Emergent Self
A Journey through the Evolution of Consciousness
In today's era, the self emerges more prominently than it did 60 years ago. With this emergence of the self, a force takes center stage, surpassing the ego and profoundly altering culture.
We live in a time of upheaval, driven by the renaissance of spiritual forces beyond dogmas and rooted in compassion for all beings, the Earth, and the cosmos.
The Evolution of the Self
The awakening of many individuals guided by the self or their spirits surpasses previous revolutions. Even nonviolent resistance is no longer the maxim, as what emerges from the depths of the collective unconscious exists in a dimension beyond duality.
Diversity plays a significant role. Those delving into the depths of the psyche and discussing individuation encounter others drawing from shamanic traditions, becoming seers of otherworldly realms. Both share the same drive from their innermost being.
The Discovery of the Psyche
Both the ego and the self are historically recent concepts. Only in the late 19th century did the individual "I" come to the forefront. Sigmund Freud developed psychoanalysis at a time when the ego was oppressed by the cultural superego. Carl Jung formulated his theory of archetypes and individuation, the self-becoming of individuals, based on his discovery of the collective unconscious.
Psychoidal Otherworld
Carl Jung attributed a psychoidal sphere to the Self, which reaches beyond the individual psyche and even encompasses a universal soul. These imaginal realms appear real for some, but for other just imaginary, depending on the individual perspective. Over time, Jung developed the conviction that the psyche lasts beyond death and that the earth has a soul.
Psychoidal or imaginal experiences fit in to shamanic journeying. These journeys differ from active imagination, meditation and hypnosis by a special state of consciousness. This goes deeper and keeps awareness active. Memories of those experiences remain as real and lively.
Life Update: the Self today
In the Western world, discussions revolve around Generation Z and Millennials. They are unwilling to uphold the old values of the workweek and modest income. Discipline is not their strength, and soldierly virtues are completely absent.
This resistance to the emergence of the self is also evident in right-wing political movements seeking to revive the values of previous generations. However, the demands of today's generations for participation and individuality take center stage. It is about recognizing each individual in their uniqueness, promoting inclusion over separation.
Soldiers become Warriors
Soldierly virtues lose significance as the call for empathy and individual values takes precedence. Today's military must be capable of empathizing with the enemy, not only protecting the population of their own country but effectively countering terrorism. The new values correspond with those of the warrior who acts strategically and with compassion.
Forces are polarizing, with the old resisting the new. The question remains, how long will this struggle persist? Evolution will not engulf meaningful developments in consciousness and cultures but will incorporate them. Perhaps today, we are fortunate to witness and contribute to the cultural emergence of the self.
