Candles in the Sun - A culture of hidden violence 7 comments

25 Mar 2004 @ 13:17, by D Synchronicity strikes again: in a recent entry, Julie Solem-Roe (Scarlet Jewels) asks a very interesting question: “…are we trying to shine the light of illumination upon where our individual and collective psyche's are still split --- or are we still trying to look smarter, bigger, more evolved, than our brother/ sister?” This question comes at an interesting time and echoes a well-written essay I was just recently reading online about psychological group-mechanisms, when her entry came up in the News Log. Some of the points made by Julie [link] resonate deeply, I feel, with what the author describes in the following excerpts. Alhough he refers to human frailties and animal nature whereas Julie referred to patriarchy, I think it is clear that they are both, to some degree, talking about the same thing: “It is not often realized that, like other human groups, spiritual movements behave like organisms. Group-psychological processes manifest which are sometimes not unlike those in primitive societies. There is the pecking order, the alpha members, and also the group-instinct directed against similar groups. Aggression goes unnoticed and is tolerated when an acceptable common goal is provided. For instance hostility against an individual outside the group, or a critical member inside. This has the effect of strengthening ties within the group like in the animal world…Deviating opinions cannot be tolerated...Persons who hold them are seen as traitors…Spiritual newsgroups on Internet provide illustration of (un)concious nastiness…rife with diatribe, personal attacks and misunderstanding. Many of such contributors have no interest at all in the matters discussed. Yet even in closed newsgroups, only open to subscribers, complaints about the tone of communications are being aired.” “Man in a herd may not show the best side of his nature. Unconscious drives may rein his behavior. This is applicable especially in circumstances where man strives for the spiritual. He may tend to show split-personality behavior. On one hand the spiritual personality which is supposed to have come to terms with his animal nature. It is wise, friendly and compassionate on the outside. In the shadows lurks the personality that has been forced into the background, still ridden with all the expulsed human frailties. In moments of weakness it will see its chance to play hideous tricks. It will do so without being noticed by the person involved. The result being: uncharitable behavior, envy, malicious gossip, hypocrisy, harsh words, insensitivity, unfounded criticism and even worse, not expected from such charismatic figure. It is one of the main reasons for people leaving a particular group in great disappointment.”

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