Charles Eisenstein Podcast

Listen to the full episode at https://www.agatheringofstories.com/lineup-pandemic/charles-eisenstein

People make the choices that they make as a result of the circumstances that they're in, although the circumstances do not necessarily determine the choice. Recognizing this allows us the humility of knowing that despite the colors of our totems, ultimately, we are not unalike. 

We are here to serve life and beauty on earth, just as every other species is here to do.

The focuses of our economic systems are such that pursuing difficult-to-quantify things such as heart and beauty for its own sake is not by nature economically viable; the majority of their creators are often pushed into the margins.

When we see the world as a contest of survival, we create systems that reify that preconception.

Our most powerful exercise of will and agency is perhaps the ability to focus attention, something that leads to the circumstances in which your other choices can be made.

When I understand that my very existence at its core is part of the existence of each ecosystem and species around the world, then I know that whatever happens to them is in a way happening to me.

The Question that the current crisis is opening up is, "How do we want to live" What do we want to true ourselves to?

Truth, a different interpretation

There are clear signs of unbalance in our ecosystems and agricultural institutions, so why do those with power ignore them? Is it not short sighted and self destructive? What are the conditions which compel such thinking?

Safety through Control goes along well with the Myth of separation, and in our recent times we have been shown a glimpse of a potential future. Is it a future we want?

The attitude of conquest is at the core of what we must look past if we want a world that is any different from the one we have now. 

What is Progress if not Growth? This is a question that when evaluated truly can give some insight onto the way in which plans of problem solving go awry. In this clip with the fine folks from straight talk live, we explore the ecological and environmental crisis. 

A frog in a well may think of the universe as only what it can see, a small pool of dark water. In what way was I or you, and still may be, a frog in a well? 

Part of the dysfunction of civilization has come because sacredness has been exported onto something other than each other and the world.

What we have seen as practical and sound solutions and methods of deriving actionable plans to the problems of our systems are often working with an incomplete tool set, and are incapable of dissolving the dominant paradigm.

The causes and functions of humility, an almost universal human experience that can be gone through both on an individual level, and a collective level.

The economic view of a human as a discrete isolable individual acting out of self interest is an idea that can only be held by excluding crucial information, information that can easily be accessed through observing ourselves. 

This clip is from an interview with Charles Eisenstein recorded on March 31st of this year. this clip was taken from the beginning of the interview, where Charles upon the relevance of current events, such as the pandemic, on the transition from the ago of separation into the age of reunion. The original interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Em-cIcNmLGU&t=289s

The bulk of humanity has unfulfilled needs, a big one being a lack of connections, connections to nature, to community. This drives us to seek out apparent solutions, but the only readily available solutions are ones based on control, and unsustainable growth. 

Only when our solutions tap into the wellspring of compassion that inspires our courage will they truly be fulfilling.

Although it may seem like our society is intensifying the narrative of war, control and domination, I believe that a shift of consciousness is bubbling just under the surface.

It is not necessary to try to go big in the conventional sense in order to facilitate big change, sometimes all you can do is foster a loving and caring environment for someone you love, and incidentally you might even give them the inspiration they need to inspire even greater change in turn.

Manipulative shame and praise in modern day parenting draws upon a primal fear of parental rejection, one deep seated in our psychology.

To me, compassion includes the recognition of something fundamental in our humanity, something that unites us.

If we want to hope to solve the problems we face as a society, we must examine all underlying conditions, including the ones of our political enemies. Only through understanding can we hope to transition from a perpetual war of suppression to a place of real change.

If you operate through a forced based causality, it means contributing to an atmosphere of competition where "making a difference" requires constant vigilance. If a collective focuses on beauty and love, big changes can organically coalesce around it.

Humanity is begging to collectively awakening from the drama that we had been immersed in. One that had carried us to a place where we had lost touch with fundamental truths. 

The utility of articulating an inter-subjective model is that it validates the logic of the heart. In our hearts we understand that we are not separate.

Nonviolent direct action can bring the struggle out of the existing us-versus-them paradigms and into a place where great change can happen.

As a result of our biology and our society a degree of trauma exists in everyone, this trauma can lead to a fostered dependency on our existing systems. 

Who we are is life itself, and life seeks its full expression. 

The importance of community and intimate and personal relationships in democracy has been disappearing as time has gone forward. From: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLMcWWa_gDE

Recorded pre-2020 Election.  By putting such emphasis on the competition between individuals of great power, we can often overlook the underlying conditions that are responsible for many of the problems we see today. From: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLMcWWa_gDE

In our times the dominant conception of progress is one of force and control. We can see this clearly reflected in how our societies have adapted to various epidemics, including our current situation. From the Embodiment Conference 2020, https://www.theembodimentconference.org/

The potential of our time is to realize that there are methods of healing that can be achieved through means other than force and control. From the Embodiment Conference 2020, https://www.theembodimentconference.org/ 

On the role of Illness in paradigm shifting and growth. From the Embodiment conference 2020, https://www.theembodimentconference.org/

Our well being is inseparable from the well being of the world. That is not to say that if something bad happens somewhere far away that something bad will happen to you as well, it is to say that when we lose something beautiful, we also lose something within ourselves. From: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fk0WuwYouHw&feature=youtu.be

There is a large degree of innate trauma that can stem from the dominant story of success many of us have been raised in, and if it is recognized in the right way, there is also a large degree of wisdom that can be derived from it. From: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fk0WuwYouHw&feature=youtu.be

Whether or not you have a big political plan or voice, every single person can contribute to a field of compassion and healing. From: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fk0WuwYouHw&feature=youtu.be

In our time, the utility of learning and acting through applying rigid principles to the world while great, can be limiting, and end up causing many of the problems we see today. From the Sacred Sons Podcast

Regarding the contents of a conversation I had with my Son.

Dehumanization and seeing your political enemy as less than human can make what should be problem solving into a battle of preserving oneself and destroying the enemy. From the Sacred Sons podcast

The specifics of effective action in relation to ones social and emotional needs can vary a lot from person to person. That being said, someone who knows you well may be able to point you in the right direction, especially if they see you from a place of understanding and faith. From the Sacred Sons Podcast

The narrative of security and progress through control has lead to a society that is far less happy and beautiful and full of life than it could be. How does one subvert this story? One approach is to replace it with a new one. From the Sacred Sons Podcast

When you're connect with what you care about, you will have the energy and the courage to meet the responsibilities of your life. All too often people chase things they don't really care about, all because it was prescribed to them by their environment and society. From the Sacred Sons Podcast

Often times the places where change can come in the world can be found reflected in your self. From the Sacred Sons Podcast

There was one a much healthier Masculine Archetype  than the one we often see today. From the Sacred Sons Podcast.