Alastair McIntosh on Climate Change, Community & 'Spiritual Activism'

[Jake Lloyd]

Hi all,

I once read that "only a demanding common task builds community". It's hard to think of a task more demanding - or more common - than climate change. One of my favourite writers and thinkers is a Scottish man called Alastair McIntosh, and he has written at length about both of these things: climate change and community. 

I was very excited recently to speak with him for Arukah Network's How To Build Community podcast. I got to ask him about these things, and more. Here it is - I hope you find it interesting!

https://soundcloud.com/user-471889218/alastair-mcintosh

[Jake Lloyd]

Marie, I'm really pleased you enjoyed it! And thanks so much for taking the time to share some of the highlights. If you would like to learn more, I strongly recommend his books 'Soil and Soul', 'Spiritual Activism' and 'Rekindling Community'.

There are plenty of others, but these are a good place to start!

[Marie Lamboray]

I love it! Thank you Jake!

Dear members, if you do not have time to listen to the whole interview, here are some markers:

18:49 “An activist is someone who is doing something instead of having things done to you.” 

23:20 Climate change. “I do have hope that, through this journey, […] we can start to deepen our humanity and consciousness on hearth.” 

35:02 What did you learn about the best ways to act local when power is held by people elsewhere? “You preach the strength in the local” and “the importance of being connected locally, socially.” “You create spaces hospitable to the souls.” It helps a lot if you have a local political system that is supportive of that.” “Try to work across different political parties as much as possible.”

40:52 Ownership of land: Community buyout of Island Eigg. 

47:21 An early win would have been the worst possible outcome… 

51:16 The campaign to stop the building of a enormous quarry in Harris Island.

57:59 Building coalitions with diverse groups of people…

1:00:05 Working with those who you oppose…

“Profound interconnection of consciousness through de reality of love.”