It was a delight to meet with various ServiceSpace interns last week at the Awakin Circle.  As I shared with Vishesh, we spoke about emerging systems and internal transformation that reaffirm my optimism for our future.  Here are few resources that I shared with him, that some of you may enjoy as well.

First, Paul Gilding's The Great Disruption (with a great tagline: Why the Climate Crisis will Bring on the End of Shopping and the Birth of a New World!) In the first third of the book, he outlines the horrendous global problems we face; then, in a very linear fashion, based on years of working with business, he makes a powerful case for our most likely awakening and opportunity, with logical steps for the transition. Some of my favorite quotes:
 

"Leaders and movements that painted a picture of hope... have driven all the positive changes in history. Gandhi, Mandela Kink and Churchill all told a story of hope for the future despite the desperate conditions around them. ... Hope works."

"Given the challenges ahead, the choice to be optimistic is perhaps the most important and most political choice an individual can make."

"Be realistic, be a Churchill, and demand the impossible."

To quote my favorite climate change strategist, Winston Churchill: “It is no use saying, 'We are doing our best.' You have got to succeed in doing what is necessary.”

Second, Chrystia Freeland's article on It's Not Just George Soros Anymore. A brief Politico piece quoting some of the most important 'capitalists' voices observing that 'capitalism is no longer working for the middle class', and that the 'capitalist system was at risk'.

Third, an interview with Jeremy Rifkin: The Leap to Biosphere Consciousness and Collaboration In this Rifkin interview (ladened with new jargon), Rifkin outlines the paradox at the heart of capitalism, it’s end, and a new unfolding economic paradigm.

Fourth, Charles Eisenstein in 'The More Beautiful World is Possible'.
 

Humanity’s been messing around [like a child] playing with our gifts of technology and culture, and developing these gifts. Now we’re coming into adulthood and it’s time to apply them to our true purpose. At the beginning, I think that will be simply to heal the damage that’s been done. There’s a lot of healing that needs to be done, and it’s almost impossible, actually. You can say that, really, we’re in the business of creating a miracle here on Earth. I’m saying that it’s something that’s impossible from an old understanding of reality, but possible from a new one. And in fact it’s necessary. And in fact, anything less than that isn’t even worth trying.

Fifth, is a long talk by Dr. Kumi Naidoo, president of Greenpeace. This is a long talk, but his ending beautifully outlines the power & strength of Gandian non-violent direct action principles. He powerfully sketches the hideous challenges going on around the world. My reaction to his embedded ‘fighting against’ language, helped me further clarify my passion for leading with what we are ‘for’-- the biggest YES for Life -- invite one and all! And from there, a 'no' to all that does serve or nourish life.



Sixth, Dalai Lama on Why I Laugh -- and no enemies.
 

If we are content just to think that compassion, rationality, and patience are good, that is not actually enough to develop these qualities. Difficulties provide the occasion to put them into practice. Who can make such occasions arise? Certainly not our friends, but rather our enemies, for they are the ones who pose the most problems. So that we truly want to progress on the path, we must regard our enemies as our best teachers. For whoever holds love and compassion in high esteem, the practice of tolerance is essential, and it requires an enemy. We must be grateful to our enemies, then, because they help us best engender a serene mind! Anger and hatred are the real enemies that we must confront and defeat, not the “enemies” who appear from time to time in our lives.