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Podcasts as models of transformation

With podcasts, the thing I tend to love most is the articulation of the human spirit overcoming adversity or developing greater capacity.

In Podcasts as conversation I spoke about the value of giving voice to the personal journey and expressing our humanity; about the lessons we learn in life and ways we can share that with others, maybe empowering them to do likewise or at least to avoid certain pitfalls.

Which, in a way, becomes this living metaphor for what it is to be human: flawed or imperfect individuals seeking to move beyond limitations, discover capabilities, and become all they feel they can become; a sense that we all have something to learn or move past, as well as a dream or hope for what we might attain or contribute through life.

Podcasts I’ve been listening to lately (Rich Roll, Tim Ferriss, Finding Mastery) fall within this idea of the ‘spirit of reinvention’: learning from those who might have “messed up” or “failed” and put in the hard work to get things back, or those who faced up to difficult situations or obstacles to create uncommon strength or insight; the idea of giving people another shot or bearing with the time it might take to turn things around.

That picture of growth and change seems so human, whether we encounter it through conversation or in literature (see Notes One). In the past, our journeys may have been of exploration or discovery, but now there seems this common thread of people overcoming themselves and finding inner courage they didn’t know they had.

Of course there are still battles to be fought and progress to be made externally, but this sense of conquering ourselves is an interesting one as well. It could be that each of us must come to terms with our own issues in life and find ways beyond them, mustering the strength and conviction to move on in the best direction we can.

And, while each of those journeys must necessarily be extremely personal, these podcasts offer some common and transferable threads: ways of approaching our struggles, understanding others, moving through uncertainty to learning, and looking differently at “failure”. Rather than offering a ‘one size fits all’ solution, such conversations offer up a wealth of experience, encouragement, and faith in the human spirit.

In life, I’m not sure we can ever accept the solutions of others: each situation seems personal, complex and unique; so each particular path in life would surely be similarly so (Notes Two). It may be that we head in a similar direction, but the lessons we learn will likely be slightly different and we’ll all have our story to tell as a result.

So, it seems the most we can really offer one another is our experiences and what we’ve learnt from them; leaving others to draw what they can and what they need to help them in their own lives. And, within the diversity of modern culture, these voices seem to help with that.

Notes and References:

Note 1: Spiritually committed literature
Note 1: Learning to be human
Note 2: Does truth speak for itself?
Note 2: Need to stand alone & think for ourselves
Note 2: People wanting change

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Life and money, seamlessly interwoven

So much of life seemingly comes down to money: appearance, social status, free time (and how you’re able to use it), opportunity, influence. In many areas of our cultural and social lives money has come to define us, limiting or separating us from one another as patterns of consumption become a way of life, a sense of self, and yet another way to set ourselves apart.

It’s something touched on recently with I am not just a sum and Money as a pivot of matter & intention, which spoke of how money flows through life, alongside a few other posts around the role of economic factors in education and society more broadly (see Notes One).

And it just seems strange at times how so much of our value as human beings is tied to this one method of quantification. Rather than money simply being an aspect of trade and a practical reality, it’s woven throughout our existence; including those areas of culture that give us shared meaning.

Activities and interests that impart meaning, identity, and belonging – books, movies, fashion, events – increasingly come across as being essentially about money. Whether we can afford to keep up with the latest trends or standards often seems an impossible or possibly futile race (Notes Two). As patterns of consumption, they work well; but as sources of human meaning and social cohesion they seem questionable.

I mean, we all seek to find our place within life: to create an identity and, based on that, form affiliations and pursue our interests to build a life for ourselves. As humans we seem drawn to expressing our true nature and finding others to celebrate or develop that with. Ideally, I suppose, we’d all hold meaning in one another’s eyes, even while we might tread different paths ourselves.

What would it mean if everything in life were simply a transaction? If every aspect of existence were part of a calculation and relationships were merely trade. If we always needed ‘something to offer’ in financial terms; rather than bringing qualities of love, friendship, compassion, patience, creativity, and so on. If, at best, everything in our lives were window dressing for the image we decided to craft for ourselves.

Almost everything now can be seen in terms of money: it all has a cost and a price; a figure attached that skates alongside all aspects of modern life. Is that simply “how it is” or could there be areas of life where we all stand equally, without the countless divisions money seems to create and sustain?

Money may create both opportunities and limitations for our lives, and it may be effective in terms of dividing and selling certain things; but when it comes to life, to human meaning and personal worth, it surely cannot become the be all and end all of existence. It just doesn’t seem quite right. As if we might be missing the point of life and reducing everything meaningful down to this one thing that really isn’t.

Notes and References:

Note 1: The motivation of money
Note 1: Economics and the task of education
Note 2: Relating to cultural benchmarks
Note 2: How many things are cycles (we could break)
Note 2: Fashion, self & environment

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Shared spaces & how things get done

Any kind of endeavour in a way needs a structure: a sense of the duties, rights, responsibilities, and limitations necessary to sustain it happily and healthily (hopefully backed up by sound, inclusive, and flexible reasoning). We might be talking of a country, community, workplace or, in this case, of housing arrangements.

As there’s this shift towards collective ways of living (whether that’s subdivided properties, developments, or more intentional communities with shared facilities), questions arise around the realities that’s creating and how best to manage them (see Notes One). And, anecdotally, this often seems problematic: standards or conventions around use of space and consideration for others vary, as does the sense of how people might get involved in maintaining things, making changes, or resolving issues.

It seems many exist in quiet resentment at having to live in such proximity, irritated at freedoms being limited by their impact on others, and tending to tune these ‘annoyances’ out. Maybe that’s because we’re increasingly independent rather than community-minded; or because life’s stressful and having that impinge on the home environment is the final straw; or maybe we’re losing the sense of regulating our actions out of concern for others (Note Two).

And then market ‘provision’ doesn’t always align with our ideals: many developments seem to create unusual situations where space is lacking or overlooked and even greater consideration than ‘normal’ is needed to coexist happily; regulating how people operate within these places is another challenge; as is how well they ‘sit’ within the surrounding area.

There’s also the issue of what we contractually agree to (aware as we may or may not be of the details) alongside our intention to actually abide by the spirit of our commitment. Which is all quite complex. We may see contracts as merely stepping stones to what we want, rather than something to honour and uphold. We may view any limitations on our freedom out of social consideration for others as antiquated or unenforceable.

All of this may be true, and – as with almost any situation – the factors at play and how best to navigate them seems unlikely to lead to a simple solution, let alone one that can be realised without the willing involvement of everyone concerned.

You might have the wisest contract conceivable managing a well-designed property, but if those within it aren’t interested in bringing it to life you’ll likely end up with conflict or disappointment. Conversely, an engaged and motivated group of people could probably bring blissful harmony wherever they happened to find themselves.

Which in a way comes down to communication and intention: ideally we’d have great systems to understand and operate within, but practically we often live within imperfect systems and need to find ways to rework them as best we can.

But then, does it matter if we live together out of mutual understanding and consideration rather than resentment? It must have considerable social impact, but unless we rediscover the value of such cooperation all this may prove difficult to resolve.

Notes and References:

Note 1: Living together
Note 1: Real estate, rental and human nature
Note 1: Nature tells a story, about society
Note 2: Laws and lawlessness
Note 3: Need to stand alone & think for ourselves
Note 3: People wanting change

Money as a pivot of matter & intention also addressed this idea of systems and how best we engage with them.

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Money as a pivot of matter & intention

I’m not an economist, but find the idea of money as this point where needs or desires and capacities meet to be quite interesting; a sort of point of flow as humans act within their environment to fulfil their needs. It’s something I’ve discussed a few times here, leading to questions I find fascinating around sustainability and consumption (see Notes One). Whether our systems lead to wise courses of action for the future of humanity is surely a beautiful but challenging reality.

Because it really seems money is this symbol, this abstraction that ultimately just represents something and serves a purpose in life. As I spoke of in I am not just a sum, we might look at life and human existence from a purely economic perspective or also in the light of other values.

These days the economic stance seems to be winning out as we think in terms of markets matching resources to demands (creating or inflating them where they’re lacking); this basic model of human activity as needs being matched with products and ingenuity. Which is what it is: we have needs – be they personal, societal, planetary – and economic activity is this way of organising to meet them and sustain society in a way.

Although, how many of our ‘needs’ are genuine as opposed to stemming from psychological or social insecurity or the suggestions of marketing or modern culture? Are we in fact being drawn in by our very human inclinations toward status and security, maybe acting on greed or opportunity rather than taking only what we need then directing resources elsewhere?

Does the market really get to decide “what gets done”? Whether that’s what we’re offered as products; the environmental or ethical standards involved; the cultural, social or psychological messages accompanying it all; or the bigger picture we’re creating on a global scale.

Going back to money as a point of intention, these systems – emerging out of certain ideas and evolving into the activities we see today – essentially attempt to meet our needs out of limited resources: this flow of human life, of known or imagined needs and solutions, and the forms that developed to embody those functions. How wise that is, how conscious, and how controllable seem almost impossible questions to ask.

Ideally, I suppose, systems would be filled with people aware of what constitutes wise action for the long-term fulfilment of needs for the entire human community. Ideally there would be a sense of responsibility there, and both the intentions of organisations and those they seek to cultivate within their customers would be balanced in every sense.

If that’s not the case, where can wisdom and responsibility arise? If the system is to be market-based, where can such intentions bring themselves to bear? Clearly that could arise through regulation, but it’s also possible through conscious engagement and examination of our own motives and the wider impacts of our actions. The question of who solves our problems may be down to each one of us.

Notes and References:

Note 1: The motivation of money
Note 1: Is sustainable design an impossibility?
Note 1: Values and the economic
Note 1: How many things are cycles (we could break)

“New Renaissance” is one of many books that attempt to come to terms with reworking and bringing more meaning to our communities.

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I am not just a sum

The idea of human worth and how we value our lives or the contributions we make has come up a few times already (see Notes One), and seems quite fundamental to how we view life and one another: is money (and all it brings) what really matters most, or is there more to life than that?

In many scenarios we can either look to the financial value and cost of things or give weight to other concerns (Note Two). We can look purely to the economics and the ‘certainty’ that may seem to offer, making that the overriding method of assessment, or set other priorities and maybe even assign greater value to them. And, as in that post, I wonder how much wisdom can come from an economic reckoning.

To my mind, money is but one way of assessing worth and doesn’t necessarily say anything that valuable or definitive; it tells a certain story, but that mightn’t be the most interesting or insightful story to hear about a person (Note Three).

Surely economic realities just range somewhere on the spectrum between excessive and maybe undeserved wealth or poverty, then a middle ground where people generally stand a reasonable chance of progressing somewhat from their starting point. Essentially, that money makes money and those without that foundation tend to struggle much more to gain a footing in that realm.

Of course reality’s more complex than that, as many factors and systems support these things: education, background, existing structures, cultural representations, lingering social preconceptions, so many subtle influences seem to shape and reinforce how society functions. In many ways all that seems like a dense web of often subconscious or unexamined ideas that maintain and preserve ‘how things are’.

And, in a sense, life can be reduced to numbers; it’s undeniably one way of looking and evaluating how things are going, and that’s certainly useful in a certain light. But where do we draw the line and place the equally (if not more) important human face on the picture we’ve created? For me the problem arises when that ‘other side’ is left out or downplayed, when we don’t seek to appreciate the realities behind the figures (Notes Four).

Because, while there’s an economic side to everyone’s life and work, I’m not sure it deserves all the weight it currently carries. As, generally speaking, there doesn’t always seem much correlation between financial worth and other important qualities. It’s great when these do align, but often incredible strength of character and human spirit can be found in unexpected places and lacking in others.

So while we are all economic beings in a way, we’re undeniably also human and social beings; with all our systems and beliefs placing us in relation to one another. And all the time ‘our worth’ is aligned predominantly with money then attempting to rework our imperfect systems becomes problematic. Finding ways to give voice to those other values, experiences and perspectives might be difficult, but could also be quite life-affirming.

Notes and References:

Note 1: The value of each human being
Note 1: Learning to be human
Note 2: Values and the economic
Note 3: Intrinsic worth over social identity
Note 4: Morality and modern thought
Note 4: Reality as a sense check

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Spirit as the invisible

Recently I wrote about “The Spirit of Community”, with spirit in that context essentially referring to the ideas, principles, values and meanings woven behind the understanding of community and how that might affect everyday actions, systems and organisations. And that seems a reasonably workable starting point for talking about spirit.

It’s a topic I’ve touched upon a few times in looking at spiritual literature and modern attitudes (see Notes One); and it seems important in that all our actions ultimately sit within our understanding of what life is about.

In a way, any system of ideas must rest on a sense of what can be seen and what cannot: modern secular theories generally asserting that only what’s physically perceptible holds meaning; while any other belief system holds up an understanding of a deeper reality. Accounting for what cannot be known by sight – whether through faith or disbelief – effectively then creating the ground for our existence.

The post about the meaning of beauty explored how we prize external appearances: those obvious, measurable qualities some are born with or others might buy. Which often seems the clearest voice within modern culture, but also questionable in terms of what matters most: appearances can be deceptive, can essentially be bought, and often seem to run counter to the development of character. And a system of meaning based on nothing but the physical must also be subject to changes resulting from time, fate, or revised standards.

All of which strays slightly from the point, but only to raise questions around the values of a material philosophy. Because it seems non-belief discredits so much, leaving little space for the appreciation of many things that make us human and make life worth living. Things like kindness, love, inner beauty, compassion, courage, sacrifice, perseverance have little value in a world that talks only of profit or gain.

Of course, secular reasoning offers that illusion of certainty which allows us to step forward confidently into the unknown without the burden of other considerations. But to my mind that kind of reasoning is just as much a matter of faith as any other: one path is a faith that something greater is there; the other is faith that nothing is.

Writings on Education spoke of how modern thinking arose and informs the ways we understand and live our lives; connecting everything together around its basic assumptions. Ideas about the limitations of knowledge were the products of intense cultural debate, but now seem to be accepted and defended with a much more casual frame of mind; which is interesting, for something so fundamental.

Fascinating as all that is in terms of thought and reality, my main question here is whether it’s possible to have an intellectual framework incorporating both faith and reason: where the denial of deeper meaning can stand alongside faith, rather than seeing it as a lesser form of intelligence. Because really it seems that the absence or presence of such meaning all forms part of the same conversation.

Notes and References:

Note 1: The ideas of Eckhart Tolle
Note 1: Mindfulness, antidote to life or way of being
Note 1: What do we see in beauty?
Note 1: Spiritually committed literature

“Towards a New World View” discusses further the idea of developing our belief systems and engaging in wider conversations.

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Missing something with modern culture?

Thoughts on culture and how well it’s serving us – given its roots in notions of tending and cultivation – have come up a few times so far (see Notes One); and interest me to the extent that the ideas we entertain and behaviour we embrace seem to really shape society and how we understand our roles within it.

Do our cultural ideas supply us with wisdom, both individually and collectively, for how we choose to live? Do they provide a meaningful, coherent picture of life and uplift us with ideas for how to be, what to work towards, and ways to overcome modern challenges? Is that even what we’re looking for, or is it enough to be entertained or stimulated by some more-or-less finely executed projects?

Looking back to culture in the past, it seems there was meaning there: information about society, its structures and standards, its preoccupations or difficulties, and the patterns of behaviour within and between different groups. In relating themselves to and working through these cultural representations individuals could come to understand their place and their times. Maybe that was constrictive, maybe it was led by some and imposed upon others; but it appears there was a focus, a code, and a general arc to the story.

So, does culture need to do that: sustain society with its ideas and the ensuing conversations? Do the stories, characters, values, and themes contained within cultural forms matter? It seems we know they do in a way, because we speak of representation and role models and we question the impact of certain content on impressionable members of society.

Beyond that discussion of content and intention, there also seems a shift in personal involvement: whereas cultural life was once participatory (thinking of dances, music and singing) and each was part of a more-or-less organised whole; these days it’s often consumed in relative isolation with the whole generally praising the individual. That may or may not be important, but it’s an interesting difference.

It could raise the question of whether we create this social culture through our involvement, or if it’s enough to observe and discuss the work of others. Is this to be an exclusive industry of experts, or a more inclusive and joyful activity? There must be place for both, although they are fundamentally different.

Then recently traditional authority has been waning while the means for market-based popularity has grown; leaving this ground where cultural ideas can tread their own paths and attract a following. So rather than the reins being held very tightly, there’s now this ‘democratic’ culture with little overarching direction as to what the messages are and where they may lead.

In essence, there seems to be a conversational element to culture: there’s what we make of it, what our participation creates, and what it in turn makes of us. And, as with anything that operates as a market, there’s this tension between production and consumption. Finding a healthy balance and direction within that seems a fascinating challenge.

Notes and References:

Note 1: The value of art in society
Note 1: Community – what it was, what we lost
Note 1: Romance, love & the movies
Note 1: Complicity and cultural attitudes
Note 1: How many aren’t well represented?
Note 1: Spiritually committed literature

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“The Spirit of Community”

Ideas around society, its structures and ideals, and how it’s working out are topics touched on previously (see Notes One), but here I’ll revisit them in the light of “The Spirit of Community” by Amitai Etzioni. While I’ve only begun reading it at this point, so much seems pertinent to situations we’re currently facing.

Etzioni begins by discussing the “urgent need to rebuild a sense of personal and social responsibility, a sense that we are not only entitled but also must serve, that the individual good is deeply intertwined with the needs of the common good”. And in terms of achieving such a thing, it’s noted that “to change a society’s course one must focus on changing the habits of the heart, on a grand dialogue in which people come together to agree upon a new direction”; as anything imposed without agreement seems destined to fail.

Which is, in a way, profound yet also self-evident: society is composed of individuals, but without a common sense of togetherness and purpose it’s surely a tricky reality to hold together.

Talking of the basic give and take of existence, Etzioni highlights people’s “tendency … to claim rights for themselves and to leave responsibilities to the government”; whereas these effectively go hand in hand. In a sense, our rights are limited by our coexistence: what we take, we take from others; and what we give upholds collective systems. For the moment, society mainly quantifies this financially; but we could take a wider view of “responsibility to our moral, social, and political environment”.

Questions of social morality are interesting to explore; little having stepped in to replace religion or tradition. Not to say the constrictive aspects of those forces didn’t need reworking, but to abandon any concept of moral sense seems a bold step and a difficult reality to navigate (Notes Two).

It’s then suggested that “individuals’ consciences are neither inborn nor – for most people – self-enforcing. We gain our initial moral commitments as new members of a community into which we are born. Later, as we mature, we hone our individualized versions out of the social values that have been transmitted to us.” Connected to which, the “only way the moral integrity of a society can be preserved is for most of the people, most of the time, to abide by their commitments voluntarily”

Placing morality as an essential foundation for society is interesting, and reiterates the importance of how we pass on those values that serve both individuals and society; whether that’s through family, community, culture, or formal education (Notes Three).

This is a book I’ll return to, as it approaches social responsibility in wonderfully detailed and practical ways: ideas around responsive communities and acting in consideration of others seem so relevant now and spill across boundaries between family, relationships, work practices, and public life. Given the interrelated nature of society and the importance of achieving or maintaining meaningful cohesion, a broad discussion of this nature does seem to be a sensible way forward.

Notes and References:

“The Spirit of Community” by Amitai Etzioni, (Fontana Press, London UK), 1993

Note 1: Community – what it was, what we lost
Note 1: Mirrors we offer one another
Note 2: Laws and lawlessness
Note 2: Antisocial behaviour & the young
Note 3: Need to stand alone & think for ourselves
Note 3: Learning to be human

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Gardening as therapy, the dark

I wrote recently about the lighter side of gardening: about intentions, vision and perseverance as a metaphor for life (see Note One); tying into a wider discussion around our environments and our inclination to invest in them (Notes Two). And that seems to be the bigger picture: how we live within more or less well-executed ideas and must find ways to deal with that; hopefully creating something better from it all (Notes Three).

In that context, maintenance and problem-solving are almost as essential as vision. We might have our hopes and dreams, plans for what we wish to create; but we must also face up to areas weakened by neglect or threatened by insidious weeds. Whether we talk of opportunities and threats, the good and the bad, dreams and disasters, it’s this sense that challenges must often be overcome.

And maybe that’s where both hard work and satisfaction come in: that, through vigilance and effort, we might eradicate a problem or at least let a plant be reinvigorated by a successful season. And, in doing so, we might inspire others by showing that actions pay off and make a real difference to what’s possible in the world.

Because – in gardens as in life – this more often than not seems to be our situation these days: ideas, visions or intentions slightly lost within reality. Distracted by the countless pressures of modern life, gardens become a place for cars and low-maintenance relaxation; while many become more obvious areas of disengagement or disinterest.

If we don’t have a vision, does neglect matter? It almost inevitably makes it more difficult to cultivate that space in the future: soil is deprived of nutrients, weeds settle in, and wildlife tends to depart. And, once that becomes the norm, whole areas can fall into this feeling that appearances and actions don’t really matter; often a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Which is where I find nature to be such an interesting metaphor for life: whatever our intentions, our understanding and engagement are what shape reality. The strength of our vision must surely guide our actions, attitudes and commitment toward everyday life. Those things we tend and nurture are what grow most strongly; while those problems we chip away at and replace with better options become weaker by the day.

Really I see fewer metaphors offering greater resonance with human existence. And the idea that we live by stories we tell ourselves is fascinating, whether we talk in terms of films and fiction or more linguistically (see below); that sense that we’re naturally imaginative thinkers and motivated by compelling imagery about life.

For me, nature and particularly gardening are powerful in that way: the ideas and habits we plant and subconsciously tend; the signs of neglect or misunderstanding that take time to redress; the daily effort and vigilance required to make a lasting impact; the living resilience and optimism of nature itself; and the intrinsic reward of seeing life and beauty emerge. Surely there’s hope there, and faith for the future.

Notes and References:

“Metaphors We Live By” by George Lakoff and Mark Johnson, (University of Chicago, USA), 2003 (originally 1980)

Note 1: Gardening as therapy, the light
Note 2: Nature tells a story, about society
Note 2: Real estate, rental and human nature
Note 3: Writings on Education
Note 3: Living the dream

What makes a good life also spoke more generally about finding paths between the light and dark in life.

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Learning to be human

What does it mean to be human? In many ways we’re all living, breathing responses to that question as we find our own paths through life. But the question of how we learn to do so may be simpler to answer.

Clearly there’s education itself, which I’ve spoken of a few times already (see Notes One); then, alongside that, the influences of family, community, society, culture and so on. All these encounters surely shape our ideas, our sense of what matters and how we should act, our picture of what life’s about and how it all works.

What I find interesting is how conscious and coherent those messages are. Are we pulling ourselves in different directions, entertaining contradictory standards and expectations; or are these voices all more or less on the same page?

As touched upon in the posts mentioned above, there’s this sense that education serves society and particularly the economy: imparting essential skills and knowledge for young people to take their place in the workforce, as well as general attitudes that will hopefully sustain a stable way of life. Which has its place and makes sense in terms of government provision, but is it enough?

With life, issues of authenticity or self-actualisation must also deserve consideration: how are we best able to be ourselves, draw on our talents, and overcome our challenges? That hesitation over whether we are simply cogs in a machine, or if there’s more to life and what we’re able to offer it by our presence.

While our personal journeys are shaped by living within society (Notes Two), surely our participation in it also matters as our attitudes and contributions to community and society in turn shape the realities we share. Our feeling of fairness, ethics and the value of life undoubtedly impacts all that we do; becoming the face we turn to others and the actions we choose to engage in.

So where do we draw the line as to what matters most at the end of the day? Of course economic realities matter, both individually and collectively, but so does the bigger picture of what we’re doing and why (Notes Three); the forming of which must come from education itself or from those other influences that surround and contextualise it.

Beyond economics and education for basic social cohesion, what values are we upholding and imparting in how we live? Could formal learning dovetail better with other areas so families, communities and social realities work more harmoniously together? Could our cultural reference points serve us better with the standards, narratives and meanings they offer society to live by?

And how can all those threads even be drawn together? Maybe that’s why this post has drifted into the territory of question marks: the answers are down to us. Being human and learning to do it well seems to rest within the social communities we create and how we organise them; which I suppose means we must collectively chart that path, or individually find our way.

Notes and References:

Note 1: Education’s place within Society
Note 1: Economics and the task of education
Note 2: Mirrors we offer one another
Note 2: Community – what it was, what we lost
Note 3: The motivation of money
Note 3: Values and the economic

Need to stand alone & think for ourselves also considered that last question of individual or collective convictions, in a slightly different light.

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