Spiritual Paradigms

The founders of The Oracle Institute have spent considerable time studying and analyzing the evolutionary history of humanity. In addition, we have examined various models which attempt to explain how humans evolve spiritually and why humans exhibit such a vast Spectrum of Consciousness. Indeed, just as we display a wide variety of intellectual aptitudes and emotional states, we also exhibit incredibly diverse levels of self-awareness, generosity, and compassion for our fellow man – the purest states of which are universally considered to be the hallmark of an evolved soul.

For example, there exists a great disparity amongst humans between those who are open to change and actively seek new experiences, and those who fear change and act with anger whenever their belief systems are challenged. We are complicated creatures, but there are some scientists and spiritualists who have studied what makes us "tick" and who have crafted some helpful theories on the evolution of consciousness, such as:

• Don Beck, the creator of Spiral Dynamics;
• Ken Wilber, the founder of Integral University and a theory of consciousness called AQAL;
• The PROUT organization.
• Also, see our link to Other Bearers of Light for more information on the amazing work of Beck, Wilber, PROUT, and other Lightworkers.

When Civilizations Collapse and Paradigms Shift:

When one examines the various phases of humanity's philosophical, scientific, moral, and religious development, it becomes evident that religion is one of the primary factors that helps shape and also decimate societies. Indeed, one could easily make the argument that clashes of spiritual belief systems are the key element to every cultural collapse and resulting paradigm shift. No wonder that politicians and religious leaders have been parasitically entwined throughout recorded history. Our premier book, The Truth: About the Five Primary Religions, makes this case quite well and includes an Appendix that chronologically illustrates the nexus between politics and religion.

Currently, we are experiencing world-wide tension and pockets of war due to religious conflict, particularly amongst the three Abrahamic religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In addition, more and more people are adopting a New Age theosophy, which is a pluralistic approach that includes the study of all traditions, including mystery traditions that encourage a more individualistic approach to the Divine. Add to this spiritual turbulence, global economic competition and a sophisticated communications network. The result is a clash of cultures and belief systems that is unprecedented in human history.

In sum, we have all the makings of a major paradigm shift. And philosophers all over the world are discussing what this next paradigm will look like – assuming we survive the chaos that always accompanies the arrival of a new Spiritual Paradigm. The following is a description of the Spiritual Paradigms humanity has experienced to date:

All is One:
The First Spiritual Paradigm

Prior to the Big Bang, which scientists estimate took place approximately fourteen billion years ago, there was a period of perfect union. Everything – both ethereal and material – resided together in unity. This was the First Spiritual Paradigm, when God was all that existed, and humans were either part of God or, at a minimum, an unmanifested thought form within the Divine consciousness.

Thereafter, the Big Bang occurred and with it, separation. In a manner yet to be fully understood, God splintered and expanded with thunderous thermodynamic force. It was the beginning of life, but also disunity. In The Holy Bible, this cosmic event is described as the expulsion of mankind from the Garden of Eden (i.e., the "fall of mankind"). Indeed, our separation from God was so painful that early man struggled to adopt a meaningful belief system. It is this perfect (some might say mythological) paradigm that still beckons and inspires us. And it is our sacred task and solemn duty to seek reunion – with God and with our highest Self. Then, we will be whole again.

Female Monotheism:
The Second Spiritual Paradigm

Eventually, Goddess religions emerged, and for twenty thousand years humanity worshipped Divine feminine energy as the life-giving force, as evidenced by statuary and cave drawings.

Thus, early humans believed in the Great Mother, a single female deity that was usually depicted with a pregnant belly. This is not surprising, given that early man did not yet know the secrets of procreation. They assumed the Supreme Being must be feminine in nature, since women appeared to be the sole creators of life. This belief system lasted about 20,000 years and was our longest spiritual paradigm to date.

Polytheism:
The Third Spiritual Paradigm

The Age of Agriculture, separation of survival skills into masculine and feminine roles, the formation of the four great river valley civilizations, and the realization that both men and women contribute to the creation of life, all led to the next phase of our spiritual development. As a result of these revolutionary changes, humanity adopted polytheistic belief systems, where Gods and Goddesses reigned on Mount Olympus and in sundry astral Heavens.

This was the era of the Sumerian, Babylonian, Egyptian, Greek, Roman, and Hindu pantheons of Deities. Today, the only polytheistic religion to have survived is Hinduism. Polytheism lasted for about 5,000 years until the start of the Christian calendar. Indeed, most of the world uses a calendar that marks the end of the Third Spiritual Paradigm and the beginning of the Fourth, so powerful is the shifting of spiritual belief systems.

Male Monotheism:
The Fourth Spiritual Paradigm

While the adoption of Christianity by the Roman Empire in 325 C.E. marks our full entry into this spiritual paradigm, some would posit that this paradigm started around 2,500 B.C.E., when a man named Abraham started a new monotheistic tradition based on a masculine concept of Deity which eventually became known as Judaism. But it is more appropriate to view this paradigm as starting with the birth of Jesus, who characteristically referred to the Divine as "Father." Thus, mankind returned to a belief in monotheism … and God went male. This stage of our spiritual evolution has lasted approximately 2,000 years and is currently showing signs of dire stress. One need only consider the inability of the three Abrahamic religions to unify – even though they supposedly worship the same God and purport to follow the Ten Commandments and the Golden Rule – to realize that we are on the verge of a major paradigm shift, the likes of which the world has not seen in 2,000 years.

Epoch of Enlightenment:
The Fifth Spiritual Paradigm

The Oracle Institute believes that humanity has begun to experience the spiritual chaos that always accompanies a paradigm shift. The world-wide resurgence of fundamentalism is just one indicator, as those who are nervous about the upcoming changes cling to their outdated belief systems and fracture along rigid religious, nationalistic, and racial lines. The New Age movement is another indicator of the looming changes, as that group cautiously spreads the seeds of a new belief system across the planet.

So what will the Fifth Spiritual Paradigm look like? No one knows for sure, but we believe it will be a time of elevated consciousness based on the return of the Sacred Feminine. Thus, we believe this era of human evolution will include a proper balancing and blending of masculine (creation) and feminine (wisdom) energies.

Indeed, if we are able to triumph over our darker instincts and synthesize our accumulated knowledge and wisdom, humanity will build "Heaven on Earth" – the very instruction relayed to us by all of God's prophets during the past paradigms.

The Oracle Institute would submit, therefore, that the next phase of God's plan for humanity is a collectively evolved consciousness that finally uses the gift of free will to build the compassionate world prescribed by the great prophets. In sum, we believe that humanity is on the brink of a spiritual revolution of unprecedented understanding, wisdom, and compassion.

As set forth in the Institute's newest book, The Love: of the Fifth Spiritual Paradigm, we believe humanity has the knowledge to recreate society so as to engender and encourage the full intellectual potential of all human beings (masculine energy). We also think humanity has the wisdom to redefine prosperity and set just priorities for the 21st Century (feminine energy). You can help usher in the Fifth Spiritual Paradigm by building a utopian community in your part of the world that models the virtues of Truth, Love, and Light.

Please help birth the Fifth Spiritual Paradigm