In the Preface that he wrote ten years ago to the revised edition of Sins of the Spirit, Blessings of the Flesh, Matthew makes reference to an ancient Andean teaching regarding the time of Black Jaguar,” which is the same to him as the dark night of our species. Quoting Arkan Lushwala, he describes such a time as a purifying chaos in which lies are seen for what they are, and there is a collective craving for returning to the simplest truth.
Such a time of chaos is, by definition, very dark. It seems to me that Arkan and Matthew were preparing us, ten years ago, for what we are living through now: an incredible amount of lies and cruelty, on one side, and an absolute clarity about them being exactly what they are.
Of course evil may come to believe its own lies, and many people abdicate from their moral duties at such a time, preferring to believe absurdities. We need to be aware that evil is smart and knows how to permeate human realities. But we see through its wiles, and many other people do too.
Seeing the lies and the cruelty for what they are automatically places one in a position of responsibility. It may feel strange to live at such a turn of human history, but here we are.
Ernest Becker was already invoking several decades ago the “responsible dissent,” which he described as “the continued review of the ends of actions.” That alone — in his view — could prevent human institutions to run amok and inflict all sorts of evils on the very same people who created them (E. Becker, The Structure of Evil, 1968, p. 142).
It seems to me that we have learned this lesson in large numbers, as is evident for example in the mass demonstrations all over the world against Trump and the genocide in Gaza, or in the calls at the highest levels for an ethical control of “artificial intelligence.”
In the Preface, Matthew quotes the same Ernest Becker saying that one of the major problems of modernity consists in“refusing to acknowledge that evil and death are constantly with us. With medical science we want to banish death, and so we deny it a place in our consciousness.” Thus, our strategy must start from the stark reality, staying clear of power fantasies. Becker then goes on praising the “cosmic rituals” of ancient times, despite him being a staunch ally of the Enlightenment, because through them people could feel to be “creators of life” and overcome their fear of death.
This kind of heroism — says Becker — is what will save humanity again, through a merger of science and authentic religion: “In science, as in authentic religion, there is no easy refuge for empty-headed patriotism, or for putting off to some future date the exposure of large-scale social lies” (E. Becker, Escape from Evil, 1975, p.17, p.166). This, then, is the gist of our strategy: the merger of science and authentic religion — that is, the marriage of logic and rationality with spirituality, intuition, and creative imagination.
All of which, as we know, is under suspicion under Trump’s regime.
In my view, Trump’s lies and deceit are not an anomaly; they are instead the extreme product of a desperate system. The evil social dragon, made at its core of extreme inequality and greed, and garlanded with consumerism, envy, repression of dissent, and sheer violence, is fighting for its survival. But we know that this dragon is made of paper. That is, just as people made it, people may dismantle it. We might not live to see its demise, until too many people believe in it and adore it, but that should not refrain us from facing it as the lovers and warriors that we truly are.
Quotations from Matthew Fox, Sins of the Spirit, Blessings of the Flesh: Transforming Evil in Soul and Society, pp. xix, xx, xxv, and xlii (revised edition, 2016).
See also Fox, The Tao of Thomas Aquinas: Fierce Wisdom for Hard Times.
And Fox, A Spirituality Named Compassion: Uniting Mystical Awareness with Social Justice.
And Fox, Julian of Norwich: Wisdom in a Time of Pandemic — And Beyond.
And Fox, Trump and the MAGA Movement as Anti-Christ.
See also Ernest Becker, The Structure of Evil (Free Press, © 1976) and Escape from Evil (Free Press, © 1985).
Banner Image: St. Michael fighting the dragon, detail from The Fall of the Rebel Angels by Neri di Bicci, circa 1480. Wikimedia Commons.
Queries for Contemplation
How can I go back to clarity about the situation we are living in, whenever I feel distracted or overwhelmed?
Related Readings by Matthew Fox
Sins of the Spirit, Blessings of the Flesh: Transforming Evil in Soul and Society
Visionary theologian and best-selling author Matthew Fox offers a new theology of evil that fundamentally changes the traditional perception of good and evil and points the way to a more enlightened treatment of ourselves, one another, and all of nature. In comparing the Eastern tradition of the 7 chakras to the Western tradition of the 7 capital sins, Fox allows us to think creatively about our capacity for personal and institutional evil and what we can do about them.
“A scholarly masterpiece embodying a better vision and depth of perception far beyond the grasp of any one single science. A breath-taking analysis.” — Diarmuid O’Murchu, author of Quantum Theology: Spiritual Implications of the New Physics
The Tao of Thomas Aquinas: Fierce Wisdom for Hard Times
A stunning spiritual handbook drawn from the substantive teachings of Aquinas’ mystical/prophetic genius, offering a sublime roadmap for spirituality and action.
Foreword by Ilia Delio.
“What a wonderful book! Only Matt Fox could bring to life the wisdom and brilliance of Aquinas with so much creativity. The Tao of Thomas Aquinas is a masterpiece.”
–Caroline Myss, author of Anatomy of the Spirit
A Spirituality Named Compassion: Uniting Mystical Awareness with Social Justice
In A Spirituality Named Compassion, Matthew Fox delivers a profound exploration of the meaning and practice of compassion. Establishing a spirituality for the future that promises personal, social, and global healing, Fox marries mysticism with social justice, leading the way toward a gentler and more ecological spirituality and an acceptance of our interdependence which is the substratum of all compassionate activity.
“Well worth our deepest consideration…Puts compassion into its proper focus after centuries of neglect.” –The Catholic Register
Julian of Norwich: Wisdom in a Time of Pandemic–and Beyond
Julian of Norwich lived through the dreadful bubonic plague that killed close to 50% of Europeans. Being an anchoress, she ‘sheltered in place’ and developed a deep wisdom that she shared in her book, Showings, which was the first book in English by a woman. A theologian way ahead of her time, Julian develops a feminist understanding of God as mother at the heart of nature’s goodness. Fox shares her teachings in this powerful and timely and inspiring book.
“What an utterly magnificent book. The work of Julian of Norwich, lovingly supported by the genius of Matthew Fox, is a roadmap into the heart of the eco-spiritual truth that all life breathes together.” –Caroline Myss
Now also available as an audiobook HERE.
Trump & The MAGA Movement as Anti-Christ: A Handbook for the 2024 Election
Matthew Fox tells us that he had always shied away from using the term “Anti-Christ” because it was so often used to spread control and fear. However, given today’s rise of authoritarianism and forces of democracide, ecocide, and christofascism, he turns the tables in this book employing the archetype for the cause of justice, democracy, and a renewed Earth and humanity.
From the Foreword: If there was ever a time, a moment, for examining the archetype of the Antichrist, it is now…Read this book with an open mind. Good and evil are real forces in our world. ~~ Caroline Myss, author of Anatomy of the Spirit and Conversations with the Divine.
For immediate access to Trump & The MAGA Movement as Anti-Christ: A Handbook for the 2024 Election, order the e-book with 10 full-color prints from Amazon HERE.
To get a print-on-demand paperback copy with black & white images, order from Amazon HERE or IUniverse HERE.
To receive a limited-edition, full-color paperback copy, order from MatthewFox.org HERE.
Order the audiobook HERE for immediate download.
9 thoughts on “Fighting the Dragon at the Time of the Black Jaguar”
Despite what ‘side of the bed’ the emperor wakes up on, one of cruelty and absurdity or one of reprieve for the masses, we do as Jesus taught us to do. In keeping with the Father’s rain both falling on the just and unjust, we are to do and follow just the same.
When we wake up each morning we are to become creators of Jesus’ reality. We wake-up and use our day to create, produce and manifest love, truth, joy, peace, mercy, charity, justice, forgiveness and care for all, especially those less fortunate than ourselves. We need to be purposeful and doers despite the politics or rulers of the day, none of which held Jesus back nor should we. Let’s not be ‘frozen’ and less than we can be out of fear. Jesus is our confidant and guide and will always be with us. — BB.
Thank you Bill.
Jesus did make it quite clear: “The truth will set you free…. don’t hide your light under a bushel”.
He also ‘fast forwarded’ the Ten Commandments by turning over the tables of the money changers in the Temple reminding his followers of Moses’ shock when he came down from the mountain and saw his people worshiping The Golden Calf, now crypto currency. Jesus also challenged us to pray for our enemies: “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.” He was both a “lover and a warrior”. And thus he lives on….every “Christ” knows where.
Many years ago I had a poster on my kitchen fridge with the statement: The truth will set you free but first it will make you miserable.
Yesterday our small seniors’ group began our meeting by ‘checking in’. We shared our current stories of anxiety, technology frustration, declining memory conditions and vulnerability as we reviewed the past month.
In the centre of our circle was a tray of small potted cacti. We each were invited to choose one plant from the wide variety and spend 10 minutes silently alone with it. We were encouraged to attempt to view it with a sense of wonder and awe. The sharing of each person following this enlightening experience was so beautiful!
Experiencing AWE strengthens our courage and nurtures our joy.
Bill, the difference between Christ’s time and ours is this: there was no democracy or social programs that prevented huge amounts of suffering. Any person of faith has an obligation to defend those things because they provide relief of suffering. Furthermore, the planet was not in immanent danger in Christ’s time. Christ had no problem calling out evil and speaking truth to the cruelty of both power and religious hypocrisy. To follow his example does not mean we don’t love all. You cannot divorce faith and politics. That does mean you seek theocracy, (theocracy is always horrible), but it means defending what helps people, all creatures and the planet in ways that cannot be dealt with by individual faith that lives in a I’m spiritually above it all bubble.
Great DM Gianluigi! Like Matthew, you’re a great warrior of Truth Peace Justice Compassion! We’re All called to bring out this inner mystic spiritual Lover/Warrior, Our True Heart Eternal Soul Self, in our daily lives with one another. We have to use Our Faith and spiritual discipline of daily silent contemplative prayer/meditation to keep Us grounded and guided by Our LOVING SOURCE~CO-CREATOR’S SPIRIT of DIVINE LOVE~WISDOM in Loving Diverse ONENESS of All Creation/evolving Sacred Cosmos in the Sacred Process of the ETERNAL PRESENT MOMENT…COMPASSIONATE COSMIC CHRIST CONSCIOUSNESS….
There are several things I do to remain centered in these times. Knowing that sacred scripture speaks in metaphor, 1) I remember John 1:5: that Christ is the light that shines in the darkness and that the darkness comprehends it not. I summon up John 8:44 that tells us that Satan is “the father of lies.” Thus, I know that the orange menace is in “Satan’s” pocket—that “he” and his minions are in the grip of the darkness that comprehends [Christ] not. I believe that God is stronger than Satan, so in the end God’s love will win out. 2) I believe that the arc of history bends toward justice, one step backwards, two steps forward; so I recall the darker darkness fought by people before me and I stay active as they did. 3) I continue using my own gift of writing—including writing comedies for the stage because laughter releases pain. It helps us heal and push on. 4) I eschew fear and continue making “good trouble.” As Ralph Warnock said in the interview you posted yesterday, “Who am I to give up?”
Well said– and especially that humor is absolutely essential to lighten our spirits and shine light in the darkness. I tend to go to the book of Lamentation and the Psalms of lamentation for perspective–others have been this way before.
The power of the Word in Holy Writ will not be overcome. We must believe it strongly and act bravely on it. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would give us the power to do even greater things than he did. I take this to be in a collective sense, not merely in an individual’s deeds. As Jesus called himself “son of man,” we can take that to mean the corporate Christ, people of good will of all stripes. Join groups that work for democratic values, environmental responsibility and decency for the least of these little ones of all descents. Protest, write those in power in all levels of government and in the press of every kind. Give something and others will multiply it so that multitudes can be fed and protected. Judy Cannato wrote in the book *Field of Compassion* that intense commitment of some is fused with a force field that can figuratively move mountains. As Jesus said, “Fear is unnecessary; what is needed is trust.” Call on God’s power transform weakness into strength, death into life.
Scripture reminds us”I will bless you with a future filled with hope.”. Jeremiah 29:11