[Dialogue] [Oe List ...] Spirit of the 20's

Thu Aug 29 07:36:01 PDT 2019

 Thanks Johnfor the post and all others for your insights. Reviewing Kierkegaard’scategories was refreshing – they are so timeless and timely. These days, theissue for me is around motivation – why keep going when things only seem to getworse and worse? But then when for one reason or another you find yourselfdoing what needs to be done, that question recedes and the act of engagement createswillingness to do more. As we used to say “action removes the doubt that theorycannot solve”.  
Dharma   

    On Thursday, 29 August 2019, 09:59:30 GMT+8, Ellie Stock via Dialogue <dialogue at lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:  

 Thanks, Rob.  So well said.
Ellieelliestock at aol.com

-----Original Message-----
From: Robertson Work via OE <oe at lists.wedgeblade.net>
To: dialogue at lists.wedgeblade.net <dialogue at lists.wedgeblade.net>; Order Ecumenical Community <oe at lists.wedgeblade.net>
Cc: Robertson Work <warkers at msn.com>
Sent: Wed, Aug 28, 2019 08:54 PM
Subject: Re: [Oe List ...] [Dialogue] Spirit of the 20's

Dear colleagues,
Good to see these concerns being shared. This is my brief summary of what humanity is facing, from page 3 of A Compassionate Civilization: "We are living in the most critical time in all of human history, a time to do what is needful or face the direst of consequences. Why do I say that? Never before in the past five thousand years have we faced such colossal dangers and such exhilarating possibilities. The very future of life on Earth is at stake. We face multiple, interlocking crises, any one of which could be decisive—climate chaos, misogyny, systemic poverty, oligarchy, prejudice, and a culture of violence. A whole system transformation is underway, and we are at the brink of either mass extinction or a whole new way of being human on planet Earth. Which it will be depends on what you and I do with our lives." 
And this is my summary concerning what we need to do at this moment in history: "Let us dare to dream and realize a new civilization of compassion. Let us take the necessary actions for environmental sustainability, gender equality, socioeconomic justice, participatory governance, cultural tolerance, and nonviolence and peace. Let us work together to do all of this as a movement of movements (MOM.) Let us do this as mindful activists using methods of innovative leadership including participatory facilitation, integral frameworks, and social artistry. Let us do this as global-local citizens. And let us do this while cultivating understanding and compassion, realizing happiness, celebrating gratitude, living lifelong commitment, choosing courage, dancing with time, and embracing sadness, sickness, old age, and death." 
Look forward to further thoughts on this ListServe.
Best wishes,
Rob Work................................................................................................

Recent book: A Compassionate Civilization: The Urgency of Sustainable Development and Mindful Activism - Reflections and Recommendations https://www.amazon.com/dp/1546972617

Blog: https://compassionatecivilization.blogspot.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertsonwork/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/compassionatecivilization/ 

From: Dialogue <dialogue-bounces at lists.wedgeblade.net> on behalf of Carleton Stock via Dialogue <dialogue at lists.wedgeblade.net>
Sent: Wednesday, August 28, 2019 9:08 PM
To: dialogue at lists.wedgeblade.net <dialogue at lists.wedgeblade.net>
Cc: Carleton Stock <carletonstock at aol.com>
Subject: Re: [Dialogue] [Oe List ...] Spirit of the 20's Thanks John for your reflection on the times, insightful and disturbing!  I'd sum it all up with what we used to say fairly frequently to one another and the world:  "Trust the Mystery and Build the Earth!". Trust the overall evolution of life and work like Hell till your dying day!Grace and peace,Carl(eton) StockSt. Louis, MO  -----Original Message-----
From: John C via Dialogue <dialogue at lists.wedgeblade.net>
To: Colleague Dialogue <dialogue at lists.wedgeblade.net>
Cc: John C <jpc2025 at outlook.com>
Sent: Wed, Aug 28, 2019 6:50 pm
Subject: Re: [Dialogue] [Oe List ...] Spirit of the 20's

Thanks, Ellie. John and Lynda Cock From: Dialogue <dialogue-bounces at lists.wedgeblade.net> on behalf of Ellie Stock via Dialogue <dialogue at lists.wedgeblade.net>
Reply-To: Colleague Dialogue <dialogue at lists.wedgeblade.net>
Date: Wednesday, August 28, 2019 at 6:09 PM
To: "oe at lists.wedgeblade.net" <oe at lists.wedgeblade.net>, "oe at wedgeblade.net" <oe at wedgeblade.net>, "dialogue at lists.wedgeblade.net" <dialogue at lists.wedgeblade.net>
Cc: "Elliestock at aol.com" <elliestock at aol.com>
Subject: Re: [Dialogue] [Oe List ...] Spirit of the 20's Hi John, Thanks for this thoughtful piece--still pondering... We continue to work with many others at the local level in our communities, and local, regional, national, and global levels through the church and other NGOS, specifically on issues related to the environment, racial justice/white privilege, immigration, root causes of poverty/hunger, indigenous rights--trying connect as many dots/movements as possible--hoping and trusting that all such work from every corner of the globe will eventually create a groundswell of action and change. Sometimes, it is just overwhelming.  My mantra is to work toward the vision of what needs to be, rather than focusing on being against whatever/whomever we don't like.  Not always easy.  It just may take millions of people to take to the streets to change the tide, before it is too late--for us, our grandchildren or to the seventh generation. Looking forward to reading responses from folks. Ellie Stock :)elliestock at aol.com  -----Original Message-----
From: John Epps via OE <oe at lists.wedgeblade.net>
To: Order Ecumenical Community <oe at wedgeblade.net>
Cc: John Epps <jlepps39 at gmail.com>
Sent: Wed, Aug 28, 2019 4:36 pm
Subject: [Oe List ...] Spirit of the 20'sThe Spirit of the 20’s
John Epps, August 2019The categories for determining the spirit of a decade supposedly come from Kierkegaard: An External Situation creates an Internal Crisis which raises an Existential Question from which we try to Escape. I’ve used them in trying to assess the situation since the 60’s. Here we go again:The Prevailing Spirit:
Our External Situation is best characterized as one of THREAT. Economically, health care costs are rising astronomically, the move away from fossil fuels and the trade war with China have put markets in turmoil and talk of recession is in the air. Politically, we have cut off alliances and find Russia, N. Korea, and Iran all upgrading their nuclear capabilities. USA Congress seems unable to act. Culturally, we are besieged with increased numbers of immigrants and mass shootings now appear commonplace. And encompassing all this chaos is the Earth’s environment which appears to be undergoing dangerous changes due to global warming.All this has generated or contributed to an Internal Crisis ofFEAR. We increasingly fear those who differ from us, whether by race, gender identification, nationality, or ideology. Everything different seems a threat, and we fear the changes already in progress. Compromise seems weak, and we’re increasingly in a black or white situation: agree or fight. The Existential Question in this situation isHOW CAN WE SURVIVE? With the environment collapsing and threats at every turn, what can we do? Problems seem too big to tackle, and local action, while effective, remains local while the issues are larger. Institutions we developed to address larger issues appear paralyzed: CONGRESS, UN, NATO, NAFTA, ASEAN, Treaties with Iran and the Paris Accords for Climate all appear ineffective in providing remedies. Attempts to inact gun control legislation, despite agreement from both parties, cannot move through Congress. We Escape through BLAMESTORMING; we look for scapegoats for each issue, then cast them as enemies toward which hatred is the only suitable relation. We demonize NRA, GOP, “Moscow Mitch,” Trump, Kim, Putin, Refugees, Democrats, Immigrants, Socialists, and many others. Extreme hostility takes the guise of radical nationalism attempting to band “us” against “them” or in too many cases, mass shootings aimed at eliminating “them.”Towards an Authentic Response:
This is where we meet the question of God today: wrestling with the question of responding to threats to our existence.Local action may be the most we can do, and since that makes a difference, should be pursued with vigor. Maybe, over time, the mass changes needed can come from local people.The threats are real. The status quo cannot and will not survive. The future is really open and unpredictable. We can, however, have a hand in inventing it.Your comments, additions, corrections, and insights are most welcome. _______________________________________________
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