Tom Atlee: Evolutionary Activism
From the Introduction to Tom Atlee's new book, Reflections on Evolutionary Activism:
We are the first species to know we are part of the Great Story of evolution. We are the first species to know that we could go extinct. And, most importantly, we are the first species to know that we could prevent that extinction by doing certain things. Finally, we are the first species to know that if we did those things—if we transformed the way we relate to our environment so that we could maintain a sustainable fit with the world we live in—we would have become not only a new creation but a conscious evolutionary force. We would be a part of evolution that had suddenly awakened and become conscious of itself and what it was doing, and then was making conscious, informed choices about what to do next—over and over, learning and evolving each step of the way, just like evolution has been doing more or less unconsciously for billions of years.
This book is for those of us who wish to wake up to this unprecedented fact and take evolutionary responsibility for the fate of humanity, our civilization, and our planet. It is for those of us who see that such conscious evolutionary responsibility does not mean managing and controlling everything — manipulating genes and machines and people and nature to make them do what we think needs to be done. Rather it means learning how to partner with the 13.7 billion year old wisdom of nature, especially the wise ways of evolution, the mother of all change, all process, all innovation, and all life. It is for those of us willing and ready to work with, for, and as the evolutionary process of which we have always been part.
In short, this book is for anyone who sees that becoming conscious evolutionary activists is not only necessary, but is the beginning of one of the most miraculous journeys in the history of the universe. This new evolutionary story involves an awesome responsibility, an inspiring mission rich with tantalizing possibilities, remarkable companionship, and a deep reverence for life and for the ancient creative Power that has always been with us and among us, and that we now call upon to work with us and through us as conscious beings.
