Meeting at the Intersection of Humility and Mystery A Working Model By Tim King

Among people for whom religion is important, even an essential part of identity, a difference of religion presents itself as a deep fissure, and one that is not easily filled or bridged.

Working models must be transferable, fluid and cross-disciplinary. A static model is not very helpful in a rapidly changing environment. Their application should not be limited to religion but also apply to politics, economics, education and culture.

‘Military Might and Religious Influence’ Both of these elements, and their place in (American) culture, continue to play a significant role in creating the world that we – those of us in this room – are attempting to influence and reshape for the better.

In many places, war is both a sacred rite and an identity marker, a way of ritually sacrificing the Other as a means of shoring up our own place in the world.

This problem of apocalyptic expectation being realized through politics and military force is not unique to the U.S. Most of us have seen the same things in our homelands and our faith traditions. Most of us sense that the journey is long and the road steep in our call to break free from the legacy of religious violence.

‘Integral Philosophy’ It seeks an understanding of how evolutionary patterns affect the development of consciousness and culture. Rooted in the works of: Hegel, Piaget, Habermas, Teilhard de Chardin, Claire Graves, Ken Wilber and others.

‘Integral Philosophy’ It deals with the expansion of our perception of reality and the ways in which our values change and expand, evolving upward to adapt to changing social environments. Each stage transcends and Includes previous stages.

According to ‘integral philosophy’ – many of the world’s problems are problems of consciousness. The working theory is that by learning the ways consciousness is increased and expanded we can cultivate opportunities to improve our world’s conditions.

Each of us evolves by taking with us that which is workable from previous stages, while leaving behind those ways of thinking that no longer serve us in the world as it has now become.

“…once blood has flowed, it is as contagious as the plague; violence begets violence [and] the cycle of blood vengeance will not stop by itself.” Raymund Schwager, “Must There be Scapegoats?”

As we come to the next three levels of the spiral, we come to where most of the world is today, and also where most of the dialogue – for good or ill – is taking place. Because we are working on a model of ‘transcend’ and ‘include,’ it should not be surprising that we will still see traces of each of the lower levels of the spiral present.

“The bondage of certainty can supplant the freedom of faith and make it impossible to say, ‘We don’t know,’ ‘We apologize,’ ‘We want to change,’ and ‘What can we do to make things right?” Samir Selmanovic, “It’s Really All About God.”

“Modernism’s principle pathology is found in the continuing threat that the horrors wrought by its industrialized military technology during the twentieth century will be unleashed again in another [even more, catastrophic] war.” Steve McIntosh, “Integral Consciousness.”

It contributes to the spiral by seeking more inclusion of those previously marginalized. It is worldcentric in its morality, celebrates the feminine and seeks a renewed sense of creativity.

It finds its security in viewing the world more holistically and is dedicated to gaining more insight, foresight, and the kinds of knowledge that will help it live harmoniously with others in the process.

Because the spiral works off of the evolutionary principles of include and transcend, it is not uncommon for us to see ourselves holding various values of any number of stages falling below the level we primarily relate to.

The difficulty comes as we return to our homes and are faced with those who hold both a different faith system and process the world on a different level of consciousness. What this model offers us is a way to be more nuanced and sensitive in the ways we view others.

There is much to be gained in becoming adept at embracing and celebrating the dignities of each level of the spiral and thus increasing mutual understanding, for here we discover the necessary synergies to help mend our inner selves and bring healing to humankind.

“To maintain the breath in life as something as complex and beautiful as human experience, our mysteries need one another.” Author Brian McLaren

In his poem “A Footnote to all Prayers,” Renowned theologian C.S. Lewis reminds us that language can be a window through which one glimpses God, but never a box in which God can be contained.

The best place for us to meet in peace and celebration, is at the intersection of humility and mystery!