We continue our discussion of the Axial Age begun in the previous episode, in terms of how our current time is (and is not!) a type of second Axial Age. Some key aspects of the Axial Age - as a highly self-conscious response to perceived crisis, as critique of existing power, as presenting an alternative spiritual vision of what could be, the marginality of its positioning relative to centers of power, and the crucial importance of living in small-scale communities and undertaking spiritual practices of meditation or contemplation aimed at transforming the self through overcoming the ego - are engaged and related to our current times.

References: the following are some examples of discussion of  the present as a second Axial Age

Ewert Cousins , 1992, Christ of the 21st Century (New York, NY: Continuum).

Adam Bucko & Rory McEntee, 2015, New Monasticism: An Interspiritual Manifesto for Contemplative Living (New York: Orbis).

Ilia Delio, 2020, Re-enchanting the Earth (New York: Orbis).