East meets West.

"There is something about the egoism of this particular part of the world that has everything to do with the cross and how that all manifests itself out. I think there is a reason they're not obsessed with the cross that much on the Eastern side of the planet, because they have more of a group consciousness. And when you have a solo consciousness, like a lot of Westerners do, it is really about being on the cross. You're the one putting yourself up there. And I think the whole point is to try to figure out how to get off the f---ing cross."
- Billy Corgan

In my life I often feel like I'm standing at a crossroads where independent Western culture meets traditional, interdependent Chinese values. I just found it interesting that Billy Corgan mentioned the way culture influences spirituality, which I hadn't really stopped to think about before. Being raised in the West, in Canada, in Toronto - where multiculturalism is freely celebrated - I think my values encompass a decent and dynamic balance of capitalism and socialism. When it comes to my faith though, I think I really do have a 'solo consciousness'. I get fixated on blemishes and guilt in my past; I try to discern my own spiritual gifts so I can serve most effectively; I read books and do devotions to establish my own position on issues that I think matter. Somewhere along the way, the importance of church and community diminished. I do think that going to church and having a network of support are valuable, but again, mostly for my own benefit: I go to church to have my mind broadened with others' opinions and knowledge, and I seek fellowship for companionship and encouragement.
The story of Achan is one that has always stuck with me, perhaps because I wrestle with the idea of fairness, that everyone should suffer for the wrongdoing of one person. Back in Old Testament times, if one person messed up, the whole tribe or even the whole nation would face something terrible - loss in a war, natural disaster, famine, or the like. It emphasizes a sort of unity within a family or group that is almost unfathomable by today's standards.
Today's philosophy states "Live, and let live". We each do what we think is right, and leave each other alone for fear of seeming judgmental or hypocritical. This idea is brought out all too clearly in reading The God Factor - every interviewee has their own concept of spirituality, sometimes even choosing parts of different faiths and religions to create a sort of 'fusion faith'. Everybody claims there's no absolute anymore. It seems that people do realize their own corruption, and are just trying to cling to whatever bits of faith they can, to be at peace with themselves - or, to put it in Corgan's words, to figure out how to get off the cross.
If we were to switch to a 'group consciousness' mindset, what would that look like? My guess is, edifying and rebuking one another in love - and in doing so, realizing that there are some absolutes in life - and making the world a better place. There's been a tremendous shift towards the latter in recent years especially with lots of public icons taking on philanthropy as a hobby, which is fantastic, and which I've had the privilege of dabbling in. I guess I just need to be more conscious of being more of a giver than a taker, both spiritually and otherwise.