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<blockquote class="definition">A '''Narrative''' is a story, particularly one that is designed to influence thought and action. Narratives typically consist of characters, plot-lines, and [[archetypes]].
<blockquote class="definition">
 
A Narrative is a coherent system of interrelated stories, characters, ideas, and symbols that provides meaning, orientation, and explanation to individuals and groups. Narratives organize perception and behavior by embedding values, roles, and social expectations into a structured, memorable framework.
<ref>Halverson, Jeffry R., H. L. Goodall, and Steven R. Corman. ''Master Narratives of Islamist Extremism''. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2011</ref> Narratives typically consist of characters, plot-lines, ideas, and [[archetypes]].<ref>Mike Sosteric, “A Short Sociology of Archetypes,” 2020, https://www.academia.edu/44254363</ref><ref>Sosteric, Mike. “A Short Sociology of Archetypes,” 2020. https://www.academia.edu/44254363/</ref> Most narratives are [[Functional Narrative]]s designed to influence thought and action.
 
</blockquote>
</blockquote>


==Syncretic Terms==
==Concept Map==
 
===Key Terms===
 
[[Narrative]] > {{#ask:[[Is a key term::Narrative]]|format=ul|sort=Has narrative sort order}}
 
[[Narrative Types]] > {{#ask:[[Is a::Narrative Type]]|format=ul}}
 
=== Examples ===
[[Fool's Narrative]], [[Triumph of Spirit Narrative]], [[Pathfinder Narrative]]
 
===Syncretic Terms===


[[Narrative]] > {{#ask:[[Is a syncretic term::Narrative]]}}
[[Narrative]] > {{#ask:[[Is a syncretic term::Narrative]]}}


==Related LP Terms==  
===Related LP Terms===  


[[Narrative]] > {{#ask:[[Is a related LP term::Narrative]]}}
[[Narrative]] > {{#ask:[[Is a related LP term::Narrative]]}}


==Non-LP Related Terms==
===Non-LP Related Terms===


[[Narrative]] > {{#ask:[[Is a related term::Narrative]]}}
[[Narrative]] > {{#ask:[[Is a related term::Narrative]]}}


==Notes==
==Definition and Context==
Narratives are stories. Humans are a species of story tellers. Storytelling is a human universal<ref>D.E. Brown, ''Human Universals'' (New York: McGraw-Hill, 1991).</ref> Storytelling  emerges spontaneously in childhood and continues throughout one’s entire life.<ref>Daniel Smith et al., “Cooperation and the Evolution of Hunter-Gatherer Storytelling,” ''Nature Communications'' 8, no. 1 (December 5, 2017): 1853, doi:10.1038/s41467-017-02036-8.</ref>
 
Within the [[Lightning Path]] and SpiritWiki frameworks, narratives are understood as vehicles for transmitting and embedding archetypes, symbols, and ideological codes. They serve as powerful instruments for structuring cognition, identity formation, and social behavior. Narratives can be used to either:
 
Narratives can be used to:
 
* '''Support healing, connection, and human development''' by transmitting coherent, empowering, and ethically grounded content (see: Pathfinder Narrative, Triumph of Spirit Narrative)
* '''Perpetuate disconnection, domination, and ideological control''' by embedding distorted Power Archetypes and toxic belief systems (see: Elite Narrative, Master Narrative)
 
Understanding the role of narrative is essential to dismantling coercive knowledge systems and fostering the emergence of [[Harmonic Social Structures]].
 
== Types of Narrative ==
The SpiritWiki framework recognizes multiple types of narrative:
 
* '''Functional Narrative''' — Narratives designed to influence thought and behavior toward specific ends.
* '''Elite Narrative''' — Narratives crafted and disseminated by elites to maintain power and privilege.
* '''Existential Narrative''' — Narratives that provide answers to fundamental questions about existence.
* '''Master Narrative''' — Overarching, totalizing narratives that dominate cultural meaning-making.
* '''Mundane Narrative''' — Everyday, localized stories that reproduce cultural codes without broader strategic intent.
 
== Narrative Structure and Function ==
Narratives operate at the '''discursive level''' and serve as '''carriers of:'''
 
* Archetypes
* Symbols
* Creation Templates
* Narrative Codes (ideological scripting mechanisms)
 
Narratives assemble and deploy these elements into culturally transmissible, memorable, and behavior-shaping story structures.
 
They are the '''sentences''' that deploy the '''words''' of archetypes and symbols.
 
== Narrative vs. Archetype ==
{| class="wikitable"
!Aspect
!Narrative
!Archetype
|-
|Structure
|Story-based, discursive, culturally constructed
|Deep identity pattern embedded in the Fabric of Consciousness
|-
|Function
|Provides cultural meaning, social orientation, and ideological guidance
|Provides foundational identity and behavioral templates
|-
|Relationship
|Narratives embed and deploy archetypes
|Archetypes are the structural content of narratives
|-
|Flexibility
|Highly malleable, context-dependent
|Structurally stable, though can be distorted or recalibrated
|}
Narratives '''subsume archetypes''' in the sense that they organize, transmit, and interpret archetypal content within specific cultural, ideological, and historical contexts.
 
== Why This Matters ==
Narratives are not neutral.
 
They are deployed intentionally or unconsciously to:
 
* Shape social reality
* Condition behavior and perception
* Reinforce or dismantle systems of domination, exploitation, and trauma
 
Understanding narrative structure is essential for:


Story telling is generally functional for humanity, evolving as a way to ensure contributing to human adaptation by providing several key functions, including mechanisms for internal communication,<ref>Megan Biesele, “How Hunter-Gatherers’ Stories ‘Make Sense’: Semantics and Adaptation,” ''Cultural Anthropology'' 1, no. 2 (May 1, 1986): 157–70, doi:10.1525/can.1986.1.2.02a00030</ref> mechanisms to convey information and expectations on social behaviours, norms and values and taboos, mechanisms for healing rifts and understanding others,<ref>olly W. Wiessner, “Embers of Society: Firelight Talk among the Ju/’hoansi Bushmen,” ''Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences'' 111, no. 39 (September 30, 2014): 14027–35, doi:10.1073/pnas.1404212111.</ref> and mechanisms to ensure human cooperation.
* Deconstructing toxic, disempowering '''Master Narratives'''
* Revealing embedded '''Power Archetypes''' and ideological distortions
* Building emancipatory, healing-centered, and coherent '''Pathfinder Narratives''' aligned with planetary healing and human flourishing


We can call stories used as mechanism to convey information, expectations, or to heal rifts and encourage understanding and cooperation Functional [[Functional Narrative|Functional Narratives]]. Functional narratives are narratives that perform useful functions, like conveying information, reinforcing norms and values, healing social rifts, etc.
==Notes==


The concept of **Narrative** is widely studied in cultural studies, sociology, and media theory. Within the Lightning Path and SpiritWiki frameworks, narratives are treated not merely as entertainment or cultural expression, but as **key ideological instruments** that can either sustain disconnection or facilitate planetary healing and conscious evolution.


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[[category:terms]]
[[category:terms]]
[[category:lightningpath]]
[[category:lightningpath]]
[[Is a related term::Archetype| ]]
[[Is a key term::Master Narrative| ]]
[[Is a related term::Creation Template| ]]
[[Is a related term::Master Narrative| ]]
[[Is a related term::Fool's Narrative| ]]
[[Is a related term::Ideological Institution| ]]
[[Is a related term::Religion| ]]
[[Is a related term::Existential Narrative| ]]
[[Is a related term::Functional Narrative| ]]

Latest revision as of 23:57, 30 March 2025

Narrative

A Narrative is a coherent system of interrelated stories, characters, ideas, and symbols that provides meaning, orientation, and explanation to individuals and groups. Narratives organize perception and behavior by embedding values, roles, and social expectations into a structured, memorable framework. [1] Narratives typically consist of characters, plot-lines, ideas, and archetypes.[2][3] Most narratives are Functional Narratives designed to influence thought and action.

Concept Map

Key Terms

Narrative >

Narrative Types >

Examples

Fool's Narrative, Triumph of Spirit Narrative, Pathfinder Narrative

Syncretic Terms

Narrative >

Related LP Terms

Narrative > Archetype Deck

Non-LP Related Terms

Narrative > George Lucas

Definition and Context

Within the Lightning Path and SpiritWiki frameworks, narratives are understood as vehicles for transmitting and embedding archetypes, symbols, and ideological codes. They serve as powerful instruments for structuring cognition, identity formation, and social behavior. Narratives can be used to either:

Narratives can be used to:

  • Support healing, connection, and human development by transmitting coherent, empowering, and ethically grounded content (see: Pathfinder Narrative, Triumph of Spirit Narrative)
  • Perpetuate disconnection, domination, and ideological control by embedding distorted Power Archetypes and toxic belief systems (see: Elite Narrative, Master Narrative)

Understanding the role of narrative is essential to dismantling coercive knowledge systems and fostering the emergence of Harmonic Social Structures.

Types of Narrative

The SpiritWiki framework recognizes multiple types of narrative:

  • Functional Narrative — Narratives designed to influence thought and behavior toward specific ends.
  • Elite Narrative — Narratives crafted and disseminated by elites to maintain power and privilege.
  • Existential Narrative — Narratives that provide answers to fundamental questions about existence.
  • Master Narrative — Overarching, totalizing narratives that dominate cultural meaning-making.
  • Mundane Narrative — Everyday, localized stories that reproduce cultural codes without broader strategic intent.

Narrative Structure and Function

Narratives operate at the discursive level and serve as carriers of:

  • Archetypes
  • Symbols
  • Creation Templates
  • Narrative Codes (ideological scripting mechanisms)

Narratives assemble and deploy these elements into culturally transmissible, memorable, and behavior-shaping story structures.

They are the sentences that deploy the words of archetypes and symbols.

Narrative vs. Archetype

Aspect Narrative Archetype
Structure Story-based, discursive, culturally constructed Deep identity pattern embedded in the Fabric of Consciousness
Function Provides cultural meaning, social orientation, and ideological guidance Provides foundational identity and behavioral templates
Relationship Narratives embed and deploy archetypes Archetypes are the structural content of narratives
Flexibility Highly malleable, context-dependent Structurally stable, though can be distorted or recalibrated

Narratives subsume archetypes in the sense that they organize, transmit, and interpret archetypal content within specific cultural, ideological, and historical contexts.

Why This Matters

Narratives are not neutral.

They are deployed intentionally or unconsciously to:

  • Shape social reality
  • Condition behavior and perception
  • Reinforce or dismantle systems of domination, exploitation, and trauma

Understanding narrative structure is essential for:

  • Deconstructing toxic, disempowering Master Narratives
  • Revealing embedded Power Archetypes and ideological distortions
  • Building emancipatory, healing-centered, and coherent Pathfinder Narratives aligned with planetary healing and human flourishing

Notes

The concept of **Narrative** is widely studied in cultural studies, sociology, and media theory. Within the Lightning Path and SpiritWiki frameworks, narratives are treated not merely as entertainment or cultural expression, but as **key ideological instruments** that can either sustain disconnection or facilitate planetary healing and conscious evolution.

Citation and Legal

Treat the SpiritWiki as an open-access online monograph or structured textbook. You may freely use information in the SpiritWiki; however, attribution, citation, and/or direct linking are ethically required.

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Halverson, Jeffry R., H. L. Goodall, and Steven R. Corman. Master Narratives of Islamist Extremism. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2011
  2. ↑ Mike Sosteric, “A Short Sociology of Archetypes,” 2020, https://www.academia.edu/44254363
  3. ↑ Sosteric, Mike. “A Short Sociology of Archetypes,” 2020. https://www.academia.edu/44254363/
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