Because of the " me ….now" narcissism and hubris of our primitive ego, we tend to ignore threats of danger, and warnings of impending change until they actually begin to impact us directly and personally; or, at a minimum, threaten to impact us in the "very" near future. As one writer commented recently, "it's amazing how shocked we can be when the totally expected actually arrives." Despite "knowing" cognitively that we are already running out of time to innovate and implement the pro-active choices and life-style changes that will be needed to effectively cope with the inevitable consequences and changes that are coming, I have absolutely no doubt we will all be emotionally "shocked" when they actually arrive on our doorstep.
Choosing to remain unconsciously trapped in primitive ego thinking, unable to creatively prepare for the life-style transformations that are certainly coming, could lead to a future that becomes very uncomfortable for us; perhaps even traumatic; a future in which we could find ourselves unnecessarily limited to powerless, last minute ineffective knee-jerk responses in our attempts to cope with the challenges we will be facing.
I do not want to suggest or imply that we are facing the end of the world or a dooms day scenario. I do not believe we are. But I am convinced that many of the inevitable challenges that are headed our way will almost certainly have the potential to bring about significant environmental and social change. Some could easily threaten the very survival of our species. But regardless of the level of threat, I believe it is absolutely clear that virtually all of the challenges bearing down on us have the potential to significantly impact the way we currently live our lives.
On the positive side, I am equally convinced that if we are willing to increase our psychological intelligence by learning about Primitive Ego Psychology and doing the work of intentionally maturing our primitive ego consciousness, we would have the vision and wisdom needed to creatively face these rapidly approaching challenges and threats we have created for ourselves. As Einstein reminds us, we cannot solve the problems that face us if we insist on using the same thinking process that created the problem in the first place. Fortunately, we do not have to. The willingness to grow and evolve is always a choice.
Understanding Primitive Ego Psychology and using the simple tools contained in the Primitive Ego Theory we explore in each issue of this Newsletter could easily put us, individually and collectively, on a path toward the conscious evolution of our species. Unfortunately, doing nothing is also a choice. So until the challenges looming on the horizon become "real" for us, we will probably be shocked by the inevitable disruptive social, economic, and life-style changes when they arrive.
In Part 1 of this three part series on the danger of denial inherent in primitive ego thinking, we will take a look at two of the approaching challenges and changes that will soon impact life as we know it; global warming and the myth of unlimited economic expansion reflected in our Western culture's voracious appetite to consume "stuff."
Denial #1) Global Warming
Despite daily warnings and mounting scientific evidence, the ominous threat of global warming is an excellent example of our collective primitive ego's ability to deny reality; our ability to essentially ignore a rapidly growing threat.
Virtually every reputable scientist in the world is in agreement that global warming is a critical and rapidly growing crisis for the future of our planet. Ice packs are melting. Glaciers are melting. Polar bears and other life forms are facing extinction. Weather patterns are shifting. Hurricanes and storms are growing in magnitude and intensity. Some bird species are already migrating further north and scientists are concerned many of them will not survive. The scientific evidence for global change due to warming is overwhelming.
Despite this growing evidence, our primitive ego prefers to deny the warnings of scientists by giving credibility to those global warming naysayers who attempt to introduce doubt and reject these scientifically based warnings on the grounds that we don't "really" have "conclusive proof" that global warming is real. They suggest that the earth has successfully gone through warming trends in the past so we don't really have to worry about it.
Regardless of claims to the contrary, the evidence for global warming continues to grow daily. Our oceans are becoming more acidic. Changes in ocean temperatures and currents are beginning to threatening the viability of our ocean's food chain and its ability to continue providing the various species of fish and other sources of protein that humans have harvested for thousands of years. Upwards of a thousand fish species are already migrating to cooler areas of the ocean and like the birds, many of them are not expected to survive. When added to the estimate that 75% of global fisheries are currently at or beyond sustainable levels of production, the long term survivability of many species of fish is already in question.
But because these changes are not an immediate threat to each of us individually, and because of the economic impacts that would result if we were to begin taking these threats seriously, global warming and its impact on the health of our planet are essentially ignored by our narcissistic primitive ego. If we bother to think about it at all, most of us dismiss these threats with the thought, "our government should do something about the problem".
We deny the impact of the changes attributed to global warming, in part, because we have been conditioned to see ourselves as subjectively separate, unique individuals living in a world where reason and logic rule. Our primitive ego has come to believe it is a superior and totally separate being.
Through the success of our efforts to scientifically understand the natural world by breaking matter into smaller and smaller parts so we can learn how they work, the hubris of our primitive ego has begun to believe that we now have the power to actually control nature.
We have lost touch with the humility of our early ancestors; with the more feminine aspects of our psyche. Over time, the more aggressive masculine psyche of our primitive ego increasingly denied the more intuitive feminine insights of our observing ego consciousness. Over time the feminine part of our psyche found itself effectively banished from consciousness and driven into the unconscious.
As a result of our primitive ego hubris, we have lost the feminine, observing ego wisdom of our ancestors who knew intuitively that we are nothing more than an infinitesimally small part of an immense universe. We have lost the awe necessary for us to maintain a spiritual heart connection with the fragile planetary life support system that sustains us.
We no longer intuitively recognize or experience our systemic inter-connection and inter-dependence with the rest of creation even though quantum physicists are now learning that the energies contained in every part of creation; from the largest galaxy of the universe down to the smallest elements of matter, are all actively communicating at the quantum level with every other part of creation.
Our collective primitive ego has embraced logic and reasoning to the point it has lost touch with its ancient sense of spirituality. It has convinced itself we have the God given right to arrogantly use the planet in whatever way best suits our immediate needs.
Only when we decide to abandon the untransformed masculine energy of our primitive ego and learn to embrace the transformed feminine energy of our more enlightened observing ego consciousness will we effectively reverse global warming.
Denial #2) The Myth of Unlimited Economic Expansion and Our Voracious Appetite for "Stuff"
Another good example of our primitive ego's inability to accept a growing threat as "real" is our voracious appetite in the Western world and Europe to consume "stuff". We never seem to have enough to satisfy our hunger for "more". The Buddhists refer to our primitive egos insatiable need for "more" as our hungry ego. Despite massive and growing evidence to the contrary, in its need for "more", our collective primitive ego has blindly bought into the myth that unlimited economic expansion is somehow an actual reality; a real and valid law of economics.
At the current level of consumption in Western culture we are depleting the natural resources of our planet at an alarming rate. Yet our collective primitive ego blindly continues to support an uncontrolled level of consumption that is clearly leading the world to inevitable economic, environmental, and social crises. In simple terms, our planet is simply unable to "sustain" our Western culture's current standard of living. And that number is about to increase from one billion to over four billion.
Our primitive ego dismisses the uneasy discomfort we feel when we read that the Eastern cultures of India and China have also decided to embrace the myth called unlimited economic expansion and are rapidly catching up with our Western culture's ability to consume. It is estimated that each of their economies will catch up with ours in roughly one to two generations. Even if the rest of the world remains at their current levels of consumption China and India alone will create a four-fold increase in our human species' ability to consume. The only emotional reality that emerges from the narcissism of our primitive ego consciousness is a gnawing sense of anger and resentment that "they" are going to start taking "our" vitally needed planetary resources; resources that "we" need.
Our appetite for "stuff" is enormous. Some say that we are literally "trashing" our planet. Consider the following:
- Every man, woman, and child in America sends roughly 4 ½ pounds of trash a day to a landfill.
- It is estimated that 99% of all purchases made by Americans will be trash in a landfill within six months of the time it is purchased.
- America represents only about 5% of the world's population but we are currently consuming over 30% of the world's resources.
In other words, if everyone alive on the planet today were to enjoy life at our "current" American level of consumption, we would need the equivalent of roughly seven "earth sized planets" to support them. And each of those seven planets would be rapidly depleting their natural resources. By the end of the 21st century we would need roughly eleven earth sized planets. It would not be long before all eleven of those planets would be nearing the end of their ability to sustain a viable human culture.
There are those who suggest the answer to the resources problem is recycling; that we should recycle more. Recycling is obviously important, but it is a very small drop in the solution bucket. What is needed is a radical shift in our mind set or worldview. We need to learn to genuinely embrace the concept of long term "sustainability" in our human culture.
We need to shift from purchasing a never-ending list of "wants" to purchasing essentially only those things we actually "need". And the "needs" we purchase should reflect "real" cost to make them. In other words, our cost should include all of the costs of a "green" manufacturing process, all costs associated with recycling the item, and the green disposal costs for all non-recyclable and toxic materials in the item purchased.
The cost of products we are currently purchasing is artificially low. The recycling and disposal costs of toxic chemicals and materials used in the manufacture of the item, all of the recycling costs, and the final disposal of toxic material contained in the products we buy are all currently passed on to the general public. They are not included in the purchase price paid by the consumer. If we had to pay all of the real costs associated with the items we consume every day, there is no doubt that our level of consumption would quickly decrease to more manageable levels.
The collective narcissistic primitive ego of our Western culture currently embraces a non-sustainable, throwaway mindset. Through aggressive marketing campaigns we are encouraged to not only notice the obsolescence of virtually everything we own, we are reminded over and over to compare what we currently own to what we "could" own. At the same time we are being bombarded by aggressive marketing campaigns, the products we currently own are breaking down due to a real obsolescence intentionally designed into everything we purchase. This unconscious behavior to compulsively "throw away" so we can buy "new and better" is designed to drive the unlimited expansion of our economy and our capitalistic free market system.
Our collective primitive egos choose to ignore the reality that "unlimited economic expansion" is a non-sustainable myth. We do not perceive it as impacting us personally, so our narcissistic primitive ego ignores reality and continues to consume. The denial of our primitive ego spreads rapidly into other areas of our culture. Some warn that the default in credit card debt is going to be the next "crisis" we will be dealing with in the financial melt down we are experiencing. Once again, because it is not impacting us directly, our primitive ego can comfortable assume that it is someone else's problem to deal with. And once again, we will be "shocked" when that expected reality eventually arrives.
I have listed only two of the more than twenty challenges that scientists and social experts forecast we will be dealing with at a crisis level in the near future. The severity of some of these problems will undoubtedly be eased by scientific advancement and technical solutions, but to assume that scientists alone will be able to finally solve these challenges is simply another example of our species' primitive ego denial and narcissism; our total faith and dependence on logic and reason to solve all of our environmental and social problems.
To Briefly Summarize
Because our narcissistic "me" oriented primitive ego is rarely willing to share with "others" what we subjectively feel is "ours", the option of patiently waiting for our human culture to voluntarily mature and evolve our primitive ego consciousness into that of a more compassionate and spiritually mature observing ego consciousness is not realistic. It is also totally unrealistic to think that we can safely digest a four-fold increase in our current level of consumption in the next few generations. Our planet cannot continue to sustain even our current level of consumption.
Our collective primitive egos are convinced that our scientists will somehow use logic and reason to solve the problem. In the meantime, we can continue consuming and throwing yesterday's discarded "wants" in the local landfill. Doing more of the same and assuming that things will somehow change has been described as an excellent definition of insanity.
Sustainability is the concept that must become part of every economic and environmental decision we make in our human cultures. Sustainable economic expansion is possible. Unlimited economic expansion created and encouraged by primitive ego denial is not.
We are all interconnected. We all depend on the Earth and its resources for our survival. The earth is humanity's only life support system and it simply cannot continue to support unlimited human expansion and consumption. For those who have the courage to look at the growing evidence, our planet's fragile life support system is already showing significant signs of malfunction.
Our primitive ego belief that "if it doesn't impact me directly, it is not 'real' " is a very dangerous way to live. Just because our primitive ego embraces a strongly held belief does not mean that it accurately reflects truth. We must learn to embrace reality and facts even when they conflict with the narcissistic ideologies and firmly held beliefs of our primitive ego.
As most of the scientific world is already warning, continuing to deny the reality of global warming and the dangers of non-sustainable economic expansion will inevitably lead to irreversible planetary changes capable of threatening life as we know it; and could even potentially lead to the eventual extinction of our species. I am convinced that the Primitive Ego Theory of Human Social and Spiritual Development is a tool that could effectively lead our species toward the level of psychological intelligence that we so badly need to achieve. Primitive ego psychology should be taught at the grammar school level in our public educational system.
Coming In Parts 2 and 3 of This Series
The goal of this three part series of articles on the danger of denial in primitive ego thinking is to offer readers some creative steps that they can take to prepare for the changes that are coming. It is better to be prepared than "shocked" when the expected arrives. Like I said earlier, we are not talking about a dooms day scenario, we are talking about taking the steps necessary to better insure that the challenges that are coming do not create unnecessary crises in our lives.
In the next Newsletter, I will continue with Part 2 of this discussion on the danger of denial in our primitive ego psyche by taking a look at the inevitable consequences we will soon be facing if we continue to deny the current global population explosion; one more example of the more than twenty critical challenges that I believe we will be facing in the coming decades;. Then in Part 3, I will wrap up this series with an index listing a) a summary list of the challenges that are looming on the horizon, b) a general summary list of the important aspects and behaviors manifested by primitive ego thinking, and finally c) a detailed list of specific ideas and suggestions of what I believe each of us can do to proactively begin preparing for the challenges and changes that are coming.
The Stonyhill Primitive Ego Theory of Human Social and Spiritual Development© (PET) was developed to offer not only a simple coherent theory for the development and evolution of human consciousness, but to also provide the psychological tools and insights needed so-as-to enable the infusion of "intentionality" in the future growth of our species consciousness.
PET is a developmental theory of the human ego that could be offered in our public school systems to teach the skills and insights required for growth in psychological intelligence (PQ©) and the intentional maturation of our species consciousness, or to those interested in the authentic spiritual growth that comes through growth in one's self-awareness.
Readers can go to www.stonyhill.com for in-depth articles and past Newsletter discussions on the subjects of our inner-child's primitive ego, awakening, happiness, compassion, authentic spiritual growth, and The Primitive Ego Theory of Human Social and Spiritual Development©.)
The narcissism of our primitive ego is convinced that each of us is a separate, unique individual. We have been taught the concept of individual self-worth since the day we were born. It is an integral and valuable part of our Western psyche. In fact, most of the scientific and social advances credited to Western culture stem directly from our ability to honor our individuality. Concepts like freedom, democracy, justice, free will, capitalism, the power of reason and logic, and individualism all emerged in Western culture as a result of the cultural changes wrought by the Renaissance period and 17th century Enlightenment.
I have tried to demonstrate our urgent need to consciously and intentionally evolve our species consciousness in the articles I write for this Newsletter and in the many articles I have written on the subject of primitive ego that are published on the Stonyhill.com web site. Our primitive ego almost universally differentiates the world into dualistic, black-and-white categories of right and wrong, good and bad, and especially good and evil. And our primitive ego always needs to be "right".
As a result, our primitive ego is rarely able to emotionally embrace both extremes of any issue; especially when confronted with an antinomy or paradox in which there is a contradiction between two beliefs that are both true and reasonable. Our primitive ego will almost always choose to believe one side of the paradox, and then will forever, aggressively defend it as an absolute truth.
For example, yes we are subjectively unique and separate beings, and yes there is great power to be discovered in the use of logic and reason, but paradoxically, we are also radically and systemically interconnected with the Ground of Being, the Unity, and the Oneness of reality itself.
One of the great tragedies of Renaissance masculine thinking with its overwhelming focus on logic and reason, has been the loss of wisdom, and the more feminine aspects of our psyche inherent in nurturing, the reality of the systemic interconnection of Creation, and the power of intuition. We have split off the feminine psyche into the realm of the unconscious.
For the last four hundred years we have made amazing intellectual advances in our understanding of the universe and the mathematical laws of physics, but to gain this knowledge and the power to control the physical world that comes with this knowledge, required us to turn everything in creation into an object to be dissected, explored and understood. We have gained great knowledge, but we have sadly lost the deeper wisdom that our ancestors possessed. We have lost our spiritual, life connection, with the rest of creation.
Our primitive ego is interested only in power; the power to control that comes with knowledge; the power to create the illusion of safety. But there is an equally powerful knowledge that comes from the wisdom of knowing that we are not greater or more powerful than the forces of nature. Our ancestors understood the power of humility; the importance of working "with" the natural cycles of life. They honored the limits inherent in our humanity and the limits inherent in the natural laws of the created universe. They worshiped their Gods and honored the spirit of the Earth Mother that sustained them.
The hubris of our primitive ego has dominated our human culture and our human species, for almost 400 years. We have indeed created some amazing things. We have made advances that our ancestors could not even have dreamed about. However it is time to reclaim the ancient wisdom that we lost when we adopted Descartes' Cartesian faith in reason and logic; the deeper intuitive wisdom to know that we are headed on a path of hubris that will soon destroy everything we have created.
Our ancestors embraced humility. They intuitively "knew" that our species represents only a very, very, tiny part of an unimaginatively large and overwhelmingly complex Creation. Even after hundreds of years of scientific study and inquiry, our understanding and knowledge has yet only scratched the surface of Creation's mysteries. Yet in our hubris we think we can actually control the forces of nature and ignore the limits of natural laws built into the very fabric of creation itself without consequence. Such thinking represents a primitive ego level of ignorance and arrogant pride that could ultimately lead to the destruction of everything we have achieved as a species.
Only our more feminine, contemplative observing ego has the ability to quietly sit in awe of what we do not yet understand. Only our observing ego has the ability to begin working "with" Nature and honoring the subtle cycles of life; and the subtleties and complexities that we have yet to even discover. Only our observing ego is capable of the humility and wisdom we need to ensure our survival as a self-reflective species; to honor the limits that come with finite life. And unlike our narcissistic primitive ego, to know that we are not God.
If we are to experience wholeness, we must learn to integrate both the masculine and the feminine aspects of our psyche and bring both of them into full consciousness; a spiritual level of consciousness we call the Authentic Self. The failure to achieve this level of integration will leave us psychically fragmented, trapped in the psychological limits of logic and reason, unable to realize the virtually unlimited potential of our reflexively conscious species.
In a nut shell, this is why I write about the dangers and narcissism of primitive ego thinking and why I feel it is so important for us to understand and intentionally evolve and mature our primitive ego consciousness into that of a more observing and humble contemplative ego. We may not be fully ready for the challenges that we have unknowingly created for ourselves, but ready or not, they will soon be upon us. These challenges are going to force us as a self-conscious species to move beyond the current adolescent narcissism of our species and intentionally manifest a more mature adult consciousness. Primitive Ego Theory is an effective tool to ensure this conscious evolution of our consciousness, but the choice is ours and time is running out. Life as we know it is about to undergo some very challenging changes.
Blessings for a holiday season filled with love and compassion. See you in the New Year.
Namaste
Dick Rauscher
The Buddha did not become enlightened by pretending to be.
Annie O'Shaughnessy, Soul Flares, June 2008
Primitive ego theory can be used to achieve the authentic spiritual growth of our primitive ego consciousness. Authentic spiritual growth, or growth in self-awareness is best accomplished when we intentionally adopt and incorporate spiritual practices into our lives. This is the individual part of authentic spiritual growth and reflects a deep commitment and desire to grow spiritually.
Authentic spiritual growth through the evolution of our primitive ego consciousness however, is a very difficult journey to sustain until we are open to bringing our spiritual practices into a mutually supportive community. Authentic spiritual growth is an inner light best reflected in relationship with others. When asked if he was enlightened, the master replied. I do not know. Ask my wife and my children. Only they can know.
Unconditional love, compassion, justice, care, inclusiveness, diversity, and cooperation are always manifested and shared in community with others. If we are serious about our spiritual growth, if we want to achieve authentic spiritual growth, then we need to find others who are also interested in growing spiritually and come together in community to mutually support one another on our respective journeys.
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