Consider the Pueblo and the Plains Indians. In Patterns of Culture, noted anthropologist Ruth Benedict discovered that the Pueblo Indians valued moderation, dignity, kindnes, orderliness, mildness, and social ceremony. They described themselves as 'the peaceful people' who stress inner tranquility, interconnectedness with others, devotion to the group rather than individual accomplishment, and minute regulation of every sphere of life by sets of rules. The Plains Indians, in contrast, favored excess, intensity, conflict, heroism, breaking routine, violence and individuality. Opposite sets of symbols dominated the minds and the social life of these tribes.
Nobody can see far enough into the horizon to know the answers, but transformation is certain.
In contemporary culture, the sounds and symbols of gangster rap compete with church choirs. Or is there 'nothing new under the sun' such that classical virtues and traditional truths will be rediscovered as the Way to fulfillment. There are no shortcuts to happiness, but there are paths. These sometimes arduous routes have been pioneered by the great thinkers and religious sages of history. We believe that the pursuit of happiness in the 21st century must be informed by the discoveries of past 40 centuries since these have defined our contemporay symbols and values.