Tree submitted the below as a comment, but I thought it worthy of its own post, since it hits on our current theme of discussing the good we should do, in addition to the bad others shouldn’t do. Maybe we could all read it and have virtual book club? I have to say that the idea that all things are connected is not particularly novel for those who are familiar with the world’s spiritual traditions. As Paul said, long before industrial economies (Romans 7: 18-19)
“For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.”
From Tree:
There is new book just published by Bob Doppelt. I have not read it, but it looks interesting.
http://www.greenleaf-publishing.com/productdetail.kmod?productid=3587
In “From Me to We: The Five Transformational Commitments Required to Rescue the Planet, Your Organization, and Your Life,” systems change expert Bob Doppelt reveals that most people today live a dream world, controlled by false perceptions and beliefs. The most deeply held illusion is that all organisms on Earth, including each of us, exist as independent entities. At the most fundamental level, the change needed to overcome our misperceptions is a shift from focusing only on “me” – our personal needs and wants – to also prioritizing the broader “we”: the many ecological and social relationships each of us are part of, those that make life possible and worthwhile. Research shows that by using the techniques described in this book this shift is possible – and not that difficult to achieve.
From Me to We offers five transformational “commitments” that can help you change your perspective and engage in activities that will help resolve today’s environmental and social problems. Not coincidentally, making these commitments can improve the quality of your life as well.
Bob Doppelt’s latest book is a wake-up call to the creed of individualism. He calls for recognition of the laws of interdependence, cause and effect, moral justice, trusteeship, and free will. The book will be essential to all of those interested in how we can create and stimulate a sea change in how to enable the necessary behavioral change we need to deal with the myriad environmental and social pressures consuming the planet.
Contents
1 ‘Me’ to ‘We’ throughout history
2 The first commitment: See the systems you are part of
3 The second commitment: Be accountable for all the consequences of your actions
4 The third commitment: Abide by society’s most deeply held universal principles of morality and justice
5 The fourth commitment: Acknowledge your trustee obligations and take responsibility for the continuation of all life
6 The fifth commitment: Choose your own destiny
7 Conclusion: It is up to you
Here’s a link to the author’s website.
I think if would be a very good idea to have us all read Doppelt’s book and talk about it. I’ve been trying to get folks to read things for years, e.g my Collaboration Readings for Reflective Practitioners. But I’ve never had much luck getting anyone to read anything. Maybe “We” can do better than “Me.”
Here’s a snip from Doppelt’s Introduction (pdf), that expands what Sharon posted above from “Tree” and gives us a bit broader glimpse of Dobbelt’s intent, in his words
It wasn’t in my library nor in Prospector (our Colorado- wide borrowing network) so I had to ask them to order the book.. it might be a while since it’s new. But I’ll read it.
The ideas about despair and materialism and our connection to Earth can be found many places but reminds me of Matthew Fox’s different works on what he calls “Creation Spirituality”. Now being me, I could argue with many of his assertions, but I agree with him on his basic premise on cosmology and spirituality.
Here’s a snippet from an interview here (couldn’t find the date):