05/12/2026
This is heavily on my heart after a conversation I had a few weeks ago followed by a question that came from a beautiful place of sincerity. I apologize now for the length.
How do we who have come to and continue to expand our awareness convey and communicate without adding more dog to the dogma and more fuel to the fire?
Form my heart:
I must admit that for many who have undergone a significant expansion of consciousness, the initial "waking up" often feels like a rescue mission. When you recognize the psychological scaffolding of fundamentalism (i.e. the rigid binaries, the fear-based motivations, and the inherited dogmas), the natural impulse is to “deconstruct” them. However, a common side effect of this liberation is that we can inadvertently come across as "anti-religion" or specifically anti-Christian/ anti-Christians (then get labeled as anti-Christs) which may be counterproductive to the very awakening we are attempting to provoke in the collective unconscious. Please understand that I am quite clear that old paradigms don’t dissipate quietly; and more often than not, the war is waged from within the walls of fundamentalism. However, the initiation of the violence is often projected upon the “awakened” or those who are awakening. Then it’s on and popping as both camps start throwing blows to defend proverbial territory.
May I say, expanding our consciousness often leads us into a defensive crouch against the harms of fundamentalism, which makes us appear anti-faith when our true target is actually and exclusively toxic theology. This is particularly nuanced in the Black community, where certain doctrines have been echoed for generations until they are overwhelmingly mistaken for absolute, unquestionable truths. Let’s all understand that the goal should never be seeking to destroy someone’s foundation, but rather to expose the subtle social conditioning and mental harm that can stem from rigid, inherited dogmas. By shifting our focus, we can honor the beauty of religious faith/faiths while still pruning the thorns that limit human potential. The end goal is for ALL beings to shine forth and respond to the beauty call of Spirit as Love and Light bearers existing as unique configurations of the Divine.
It is equally important to recognize the "stretchers" who remain currently working from within traditional walls to expand the hearts and minds of their communities. These individuals prove that religious roots can be a starting point without being the final destination of one's spiritual journey. Your specific religious background is a valid part of your story, but it is never the TOTALITY of all there is to perceive and receive. There is a vast landscape of spirituality that exists beyond the scripts we were given at birth, and no single group holds a monopoly on the Divine.
Ultimately, we must move away from the exhausting cycle of fighting old systems and begin the work of building something more inclusive and more representative of the Spirit of Love. If we replace one form of rigidity with another, we haven't truly evolved; we have simply moved the battle lines. Let’s pivot our energy toward mutual elevation and create a space where there is room for everyone, regardless of where they are on their path. By becoming architects of the new rather than just demolition experts of the old, we ensure our efforts bear actual fruit for the collective good.
Live authentically and Love unconditionally!
Dr. Ced
