Discussion about this post

User's avatar
Steven Schwartzberg's avatar

Thanks for your message, Marianne!

I wonder if you might broaden the base of your serious and well-articulated critique of our current situation to include the perspective of the peoples of the Native Nations of this continent as articulated in the “Basic Call to Consciousness” of 1977. Originating in the Mohawk Nation at Akwesasne, drafted by the scholar John Mohawk (Seneca), and carefully reviewed and revised by the Haudenosaunee Council of Chiefs, this was a wake-up call to humanity: “The way of life known as ‘Western Civilization’ is on a death path, and its culture has no viable answers....The air is foul, the waters poisoned, the trees dying, the animals are disappearing. We think even the systems of weather are changing [remember this is from 1977!].... The people who are living on this planet need to break with the narrow concept of human liberation and begin to see liberation as something that needs to be extended to the whole of the Natural World. What is needed is the liberation of all the things that support life—the air, the waters, the trees—all the things that support the sacred Web of Life.”

Shared spiritual sociality—whether perceived in Confucian terms as forming one Body with Heaven, Earth, and the ten thousand things, or perceived in Indigenous terms as the unity and equality that exists among all our relations in the web of life, or perhaps even in Christian terms as harmony with the mystical Body of Christ (if that Body is understood as the community formed by all living beings created when all things were made through Him as described in the beginning of the gospel of John), or in terms of really any perception of the living truth of our equal belonging—has implications for all peoples and for an America and a world that has yet to be, and that is—as you say—still struggling to be, born.

Expand full comment
Joan Halgren's avatar

Marianne, what you published tonight is an astute overview of the chronic illnesses that have damaged not only our nation but the world as well. You have voiced these concerns over the years. Indeed, we must focus our energies on several fronts using our collective intelligence: replacing our failed economy with a stable-state style one that's inclusive; governance, based once again on inclusion and ethics--with public financing of campaigns instead of dark money. Then, for the sake of our existence as a species, we must not tarry but realize the urgency of our situation--as the sounds of misguided warm drums beat even louder this evening. There's no argument, I think, that we are at multiple tipping points that must be addressed. Earth can no longer support the extractive growth required for the expansion of our economy because we only have finite resources. So all new economic and governance approaches need to take into account regenerative practices--policies that help all of life thrive and not just for a chosen few. Finally, Marianne, I think the greatest gift you bring to the people is your unique ability to unite people with loving truths and deep insights that are restorative and healing.

It takes courage to work on transformative change as you have been doing Marianne most of your adult life. Now we must support you and make a collective commitment to stay the course in order to avoid total societal and ecosystem collapse. We can and must evolve, and Nature has great examples to help guide us along the way to building a more loving, balanced, and harmonious society. Warm regards always, Joan Halgren.

Expand full comment
70 more comments...

No posts