"history is a spiritual practice. History provides a bigger picture, reminds us of our ancestors’ courage (and failures), offers lessons to live better, and puts our lives in context. If that’s not spiritual, I don’t know what is." (Diana Butler Bass.)
I've been thinking about lot lately about the historical shifts from military security to economic security (world economy) to surveillance after 9/11 and I can help but wonder if we're moving into a new and far more dangerous form of security, that is a realignment away from perceived weaker allies and being on the side of the world's most powerful bullies. All of the current foreign and economic policy seems like a horrible playground game of getting all the bullies to gang up on everyone else so no one will challenge them. That's what our movement toward Russia and away from Europe feels like. Am I missing something or is there some better way to explain how our current situation fits in this larger historical movement and how to fight against it when people truly believe such a global realignment is necessary for national security?
I finally got around to watching this (and getting a paid subscription) and have to say that this is absolutely brilliant! Thank you Diana for such wisdom and perspective. My favorite quote, these days, is from David C. Brooks (with his nod to J.S Bach): "...the aim and final end of our work is to refresh the souls of other people." And that, DIana, is what you do. Thank you, again!
Diana, after watching your history lesson it came to me that Trump wants to Mage America Small again - stop helping people abroad, stop helping those not wealthy, get out of things that involve other nations like the World Health Organization or the Paris Climate Accord. Make America Small again as it was in isolationist times of the past. We wont be Great by ourselves - we are great together. Great should not be over-against but thriving together. Florida Ellis
Thank you. I am in New Zealand, it's past midnight here, and I'm up again worried about the world. I find as a poet writing helps to calm and centre me in what is true, which is not the fear we are being asked to subscribe to by Trump and Elon. As a poet I've always been apolitical and as a Christian non denominational, which does not mean not caring for what is true and right, but being able to see a third way so to speak, which is the way of the contemplative, who sees value in a myriad of ideas, richness in diversity and truth wherever love is present. However currently it's not love being expressed but it's opposite and that's what makes me shift gear. As you say it's now become political. Writing helps and here is a piece I wrote this morning:
Regarding your encouragement to stand against a culture of submission with a culture of connection, there are only four letters that all human beings need to remember and to keep always uppermost in their thinking. Those letters are A T G and C. Those are the letters of the human genome, and they exist in the DNA of every human being without exception and without any reference to race, creed, color, gender, disability or nation of origin. All human beings are connected to one another, whether we recognize it or not, whether we like it or not. That is part of what it means to be "created in the image of God". The culture of submission that is currently talking hold in this country is likewise taking hold globally. It will not be enough in this political climate to see ourselves connected only to other Americans. We will need to grow up into the maturity to believe that we are all connected to everyone, everywhere.
I remember "Oh God What Now What!" series. In my study notes 8-31-2021, our small group was listening, taking notes and discussing through this series. Thank you so much for this great distillation, organized summary (and Steve's visuals!) and update with current events. Most helpful. Our group is watching. Isolation is killing our country and now many are apprehensive to use any social media to connect--Meta, Bezos, etc. watching and who knows what else. Back during COVID and years following you all became our "family and friends" network and now we have the Convocation too! We need you all!
Thank you so much for sharing your lecture/talk with us. It is helping me to discern what is mine to do. I had hoped to attend Southern Lights in person or online, but ultimately it didn’t work out. I heard from Michael Gulker of The Colossian Forum that you ended up showing “Leap of Faith.” I am one of the clergy who was a part of the project which resulted in the film. Thank you for showing it!
It’s taken a long time to process the film after it released. Some of us have expressed that the film was Nicholas Ma’s story of our time together. What he told was true about our encounter, but it isn’t the whole story. We hope to meet up again in the near future to talk about what our story is. What we did and continue to do is connect with each other and the communities we serve. The connection must be with those whom we disagree with and those we don’t, and it takes long, hard work which is worth every painful moment.
I see this history so clearly in how I was raised. I grew up in the culture of security, raised my kids in the culture of surveillance, and now seek to make the connections you describe in this culture of submission and surrender. A dear friend was one of the first to lose her job as a contractor for USAID after one day of this administration. She has not surrendered and is an amazing source of inspiration as you are, Diana. I am just a musician serving my church and my community, adding beauty and sanity where I can, and writing my grief. Here is what I wrote for my facebook and substack friends this morning. It comes from a deep place of grief. I am the first to admit that I am not sure how to remain in this hope, but I must believe it, because I wrote it. This hope is embedded in my very being.
I just watched your presentation, Diana, and what is coming to me is how you embodied the culture of connection, you and Brian Tripp and the man who created the slideshow. Thank you for living what you teach.
"history is a spiritual practice. History provides a bigger picture, reminds us of our ancestors’ courage (and failures), offers lessons to live better, and puts our lives in context. If that’s not spiritual, I don’t know what is." (Diana Butler Bass.)
Very true.
I've been thinking about lot lately about the historical shifts from military security to economic security (world economy) to surveillance after 9/11 and I can help but wonder if we're moving into a new and far more dangerous form of security, that is a realignment away from perceived weaker allies and being on the side of the world's most powerful bullies. All of the current foreign and economic policy seems like a horrible playground game of getting all the bullies to gang up on everyone else so no one will challenge them. That's what our movement toward Russia and away from Europe feels like. Am I missing something or is there some better way to explain how our current situation fits in this larger historical movement and how to fight against it when people truly believe such a global realignment is necessary for national security?
Martin Marty would have been very interested in what you were doing. Any chance you ever had contact with him?
I finally got around to watching this (and getting a paid subscription) and have to say that this is absolutely brilliant! Thank you Diana for such wisdom and perspective. My favorite quote, these days, is from David C. Brooks (with his nod to J.S Bach): "...the aim and final end of our work is to refresh the souls of other people." And that, DIana, is what you do. Thank you, again!
Diana, after watching your history lesson it came to me that Trump wants to Mage America Small again - stop helping people abroad, stop helping those not wealthy, get out of things that involve other nations like the World Health Organization or the Paris Climate Accord. Make America Small again as it was in isolationist times of the past. We wont be Great by ourselves - we are great together. Great should not be over-against but thriving together. Florida Ellis
Make America Small Again - typo in original
Thank you. I am in New Zealand, it's past midnight here, and I'm up again worried about the world. I find as a poet writing helps to calm and centre me in what is true, which is not the fear we are being asked to subscribe to by Trump and Elon. As a poet I've always been apolitical and as a Christian non denominational, which does not mean not caring for what is true and right, but being able to see a third way so to speak, which is the way of the contemplative, who sees value in a myriad of ideas, richness in diversity and truth wherever love is present. However currently it's not love being expressed but it's opposite and that's what makes me shift gear. As you say it's now become political. Writing helps and here is a piece I wrote this morning:
THE OTHER
Put a triangle on the ground
and then put another on top,
turning it just one degree.
Keep placing triangles
one upon the other,
turning degrees as you go.
Think of the first triangle,
and each side a connection
from you to a beloved one.
Think of how we turn now,
pivoting from one connection
to another.
Think too of how each triangle
is connected
top and bottom.
And finally think of infinity
and how we are each
only a degree from the other,
who is by definition
a degree separated again
along the great stretch of eternity’s span.
Think of a ladder
and the distance to heaven.
How it doesn’t seem so far now
when you think
of how we reach it—
by the other.
Ana Lisa de Jong
Living Tree Poetry
February 2025
INSPIRATION
The world now is too dangerous
and too beautiful for anything but love.
May your eyes be so blessed you see God in everyone.
Your ears, so you hear the cry of the poor.
May your hands be so blessed
that everything you touch is a sacrament.
Your lips, so you speak nothing but the truth with love.
May your feet be so blessed you run
to those who need you.
And may your heart be so opened,
so set on fire, that your love,
your love, changes everything.
— Brian Baker, A Black Rock Prayer Book
Thanks for sharing this, Diana!
Regarding your encouragement to stand against a culture of submission with a culture of connection, there are only four letters that all human beings need to remember and to keep always uppermost in their thinking. Those letters are A T G and C. Those are the letters of the human genome, and they exist in the DNA of every human being without exception and without any reference to race, creed, color, gender, disability or nation of origin. All human beings are connected to one another, whether we recognize it or not, whether we like it or not. That is part of what it means to be "created in the image of God". The culture of submission that is currently talking hold in this country is likewise taking hold globally. It will not be enough in this political climate to see ourselves connected only to other Americans. We will need to grow up into the maturity to believe that we are all connected to everyone, everywhere.
I remember "Oh God What Now What!" series. In my study notes 8-31-2021, our small group was listening, taking notes and discussing through this series. Thank you so much for this great distillation, organized summary (and Steve's visuals!) and update with current events. Most helpful. Our group is watching. Isolation is killing our country and now many are apprehensive to use any social media to connect--Meta, Bezos, etc. watching and who knows what else. Back during COVID and years following you all became our "family and friends" network and now we have the Convocation too! We need you all!
Thank you so much for sharing your lecture/talk with us. It is helping me to discern what is mine to do. I had hoped to attend Southern Lights in person or online, but ultimately it didn’t work out. I heard from Michael Gulker of The Colossian Forum that you ended up showing “Leap of Faith.” I am one of the clergy who was a part of the project which resulted in the film. Thank you for showing it!
It’s taken a long time to process the film after it released. Some of us have expressed that the film was Nicholas Ma’s story of our time together. What he told was true about our encounter, but it isn’t the whole story. We hope to meet up again in the near future to talk about what our story is. What we did and continue to do is connect with each other and the communities we serve. The connection must be with those whom we disagree with and those we don’t, and it takes long, hard work which is worth every painful moment.
Tossing my pebble and grateful for all who are doing the same ❤️
As I listened and you got to the ending I kept thinking about how much of the need for connection was driven by the pandemic.
I see this history so clearly in how I was raised. I grew up in the culture of security, raised my kids in the culture of surveillance, and now seek to make the connections you describe in this culture of submission and surrender. A dear friend was one of the first to lose her job as a contractor for USAID after one day of this administration. She has not surrendered and is an amazing source of inspiration as you are, Diana. I am just a musician serving my church and my community, adding beauty and sanity where I can, and writing my grief. Here is what I wrote for my facebook and substack friends this morning. It comes from a deep place of grief. I am the first to admit that I am not sure how to remain in this hope, but I must believe it, because I wrote it. This hope is embedded in my very being.
What is hope?
Hope comes before feeling.
Hope comes before thinking.
Hope exists before words.
It is not something to get.
It is not something to give up.
Hope goes before you.
Hope remains after you.
Hope is never lost, never loses.
Hope never leaves.
Hope is in the fallow fields of winter.
Hope is in the last light of sunset.
Hope is in the first star of nightfall.
Hope cannot be obscured by dark,
nor can it be blinded by light.
Hope is.
Hope.
I just watched your presentation, Diana, and what is coming to me is how you embodied the culture of connection, you and Brian Tripp and the man who created the slideshow. Thank you for living what you teach.
My email didn’t have a hyperlink to the video? Only to the clips of Raskin and Warren?
It is at the top of the page. This isn't hyperlinked. It is an embedded video on Substack. Not on YouTube or Vimeo.
Thank you