The Human Cohesion Project — 30 Mar 2023

Originally published at Medium

In the Hindu tradition, today is the end of Chaitra Navaratri, celebrated as Ram Navami — the birth of Ram. Ram is probably most known through the epic Ramayana, that depicts the journey of humans (and other species) attempting to uphold and remember their dharma — the right way in the given context — against the backdrop of patriarchy. The myth is full of characters representing archetypes in our collective consciousness that respond to patriarchy in their own different ways, with the victory being projected onto the heroic characters, as is common in stories. The victory, in this case, is not sweet and happily-ever-after, as much as an indication of how they (Sita and Ram) find and remember the wholeness within, even as their worlds continually fall apart.

In the recent years in India, particularly last year, Ram Navami became a day of heightened religious conflict between Hindus and Muslims. Of course, the cause was appropriation of religion towards hate speech on both sides, while religious tenets were forgotten and/or conveniently misinterpreted. Ram Navami celebrates the descent of divinity into humanity — a cyclical opportunity for development on consciousness. Ramadan, this year, is still in its first Ashra — the first ten days — when the prayers are focussed on invoking mercy from the divine aspects of self. It is up to us to choose how we use these psychic energies available in our world right now.

One possible response to religious conflict around us is to give up on religion and seek comfort away from it. However, religion resides as an archetype in our collective consciousness. It cannot be wished away. One may not subscribe to a religion, or even feel the need for it. But if something resides in us as an archetype, it is best engaged with consciously. The unconscious response of ignoring it only leaves us disempowered. Carl Jung said, “Until you make your unconscious conscious, it will direct you and you will call it fate.” We seem to be doing this with a whole lot in our world that we do not wish to engage with, and leading ourselves into deadly consequences. Engagement is tiring, of course, but volunteering for it is deepest act of democracy we can commit to within, while democracies outside continue to fall apart.

Ramadan Kareem. May we reclaim religion in a uniting, empowering way.

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