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Will 2025 Be The Year That We Start Evolving Again As a Species?

Updated: Jan 25

Happy New Year to you all! Will there be anything new about this coming year?


We seem to be living in a collapsing world: Day by day there appears to be more conflict, hatred, segregation, and misery.


History reveals that civilisations often collapse from within, driven by their own choices rather than external threats. Historian and philosopher Arnold Toynbee’s made the observation that “Civilisations die from suicide, not from murder.”


Danilo Brozović’s analysis of 361 studies and 73 books on historical collapses underscores the urgent need for dramatic changes today. Jared Diamond — the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of ‘Guns, Germs, and Steel’ — in his book ‘Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Survive’, highlights how environmental mismanagement and societal responses determine whether societies survive or fail.


2025 - What will it do for you, your world, and the world?


Today, we face a ‘polycrisis’ — a convergence of climate upheaval, global health threats, social unrest, conflict, drama, toxic media, and geopolitical tensions that amplify each other’s impacts. Toynbee’s insight reminds us that external pressures alone don’t doom civilisations; cultural blind spots, political myopia, spiritual poverty, and entrenched narratives play crucial roles in societal decline. Sociologist Peter Berger’s concept of a “Sacred canopy” illustrates how our shared frameworks for meaning and purpose are deteriorating amid globalisation, rampant disinformation, and social fragmentation. Instead of offering unity, modern narratives almost invariably often exploit divisions and fear, resulting in spiritual and communal alienation as our lives become more frenetic yet less grounded in shared purpose, awareness, and understanding. We need a change. We need a solution. We need a shift. The Universe is speking to us.


Consumerism is one of our most pervasive and destructive narratives. Netflix’s 'Buy Now! The Shopping Conspiracy' reveals its staggering toll: Millions of clothes end up in Ghana’s landfills, and over 13 million phones are discarded daily. Despite these issues, corporate interests and cultural norms perpetuate the cycle of endless consumption. Seeking riches outside of you is a state of lack, and never leads to lasting financial or spiritual abundance.


However, seeds of change are emerging. Former industry insiders are speaking out, grassroots organisations like the Or Foundation are tackling textile waste on the ground, and consumers are beginning to question the relentless push to consume. Transitioning from knowledge to wisdom is a crucial element of this shift — feeling the moral and ecological weight of our choices — is essential. Knowledge belongs to Artificial Intelligence now, making wisdom an even more a uniquely human endeavour. This shift that is proposed can lead to altered habits, a demand for corporate accountability, and a complete rewriting of the cultural script towards sufficiency and stewardship. Do you want a taste of Enlightenment? Do you want to move from pain to peace? It's time for dissolution of the illusion. You are the doorway to the infinite.


Here are some solutions – an opportunity for meaningful changes:

  1. Self-Awareness: Understanding how personal decisions impact the broader society and environment.

  2. Ripple Effect: Realising that individual actions contribute to collective outcomes.

  3. Opportunity for Change: Leveraging personal insights to foster broader societal transformations.

  4. Challenge Groupthink: Encourage diverse perspectives and critical thinking within communities.

  5. Combat Disinformation: Promote accurate information and transparent communication to rebuild trust.

  6. Dismantle Tribal Divisions: Foster unity by prioritising empathy, compassion, fairness, and respect for all life on Earth.

  7. Interconnectedness: Recognising that every action affects the larger system.

  8. Holistic Vision: Embracing a compassionate and integrated approach to thriving.

  9. Shared Responsibility: Understanding that harming others or exploiting the environment ultimately harms ourselves.

  10. A Spiritual Shift in Evolution: The greatest evolution in human history will be a change from us each living as self-centred frightened egos, to communing as one as our Higher Selves


As 2025 dawns, Toynbee’s warning challenges us: Will we choose renewal or continue toward self-destruction? True transformation demands collective action — pressuring politicians, demanding corporate accountability, and nurturing a shared sense of sacredness. True transformation means us embracing the divine in our Selves and in others.


History offers hope: the Tokugawa shoguns implemented bold reforms to curb deforestation, and modern movements are advocating for sustainable practices and corporate responsibility. Resilience depends on fostering a sacred canopy — a shared reverence and belonging that transcends self-interest, whether through daily spiritual practice, ecological awareness, or community-based rituals.


Toynbee’s statement — “Civilisations die from suicide, not from murder” — holds a vital Truth: If a society undoes itself by its own hand, it can also save itself by its own will. In 2025, we have a pivotal chance to write a chapter defined by courage rather than resignation. This is our story — and with enough conviction, it can become one of hope and strength rather than a tale of tragic demise.


So, what role does spiritual evolution play in our development as a species? Spirituality is the highest form of evolution, and the true calling of human Nature. from this work stem all sorts of goodness, peace, contentment, forgiveness, joy, and wonder with the world around us; without it we flounder — selfishly involved, empty, even suicidal — chasing pursuits that never return the gains we hope. A life without spirituality is a life of corrupted thoughts, misplaced motives, and selfish behaviour — even the giving we do under these pretexts is not really giving; it’s giving to manipulate our own reputations, the views of ourselves in others’ eyes, or other people in general — it’s giving with strings attached, which is to say it is the equivalent murder of true generosity, authenticity, and connection. it’s just another form of the human aura’s ability to lie, with or without words.


Spiritual work — the real stuff, not the “I go to church once a week, skim some readings now and then, donate 10% of my money to keep God at bay, and pray when I want something” type bullsh*t — the real stuff: continuous prayer, a close personal connection to the God of your understanding, an overwhelming sense of gratitude, an absolute connection with Self that is defined by an interpretation of God that will hardly allow you to live with your Self properly if you don’t act right and get your motives straight — that is the real spiritual work. once that connection is made and put at the forefront of your life, you can be trusted. until then, you are just another person at war with themselves, at least that’s what i found in my experience. You will see with new eyes.

 

I’m not trying to convert anyone to any particular religion, sect, denomination, or get them to subscribe to anything other than their own personal version of God or Higher Power that you can understand and place at the helm of your life — which will put you in touch with both your conscience and a proper dose of humility that can then begin to replace the selfishly toxic existence you and 98% of other people live within. And yeah, I’m a bit angry, because i feel I was, for the first 48 years of my life, a product of my environment and my society, and as I watch it collapse and die and eat itself, I can’t help but get a little perturbed at the whole situation. almost nobody here values what’s most important — spirituality — and if that’s not a concern for you, just keep humming in the dark, telling your Self everything’s okay as long as you get that next soulless, consumerist, transactional fix.


Once spirituality is introduced and brought into a person’s heart — indeed their entire BEing — new life begins to take shape. goals are no longer singularly driven by money, recognition, fame or power, but instead by how they might enhance humanity and benefit our inner health. The nature and depth of endeavours taken on begins to demand some sort of prerequisite inner growth to even be considered, and all other forms of movement are recognised as wasteful and thus readily discarded. an inner strength appears, which is infallible because it stems from every cell and fibre of our BEing, and all outward actions are simply a manifestation of this spirituality unfolding in our life.


As this well fills, it begins to pour naturally, filling not only our cup but the cups of those around us. we have more energy because we are not so easily distracted with whatever external validations are deemed important for the moment — we have our own, much more rewarding journey, and it behoves us not to get distracted by every flavour of the month advertisement, every unscrupulous side quest: we become impervious to the nonsense — allergic to the bullshit — and that, my friends, is what spirituality is actually all about.


Charles Darwin wrote “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, not the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change.” I firmly believe that that change, the greatest in human history, will be a change from living as self-centred frightened egos, to communing as one as our Higher Selves. And this is the best definition of the spiritual path that I have found.








Imagine the happiness of coming into a life of selfless joy from a life of selfish misery. Imagine the freedom of no longer being held prisoner by dark desires and no longer trapped in a never-ending cycle of hatred, anger, jealousy, and every other negative emotion.


Imagine it, and then live it. A life of peace and happiness is not just a dream. It is there waiting for you. Let go of the selfishness and negativity that is holding you back and step into a life of bliss and eternal joy.


This happy ending is yours. There is no favouritism in the Universe; all is fair and just, and each will be given their rightful earnings.


You can find the right way in life, and having found it, you can rejoice and be glad. What feels like the end is often the beginning of something new. Enter this 2025 New Year with gratitude for this new chance to create new dreams. Let God be your companion always by your side to help you aspire to become the best version of your Self.


Selfishness leads to misery, just as unselfishness leads to joy. This not only applies to your life but the lives of everyone around you. Selfishness enslaves you, keeping you trapped. In letting go of selfish habits, you not only free your Self but bring happiness to the lives of others. In selflessness, you put the needs of others before your own, and in doing so, you find peace and contentment.


Enter the gateway of unselflessness to find joy. Aim for the highest good, and you will taste the sweetest joy.


You and your reality are deeply intertwined, each shaping the other in profound ways. When you make a shift within your Self, everything around you begins to change, reflecting your inner transformation. To be truly awake is to recognise this connection and to live with awareness, understanding that the foundation of all change is rooted in love. Love empowers you to not only see the world differently but to reshape it, creating a reality that aligns with your Highest Self.


Tomorrow is a new day and new year for everyone. What does your heart say? What would love do now?


Namaste.


Sending you love, light, and blessings brothers.


Olly

Dr Olly Alexander Branford MBBS, MA(Cantab), PhD.

Fully qualified and certified coach


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Hello,

I am very pleased to meet you. Thank you for reading this far. I very much look forward to connecting with the highest version of you, to seeing your highest possibility, and to our conversations. Please do contact me via my email for a free connection call and a free experience of coaching.

See you soon,

Dr Olly Alexander Branford MBBS, MA(Cantab), PhD

Fully qualified and certified coach


“Transformative life coaching uniquely creates and holds the space for you to see your self afresh, with clarity, and step into new ways of BEing, which will transform how you perceive and intuitively create your world. My work is to guide you to raise your own conscious awareness to the level that you want to achieve.”

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I have a Bachelor's degree in Natural Sciences from Trinity College, Cambridge; a Master's Degree in Philosophy from Trinity College, Cambridge; a PhD Doctorate in Scientific Research from University College London (UCL); a Medical Degree (MD/MBBS) from The Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine, London and have been a doctor and reconstructive trauma and cancer surgeon in London for 20 years. I have published over 50 peer reviewed scientific journal articles, have been an associate editor and frequent scientific faculty member, and am the author of several scientific books. I have been awarded my Diploma in Transformative Life Coaching in London, which has International Coaching Federation (ICF) Accreditation, as well as the UK Association for Coaching (AC), and the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC). I have been on my own transformative journey full time for over five years and I am ready to be your guide to you finding out who you really are and how the world works. I have written 400 articles for you and an eBook to guide you on your transformative journey, which are all available for free on my website - click on the link below:


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