The word culture comes from the Latin cultus, which means “to cultivate” or “to farm.” That’s fascinating because it suggests you can cultivate your mind and spirit just like a field — planting seeds of knowledge and education to grow something new. Culture, on a macro level, is built on common beliefs and accepted habits — but those are born from what we feed into the micro-systems: ourselves.
We often think of culture as something we’re born into, something we grow up inside of. That’s true, to an extent. The collective consciousness creates the rules, definitions, and limits. But culture doesn’t really “originate” from society as a single entity — it’s shaped by singularities, by individuals connecting to form a kind of gestalt intelligence.
This raises two questions right away:
- Why do we so passively accept the rules of the dominant culture, as if we have no power over them?
- And why do we tend to view culture as something nice, peaceful, and noble?
Think about the way we use the word culture to reaffirm belonging and pride — or the word tradition as something solemn, respectful, unquestionable.
The first question could be answered like this: “I didn’t have enough awareness or discernment when I was young, so I accepted what I was told.” Sound familiar? It does to me. Suspicious, isn’t it?
And the second? We’re so unaccustomed to real, detached critical thinking that we fall easily into the trap of consensus. “If everyone says it, it must be true.” If you lack self-confidence and the ability to question authority, you’re even more likely to fall into that pattern. For me, it was hard to believe that so many smart people were following ideas no one had ever truly questioned at their root.
Inevitably, we build complex mental structures of categories — what’s good or bad, right or wrong, useful or not. Those structures grow stronger every day, every month, every year, until one day you’re wearing the uniform of one of the countless “teams” in the human zoo. We’re taught far too little about how to think, and far too much about what to think. Suddenly we’re fans of one ideology or another — and slaves to our own illusions.
From those first two questions, many others emerge: Who benefits from this system? Why do we overestimate our capacity for discernment and awareness? What’s the real purpose of it all?
But that’s material for a lecture or a book, and I don’t pretend to have the authority for that. My reflections come from a life of deep thinking, experiences, and endless attempts to challenge the status quo.
So what can we actually do?
First, don’t think you’re not smart enough to seek the truth. It may sound at odds with what I’ve said about our limitations, but it’s not. Only those who recognize their limited understanding can dare to explore beyond imposed boundaries — and perhaps find that endless spiral where truth and illusion intertwine.
So, dare. Confront your beliefs, and the beliefs of others. Don’t be afraid to question anyone or anything. Digging into the roots of culture is not just necessary — it’s thrilling and liberating. It may take time, but it’s absolutely worth it.
And when you start to see the hands behind the curtain, keep going. Trust the process. You’ll discover a new, spectacular reality where consciousness and awareness are the only lights — and where being becomes one with everything. Do you really want to miss that?
Of course, it’s not free. There are challenges and even risks along the way. But you’re not alone on this journey — this liberation from dogma, tradition, definitions, limits, and even from the version of yourself that isn’t truly you.
Let me be clear: not everything about culture and tradition is bad or needs to be erased. Far from it. There are beautiful, valuable aspects to them. But you have the responsibility to discover what’s true for you. You can’t let life decide for you — it’s too dangerous, for you, for the world, for everything.
You are the pilot of your jet. You are the writer of your story. Accept the challenge and begin the most exciting exploration of your life.
Stay aware, stay free…love!
Simone
