In Memory of Dr. José Argüelles (January 24, 1939 – March 23, 2011)

World-renowned author, artist, educator, and visionary spiritual leader José Argüelles passed away on Wednesday, March 25, 2011 after a short illness during an extended retreat in Australia. A former professor of Princeton University and UC Davis among others, José Argüelles is well-known for leading worldwide movements to inspire higher human consciousness, including the Harmonic Convergence movement, Earth Day, and the first Whole Earth Festival held in California.

The author of over fifteen books, Argüelles’ The Mayan Factor, Path Beyond Technology, based on the “harmonic code” of the ancient Maya, is credited with first introducing the Mayan 2012 prophecies to Western culture. Many of the author’s works focus on the question and law of time as we understand it today, often pointing to the ancient Mayan 13 Moon/28 Day calendar as a more precise record of time than the 12-month Gregorian calendar we use today.

His upcoming book with EVOLVER EDITIONS (an imprint of North Atlantic Books in collaboration with Evolver LLC), Manifesto for the Noosphere: The Next Stage in the Evolution of Human Consciousness, represents Argüelles’ final work (available October 2011), examining the “noosphere,” the emergent and constantly evolving sphere of human thought that completes Earth’s development alongside the biosphere and geosphere.

“Manifesto for the Noosphere is the result of forty years of study, contemplation, investigation, and synthesis,” the author opens. “While the noosphere may be beyond the grasp of conventional science… It is a whole-systems paradigm that melds prophecy and analysis of current world trends. It is a perception that the transformation of the biosphere is inevitably leading to a new geological epoch and evolutionary cycle, and it is due to the impact of human thought on the environment that this new era – the Noosphere – is dawning.”

A resident of Ashland, Oregon, Argüelles is survived by his partner, assistant, and Cosmic History Chronicles co-author Stephanie South, whom he has asked to carry on his message and life's work. The founder of the Foundation for the Law of Time, the organization issued this statement upon his passing:

“Before he departed he said to his apprentice, Stephanie South/’Red Queen,’ “I have done all that I could on this planet. I am being called to assist in the closing of the cycle from the Other Side.” Among his final wishes was that the Foundation for the Law of Time, the vehicle for his work and vision, be continued.

We at the Foundation for the Law of Time are absolutely, unequivocally dedicated to continuing his life vision and work on behalf of seven times seven generations to come, on behalf of the coming noosphere and beyond.”

A synchronized vigil was held ceremoniously around the world on his behalf at 12-noon (Pacific daylight time) on March 25. In honor of his passing, the web magazine Reality Sandwich has posted an excerpt from Manifesto of the Noosphere to their site, viewable here: http://www.realitysandwich.com/noosphere_next_stage_evolution