Beyond the Enlightenment with Robert Gilman

Denizen

Our guest for this episode is Robert Gilman, founder of the Context Institute. Robert is a pioneer in the sustainability movement and an elder in our midst. His career began with 30 years in astrophysics, so he is deeply versed in the mindsets of scientific thinking.

Robert is particularly interested culture and cultural change. He sees us in a moment of significant transition towards what he called the Planetary Era, where we live in harmony with our inner guidance, each other, and nature.

In this episode Jenny and Robert discuss:

• Culture as a living, complex, adaptive system [3:18]
• Major periods of distinct culture across the history of humanity [5:39]
• The Age of Enlightenment and modern culture [10:05]
• Describing the Age of Enlightenment [10:36]
• The blind spots of the Age of Enlightenment [12:53]
• The Age of Enlightenment and dominance [15:02]
• Weakening of dominance hierarchies in modern culture [24:00]
• Breaking out of the monopoly of language and linguistic thinking [28:00]
• The Planetary Era [36:16]
• Increasing self-awareness and self-compassion [37:45]
• Moving beyond object perception and categorical thinking [38:01]
• Understanding and integrating childhood trauma [39:05]
• Polyvagal Theory [40:17]
• Five optimal qualities to move towards [43:06]
• Five pervasive childhood traumas and the unproductive patterns that result [44:49]

Resources:

• The Context Institute
• Bright Future Now course
• Doughnut Economics: Seven Ways to Think Like a 21st Century Economist, Kate Raworth
• The 5 Personality Patterns, Steven Kessler
• The Polyvagal Theory: Neurophysiological Foundations of Emotions, Attachment, Communication, and Self-regulation, Stephen Porges