Kosmos Classic | Sophy Banks on the Heart of Transition
Transitioning to a more compassionate, conscious future is a journey of both outer changes and inner ones. Sophy Banks is a psychotherapist and co-developer of the Transition Town Movement's 'inner transition' philosophy. I had the pleasure to create this short video with her at the New Story Summit in Findhorn, Scotland. I admire Sophy's gentle determination and compassion. She explores a vision…
Can We Transition to a Conscious, Life-Affirming Economy?
Dear Readers,
It's difficult to fathom. More than a hundred killed or wounded in Orlando. We weep; we feel sickened. And we ask...why? Who can we blame?
As we sit with this grief, we are aware that violence pervades our culture - the media we consume, the 'games' our children play, the harm we inflict on our planet, and the wars we wage. The latest Global Peace Index reports the most battle…
A Model for Building Safe Communities: The River Phoenix Center for Peacebuilding Leads the Way
by Dot Maver and River Phoenix
The River Phoenix Center for Peacebuilding (RPCP) has developed a successful process model that gives form to the common yearning for equity. The model is based on these principles: 1) we recognize that we are not our behavior; 2) we strive to make resources available; 3) we take time to navigate through restoration rather than punishment; and 4) we seek to…
Building Community: Revitalizing the Whole System Approach through a Renewal of Purpose
A Kosmos Reader's Essay by Rebecca Hardin
The world is in a critical, monumental transition state.
While there are still many systemic problems that need to be addressed around the world so that all people can live a life of dignity, privilege, and opportunity, studies have shown that the world is more peaceful now than ever before. So why are we so concerned and more involved in…
Directing the Mind Toward Eight Practices in Diversity
by Larry Yang, LCSW
Oppression is a difficult concept to embrace, and it is a difficult experience to explain. Oppression is an intense form of suffering that often elicits seemingly immediate reactions from individuals whether they are the targets of oppression or are the instigators of oppression. For people who are directly wounded by the violence of racism, sexism, homophobia, classism, or…
Walking Peace Into the World
by Rivera Sun
Last night, I dreamed of walking. In a thousand bodies, through hundreds of city streets, suburban neighborhoods, rural roads, industrial zones, wild and forgotten spaces.
I dreamed in images and true stories of real people walking for peace and a culture of nonviolence: in Wilmington, Delaware as residents marched to end gun violence and to be, in action, a culture of peace;…
National Peace Academy at Point of View “…the new geography of hope”
By Dot Maver & Kristin Famula
On April 6, 2016, over 125 people, including six representatives from the National Peace Academy, gathered for the dedication and celebration of Point of View, a peacebuilding conference center in Lorton, Virginia, focused on conflict resolution and transformation practice, teaching, and research. The land for Point of View was donated to George Mason…
By Their Fruits Ye Shall Know Them
by Charles Eisenstein, via his blog
I’m dealing with massive cognitive dissonance right now. Multiple, contradictory beliefs and perceptions inhabit my mind, each compelling on its own terms. How do I choose?
I’ll share two of the most contradictory. Last weekend I spoke at a wonderful music festival near Asheville called Kinnection Campout. I’ve not yet been to a festival with such a…
Living Peace Now
Dear Reader,
We don't have to wait for peace. Peace is happening right now. More and more people are restructuring their lives and their communities so that peace is an everyday practice.
When we hear about horrific violence in our communities, in schools, in law enforcement, and in wars that seem distant but are not, we know these are symptoms of a terrible disease of spirit and society.…
A Model for Building Safe Communities
Download the Report (23 MB)