June 12, 2025 - The Human Energy Project is having a Salon: Human Energy for Work & Life: Cultivating Agency, Connection, and Purposes in the Age of AI bringing together leading thinkers in science, business, psychology, and AI. Together, they will consider how human energy —our capacity for resilience, adaptability, and connection—can be cultivated in the face of today’s complex personal and planetary challenges. Through conversation and community, the Salon will explore the science of human connection, prosocial AI, the role of leadership in complexity, and the emerging paradigms reshaping how we live and work. The event is by invitation only at Fordham University’s Lincoln Center campus. The Human Energy Project "envisions a future where humanity consciously evolves toward its full collective potential—in harmony with technology and the planet." and has developed a three-year Strategic Plan 2025-2028 . They have 5 Major Goals that serve as pillars for their strategic plan, which are focused on addressing Human Energy’s most significant challenges: extending their reach and impact to a broader and global audience, and surviving and thriving as an organization: GOAL 1: Become financially sustainable through diversified revenue streams GOAL 2: Be a purpose-driven, operationally sound, and evolving organization that lives its noospheric values GOAL 3: Serve as a global catalytic hub for the understanding and realization of collective consciousness GOAL 4: Be a recognized thought leader on collective consciousness , the techno-social dilemma , and human purpose GOAL 5: Model integrative education that inspires purpose, agency, and optimism across generations In summer 2023, I participated in the Human Energy Project's 10-week collegiate-level online course Science of the Noosphere . Hundreds of attendees from across the globe tuned in for biweekly interviews and discussions led by evolutionary biologist David Sloan Wilson. I also attended their N2 conference in Berkeley, CA, in November 2023 and have been following their important work since then. The Noosphere, in the context of human energy and the science of the noosphere, refers to the Earth's third stage of development, after the geosphere and biosphere, representing the emergence of a global, collective consciousness formed by human intellect and technological advancements . It's a superorganism that integrates geological, biological, human, and technological activities into a new level of planetary functioning.  Donate here.

"A theology of the third millennium would be one that encompasses, among other disciplines, depth psychology, quantum physics, and neuroscience." ~ Peter Brian Todd Peter B. Todd is a psychotherapist with a Jungian orientation and the author of The Individuation of God: Integrating Science and Religion (2017) , where he outlines what he believes could become a new theology, open to both mystical experience and modern science. " Todd challenges the materialistic reductionism of our age and offers an alternative grounded in the visionary work taking place in a wide array of disciplines, including Jungian archetypal psychology, quantum mechanics, evolutionary biology, epistemology, neuroscience, and an incarnational theology implicit in the evolutionary process." "Todd builds upon the evolutionary process theology of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin . He also emphasizes the unification of particle physics and depth psychology as revealed in the explorations of Carl G. Jung and Nobel laureate Wolfgang Pauli . Additionally, he pays homage to the concept of the "implicate order" in the work of physicist David Bohm." Todd also writes, "Wolfgang Pauli wrote of the need for a reintegration of repressed “spirit” into science, in particular Jungian depth psychology , so that lost wholeness could be restored according to the archetype of the coniunctio oppositorum or union of opposites." "The God of... archaic theologies had to die in order to be resurrected with the primordial energy and timeless quality of the unconscious archetype, stripped of anthropomorphic garments and animistic projection, while expressing rich symbolic meaning. What is required is nothing less than a theology for the third millennium." ~ Peter B. Todd In her 2023 book The Not-Yet God , Ilia Delio quotes Peter B. Todd several times (from Teilhard and Other Modern Thinkers on Evolution, Mind, and Matter ) as she offers a "new myth" of "relational holism" in the search for "a new connection to divinity in an age of quantum physics, evolution, and cultural pluralism." Jeffrey Mishlove, PhD, host of New Thinking Allowed YouTube channel , interviewed Peter Todd in 2019 in the video above. Mischlove co-produced the original Thinking Allowed public television series and past vice-president of the Association for Humanistic Psychology (AHP). He is the recipient of the Pathfinder Award from that Association for his contributions to the field of human consciousness exploration.

In the 2004 book   The Death of the Mythic God . author Jim Marion says that what has really died is our myth of God, our worn-out notion of the deity in the sky, separate from us, who intervenes in our lives only when petitioned strenuously. God still exists, but we need to update our interpretation of God's nature. The mythic sky God was never real, says Marion. It was only a concept of God, now outdated. The real God is in the human heart, within the world, operating as the engine of evolution. God grows us from within into ever higher levels of awareness." On May 2-4, 2025 the Center for Christogenesis had their virtual 2025 Conference: Rethinking Religion in an Age of Science: From Institution to Evolution.   This conference "aimed to suture the relationship between religion and spirituality by relocating religion at the heart of cosmic life. Religion has not gone away but it is advancing in new ways. Formal or institutional religion has sidetracked the modern person by placing constraints around religion and segregating its core energies in creeds and doctrines." Robert Nicastro , Executive Director of the Center for Christogenesis , at their 2025 Annual Conference , made the case for a new coherence. From... The Big Five Fundamentals of Faith The inspiration of scripture as literal word of God. The virgin birth of Jesus as miraculous and literal - the means by which the divine nature of Christ has been guaranteed. The substitutional view of the atonement. The certainty of the physical bodily resurrection of the dead. The certainty of heaven and hell. To... The New Coherence God is described as a creative energy of love on all levels of matter and life. God is not stable or unchanging, but works through the movement, rhythm, pattern and restlesness - within the evolving nature of life itself - as a hyper-center of immeasurable depth. God serves as the principle of individuation , in which each organism, including God, retains unique identity and is enhanced through a deepening of creative union and wholeness. The future is metaphysically foundational in our efforts to understand the world and God. The primary context of divine revelation is the unfolding process of creation and not formal religion. “Since Charles Darwin, static creeds have become an unlivable place.” ~ Hans Kung

Image generated by AI According to the "Holomovement" website , the term was "coined by American physicist David Bohm, a contemporary of Einstein, 'Holomovement' defines our Universe as a living, interconnected whole. In 2022, Nobel prize-winning physicists further validated this concept of universal Oneness, bridging ancient spiritual wisdom with modern science. This worldview of Oneness, or interconnectedness, has the potential to change human behavior on a massive scale." In the 2023 book The Holomovement: Embracing Our Collective Purpose to Unite Humanity   edited by Emanuel Kuntzelman   and Jill Robinson  " thought leaders share the science and spirit of how our interconnection can serve our global family and change the world in this inspiring anthology. Explore evidence-based understanding and inspirational accounts of the living universe and our integral place in its evolution. In this grand unfolding toward ever greater levels of interdependence, you will better understand how your own purpose in the evolutionary process is critical to this movement." "Find inspiration in this anthology to actively support the wholeness in motion around us, integrating your unique gifts and the Holomovement’s unifying values into a collective story of our time that serves the greatest good." The Holomovement Theory of Change "Change is set into motion through Holons, groups of three or more, dedicated to a transformative project. This includes groups of individuals, new or existing organizations and networks. This collaborative network of Holons is an expansive, creative ecosystem accelerating humanity's highest potential.Projects of all scopes are valued in the Holon community. A few examples include: Meditation or Interspiritual Prayer Circles. Community park, beach or trail hike clean-ups. Regenerative farming or permaculture projects. Mentorship programs or other nonprofit organizational work. Educational programs for children or vulnerable communities." This is a journey from "me," to "we," to "all as one.” Read the Holomovement Theory of Change pdf here . Read The Holomovement’s 8 Unifying Principles pdf here . I became aware of the Holomovement through my involvement with Human Energy Project 's N2 Conference in November 17-19, 2023 and Kurt Johnson .

Here's a list of some upcoming online and Rogue Valley in-person, eco-spiritual activities that may be of interest to you. Check back, as this post will be updated during May as we get additional information, and a new calendar listing will come out in late May, 2025. Don't be intimidated by the scope of this list; choose to participate in just what calls to you. May 1, 2025  - The Love Foundation  (TLF) invites people around the world to join in “celebrating our humanity” and expanding LOVE during a one-day collective awareness event: Global Love Day  - encompassing all nations, all people, and all life. It's  all about kindness, compassion and love in global proportions! Harold W. Becker is the Founder and President of The Love Foundation, Inc. May 2-4, 2025  - Center for Christogenesis ’ upcoming annual conference, Rethinking Religion in an Age of Science: From Institution to Evolution . This virtual event will explore "how a renewed understanding of religion can invigorate planetary life and human evolution in our age of technology." Speakers will include Bayo Akomolafe , Diana Butler Bass ,  Ilia Delio,   John Haught , Grace Ji-Sun Kim , and Thomas Jay Oord .   More information and registration here. May 8-10, 2025  -   Humanity's Team   is having an in person and livestreamed event:   Sacred Awakening Live   offering a "3-day immersion where science meets spirituality, and you become the catalyst for global transformation. This event will awaken your confidence to create ripples of change—starting within and radiating outward." Guest speakers include: Steve Farrell, Stephanie James, Gregg Braden, Suzanne Giesemann, Michael Beckwith, Neale Donald Walsch, Karen Noé, Debra Poneman, Anita Sanchez, Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati, SIMRAN, Lisa Campion, Cynthia James, Jonathan and Andi Goldman   and many more. Livestream tickets are $199 and more information here . May 8, 2025 , at 4 p.m. PDT - Deeptime Network will open the Cafe to the entire Deeptime community and beyond for the premier showing of the new short video, THE COSMIC SIGNAL: Celebrating How We First Heard the Echo of the Big Bang. "This video is about the 60th anniversary celebration of discovery of proof that the universe started as an exploding fireball. The production team will be there and you'll hear about how and why this discovery was crucial to our understanding of an evolving universe." For info and to register, click here May 15, 2025 , at 10 a.m. PDT - Imogene Drummond is giving a presentation: "Cultivating Our Botanical, Spiritual, and Creative Gardens: Wisdom for a Flourishing Future. " In it she will explore how cultivating our gardens—including the garden of our imagination—can help us envision and create individual and cultural transformation. Hosted online by EarthConnection on Thursday, May 15, at 1 pm ET and 7 pm ET. Free! Registration required. To register for the 1 pm ET time, click here:     https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/28eYhloMRdiL9YbFxBHQEg#/registration To register for the 7 pm ET time, click here:    https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/mkraNUzpSl60PGZpOTtizA#/registration May 18, 2025 , from 4-5:20 p.m. PDT  - Center for Action and Contemplation  (CAC) is offering   "How Can Contemplative Christianity Help Me?”   — a live online gathering featuring Brian McLaren , James Finley , Carmen Acevedo Butcher , and Pico Iyer   to learn more about how a practice-centered spirituality can enrich your life and relationships. Register by May 17 to get access to the recorded replay for a full year. More information and registration here . May 20, 2026-June 24, 202 5 (six Tuesdays from 4-5:30 PT) - Deeptime Network  presents The Worldview of Thomas Berry  with Sam King. More information and registration here . May 23-26, 2025 - ProSocial World will be part of The Holomovement Wave: Asheville, NC 2025, happening . " This transformational gathering is about aligning with higher consciousness, deepening collaboration, and co-creating a thriving future for our planet." The 4-Day Wave Experience: Immersive Learning : Gain insights from inspiring speakers, interactive workshops, and open spaces designed for organic connection and collaboration. Transformative Practices : Participate in personal and collective meditations, sound healing, and wellness practices to elevate emotional and physical well-being. Empowered Action : Leave with actionable insights, tools, and partnerships to amplify your individual and collective impact. Radical Collaboration : Discover tools and frameworks to foster innovative partnerships and co-create solutions. Engage in sessions that inspire bold, transformative ways of thinking and working together. Creative Expression : Engage with art, music, and storytelling experiences that inspire and ignite collective imagination. Visionary Community : Connect with a diverse group of changemakers from all walks of life, forming meaningful relationships rooted in purpose and shared values. Celebration of Resilience : Celebrate humanity’s potential to overcome challenges through creativity, collaboration, and unity. Practical Solutions : Explore tangible approaches to new economics, regenerative systems, and exponential technologies for real-world impact. Register here. May 28–June 2, 2025  - The Haden Institute  is having their   2025 Summer Dream & Spirituality Conference :   Sacred Cosmos, Sacred Soul   in Asheville, NC and virtually. Apply here . This Conference will offer “a new framework for thinking about God, religion, and spirituality in an age of quantum physics and evolution – one that transcends the obstacles of dogmas in religious traditions. Ilia Delio, author of The Not-Yet God , offers a way forward for a vision of God and the Cosmos that is deeply satisfying for both the mind and the heart. She engages the insights of Carl Jung, the Jesuit scientist-theologian Teilhard de Chardin, and process thinkers.” “At the 2025 Haden Summer Dream and Spirituality Conference, we will explore the insights of Jung’s analytical psychology, modern science, and ancient mysticism. Dream work, contemplative practices, rituals, and creative embodiment will ground these insights into a personal and practical spirituality of love and connection to the whole of the Cosmos.” May 29, 2025 , from 6-7:30 p.m. PDT - SOCAN will have their Monthly Meeting at Medford Public Library, 205 So. Central, Medford, OR. SOCAN’s Federal and State Project Team continues to play a pivotal role during Oregon’s legislative sessions, advancing climate-responsible policy through direct engagement with legislators, their staff, and relevant agencies. May 31, 2025 , from 9-11 a.m. PDT - The American Teilhard Association  (ATA) is having their Annual Event and Retreat 2025, featuring Dr. Catherine Keller on Zoom: Eco-apocalypse and the Unfinished Universe: Teilhard's Evolutionary Hope . Register here for Zoom access @ $20. June 7-8, 2025 , from 7-10 a.m. PDT - Aspen Wisdom  is organizing: The Aspen Forum on Forming a Unitive Consciousness , to help us answer the question: How do we respond to the time we are living through? Seakers include Marianne Williamson, Tim Shriver, Mirabai Starr, Matthew Fox, Cynthia Bourgeault, Andrew Harvey, Sherri Mitchell Cyprian Consiglio, Susan Aposhyan, Heather Vesey and Nicholas Vesey. There will be special group sessions. Register here . June 19, 2025 - The Shift Network  offers   The Path of Christ Consciousness Nurture the Christ Within by Illuminating Your Divinity & Claiming Your Mystic Truth   - "a 6-month immersion program with Matthew Fox to explore what it means to be a modern mystic and prophet, integrating this sacred knowledge into your life through the authentic teachings of Jesus and other wisdom keepers. This journey births what Matthew calls Christianity 2.0   — based not on dogma, but on a spirituality that recovers the sacred sense of original goodness." Open to Participants by Application Only. $2,700 tuition. More information and application  here . June 21-28, 2025 -   World UNITY Week 2025 .   This years themes of are Truth, Beauty, and Goodness. World UNITY Week is the beginning on the summer solstice, launches   99 Days of Peace Through Unity , culminating in September. The co-producers for the celebration are Unity Earth , Purpose Earth , SINE Network  and The Hague Center . September 2025 to June 2026 - The   Center for Wild Spirituality   is now making plans for their Seminary of the Wild Earth  program (their foundational, year-long, eco-spirituality certificate) and their Vocational Eco-Spirituality  certificate (specializing in Eco-Spiritual Direction or as a Wild Guide) . Click here  to join the waitlist for their 2025 cohort. On Earth Day April 22, 2025 Faith in Place wrote: "We pause with full awareness of the weight and urgency of this moment. The challenges facing our shared home are real and growing—but so is the community of people, like you, committed to healing and justice. We know that this sacred work isn't easy. It requires stamina, clarity, and deep wells of hope. This is why we turn to our faith and spiritual traditions, which remind us that hope is not just a feeling—it is a practice. A discipline. A choice we make again and again. Earth Day offers us a moment to renew that practice.   Our diverse traditions have long taught us to live with purpose, care for what has been entrusted to us, and act even when the outcome is uncertain. So today, we honor not only the land, water, and air that sustain us but also the hope that grows from our relationship with the Earth and the community that strengthens us to keep going." Rogue Valley Voice aggregates and curates information from many third-party sources and does not necessarily endorse all aspects of others' work. Still, we find their viewpoint provocative and interesting enough to encourage the reader to engage with and come to their understanding and actions, as they deem appropriate.

Katherine Hayhoe's Ted Talk The most important thing you can do to fight climate change: talk about it says "the key to having a real discussion about climage change is to connect over shared values like family, community and religion -- and to prompt people to realize that they already care about a changing climate.

I asked ChatGPT to " explain the difference between Ewert Cousin's use of "second axial consciousness " and Steve McIntosh's use of " spiral dynamics ." ChatGPT said: "Great question — both Ewert Cousins and Steve McIntosh are deeply concerned with the evolution of human consciousness , but they approach it from very different paradigms : Cousins through a theological-historical lens , and McIntosh through an integral-philosophical, developmental framework rooted in psychology. Here’s a detailed comparison: 1. Ewert Cousins – Second Axial Consciousness Background : Cousins was a Catholic theologian and historian of religion. Building on Karl Jaspers’ Axial Age , he proposed the concept of a Second Axial Age . First Axial Age (800–200 BCE): Marked by the emergence of individual self-awareness and transcendence across multiple civilizations (Confucianism, Buddhism, Greek philosophy, Hebrew prophecy, etc.). Second Axial Age : Cousins argued we are now entering a new axial period , catalyzed by: Globalization : Humanity is now interconnected like never before. Ecological awareness : A shift from domination of nature to harmony with it. Interreligious dialogue : Moving beyond exclusive truth claims toward spiritual integration. Spiritual evolution : From individual salvation to planetary transformation . Consciousness Shift : Toward global, ecological, and mystical integration — more holistic, inclusive, and spiritually mature. 🔑 Cousins' vision is largely spiritual and theological , focused on a religious metanoia in response to the crises of modernity. 2. Steve McIntosh – Spiral Dynamics / Evolutionary Consciousness Background : McIntosh is a philosopher in the Integral Theory and evolutionary spirituality space, deeply influenced by Spiral Dynamics , which was developed from Clare Graves’ psychological research. Spiral Dynamics : Describes the evolution of value systems and worldviews in a tiered model: First Tier stages (e.g., Tribal, Warrior, Traditional, Modern, Postmodern) Second Tier (Integral, Holistic) introduces self-aware, systems-based thinking. McIntosh's Framework : Views the evolution of consciousness as: Driven by cultural complexity and internal depth . Including politics, psychology, science, and spirituality . Needing the emergence of a post-progressive (or "integral") culture that integrates the best of all previous stages. 🔑 McIntosh’s vision is more psychological and socio-political , grounded in developmental theory and aimed at reconciling cultural conflict through consciousness integration . Key Differences Aspect Ewert Cousins – Second Axial Age Steve McIntosh – Spiral Dynamics Root Discipline Theology, history of religions Developmental psychology, integral philosophy Historical Model Epochal shift in global religious consciousness Continuous developmental model of worldviews Scope Global spiritual evolution, especially within and across religions Cultural, political, and psychological value systems Language of Development Mystical, religious, global spirituality Systems-thinking, tiers/memes, integral consciousness Drivers of Change Crisis, interreligious unity, ecological awareness Complexity, inner growth, worldview conflict Goal Planetary spiritual transformation Emergence of integral/post-progressive culture In Summary Cousins sees the Second Axial Age as a sacred turning point for humanity — a time for religions to transcend themselves and co-create a planetary spirituality. McIntosh sees Spiral Dynamics as a map of evolving consciousness , where an "integral" worldview must emerge to reconcile the fragmentation of modern and postmodern culture. They both agree humanity is evolving , but Cousins emphasizes spiritual and religious unity , while McIntosh emphasizes developmental integration across value systems ." Ewert H. Cousins (1927-2009) was, "a world-renowned theologian and pioneer in interreligious dialogue who brought Christians, Hindus, Muslims, Jews, and Buddhists. One of Cousins’ greatest contributions was making the touchstone texts of Western religions accessible to a wide audience. Together with Richard Payne, he conceived of and edited the Classics of Western Spirituality , a groundbreaking, 107-volume series of classical works from the Christian, Jewish, and Muslim traditions. Cousins’ own translation of the writings of St. Bonaventure was one of the series’ bestsellers. Cousins was also the general editor of the 25-volume series World Spirituality: An Encyclopedic History of the Religious Quest . In his 1992 book Christ of the 21st Century , Cousins argues that we are in the midst of a “ Second Axial Age ” . A 2016 article by Matthew Wright provides a summary of Cousins’ notion of a Second Axial Age, called The Second Axial Emergence "Steve McIntosh is a developmental philosopher who focuses on the evolution of consciousness and culture. He is the author of Developmental Politics (2020), The Presence of the Infinite (2015), Evolution’s Purpose (2012), and Integral Consciousness and the Future of Evolution (2007). He is also coauthor of  Conscious Leadership (2020), with John Mackey and Carter Phipps. McIntosh is the cofounder of the Institute for Cultural Evolution nonprofit organization, and cocreator of DepolarizingGPT , a 3-answer AI chatbot."

Joanna Macy and Molly Brown's 2014 book Coming Back to Life , describes the " Work That Reconnects" as a Spiral journey through four stages: Coming from Gratitude Honoring Our Pain for the World Seeing with New/Ancient Eyes Going Forth Third Act Faith (TAF) is currently offering an exploration of Joanna Macy’s Work That Reconnects , "a set of simple but profound practices to build strength and resilience for our work to heal the world. In each session, we will engage in practices of sharing, listening, and imagining related to one of the stages of the Work that Reconnects, which are designed to build community, help us hold the many emotions related to our work in the world, and give us new sources of support to do that work." Their sessions are being led by TAF Coordinating Committee member Martin Wagner, an interfaith eco-chaplain, environmental lawyer, and student of Joanna Macy. The schedule for sessions this year is the second Tuesday of each month at 4:00 p.m. PT The stages stand alone, so you do not have to attend every session and can join at any time. April 23: Gratitude May 13: Sacred Listening Circle June 10: The Work That Reconnects—Honoring the Pain of the World July 8: Sacred Listening Circle August 12: The Work That Reconnects—Seeing with New Eyes September 9: Sacred Listening Circle October 14: The Work That Reconnects—Going Forth November 11: Sacred Listening Circle December 9: The Work That Reconnects—Returning to Gratitude Developed by Buddhist activist Joanna Macy , Ph.D., an author and scholar of systems theory and deep ecology, these practices are a powerful resource for transforming anger, despair, and overwhelm into inspired, collaborative action. Read more and register on the Third Act Faith website. Programs in Earth Literacies tells stories about: Joanna Macy / Systems Thinking / Grieving / Living Systems The New Cosmology, the New Story and the Cosmic Story The Earth Charter Earth Spirituality / Science and theology / Evolutionary Consciousness & Interbeing  Ecozoic Era Ecosystem | healthy–living within rights of nature Indigenous Ways of Knowing | Indigenous Spirituality Climate Change & the Climate Crisis " Earth Literacy explores the mysterious unity and relationships binding Earth and the totality of life under the conditions out of which Earth has emerged within a single, unfolding Universe. Earth Literacy is also a movement of people who understand that any viable future for our human species is entirely dependent on the viability of our threatened planet. It is a movement arising from a desire to work not only for Earth’s survival but for the transformation of all the limited beliefs, values, institutions and structures that promote domination, violence, destitution and powerlessness among people and the natural world." ~ Mariam MacGillis OP

According to a massive new  Pew Research Center survey  released in February 2025 (The Religious Landscape Study of U.S. Adults conducted July 17, 2023-March 4, 2024). religiously unaffiliated adults – those who identify as atheists, agnostics or as “nothing in particular” when asked about their religion – account for 29% of the population. This rise of the "nones" appears to have leveled off and people are no longer leaving churches en masse as they have for the past several decades. The latest RLS, fielded over seven months in 2023-24, finds that 62% of U.S. adults identify as Christians. That is a decline of 9 percentage points since 2014 and a 16-point drop since 2007. After many years of steady decline, the share of Americans who identify as Christians shows signs of leveling off – at least temporarily. 1.7% of U.S. adults identify religiously as Jewish. Muslims, Buddhists and Hindus each make up roughly 1% of Americans and 1.9% of U.S. adults identify religiously as "something else", including 1.1% of respondents who identify with Unitarianism or other liberal faiths, and 0.7% who identify with New Age groups. But the New York Times reported on February 23, 2025 , "Almost all Americans — 92 percent of adults — say they have a spiritual belief in one or more of the following: 86% believe people have a soul or spirit in addition to their physical body. 83% believe in God or a universal spirit. 79% believe there is something spiritual beyond the natural world, even if we can’t see it. 70% believe in an afterlife (heaven, hell or both). "Despite these signs of recent stabilization and abiding spirituality, other indicators suggest we may see further declines in the American religious landscape in future years." This is because younger Americans are less religious that their elders." If you want to understand not just the what, but "why" religion has declined since the 1990's, check out University of Notre Dame socialogist Christian Smith's provocative 2025 book, Why Religion Went Obsolete , The book goes beyond the metrics of organizational indices and individual beliefs and practices to descibe the milieu or zeitheist ( the general intellectual, moral, and cultural climate of an era) - complex cultural changes, particularly generational differences - larger social forces that have crowded out traditional religion. It is more a matter of obsolence than the tug and pull between religious and secularization forces. As Smith posits: it's more that younger people are just leaving the stadium where that game was being played. Richard Ostling 's April 22, 2025 article in Religion Unplugged offers a quick summary of Christian Smith's new book. For an informative, but much longer exposition watch Tripp Fuller's April 21, 2025 podcast  interview with Christian Smith.

“Quest for the Holy Stein” Theology Beer Camp 2025 is coming to St. Paul, Minnesota and online October 16-18, 2025 . T his year’s Monty Python-inspired theme is “Quest for the Holy Stein,” "Theology Beer Camp is a unique three-day conference that brings together of theology nerds and craft beer for a blend of intellectual engagement, community building, and fun. Organized by Homebrewed Christianity , this event features a lineup of well-known podcasters, scholars, and theology enthusiasts who come together to "nerd out" on theological topics while enjoying loads of fun activities." Organizer Tripp Fuller is "an American theologian, minister, and broadcaster. He is the founder and host of Homebrewed Christianity , one of the most downloaded theology programs in podcasting. He is currently a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Theology and Science at the University of Edinburgh ." Fuller    is author of the 2020 book,   Divine Self-Investment: An Open and Relational Constructive Christology   The book " offers an open and relational Christology that engages three theological registers (historical, existential, and metaphysical) from within the Disciple’s confession of Jesus as the Christ," Speaker Lineup: John Dominic Crossan - Irish-American New Testament scholar, historian of early Christianity and former Catholic priest who was a prominent member of the Jesus Seminar, and emeritus professor at DePaul University Kelly Brown Douglas - African-American Episcopal priest, womanist theologian , and interim president o f Episcopal Divinity School Reggie Williams - associate professor of Black theology at St. Louis University and author of B onhoeffer's Black Jesus: Harlem Renaissance Theology and An Ethic of Resistance. Adam Clark Jeff Pugh - Professor and the Maude Sharpe Powell Professor of Religious Studies at Elon University Casper ter Kulie from Harry Potter and the Sacred Text podcast Juan and Stacy Floyd-Thomas - Associate Professor of Ethics and Society at Vanderbilt Divinity School Philip Clayton - retired professor at the Claremont School of Theology and professor of philosophy and religion at the Claremont Graduate University . He is a co-director of the Center for Process Studies . Podcast Participants: Bible for Normal People Rethinking Faith Theology on the Rocks The New Evangelicals People’s Theology Early Bird Tickets: Available until May 15th at TheologyBeerCamp2025.com

Presented via Zoom by WorldOregon, in conjunction with the annual Great Decisions series at Portland State University, March 14, 2025 April 30, 2025 , at 6:30 p.m. PDT - WorldOregon is having a fund-raiser event: Bridge Together: 75 Years of Sparking Global Connections at the Patricia Reser Center for the Arts, 12625 SW Crescent St., Beaverton, OR 97005 "The evening will feature exceptional food and drink, thought-provoking conversations, and brief remarks from Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and Yamhill County-raised Nicholas Kristof. Together, we’ll reflect on the impact of global engagement and invest in opportunities to keep Oregonians connected to the people, places, and issues that shape our global future." WorldOregon's mission is to "broaden and deepen public awareness, engagement, and understanding of international affairs, engaging Oregonians with the world—and with each other. WorldOregon programs keep Oregonians connected to the people, places, and ideas that are shaping our shared global future."

May 3-4, 2025 - The Center for Christogenesis is having their virtual 2025 Conference: Rethinking Religion in an Age of Science: From Institution to Evolution . This conference aims to suture the relationship between religion and spirituality by relocating religion at the heart of cosmic life. Religion has not gone away but it is advancing in new ways. Formal or institutional religion has sidetracked the modern person by placing constraints around religion and segregating its core energies in creeds and doctrines." Register here . Friday, May 2, 2025 4-4:15 p.m. - Introductions & Welcome by Ilia Delio and moderator Robert Nicastro 4:15-5:30 p.m. - Bayo Akomolafe : Holydrift: A Parapolitics of Religion Saturday, May 3, 3035 6-7:15 a.m. - Grace Ji-Sun Kim: Earthbound: God at the Intersection of Climate and Justice 7:30-8:45 a.m. - Ilia Delio: When Unchanging Dogma Meets Scientific Discovery: The Primacy of Experience 10:30-11:45 a.m. - Philip Clayton: When Religion Embraces the Evolving Cosmos and the Two Become One 12-1:15 p.m. - John Haught: Rethinking Resurrection in the Age of Science 4:00-4:30 p.m. - 2025 C4C Award Presentation 4:45-5:30 p.m. - Audience Q & A Sunday, May 4, 2025 6-7:15 a.m. - Thomas Jay Oord: Ten Ways to Rethink Religion in Light of Science 7:30-8:15 a.m. - Panel Discussion: Given all that we have heard, where do we go from here? 8:30-9:15 a.m. - Closing Ritual: Mass on the World led by Emily DeMoor, Director of 9 a.m. - Ilia Delio: Closing Remarks

Sunday, April 13, 2025 , from 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. PDT - A New Republic of the Heart is offering a webinar : Taking Responsibility for the Leading Edge of Consciousness: Evolving in a Shifting World. "​We stand at a critical juncture—a moment of profound cultural tension and transformation. The values that have shaped our collective pursuit of a more just and sustainable world are being fiercely contested, revealing a fundamental struggle around meaning, belonging, and the frameworks through which we make sense of reality." "​We are all navigating the space between what was and what is emerging. It is messy, it is scary, but rather than viewing our current challenges merely as obstacles to overcome, we will explore them as opportunities for conscious evolution—both personally and collectively. ​Some of what hey will explore: ​Alternatives to polarized either/or thinking ​Working creatively with fear and outrage ​Cultivating the capacity to hold ambiguity, paradox, and cognitive complexity ​Honoring our values while engaging constructively with diverse viewpoints ​This event is for you if you're seeking to: ​Make sense of our cultural moment through a developmental lens ​Find agency and purpose amid uncertainty ​Connect with others committed to conscious participation amidst the chaos and uncertainty ​Develop practical tools for navigating complexity with greater awareness and responsibility" Register here to attend live or receive recording . In October 2021 Terry Patten , founder of A New Republic of the Heart,   died of cancer. He was a "community organizer, philosopher, and teacher who devoted his efforts to the integral project of evolving consciousness through practice, and facing, examining, and healing our global crisis through the marriage of spirit and activism." He co-wrote the 2008 book   Integral Life Practice: A 21st-century Blueprint for Physical Health, EmotionalBalance, Mental Clarity, and Spiritual Awakening   with Ken Wilber and a core team at   the Integral Institute. In 2018 A New Republic of the Heart: An Ethos for Revolutionaries was published. Terry Patten's podcasts State of Emergence through 2021 are still available online. Memberships to A New Republic of the Heart start at $25 per month for a 6-month minimum commitment and through purchase of one of their courses . Integral Spiritual Practice is an online course of personalized practices of daily disciplines rooted in integral and evolutionary principles - the consciouse integration of mind, body, heart, soul and spirit. Discover "the deep joy of a life of practice, becoming a new kind of human being, with the freedom, fullness and purpose to more creatiavely engage all of life." Integral Social Change - is a 12-session journey through Terry Patten's 2018 book, A New Republic of the Heart: An Ethos for Revolutionaries . " In each session, you’ll listen to a new chapter read by the author, watch him teach and respond to questions in a video Q&A recording, and explore a written session guide with deepening questions and practices that support you to truly engage it at the level of your embodied awakened consciousness."

Here's a list of some upcoming online and Rogue Valley in-person, eco-spiritual activities that may be of interest to you. Check back, as this post will be updated during April as we get additional information, and a new calendar listing will come out in May, 2025. Don't be intimidated by the scope of this list; choose to participate in just what calls to you. April 2, 2025 - The SOCAN course  Living with Climate Change: Rogue Valley , (formerly known as Master Climate Protector), will start April 2nd and run for the second year as an Southern Oregon University course in the Environmental Science, Policy and Sustainability Department  where students can take the course to earn three credits, and community members can take it to learn more about climate science. Students sign up for the course ES 131: Living with Climate Change: Rogue Valley through the regular sign-up procedures (CRN 6405). Apply for SOU admissions here . Note: your admission decision will take between two and three weeks. Community members interested in taking the course should sign up using SOCAN’s Registration form online at socan.eco/lwcc-registration . Contact SOCAN cofacilitator Kathy Conway ( kathy@socan.eco )  with questions. Anyone interested can visit the course website at https://socan.eco/lwcc/  .  The course runs for ten weeks through SOU’s Spring term beginning April 2n and ending June 5th, meeting once a week on Wednesdays from 5:30 – 8:20  in the Science Building Room 066. April 2, 2025 , at 6 p.m. PDT - Ashland Climate Collaborative is having an event to kick off Earth Month at the Ashland Co-op Community Classroom , 300 N. Pioneer, Ashland, OR to " bring people together who want to do what they can about climate pollution right here at home. Come be with like-minded folks, while our volunteers share ways to reduce climate pollution while living with drought, smoke, and wildfire risk. Register here . April 3, 2025 , at 1 p.m. PDT - Creation Spirituality Communities presents a First Thursday webinar with Carol Kilby and Stephan Martin leading a discussion of the themes of their forthcoming book, Becoming the Change: Evolutionary Rituals and Practices for Everyday Emergence , offering profound insights and practical demonstrations into how we can celebrate the new sacred story of the Universe in a new form of ritual practices." On rotating months, the First Thursdays time slot will include Global Kinship, Kosmic Vespers and something entirely new: Global Dreaming hosted by Robyn Hubbard. Register here . April 7, 2025 - The Becoming ProSocial  course (starting April 7, 2025 for seven weeks) "is designed to help you make effective changes with empathy while building trust-driven teams that: ✔ Listen before reacting✔ Collaborate instead of compete✔ Solve challenges with shared purpose and mutual respect. Compassionate changemaking is more important than ever when the world feels increasingly divided, uncertain, and tense . Whether you’re working a team, an organization, or a small community group, you have the power to bring people together instead of pushing them apart. You don’t need a title to be a changemaker—you just need the willingness to create a more connected world. The world needs more bridge-builders. Are you ready to be one? Join ProSocial today and start making a difference. April 9, 2025 , at 9 a.m. PDT - Institute for the Future presents: Foresight Talks: How AI Can Augment Foresight Leaders . Toshi Hoo, Director of IFTF’s Emerging Media Lab, will discuss AI’s impact on foresight practices with Bob Johansen, Jeremy Kirshbaum, and Gabe Cervantes, co-authors of Leaders Make the Future: 10 New Skills to Humanize Leadership with Generative AI . Register here. April 10, 2025, at 4 p.m. PDT - Center for Christogenesis is presenting a webinar with Professor of Philosophy Dan Dombrowski on Process Mystycism . " The purpose of the presentation is to explore both senses of what it means to be a mystic from the perspectives of several process philosophers or neoclassical theists, including Alfred North Whitehead, Henri Bergson, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, and especially Charles Hartshorne.' More information and registration here . April 17, 2025 - U-School invites you to attend six interactive sessions beginning April 17th:   The Presencing Series: Sensing and Actualizing the Future That Needs Us . This coincides with the release of Otto Scharmer and Katrin Kaeufer's new book, Presencing: 7 Practices for Transforming Self, Society, and Business. You are invited to join for one, several, or all sessions. Register here. The six-part series includes: April 17 : 7 Practices for Transforming Self, Society, and Business May 1 : Regenerating Planetary and Social Soil May 15 : Education For Human & Planetary Flourishing May 29 : Transforming Business and Money to be a Force for Good June 12 : Presencing the Future of Governance and Democracy June 26 : Activating Islands of Coherence April 25, 2025 , from 3:30-7:00 p.m. - Earth Day at SOU  at the Farm. join Southern Oregon University and community partners for exhibits, live performances, bike rodeo, art, food trucks, and more, all in celebration of Earth Day! April 26, 2025 , from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. PT - At the   Annual UCC Earth Summit  the k eynote lecture will be delivered by Katharine Hayhoe, one of the world’s leading climate scientists and the author of popular books such as Saving Us: A Climate Scientist’s Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World  and A Climate for Change: Global Warming Facts for Faith-Based Decisions .  Through television appearances on PBS and Showtime as well as her widely viewed TED Talks, Hayhoe has reached a broad audience with a compelling perspective on science, climate, and faith. This two-and half-hour summit will additionally feature a panel discussion entitled “Climate Justice in a Toxic World.” Three grassroots leaders in the struggle against environmental racism in the Dallas-Fort Worth area will speak on this panel: Dr. Marsha Jackson from Southern Sector Rising, Caleb Roberts from Downwinders at Risk, and Emmanual Davis from Justice for Joppa. Register here. May 2-4, 2025  - Center for Christogenesis ’ upcoming annual conference, Rethinking Religion in an Age of Science: From Institution to Evolution . This virtual event will explore "how a renewed understanding of religion can invigorate planetary life and human evolution in our age of technology." Speakers will include Bayo Akomolafe , Diana Butler Bass ,  Ilia Delio,   John Haught , Grace Ji-Sun Kim , and Thomas Jay Oord .   More information here. May 8-10, 2025  - Humanity's Team   is having an in person and livestreamed event:   Sacred Awakening Live   offering a "3-day immersion where science meets spirituality, and you become the catalyst for global transformation. This event will awaken your confidence to create ripples of change—starting within and radiating outward." Guest speakers include: Steve Farrell, Stephanie James, Gregg Braden, Suzanne Giesemann, Michael Beckwith, Neale Donald Walsch, Karen Noé, Debra Poneman, Anita Sanchez, Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati, SIMRAN, Lisa Campion, Cynthia James, Jonathan and Andi Goldman   and many more. Livestream tickets are $199 and more information here . May 20, 2026-June 24, 202 5 (six Tuesdays from 4-5:30 PT) - Deeptime Network presents The Worldview of Thomas Berry with Sam King. More information and registration here . May 28–June 2, 2025  - The Haden Institute  is having their   2025 Summer Dream & Spirituality Conference :   Sacred Cosmos, Sacred Soul   in Asheville, NC and virtually. Apply here . This Conference will offer “a new framework for thinking about God, religion, and spirituality in an age of quantum physics and evolution – one that transcends the obstacles of dogmas in religious traditions. Ilia Delio, author of The Not-Yet God , offers a way forward for a vision of God and the Cosmos that is deeply satisfying for both the mind and the heart. She engages the insights of Carl Jung, the Jesuit scientist-theologian Teilhard de Chardin, and process thinkers.” “At the 2025 Haden Summer Dream and Spirituality Conference, we will explore the insights of Jung’s analytical psychology, modern science, and ancient mysticism. Dream work, contemplative practices, rituals, and creative embodiment will ground these insights into a personal and practical spirituality of love and connection to the whole of the Cosmos.” May 31, 2025 , from 9-11 a.m. PDT - The American Teilhard Association (ATA) is having their Annual Event and Retreat 2025, featuring Dr. Catherine Keller on Zoom: Eco-apocalypse and the Unfinished Universe: Teilhard's Evolutionary Hope . Register here for Zoom access @ $20. June 7-8, 2025 - Aspen Wisdom  is organizing a forum: The Aspen Initiative: Discovering the Wisdom We Need to Serve Our Future , to help us answer the question: How do we respond to the time we are living through? June 19, 2025 - The Shift Network offers The Path of Christ Consciousness Nurture the Christ Within by Illuminating Your Divinity & Claiming Your Mystic Truth - "a 6-month immersion program with Matthew Fox to explore what it means to be a modern mystic and prophet, integrating this sacred knowledge into your life through the authentic teachings of Jesus and other wisdom keepers. This journey births what Matthew calls Christianity 2.0 — based not on dogma, but on a spirituality that recovers the sacred sense of original goodness." Open to Participants by Application Only. $2,700 tuition. More information and application here . September 2025 to June 2026 - The   Center for Wild Spirituality   is now making plans for their Seminary of the Wild Earth  program (their foundational, year-long, eco-spirituality certificate) and their Vocational Eco-Spirituality  certificate (specializing in Eco-Spiritual Direction or as a Wild Guide) . Click here  to join the waitlist for their 2025 cohort. Rogue Valley Voice aggregates and curates information from many third-party sources and does not necessarily endorse all aspects of others' work. Still, we find their viewpoint provocative and interesting enough to encourage the reader to engage with and come to their understanding and actions, as they deem appropriate.

Ilia Delio, in her February 2025 talk "Old God, New God, Part 2" , responded to a question by Susan Izard , retired spiritual director and Associate Pastor of Spiritual Life for First Church West Hartford , CT (United Church of Christ). and recommended that Louis Savary has written wonderful books that simplify the notions of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin . Programs in Earth Literacies also offers streaming, on-demand videos of Savary's four part series Harnessing the Energies of Love. The Next Big Step for Humanity ( original recorded Jan 17 - Feb 7, 2024) . A New Sphere of Love - we need a new sphere beyond the biosphere and the noosphere. Axioms of Love - the consistent patterns of love's evolution Teilhard discovered and the change of mindset that it requires to have the way we love evolve. Bonds of Love - the many applications of Teilhard's enigmatic principle "Union Differentiates." Choices for Love - ethical principles for a humanity trying to harness the energies of love.   This can be ordered for $6o Canadian ($43.84 U.S. dollars), "Louis M. Savary, PhD, STD, holds one doctorate in mathematical statistics applied to the behavioral science and a second in theology and spirituality. For twenty years, he served as senior trainer and writer for Educational systems for the Future. He was a Jesuit for thirty years and has studied, taught and written about Teilhard for the past forty years. Among his many books are Teilhard de Chardin on Morality, Teilhard de Chardin on Love, and The Human Phenomenon Explained. He is a board member of the American Teilhard Association ." #PierreTeilharddeChardin # AmericanTeilhardAssociation

Wikipedia defines " religious naturalism " as a "framework for religious orientation in which a naturalist worldview is used to respond to types of questions and aspirations that are parts of many religions. It has been described as "a perspective that finds religious meaning in the natural world." Religious Naturalism is an orientation grounded in the sciences, humanities, and arts Ursula Goodenough is President of the Religious Naturalist Association (RNA) (pun intended) - "a worldwide community of people interested in exploring or expressing support for the religious naturalist orientation... RNA members participate in events and engage in activities that matter to them and that support and promote a more sustainable and compassionate world." “Religious”, as it is used in the Religious Naturalism website , "is not based on belief in a deity or involvement with an organized religion. It refers to personal attitudes , values , and ways of living that reflect a deep reverence for life , a sense of awe at the wonder of nature , and a desire to act in ways that reflect this." Naturalism is a view that all that exists and all that occurs is due to natural processes. The central story of the RNA is the "modern story of our origins, via the “Big Bang” and evolution which offers" ways of understanding ourselves and our world; the recognition that all life exists in interconnected ecosystems which has profound implications. We are amazed and moved by the wonders of our lives and our world. Ursula Goodenough describes eco-spirituals as "everybody's story." She shares this eco-spiritual prayer : The Mother Nature Prayer Our Mother who art within us, hallowed by they name. Thy ways evolve. Thy will calls forth this earth that is now our heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and fill us with tenderness as we repair our trespasses. And lead us forth into communion and deliver us from dominion. For thine is our wellsprings, and our grounding, and our glory, for ever and ever. May it be so, Religious Naturalists Unitarian Universalist (RNUU) "is a space for Unitarian Universalists seeking to cultivate depth and connection with the more-than-human world and it's various ecologies with the ultimate ends of discovering and engaging with the saving grace of awe and wonder resplindent in this majestic cosmos to which we are intimately connected." Religious naturalism draws inspiration from various sources including Ralph Waldo Emerson , Wendell Berry , Thomas Berry , Mary Oliver , Eco-spiritual humanists and others. Find out more at the Ecospritual Hub . Here are a few books on religious naturalism: Ursula Goodenough, The Sacred Depths of Nature: How Life has Emerged and Evolved   (2023) Sean Carroll.   The Big Picture: On the Origins of Life, Meaning, and the Universe Itself   (2017) Jerome A. Stone.   Religious naturalism today : the rebirth of a Forgotten Alternative   (2008) William R. Murry. Reason and reverence : religious humanism for the 21st century (2006)

A Participatory Cosmos - from Center for Christogenesis Here's a list of some upcoming online and Rogue Valley in-person, eco-spiritual activities that may be of interest to you. Check back, as this post will be updated during March as we get additional information, and a new calendar listing will come out in April 2025. Don't be intimidated by the scope of this list; choose to participate in just what calls to you. March 4, 11, 18, 25, 2025, at 4 p.m. PT - Convergence and Creation Spirituality Communities are presenting a four-part webinar "to explore the deep spiritual roots of this political moment and uncover pathways toward collective action, resilience, and renewal": From Darkness to Dawn: Spiritual Courage and Political Action in the Age of MAGA .  This transformative 4-part series will bring together some of the most provocative spiritual leaders, thinkers, and activists of our time: Matthew Fox, Andrew Harvey, Mirabai Starr, Yvette Flunder, and Cameron Trimble. Click here for more information and registration. March 7, 2025 , from 6:30 a.m. 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. PT - Garrison Institute  is having a day-long symposium "to explore and celebrate The Spiritual Legacy of Father Thomas Keating, who was a Trappist monk, enlightened spiritual master, founder of the Centering Prayer movement, and a pillar of contemplative inter-spiritual dialogue. The symposium will weave together teaching, practice, panel discussions, and provocative immersion sessions as we dive deeply into Fr. Thomas’s prophetic vision of Oneness as both an inner state of consciousness and an outer pathway of planetary healing." Morning & midday Immersion Sessions include: The Spirit of the Snowmass Interreligious Conference and Making a New World: Voices from the Younger Generation and an optional centering prayer from 9 to 9:30 a.m. PT   Register here   for virtual access ($139) March 10, 2025, from 10-11 a.m. PT - UCC Creation Justice is offering a webinar: America in Search of a Soul with panelists to help us unpack both the threats and the opportunities before us as people of faith with panelists" Rev. Dr. Kelly Brown Douglas, Canon Theologian at the Washington National Cathedral Rev. Cameron Trimble, Founder and CEO of Convergence Rev. Dr. Jim Antal, author of "Climate Church, Climate World" Register here. A recording will be sent to those who cannot join live. March 12, 2025 to April 16, 2025 , at 12:15 PDT - The Work That Reconnects Network is offering a 5-part series: Roots of Resilience for Uncertain Times with Kathleen Rude. The class is intended to "grow our roots of resilience for these uncertain times as we move through the Spiral—beginning with Gratitude, then Honoring Our Pain for the World, Seeing with New and Ancient Eyes, and Going Forth. .. restoring your sense of purpose and possibility to address the complex nature of our times." More information and registration for various WTR events here . March - October 2025 , at various days and times - The   BTS Center   is offering Walking the Wild Edges: Spiritual Accompaniment Circles for Challenging Times ,   monthly online gatherings plus an optional half-day retreat guided by skilled facilitators and open to spiritual seekers of all kinds. Learn more and register March 16, 2025 , from 1-4 p.m. PT - Ecumenical Ministies of Oregon’ s annual Interfaith Earth Summit  will have a focus on climate safety and health, learn how we can work together to protect our community from climate change. This gathering is both in-person and on Zoom, held simultaneously with other communities across the state. Sign up at https://emoregon.org/event/oregon-interfaith-earth-summit-2 The Church for our Common Home  at 15436 Strong Road, Dallas, Oregon is an " internet/radio blog church dedicated to AWE, Art, the Wisdom teachings of Christ-Sophia and the EARTH." Rev. Bonnie Tarwater announced she will commemorate the opening of their new labyrinth at 4 p.m. on March 16th, following their participation in the Earth Summit. March 17, 2025, at 10 a.m. PT - Aspen Initiative (Wisdon From the Top of the World) is offering a free webinar with some of the foremost non-dual thinkers (Tom Shriver, Marianne Williamson, Cynthia Bourgeault, Matthew Fox, Cyprian Consiglio, and Sherri Mitchell, moderated by Heather and Nicholas Vesey), addressing to the question: How do we respond to the time we are living through? Register here. March 17, 2025 - Center for Action and Contemplation (CAC) Season 11 podcast of Turning to the Mystics will focus on mystic Gabriel Marcel using the book The Philosophy of Gabriel Marcel by Kenneth T. Gallagher. Access here or wherever you get your podcasts. March 19, 2025 , at 4 p.m. PDT - Center for Christogenesis is presenting a webinar with philosopher and process thinker Matthew David Segall: Science and Religion in a Paticipatory Universe. This talk explores the evolving relationship between natural science and theology through the lens of process philosophy, arguing that both disciplines—often seen as conflicting ways of knowing and worldviews—can be reframed and integrated within a participatory understanding of the cosmos. More information and registration here. March 19, 2025 , at 4 p.m. PDT - Third Act is having an All-In Call where they share what's working in playing defense against the Trump/Musk attack and preparing to go on the offense - what's coming next, and how you can be a part of it. They will be chatting about the first big election of this cycle, and will share more about plans for SunDay  and the ongoing fight against big oil billionaires. Special guest will be Antonique Smith , co-founder & CEO Climate Revival ( who will be partnering with Third Act for SunDay!), and Ezra Levin , co-founder and co-executive director of Indivisible   Register here. March 19, 2025 - AI for Good workshop: Earth observation foundation models with Prithvi-EO-2.0 and TerraTorch Sign up here . March 25 – May 6, 2025   (seven Tuesdays from 4-5:30 PT) -  Deeptime Network  presents Journey of the Universe with Sam King . The course is based on the Yale/Coursera content developed by Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim. It will explore how the emerging story of cosmic evolution can help guide us toward a more just and flourishing future.  More information and registration here . March 25, 2025 , from 6-7:30 p.m. PDT - SOCAN 's March General Meeting at the Medford Public Library, 205 Central Ave., Medford, OR will start with a presentation by SOCAN's Executive Director Daniel Scotton: Building Resilience and Taking Action: The SOCAN Strategic Plan. After Daniel walks the audience through SOCAN’s updated strategic plan there will be a series of community listening tables. At the listening tables you will be able to express your ideas, and experiences. This is a chance for the community to share what’s missing and what we can do together. Whether you have big ideas or just want to listen and be a part of the conversation. Daniel observed: “Whether you’re passionate about science education, want to support local climate initiatives or state/federal action, or are looking for ways to engage with decision-makers, your voice matters. Together, we can build a stronger, more informed, and more resilient community." March 27, 2025  - EcoAmerica   and Blessed Tomorrow  are organizing a   National Faith + Climate Forum .   Congregartions are invited to register as a host location by Thursday, March 17, 2025 . Learn what hosting entails !   Blessed Tomorrow provides hosts with: On-site and Technical Checklists, Participation Guides, Promotional Support, Registration Management, Event Platform. April 2, 2025 - The SOCAN course  Living with Climate Change: Rogue Valley , (formerly known as Master Climate Protector), will start April 2nd and run for the second year as an Southern Oregon University course in the Environmental Science, Policy and Sustainability Department  where students can take the course to earn three credits, and community members can take it to learn more about climate science. Students sign up for the course ES 131: Living with Climate Change: Rogue Valley through the regular sign-up procedures (CRN 6405). Apply for admissions here . Note: your admission decision will take between two and three weeks. Community members interested in taking the course should sign up using SOCAN’s Registration form online at socan.eco/lwcc-registration . Contact SOCAN cofacilitator Kathy Conway ( kathy@socan.eco ) with questions. Anyone interested can visit the course website at https://socan.eco/lwcc/  . The course runs for ten weeks through SOU’s Spring term beginning April 2n and ending June 5th, meeting once a week on Wednesdays from 5:30 – 8:20  in the Science Building Room 066. April 25, 2025 , from 3:30-7:00 p.m. - Earth Day at SOU  at the Farm . April 26, 2025 , from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. PT - At the Annual UCC Earth Summit the k eynote lecture will be delivered by Katharine Hayhoe, one of the world’s leading climate scientists and the author of popular books such as Saving Us: A Climate Scientist’s Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World and A Climate for Change: Global Warming Facts for Faith-Based Decisions . Through television appearances on PBS and Showtime as well as her widely viewed TED Talks, Hayhoe has reached a broad audience with a compelling perspective on science, climate, and faith. This two-and half-hour summit will additionally feature a panel discussion entitled “Climate Justice in a Toxic World.” Three grassroots leaders in the struggle against environmental racism in the Dallas-Fort Worth area will speak on this panel: Dr. Marsha Jackson from Southern Sector Rising, Caleb Roberts from Downwinders at Risk, and Emmanual Davis from Justice for Joppa. Register here. May 2-4, 2025  - Center for Christogenesis ’ upcoming annual conference, Rethinking Religion in an Age of Science: From Institution to Evolution . This virtual event will explore "how a renewed understanding of religion can invigorate planetary life and human evolution in our age of technology." Speakers will include Bayo Akomolafe , Diana Butler Bass ,  Ilia Delio,   John Haught , Grace Ji-Sun Kim , and Thomas Jay Oord .   More information here. May 28–June 2, 2025  - The Haden Institute  is having their   2025 Summer Dream & Spirituality Conference :   Sacred Cosmos, Sacred Soul   in Asheville, NC and virtually. Apply here . This Conference will offer “a new framework for thinking about God, religion, and spirituality in an age of quantum physics and evolution – one that transcends the obstacles of dogmas in religious traditions. Ilia Delio, author of The Not-Yet God , offers a way forward for a vision of God and the Cosmos that is deeply satisfying for both the mind and the heart. She engages the insights of Carl Jung, the Jesuit scientist-theologian Teilhard de Chardin, and process thinkers.” “At the 2025 Haden Summer Dream and Spirituality Conference, we will explore the insights of Jung’s analytical psychology, modern science, and ancient mysticism. Dream work, contemplative practices, rituals, and creative embodiment will ground these insights into a personal and practical spirituality of love and connection to the whole of the Cosmos.” June 7-8, 2025 - Aspen Wisdom is organizing a forum: The Aspen Initiative: Discovering the Wisdom We Need to Serve Our Future , to help us answer the question: How do we respond to the time we are living through? September 2025 to June 2026 - The Center for Wild Spirituality is now making plans for their Seminary of the Wild Earth  program (their foundational, year-long, eco-spirituality certificate) and their Vocational Eco-Spirituality  certificate (specializing in Eco-Spiritual Direction or as a Wild Guide) . Click here  to join the waitlist for their 2025 cohort. Rogue Valley Voice aggregates and curates information from many third-party sources and does not necessarily endorse all aspects of others' work. Still, we find their viewpoint provocative and interesting enough to encourage the reader to engage with and come to their understanding and actions, as they deem appropriate. #EarthDay #BTSCenter #Convergence #CreationSpirituality #EcoAmerica # EcumenicalMinistiesof Oregon #CenterforChristogenesis # ChurchforourCommonHome #HadenInstitute #AspenWisdom # CenterforWildSpirituality #IliaDelio #CarlJung #SOCAN

Father Thomas Keating Father Thomas Keating (1923-2018) had a prophetic vision of Oneness as both an inner state of consciousness and an outer pathway of planetary healing. Cynthia Bourgeault's 2024 book, Thomas Keating: The Making of a Modern Christian Mystic , describes Keating as " one of the key innovators of the meditative practice of Centering Prayer - a powerful on-ramp to the Christian contemplative tradition." Here is a link to a YouTube video of a conversation between Cynthia Bourgeault and David Frenette, two long-time friends and students of Thomas Keating team about: "the difference between union and unity; nondual consciousness; the Christian experience of nonduality; Fr. Thomas’ own evolution on the spiritual journey and how that can be an inspiration for ordinary Centering Prayer practitioners; Bernadette Roberts and the no-self state; the transforming possibilities in illness; and more." On March 7, 2025, from 6:30 a.m. PT to 3 p.m. PT the Garrison Institute is having a day-long symposium "to explore and celebrate the spiritual legacy of Father Thomas Keating: Trappist monk, enlightened spiritual master, founder of the Centering Prayer movement, and a pillar of contemplative inter-spiritual dialogue. The symposium will weave together teaching, practice, panel discussions, and provocative immersion sessions as we dive deeply into Fr. Thomas’ prophetic vision of Oneness as both an inner state of consciousness and an outer pathway of planetary healing." Register here for virtual access ($139) Father Keating was instrumental in the interfaith movement, founding Snowmass Interreligious Conference was held from 1984 until 2015 at the St. Benedict's Monastary  in Snowmass, Colorado. The Conference invited "deep practitioners" from Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu, Native American, and Islamic traditions to compare notes, connect, and clarify. One result has been to distill out eight profound points of agreement shared by each of the participants: The world religions bear witness to the experience of Ultimate Reality, to which they give various names. Ultimate Reality cannot be limited by any name or concept. Ultimate Reality is the ground of infinite potentiality and actualization. Faith is opening, accepting, and responding to Ultimate Reality. Faith in this sense precedes every belief system. The potential for human wholeness - or, in other frames of reference, enlightenment, salvation, transcendence, transformation, blessedness - is present in every human being. Ultimate Reality may be experienced not only through religious practices, but also through nature, art, human relationships, and service to others. As long as the human condition is experienced as separate from Ultimate Reality, it is subject to ignorance and illusion, weakness and suffering. Discliplined practice is essential to the spiritual life; yet spiritual attainment is not the result of one's own efforts, but the result of   the experience of oneness with Ultimate Reality. Until 2006, few people even knew about these Conferences, so the publication of The Common Heart, An Experience of Interreligious Dialogue , was "a great gift to the world in providing a window into this rarefied spiritual think tank." With a forward by Ken Wilbur, the book Includes the thoughts of eight participants: Fr. Thomas Keating, Roshi Bernie Glassman, Swami Atmarupananda, Dr. Ibrahim Gamard, Imam Bilal Hyde, Pema Chödrön, Rabbi Henoch Dov Hoffman, and Grandfather Gerald Red Elk. Initiated in 2016, with the blessing of Father Thomas Keating, the Charis Snowmass Dialogues  continue the spirit of the original Snowmass Interreligious Dialogues. These week-long, invitation only dialogue-retreats are held in a relaxed contemplative atmosphere with an intimate group of twelve teachers, thinkers, and practitioners from diverse backgrounds. Each dialogue highlights an aspect of spiritual life, with topics such as The Future of Religion, Spiritual Practice, The New Monastery, Spiritual Formation and Spiritual Community. The United Religions Initiative (URI)  "promotes enduring, daily interfaith cooperation, to end religiously motivated violence, and to create cultures of peace, justice, and healing for the Earth and all living beings." The Interfaith Observer  (TIO )  is now based in the Center for Ecumenical and Interreligious Engagement  (CEIE) at Seattle University, alongside CEIE’s Theolab, Religica . The   Dawn of Interspirituality Conference  in 2013 brought together a reunion of attendees from 30 years of the Snowmass Interreligious Conference. When asked about   the difference between the interfaith movement and interspirituality, Kurt Johnson, co-author of The Coming Interspiritual Age (2013), said: “Interfaith is really a horizontal dialogue across fixed positions in the interest of understanding and tolerance and dialogue. Interspirituality is going into this deep space in the heart and consciousness that underpins everything as one thing." David Sloan Wilson and Jeff Genung, in the 2023 book The Holmovement: Embracing Our Colletive Purpose to Unite Humanity , note that "Brother Wayne Teasdale coined the term "Interspiritual" to capture the synergy of different religious and spiritual traditions coming together. "Teasdale spent 10 years as a Trappist monk at St. Joseph’s Abbey in Massachusetts, under the direction of Abott Thomas Keating , founder of the centering prayer movement; he then travelled to India to study at Bede Griffiths's Benedictine ashram." Teasdale developed Nine Elements of Universal Spirituality: Actualizing full moral and ethical capacity Living in solidarity with the cosmos and all living things Cultivating a life of deep nonviolence Living in humiity and gratitude Embracing a regular spiritual practice Cultivating mature self-knowledge Living a life of simplicity Being of selfless service and compassionate action Empowering the prophetic voice for justice, compassion and world transformation. Ed Bastian's Spiritual Paths Institute in Santa Barbara offers interspiritual Meditation Course - a "7-step process from the world’s great contemplative traditions." Integral Christian Network is "a global community of dedicated mystical practitioners for the loving evolution of Christianity and the world" that offers "WeSpace o nline groups of mystical practice participating in embodied awakening, in devotion and engagement with divine presence, Jesus, spiritual guides, and one another.." #Interspiritual #Interfaith #ThomasKeating #CenteringPrayer #SnowmassInterReligiousConference #TIO #CEIE #Religica #URI #meditation #IntegralChristianNetwork #WayneTeasdale

I understand the internet and ChatGPT as amazing expressions of the noosphere - the notion of an emerging global mind. ChatGPT is able to synthesize written knowledge and respond almost instantly to our questions. It is not always correct, but a good start! I am inclined to to follow pansychism and panentheistic thought. Ilia Delio, whom I have been reading recently, extends and reinterprets (through a lens of quantum physics) the earlier ideas of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, whose writings were published posthumously in 1955. A friend recently let me borrow book Julian Jaynes' 1976 book The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind . so I asked ChatGPT "what is the current thinking about the origins of consciousness and the breakdown of the bicameral mind?" From ChatGPT4 : "The origins of consciousness and the breakdown of the bicameral mind are subjects that span multiple disciplines, from psychology and philosophy to neuroscience and anthropology. Below is an overview of the current thinking on both topics, drawing from modern theories and ideas. 1. The Origins of Consciousness Consciousness is often described as the state of being aware of and able to reflect upon one's thoughts, perceptions, and emotions. However, the origins of consciousness remain one of the most elusive problems in science. Here are some of the leading theories: Neuroscientific Theories : Integrated Information Theory (IIT) : Developed by Giulio Tononi, IIT suggests that consciousness arises when a system integrates information in a complex way. In this view, the brain’s interconnected networks process information in a unified manner, and the level of consciousness is related to the degree of this integration. Global Workspace Theory (GWT) : Proposed by Bernard Baars, GWT posits that consciousness results from the activation of a "global workspace" in the brain, where information from different cognitive processes is integrated and made available for higher-level functions like decision-making and problem-solving. Orchestrated Objective Reduction (Orch-OR) : This hypothesis, put forward by Roger Penrose and Stuart Hameroff, suggests that consciousness arises from quantum processes in microtubules (structural components of neurons). It posits that quantum coherence in the brain could give rise to conscious experience, though this idea is controversial and not widely accepted. Evolutionary Theories : Consciousness may have evolved to help organisms navigate complex environments. The "Theory of Mind" suggests that awareness of one's own mental states and the ability to infer the thoughts of others (i.e., empathy and social cognition) were advantageous in evolutionary terms. Consciousness, in this sense, may have evolved to support more sophisticated social interactions and decision-making. Another view is that consciousness arose as an adaptive function to enhance an organism's ability to predict and plan for future events (what's often called "episodic memory" or "future simulation"). Philosophical Approaches : Dualism vs. Physicalism : Dualists, like René Descartes, argue that consciousness is a non-physical phenomenon, separate from the brain and body. Physicalists, however, contend that consciousness arises solely from the brain's neural activity. The debate remains unresolved but is central to understanding whether consciousness can be fully explained through material processes or requires some non-physical component. Panpsychism : Some philosophers propose that consciousness is not confined to humans or animals, but might be a fundamental property of all matter. Panpsychism suggests that even elementary particles could have a form of "proto-consciousness," with more complex forms of consciousness emerging as systems become more intricate. 2. The Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind The concept of the "bicameral mind" comes from the work of psychologist Julian Jaynes, who proposed in his 1976 book The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind that early human beings did not have consciousness as we understand it today. According to Jaynes, in ancient times, the human mind was divided into two "chambers" (bicameral), with one part of the brain "speaking" (e.g., through auditory hallucinations) and the other "obeying." He suggested that ancient people perceived these voices as coming from gods or higher beings. Jaynes’ theory is controversial, but it has generated interest in both the anthropology of consciousness and the history of human cognition. According to Jaynes: Pre-conscious Humans : Ancient humans, especially before the development of language and complex symbolism, did not experience self-awareness or reflective thought in the way modern humans do. Instead, they experienced their inner thoughts as external commands or voices (likely auditory hallucinations). The Breakdown : Jaynes argued that the "bicameral mind" began to break down around 3,000 years ago, coinciding with the development of writing, complex societies, and increasingly sophisticated religious and philosophical systems. As these social and cognitive demands grew, people began to internalize their thoughts and reflect on them, which led to the development of modern, self-aware consciousness. Criticisms and Updates : Jaynes' theory has faced criticism from many scholars, particularly in its claim that consciousness arose so recently in human history and that it was so radically different in the past. Critics argue that evidence for widespread auditory hallucinations or a lack of self-awareness in ancient cultures is sparse. Additionally, advancements in the study of ancient texts, including literature, suggest that early humans likely possessed forms of reflective thought. Nonetheless, Jaynes' theory continues to inspire speculation about the cognitive shifts that may have accompanied the rise of complex culture and language. Neuroscientific Perspective : Modern neuroscientific research into the breakdown of the bicameral mind tends to focus on how the brain processes internal voices and auditory hallucinations. The auditory areas of the brain, particularly in the left hemisphere, are often activated in people who report hearing voices, whether in psychosis or altered states of consciousness. Some neuroscientists also examine how changes in social and environmental factors, like the advent of writing or urbanization, might have altered the ways in which people experience consciousness, memory, and self-reflection. 3. Recent Trends and Synthesis The "Social Brain" Hypothesis : The evolution of consciousness might be tightly linked to the evolution of social complexity. As human societies became more intricate, the ability to understand other people’s mental states and engage in complex social communication might have driven the development of higher-order reflective consciousness. This is often referred to as the "social brain hypothesis" or "mentalizing," which is the ability to think about others' thoughts, beliefs, and emotions. Embodied and Enactive Cognition : More recently, theories of consciousness that emphasize the embodied and enactive nature of human experience have gained traction. These theories argue that consciousness is not just something that happens in the brain but is rooted in the body and in interactions with the environment. According to this view, consciousness is not just an abstract or internal process; it’s part of a dynamic interaction between the brain, the body, and the world. The Co-Evolution of Language and Consciousness : Some recent theories propose that language played a critical role in the emergence of modern consciousness. Language may have allowed for more complex, abstract thinking and helped people internalize their thoughts. As societies developed more complex forms of communication, people began to "talk to themselves," which could have contributed to the formation of reflective self-awareness. In Summary: Consciousness is still one of the most debated topics in science and philosophy, with theories ranging from neural network models to the role of language, social interaction, and even quantum mechanics. Theories like Integrated Information Theory (IIT) and Global Workspace Theory (GWT) are some of the most prominent current approaches. The breakdown of the bicameral mind —as proposed by Julian Jaynes—remains a fascinating but controversial hypothesis. It suggests that early humans experienced consciousness differently, perceiving their thoughts as external voices, which later gave way to modern self-awareness. While this theory has its critics, it offers a provocative lens through which to explore the evolution of the mind. In both areas, while progress is being made, many fundamental questions remain unanswered, and new discoveries in neuroscience, anthropology, and artificial intelligence may offer fresh insights into the nature and origins of consciousness." I then asked ChatGPT4: What does Ilia Delio write about the origins of consciousness and the breakdown of the bicameral mind? ChatGPT said: "Ilia Delio, a theologian and scholar known for her work on the intersection of science, religion, and philosophy, offers a perspective on the origins of consciousness that draws heavily on the insights of evolutionary biology, neuroscience, and spiritual theology. Delio is particularly interested in the interplay between the material and the spiritual, and she often engages with questions about human consciousness in the context of evolution and the cosmos. 1. Ilia Delio’s Views on the Origins of Consciousness Ilia Delio’s work is influenced by process theology (largely shaped by the philosopher Alfred North Whitehead), evolutionary thought , and cosmology , with a deep emphasis on the spiritual and theological dimensions of human experience. Here are some key elements of her thought on consciousness: Cosmic Evolution and Consciousness : Delio sees consciousness as a key aspect of cosmic evolution . She argues that consciousness is not a static or individual phenomenon but rather a cosmic unfolding . In her view, human consciousness is a continuation of the evolutionary process that emerges out of the universe's complexity . Consciousness, for Delio, is deeply interconnected with the emergence of life and the progression toward greater complexity and creativity in the universe. Delio suggests that human consciousness is emergent , meaning it arises from the intricate interaction of matter, energy, and life over billions of years. This cosmological view of consciousness implies that it is not merely a product of individual brain processes but a cosmic reality unfolding through time. Human self-awareness, for Delio, is the highest expression of this evolutionary process, and she often explores how this unfolds in relationship to God and the divine. Consciousness and the Divine : Drawing from a panentheistic view of God, Delio believes that God is present in the universe as it evolves, and consciousness is one of the ways in which the universe is able to reflect the divine. In this view, human consciousness participates in a divine intentionality , where the act of knowing and becoming conscious is not just a biological process but a spiritual and relational one . Delio suggests that the development of consciousness is both a biological and theological event, indicating that the human capacity for self-awareness is a way to know the divine and experience a deeper unity with creation. Interconnectedness of Being : Delio often underscores the idea that consciousness is not something isolated but part of a universal network of being . She refers to the work of Teilhard de Chardin , who envisioned the evolution of consciousness as a process toward greater unity and complexity . According to Teilhard and Delio, human consciousness is a reflection of this larger cosmic Christ , which Delio views as the ultimate expression of love and unity in the universe. 2. Ilia Delio’s Views on the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind While Ilia Delio does not explicitly focus on Julian Jaynes' theory of the bicameral mind as a central theme in her work, she does engage with ideas that are conceptually related to it, particularly in her discussions about the evolution of consciousness . There are a few points where Delio’s thoughts could be seen as engaging with or resonating with Jaynes' ideas: Emergence of Self-Awareness : In line with Jaynes’ notion that early humans experienced consciousness in a fundamentally different way (i.e., as a kind of external, authoritative voice or divine command), Delio explores the emergence of self-consciousness as a significant milestone in both biological and spiritual evolution. She does not adopt Jaynes' specific theory, but she shares the interest in the shift from a more automatic, unconscious mode of existence to the reflective, self-aware state that characterizes modern human consciousness. Integration of Mind and Spirit : Delio is interested in how consciousness has evolved to reflect deeper spiritual realities. While Jaynes described the breakdown of the bicameral mind as a cognitive shift that led to reflective consciousness, Delio sees this shift as part of a larger spiritual unfolding , where the human ability to reflect and engage in inner dialogue is part of a broader cosmic, spiritual process . The evolution of consciousness from a primitive state to one marked by self-awareness is, for Delio, a movement toward greater integration of mind and spirit , ultimately aiming for a higher unity with the divine. Spiritual Evolution : Delio often emphasizes the idea of spiritual evolution , where human consciousness progresses not just in intellectual or cognitive terms but also in spiritual depth and understanding . This view aligns somewhat with Jaynes' theory of the breakdown of the bicameral mind, in that she, too, sees consciousness as undergoing a major transformation over time. However, Delio would likely frame this shift not only in terms of cognitive function but also as a spiritual awakening —a movement toward greater awareness of the divine presence in the world. The Role of Language and Reflection : Delio’s work intersects with Jaynes’ idea of the role of language in the development of reflective consciousness. For Jaynes, the breakdown of the bicameral mind was linked to the advent of language and the need for humans to make sense of their inner thoughts. Delio similarly sees language and reflective consciousness as key to the evolution of human awareness , although she frames this within a larger cosmic narrative in which consciousness is not just a biological function but also a means of spiritual encounter. 3. Synthesis of Delio’s Ideas and Jaynes' Theory While Delio doesn't explicitly endorse or elaborate on Julian Jaynes' bicameral mind theory , her perspective on the evolution of consciousness shares some thematic overlaps: Both see consciousness as evolving over time, with the emergence of self-awareness as a significant turning point in human development. Both engage with the notion that consciousness was once more externally directed (whether through divine voices or an undifferentiated sense of self), but has since become more internally reflective . Delio's view extends this into a theological and cosmological narrative, suggesting that human consciousness is part of a divine, ongoing unfolding in the universe, moving towards greater complexity and unity with God, whereas Jaynes tends to frame the breakdown of the bicameral mind more in terms of psychological and sociocultural shifts. In summary, Ilia Delio approaches the origins of consciousness from a cosmological, evolutionary, and theological standpoint, seeing human consciousness as part of a larger divine process of becoming . She does not directly engage with Julian Jaynes' bicameral mind theory, but her thoughts on the evolution of self-awareness and the spiritual dimensions of consciousness could be seen as complementary to or resonant with some aspects of Jaynes’ work, particularly in how consciousness develops and shifts over time."