Harrell - Caroline Myss

After reading an article entitled, Primal Religions by author, Caroline Myss, the journal helps create a better understanding of the religions and spiritual practices of the indigenous peoples of the world of primal cultures. In her writing, she states that, “The primal consciousness has not been altered by the conditions and dichotomies” of modern, technological society, writes one observer. As a result, it “is not fragmented but remains whole. All of life is a symbolic paradigm of the sacred. Divine worship, for example, would not be regarded as an ‘activity’ to be separated or isolated from other ‘activities.’ Life as lived is a sacred ‘activity’ in and of itself. One worships as one breathes. Work and play (not ‘leisure’) are not so much opposites but simply two sides of the same coin.” I really liked this passage in her text for I feel as though she truly captures a lot of what we discuss in class. The individuals living in these societies do not practice religious rituals, they live it. This is what I believe the true difference is between the two worlds. Primal people tend to focus on the Earth itself and living in spiritual harmony with it, allowing their lives to be their ritual compared to modern individuals who separate ritual and there everyday life. I find that this concept can really be seen in our everyday lives as well and maybe we should shape our lives like these primal people, not separating religious ritual from their everyday lives.

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