Learning How Land Speaks is deeply influenced by the living cosmos panpsychism articulated by Freya Mathews and this perspective has substantially informed our work with Rivers.
I learned about Freya Mathews through a short mention on the Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology, a site that is greatly influenced by Thomas Berry's work. I was happy to read your clear discussion of Thomas Berry's panpsychism. It feels like they share related parts of the same puzzle. Brian Swimme with his science perspective and his work on the principles of the Universe has much to add as well.
Thank you. It is interesting, it it not, that similar view arise from different strands of thought and experience? I agree about Brian and am hoping he will contribute to Learning How Land Speaks shortly
Avery helpful commentary Peter. What good fortune to have met Thomas Berry and heard him speak. I really like your point that hearing gives you a sense of meaning that is deeper than that achieved by reading. It is a little like your larger point that we must learn to listen to rivers and other sentient beings again, for that listening offers more than words
Thank you for writing about Thomas Berry! I also met him when he was living in Wellspring in Greensboro. He gave me a collection of his poetry and I also have some other items that belonged to him. He’s had a huge influence on me and my life direction. Coincidentally, I’ve also read Freya Mathew’s work. I’m glad to see someone making these connections.
I still have such huge admiration for Thomas Berry's work, that has grown since encountering his New Story article, then attending the New Story Summit at Findorn in 2014 and through developing an ecoliteracy training for artists and cultural professionals since. I always emphasise Thomas' work and his contribution to ecojurisprudence as well.
I met a Nun here in Ireland earlier this year who also met Thomas and Brian Swimme around 2001 in the US in a programme on 'Earth Literacy' (I was so envious), just after the launch of the peoples' Earth Charter to which Thomas contributed so much visionary guidance and ecologically-encompassing language. His then his student, now Prof Emerita Mary Evelyn Tucker, and her husband Indigenous Scholar, John Grimm, have tirelessly keep his work flaring forth, with the Universe Story too and particularly through the Earth Charter International Community. I was so fortunate to meet in person with Mary, John and the co-recipients of the Thomas Berry Award earlier this year, Dr Mirian Vilela CEO of Earth Charter Int. since the 90s (and still reflecting on conversations she had with him and bringing Thomas's voice forward in the Earth Charter), Prof Emeritus Peter Blaze Corcoran (who has mentored me occasionally) and Dr Rick Glugston. When I hear people working in the ecosocial space and who don't know of Thomas great contribution, I reflect how much learning is still ahead for so many. Thank you also for these in-person reflections of what it was like to be in Thomas' presence Peter, I heard a talk about someone being in the presence of Thich Nhat Hahn this morning who described something equally remarkable, and which we don't fully get from their writings alone.
Thank you for sharing this lovely story of your meeting with Thomas Berry. The image of you sitting together on the wall and realising you didn't have your tape recorder and starting with a beer is so human. You give a wonderful sense of direct transmission - beautiful.
Thank you Peter so lovely to read this account of meeting Thomas Berry with its feeling of a direct transmission of his teachings. I appreciate your sharing this. Keen to read rest of your book now
Peter, I have only learned about Thomas Berry from Renée Eli (Beyond the Comfort Zone) and now you. I am quickly becoming a fan myself. You introduce him so engagingly and clearly for a newcomer like me. Thank you!
I need to spend some time there. The web designers have done a brilliant job of conveying Berry's optimistic message in the blink of an eye that is necessary to hook a web-surfer.
Light rain and audible wind have started here in Idaho, U.S.A., and the kettle is boiling. Mango Passionfruit tea is queued up and the remnants of a bar of chocolate are going back in the wrapper for the transition from a glorious morning of Substack reading to a glorious morning of reading student papers. I'm going to hold onto "glory" just as long as possible. I'm feeling very fortunate to be alive in this great and hopeful universe. :-)
I learned about Freya Mathews through a short mention on the Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology, a site that is greatly influenced by Thomas Berry's work. I was happy to read your clear discussion of Thomas Berry's panpsychism. It feels like they share related parts of the same puzzle. Brian Swimme with his science perspective and his work on the principles of the Universe has much to add as well.
Thank you. It is interesting, it it not, that similar view arise from different strands of thought and experience? I agree about Brian and am hoping he will contribute to Learning How Land Speaks shortly
Avery helpful commentary Peter. What good fortune to have met Thomas Berry and heard him speak. I really like your point that hearing gives you a sense of meaning that is deeper than that achieved by reading. It is a little like your larger point that we must learn to listen to rivers and other sentient beings again, for that listening offers more than words
Oh yes, of course the more than human world doesn't speak in English but in poetic gesture. Glad you find this helpful
Thank you for writing about Thomas Berry! I also met him when he was living in Wellspring in Greensboro. He gave me a collection of his poetry and I also have some other items that belonged to him. He’s had a huge influence on me and my life direction. Coincidentally, I’ve also read Freya Mathew’s work. I’m glad to see someone making these connections.
How lovely to have a collection of Thomas' poetry. I have a typescript of a couple of poems in my files that he gave me
Thanks so much for this Peter,
I still have such huge admiration for Thomas Berry's work, that has grown since encountering his New Story article, then attending the New Story Summit at Findorn in 2014 and through developing an ecoliteracy training for artists and cultural professionals since. I always emphasise Thomas' work and his contribution to ecojurisprudence as well.
I met a Nun here in Ireland earlier this year who also met Thomas and Brian Swimme around 2001 in the US in a programme on 'Earth Literacy' (I was so envious), just after the launch of the peoples' Earth Charter to which Thomas contributed so much visionary guidance and ecologically-encompassing language. His then his student, now Prof Emerita Mary Evelyn Tucker, and her husband Indigenous Scholar, John Grimm, have tirelessly keep his work flaring forth, with the Universe Story too and particularly through the Earth Charter International Community. I was so fortunate to meet in person with Mary, John and the co-recipients of the Thomas Berry Award earlier this year, Dr Mirian Vilela CEO of Earth Charter Int. since the 90s (and still reflecting on conversations she had with him and bringing Thomas's voice forward in the Earth Charter), Prof Emeritus Peter Blaze Corcoran (who has mentored me occasionally) and Dr Rick Glugston. When I hear people working in the ecosocial space and who don't know of Thomas great contribution, I reflect how much learning is still ahead for so many. Thank you also for these in-person reflections of what it was like to be in Thomas' presence Peter, I heard a talk about someone being in the presence of Thich Nhat Hahn this morning who described something equally remarkable, and which we don't fully get from their writings alone.
Thanks, Cathy. Of course all this close to your work
Thank you for sharing this lovely story of your meeting with Thomas Berry. The image of you sitting together on the wall and realising you didn't have your tape recorder and starting with a beer is so human. You give a wonderful sense of direct transmission - beautiful.
Absolutely wonderful…. The quote in there about carbon if fantastic!!!
Thank you Peter so lovely to read this account of meeting Thomas Berry with its feeling of a direct transmission of his teachings. I appreciate your sharing this. Keen to read rest of your book now
"When will we ever learn?"
I fear it is too late, we must savor every moment of the natural world as it remains
/while it lasts.
Whenever I read one of your postings, Peter, it always makes total sense to me. Thank you.
Thank you for this appreciation.
Peter, I have only learned about Thomas Berry from Renée Eli (Beyond the Comfort Zone) and now you. I am quickly becoming a fan myself. You introduce him so engagingly and clearly for a newcomer like me. Thank you!
Thank you, Tara, I am glad I struck a chord! There is lots on Thomas Berry at https://thomasberry.org/
I need to spend some time there. The web designers have done a brilliant job of conveying Berry's optimistic message in the blink of an eye that is necessary to hook a web-surfer.
Light rain and audible wind have started here in Idaho, U.S.A., and the kettle is boiling. Mango Passionfruit tea is queued up and the remnants of a bar of chocolate are going back in the wrapper for the transition from a glorious morning of Substack reading to a glorious morning of reading student papers. I'm going to hold onto "glory" just as long as possible. I'm feeling very fortunate to be alive in this great and hopeful universe. :-)