It is interesting that much of the content in this sphere is beginning to talk about how we restructure rather than whether we do and largely accepting some form of collapse whether it be short and catastrophic or slow and erratic.
The discussion on environmentalists really brought it home how whatever comes next has to be rooted in relationship. The more I read and listen to the more it feels right that care of others is caring for yourself. Not performative care but real concern through a sense of connection that is not just circumstantial but part of a web of connection with all life.
I have just finished re-reading Leaf Seligman's last book, Being Restorative, where she beautifully describes her lived experience of working with others (and herself) to uncover the barriers of blame and guilt that mask our innate sense of connection and the role of grieving and being accountable in reclaiming that very human need for relationship.
There is a great section where she points out how rushing off to right perceived wrongs is likely to result in disappointment or - worse - recreating that same wrong and how important it is to attend to our own grief first.
This is about building what comes next from the bottom up and we are the foundation of any society. Midwifing a new society into life is a huge and complex task and for many of us beyond our sense of agency. There is work we can do, though. We, the privileged, have a duty to use the time our privilege has afforded us to confront our own issues, grieve our losses and take responsibility for the harm we have caused others. Once we have done that we can treat others with greater compassion, wherever they are at, and support those who may not even realise the depth of their anguish with kindness and understanding.
The rest should take care of itself!
I've already got the Green Dreams up and look forward to listening to the episodes. Thanks Rachel.
Hi Richard – you are onto something here! Australian Robin Grille’s pertinent Parenting for a Peaceful World goes into depth about the connections between childhood trauma, aggression, and lack of compassion. As you point out, dealing with our own stuff is vitally important.
Regretfully though, I do not think that once folks come into a state of well-being and care the rest will take care of itself. I think it’s crucial to mobilize thoughtful public will to transform our destructive system. The League of Evolutionary Catalysts provides a vehicle for working on this. http://www.evolutionarycatalyst.net
Maybe there's something galvanizing about building a new world together.
I would like to think so!
Stable Planet Alliance has a new project, the League of Evolutionary Catalysts.
The League of Evolutionary Catalysts is set up as a community of practice to support individuals communicating about our existential emergency and the system that drives it. http://www.evolutionarycatalyst.net
We provide innovative communication tools and a novel theory of change.
Our ultimate aim, with others, is to mobilize public will to transform our destructive system.
Colleagues in the League act as autonomous agents. We align with the overarching goal of evolving a compassionate ecologically sustainable world.
Like sports players, Evolution Catalysts have to develop a minimal level of competence. They can increase their skills from there.
It is interesting that much of the content in this sphere is beginning to talk about how we restructure rather than whether we do and largely accepting some form of collapse whether it be short and catastrophic or slow and erratic.
The discussion on environmentalists really brought it home how whatever comes next has to be rooted in relationship. The more I read and listen to the more it feels right that care of others is caring for yourself. Not performative care but real concern through a sense of connection that is not just circumstantial but part of a web of connection with all life.
I have just finished re-reading Leaf Seligman's last book, Being Restorative, where she beautifully describes her lived experience of working with others (and herself) to uncover the barriers of blame and guilt that mask our innate sense of connection and the role of grieving and being accountable in reclaiming that very human need for relationship.
There is a great section where she points out how rushing off to right perceived wrongs is likely to result in disappointment or - worse - recreating that same wrong and how important it is to attend to our own grief first.
This is about building what comes next from the bottom up and we are the foundation of any society. Midwifing a new society into life is a huge and complex task and for many of us beyond our sense of agency. There is work we can do, though. We, the privileged, have a duty to use the time our privilege has afforded us to confront our own issues, grieve our losses and take responsibility for the harm we have caused others. Once we have done that we can treat others with greater compassion, wherever they are at, and support those who may not even realise the depth of their anguish with kindness and understanding.
The rest should take care of itself!
I've already got the Green Dreams up and look forward to listening to the episodes. Thanks Rachel.
Hi Richard – you are onto something here! Australian Robin Grille’s pertinent Parenting for a Peaceful World goes into depth about the connections between childhood trauma, aggression, and lack of compassion. As you point out, dealing with our own stuff is vitally important.
Regretfully though, I do not think that once folks come into a state of well-being and care the rest will take care of itself. I think it’s crucial to mobilize thoughtful public will to transform our destructive system. The League of Evolutionary Catalysts provides a vehicle for working on this. http://www.evolutionarycatalyst.net
Hi Rachel,
One excellent comment during the podcast was:
Maybe there's something galvanizing about building a new world together.
I would like to think so!
Stable Planet Alliance has a new project, the League of Evolutionary Catalysts.
The League of Evolutionary Catalysts is set up as a community of practice to support individuals communicating about our existential emergency and the system that drives it. http://www.evolutionarycatalyst.net
We provide innovative communication tools and a novel theory of change.
Our ultimate aim, with others, is to mobilize public will to transform our destructive system.
Colleagues in the League act as autonomous agents. We align with the overarching goal of evolving a compassionate ecologically sustainable world.
Like sports players, Evolution Catalysts have to develop a minimal level of competence. They can increase their skills from there.
Andrew Gaines FRSA
Andrew.Gaines@evolutionarycatalyst.net