Preface
The goal of this article is to explore ancient history, consciousness, spirituality, ethnic practices and how these relate to each other for the purpose of moving toward a new system which could then be installed to great effect in the modern west. Western nations, at one point in the not-too-distant past, had an ethnos, but this has been broken down through various implemented political policies as well as through radical liberal education and mass immigration. It is a point of note that social cohesion is imperative in establishing and maintaining a peaceful civilization, and the abolition thereof can only instill chaos and tension. We have the opportunity to do something rare: to create a new ethnos. Creating a new ethnos is more beneficial than returning to an older point because we can remove flaws from the system we form. It is an important thing to note that anyone who seeks to return to an older ethnos is already attempting to create a new one since they are not accounting for many changes that are not dealt with by their chosen system; older systems did not exist alongside the technology we currently have and so will be different in expression than their original form.
Before we can move into the true content of this article, I must explain a few things about myself and my worldview, so that the reader may be more understanding of the manner in which I present concepts. There are three points of note which require expression before we may continue with the article. Firstly, I am a firm believer in science. Studying the history of science, it becomes clear that it is a combination of three independent philosophies: those being rationalism, empiricism and epistemology. The combination of the three creates a balance which is as close to perfection as humanity has ever reached. It is my personal opinion that science transcends each of the three philosophies and so should be considered separate and distinct from philosophy itself. Yet I still see the need for philosophy itself. Philosophy provides us with ways of interpreting data which are not revealed by the data itself. It also allows us to think in complex forms about things not covered by science such as the meaning of life or about morality.
Philosophy sharpens the thought processes of individuals and allows deep exploration of even the shallowest of topics. Since its inception science has had a spiritual element to it; having its roots with the Sufi Muslims who believed the study of God's design was one of the highest spiritual practices. Science requires the subversion of ego, which is a key component of almost all spiritual systems. It also establishes new neural connections in the brain through revelation of novel information. In these two functions, the suppression of ego and the creation of novelty in the brain, it resembles the same functions that psychedelics perform in the brain. Psychedelics have been studied using neural imaging techniques such as fMRI and have been revealed to reduce activity in the Default Mode Network, a collection of 4 or 5 substructures in the brain which appear to be responsible for mundane consciousness. This seems to explain the reduction of ego whilst intoxicated on these substances. They also engage more overall neural connectivity, wherein parts of the brain which do not normally communicate do so greatly; and this seems to explain the hallucinogenic effects such as synesthesia.
Psychedelics have been linked to a greater sense of spirituality as well. Science combined with philosophy is perhaps the greatest powerhouse of functional information unveiling. Together they may create a more complete system of knowledge as well as a more whole individual. Science, combined with philosophy, makes for a truly psychedelic experience without the usage of substances.
My second point is that I am a pragmatist, and I view eclecticism as integral to pragmatism. Pragmatism focuses on that which is useful, and what is useful may be sparse between different systems. Pragmatism does not necessarily deal solely with truth as art itself can be both untrue as well as useful. Since William James published his work "Pragmatism" in 1907, pragmatism has been highly adaptable and wide ranging since it does not deal exclusively with the material. Many people do not deal with the world pragmatically. Most tend to deal with the world through an ideological basis, using a chosen system to interpret and interact. I personally view this as damaging. We must seek to solve problems first, and build our system based on the solutions we find work best. Looking to pre-established conceptualizations, it is best to pick and choose which portions we integrate.
My third and final point is that I consider myself to be a libertarian. This entails a desire for minimal force and therefore minimal governance. So when I am putting forth ideas, I do attempt to implement as little authority as possible. This appears to me to be necessary for maintaining peace among a populace and the rights of individuals. This does not mean, however, that I am entirely against force. There are absolutely some instances where force is necessary, such as in safety regulations which prevent harm to consumers. Another instance would be the prevention of child abuse and neglect. I am absolutely against Rothbardianism. With these made clear, let us continue to the meat of the article.
The Dawn of Civilization
In 1987 Riane Eisler published a book entitled "The Chalice and The Blade" in which she examines archeological data to uncover an ancient civilization which did not have a hierarchy. She posits that hierarchy came about through a distorted masculine impulse which manifested itself as a conquering culture. Her claim is that the society without hierarchy was overcome by the conquerer culture. She also claims that the egalitarian society was the basic form for all human culture at one point in the distant past. But is she correct in her claims?
There are several problems with her analysis. First, is that Eisler performed third-hand analysis; that is to say that she received her information from second-hand sources. If even one of those second-hand accounts was misinformed or made a mistake in interpreting the evidence they viewed, her entire argument would be tainted. Generally, the longer the chain of interpreters before it reaches the final source, the more chance there is for false information to arise. After all, the grapevine is a very real issue with humans. The second issue with Eisler's analysis is that it was inspired by both the theosophist notion of a golden age as well as the Marxist notion of primitive communism. The theosophists were outed as frauds in the 1800s when their seances were revealed to be mere parlor tricks.
Using dishonesty in any form in any portion of one's practice calls into question the entirety of the ideology. As for the Marxists, their anthropology has been disproven many times, as even the most primitive tribes have been shown to have unequal distribution of wealth. Another problem with her claim is that she does not fully explain how the dominator culture began. It is almost hand waved and expected to be taken as a given. Without a proper understanding of how the dominator culture came into being, we cannot say for certain that the dominator culture arose after the egalitarian society, instead of having always existed. So, this must mean that Eisler's "chalice" culture never existed, right?
In "The Birth of The Gods and The Origins of Agriculture", Jacques Cauvin analyzes the late Paleolithic period up to the late Neolithic period in the Levant. He shows precisely at what point agriculture began, as well as the cultural changes that took place in conjunction with the development thereof. There were both subtle and drastic changes which took place during the Neolithic period. In the late Paleolithic period we see round housing structures and a female deity with no male deity present. We do see a much more equal distribution of goods among the population. The female deity found in the levant at this time is not the fat "Venus" many are accustomed to seeing when the ancient past is being discussed, but a relatively slender figure who is shown to tower over the people of the village. The equal distribution of goods does not necessarily indicate a truly egalitarian society as our evidence may be incomplete. However, the housing found does indicate a much more egalitarian disposition, however flimsy a link that is.
At the very beginning of agriculture, we see a rapid shift towards rectangular housing. We also see the first instance of a male deity. The first agricultural civilization also coincides with the first domesticated animals. The changes in culture, the shift in housing design and the presence of a male deity seem to be a direct result of the development of agriculture and the domestication of animals. Psychologically, we can analyze the Paleolithic as the same chalice culture that Riane Eisler wrote about.
The round houses were built minimalistically and signify a more direct connection with nature. The roundness represents a more natural setting and so these structures are more in tune with nature. A man living in such a building is more psychologically aware that he is a part of nature. The female deity appears as a maiden or younger woman and so could represent fertility and an embracing nature. Those under such a deity would most certainly feel more as a part of nature, and would undoubtedly express more egalitarianism. Once agriculture developed we see the rapid shift to rectangular structures and the presence of a male deity. This most likely signifies man's control over nature as opposed to merely being part of it. Dominance over plants and animals expresses itself in a masculine manner, and with unnatural geometry. It is a point of note that this change happened internally and was not forced via external forces. This means that Eisler was wrong in her claim that dominator culture came through a conquering group.
What we can draw from this is that the masculine and feminine express themselves differently and give way to entirely different cultures with different structures. We can conclude that we have had almost nothing but masculine dominator cultures since the start of the Neolithic period. We can also arrive at a sense of longing for a feminine egalitarian culture. I would propose that unless we radically change our building style and religious tendencies, we cannot enter into a true egalitarian society. Instead, I posit that a balance might be struck between the masculine and feminine. It is desirable to seek a more egalitarian system, as we are only as strong as our weakest link and therefore should ensure that the least well off people in our society are more well off than they are at present. However, it is also important to recognize the potency and efficiency that comes with a hierarchical system. Gerald Gardner, the founder of Wicca, provided a belief system with both a female and a male deity. This represents a balance between the masculine and feminine, the egalitarian and the hierarchical. If we are to create a new ethnos centered around balance, and which seeks to take human instincts into account, this is the basic form of spirituality we must take as a foundation.
A Useful Practice
A man by the name of Jim Penman wrote two books with similar names; that being "Biohistory" and "Biohistory: The Decline and Fall of The West." Admittedly I have only read the latter, which is shorter and purportedly contains less evidence than the former. Still, this book was thoroughly convincing in its evidence and claims.
Penman claims that to properly understand why the cycles of history exist as they do, we must first understand biology and its impact on the psyche of the masses. He proposes two primary factors which he calls C and V, or the Civilizing factor and Vigor. C is formed when food supplies become stable enough to regularly feed a population and is maintained via intermittent fasting. V, on the other hand, comes about through a great lack of food. C, without intermittent fasts, gives rise to an abundance of testosterone, which itself gives way to more criminal behavior and hypersexuality. This in turn leads to behaviors which give way to food shortages, which then give rise to V. V then leads to a stable system which encourages C, but does not guarantee it. V after all allows more tolerance for hardships and brutal dictatorships in particular. I would like to step aside for a short moment and explain about testosterone's negative impacts. This is not to say that testosterone in and of itself is a negative, but rather that too much of anything is a bad thing. The link between testosterone and criminal behavior as well as with hypersexuality has been well established for decades. A simple Google search reveals dozens of scientific studies spanning at least 40 years proving the link.
Penman explains that there are practices which promote V. He lists the Roman Catholic practice of Lent, as well as the Muslim practice of Ramadan as V promoters. If I am forced to choose one of these as the better, I would choose Ramadan as it seems to me to be more potent in promoting V. Ramadan simulates famine conditions by disallowing food for the entirety of daylight timing for an entire month. This is similar to the practice of nomadic peoples who only eat after sundown and spend the day traveling and performing other tasks. The nomadic tribes are often idolized for their accomplishments and lifestyle. It is possible to adhere to a belief without holding on to any illusions about it.
Richard Weaver, often lauded as the founder of modern conservatism, supported socialism. Yet he did not support socialism because he believed it would bring about more prosperous conditions; rather, he believed it would create hardships which would build character. He believed that capitalism was the cause of decadence which would inevitably cause the collapse of civilization. For anyone interested in reading Weaver for themselves I recommend his 1948 book "Ideas Have Consequences". As I have said previously, I seek solutions without force. As such, it is preferable to my tastes that we instill the practice of Ramadan among the populace instead of forcing famine conditions through policy. Doing so will lead to a healthier and more resilient society and will also create more well-developed characters among the people. This will aid in stabilizing our civilization as well.
Spirituality
It is well documented that there are benefits to religion. Studies have shown that children raised with religion have a thicker cortex which means better communication, a stronger imagination, and less depression later in life (even after losing religion). The largest list of psychological benefits of religion that I am aware of is a book called "Triune Brain, Triune Mind, Triune Worldview" by William Klemm (W. R. Klemm). Most of these studies are done on Christians and even then, usually protestants. It is generally accepted that Christian morality is ideal. Monogamous societies are vastly less internally violent than polyamorous ones. Murder, theft and rape are all lower under societies dominated by Christian belief. Yet there are problems with Christianity. For starters most Christian sects do not believe in prophecy. In fact, anyone claiming to be a prophet, or a diviner is cast off as an agent of the devil. It may seem strange, but most Christians believe that true prophecy was common at one point but then suddenly disappeared around 2000 years ago. On top of this, most Christians are skeptical of any paranormal occurrence or miracle worker.
Again, these are characterized by Christians as deceptions created by the devil to lead believers away from the true faith. Yet they believe that miracles were worked often thousands of years ago. There has been a shift away from Christianity over the past decade or so, even on the right wing of the political spectrum. This is due mainly to the fact that people seek power over their lives, and Christianity offers no power. In fact, Christianity explicitly commands followers to tolerate whatever circumstances they are forced to live under, and obey anyone who is in authority over them. There is also the fact that most Christianity does not have a gender balance in its divine expression. The Catholics are an exception to this rule and in fact the Catholics do little to hide their polytheist practice. Prayers to the saints are very much polytheism, thinly veiled as intercessory. You really have to pray to someone who is not omnipresent in order to reach someone who is omnipresent?
A clearer alternative to Christianity is paganism, which embraces the divine masculine as well as the divine feminine. Paganism offers power over one's life and embraces prophecy and miracles. The question arises as to which form of paganism is best. Of all the pagan belief systems, perhaps the most technical is Hinduism. Hindu theology provided an age of the universe which is almost identical to the accepted scientific age of the universe. It also has detailed descriptions of the spiritual hierarchy which are suitable for polytheists and monotheists alike. It is not Faustian in the Spenglerian sense, though it does push up against that boundary. Hindu theology is not purely polytheist or monotheist. There is said to be one God who dreams the universe, and all other deities are merely emanations of that one God.
Technically speaking, we are all part of that one God; however instead of praising one's Self we are commanded to subvert the ego and serve the divine and the community. It is of note that Hindu culture is the oldest continuous culture on earth that we have record of. Still another system which draws intrigue is chaos magick. Personally, this system draws my attention because it is focused on altering the psyche of the practitioner. Altering consciousness and worldview is important for creating novel ideas and empathizing with others. Chaos magick is a spiritual system which encourages and aids problem solving. Chaos magick resembles radical liberalism in its use of religious relativism. It is more akin to a sort of spiritual mixed martial arts, which is to say that it seeks practices and techniques which are useful regardless of their system of origin. Though it has practicality in its direct effects, I maintain that its most potent trait is that it rapidly alters the consciousness of the practitioner and therefore can be used to quickly adapt to new circumstances and issues.
The most primitive form of spirituality documented by mankind is that of shamanism. Thus, it can be seen as the most instinctual form of spirituality. The book "Secrets of Shamanism" by Jose and Lena Stevens describes shamanism as a system which alters consciousness through various techniques including monotonous drumming which lulls the mind so that the subconscious can more easily commune with the conscious mind. In this book is described the shamanic web of life, which exists in the space between matter. This "nothingness" carries the information of all existence and particularly the knowledge pertaining to the formation of living beings. This notion bears great resemblance to Rupert Sheldrake's concept of morphogenetic fields. Is it possible that consciousness itself is a field? Fields are immaterial things which are accepted and embraced by science. They are "nothing" which are demonstrably real. The Buddhist concept of mind is "void" or nothingness. If consciousness lies in the nothingness, then it is very likely that consciousness is itself a field, or the result of a field. Itzhak Bentov proposed in his book "Stalking the Wild Pendulum" that consciousness is a field.
In his book, he provides an experiment to test his claim, which means his theory is in fact a scientific one. If consciousness is a field, then this would explain much about it, such as the fact that humans can remain conscious with much of the brain removed. In "The Mind and the Brain" by Jeffrey M. Schwartz, he describes how humans have a great level of control over their brains. He himself used Buddhist mindfulness meditation as the basis for a novel OCD treatment which had a greater success rate than the behaviorist model which was popular at the time. Another point Schwartz makes is how stroke sufferers are able to regain control over their paralyzed limbs using what amounts to sheer willpower. If we have control over what happens in our brains, where does the controlling factor come from? If consciousness is a field, then this would explain the anomalous experiences such as psychic foresight or clairvoyance, which though rare, do happen and end up documented.
The United States itself recorded great success with remote viewers for twenty years, and only spoke down upon the results after the program had become public information; contradicting their own documentation. If consciousness is a field then it would be pertinent to get as many minds on the same wavelength as possible, creating unity and power among the people. Mass shifts in technology and culture become more likely when this is done. We can more easily connect at the level of consciousness by sharing in kind the same spiritual belief system. If we are to create a new ethnos, we will need to create a new spiritual system which has adapted so as to maximize the benefits. A morality which optimizes society, belief which encourages community and stability, practices which encourage new ideas; all the while bearing in mind that we are united at both the physical and immaterial levels.
Conclusion
Roger Scruton is famous for emphasizing the true, the good and the beautiful. These seem like good ideals, however, what is true is not always good or beautiful, what is good is not always true, and what is beautiful is not always true. Human beings require mythology to be human. The placebo effect is well documented. If we are to bind our people together under a new ethnos, we most likely will require a new mythological basis. We will need to establish balance and uniformity. And if we want to ensure consistent new ideas, we will also want to instill a sufficient amount of variety.
Our world is indeed in danger, not only from civilizational collapse but also from a lack of good ideas. There is no real unity among nations and the spiritual health of the populace is in decline. Culture is fragmented and because of this most people are lost. Building off of the instincts of man we can create a more stable system which achieves our end goals. We find ourselves looking for the new in the most ancient of times. The ancients had wisdom and experience us moderns can only begin to speculate on. But in our workings, we may recreate the experiences and therefore draw on the same wisdom.
I hope my article has inspired people. I hope to open a new set of dialogues about this subject. If you would like to contact me, I am easily reached on my Twitter/X account @MDuqaine.
