We belong in a greater whole | Love Thy Nature June 26

To make this world different we have to realize that the self is plural, it’s an absolute delusion that’s killing the planet to think that the self is separate.
 — Daniel Siegel, M.D.

Hi everyone,

How would we as humans innately be different if we fully embodied the truth that we are part of the whole?

In thinking about this I re-watched two brief video clips of Dr. Daniel Siegel speaking about how, “…living the lie that the self is separate is a form of impaired integration…” (video) – and how — “…the self is a plural verb, not a singular noun…” (video).

It reminded me of this:

A person with ubuntu is open and available to others, affirming of others, does not feel threatened that others are able and good, for he or she has a proper self-assurance that comes from knowing that he or she belongs in a greater whole and is diminished when others are humiliated or diminished, when others are tortured or oppressed.
— Desmond Tutu

Beyond living the lie that the self is separate, perhaps it is our impaired integration that has additionally limited us to thinking of the greater whole as strictly human. I would suggest that the phrase diminished when others are humiliated or diminished, when others are tortured or oppressed, is equally applicable to all sentient beings, regardless of species. Additionally, we are sustained and kept alive only by living harmoniously and interdependently within biodiversity.

And:

This understanding of the self-regulating nature of earth, we didn’t know about this for 400 years in science, we just didn’t. But now we’re realizing we are destroying billions of years of creativity that enabled all of this vitality to exist. But we’re awakening to that mistake and now we see, instead of thinking of earth as something to exploit and use, we are beginning to realize, it is a community that we are to join and enhance. That’s the big shift.
— Brian Swimme, Ph.D. (Love Thy Nature)

Come join us for A Screening of Love Thy Nature (RSVP) on Sunday, June 26, 6p at Golden West College in Huntington Beach. This is a wonderfully made, beautiful documentary. After the film we will explore connection and disconnection in its many forms, the relationship we experience within our self and with others, including those of other species and the broader natural world we live within and as part of. Let’s find a way together to join and enhance this community, also known as Earth. Let’s fully participate in enacting the big shift.

Thanks for staying engaged,
Barbara English, LMFT, CBT, TRE® Certification Trainer
Co-founder and Executive Director, Living Ubuntu
livingubuntu.org
(949) 891-2005

[Ubuntu] n. Every human being truly becomes a human by means of relationships with other human beings

:::UPCOMING EVENTS:::

Tension and Trauma Releasing Exercises (TRE®) – Group Shake — note different location for the month of June
Thursday, June 2, 4:00pm
Newport Beach

Living Vegan Meeting
Thursday, June 9, 6:30pm
Irvine

Orange County for Climate Action (OCCA) Meeting
Wednesday, June 15, 6:30pm
Irvine

Living Vegan “Social” at Vegan Nirvana
Thursday, June 16, 6:30pm
Huntington Beach

A Screening of Love Thy Nature
Sunday, June 26, 6:30pm
Huntington Beach

Hike in Aliso Wood Canyon / Lunch at Native Foods Cafe
Saturday, July 16, 9:00am – hike, 11:00am – lunch
Aliso Viejo

A Screening of PlantPure Nation — save the date, more info soon!
(featuring certified plant-based nutritionist, Laura Oatman)
Sunday, July 31, 6:00pm
Irvine

Permaculture Workshop & Visit with the Animals — save the date, more info soon!
(featuring Jessica Due of Kindred Spirits Care Farm)
Sunday, August 14, 10:00am – 2:00pm
Reseda

A Screening of Peaceable Kingdom — save the date, more info soon!
Sunday, August 21, 7:00pm
Irvine

Tension & Trauma Releasing Exercises (TRE®) Module II Certification Training – early registration through July 29
Friday, August 26 – Sunday, August 28, 9:30am – 5pm each day
San Diego