Some daunting facts
Last night I was (finally) reading last weekend’s NYT Sunday Magazine and this article about Paul Kingsnorth, an environmentalist who has abandoned hope for stopping climate change, spoke to me (click to read it). Here’s an excerpt from the piece that relates directly to our stated goal for 350 Dreamers, which I started in 2009 in response to 350.org’s call to take action to join together to stop global climate change:
I don’t agree with everything Kingsnorth says in the article, but in it he talks about about taking time to grieve, feel, and face what is happening in our world–a sentiment that strikes me as deeply true and necessary.
A dreamer’s response
The article also inspired me to put into words what I feel my role as a dreamer, and our role as members of 350 Dreamers, might be. I believe that as dreamers, we have a unique perspective that can support us and our communities as environmental changes continue to manifest at a breathtaking pace:
- We dreamers know that first and foremost, we don’t run away from the monsters in our nightmares, we turn and face them instead.
- We dreamers know that when we face a nightmare rather than shut it out, we become more than we ever dreamed we could be thanks to it.
- As dreamers we know there is healing wisdom in even the most disturbing dream image.
- As dreamers we learn to stay awake and aware in our dreams–and in daylight.
- As dreamers we learn to bear witness to, and stay present to, all of it.
- And as dreamers we know how to access guidance from our best selves–that part of each one of us that transcends the ordinary and connects us to the extraordinary.
- Our dreams teach us that internal energetic shifts manifest loving change in the outside world. Activism can be quiet and invisible, and can take root one heart at a time.
Each of these skills and awarenesses can serve us as we face the nightmarish effects of global climate change, and help us to become agents of hope and compassion–in spite of the enormity of the problems we face.
ZZzzZZzzZZ
(Sylvia…thank you for sharing your dream with me today, which crystalizes these themes so clearly, and thank you for offering to share that dream with 350 Dreamers whenever you are able.)
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April 23, 2014 at 11:40 pm
Tzivia
Reblogged this on All the Snooze That's Fit to Print and commented:
There’s much to learn from dreams — and nightmares — as we confront the effects of global climate change.
April 24, 2014 at 5:49 am
Sylvia
Today, as our dream group discussed our earthly conditions, the major changes that are taking place on earth and its inhabitants, and how we choose to be with these changes, I was privileged to share the dream I awoke with on April 21, Easter Monday. Now for me, Easter is about transformation, and the knowledge and affirmation that nothing really ends, it simply changes or transcends into something else. I sense that the more I seek to grow spiritually, there is promise for more awareness and accessibility of other dimensions of both myself and my worlds; and that how I am in my life can and does affect the world around me. This dream I share with you feels very significant, a synchronistical picture relating to our discussion about our global environment at this present time, and a real ‘eye opener’ of my inner process and feelings about it all. Thanks a million, Tzivia, for hosting this special place for us to meet, share our dreams and concerns.
“Portrait of A Changed World”
Just before awakening, I am back ‘home’, telling my hubby about my trip, and the interesting people I’ve met along the way. I had taken a few days off from my business to travel and get a new perspective on things. I go places I haven’t ever visited before.
I’m in a small rural town, mixing with other people in a local bar, or pub, telling someone about my two enterprises – one called Dream Time? (hands on business), the other dealing with a different aspect of dream study – publishing? I’m enjoying the stimulation of sharing with people who are successful in their own lives, what and how they envision their lives in today’s world.
It’s daytime, I’m out in the country(side), exploring, taking in the feel of the place, getting fresh air and exercise. There are rolling hills, cultivated fields. I meet up with a fellow who I recognize from last night. He’s wearing his expensive black camera with zoom lens hanging from its strap around his neck. We discuss the lighting and how it affects the colors and shadows, both up close and long shots. From here we can see a great distance, the land split up like a patchwork quilt in its hues of greens and golds. I notice how up close, the grass looks dry, and more sparse than first appearing from far away. This gentleman points out to me, as we stand on the crest of a hill, the sharp striated edges of rock where huge industrial machines have bulldozed their way through dark cliffs, mountains of rock, changing drastically what once was there. It’s almost unimaginable what man has done to the earth. I wonder about the consequences of our changing the landscape to such a degree. The man asks me if I have my camera handy. I make a mental note to always carry it with me, as I check my shoulder purse for my cell phone.
I see myself (from behind myself) walking away from the grey-haired gent – a 40-ish woman, not too tall, but with strong build – wearing well-worn brown hiking boots, khaki cotton shorts and shirt with sleeves rolled up, curly medium brown hair above my collar – marching up the grade with vigor, healthily sun-browned from regular outings – a pleasing site (sic sight) to my eyes.
Another morning, and I’m out and about again, forging new memories, taking in the smells, feels and sights of the outdoors. I come across two small bushes, about a foot or two high in size, bone-white, stark, with only the sharp prongs of branches left – no foliage. They remind me of the manufactured ones you see in stores at Christmastime from which are hung colorful baubles and beads. These two little bushes stand out from the backdrop of grassland, making an interesting picture.
The man I met yesterday – he told me that he’s retired, and decided to take up photography, committing himself to recording in photos the changes society is reaping to our land, our country. He has impressed me with his passion and purpose, his lease on life.
I share all these thoughts with B., back home again, happy being together.
Namaste
April 24, 2014 at 5:36 pm
Tzivia
Thank you, Sylvia! I keep thinking about your dream and about the role of the witness (camera).
I feel privileged to share dreams and heartfelt conversation with you!
❤
April 24, 2014 at 2:56 pm
Ralf
Tzivia, thanks for sharing your brilliant reply on the climate crisis. And thank you, Sylvia, for sharing your deep dream on ecology. You are an inspiration to me!
I don’t feel anything may be too late in regard to the changes going on, though I sense the urgency. I had a row of dreams over the past year and this year calling me to action, maybe not on a primarily ecological layer, but they are about gathering the dreamers, fostering mutual and lucid dreaming for the sake of healing the planet. This includes developing abilities of the dreaming tribe, or of the dreamer I am, but also taking a stance in religious quarrels, or “simply” healing my relations with my next, and healing myself. I feel I would not be “called” to do so, especially on a global level, if there were no hope of changing for the better, of co-creating peaceful realities (that is what the worlddreamspeacebridge intends).
There are many groups working on this planetary level, and the 350 dreamers are a great space to join forces.
CU in healing dreams,
Ralf
April 24, 2014 at 5:43 pm
Tzivia
Thank you, Ralf! I agree that there is lots to do … my “what” to do list includes strengthening my dream abilities and working from the inside out–learning to move from my heart in compassion and kindness.
Will you be in Berkeley this year? Would be great to keep the conversation going there.
–Tz.
May 1, 2014 at 10:19 am
Ralf
Hi, Tzivia! I though to get a notification on replies… well, as much as I loved to go there, I’ll stay here in Germany with my wife and soon two month old baby boy Morten 🙂
April 26, 2014 at 12:36 am
schiller-robins
Hi tzivai, lovely post. Do I have your permission to share your dreamers response ³list² – with credit, of course, in a future post? We just got back from a college road/flight trip, so I¹m not ready to blog just yet, but hope to put up a new one soon. I have my first private dream workshop new week in many years (not counting those for other venues), so I may try to get something up before that. Best linda
April 29, 2014 at 3:14 pm
Tzivia
Thank you, Linda. Yes, share, share, share!