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Dear A.M.,</div>
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Now that is a deep question, friend. Thank you. Would love to hear your and other's answers. </div>
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A few of my thoughts: If a contradiction is that which is blocking a vision, what is the vision? If the vision is of humanity realizing its full potential to love all beings (all people and all nature), then what is blocking that from being realized? From my
point of view, the human contradiction is the illusion that the self is a<span> </span><i>separate</i>, independent, unchanging entity that must be protected and promoted at the expense of any and every other reality. This is based on ignorance of the true
nature of the self as interdependent, impermanent, and in a state of suffering. That statement is from a Buddhist perspective. A Christian perspective on the contradiction seems to be very similar. Human beings are in a state of sin, which Paul TIllich clarifies
as: "sin is<span> </span><i>separation</i><span> </span>from self, others, and the ground of being." This fundamental error of perception of the self is that which pits the self against all others and even its own nature. This is a tragic ontological narcissism
and solipsism - the belief that "I" am all that matters or even exists, and therefore I can and must do whatever I need to do to subjugate other beings to my will and my glory.</div>
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What do you think? </div>
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In solidarity,</div>
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Rob</div>
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<span style="font-size:11pt">Recent book: <i>A Compassionate Civilization: The Urgency of Sustainable Development and Mindful Activism - Reflections and Recommendations</i> </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/1546972617" class="OWAAutoLink"><span style="font-size:11pt">https://www.amazon.com/dp/1546972617</span></a></p>
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<span style="font-size:11pt">Blog: </span><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><a href="https://compassionatecivilization.blogspot.com/" class="OWAAutoLink" style="font-size:16pt"><span style="font-size:11pt">https://compassionatecivilization.blogspot.com/</span></a><a href="https://compassionatecivilization.blogspot.com/" class="OWAAutoLink"></a></span><a href="https://compassionatecivilization.blogspot.com/" class="OWAAutoLink"></a></span></p>
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<span style="font-size:14.6667px">LinkedIn: </span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertsonwork/" class="OWAAutoLink" style="font-size:14.6667px">https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertsonwork/</a><br>
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<span style="font-size:11pt">Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/compassionatecivilization/">https://www.facebook.com/compassionatecivilization/</a> </span><span style="font-size:11pt"></span></p>
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<div id="divRplyFwdMsg" dir="ltr"><font face="Calibri, sans-serif" color="#000000" style="font-size:11pt"><b>From:</b> OE <oe-bounces@lists.wedgeblade.net> on behalf of A.M. Noel via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net><br>
<b>Sent:</b> Thursday, August 29, 2019 8:01 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> Order Ecumenical Community <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net><br>
<b>Cc:</b> A.M. Noel <anthonymarianoel@gmail.com><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [Oe List ...] Spirit of the 20's</font>
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<div dir="ltr">We always knew when we are able to articulate the contradiction. We could come up with what is possible, Are we willing to articulate what is the human contradiction?
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<div dir="ltr">A.M. Noel</div>
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<div dir="ltr" class="x_gmail_attr">On Thu, Aug 29, 2019 at 7:31 AM Jack Gilles via OE <<a href="mailto:oe@lists.wedgeblade.net">oe@lists.wedgeblade.net</a>> wrote:<br>
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<div dir="auto" style="">John and Colleagues,
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<div>You have laid out the classic analysis of the existential crisis the world is facing very well. Indeed, the collective threat to our human and planetary existence is before us. What is obvious is that the pain will increase; for all of us. There will be
no escape. We will all weep at the destruction of the planet and the dehumanization forces react to the fear they feel. Let these tears cleanse our hearts and clear the dust from our minds. We will rejoice at the signs of possibilities that so many will demonstrate
daily, even though they also face the wind that can blow out the candles of hope. Cruelty will grow, greed will flourish and the beast will roar. Courage will be in big demand. </div>
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<div>So many years ago, amazingly we saw it coming, although we had no idea of the particulars. You can remember and resonate to the words of wisdom that were spoken then. “Without a NRM there will be no NSV”. “Although we are engaged in the campaigns of Awakenment
and Demonstration, the day after tomorrow we will only be doing the Third Campaign, Caring for those who Care.” “Discerning the Contradiction is the key to creative change”. “Never attack directly, indirection is the way”. And wow, all the learnings we amassed!
We failed at replication, but now we know why. We failed at expanding Religious Houses, but now we know why. We failed at renewing the historical Christian church, but now we know why. And that wisdom needs to be collected and shared. Thus the mission of the
Living Archives. It is now time to share that wisdom, but not just everyone, but with the newly awakened ones, those who discovered the Second Mountain, as David Brooks describes it. With those who have discovered the primacy of the local but have done so
in partnership with the living Earth. We can trust the Mystery to raise up stones in amazing ways. New life will fill “dem bones”. New poetry, stories, songs and symbols will left hearts and strengthen spines. </div>
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<div>Enough of the words. Practically what do we do? Most of us are long-in-the tooth, so we must discern our elder role and develop the strategy to make it happen. Time is short to do so. Maybe the ICA’s is the vehicle, maybe not. We lost something when we
shifted from Global language to National language. The nation state is a social vehicle that will not work, it is dead, but sure does look at act alive (I mean it doesn’t represent the way life is anymore). So start with our Grid. Watch the TED talk on the
50 Urban Nodes that have emerged (these are the Areas from our Grid). Listen to the wisdom of Larry Ward and Peggy Rowe (see Larry’s short TED talk). Become fluent in speaking of what we called the NRM. See how it is indeed the absolute requirement to lead
in the creation of the NSV. Understand the dynamics of the creative process and how our Socilal Process work reveals the wisdom of how it happens and review the Pressure Points and Whistle Points for their relevance today and have they shifted? Grasp the dynamics
and forms of The Wayside Inn and how it can function. And so much more. Perhaps we need a forum to </div>
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<div>On Aug 28, 2019, at 16:36, John Epps via OE <<a href="mailto:oe@lists.wedgeblade.net" target="_blank">oe@lists.wedgeblade.net</a>> wrote:</div>
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<b><span style="font-size:14pt; line-height:107%">The Spirit of the 20’s<br>
</span></b><i><span style="font-size:10pt; line-height:107%">John Epps, August 2019</span></i></p>
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The 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:</p>
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<b>The Prevailing Spirit:</b><br>
Our External Situation is best characterized as one of <b>THREAT</b>. 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.</p>
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All this has generated or contributed to an Internal Crisis of <b>FEAR</b>. 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.
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The Existential Question in this situation is <b>HOW CAN WE SURVIVE?</b> 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. </p>
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We Escape through <b>BLAMESTORMING</b>; 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.”
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<b>Towards an Authentic Response:<br>
</b>This is where we meet the question of God today: wrestling with the question of responding to threats to our existence.
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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.
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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.</p>
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Your comments, additions, corrections, and insights are most welcome. </p>
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