The masculine and feminine instincts, the aggressive and nurturing natures, have always co-existed. A balance of these two is essential for harmony in society.
Over time, however, in our religious texts and mythological tales – and concurrently, in our political environment – the discourse has shifted to that of violence, punishment and the consequences of rule-breaking. The paternalistic language of violence and control has taken over, while the instinct of compassion, love and nurture have been sidelined.
This global preference for the aggressive instinct and the deglamourisation of gentleness and love – the sidelining of the feminine tradition and the glorification of hyper-masculinity – can have a serious impact on society.
Where has the idea of a forgiving and compassionate god gone? Why has the concept of the "original sin" dominated our understanding of religion? Why has nurturing given way to aggression and control? And since when are feminine and masculine perceived as two ends of a spectrum?
In this episode of the Myth and Culture podcast, Devdutt Pattanaik and Jerry Johnson talk about the transition between the two instincts and the fallout of male dominance.
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