Embodying the Moses Archetype

Archetype

I truly believe that many are awakening and becoming increasingly aware of what’s happening around us, socially, politically, ecologically, and spiritually.  Nobel prize winning physicist Ilya Prigonine writes of dissipative structures and emergence. This is a centerpiece of chaos theory later to be named complexity theory. Things tend to spiral out of control and fall apart.  This may be thought of in terms of the global polycrisis facing humanity, or more simply, the process of decay, the second law of thermodynamics.  Things tend to veer toward collapse.  This, in turn, invites and hastens the emergence of a new order of complexity. This is a positive story. The time of profound evolutionary advancement. 

I also believe that many are feeling the internal urge to participate in solutions to uplift humanity from the fray, although just what the solutions are, and how to participate, may be vague in their minds.  In a nutshell, how to cocreate, or participate in, the emerging story of wholeness to transcend the illusion of separation.  This is the evolutionary way forward.  In the words of futurist Barbara Marx Hubbard, this is our alignment with the evolutionary impulse.  It’s asking, “What is my purpose and my role?”  Looking deeper, soul-searching for answers, and, increasingly, finding them.  Welcome to the Moses Archetype.

I personally know this archetype, in this moment, looking at the blank spaces in front of me waiting for words, paragraphs and concepts to emerge. And feeling that longing inside. 

May I share my story?  Many months ago, an artist friend, Greg Roy, played a new song for a small group of us entitled Days of Moses.  Greg is a Rasta artist from Jamaica.  I find him to be brilliant and heart-centered.  As he sang the song, I became wholly entranced, not only with the music, but especially with the story.  I became transfixed and emotional.  I “groked” the reason for my tears.  I was understanding and embodying the Moses Archetype.

I was not raised with any one religion.  As my parents were from different faith traditions, they compromised and had no religion in the home.  I never heard the whole story of Moses.  Certainly, I knew about parting the Red Sea and leading his (my) people to freedom.  But I did not know any intricacies of the story.  The song and the concept started to blossom deep in my psyche (soul).

Several months later, while visiting my sister in Arizona, she bought tickets for a musical for us (family members) to attend.  The musical was entitled The Prince of Egypt, and, of course, was about Moses and his relationship with Ramses and with the Hebrews.  I found myself in tears during much of the performance.  Synchronicity will have its way.  This attendance was meant to be, pulling me deeper into the maelstrom of my true being and my calling (Dharma).

Entranced by and enthralled in (willingly) the archetype, of course I did an AI search.  Here’s a couple of things that came up:

Moses in Psychological and Spiritual Interpretation:  Psychologists and spiritual writers, including those influenced by Jungian perspectives, interpret Moses’ life events—like his exile, encounter with the divine, and leadership of an oppressed people—as powerful psychological symbols for individuation, alienation, and the transformation towards wholeness or freedom. One modern Jungian framing sees Moses’ journey out of Egypt as a metaphor for the process of liberation from limiting beliefs, or even the individuation of the self.

Continuing AI: Moses as Model for Collective and Personal Transformation.  Scholars frequently draw parallels between Moses and other patriarchal figures, presenting him as part of a larger archetypal narrative of promise, struggle, guidance, and transformation for a whole people. His "archetype" is thus echoed not only in religious settings but in discussions of trauma healing, spiritual growth, and cultural renewal.

And again, empty space before me on the computer page.  In embodying this archetype, I am called to communicate the emerging story of oneness, wholeness and interbeing.  I give thanks for this gift and journey forward, at times kicking and screaming.  No, not me!  Shit!  This Dharma is too heavy!  I think Moses may have had similar misgivings.

And I breathe into essence.  This is not about me.  It’s not about ego or having to do this alone.  The point is, many are embodying this understanding and the inner urge to give our greatest gifts for the betterment of humanity and the regeneration of the living Earth.  This writing is my gift to offer. You may be a parent and embrace the intention of raising your child to be happy, healthy and prosperous on every level and plane. Are you present, when possible, to help support your child with their homework and to hear their stories? To wipe away their tears and kiss them good night? I invite you to embody the archetype and live fully aligned with your intention and your soul’s work. 

You may be an accountant who demands honesty and moral decision-making for the benefit of the company, the client and the planet.  You may be a physician who provides energy healing and chakra cleansing along with a script for a med.  You may be planting your garden and tending your yard with an ethic from Permaculture.  You may be treating all people kindly.

What is your intention?  What are the gifts you have to offer in our mutual quest for wholeness?  (Hint: they change as we age and as situations change surrounding us.) How may you embody this emerging archetype?  For me, it’s to sit now at the computer and write the next line.  There’s so much to be and so much to do as a Buddha.  We’re being called to embody ancient and updated archetypes to participate in the upliftment of humanity.  We are being called to recognize our divinity and connection with the living Earth and the one mind as you may know and name it.  One by one, group by group, we gather and unite to cohere the new story and the archetype.  In the words of Ram Das, “walking each other home.” 

I feel good.  I can do this.  And you?  How are you called to participate to set our people, all people, free?   It matters to me.  We are connected.  Healthy, whole, holy and home.