You should have a discussion with Bernardo. He seems easy enough to reach. Until recently he responded to all of his Facebook threads; I think he still monitors them.
Also curious if you're familiar with Stephen Jenkinson's work. He voices an insistence upon meeting the demands of dying. I don't think I would have found the same urgency around my own mother's dying without his guidance. He talks about dying as the crucible the makes human beings- this obviously relates to initiations and the ecological crisis. Idealism plays an important role in understanding death at a metaphysical level, but I think what Stephen talks about is what is actionable in human life. And the thing that creates a context from which we can address all of our larger problems.
Ian McGilchrist seems important in this conversation as well. He's bridging the gap between science and idealism.
Stephen Jenkinson was a go-to for me as I prepared to do home hospice care for my father who died of brain cancer two years ago. Jenkinson’s contrarian yet vastly generous lyricism lifted me during those confusing times. I appreciate your wise description of his “vital” message and your tie-in with broad human crucibles facing us now.
We also did home hospice, almost exactly 2 years ago. Pancreatic cancer with mets. I know there are a couple conversations I never would have had if Stephen wasn't in my ear. It's amazing how absent cultural guidance is around dying, it really exposes the poverty of our society. The only other person I know of that had language that met the occasion was David Whyte.
I’ve been thinking on this one for the last few days. Ruminating. Because yes, I also am moving forward with my life in a normal way. I do realize that big changes are coming, and living in Los Angeles the hard times are already creeping in. And yet what else can I do? Except continue my life, take care of my family, our dog, the garden. I’m working towards the good in my small in incremental way, and I also realize that it’s not enough. I guess I’m waiting for the vision of the future that we all can trust.
Magic! I think the main hurdle is not the efficacy of what you are saying it's the learned helplessness and fatalism in the collective. This is where large scale healing work becomes a beautiful invitation. Powerlessness is trauma induced. So, yes, there is nothing like a compelling vision--and this is the most compelling--- to get folks off their asses. Right on.
I see the 'advantage' of the climate emergency is that it WILL affect EVERYONE; even the billionaires will have to go into their bunkers eventually (until their money is no longer worth anything, then we'll see). So that's a pretty big target audience.
There are climate tipping points, but there are also social tipping points, and we are reaching one now: the number of people who are determined to at least mitigate the outcomes towards something more beautiful and less terrible.
If this mass social movement happens (and I don't think it's as unlikely as it might sound), the '60s will look like a child's tea party in comparison. We have to really step up and unite now, otherwise the outcomes range from very bad into undreamed-of hell realms. In fact some version of that may already be inevitable, but at least let's go down swinging (in every sense of the word).
you see analytic idealism and the christian mythos working together. is idealism a secular theism? is idealism a stepping stone for people who are allergic to religious language to move out of the materialist stupor?
i was surprised to hear bernardo say in interview that he has an entire room in his house dedicated to orthodox christian icons. he seems to understand the power of religious symbols and language as well.
Daniel, you nailed it once again, but there is truth to what the commenter with the same name as yours expressed. But I have been expressing a “magic” that will breakthrough to the masses. At the very least, it will birth a catalyst that with birth the idea that will work.
Check this out throughly: THIS is the kind of magic that might unlock what's been holding the human race back for so, so long: www.stillpointdesign.org . Yeah . . . it's a hail mary, but what else have we got?
Nice marketing pitch but im afraid it is more hopium. The capable movers and shakers are too distracted and aren't paying attention otherwise we would have seen movement by now as, brilliantly as you put it, this is not exactly a new message. Something might actually begin to transpire once the inevitable mass death heat event (see wet bulb temperature or the 1st chapter of Kim Stanley Robinson's new book The Ministry for the Future) that is surely on the very near horizon becomes a reality. Sorry to say any action at that point . . .even now . . .is almost certainly way too late as too many tipping points have been crossed. We're in runaway mode.
As Starhawk said a decade or so ago "it's too late for anything but magic."
By "capable" I met: uncorrupted charismatic influencers with a very large (and deep-pocketed would be nice!) following. Not really sure if such people even exist? If you want to explore your hopium addiction here's a great place to start: postdoom.com
Well... yes it seems a level of collapse is now "baked in." But we don't know if this is inevitably leading to short-term extinction, or if we will see adaptation of some sort. Or do you think extinction is already inevitable, like Guy McPherson etc?
I've been following Guy for a long time and yes, I think it's pretty much inevitable that 95% of the human race will likely be wiped out, given all the nuclear meltdowns that will occur as plants become abandoned . . .
and all the rest of it. I like to think that small bands will persist somehow and be able to lstart again with lessons learned but that's likely a long shot as well that is well. I like John Michael Greer's fantasy of the future 10 million years or so when consciousness arrises again in corvids.
You should have a discussion with Bernardo. He seems easy enough to reach. Until recently he responded to all of his Facebook threads; I think he still monitors them.
Also curious if you're familiar with Stephen Jenkinson's work. He voices an insistence upon meeting the demands of dying. I don't think I would have found the same urgency around my own mother's dying without his guidance. He talks about dying as the crucible the makes human beings- this obviously relates to initiations and the ecological crisis. Idealism plays an important role in understanding death at a metaphysical level, but I think what Stephen talks about is what is actionable in human life. And the thing that creates a context from which we can address all of our larger problems.
Ian McGilchrist seems important in this conversation as well. He's bridging the gap between science and idealism.
Stephen Jenkinson was a go-to for me as I prepared to do home hospice care for my father who died of brain cancer two years ago. Jenkinson’s contrarian yet vastly generous lyricism lifted me during those confusing times. I appreciate your wise description of his “vital” message and your tie-in with broad human crucibles facing us now.
We also did home hospice, almost exactly 2 years ago. Pancreatic cancer with mets. I know there are a couple conversations I never would have had if Stephen wasn't in my ear. It's amazing how absent cultural guidance is around dying, it really exposes the poverty of our society. The only other person I know of that had language that met the occasion was David Whyte.
I’ve been thinking on this one for the last few days. Ruminating. Because yes, I also am moving forward with my life in a normal way. I do realize that big changes are coming, and living in Los Angeles the hard times are already creeping in. And yet what else can I do? Except continue my life, take care of my family, our dog, the garden. I’m working towards the good in my small in incremental way, and I also realize that it’s not enough. I guess I’m waiting for the vision of the future that we all can trust.
Magic! I think the main hurdle is not the efficacy of what you are saying it's the learned helplessness and fatalism in the collective. This is where large scale healing work becomes a beautiful invitation. Powerlessness is trauma induced. So, yes, there is nothing like a compelling vision--and this is the most compelling--- to get folks off their asses. Right on.
Love it as a marketing pitch! I totally agree with you that the vision needs to be inspiring. I wrote something similar here: https://guyjames.com/2016/10/04/here-be-dragons/
I see the 'advantage' of the climate emergency is that it WILL affect EVERYONE; even the billionaires will have to go into their bunkers eventually (until their money is no longer worth anything, then we'll see). So that's a pretty big target audience.
There are climate tipping points, but there are also social tipping points, and we are reaching one now: the number of people who are determined to at least mitigate the outcomes towards something more beautiful and less terrible.
If this mass social movement happens (and I don't think it's as unlikely as it might sound), the '60s will look like a child's tea party in comparison. We have to really step up and unite now, otherwise the outcomes range from very bad into undreamed-of hell realms. In fact some version of that may already be inevitable, but at least let's go down swinging (in every sense of the word).
btw love your one-on-one sessions ad! :)
A lot of clarity in this piece, but fresh and punchy! Can't go wrong with Oscar Wilde.
Happy Mary Magdalene Feast day.
great one. i wonder how
you see analytic idealism and the christian mythos working together. is idealism a secular theism? is idealism a stepping stone for people who are allergic to religious language to move out of the materialist stupor?
yes
i was surprised to hear bernardo say in interview that he has an entire room in his house dedicated to orthodox christian icons. he seems to understand the power of religious symbols and language as well.
Daniel, you nailed it once again, but there is truth to what the commenter with the same name as yours expressed. But I have been expressing a “magic” that will breakthrough to the masses. At the very least, it will birth a catalyst that with birth the idea that will work.
Check this out throughly: THIS is the kind of magic that might unlock what's been holding the human race back for so, so long: www.stillpointdesign.org . Yeah . . . it's a hail mary, but what else have we got?
Boom! Yes! That is excellent, thank you. I’m all about the Hail Mary
Nice marketing pitch but im afraid it is more hopium. The capable movers and shakers are too distracted and aren't paying attention otherwise we would have seen movement by now as, brilliantly as you put it, this is not exactly a new message. Something might actually begin to transpire once the inevitable mass death heat event (see wet bulb temperature or the 1st chapter of Kim Stanley Robinson's new book The Ministry for the Future) that is surely on the very near horizon becomes a reality. Sorry to say any action at that point . . .even now . . .is almost certainly way too late as too many tipping points have been crossed. We're in runaway mode.
As Starhawk said a decade or so ago "it's too late for anything but magic."
Hi Daniel,
Thank you for your comment. It really stirred me to do a rare comment.
I am deeply curious as to what constitutes 'capable' in this context?
I follow thought leaders but not much else & often wonder myself what would it take? Yes - I am still on hopium :-)
Even if it's too late, retrospectively, who could have been gamechangers and what do they have on board?
Would really love to have horizons broadened so this is said with total curiosity and gratitude for what you have said.
By "capable" I met: uncorrupted charismatic influencers with a very large (and deep-pocketed would be nice!) following. Not really sure if such people even exist? If you want to explore your hopium addiction here's a great place to start: postdoom.com
Thank you so much Daniel. Et voila! :-) I really appreciate this.
Hi Daniel,
Well... yes it seems a level of collapse is now "baked in." But we don't know if this is inevitably leading to short-term extinction, or if we will see adaptation of some sort. Or do you think extinction is already inevitable, like Guy McPherson etc?
I've been following Guy for a long time and yes, I think it's pretty much inevitable that 95% of the human race will likely be wiped out, given all the nuclear meltdowns that will occur as plants become abandoned . . .
and all the rest of it. I like to think that small bands will persist somehow and be able to lstart again with lessons learned but that's likely a long shot as well that is well. I like John Michael Greer's fantasy of the future 10 million years or so when consciousness arrises again in corvids.
The best wild card hail mary attempt that I know of is James Godbey's Still Point proposal which I sent you a while ago.
can you post a link?
See: www.stillpointdesign.org. Daniel . . . I think a post about Godbe's intention and idea would be fascinating to your readers!
I am wading thru that site, too much reading. I really like podcasts!