In these opening years of
the twenty-first century, as the
human community experiences a
rather difficult situation in its
relation with the natural world,
we might reflect that a fourfold
wisdom is available to guide us
into the future: the wisdom of
indigenous peoples, the wisdom of
women, the wisdom of the classical
traditions and the wisdom of
science. We need to consider these
wisdom traditions in terms of…
their common support for the
emerging age when humans will be a
mutually enhancing presence on the
Earth.
-- Thomas
Berry
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Last Sunday, a
major event unfolded in our nation's
capitol. The largest climate rally in
US history took place in cold winter
winds, in the shadow of the Washington
Monument. An estimated forty to fifty
thousand people gathered together to
speak out against the Keystone XL
pipeline, against fracking, and
against business-as-usual energy
policies that heat up Earth's
atmosphere and continue to threaten
the long-term viability of the planet.
In addition to the strong opposition
to further extraction and use of
fossil fuels, there was a conspicuous
feeling of unity. Represented at the
rally were a diversity of peoples and
perspectives. From the stage, we heard
the voices of a remarkable assembly of
First Nations and Native American
leaders, women, people of faith,
people of color, scientists and
activists. All of them are confronting
on a daily basis the direct effects of
serious climate change and dirty
energy in their communities.
Though the tone of urgency was
palpable, so too was the sense of hope
that this event was part of an
awakening of a deep common wisdom.
Thomas Berry wrote that humanity would
need to call upon a “four-fold wisdom”
to develop a mutually-enhancing
relationship with Earth. This
four-fold wisdom — the wisdom of the
feminine, of indigenous people, of
classical religions, and of modern
science — were on display in full and
glorious force at the rally.
At this point in human history, we
face urgent choices and complex
problems. And everywhere, ordinary
people are responding. Something is
stirring that is unprecedented, and we
are gathering as never before. Idle No
More's defense of First
Nations rights in Canada, or
350.Org's movement to divest
college monies from fossil fuel
corporations, or the many people
who are blocking the path of the Keystone
XL Tar Sands pipeline are but
three examples just on this continent.
This rising of an uncommon wisdom is
everywhere across the planet. As we
work to reverse the drift toward
global warming, we will draw from our
deepest reserves of inner wisdom to
inform our actions. As Berry wrote,
“We need all of the traditions. Each
has its…own special contribution
toward an integral wisdom tradition
that seems to be taking shape in the
emerging twenty-first century.”
All quotes are
taken from Berry's book The
Great Work: Our Way into the
Future
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2 comments:
A rallying cry. But there should have been 500,000 or 5 million at that rally. The numbers would have reached that in the 60s. I'm not sure what has happened to the Boomers. Born into unprecedented times, many of us seem to have forgotten.
We've become complacent and comfortable perhaps. But not all of us.......you folks and I and quite a few friends are still radical!
If we had children, and hope for a future for them and for their children, then it follows we need to think about this..........instead of spending our "golden years" pushing golf carts.
Well, forget that.....even in the best of all possible worlds, that would still be my idea of old Berkeley hippie hell.
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