I hear you. As far as I’m concerned, the way some dismiss other types of knowledge as inferior is nothing but colonial arrogance in a new, scientific guise. It’s silly, when really science could learn so much - imagine the insights we’d unlock if they went hand in hand instead of being pitted one against the other.
This resonates. I grew up in the Northeast Himalayas. I have personally expected the generational knowledge that permeates the indigenous traditions. This knowledge is the distilled experience of generations. And it works. The constructive role scientists should play would be to explain why the traditional methods work through science. It's easy to dismiss this knowledge as backward or superstition. When science brings genuine insights to why something like this works, that brings new insights and satisfaction. That is how knowledge, whether traditional or modern, must work in harmony. Then it becomes true knowledge: greater than the sum of both.
Ohhh…amazing, Nikhil! You hail from an incredible part of the world and indeed understand the local practices far better than I! I agree that science can help legitimize ancient wisdom and at the same time, it’s frustrating that that’s what’s required. Sometimes it’s just so damn obvious but our reactive systems ignore it anyway. Thank you for being here.
I love your writings. I’m a Christ follower who believes that the earth is sacred, beautiful, revelatory, healing, and abundant. Like you, I’ve travelled the world, resist fitting in boxes, and want to see all of creation thrive and live in sustainable interdependency. Towards this end, I’m fed by Native American and Hunter Gatherer traditions… and wondering what’s next. Thanks for being here!
Thank you, Richard! As you know, I resonate with so many of these themes. I’m always encouraged to learn of others holding reverence for this sacred planet. Thank you for sharing.
God, I love it when I find my people on Substack. I'm not a scientist... I help people with grief and teach mental fitness... but for the longest time I've referred to my work as "healing at the intersection of the world of Spirit and the world of form. I help people heal from child loss and other tragedies by grounding them in what has to happen HERE in these bodies where we think we are. But I have a very active metaphysical woo woo side. In us humans, the two are inextricably linked. It often takes deep tragedy before people wake up to that. Glad I found you.
Thank you, Marla! You are doing such important work—and healing divides as you do it. We are both more than the our physical form and have greater sensory capacities than we generally acknowledge and use. I’m so glad you’re here. 🩵
This is huge, Wendy. So much wisdom here. Life seems to be mirror on top of mirror, showing the way so obviously what our minds refuse to see. If we leave cultures alone in the same way we should leave others alone, we could all find our own way. Given the nature of things, that seems too obvious to the mind (or something). We have been in our own way forever it seems. Metaphorically, culturally, and interpersonally, we need to 'help'. Every time we don't stay in our own lane, it goes badly. Just another few hundred years and we should have it figured out.... if we're still here. 🙏🏼
Thank you so much, Mark! It’s remarkable how we get in the way of ourselves, others, entire cultures, and this whole living planet. Home is a good place to start—looking in our personal mirrors, tending our gardens (!), tending each other. Thanks for your support. 🩵
Especially to this: “What’s knocking around most loudly for me today are questions around the false dichotomies society has constructed between science and spirit, science and art, science and intuition, science and traditional ecological knowledge—and how community is gathering here in recognition that these schisms need mending.”
Me too. That’s what brings me here to your neck of the “woods.” Glad to be here! Thanks for the great read
So many things to say. Western culture is based on Patriarchy, which means domination and control. They have systematically stripped of us our knowledge to live in harmony with nature. And since the keepers of that knowledge was frequently women, it has systematically stripped women of their power. Maybe we can’t go back. But we can go forward, to a new time where we foster skills to live in harmony with Mother Gaia. It will be a long road. But we start by seeing the problem.
I couldn’t agree more. Patriarchy, capitalism, every -ism, has severed our innate connection to the planet, each other, our more-than-human kin. To moving forward in harmony.
I resonate so deeply with your perspective. I have always seen the science and the magic of life at the same time in my work and in life. We shouldn’t have to choose a jersey, they are both equally important. 🧬🪄
I am no scientist but this makes me think about the relationship that exists between generations. Even just raising our children to be honest- how quickly and completely they dismiss the wisdom and experience of us as parents and older generations. Is that human nature? Or cultural (American)? I don’t know but it seems that with time these divides typically heal and there’s a realization and appreciation and curiosity that arrives. I’m hopeful that we’ll get there.
It’s so true that youth, in their naiveté, often reject the wisdom of elders. It might be human nature—the process of differentiation—but it’s certainly more pronounced in the U.S., where individualism reigns supreme. Not so much in other more collective societies. But, I too, hope that realization, appreciation, and curiosity bring healing. Thank you for being here!
I have a modest role in a successful sustainability center in my city. Worn clothes can be collected by the less fortunate. Old broken appliances are repaired and returned to their former owners. Old paper is manually shredded and turned into new paper. This is then printed with linocuts made by a local artist. Advice is given on how to make homes and gardens more sustainable. There are school meetings to raise awareness among the youth about their responsibility for a sustainable future. And more and more initiatives are being added. And that all in a small city.
How wonderful @Gifdraek! This is truly what it takes—restoring connections between people, the materials they use, art, gardens, homes, schools, youth, and ultimately creating a culture of love and respect. Thank you for sharing.
Yeah, I agree. Technology is no substitute for the real deal—holding hands, tending a garden, talking with your neighbor. These connections are what keep a place alive.
I hear you. As far as I’m concerned, the way some dismiss other types of knowledge as inferior is nothing but colonial arrogance in a new, scientific guise. It’s silly, when really science could learn so much - imagine the insights we’d unlock if they went hand in hand instead of being pitted one against the other.
Thank you—I couldn’t agree with you more! And, I see you’re a neuroscientist and yogi (I’m also a yogi). Happy to meet up with you here!
This resonates. I grew up in the Northeast Himalayas. I have personally expected the generational knowledge that permeates the indigenous traditions. This knowledge is the distilled experience of generations. And it works. The constructive role scientists should play would be to explain why the traditional methods work through science. It's easy to dismiss this knowledge as backward or superstition. When science brings genuine insights to why something like this works, that brings new insights and satisfaction. That is how knowledge, whether traditional or modern, must work in harmony. Then it becomes true knowledge: greater than the sum of both.
Ohhh…amazing, Nikhil! You hail from an incredible part of the world and indeed understand the local practices far better than I! I agree that science can help legitimize ancient wisdom and at the same time, it’s frustrating that that’s what’s required. Sometimes it’s just so damn obvious but our reactive systems ignore it anyway. Thank you for being here.
I love your writings. I’m a Christ follower who believes that the earth is sacred, beautiful, revelatory, healing, and abundant. Like you, I’ve travelled the world, resist fitting in boxes, and want to see all of creation thrive and live in sustainable interdependency. Towards this end, I’m fed by Native American and Hunter Gatherer traditions… and wondering what’s next. Thanks for being here!
Thank you, Richard! As you know, I resonate with so many of these themes. I’m always encouraged to learn of others holding reverence for this sacred planet. Thank you for sharing.
God, I love it when I find my people on Substack. I'm not a scientist... I help people with grief and teach mental fitness... but for the longest time I've referred to my work as "healing at the intersection of the world of Spirit and the world of form. I help people heal from child loss and other tragedies by grounding them in what has to happen HERE in these bodies where we think we are. But I have a very active metaphysical woo woo side. In us humans, the two are inextricably linked. It often takes deep tragedy before people wake up to that. Glad I found you.
Thank you, Marla! You are doing such important work—and healing divides as you do it. We are both more than the our physical form and have greater sensory capacities than we generally acknowledge and use. I’m so glad you’re here. 🩵
This is huge, Wendy. So much wisdom here. Life seems to be mirror on top of mirror, showing the way so obviously what our minds refuse to see. If we leave cultures alone in the same way we should leave others alone, we could all find our own way. Given the nature of things, that seems too obvious to the mind (or something). We have been in our own way forever it seems. Metaphorically, culturally, and interpersonally, we need to 'help'. Every time we don't stay in our own lane, it goes badly. Just another few hundred years and we should have it figured out.... if we're still here. 🙏🏼
Thank you so much, Mark! It’s remarkable how we get in the way of ourselves, others, entire cultures, and this whole living planet. Home is a good place to start—looking in our personal mirrors, tending our gardens (!), tending each other. Thanks for your support. 🩵
My pleasure. Great article as always!
🩵
Hell yeah Wendy!
Especially to this: “What’s knocking around most loudly for me today are questions around the false dichotomies society has constructed between science and spirit, science and art, science and intuition, science and traditional ecological knowledge—and how community is gathering here in recognition that these schisms need mending.”
Me too. That’s what brings me here to your neck of the “woods.” Glad to be here! Thanks for the great read
Thank you, Sumaya! I’m so glad we crossed paths here. To the mending! 🩵
So many things to say. Western culture is based on Patriarchy, which means domination and control. They have systematically stripped of us our knowledge to live in harmony with nature. And since the keepers of that knowledge was frequently women, it has systematically stripped women of their power. Maybe we can’t go back. But we can go forward, to a new time where we foster skills to live in harmony with Mother Gaia. It will be a long road. But we start by seeing the problem.
I couldn’t agree more. Patriarchy, capitalism, every -ism, has severed our innate connection to the planet, each other, our more-than-human kin. To moving forward in harmony.
I resonate so deeply with your perspective. I have always seen the science and the magic of life at the same time in my work and in life. We shouldn’t have to choose a jersey, they are both equally important. 🧬🪄
Thank you! I’m all for integrative everything. I’m happy you’re here!
Happy to be here. 🩵
I am no scientist but this makes me think about the relationship that exists between generations. Even just raising our children to be honest- how quickly and completely they dismiss the wisdom and experience of us as parents and older generations. Is that human nature? Or cultural (American)? I don’t know but it seems that with time these divides typically heal and there’s a realization and appreciation and curiosity that arrives. I’m hopeful that we’ll get there.
It’s so true that youth, in their naiveté, often reject the wisdom of elders. It might be human nature—the process of differentiation—but it’s certainly more pronounced in the U.S., where individualism reigns supreme. Not so much in other more collective societies. But, I too, hope that realization, appreciation, and curiosity bring healing. Thank you for being here!
I have a modest role in a successful sustainability center in my city. Worn clothes can be collected by the less fortunate. Old broken appliances are repaired and returned to their former owners. Old paper is manually shredded and turned into new paper. This is then printed with linocuts made by a local artist. Advice is given on how to make homes and gardens more sustainable. There are school meetings to raise awareness among the youth about their responsibility for a sustainable future. And more and more initiatives are being added. And that all in a small city.
How wonderful @Gifdraek! This is truly what it takes—restoring connections between people, the materials they use, art, gardens, homes, schools, youth, and ultimately creating a culture of love and respect. Thank you for sharing.
Yeah, I agree. Technology is no substitute for the real deal—holding hands, tending a garden, talking with your neighbor. These connections are what keep a place alive.