Imagine . . .

we cannot be . . . what we cannot see

Our lives are framed by a particular internal lens or framework of understanding. Even though we are often unaware of our lens, it shapes the way we think, feel, and behave. For example: we live on planet Earth, a planet set within the wider universe. Planet Earth has finite resources. The idea of finite resources can generate different responses from different people. Why? Because the response depends on the internal lens framing the idea. So, the one idea can generate very different responses.

Egocentric and ethnocentric lens
If the idea of finite resources is framed by an egocentric or ethnocentric lens, the response might be, “Oh no, one day Earth will run out of resources for us to use! So, I (egocentric), or we (ethnocentric) should compete against one another to gain as much as we can, while we can, so we can live the good life for as long as we can.” Through an egocentric or ethnocentric lens, we may well choose to grab as much as possible for ourselves.

World-centric lens
If, on the other hand, the idea of finite resources is framed by a world-centric lens, the response might be, “Hmm. . . Earth has finite resources, so we will radically change the way we use those resources. In so doing, Earth will have a chance to regenerate itself.” Through a world-centric lens, we may well choose to live for the common good of all planetary life.

Scarcity and competitiveness
At present Western societies have more people in the egocentric and ethnocentric camps. This is due to a cultural narrative built around the idea of “scarcity and competitiveness” (Daniel Wahl, Designing Regenerative Cultures). Limited by such a narrative, our efforts at addressing current global social, economic, and climate conditions are simply tinkering at the edges. We are unable to engage in the deep change our era requires.

Deep change
Deep change will involve a collective shift from the INSIDEout. It will involve more and more people shifting to a world-centric lens, a new lens based on the principle of interconnectedness via unity with diversity. Such a shift will naturally give rise to a desire to seek the common good of all planetary life. Does a world-centric lens dismiss the needs of individuals or particular nations? No, the new lens includes individual and collective needs (but not necessarily excessive wants), within the context of seeking the common good of all.

Shifting our lens
We cannot simply think our way into a new internal lens. While thinking is important, we cannot be . . . what we cannot see. Therefore, deep change from the INSIDEout requires that we drop beneath our thinking mode of mind and tap into our imagination. We imagine how our world could be reshaped based on the principle of interconnectedness via unity with diversity.

It is important to note that tapping into our imagination in this way is not the same thing as wishful thinking. Rather, by taking the time to reimagine how our world could now be shaped we become open and receptive to “question basic assumptions, worldviews, and value systems, paying attention to what serves humanity and life and what does not” (Wahl). Our imagination is a powerful tool for shifting our internal lens.

A practice
An ongoing spiritual practice for shifting our internal lens is that of taking time to contemplate an image of planet Earth set within the wider universe.

As you contemplate the image of planet Earth, imagine yourself living daily life within a context that you are interconnected with all life and that you participate in the common good of all. Where are you being drawn to stay, change, or grow?

For more on contemplating an image see my website page: Contemplative practices/contemplating an image.