The
Earth's
Imagination

... A Halftime Report

       "The Earth's Imagination is an eight session video series on Eco-Spirituality by the physicist and cosmologist Brian Swimme. This commentary is intended as a review of the first four sessions. The moderator for this series is Katie Johnson, who has been instrumental in presenting several such series in the past; the last being a previous video series by Brian Swimme entitled "The Hidden Heart Of The Cosmos". Katie's role is invaluable because of her broad experience and association with authors in Eco-Spirituality. For many persons the heart of these sessions is in discussing the author's concepts after the videos, and Katie is particularly adept at encouraging participants to express their own new awarenesses.

       Swimme continues to build his thinking upon previous presentations; and while different series are intended to stand alone, a familiarity with his past thinking definitely helps to understand his new material. Similarly, it helps a participant to know that the "Ecology" identified by the prefix "Eco" in Eco-Spirituality is that branch of science studying the relationship between All organisms and their environment (..not just trees!); which prepares the way for an acceptance of a spirituality which includes all such organisms.

       Prior series have emphasized scientific breakthroughs in what we know about the entire universe as an orderly system for 15 Billion years. "The Earth's Imagination" addresses the human evolution to date; in particular the factors influencing human consciousness and conceptualization in the past 4 Million years. These factors include our acquisition of free energy within our environment, as well as how our sexuality has resulted in capacities to care for one another. Swimme's abbreviated description of the human to date is as “..that primate which has developed a capacity to be curious and fascinated, while maintaining a childlike capacity to 'play'.”

       Continuing videos will expand upon the theme of 'What it means to be human' with a concentration upon our unlimited imaginations: how developing the abilities and forces of our individual and joint imaginations can determine the fate of our world and universe; how we may be responsible for determining our own environment. The second half of this series will begin on Tuesday, November 21st, from 7-9 p.m.; for those interested in discussing this aspect of our human development.

Ray Tanis is a farmer, masquerading as an engineer, with a passion for writing... Kids are grown, so concentrates on sunflowers and pumpkins. Ray loves writing poetry and music.

"The Earth's Imagination" continues to meet on Tuesdays from 7-9 pm in Classroom 106. The remaining dates are November 21st, 28th, December 5th and December 12th. Newcomers are welcome!!

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Robert Brennan has been a member of SJA for about eight years. Took a "sabatical" from the Catholic church for many years before finding St Joan's. He and his wife, Patty, are members of the choir and went to Rome last year as a part of the Archdiocese Rome Choir. They sang in the Vatican during the first ecumenical service with Lutherans. He is enjoying being a photographer for the website.