THE COLLECTIVE CONSCIOUSNESS PART II

The collective consciousness will bring you up; the collective consciousness will bring you down. It’s all about choice. Before we explore our options with it, let’s explore what exactly it is, and what it isn’t.

What it is:

1. It’s the guideline imposed by the “prevailing view” on almost any issue, such as what countries to love, what countries to hate; who to love, who to hate; what teams to root for; which ones to avoid.

2. It is very particular to the country, the region, the city, and the ethnic group. The collective consciousness in America on the wars in the middle east might be quite different from the collective consciousness on that issue in a country like the Ukraine. The collective consciousness of a Jewish family in NYC will be quite different (but have some similarities) to the collective consciousness of an Arab family in Detroit. Of course, they are both American, but the consciousness of the people might be quite different on other issues.

3. It is a standard by which we measure our own and other people’s views, behavior, and conformity. Whether we like it or not, the collective consciousness has weight. It is often invoked to either confirm or ostracize individuals or their positions. Think of how often people or activities are referred to as “All-American” or “un-American.”

4. It is changing all the time, and is impacted by every single person. Since nothing is static in life, especially when it comes to consciousness, the collective consciousness is always morphing. And what makes it morph the most? Input from every one of us.

5. It can be invoked at will. It’s like something out of a magician’s hat; it gets pulled out by whim or design.

What it isn’t:

1. It is not a stationary mass. It exists floating in the atmosphere, like gas or clouds.

2. It can’t be nailed down. That’s because its contents are constantly uploading and shifting.

3. It doesn’t have to rule our lives. This is where it gets tricky: it exists in a huge mass, it has enormous weight, but if we’re aware, it doesn’t have to affect us.

4. It doesn’t necessarily contain the truth. Just because everyone (or most people) embrace an idea or value, that doesn’t make it right. Just look at Nazi Germany and the collective consciousness that prevailed there.

5. It isn’t very discriminating. It contains some of the best and brightest ideas, and also the most shallow and superficial.