Our Collective Liberation

Introduction 

This is a book about liberation, personal and collective. I believe that I – and we – need to challenge, not turn away from, the unjust and harmful treatment that damages so many people and places in our world. At the same time, we need encouragement and inspiration from the many people and movements who keep expanding our possibilities of embodied awakening, systemic change, and thriving futures for us all. I believe that these holistic self-care and social and ecological change efforts are closely connected parts of a process of regeneration. This book reflects my efforts to support these movements by integrating my drive to live a joyful, well-connected life with the call to respond impactfully to our disastrous world situation.

This book is an expression of who I am and how I see the world. I am a white, heterosexual, middle class male, whose social position and advantages can limit my perspective and relationships, and help me to flourish, often inadvertently, at others’ expense. I also know that these advantages can be a force for justice when I choose to act in solidarity, as a collaborator and co-conspirator, with people and species who have less protection than I do. I  am an educator, organizer, and facilitator, a father, grandfather and husband, and a cooperative community resident. In all these identities I have come to recognize the key role of authentic and caring relationships as well as imagination, creativity and play in fostering transformational change. I hope, through your engagement with these pages, that we can be meaningfully connected. Your messages and feedback will also help! You can reach me at [email protected]

There are many ways to connect with the images and ideas in this book. You can color in the images for relaxation and fun. You can ponder the messages. You can use the reflections and practices that follow the images to try out different mental and social habits! You can write in your own thoughts, or share with someone you know.

The colored images that appear in the closing “Gallery” section can be enjoyed as they are, can inspire your own coloring play in the front of the book, or can be cut out or copied and posted in various parts of your daily life as “reminders.” You can make this your own healing haven and you can also share the images you color in, cut out or copied, to enliven situations with friends, family, and others in your sphere of influence.

Thanks so much for taking your time to nurture and challenge yourself here. I hope that this will enhance your wellbeing and your contributions to our common good.

Elan