After hosting a deeply enriching and nourishing talk led by women spiritual leaders at our “Wisdom for This Time of Transition” event, GPIW wanted to bring in the masculine presence to the conversation. On March 12 th we had the honor of witnessing the leadership and wisdom of a team of men who have worked closely with GPIW as teachers and mentors. We heard from 11 brilliant minds and compassionate hearts about this time of transition for our species and for the planet. The diversity of perspective and depth of thought stirred up a rich soil for the hands and feet of changemakers. Here are some of the highlights.
The morning began with a reflection on two human tendencies: one towards breakdown and another towards growth (Swami Atmarupananda). We considered the indispensable value of community and friendship as ways of supporting ourselves in the face of the great planetary changes that are occurring with increasing velocity (Bhante Buddharakhita). To bring further understanding to our present-day situation, the different ages in the yogic tradition—the yugas and the sub cycles of yugas—were brought into the conversation (Sraddhalu Ranade). We also examined the historical context that has brought us to our current ecological state by looking at the methods and tactics of colonization and how it has infiltrated our hearts and minds (Bob Toth).
As a way forward, we considered the need to regenerate the “consciousness of seed” at this time. Instead of trying to solve the many problems of our world, we contemplated the role that the mystery of our current consciousness plays in our response to crisis (Tiokasin Ghosthorse). We looked at this time of transition as a process of birth, and the importance of learning, as new parents do, to take care of the Earth at this moment of nurturance and growth (Eddie Stern). Likewise, we considered this time as a death, a dismantling of old, patriarchal paradigms (Rami Shapiro). We asked, will this death be mindless or intentional? Violent or gentle? Cruel or compassionate? We considered the key to a more intentional, gentle and compassionate death, as the adoration of the Divine Mother, nature, and all women. Another perspective we considered was a planetary dark night of the soul (Fr. Michael Holleran). In this dark night we are being asked to step into a time of mysticism or face our own extinction. We considered the difference between linear and non-linear time and how to step away from our linear stories of improvement and enter into a body-based time that is connected with the cycles of nature (Kosen Gregory Snyder). In the context of our changing world, we looked at spiritual leadership and what it will look like as we go forward (Fr. Adam Bucko).
To finish, we were invited to look at the pandemic as a time of retreat, a time to go deeply inward and ask the question: How does one become the best that they can be? (Raghu Ananthanarayanan). Each speaker brought a unique tone and expression of truth to the zoom room. The interplay between these diverse voices of wisdom had its own life and teaching in itself. There was an organic weaving of insight and knowledge that was braided into the flow of conversation. The host, Shephali Patel, was gracious and inviting to each guest, bringing in the potency of intergenerational connection and gender balance. Each person present brought their particular experience and understanding, and what emerged was an unbound poetry that expressed a collective source of care for each other and our Earth.