In a different light: a new frontier for spiritual exploration

reimagining our place of belonging in the world we know

This paper calls for a new cultural identity based on interconnectedness via unity with diversity rather than individualism. It critiques the traditional Western worldview, shaped by two main influences: Christian doctrine, which positions humanity as the pinnacle of creation, and a science-based mechanistic view of evolutionary history, where Reality functions like a machine and evolution is known to be a competitive process promoting the survival of the fittest. The paper advocates for a new cultural Story of Belonging; based on a scientific systems view of evolutionary history that presents evolution not as competition
but as a cooperative and creative dance of being and becoming. This new social narrative includes a shift in spiritual formation, conscious evolution, and evolutionary spirituality. It fosters moral responsibility through participation, cooperation, and collaboration for the common good. The new cultural Story of Belonging will reframe the place of belonging within the greater web of Life. It also integrates secular and religious traditions of meaning-making, cultivating trust and harmony among the citizens.