Let’s get practical
awe generates humility
Western societies are called to participate in the sacred yet challenging task of lifting their collective gaze toward a new cultural mindset, one that embraces the principle of unity with diversity. We cannot control or force this process. Rather, with an attitude of openness and receptivity our task is to 1. attune ourselves to the spirit of the age, 2. explore the tenets of a new mindset, and 3. integrate the tenets into a new cultural identity and mindset. The following five practices will help us remain open and receptive to the new mindset that seeks to weave its way into our collective psyche.
1. Exploring together
The era of the lone hero or heroine transforming society is over. A single individual can’t transform the cultural mindset of a society by themselves. Do not embark on this journey alone; find companions who are committed to adopting a new cultural identity and mindset. The time has come for us to explore new cultural perspectives together.
Practice: Connect with communities and organisations advocating for a new cultural mindset grounded by unity with diversity. Join with groups that align with your areas of interest and expertise.
2. Conversation
Conversation is a powerful tool for grounding a new cultural mindset because conversation can “build shared meaning.” (Daniel Wahl, Designing Regenerative Cultures).
Practices:
Shifting the conversation. Conversations often focus on items in the news or social media that have generated emotions of sadness, fear, or self-righteous indignation. Such conversations often end on a wistful note of, “But what can we do about it?” What if we were to shift the conversation? We could do this by highlighting communities and organisations that are actively engaged in the transformative process of grounding a new cultural mindset. Or, we could toss some open-ended questions into the conversation. So, there are constructive ways to shift the conversation from what is wrong in the world toward exploring what could be possible. Respectfully shifting the tone and intent of a conversation can be a simple, yet effective tool.
Book clubs. Book clubs are designed for conversation. Therefore, book clubs can be ideal vehicles for exploring the tenets of a new cultural identity and mindset. A good starting point would be Daniel Christian Wahl’s Designing Regenerative Cultures. Or, my essay entitled The what, why, and how of shifting the cultural mindset on the Resources page of my website.
3. Social media
Whereas book clubs are designed for conversation, rarely does conversation take place on social media. Social media focuses on monologues that entrench particular views. In this way, social media figuratively digs trenches for cultural warfare. So, far from being a vehicle for exploring together, social media can actively work against the transformative process. However, even though social media platforms are not conducive to conversation, they do have the potential to play a different role.
Practice: intentionally seek to shift the tone and intent of social media through raising awareness of the what, why, and how of shifting the cultural mindset, as well as sharing helpful resources.
4. The arts
The arts can play a significant role in shifting the cultural mindset because the arts are in touch with the spirit of the age. They can call forth a new cultural mindset and embed tenets of a new mindset within the marrow of our collective psyche. The arts can also unmask something of our collective shadow side, particularly through the mediums of cartoon and comedic routines. Comedy can raise our shadow side into our conscious view with the lightness of laughter.
Practice: The arts enable multiple mediums and voices of interpretation regarding a new cultural mindset. Therefore, poets, songwriters, scriptwriters, film producers, dancers, photographers, musicians, comedians, authors, painters, cartoonists, and sculptors can each play their role in grounding a new cultural mindset within the collective psyche.
5. Awakening awe
Driven by a desire to conquer and exploit the natural world, we have forsaken our sense of awe and wonder. Furthermore, our rapid lifestyle, information overload, and technological devices that captivate our attention with their small screens, have diminished awe and wonder. Yet, awe is essential when transitioning from one mindset to another. Why? According to author, Beverly Lanzetta, awe generates humility (The New Silence). Shifting cultural mindsets necessitates a humble approach.
Practice: Slow down and spend unstructured time in the natural world. Allow all of your senses to take in the environment around you. For those who cannot experience it firsthand, documentaries, photography, and art exhibitions act as gateways into the deep beauty and interconnectivity of our world.
