I recently delved into Jamie Wheal's "Recapture the Rapture," a book that profoundly resonates with me, especially in my work with skill-based communities and the broader quest for meaning in today's world.
Wheal begins by painting a vivid picture of our evolutionary journey, reminding us of our relatively recent arrival in the grand timeline of life on Earth. He says, "If you took all of life on Earth and compressed it into one 24-hour day, an anatomically modern man shows up four seconds before midnight, and cave paintings one second before midnight. We've been playing at civilization for a fraction of a second." This perspective of our existence underlines the rapid pace of change and the overwhelming nature of advancements, from quantum computing to geopolitics, leading to a collective sense of grief and loss of stability.
As Wheal describes it, we are witnessing a collapse in traditional organized religion, or 'Meaning 1.0', and a simultaneous creaking in the foundations of modern liberalism, 'Meaning 2.0'. He points out that institutions like banks, Silicon Valley, and even news media, once pillars of trust and stability, are now viewed with skepticism and mistrust. This erosion of faith in our secular institutions has led many to the extremes of fundamentalism and nihilism.
The concept of Rapture Ideologies, as Wheal explains, becomes particularly relevant here. These ideologies are characterized by the belief that the world is fundamentally broken and an inflection point is imminent, leading to a division between the 'saved' and the rest. In my work, I see parallels in how people are seeking new narratives to make sense of the rapid changes and uncertainties that define our era.
Wheal's proposition of 'Meaning 3.0' offers a ray of hope. He envisions a new framework that goes beyond the dichotomy of religious salvation and secular inclusion. It's about creating liberating structures that allow people to experiment, innovate, and adapt their approaches to finding and restoring meaning.
In the final part of the book, Wheal discusses 'Ethical Cult Building', a concept that struck a chord with me. It's about creating communities that foster peak experiences and deep healing without falling into the pitfalls of dogmatism or cult-like behavior. This resonates with my efforts in building skill-based communities, where the focus is on collaboration, learning, and ethical growth.
In essence, Wheal's book has not only broadened my understanding of our current meaning crisis but also reinforced my belief in the potential of community and ethical collaboration in navigating these complex times. As Wheal suggests, coming together with conviction and courage might be our best chance at braving the road ahead.
Reference List
- Phil Santos. "Recapture The Rapture: Book Summary, Notes, and Lessons." Available at: https://philsantos.net/recapture-the-rapture.
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