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I’m thinking we’ve sort of maxed out
Cenozoic era. It has served us well in many ways, but frankly, it’s getting a bit tired. Seeing as how humans were
ones to name
eras in
first place (that part is definitely time as a function of life), it’s perfectly reasonable that humans should declare when
next one is starting. It’s fairly arbitrary anyway. There’s certainly some wiggle room—at least a couple hundred thousand years.
Can we start
new one now? Please?
Here’s an idea—-why not put a little thought into
next era? Instead of documenting
progress—-or decline—-of species, why not plug in a little intention and see where that takes us?
I wish I’d thought of that first, but I didn’t. Thomas Berry and Brian Swimme coined
term “Ecozoic era” in The Universe Story, and then Berry went on to talk about what that might look like in his book, The Great Work. He calls for a profoundly transformational approach to
Earth. Berry describes
Ecozoic era as one holding
promise of humans living in a mutually enhancing relationship with all life systems.
This sounds pretty groovy, but it’s not viewed as a Utopian concept. It’s a viable proposition.
The first steps have been taken to build
foundation for a realistic movement toward this new era. The Center for Ecozoic Studies is at
forefront, but a number of scholars of all stripes are coming together to do some planning. There’s not a gloom-and-doomer in
bunch. In fact, they are catapulted by hope and possibility. They take this work very seriously but embrace it joyfully.
We should, too. We humans have come a long way from pounding rocks in a cave. We’re perfectly capable of looking forward and envisioning an unprecedented era capitalizing on cooperation and awareness as guiding principles. We do it in
movies all
time. Why can’t we do it for real?
I’d like to propose that we consider utilizing
concept that life is a function of time. Let’s think about what it means to plan an era. The cave folks couldn’t imagine
world today. We have
advantage of
knowledge of history and a growing understanding of
forces that propel a planet through its evolutionary journey.
Like it or not, we have a certain responsibility to use these formidable frontal lobes. You don’t have to be a scientist to think about
future of
Earth. You’re human. Think about it because you CAN.
Look for fossil moments in your day to consider
universe, and grasp
opportunity to render yourself temporarily insignificant.
Just watch out for asphalt.
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Maya Talisman Frost is a mind masseuse. Her course, Massage Your Mind!: Defining Your Life Philosophy, has inspired thinkers in over 70 countries around the world. Her free weekly ezine, the Friday Mind Massage, serves up a satisfying blend of clarity, comfort and comic relief. Both are available at http://www.massageyourmind.com.