"In the last analysis, the current global crisis is a psychospiritual crisis; it reflects the level of consciousness evolution of the human species. It is, therefore, hard to imagine that it could be resolved without a radical inner transformation of humanity on a large scale and its rise to a higher level of emotional maturity and spiritual awareness... Radical psychospiritual transformation of humanity is not only possible, but is already underway."
Stanislov Grof
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"And ain't it the truth babe?... It's
down to me
Yes it is
The way she does just what she's told down to me
The change has come
She's under my thumb."
The Rolling Stones (Jagger and Richards)
How can the people of the Earth make the necessary "great transition" to equality and sustainability by coming together in common effort while respecting and honoring our diverse cultures and traditions? One important way is to recognize that, as a species and despite our many differences, we have been on a common journey.
This journey has been a movement originating millions of years ago with hunting and gathering to farming and agriculture, to the dynamism of science and technology. Although it has brought many gifts, the latter paradigm has generated nation-state egotism, out-of-control technological growth and profound moral confusion with little guiding ethic other than endless consumption and accumulation. If we are fortunate, our next phase will involve seeing the fragility of our planet's ecosystems, a necessary experience of grief and remorse, and a commitment to repair the damage we have already done. To survive we must turn our attention to discovering how the human family can live sustainably on Earth.
A core element of the transformation of our present predicament involves appreciating the history of our experience of being "divided". Social scientist Riane Eisler clearly conveys her belief that the greatest obstacle to humanity's survival is the "dominator" mode of social organization. This has also been termed by Philip Slater, the "mega-culture of authoritarianism". We will take a brief look at a few of the ways this is currently manifesting in our world. In future articles I hope to touch upon perspectives which impart hope and the possibility of "the emergence of humanity".
The background of authoritarianism as a millennia-long mode of organizing society has led to division between men and women (and women conditioned to dominate in top-down encounters) -- but also men's relationship to animals, ecology, haves and have nots, as well as developed and developing countries. This is a "power-over" rather than "power-with" mode of being.
Recent scientific approaches in archaeology have revealed new information about the history of civilization that clearly challenges the long-held assumption that civilization has always been based on the premise of ranking of one-half of humanity over the other: the familiar domination of men over women, as well as man over nature, and men over other men. We are presented with mounting archeological evidence from a great many Neolithic cultural sites that proves humanity was capable of both peaceful social organization and technological advances.
The crux of Eisler's message -- that human potential is stunted in dominator societies that use force (and the threat of force) to maintain their rigid social hierarchies -- is supported by ample evidence from numerous sources. The new alternative -- a continuation of the interrupted ancient partnership model that emphasizes the linking of humanity in peaceful equality (starting with the most fundamental step of linking women with men) as opposed to the ranking of one-half of humanity over the other -- is presented as essential to our very survival as a species.
In her book The Chalice and the Blade Eisler presents a contemporary overview of archeological data gathered from excavations of Neolithic human communities (ca. 10,000 BC); in her reassessment Eisler argues that a substantial amount evidence now exists that suggests that in prior eras a "partnership" form of social organization was the norm.
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