Conjoining: The Reawakening to Spiralism from the Age of Progressivism

Written in 1999 at the beginning of the Mayan calendar's transformation to a new era, this article explores the value of Indigenous American thought systems, which he terms Cuarto Spiralism. Rÿser argues that while all cultural philosophies contribute to a shared quest to understand reality, Spiralism offers a more meaningful framework than dominant modern ideologies—yet still accommodates elements of them. Drawing from his Cowlitz perspective, Rÿser critiques progressivism and its rise to prominence, highlighting its assumptions of human dominance, rationalism, and inevitable improvement. He shows how these beliefs have enabled Western conquest and ecological harm, and how Spiralism now challenges them. Using Mesoamerican and Cowlitz traditions like the Give-Away, Rÿser presents Spiralism as a philosophy that unites reason and intuition, embraces both material and immaterial realities, and sees time as cyclical—where past, present, and future are intertwined. In contrast to progressivism’s emphasis on accumulation, Spiralism calls for respect, sacrifice, and balance. At this time of world renewal, Rÿser suggests that Spiralism offers hope for restoring harmony with the Earth and with one another.