Our ancestors’ beliefs contain within them the seeds of universal truths that have transcended time and can be found in many of our beliefs today. Indeed, in many parts of the world, inherent belief systems continue to be practiced. Ancient Wisdom looks at the fundamentals of these belief systems, how they have shaped the societies in which they are based, and what they can offer us in the fast-paced, technological society we inhabit today. The shared human quest to make sense of our lives and our place in the cosmos is the common characteristic to be found in all the spiritual and magical traditions that are included in Ancient Wisdom.

Ancient Wisdom from Tribal Life

Ancient Wisdom is often associated with tribes. Tribes have been around for the entire 100,000 years of known human history: the smallest tribal unit is the family, the largest historically has been 50 to a few hundred people.

Tribes have historically been highly successful human systems. From the dawn of human history until 7,000 years ago, tribes were the human race’s sole representatives over the entire planet.

As recently as 1800, tribes with their Ancient Wisdom populated half the earth.

The Structure of a Tribal Group

Humans were organised tribally for 100,000 years or more and did quite well: they’re even still here, at least so far. The evidence of analysis from tribal peoples alive today is that tribal life is relatively stress-free, satisfying, produces more leisure time than city/state life and - perhaps most important - is sustainable indefinitely.

Tribes are characterised by 5 primary traits:

1. political independence
2. egalitarian structure
3. get their resources from renewable local sources
4. have a unique sense of their own identity
5. respect the identity of other tribes

This is Ancient Wisdom.

The Structure of a City/State Culture

Contrast tribal characteristics with the structure and nature of city/states.

1. political dominance
2. hierarchical: clear authority structures
3. get their resources through trade and conquest
4. absorb other cultures into their own identity
5. genocidal warfare against others

This is not Ancient Wisdom.

The preceding article was taken from The Last Hours of Ancient Sunlight by Thom Hartmann.

Ancient Wisdom Links

The Ancient Wisdom by Annie Besant. In this book, Besant introduces and explains the Physical plane, Astral plane, Mental plane and other planes of existence.

A Collection of Ancient Wisdom

Ancient Wisdom for the 21st Century

New Thought, Ancient Wisdom - the history and future of the new thought movement (pdf)

Ancient Wisdom for a Modern World

Ancient Wisdom: The Blue Lotus by Chuan Zhi Shakya, OHY

Ancient Wisdom is also the name of a Dutch heavy metal band, but you probably weren’t looking for them.

This is an Ancient Wisdom stub. You can help by expanding it.

Date posted : October 2nd, 2006 by Michael Haupt Last Modified : October 6th, 2007 / Filed under : Search / Report a Concern Navigate : Previous post / Next post / Top of Page
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