 | The Earth's Imagination ... A Final Report |  |
| The Earth's Imagination ... A Final Report | |
| "The Earth's Imagination is an eight session video series on Eco-Spirituality by the physicist and cosmologist Brian Swimme(above left). The moderator for this series is Katie Johnson(above right), who has been instrumental in presenting several such series in the past. This is the final report. If you have not seen the first report, written at the halfway point, we encourage you to read it first. |
In the first half of this eight-session video presentation by the physicist and cosmologist Brian Swimme, we are presented with a history of the development of the universe and our world as it evolved through natural selection. The elements plus resulting forms of matter and life come together and change through a competing use of free physical energies (heat, light, etc.); and in the world of primates, changes are initiated through the synergy of sexual attraction. With the limitations on available energy, a 'survival of the fittest' rule determined which forms of life would continue.
In the second half of the series, Swimme begins with a history of the imagination of man to date, particularly from our early Cro-Magnon forebearers to the present. But the geometric increases in utilizing natural resources to provide solutions to past and present problems has become frightening. The author cites our having depleted an estimated one third of all fish species; the disappearance of vast forest areas, land, oil and natural gas supplies, etc. We even deplete humanity through our warfare. An argument is made to illustrate how many energy resources are either directly overused and mismanaged (e.g., fresh water) or indirectly exhausted with our preoccupation with the "trivialities" of our culture used to 'pass our time'!
He then makes the case for new forms of energy (psychic, which cannot be dissipated) and a synergy which goes beyond immediate families and communities. 'Consider the impacts of our actually loving our enemies', Swimme asks us to imagine; and we are reminded of an identical message of 2000 years ago. Eventually he concludes with the proposal that whatever we concentrate on and imagine, we will accomplish; just as our 'impossible dream' of space travel became a reality. In this new mode, natural selection is replaced by a conscious human selection; and the destiny of humankind approaches a giant leap: an exciting proposition for some, sobering to others, mind-blowing to many!
As one participant explains: "Swimme takes us back to the critical questions of (life): Who am I?...Why am I here? Why are we here together?" In doing so he postulates radically new answers; 'new' at least for a culture which has become so "clever at avoiding confrontation with what is truly important": hopelessly overcomplicated, separated, and painfully alone.
In a sense we have been asked to return to the wonder and fascination of a child; with which our own inner child can find, in time, what really matters for us all; to stand in awe of those things in our lives and universe which are truly "awesome". The remaining question is whether we believe enough in our human capacities to reunite with others...and walk the talk.
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| Interrupting a First Birthday celebration, a one year-old pauses to investigate and ponder fascinating symbols; long enough to have that moment captured on film. "The Earth's Imagination" asks if we will do as much as adults...or remain preoccupied with those things of questionable meaning requiring no thought. |
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