Not a day goes by lately, where I do not hear gloom and doom woven in the casual conversations I have with others. Patients, strangers, and acquaintances alike bemoan a broad range of issues, from outrage at the sheer volume of spam pouring into cell phones and e-mails to disgruntled comments about how today’s youth leaves much to be desired, anxiety over racial tensions and worse. again, during the twilight years of our first black president; hand-cracking and heartbreak around mass shootings – near and far; climate change and overpopulation; the greed of the top 1% and last but absolutely not least, the absence of opportunity for the middle class.
Of course, such societal and cultural concerns are understandable, and most of us hope there will be a resolution. But the hopelessness and unhappiness that was continuously being expressed made me think that something else was also possible. After much thought, I concluded that a mass identity crisis was taking place in America. Instead of honestly facing and exploring on your own big question, people find it easier to notice social misfortune outside of themselves. In this postmodern age of “quick fixes,” instant communication, immediate gratification, and relativism, taking a journey into one’s spiritual depths is not a socially acceptable way to go.
The search for identity is nothing new. Developmental theorist and psychologist Erik Erikson (1902-1994) wrote that human development is essentially based on the search for identity throughout the life span. But it takes on new importance. Never before has personal identity been so emphasised. A hot new topic going viral on websites and media outlets is “identity crisis”…. sexual identity, gender identity and, most recently, racial identity.
It wasn’t long after the public accepted and even celebrated gay marriage that the question of transgender identity conflict was thrust into public debate. By changing her identity from Bruce Jenner to Caitln Jenner, the 65-year-old Olympic champion signed a $5 million reality television contract and has been hailed as a hero by many. Verdict varies – depends on personal sensibilities.
Then there’s Rachel Dolezal, former head of the Spokane, Washington NAACP. He was “thrown out” by his Caucasian biological parents for not being black, as he claims. A comparatively new term, “trans-racial identity conflict” has quickly made its way into popular culture. Similar to Jenner’s public exposure, Twitter, Instagram, and numerous forms of mainstream and social media – from left to right – have surrounded the 37-year-old mother.
Baby boomers (now our parents) remember how the late 1960s and 70s were a time of optimism and hope for a far better society. The Civil Rights Movement brought affirmative action, ‘Afros’, the theme ‘black is lovely’, and other notable improvements; the Peace movement ending unpopular wars; the Feminist movement and contraception freed women from the kitchen and opened their way into the world of work; and the sexual revolution created entire generations of happy and free flower kids.
Today, more than 35 years later, hopelessness and pessimism dominate. As in the 60s, there’s also the great excitement that permeated America a few years ago. This excitement is based on the premise that our first black president will bring about the radical change we so much desire. Barak Obama – so many dreams were given to him, so many unrealistic and impossible hopes were projected onto a single individual.
This is the author’s belief that what was lost in the 1960s is still lost today. As long as we see ourselves only through a secular, materialistic lens, and so long as we respect shallow standards of success and think we can control everything, I believe that life in America will continue to spiral out of control.
From the endless story:
- war, terrorism and suffering;
- threat of world economic collapse;
- clash of cultural ideologies at home;
- epidemic violence;
- doctors in the US performed more than 15 million cosmetic procedures in 2014, approximately double the number in 2000;
- the sexual abuse and rape that claims approximately a quarter of our kids;
- approximately one in four adults has a diagnosed mental disorder;
- the use of antidepressants, sleeping pills and anti-anxiety drugs became the norm.
We are experiencing a level of psychological stress that’s unprecedented in our lives.
In contrast to this cultural breakdown, there’s also a recent major survey by the esteemed Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, which revealed that ninety-two percent of Americans report belief in God or in a “Higher Power.” A look at the publishing industry shows that books on personal growth and spirituality continue to capture a large segment of the market, which they’ve for many years. Such widespread attention to spiritual matters should have a beneficial effect on our culture. But this does not seem right.
A closer look at spirituality in the West sheds light on the problem. Traditional religions are rejected by many people – often understandably – because they do not support their spiritual longings, or because of their misuse of history, or because they feel old-fashioned and meaningless.
Millions of individuals do it themselves, creating their own belief systems. Visit any dating website and spot that almost all of the profiles have the “spiritual but not religious” (SBNR) checked. According to a 2012 report, approximately 1 in 5 Americans fall into this group. This points to the variety of individual searches today. This shift began in the 60s, when people abandoned traditional religions and started to explore Eastern religions such as Buddhism, Hinduism, and Sufism, in addition to numerous forms of nature worship, including Shamanism, Native American spirituality, and Wicca.
Although the discipline of psychology considers a powerful identity essential for overall well-being, it pays less attention to spiritual identity. While Erikson’s theory of identity formation was and remains a very important contribution to contemporary developmental psychology, the area of spiritual identity is conspicuously absent from his work. As a result, psychology, psychiatry, much of academia and popular culture have paid little attention to cross-cultural research citing how the erosion of a powerful spiritual identity leads to a self-image that loses definition and becomes more fragile.
There is also evidence that a powerful collective spiritual identity is critical for a country to really survive. England 20th century historian, Arnold Toynbee, whose 12-volume analysis of the rise and fall of civilizations “A Study of History” (1934-1961) is a monumental synthesis of world history, a meta-history based on universal rhythms of rise, flower, and decline. , which examines history from a global perspective. Its thorough analysis concludes that a powerful religious and spiritual identity isdetermine factors for the durability or decline of a civilization.
Clearly we have reached a pivotal moment, where so many negative forces seem to tear us apart, even as many forces for good, particularly seen through the booming global communications, are drawing people all over the world closer.
As Americans absorb the grief and pain of the recent tragedy in Charleston, South Carolina, let us honor the victims who opened their hearts to make a place in their Bible study group for a young man steeped in darkness and evil. Let’s appreciate and respect the deepest souls of the families and friends of the victims, who with tears in their eyes looked directly at this young man and apologized. Let’s also realize that contrary to what was expected, this national tragedy seems to have brought people closer together. No riots. Social activists and national politicians have stayed home. The Confederate Flag will be taken down.
It’s time to heal the soul of the west. Such healing means active seeking in the for your answer big question. It also means acknowledging, being guided, and becoming one with the sacred energy that lives in your heart and soul. A new and adjusted future is feasible – for you, for me, and for all of America too.
Dr. Judith Miller is a professor of developmental psychology at Columbia University, where she continuously teaches the ever-popular “Spiritual Development Across the Lifespan.” In addition, Dr. Miller is on the faculty of the International Institute for the Exploration of Consciousness and Psychotherapy in Germany. A highly respected teacher and spiritual guide, he’s a popular speaker and presenter for both lay and experienced audiences. his first book, Direct Connection: Consciousness Transformationdocumenting his own path of spiritual discovery.
Currently, Dr. Miller also conducts psycho-spiritual training programs, retreats and workshops internationally, including the US, Europe and China. When not traveling the world for business and pleasure, she enjoys being a wife, mother, and grandmother in her home outside of Philadelphia, PA.
Healing the Soul of the West Available in e-book and paperback format Amazons and other online sites.
Learn more and connect with Dr. Millers at www.drjudithmiller.com And Facebook.
