerns about changing weather patterns.

"Whither the Weather" reports on a severe global crop shortfall, citing droughts and floods in India, China, Russia, Canada, Mexico, Australia, South Africa, and Argentina, as well as drought in the U.S. This situation is exacerbated by the bankruptcy of small farmers due to high interest rates and falling prices. The article also highlights Africa's food crisis, with a significant portion of its population being hungry and malnourished, and a projected increase in population outpacing food production.

An "Earthquake Report" details a violent earthquake in eastern Turkey that caused extensive damage, deaths, and homelessness. It notes Turkey's location on tectonic plates as a frequent site for earthquakes.

Societal and Personal Reflections

"Mountain Musings" critiques the "ostrich approach" to confronting current changes, specifically referencing Donald Platten's comments on the international banking system. The author questions the sustainability of lending to countries with high debt and the use of aid funds for real estate investments by leaders.

"More on Meditation" defines meditation as a directed consciousness that goes beyond mere thinking to encompass the entire human being, uniting intellect, feeling, and intuition. It emphasizes controlling the mind's direction rather than stopping it.

"The Day After" section discusses the potential horrors of nuclear war, estimating that a "nuclear winter" could block 95% of sunlight, leading to plummeting temperatures and ecological disaster. It quotes James Thurber: "Let us not look back in anger, nor forward in fear, but around in awareness."

"The Balance Sheet" focuses on nutrition, referencing Dr. Rudolph Ballentine's approach that emphasizes grains, vegetables, legumes, raw foods, and the B12 group (meat, fish, eggs, fermented foods). It suggests a gradual shift to a high-complex-carbohydrate diet for gradual weight loss and increased energy.

"The Third Eye" explores the symbolism of the eye on the U.S. dollar bill and the concept of the Third Eye as a symbol of wisdom and clairvoyance. It describes an ancient Tibetan ceremony aimed at opening the Third Eye to enable individuals to see auras and understand the universe and human consciousness.

"Foul Ball" presents a disturbing account from Bob Hughes about the daily occurrences of crime and apathy in Brooklyn, highlighting a lack of human concern. "Changing Direction" discusses how theories are rarely abandoned quickly, even when facts emerge that refute them, suggesting that new paradigms emerge from the accumulation of such facts.

"UFOria" briefly mentions the high number of UFO sightings and landed-contact reports worldwide.

"Herbal Tips" provides advice on growing herbs indoors for household benefits, listing bitter aloe, hens-and-chickens, and rosemary, along with their medicinal and culinary uses.

"In Retrospect: 1983" reflects on the personal transition of the Woodrew's move to North Carolina, highlighting the beauty of the autumn foliage and experiences with local Cherokee Indians. It also touches upon the concept of the "purpose of life" as advancing consciousness and the interconnectedness of the life force and the human body via a "silver cord."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around interconnectedness (morphogenetic fields, collective unconscious, Bell's Theorem, planetary consciousness), the exploration of alternative or less conventional knowledge (color therapy, the Third Eye, UFOs), and a critical examination of societal and global issues (environmental concerns, economic instability, human behavior). The editorial stance appears to be one of encouraging readers to question established norms, explore deeper meanings, and be aware of the complex interdependencies within the universe and society. There is a clear emphasis on expanding consciousness and understanding phenomena beyond the purely material or conventional scientific explanations.