Tyson Yunkaporta’s Post

Congratulations Joshua and ISK Lab on this superb, succinct, deeply insightful account of First Peoples' spirituality. Here is the fusion of the spirituality and material, the key to returning our world to balance. For more, see totalreset.com.au

How do we appreciate our elders and open up dream spaces at these times of complex challenges of modernity? "Aboriginal Elders have told us we are a reflection of the Country: if the land is sick, so are we. If the land is healthy (or punyu), so are we. Wik First Nations scholar Tyson Yunkaporta says our collective wellbeing can only be sustained through a life of communication with a sentient landscape and all things on it. In a time when we as a global human population are navigating the complex challenges of modernity, an immersion into First Nations’ spirituality may help us better live in harmony with all things – and importantly, ourselves and each other. We can explore the depths of these teachings and learn to appreciate them (rather than appropriating them) by reconnecting with the land in meaningful ways, under the guidance of First Nations Elders and Traditional Custodians."

"Cultural practices such as stories, songs and dances have been used as memory aids to transmit knowledge across thousands of generations, and to maintain the Laws and customs handed down by each Dreaming Ancestor... First Nations spirituality promotes a strong sense of interrelatedness and interconnectedness between all things, particularly people and the planet..." A couple of thoughts resurfaced in my mind as I read this: 1) The imperative to change dominant narratives, on which we continue to be socialized and boxed into, has never been more urgent than it is now. Colonialism and current supremacist governance, structures, systems, policies and practices has always seen indigenous ways of living and relating as "uncivilized, unscientific, impractical." The butchering of local knowledge systems continue in various ways. 2) Intersectionality has always been a way of life for collectivist cultures. Over generations. Across thousands of years. It is nothing new for us. We know this because we live this. 3) In today's hyper-connected world, made more so by the worldwide web, there is absolutely no excuse for ignorance. What are we choosing to hear, read and understand? How are we choosing to act to break dominant narratives, break oppressive cycles, dismantle status-quo? Tenkyu for sharing this article Tyson Yunkaporta.

Insightful and worthwhile read. Summarized perfectly at the end; “In a time when we as a global human population are navigating the complex challenges of modernity, an immersion into First Nations’ spirituality may help us better live in harmony with all things – and importantly, ourselves and each other. We can explore the depths of these teachings and learn to appreciate them (rather than appropriating them) by reconnecting with the land in meaningful ways, under the guidance of First Nations Elders and Traditional Custodians.”

Yes, it is important to critique the systems of power and social structures that grant some and deny others resources that they need to survive. I wish for everyone to have what they need. And, let's take it further. Spiritual abolition acknowledges the importance of this critique of power AND is about how our entire ecology must be liberated. What is it in yourself and in your relations that is calling for liberation? For a deepening practice that would empower you to get free, more and more each day? To do this work of spiritual abolition, we first must abolish anything that gets in the way of us being in direct, honest, compassionate relationships with ourselves and our communities. The Heart Sutra is an important teaching to help us move in that direction, by showing us the sacred duality between form and emptiness. If you are curious about what this looks like in your practice, come join my upcoming 3-Part Talk on The Dharma of Spiritual Abolition, beginning August 27-Sept 10th. Sign up here: https://bit.ly/43MmacQ

From my latest blog: “Whatever you think of biological evolution, sociological evolution was the established pattern until the resurrection. The survival of the strongest, with little concern for the vulnerable, was the unquestioned norm.”

"We live in a world with vast complexities and challenges. It is in this world, our shared world, where we are called to live into our vocations. In order to live into our vocations, it is essential to anchor ourselves in a foundation of spiritual integrity and to seek wholeness within ourselves. In truth, as we encounter a world fragmented by countless distractions pulling the threads of our attention, the journey to personal wholeness is not a luxury but a necessity. Such a journey enables us to meander through life's corridors with integrity and clarity-integrity about who we are, how we can show up in the world as our best, and clarity as to what we need to effectively resource ourselves as agents of transformation." Read the rest of this text at the following link: https://lnkd.in/ejBDUz3P #MeadvilleLombardTheologicalSchool Meadville Lombard Theological School #TheologicalEducation

The rising interest in #indigenouswisdom has a common, odd feature. It is almost entirely interested in overseas peoples/wisdom. Why? You don't have to travel to the Amazon or Canada to find it. We have it right here in the UK and Ireland. And we have it in abundance. British and Irish folklore, history and practice is awash with Celtic and other forms of wisdom that are as deep, intuitive, #spiritual and #nature positive as any of the indigenous wisdom you will find elsewhere. Plus, it is locally relevant and immediately culturally and physically accessible. At some point, I plan to share more information here regarding how we can lean into early English myth and stories, such as Arthur, the Green Knight and Beowulf as sources of direction and inspiration for the times we're in. But, in the meantime, you don't need to travel to the other side of the earth to find it. And, if you do, you are likely to miss what sits between the lines. Because the modern mind is so deep into the material, non-symbolic worldview that, even armed with our local cultural awareness, most of us will struggle to interpret the ancient wisdom of our own places. Let alone those of a distant peoples for whom we have minimal, if any cultural reference points. Not to mention that, if we lack the willingness to dip into our own, contextually relevant stories, then perhaps we should pause to consider the integrity of our reach overseas. Otherwise we risk inadvertently turning the indigenous wisdom of other peoples into a commodity, like a contemporary spiritual accessory. Which would be particularly ironic given the escape from commodification is arguably the very reason we went looking for indigenous wisdom in the first place. #regenerative #environmentalism #eco #bcorp #esg #spirituality #sustainability #culture

“Why would human beings promote systems, structures, ideologies, and lifestyles that work against their own survival? “Good air quality is also a medicine. So is clean water. And healthy soil. Even a stress-free life is known to prolong people’s lives. It seems to me that people in the Western world are working against their own self-interest—against their own #healing—and against their own grandchildren’s well-being. What will it take to change? “The only way I see such a destructive lifestyle changing is if people begin adopting different #values and then living out these values. Our Indigenous ancestors figured this out—by trial and error and through necessity—so many years ago. These are the ancient values … that help us reconnect to sacred Earth. #Respect: Respect everyone. Everyone and everything is sacred. #Harmony: Seek harmony and cooperation with people and nature. #Friendship: Increase the number and depth of your close friends and family. #Humor: Laugh at yourself; we are merely human. #Equality: Everyone expresses their voice in decisions. #Authenticity: Speak from your heart. #History: Learn from the past. Live presently by looking back. #Balance work and rest: Work hard, but rest well. #Generosity: Share what you have with others. #Accountability: We are all interconnected. We are all related. “This is by no means a comprehensive list. But if we nurture these values in our lives, we will become more rooted in the community of creation. Begin working your way down the list and incorporating these Indigenous values into your own life. “Search for songs, ceremonies, and stories from your own ancestry. Look for friends who align with these values. Then commit to immersing yourself in a new way of living…. “Remind yourself that you are part of the #community of creation. Choose one or two of the values on the list and try to embody them today.” - Randy Woodley https://lnkd.in/eYQGE3gt

Enrich your spiritual life with more insight into the saints, the issues the Catholic Church is dealing with today, and author interviews with TAN Conversations. The mission of TAN Books is to help people become saints. TAN Conversations is designed to further that mission with discussions that will lead you in the right direction along your spiritual path. And for more great ways to deepen your faith, check out all the spiritual resources available at http://TANBooks.com. Follow along with the complete series of TAN Conversations here: https://lnkd.in/gPTJurn5