The encouragement in what everybody is saying is to find your unique, self-authored way. There isn't one way into self-authoring, there are endless ways into self-authoring; we each need to discover and fashion our way into this permission, this possibility, of being an agent of consciousness, an agent of mindfulness, an agency of witnessing a present life, such that life doesn't just happen to you, but you are happening inside that life.
And, in listening to everybody, there is the idea that the human has endless capacities. And perhaps the overarching capacity is the capacity to build capacities, whether you decide late in life to learn to play the piano, or pick up a new language, or whether we simply choose to embrace the capacity to be aware, and to be aware of awareness, the capacity to
regulate. That living at this time requires us to become effective self-regulators.
So, how do I choose to be in myself inside it? I can decide to self-correct and self-align, and, in that, there is the capacity to transform and reconfigure, which also includes the capacity to heal - to heal myself, to heal my pain, my wounds, and to help the healing in other people.
This series of conversations explores the practices, behaviors and perceptions that can support an endeavor to lead a life of intention and purpose, well-being and regeneration, in a time of global and universal change.
The fact that we do have a choice, the fact that we can ask ourselves what we actually want, because there is such a strong power in human will that if we manage to connect to what we actually want, I think that's one of the stabilities that can keep us safe in a storm. That's one place where we can anchor ourselves.
Miriam Abrahamson
I am still researching this unique gift of being human, working towards establishing life- aligned- education for children, and for all…
I believe that within the search of what our human existence is about, are the answers to how we should best proceed in these times of great possibility sided by the breakdown and crisis that we are experiencing all over the world.
Avshalom Zack
Many years ago, I woke up to the mysteries and wonders of the gift of existence. Thus, the quest for its purpose, meaning and fulfillment became a central theme of my life.
Shared with fellow pilgrims in exploring the human potential, and with gratitude and care towards Mother Earth, the well being of her many dwellers and the future.
Lisa Marcus
At home, we were always encouraged to ask the more enigmatic questions of life. Why am I here? Where did I come from? Where will I go at the end of my life? And the biggest question of all, What is my part to play in the great canvas of life?
Kyriaki Nikandrou
I am seeking to be in conversation with others in search for keys, for tools of understanding and application and for the real questions, the ones that become portals to contemplative journeys, leading to uncharted territories that feel like home.
I believe we are on a trajectory of multiple and unpredictable changes; it is up to each one of us to rise to the challenge of our times. Now, more than ever before, is the time to be true to ourselves and fulfill our potential.
Perry Martin
The theme of being a representative of the hopes and dreams of those lives whom have gone before became a constant companion to me, as it became clear that I may be unique in all the world, but never would my life be alone. We are dependent on each other as a humanity
This taught me a very deep lesson: a human's life is not to be lived for only one purpose, but can fulfill many purposes. And ever-refining new purpose can reveal itself - if one is open. We, after all, are a multi-faceted assembly of many lives.
Marianne Ashcroft
Since I was a small child, I have always been searching for what's real and irrefutable. Not prepared to settle for the answers that others chose to give me, I set out to find out for myself why I'm here and what I'm here to do; what I'm part of and how I can honour my part in it.
I believe every life has a song to sing, and we can each discover our unique combination of notes from the talents, skills, perceptions and passions that each life is gifted with.
Karen Heney
From an early age there has been a compelling search for truths, those realities that didn’t have a fixing or a closed door. The quest for meaning, sometimes quiet, other times reaching and finding pathways, has always accompanied me. The awareness that all life is caused to exist for an inherent purpose, one that allows for the possibility of furtherance and refinement, has prompted both perceptions and questions. These concern the purpose of human life, its integration within greater domains and what I personally may need to discover in order to play my part.
Trevor Winn
It’s the seemingly simple experiences of life that had the most impact when very young, like lying on the green hills looking at the white clouds, being with the snow in winter, feeling the cold, sitting by the fireplace, being with the wonder of night, walking, the warmth of others, and then later on, the thrill of travel and the curiosity that motivated me to live and work in various countries.
And now it is to feel useful, to share experience, to have good conversation, to explore what provides life and how that works, my relationship and partnership with myself, the planet, and beyond, being in the quest of being in the place that enables truths to be perceived, connections to be made, remaining open to the requirements of these times in which for me, attitude and sentiment are core elements.
Peter Barry
I don't think I can remember a time when I wasn't asking, Why am I here? Or wondering, What is the purpose of life? Seeking not so much to simply solve the mystery, but rather to find the settlement that comes from knowing one's place, and finding one's home, in this great unfolding.
Perhaps, then, one can become part of the living process, which sets one free to go out into the world and discover what is new, what is needed, and ask the question: How can I help?
Aviv Shahar
Aviv is the Founder of Aviv Consulting, helping leaders unleash strategic innovation, and is the author of Create New Futures: How Leaders Produce Breakthroughs and Transform the World Through Conversation.
Aud Wilken
It has always moved me deeply that the human can process such a myriad of life, so many things, and in so many ways.
To be in charge of the sensitive machinery that can feel, think, listen, absorb, know, and create. To come to know Life more intimately. To offer response - perhaps with music or poetry - to what is being felt and witnessed. How to best tune oneself to accurately translate and be with all of this without shrinking it? To offer it one’s best, with great trust in the senses and by practicing often - alone, and with others - to give voice to Life as it moves in and through and between us all.
Sus Friis Jorgensen
The journey started along educational pathways leading to classical physics. Then leaps happened and I continued along an artistic line as a professional dancer working at theatres & art schools and - later again - teaching instead of performing.
Now, I find myself at the point of starting all over, so.. changes.
It is still a complete enigma to me what being alive is all about. I am still writing “my own ticket” in life to become a self-chosen, best-version of being me, being human.
Jeremy Stuart
I recognised that one of the powers of humanity is that together we make the world we choose, whether we consciously realise that or not. And what life turns out like starts in the mind - with a question, an insight, an appreciation, a vision.
I believe that inside everyone lives genius, whether active or yet to appear; and that it is a great service to try to foster it in oneself and in others. When people feel safe enough to exchange freely and honestly, with respect for each other and their differences, exciting things happen. That's why I'm here.
