Symbolism vs Spin: 'The Code's' message to a 9/11 world
The Da Vinci Code, soon to be released on DVD, has been captivating imaginations all over the world with its capricious twists, murders, betrayals and rich tapestry of historical intrigue. Clever marketing continues to promote it globally as “one of the most controversial films of all time”. And the official web site invites visitors to “be a part of the phenomenon” by purchasing T-shirts imprinted with “So Dark The Con of Man” and “Seek the Truth”.
But it’s neither art nor artifice that fuels this 21st century phenomenon. Rather, it’s the force Jung called synchronicity (a meaningful coincidence of outer and inner events) that explains why The Da Vinci Code has hit a collective nerve!
Author Dan Brown writes, “My hope for The Da Vinci Code was, in addition to entertaining people, that it might serve as an open door for readers to begin their own explorations and rekindle their interest in topics of faith.” In essence, he is saying that The Da Vinci Code was written to inspire and renew interest in “the quest”. The “quest” being a search for higher consciousness through spiritual awareness. One requiring not only critical thinking but an exploration of the beliefs which shape our lives.
Audacious in its approach, The Da Vinci Code dares to shake the psyche from its spiritual malaise by doing the unthinkable: raising taboo questions about Jesus and Christian doctrine. However, from the soul's perspective this is simply a ruse and an attention getter for addressing far more critical issues. When viewed through the lens of archetypal symbolism, The Da Vinci Code can be seen as a 21st century wake-up call to collective consciousness at every level. God and religious doctrine are merely the tip of the iceberg regarding the urgent need to question world leaders, institutions and belief systems in general.
Built around historic religious facts, the fictionalized detective-style adventure is a modern day search for truth. The Da Vinci Code’s labyrinth story line engages the mind while archetypal images, symbols and metaphors speak directly to the soul about profound yet forgotten truths such as: “We are who we protect, what we stand up for” (integrity); “Symbols are a language that can help us understand our past” (discernment); “You are in grave danger” (beware of unconsciousness); “As long as there has been a one true God there has been blood shed” (dogma vs spirituality); “When history is written murderers will all be heroes” (spiritual rationalization).
The Da Vinci Code is a story driven by the hero’s need to discover the truth hidden within secrets, meanings, and codes. As such it belongs to a genre of detective mysteries where literal interpretation functions as a decoy and real clues are hidden among the obvious. But its most clever achievement by far is that it functions as a metaphorical cryptic itself; one that contains a sacred message for a post 9/11 world held hostage by fear and anxiety. And while religious fundamentalists condemn it as “heresy” and agnostics dismiss it as “simply an absurd but titillating tale’, the truth of its deeper symbolic meaning has yet to be revealed. Not surprising, since literal interpretation dismisses by default any relevance of the symbolic.
“Why fix what isn’t broken?” is a popular metaphor used to deflect creative critical thinking. But literal interpretation in and of itself is faulty for several reasons. First, a calibration based on face value alone is indolent and superficial at best. Second, literal interpretation more often than not emanates from FEAR (False Evidence Appearing Real). In this, the age of ‘spin’, literal interpretation has morphed its way back as the number one decoy used to suppress critical thinking and deeper inquiry. Media analysts define this manipulation tool as perception management. However, unscrupulous politicians, lobbyists, corporate lawyers, and media conglomerates head the list of those who prefer the code name: “staying on message”.
The Old Testament warning “Here to shall thou come but no further- Job 38., is delivered as a subversive reminder that fear remains the draconian tool of choice when it comes to manipulating inquiring minds (seekers). Asking, “What’s the next question?”, a signifier of self-empowerment, will forever be suppressed by those whose interests conflict with the whole or higher truth. The now famous quote “So Dark The Con of Man”, refers to the collective shadow residing within the human condition itself. No one is exempt; not those who con out of rationalization or hubris nor those being conned out of fear and indifference.
The Da Vinci Code is a 21st century wake-up call for a slumbering collective psyche. It urges the soul to begin the quest (yet again) for the "holy grail" of higher consciousness. Its secrets, codes, puzzles and riddles resonate with the soul, warning that the collective ability to discern fact from fiction and truth from fear has been seriously impaired by the “draconian devil” of unconsciousness. It also renders a life-giving reminder to the soul that toleration for, and acquiescence to, FEAR based interpretations produces a numbing condition called “dumbing down” (as embodied in the character Silas). When left unchecked, the condition creates a psycho/spiritual malignancy known as “unconsciousness” (as embodied in the character Bishop Aringarosa). And to quote The Da Vinci Code, it is also why, ”People rarely notice what’s right in front of them”.
Awakening to this truth is the beginning of self empowerment. It signifies the return to a natural state of trusting our instincts; instincts which have been seriously dulled by every form of draconian manipulation. The Da Vinci Code breathes life into the collective spirit by inspiring renewed hope for discovering the elixir. It reminds us that higher (divine) consciousness, will be revealed to the seeker in possession of "the key”. Once in possession of the key, we are free to take up the search for deeper truths and higher consciousness as never before. The Da Vinci Code points out that: “ it’s the same key that has been passed down for thousands of years with only its method of transmission changing with technology”. And for the doubting Thomas residing in all of us, it provides this insight: “Legends suggest that the descendant may not know their own identity.”
The "key" as symbolized in The Da Vinci Code is self empowerment; the ability to discern and act upon the best course of action. However, because self empowerment lies in spiritual awareness it is not something one acquires. Rather it is an awakening to the self, to the higher wisdom within. In its most authentic form it is the synthesis of divine energy and personal power. The Da Vinci Code affirms that spiritual openness (signified by the key’s unique coding’) is the one true distinguishing mark of the worthy seeker. That it is “a code known only to the bearer”, speaks to the unique spiritual connection we each have to our soul.
The film leaves us wondering if the last descendant (the collective we) would destroy faith or renew it. It also leaves us exploring clues depicting the world’s best kept secret; the secret to divine consciousness. Legend has it that Da Vinci painted the chalice in The Last Supper spatially using the male (animus) rudimentary symbol /\ for aggression and manhood and the female (anima) symbol \/ for vessel, chalice or womb. (similar to that in his Vitruvian man). Deciphered thru the prism of archetypal symbolism, Da Vinci’s code is a subversive signifier of divine consciousness. Together, the feminine anima and the male animus form the perfect marriage of divine consciousness. For Christians divine consciousness was personafied by and embodied in Jesus Christ.
Suffice to say that what is heretical and unpatriotic to some, is for others a critical exercise in self empowerment and an openness to questioning and renewing the beliefs which shape their lives. The era of literal doctrine is waning. If The Da Vinci Code phenomenon signifies anything, it is that the soul will no longer tolerate chicanery and craves instead a return to archetypal language where truth can be discerned among the obvious. When Jesus said, "The kingdom is not coming with things that can be observed; nor will they say, 'Look, here it is!' or 'There it is!' For in fact, the kingdom of God is among you."(Luke 17:17-21); he was speaking to the soul in code.
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