Deeply embedded into our biology is the instinct that community is about survival. Safety in numbers. It is rooted into our natural drive to come together with others for protection and security. As such, the best thing to do was to strengthen the bonds of the group and maintain collective order—even expelling overly divisive and diverse members that would upset the stability of the community. Our very existence may have depended on it.

Might there actually be a similar movement happening today, necessary for our survival, but in a different way? Moving toward the collective, recognizing that we deeply need each other again in order to survive. That the myth of individual independence is crumbling in a way we feel deep in our bones. 

But going forward, our survival will be less dependent on sameness and conformity to the collective for the sake of group stability. Rather, we will find our path through by welcoming the interplay of our unique diversity growing the field of possibility exponentially, dancing together in the multiplicity of energies where emergence comes forth.

One of the tragedies in our time of hyper-individualism is the loss of our larger stories of meaning, purpose, and transformation. 

Religious narratives of eternal judgment to heaven or hell have largely lost their fearful grip. Commercial narratives of economic triumph are insatiable and ultimately unfulfilling. 

National narratives of political salvation coming from the State not only continue to fail, but generally aren’t encompassing enough to bring about holistic transformation.

What is your larger collective story?

Is it big enough for the immensity of your longings? For the immeasurable value of your soul? For the highest purpose and deepest meaning of your ultimate being?