I would like to know what peoples thoughts are on how the dominant paradigm effects human spirituality. What can be done about it to ensure that we as a species continue to evolve, if need be?

stricher, I just want to be sure to understand what you are asking. Are you wondering how human the human paradigm can evolve? By nature a paradigm wouldn't evolve, its a particular pattern... an example. A new paradigm would have to evolve and either take over or offset the current paradigm. I personnally think that in order for this to happen in a relatively timely manner, there must be some type of catastrophic event... something that radically changes for humankind, offering an opportunity for man to have a new choice in methodology, thus setting a new paradigm. Otherwise, this same evolution might occur, but it would happen in an evolutionary time frame... slow. We probably wouldn't be around to see it.

Did I even come close to being on topic?? This was just how I understood your question...

Yes that was exactly what I was trying to get at. I've never been very good at trying to get my point across. I guess a better way to put it would be more along the lines of; How do you think the current Paradigm effects human spirituality, and what can be done to bring about a newer, better paradigm?

Does that make sense?

First you have to define what you mean by the current spiritual paradigm. Monotheism? Afterlife? Sin? Reincarnation? All these concepts are apt to change depending on whatever religious doctrine you look at. What are you wanting to see evolve?

Ok. At least from what I can see in my own country the current dominant social paradigm is characterized by unquestioning obedience to authority, as that of a dictator, rather than individual freedom of judgement and action. The social paradigms control is rested in fear as it is enforced by threat of punishment.

For example, one must give up a portion of their life to work for money, which in and of itself has no value, to ensure one has a place to live and food to eat. So in a sense you are forced to work jobs that really mean nothing to you in order to survive.

What I want to know is What people think about how this effects our spirituality and what can be done to ensure our spiritual evolution continues. If you beleive something needs to be done.

Does that make more sense?

Ok, now I see where this is going... we are all little drones... monotonously working our little tails off following a certain Social paradigm, and thus our Spiritual Paradigm is riding b**** in the backseat of the proverbial car of our souls. Like I said before... something big would have to happen... like some event... a great flood, asteroid, plague... otherwise humans by nature keep getting lazier and lazier and will only soon forget that there is a reason for living other than just surviving. When I say that some event must happen, I'm saying this because of past events. People adapt to their situation. If the current human situation changes, food levels drop, things we rely on to function no longer work, so on and so forth, we will have to adapt.

I'm an optomist. I think that it is possible for us to change for the better without a major catastrophic event. Not without a little dissonance though. I think it is beginning to happen even now. It seems as though many young people are seeing the world in a different light than they used to.

oh don't get me wrong, I'm an optomist too... but I never said that I DIDN"T like the current paradigm... I'm actually quite content. I just think that for most people, that rut that they are stuck in is quite cozy, and not many plan to jump out of it. Thats all:)

Well I must say that I am one of those people that is ready to jump out of it with a huge grin on my face.

if the current paradigm does change, I'm gonna jump right out with a smile on my face as well, as long as it makes me happy:)

I know, I'm a huge dork...

You should do whatever makes you happy and not let enything else get in your way. Unless of course it does serious harm to others.