Changing the paradigm: discussions in socio-cultural transformation 

Nurturing environments create healthy communities...

This series of five discussions is framed by various thought provoking documentaries, videos and podcasts exploring concepts grounded in the emergence of (in the words of http://lifeitself.org/) a radically wiser, weller world.

As thought leaders around the world increasingly align contemporary ontology with the poly crisis we are now facing, global sense making is beginning to ask if reshaping our current worldview could instead drive human and non human flourishing.

The series aim to not only open space for the consideration of life affirming thought, but to gauge whether interest and possibility exists for the emergence of our very own thought community in the north west.

We will watch a film and then have a facilitated discussion where people are invited to share their reflections on how these ideas could apply to our local communities and our vision of the future. We will invite all who wish to share to speak in turn ensuring every voice is heard. 

Every film/podcast & discussion session will go for 2 hours ending at 4.30pm with refreshments and you are then invited to join in an Active Hope session to finish the day.(see below for more information about Active Hope)

Changing the Paradigm Program

 Session One: 23 July  2.30 pm - 4.30 pm  Joanna Macy and The Great Turning 

(video 30 mins )

J Macy talks about the fundamental change emerging as we transition from industrial growth society to life sustaining society. Frames it in terms of:

Activism: slows down destruction, saves some of the gene pool

Sustainable Structures: Permaculture, biodynamic farming etc seen in terms of Earth’s immune response to what’s not working and reflective of life’s yearning to grow

Consciousness: the cognitive revolution, we are a living system.

05.00pm Active Hope Spiral with Nettie Hulme (60 mins)

Session Two: 6 August 2.30 pm - 4.30pm Ancient Futures: Learning from Ladakh

Based on the book Ancient Futures: Learning from Ladakh by Helena Norberg-Hodge.

(video 1 hr)

Snapshots Joanna Macy’s reflections on industrial growth society

Zooms in on industrial growth society through a comparison of cultures. Juxtaposes dichotomies like globalisation/localisation, hyper individualisms/community, intelligence/wisdom, slow/fast paced life to demonstrate development doesn’t necessarily equate with happiness.

05.00pm Active Hope Spiral with Nettie Hulme (60 mins)

Session Three: 20 August 2.30 pm - 4.30 pm   Interconnection & Shifting World Views (Jeremy Lent )

(video 1.5hrs) 

Centres the Cognitive Revolution as pivotal in change

A compelling discussion on the power of ontology and metaphor, and the central role of worldview in reshaping poly crisis. The new story of recent science.

05.00pm Active Hope Spiral with Nettie Hulme (60 mins)

Session Four:  03 September 2.30 pm - 4.30 pm Embodying Collective Transformation (Karl Steyaert)

(video 110 mins) 

Zooms in on where Jeremy Lent leaves off on the ontology of inner landscape

Looks at how interpersonal work and changing inner landscapes both individually and collectively are changing the narrative, and are inextricably entangled with our shifting paradigm and the emergence of care culture.

05.00pm Active Hope Spiral with Nettie Hulme (video 60 mins)

Session Five: 17 September 2.30 pm - 4.30 pm The Meaning Crisis and Metamodern Spirituality (Brendan Graham Dempsey)

(video 60 mins)

Takes a deeper look at what’s happening in our contemporary think tanks

Explores the meta modernism shift from post modernism: How theory impacts social circumstance and is rewriting how we do purpose today.

05.00pm Active Hope Spiral with Nettie Hulme (60 mins)

 01 October 2.30 pm - 4.30 pm Learning is a Journey of Meandering (Rachel Musson)

(Podcast 60 mins)

Explores concepts in regenerative education

Picks up threads from all of the above to consider how a culture of wellbeing can seed in the education system.

05.00pm Active Hope Spiral with Nettie Hulme (60 mins)

* Active Hope

Active Hope is a practice, something we can learn and get better at.

The inspiration for these sessions comes from the book Active Hope: How To Face The Mess We’re In Without Going Crazy by eco-philosopher Joanna Macy and resilience expert Chris Johnstone.

 The sessions moves through the four stations of the spiral: Gratitude, Honouring our Pain, Seeing with New Eyes, Going Forth.

1)  We begin with gratitude as a basis for wellbeing and personal resilience.

2)  We honour the feelings of pain that can arise when we face the reality of social and    ecological injustice.

3) We explore the internal and external resources available to us to see things from a new perspective and develop individual and collective power and potential.

4) We use this momentum to set concrete intentions and practical actions that we can take back into the world.