Apocalyptic expectations about nuclear war, environmental or infrastruture
collapse, technologies gone wild, economic meltdown, etc., can
make us afraid, depressed and numb. Intense emotions like this
can wipe us out -- to a point where we can't act effectively.
But it turns out there is a gift hidden at the core of these emotions,
a gift that gives us power.
But first a bit of history.
During the 1980s some peace activists realized that their fellow
citizens were paralyzed by fear and powerlessness in the face
of the threat of nuclear war. They observed people lost in denial,
trying to go about their lives as if the threat didn't exist.
Wanting to learn more abouit this phenomenon, these activists
listened carefully to these haunted people -- and searched their
own hearts, as well. They discovered that under everyone's denial
was a deep caring for their lives, their children's future, and
the fate of their world. From that insight, these activists developed
a number of emotional and spiritual approaches to help people
in groups break through their denial and despair to contact that
deep caring. Once they got in touch with their shared feelings
and stories and passion for life, such groups often found a new
vitality and determination to do something about the problem.
Buddhist scholar and systems thinker Joanna Macy, one leading
pioneer in this work, called it "despair and empowerment
work."
A number of people who were involved with that work a decade or
more ago, are now evolving new forms which they are applying to
threats such as ecological collapse and the socioeconomic collapse
that could be triggered by our dependence on technology.
John Steiner of Boulder CO, writes of the method he's working
with: "We are finding how important it is to do fear and
empowerment workshops on new issues related to technology. A group
of us have done several afternoons on all the assaults from nuclear
war on down that we are facing and then going deeply into our
fears and then coming out the other end with a sense of power
and vision." Here's an outline of the approach he and his
friends are using:
First, before a meeting, people read some shared written material and/or watch a video and/or listen to a tape, etc., about one or more major threats. Then a series of actions are done -- in one or more sessions -- as follows:
l.) Everyone lists all the possible assaults they can think of on the environment and life as we know it, including the threat featured in the introductory material.
2.) They are asked: What are your greatest fears about these threats? They go around the circle at least once -- and more if required.
3.) They are led through a guided visualization designed to evoke their dreams and hopes.
4.) They explore "What is your life purpose?"
At that point, most people are ready to move into operational mode.
This may be enough.
Of course there are many other emotions (anger, grief, despair,
etc.) that can be explored -- as well as many spiritual issues.
(For example, see What sort
of spiritual and emotional challenges does Y2K present?) If
you'd like to share in the evolution of approaches to deal with
these emotions and issues, send your stories, ideas and methods
to us at cii@igc.org.
Two seminal books on this approach can give you insights to
help you create such activities for your own friends, groups and
community.
Joanna Macy, Despair and Personal Power in the Nuclear Age
(New Society Publishers, 1983)
Chellis Glendenning, Waking up in the Nuclear Age
(Beech Tree/Wm. Morrow, 1987)