Photo: Cathy O’Keeffe pbvm
Wonder is not just another emotion; it is rather an opening into the heart of the universe. Wonder is the pathway into what it means to be human, to taste the lusciousness of sun-ripened fruit, to endure the bleak agonies of heartbreak, to exult over the majesty of existence. (Swimme, Tucker, The Journey of the Universe, 2011, p 104). Our public news sources have their share of stories of the ‘bleak agonies’ confronting life at every level. It is easy to become overwhelmed by the pain and destruction in our world and yet it is an integral part of the extraordinary process that has led to our presence here and now. Extinction and loss herald the beginnings of new eras of greater creativity, diversity and complexity. From our very limited human understanding of the Universe process this pattern is fundamental. Perhaps it offers us a new perspective from which to view the ending of the Cenozoic era of the past 65 million years, and to understand the birth,life,death cycle.
We are being called into a new place
Retreat date saver. A new opportunity exists for those who are familiar with the Universe story and wish to deepen and integrate its implications for personal and cultural transformation. Join the EarthSong team at Holy Cross Centre, Serpells Road, Templestowe, Friday 9th November (evening) – Sunday 11th November. For further details and expressions of interest contact Pat: 83590107 (Mon – Wed)
We seek to learn new ways
- Breaking the Silence on Spirituality. Presented by The Eremos Institute, Featuring Dr David Tacey and Cathy Connelly, Thursday, 17th August, 7.30 pm, St George’s Hall Malvern. For details and registration: Breaking the Silence
- Peace with People, Peace with our Planet: A Franciscan Perspective. Joe Rozansky OFM. Friday 31 August, 7:30pm. Yarra Theological Union Study Centre, 34 Bedford Street, Box Hill. For further information: jpic@franciscans.org.au
- Co-evolutionary Spirituality workshop led by Dr Peter Cock and Dr Caresse Cranwell, 27 – 30 September, Moora Moora Cooperative Community Healesville. For details and registration: Coevolutionary Spirituality
- The Story of Change. Annie Leonard’s latest movie provides insight into our potential for creating change when we focus on ourselves as citizens rather than consumers. The movie may be freely viewed on the website: https://www.storyofstuff.org/
movies-all/story-of-change/
Towards Earth Literacy
Thomas Berry Dreamer of the Earth: the Spiritual Ecology of the Father of Environmentalism, Laszo & Combs (eds.) Inner Traditions, Rochester, VT, 2011.
Ervin Laszlo and Allan Combs have brought together essays from philosophers, scientists and spiritual visionaries – including Joanna Macy and Mathew Fox – on the contribution of Thomas Berry’s work. The exploration of Berry’s insights and their ongoing relevance continues to act as a pathway for facing our ecological challenges. The contributors offer readers of Thomas Berry fresh insight into the radical nature of his vision and thinking.
