The Manuscript

Finally after sixteen years of groundbreaking experimentation and research the manuscript has been published.

Description

The most radical reinterpretation of existing evidence from the disciplines of evolution, ecology, neurology, psychology and anthropology etc that finally makes sense of the ancient ‘Ages of Mankind’ traditions. These universal traditions were once the only version of history we had, they describe the onset and progression of a neurodegenerative condition that really has left us in the dark. Often considered no more than the imaginings of a primitive mind and easy to dismiss as mere myths are they in fact a more accurate natural history of humankind than modern science has thus far recognised. The book outlines the origin and nature of a condition that eventually left us blind to its existence. Evidence is cited that supports such a scenario, a means of definitively testing its validity is proposed and most importantly what can be done to treat the condition and prevent its occurrence. While this may seem a challenging prospect it promises amongst other things the restoration of phenomenal abilities, exceptional immune function and most importantly a greatly enhanced state of mind and well being only rarely glimpsed by a tiny minority.

For wholesale orders Left in the Dark (ISBN: 978-0-9556784-0-0) is distributed by Ingrams and Baker & Taylor.

Sleeve Comments

Graham Gynn and Tony Wright follow the implications of modern brain research to an astounding conclusion: that our culturally acquired left-brain dominance has cost us our sanity, and that ancient myths about a fall from grace actually record neurochemical events within our skulls. But if we have alienated ourselves from nature and our original state of wholeness, there may be a way back. This is a startling book that makes us rethink the most fundamental issues of religion, psychology, and philosophy.

Richard Heinberg - lecturer at the New College of California and author of eight books including Memories and Visions of Paradise and The Oil Depletion Protocol

At last - an innovative work of science which transcends scientific gobbledegook. LEFT IN THE DARK is a persuasive, profound breakthrough in our understanding of the human mind from our earliest beginnings to the present day – and possibly beyond. The authors deliver a clear, original and stunning message, which is of inestimable importance to every man, woman and child on this planet. Two earth-shattering hypotheses currently hold monumental, practical implications for the human race. Global Warming is the first, Quantum Physics, the second. If only a fraction of its conclusions prove to be true, LEFT IN THE DARK could easily be the third.

John Machin - international writer on nutrition, author and TV scriptwriter.

While most of us think of insomnia or insufficient sleep as a sign that our work activities or personal concerns are adversely impacting us, Tony Wright has actually made sleep deprivation into a way of life. This work chronicles Wright's research, and provides the rest of us with a glimpse into that really happens when the sandman forgets to call.

John Baker Professor of Anthropology (President, Society for the Anthropology of Consciousness)

A fascinating challenge to all our preconceptions about our early ancestors, this is a well-argued book, with some novel insights. Although Tony Wright is not an academic, this thesis is a substantial work of scholarship. Perhaps it takes someone from outside academia to come up with a breakthrough idea like this one.

Tony Edwards - BBC Science Producer whose credits include Horizon, Q.E.D. and The World About Us

Academic endorsements and readers comments

This is a totally new way of looking at the evolution of the human brain. It is so totally fresh, unexpected and hitherto un-thought-of that it will probably take a long time before evolutionary anthropologists and psychologists begin to take it on board; but it will make an impact, of that there is no doubt. It will be, it must be, taken very seriously in any discussion of human origins.

Colin Groves - Professor of Biological Anthropology at the School of Archaeology & Anthropology, Australian National University and author of several books including A Theory Of Human And Primate Evolution and Bones, Stones and Molecules

I've received and read ‘Left in the Dark’ and am a little overwhelmed by it. I find myself arguing with it, quoting it, extolling it, disagreeing with it -- a very provocative tool as we attempt to find clarity about what's happening to us, and in particular, what the "human-nature-relationship" (the heart of "Ecopsychology") really is.
Congratulations for a truly amazing book.

Robert Greenway
Professor Emeritus, Sonoma State University.
Author The Wilderness Effect and Ecopsycyhology in Restoring the Earth, Healing the Mind.

If the key proposal outlined in 'Left in the Dark' is even partially accurate, then the evolution, development and function of the most complex thing we know (the human brain) is likely to have been a direct product of the most biochemically complex ecological system (the tropical forest). Moreover, if our disconnection from that ecology has affected the development of our brain and compromised our state of mind, it adds a whole new dimension to the task of defining 'normal' behaviour. The wholesale destruction of the tropical forests may, therefore, be more accurately characterised as a tragic case of self-mutilation than simple ecological catastrophe.

Tim Smit Chief Executive The Eden Project

If we can stand back and gain a certain critical distance from privileging our habitual mind-lens or entrenched localized worldviews and cross into a more expanded and inclusive open global space across and between diverse worldviews astounding mega-patterns come into relief. In this dilated global lens we are able to discern a dormant tradition of Global Wisdom through the ages wherein deeper dimensions of science, knowledge and alternative narratives of our evolution emerge to the fore.
One such astounding mega-pattern is the emergent consensus that when we are lodged in certain “egomental” or “monocentric” habits of mind in processing our world, self and culture this adolescent technology of consciousness invariably generates personal and cultural dysfunctions and pathologies and produces existential suffering of all kinds in our human condition. In contrast, our great wisdom traditions teach that when we mature to more integral, holistic and dialogic patterns of world-making this opens higher dimensions of cognition and brings us into deeper encounters with the Unified Field of Objective Reality.
Left in the Dark (The Biological Origins of the Fall from Grace) by Graham Gynn and Tony Wright is a bold experimental journey into this largely uncharted frontier of Integral Science. The sub-title of this intriguing book- An investigation into the evolution of the human brain. A Journey to the edge of the human mind – hints at daring scope of this adventure. This powerful thought-experiment challenges the current dominant paradigms of evolutionary science and invokes a radical reconsideration and revision across disciplines in understanding our evolutionary drama- the generative development of our brain, our patterns of consciousness, our rational capacities, our cultural patterns, even our unfolding human form. This alternative thought-experiment sheds light on the great challenges faced by humanity in the 21st Century and opens possibilities for us to rise together in conscious evolution in advancing toward sustainable global cultures, for personal and collective flourishing. This courageous book deserves careful critical attention.

Ashok Gangadean Professor and Chair of Philosophy (Haverford College, USA) Founder-Director of the Global Dialogue Institute, Co-Founder of the World Commission for Global Consciousness and Spirituality
Author: The Awakening of the Global Mind
Website: www.awakeningmind.org

One the great puzzles of primate evolution has been the explosive evolution of the anomalous human brain. Another aspect of evolution usually ignored or overlooked by evolutionary biologists has been the certain impact of bioactive plant secondary metabolites, abundant in the omnivorous diet of foraging primates, on the evolution of human cognition, as well as physiological and neurological adaptations. The authors of Left in the Dark have proposed a stunningly innovative and challenging theory that neatly ties together these issues and provides plausible, rational, and scientifically insightful explanations for many of the most persistent mysteries surrounding the evolution of the human brain, cognitive and cultural evolution, and human brain anomalies. The authors also show how human interactions and adaptations to plant secondary compounds continue to profoundly influence individual human development, human behavior, and contemporary societal evolution. The authors have made an ambitious and well-crafted argument, and have done so in an engaging manner that will be comprehensible to any intelligent layman, and will also be of interest to anthropologists, evolutionary biologists, cognitive psychologists, neurophysiologists, ethnobotanists, and virtually anyone else who has ever wondered how humans evolved to be the way we are.
I think the theory holds together well! But it takes an interdisciplinary cast of mind to fully understand it.
I have to go over all that you have written much more carefully. You're onto something, no doubt!
This is important information that needs to reach a wider audience.

Dr. Dennis J. McKenna - Co-founder, Director of Ethnopharmacology 'The Heffter Research Institute'

It will be a dia-biolical disgrace if the thesis in this book is not studied, considered and tested by all involved in the human sciences. It pulls together many strings of human evolution, anthropology and ecology into a net of intrigue, intuition and integration. It is a sane insight into behaviour that at various times in history has been considered insane.
There is worldliness about the prose and presentation that links experiential and historical evidence unrestrained by the tyranny of the double-blind, placebo controlled methodology. However, it is respectful of the need for scientifically acceptable evidence whilst presenting artistic and perhaps instinctive evidence featured throughout human evolution.
Tony Wright is from the tradition of researchers who have used themselves as experimental subjects whilst being able to apply objective assessment with rational thought. He is not confined to the standardised scientific tick-boxes but uses his brains, literally in the plural, to promote the right hemisphere as at least an equal partner or even director alongside the presently dominant left hemisphere. Perhaps we are all schizophrenic to some degree but the cerebral leftist minority may be more right than wrong!
It is an enlightening read that is timely in that it addresses nutrition, health and behavioural issues that are now receiving official consideration because of developing social problems for which conventional thinking and practice are not moderating, preventing or controlling.
Modern development of concepts such as sexual and racial equality, social inclusion, human rights and even terrorism may be better understood from a grasp of the theses that is presented here. We may be better able to save the world at the same time as improving health if we think and act more intelligently about genetics, hormones and medication. We do not need genetic modification, steroids, statins and fluoridisation of drinking water. We do need more nutritional gene support; more melatonin and more fruit. More research and practice as called for in this book is likely to bear fruit for our future.

C. Peter W. Bennett BA(Hons) in Human Sciences, University of Oxford; MA(Oxon, MBA (Aston), M.Phil. (Exeter) in Complementary Health.
Peter Bennett is a former Police Superintendent and founder of the Restorative Health Co. Ltd

Left in the Dark provides a revolutionary view of human evolution based on the effects of diet on hormones and consciousness. The loss of the effects of a fructiferous diet on human hormones is shown to have produced fundamental changes to human consciousness that has led to a loss of our connection with the natural patterns of the planet. The dietary understandings provided by Left in the Dark has substantial implications for understanding not only our loss of spiritual consciousness but also how our contemporary meat and carbohydrate diet propels us into the dangerous militarism and violence that plague our planet today.

Dr. Michael Winkelman M.P.H. PhD. Associate Professor, School of Human Evolution & Social Change
Arizona State University
Co-author of Supernatural as Natural A Biological Theory of Religion

You provide some interesting observations, and theories. Your ideas are complex, and appreciated. I need to re-visit them to be sure I clearly understand. But I am open to any ideas or thoughts about cerebral dominance since it seems critical to savant syndrome. I've come more and more to the conclusion that rather than there being right hemisphere compensation, there is rather release from the 'tyranny' of the left hemisphere. Your ideas about the right hemisphere actually being the more dominant one (at least potentially) set me to thinking that through more completely. You hint at something that I also have written about, or at least articulated: is there an inherent inability of the brain to understand itself. It can understand the kidney, the heart and other organs as we unravel some of their mysteries, but I wonder whether the brain can transcend itself to explain itself. I'm not at all sure about that. But we are a long ways from reaching that barrier; our exploration has barely just begun and we are at a level that the brain can easily understand. Your thoughts that rather than evolving, we may actually be regressing are interesting ones also. Anyway, I have your thoughts now in e-mail form. They are complex (at least to me) so I need to let the percolate among my own synapses now. I appreciate your thoughts. Thanks for sharing them. I'll be back in touch.

Darold Treffert - M.D. Clinical Professor, Department of Psychiatry
University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison.

"I have been following Tony Wright's research for over a decade.  I believe he has uncovered the primary mechanisms of humanity's dangerous levels of left-brained dominance and how to correct our hemispheric imbalances in order to create a sane and healthy future for us all.  His book 'Left In The Dark' is highly recommended."

David Wolfe Founder www.sunfood.com, www.thebestdayever.com, and www.ftpf.org
Author of several books including 'The Sunfood Diet Success System',and 'Eating For Beauty'.

This book challenges one or two assumptions that have hitherto been taken as axiomatic, and poses some intriguing new questions. You don't have to agree with the answers to find it a good read.
Elaine Morgan - Author of several books including: 'The Scars of Evolution', 'The Aquatic Ape Hypothesis'

Dear Graham and Tony,
I really want to thank you for this absolutely amazing book, Left in the Dark. I just finished reading it and I have to tell you it has created a revolution in my thinking. In part I think so much of what you said resonated with me because I already 'knew' so many of these things to be true but previously had not known how to justify or articulate my innate knowledge. Your logical arguments were just what I needed to even more deeply trust this 'knowing'.
I read the book very slowly, digesting as much as I could, and spending time researching many of the points you made and new information you introduced me too.
It seems to me that the importance of your work lies in the hope it so strongly implies, that we are in fact potentially much more than we've been led to believe.
Pippa Anais Gaubert  Austin, USA

As I was reading this book I said to my husband this is one of the best books I have read and I read a lot! I finished the book and still feel this way. It just made so much common sense!
It is well written, easy to follow and hard to put down. A Damn good read. I have passed the book on and hope that the message it has to give is spread far and wide so that further research can be done.
Thank you Tony and Graeme for all your valuable work - I wish you well in continuing to help us all make sense of "life" so that our world can only be a better place for future generations.
Janet New Zealand

Stunning 'And Simple’ What an incredible book. Literally, mind-blowing. The central idea explains everything about people that ever puzzled me or niggled the back of my mind.
If you have any unease about 'progress' - any concern for the ecological future of the world - if you care about the next generation - if you wonder what it means to have a moment of intuition, or a 'spiritual experience', or 'know' that someone is looking at you - if you are wondering where humanity went wrong - read this book. If this idea is right, the mess that we are in is not our fault, but we still desperately need to fix it.
In our lifetimes we will probably never know for sure if the theory contained here is right or wrong. But just realizing that this MIGHT be true, changes everything for me. I can see what I was doing right, what was wrong, what is important and what needs to be dropped. The description may make this book sound academic and perhaps difficult - but it is NOT. The idea is very well explained in simple terms, all the supporting arguments are clear and the scientific theory is there if you want it. Any reasonably intelligent person could follow it easily.
Most of us are floundering through our lives, trying to act for the best without ever knowing exactly what the best is. We are always half-conscious of something lacking but we either have no idea what it is or we chase after things that, when we get them, turn out not to fill the gap after all. Other people seem to be complete - but to ourselves, we don't - and we never quite feel we fit in. Want to know why? Expand your universe - read Wright & Gynn's explanation.
I only wish this was more widely distributed. It should be in Amazon etc.
Listen to interview with Tony Wright about the book on New Zealand radio.
Part 1 here: part one.mp3
Part 2 here: part two.mp3

Rosie Cottis

A truly seminal piece of writing . . . ties together very succinctly diverse esoteric ideologies with a solid underpinning of factual observations from the fields of neurophysiology, psychology and much more.
I look forward to seeing where practical application of some of the ideas mentioned can lead us.

Tim Varley

EXTRAORDINARY. I would have rated this book ****** if I could work out how to do it!
Function. Diet. Chemistry. Psychology. Sociology. Anthropology. Creativity. Ecology.
This book manages to explain the link between all of these and more and the effects our tragic inherited loss of function has and is increasingly having on us. It takes us to the edge of our potentiality and exposes the inherent key for profound and sustainable change from the inside out.
It is fascinating and engaging reading, written in digestible sections with a balance of scientific information, explanation, personal experience and the odd lacing of dry humour to highlight the message.
It gave me a real sense and explanation of hunches I've had in my work and life, with lots of new ground as 'food for thought'.
With deep thanks,
Ruth Boulton Music Therapist

Left in the Dark sheds LIGHT on what can only be described as perfect sense about our human nature. The ideas are cutting edge and could transform society if were were to implement them in our day to day lives. It provides hope that humanity isn't destined for disaster. The choice, however, is always ours. Will we seek to honour our biological needs or go on suppressing them? I fully endorse the authors' intentions, research and conclusions, and can't recommend the book highly enough. It should be mandatory reading for anyone involved in medicine, psychology, biology and nutrition. EXCELLENT and gripping.

Veronika Robinson, Editor The Mother magazine

When I first read left in the dark I was awe-struck. Through a true piece of right brain inspiration he has possibly stumbled on the single most important discovery ever made: that our left brains are a damaged counterpart of the right. Not only that but he explores in detail the possible biological causes as well as consequences theological, social and individual. He also poses some enthralling ideas to remedy the situation.
As a supposedly rational atheist I have often had trouble reconciling my 'spiritual' experiences with my world view. Tony's book gave me a way through this. A year on from my first reading of left in the dark I am still grateful for the insight it has given me into the human condition. I hope and suspect that this is the starting point for a revolution in the way we think about ourselves - not as the pinnacle of evolution but simply as a species that made it this far (and by the skin of our teeth at that).
Oh and did I mention it is beautifully and entertainingly written? Good luck guys:-)

Robert Kay

I have read many books, and done lots of research in the realms of, spirituality, and human physics... How we and the universe works, left in the dark is one of the best books I have read. It is full of riveting content and is hard to put down, the fresh ideas and conclusions speak loudly, and "ring true" the book is also superbly written and very accessible.
A must read book.

Paul Jackson