The Spiritual Intellectual Dark Web

The “Intellectual Dark Web” is the label assigned to the online community of great thinkers who dare to challenge conventional thought and traditions.  Perhaps the mirror term of the “Intellectual Light Web” may be more appropriate for those of us in the spiritual community.  Would Brett or Eric Weinstein agree?

As we now embark on the new territory of openness with the digital world, chaos is becoming ever more visible.  Perhaps we are revisiting the ever repeating patterns that move us in the direction of greater enlightenment?  With open-minds and open hearts we engage one another to discover areas of agreement within the complex world of human discovery.

These deep thinkers and powerful people like those in the past are attacked and criticized by their peers.  Nicolaus Copernicus, Abraham Lincoln, Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. are but a few who dared to challenge the majority opinion to push for change.

Two of these men, Sam Harris and Dr. Jordan B Peterson are worthy of your attention because they dare to buck the tide and challenge rigid group-think with honest open dialog.

Also there are contrarian thinkers like Thomas Sowell and Dr. Michael Laitman, men who dare to challenge conventional thinkers in their own sphere of influence. I encourage you to watch their way of communicating with others. How they transfer complex ideas that have deep emotional attachments without being sucked down the rabbit-hole into personal attacks of identity politics.

These deep thinkers can agree and disagree on profound understandings without losing their spiritual balance.  I encourage you to connect with these powerful figures in our enlightened society and watch their discussions. See their disagreements on complex issues.  You may agree and disagree with them simultaneously on the same points of exploration.What can we learn from these great thinkers in the “Intellectual Dark Web“?

Learn to Discover Your Inner Balance
What can you offer to help heal the divides that have become so ridged over the last few years in our communities?  The answer lies inside of each one of us, in our spiritual space where our mind, soul and intellect combine.  Where we dare challenge our own thinking and conclusions.  How can you find areas of agreement with those to whom you disagree?

Which Side Are You On?  
More and more people seem to line up with blind allegiance to their point of view. They echo the chorus of cries against their opponents on the other side.   Many of these people are becoming more and more critical of what they perceive as “The Others” … while simultaneously less critical of their own ideological companions. Both sides use labeling and identity politics to sharpen the divides.

The Fake-News Pundits and The Media
Sadly the original watchdog over abuse of power was the media; but they seem to have joined in the fight.  They are now sources of propaganda using “Fake-News” stories; driven by bloviating pundits on both sides.  A balanced delivery of news is no longer available, everything is slanted by ideology and few people are willing to explore an opposing point of view with an open-mind.

Social Media Outlets 
The social media platforms, that should be open sources of information, are edited in support of personal biases or they suppress and hide what’s perceived as opposing ideas.  People are deleting friends and family whose opposite opinions they refuse to acknowledge or even contemplate via a constructive dialog. Colleges, the place for open exchange and debate over ideas, have been hijacked by strong ideologues wishing to silence opposing views.

The Spiritual Communities and Peacemakers 
The moderate minded individuals that make up the majority of our communities, remain silent out of fear of being labeled as uncivil or worse attacked as a racist, a bigot, or worse a Nazi if they dare cross an ideological line defined by the mob.  Please don’t let your voice be silenced, add your comments about your thinking to this discussion topic.

How Do We Balance This Tumultuous Situation in Our Own Spiritual Space?  
First recognize that there is incivility in all of us; acknowledging that within ourselves first is paramount.  Next remember there is the capacity for love in everyone, look to find that in the people who disagree with you.

What Can We Do in This Strained Environment?
To be healers and promoters of love and civility we need to be big.  If you only love your friends and your ideological companions are you really spiritually mature?  We need to show civility to the enemies and the haters on both sides of the divide.   Show your individual courage by challenging those in your own ideological sphere of influence when abusive attacks arise.   Also learn to apologize and to accept them readily.

When among strangers be patient, long-suffering and kind.  Find the person behind their ideological curtain and connect as a fellow human.   Ask lots of questions to allow the hostility to flow, allow them the room and encouragement to communicate their passion. Let people tell their story.  Listen with ears of compassion, don’t challenge or redirect their views, rather draw them out acknowledge their stories and ideas.

Listen to Voices of Descent … Let All Be Heard
Every person is entitled to be heard and sadly very few people are being heard right now.  Use kind words of unity and focus others with questions to draw out thoughtful exchanges.  Learn to hear everyone else’s voice and the peace of wisdom will fill your heart and your head to communicate effectively with everyone.

Until we can fully hear and acknowledge the cries of others they will not be able to hear us talking from the other-side.  Please share your critiques and comments on this ever increasing problematic issue among ourselves.