Just as obvious, she stated that "divine encounters" have substantially altered human history. Again, it become obvious once one thinks about it, but not before - today, we look at the development of technology as our primary mover. But Divine Encounters? But of course - in our own society, only think of the effects of the Bible or the Koran. Both were inspired by divine encounters, from Abraham's conversations with God and angels, to Mary's (with angels) to Mohammed's (with God and angels and Satan). Again, we seem to have put the horse before the cart here - the age of technology can rightly be ascribed to certain Christian beliefs (in academics, this array is called the Protestant Ethic), rather than the other way around.
Now, it may seem paradoxical that the technological revolution that was spurred by the Protestant Ethic has led to scientism and the materialistic viewpoint in general - although the Protestants were part of a "protest" against the Catholic Church, just as materialists now protest against spirituality of any sort, so there is a sort of continuity. But Frecska also mentions the "Archaic Revival" that is occurring among many small, usually unnoticed groups. In this, she is referring to those attempting to access spiritual realms directly, instead of simply believing in the dogma of a religion. This would include groups involved with ecstatic revival meetings, meditation, and other mind-altering practices or drugs. I think I can add to this list something else as well: that the destructive side of technology is also leading to an Archaic Revival in such ideas as Deep Ecology, where our thoughts and actions are seen as part of the circle of all life - that is, that we are believed to be in essence part of the ecology of the planet. Whether Deep Ecologists know it or not, those following this belief are moving many towards a form of pantheism; and with more thought about the connectivity of things, will move many further to pan-entheism, which is a form of true theism (pantheism is the belief that nature is alive with spirit; pan-entheism, that nature is imbued with divine energy from a divine source; and theism, a belief in God and/or gods.) And in all this, some will (or already have) encounters Divine Beings again, to revitalize a movement towards spirit.
Could this, then, always be the ultimate plan? It reminds me of the use of the maze in various religions - and how it teaches us that movement is necessary, but that it always brings us back to ourselves in the end. Dorothy had to go to Oz before returning home. Apparently, so do we. (oh, and thanks, Rooson, for the comment. No question, the move from tribe to nation has caused personal and spiritual strife. Again, can this be seen as a movement away from something that brings us back to it again, but this time with more wisdom?) FK