Paradigm shift (or revolutionary science), term used by Thomas Kuhn in his influential book The Structure of Scientific Revolutions (1962), describes a change in the basic assumptions, or paradigms, within the ruling theory of science.

Yet the term has expanded from its specific scientific meaning to include shifts of awareness, belief and reality.

Last week, the world was focused on a royal wedding, a thing of beauty and celebration. The shift began on Sunday night as the news was released that Osama Bin Laden had been killed. Both are archetypal events in consensual reality.

Archetypes serve as a universal pattern - many woman identify with the fairytale princess who marries her prince and lives happily ever after. Never mind that few of these real life marriages follow the script. That hope remains in such "reality" shows as the bachelor. We long for the "happily ever after" even at the cost of public humiliation.

On the opposite end of the stick, the headlines covered the world with the death of Bin Laden, the "evil-doer" as George W. Bush forever called him. It is easy to project all of our fear upon such an archetype. Was he the face of evil itself?

There are no clear answers-I doubt any one person knows the truth of all these matters. However, it has shifted the public awareness. The world feels lighter - even if momentary and illusary. When the pivot point shifts, the balance will move and adjust.

Or as the Chinese curse goes "May we live in interesting times."

 

Amarjah Wisdom School