Dr. Carol L . Simpson | California Institute of Integral Studies (original) (raw)
Papers by Dr. Carol L . Simpson
Jazz is integrally tied to race, with African Americans central in its origin and creation. Over ... more Jazz is integrally tied to race, with African Americans central in its origin and creation. Over the years jazz has become associated with Buddhism, as evidenced in the lives of renowned living artists such as Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter, and legendary others like John Coltrane. This article aims to contribute to an ongoing dialogue about what jazz and Buddhism as models for transformative social creativity and social engagement can offer a world of increasingly complex crises exacerbated by racism, ethnic, sex and religious exclusionism, and isolationist, anti–immigrant ultra-nationalism. Drawing on transformative processes derived from a pastiche of Buddhist jazz artist narratives, the written works of SGI Buddhist leader and peacebuilder Daisaku Ikeda, and various renowned jazz artists, critics and scholars, and against a backdrop of unpredictability, an imagined Buddhist jazz ethos emerges as a tool for navigating between the old and new, traditional and uncertain, familiar and untrodden offering hope for a more peaceful and harmonious coexistence.
Drawing on a 2017 qualitative study entitled SGI Buddhist Jazz Artists and Global Citizenship, wh... more Drawing on a 2017 qualitative study entitled SGI Buddhist Jazz Artists and Global Citizenship, which examined the transformative potential of ordinary people to act in humanistic capacities as global citizens, this article explores the power of SGI's Buddhist philosophy and movement to inspire human agency on a global scale. One key 2017 finding was: "SGI Buddhist jazz artists are motivated to use their lives as mission based on understandings of the interconnectedness of life and living." Three questions investigate the ten participants' in-vivo language cited as P1-P10: 1) What Constitutes a Tremendous Philosophy?, 2) Why Is SGI's Philosophy a Cause for Optimism?, and 3) How Can Philosophy Inspire Human Agency on a Global Scale?" The emergent conclusion was that beyond political, economic, industrial, scientific, and artistic revolutions, any enduring global reform must first of all begin with the model of "human revolution" which, as put forth by SGI Buddhist Daisaku Ikeda, embodies the means to transform life at its most essential core.
Jazz is integrally tied to race, with African Americans central in its origin and creation. Over ... more Jazz is integrally tied to race, with African Americans central in its origin and creation. Over the years jazz has become associated with Buddhism, as evidenced in the lives of renowned living artists such as Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter, and legendary others like John Coltrane. This article aims to contribute to an ongoing dialogue about what jazz and Buddhism as models for transformative social creativity and social engagement can offer a world of increasingly complex crises exacerbated by racism, ethnic, sex and religious exclusionism, and isolationist, anti–immigrant ultra-nationalism. Drawing on transformative processes derived from a pastiche of Buddhist jazz artist narratives, the written works of SGI Buddhist leader and peacebuilder Daisaku Ikeda, and various renowned jazz artists, critics and scholars, and against a backdrop of unpredictability, an imagined Buddhist jazz ethos emerges as a tool for navigating between the old and new, traditional and uncertain, familiar and untrodden offering hope for a more peaceful and harmonious coexistence.
http://peacestudiesjournal.org/volume-8-issue-2-december-2015/ Our world is facing unprecedented ... more http://peacestudiesjournal.org/volume-8-issue-2-december-2015/
Our world is facing unprecedented conflicts in cultures of violence. Largely drawing on Daisaku Ikeda’s work as a starting point, this inquiry stresses the recognition of our inner universality, a mutually creative coexistence shared with the universe that can reawaken our inherent symbiotic, altruistic motivations as the next step in establishing the peaceful coexistence of human beings. Whether or not we are aware of it, these symbiotic, altruistic motivations constantly renew themselves as we strive to nurture and elevate our empathic potentials, simultaneously deepening the inherent humanity that defines our human integrity. Social interactions that form the basis of this deepened integrity spring forth independent of ideology, interactions that are the antithesis of war. Throughout history and time war has been the response to a set of ideological differences where the present is continuously sacrificed to some utopian non-existent future. Five conceptual alternatives to the political and economic ideologies heretofore sustaining war are proposed, alternatives that embody the spirit of inner universality, along with contemporary applications in practice. Supporting the premise that dialogue enriches new understandings of inner universality, I conclude by offering the dimensions of a new dialogue.
NONE OF US ARE GETTING OUT OF HERE ALIVE: Death, Stepping Outside Traditional Frameworks and Limitations
Humanity is on the threshold of recognizing the fundamental error in its view on life and death. ... more Humanity is on the threshold of recognizing the fundamental error in its view on life and death. Both death as well as active life is necessary to the vital formation of a larger, more essential whole. Now, with clear, pragmatic ideas, applying an analysis of the sociology of knowledge and change as it pertains to matters of life and death, Carol Simpson focuses on ways in which we can step outside death’s traditional frameworks and limitations. Discussing death as well as topics related to death, such as birth, aging, the elderly and war, Simpson examines cultural differences and attitudes and offers varying perspectives including the Buddhist view, drawing sophisticated and compelling implications and conclusions. She applies the lenses of eight key contemporary social scientists: Edgar Morin, Kenneth Gergen, Edward Stewart and Milton Bennett, Mary Catherine Bateson, Edith Doyle McCarthy, Philip Slater, and Piotr Sztompka, adding the perspective of Buddhism’s Lotus Sutra as posited by Shakyamuni, Nichiren, Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, Josei Toda, and especially contemporary Buddhist philosopher, peacebuilder, educator and poet, Daisaku Ikeda. Simpson, like Ikeda, concludes that to construct a more humanistic and sustainable view of life, it is first of all crucial to establish a culture which correctly positions death in its larger living context and which assigns as its essential component an awareness of the all encompassing eternity of life.
Hardship and adversity are the necessary conditions for one who chooses to live a life of courage... more Hardship and adversity are the necessary conditions for one who chooses to live a life of courage in dedication to the noble aspiration of the welfare of others. Such people tend to experience the greatest of challenges. Courage, integral to acquiring leadership capability, is the cause for doing the most difficult things out of the sheer sense that they are the most just. Courage is the foundation for growth and moves beyond the selfish ego into the realm of action for the happiness of others. Buddhism views courage as a vital form of compassionate action. Compassion, like courage, is an equally indispensable characteristic of great leaders. The Hartwick Leadership Case of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail” poses the question: “Is criticism an integral part of leadership” (King, Maguire, & Watkins, 1994, p. 3)? I propose that to develop genuine character which is the backbone of great leadership, one must dedicate oneself to the pursuit of world-changing tasks and then be prepared to meet and withstand the harshest criticism. Here, four leadership models are proposed as exemplary for having withstood and overcome some of the harshest forms of physical criticism: Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., Daisaku Ikeda and Florence Nightingale.
Key Words: Criticism, Leadership, Courage, Compassion, Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., Daisaku Ikeda, Florence Nightingale
After viewing the 1998 film “Elizabeth,” I wrote this paper which briefly examines the question o... more After viewing the 1998 film “Elizabeth,” I wrote this paper which briefly examines the question of whether Elizabeth should be considered the great model of leadership most would make of her. A highly shrewd, intelligent and most remarkable anomaly of her time, she rose to power and succeeded in uniting her people. She did this without husband or successor, was a remarkable writer who used her words to gain influence and had an era named after her. Nonetheless for me, she somehow falls short of being the virtuous and ethical symbol to which I would assign the title “great leader.” True she was effective in her ability to reinvent herself after a troubled childhood, but when compared to women who dedicated their lives in service to humanity, women like Florence Nightingale or Madam Curie, for example, Elizabeth I left a lot to be desired.
One of the greatest challenges of modern times is how to create and replicate new myths and imag... more One of the greatest challenges of modern times is how to create and replicate new myths and images and stand up with courage resisting in civil disobedience all unjust authority that continues to uphold violence. In this paper, written immediately after viewing the 1970 movie, Patton, I argue for women to come together and refuse to allow war any longer. I appeal to all common sense, hope, ethics and responsible citizenry, and propose that we reclaim our common humanity, restore the peace and harmony that is our natural human birthright, and pave a new path of peaceful coexistence for future generations.
Keywords: Myths of War, Women as Restorers of Human Dignity, General George S. Patton, Buddhist Doctrine of Eternal Life and Dependent Causality, Global Citizenry, Leadership, Evolution in Consciousness, Civilization, Daisaku Ikeda, Riane Eisler, Partnership, Peaceful Coexistence
Engaging in the ongoing challenge to surmount and triumph over every adversity is the key to esta... more Engaging in the ongoing challenge to surmount and triumph over every adversity is the key to establishing the conviction and commitment to help others do the same. The sharing of experiences of winning over one's own limitations can serve as one of the most courageous and effective forms of mentoring. Alice Eagly's research indicates women are more prone to transformational leadership in the areas of coaching and collaboration. Could women’s tendency toward ethical compassion coupled with a capacity to persevere and endure be at the root of this finding? This paper begins by examining the transformative role of women in leadership as courageous mentors, then describes qualities that define courageous leadership, and finally shares some of the research pointing to women’s transformative models as coalition builders, including some Buddhist views. The shifts from domination to partnership while working for the "greater good" toward ethical, transformational and authentic leadership are suggested as the wave of the future. These shifts will be the direct result of women's new leadership roles in an age of increasing dependence on soft power where wisdom-based tools emerge out of courageous and compassionate mentoring.
The compassionate and human interconnecting capacity of jazz defines its inherently empathic qual... more The compassionate and human interconnecting capacity of jazz defines its inherently empathic quality. Jazz's lived experience as a barrier breaking, life-revering phenomenon makes it a model for new paradigms in twenty-first century education, leadership and sustainability. As a culture, jazz mimics and expresses the sustaining character of life’s and death’s cycles, a notion which can inspire profound discussions with compelling implications for the future. Drawing on jazz’s organic style and approach, individual interviews and round-table discussions with jazz artists and audiences are proposed as the source for future findings by the author. Here, the potential for these spontaneously jazz-like, co-created dialogues to serve as the basis for a future doctoral dissertation and documentary are discussed. Grounded in current quantitative mirror neuron empathy studies and Riane Eisler’s Cultural Transformation Theory, the topic of inquiry is presented as: How can jazz inform models of human empathy and cultural transformation toward a shift in humanity's evolution in consciousness toward human sustainability? In particular, this paper also suggests how particle physics’ phenomena such as quantum uncertainty, Quantum Observer Effect, and String Theory can pertain to jazz. Applying these ideas to the teachings of Nichiren Buddhism, the feasibility and originality of a metatheory (Interconnective Humanistic Resonance Theory) is considered along with an assessment of the current stage of the author's research.
Humanity is on the threshold of recognizing the fundamental error in its view of life and death. ... more Humanity is on the threshold of recognizing the fundamental error in its view of life and death. Both death as well as active life is necessary to the vital formation of a larger, more essential whole. In this paper, I apply the sociology of knowledge and change as it pertains to death and focus on ways in which we can step outside its traditional frameworks and limitations. I also discuss topics related to death such as birth, aging, sickness, and war, and examine cultural differences in attitudes toward death. I offer varying perspectives including the Buddhist view and from these draw implications and conclusions. I apply the lenses of contemporary social scientists such as Edgar Morin, Kenneth Gergen, Edward Stewart, Milton Bennett, Mary Catherine Bateson, E. Doyle McCarthy, Philip Slater, and Piotr Sztompka. To these I add other relevant passages from the writings and speeches of key thinkers on the topic of death, in particular, Buddhist philosopher, peacebuilder, and educator, Daisaku Ikeda. To construct a more humanistic and sustainable view of life, it is first of all crucial to establish a culture which perceives death in its larger living context as but one cycle in the expansive eternity of life.
Jazz has a unique character and history that finds analogy in matters of life and death. Its spon... more Jazz has a unique character and history that finds analogy in matters of life and death. Its spontaneous and courageous aspect provides compelling models for leadership and social creativity and has a procreative capacity that imitates the eternal cycles of birth and extinction. Jazz’s transformative quality allows reinvention and reinterpretation of old and new forms and can inspire the creation of shared convictions. Its ebb and flow through mentors and griots is a model for preservation and sustainability. Yet, jazz’s emphasis on the moment recalls the brevity of life, the importance of living life to its fullest and the inevitability and finality of death. Deeply embedded in its philosophy and culture, are the historical lessons for transforming adversity into freedom and joy, and for discovering a synchronistic rhythm that makes meaning of “man’s inhumanity to man.” The Buddhist principles of non-violence, dialogue and compassion are the foundations of jazz and form the basis of human life’s highest integrity.
This paper begins by examining domination as something human beings have “inherited" through recu... more This paper begins by examining domination as something human beings have “inherited" through recursive processes that can potentially be altered through creation and implementation of new myths. Applying Riane Eisler's model of "hierarchies of actualization" to the concept of egalitarian mentorship and mutual empowerment (based on giving and caring), there follows a discussion on how when such ethical considerations are present, creativity flourishes as do conviction and human capacity. Driven by a heightened sense of mission toward the happiness of humanity as taught by exemplary mentors, human beings become more capable of inspiring and enhancing their own lives and those of others. Exploring the partnership template in my own daily life, I conclude with how I see myself modeling partnership in the future. Examining my own lived-embodied experience and how it has brought me to value life as well as discover in music and my voice a powerful vehicle for delivering my message, I propose to contribute to an evolutionary consciousness that can ultimately transform myths of fear and domination to myths of life and partnership.
Jazz is integrally tied to race, with African Americans central in its origin and creation. Over ... more Jazz is integrally tied to race, with African Americans central in its origin and creation. Over the years jazz has become associated with Buddhism, as evidenced in the lives of renowned living artists such as Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter, and legendary others like John Coltrane. This article aims to contribute to an ongoing dialogue about what jazz and Buddhism as models for transformative social creativity and social engagement can offer a world of increasingly complex crises exacerbated by racism, ethnic, sex and religious exclusionism, and isolationist, anti–immigrant ultra-nationalism. Drawing on transformative processes derived from a pastiche of Buddhist jazz artist narratives, the written works of SGI Buddhist leader and peacebuilder Daisaku Ikeda, and various renowned jazz artists, critics and scholars, and against a backdrop of unpredictability, an imagined Buddhist jazz ethos emerges as a tool for navigating between the old and new, traditional and uncertain, familiar and untrodden offering hope for a more peaceful and harmonious coexistence.
Drawing on a 2017 qualitative study entitled SGI Buddhist Jazz Artists and Global Citizenship, wh... more Drawing on a 2017 qualitative study entitled SGI Buddhist Jazz Artists and Global Citizenship, which examined the transformative potential of ordinary people to act in humanistic capacities as global citizens, this article explores the power of SGI's Buddhist philosophy and movement to inspire human agency on a global scale. One key 2017 finding was: "SGI Buddhist jazz artists are motivated to use their lives as mission based on understandings of the interconnectedness of life and living." Three questions investigate the ten participants' in-vivo language cited as P1-P10: 1) What Constitutes a Tremendous Philosophy?, 2) Why Is SGI's Philosophy a Cause for Optimism?, and 3) How Can Philosophy Inspire Human Agency on a Global Scale?" The emergent conclusion was that beyond political, economic, industrial, scientific, and artistic revolutions, any enduring global reform must first of all begin with the model of "human revolution" which, as put forth by SGI Buddhist Daisaku Ikeda, embodies the means to transform life at its most essential core.
Jazz is integrally tied to race, with African Americans central in its origin and creation. Over ... more Jazz is integrally tied to race, with African Americans central in its origin and creation. Over the years jazz has become associated with Buddhism, as evidenced in the lives of renowned living artists such as Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter, and legendary others like John Coltrane. This article aims to contribute to an ongoing dialogue about what jazz and Buddhism as models for transformative social creativity and social engagement can offer a world of increasingly complex crises exacerbated by racism, ethnic, sex and religious exclusionism, and isolationist, anti–immigrant ultra-nationalism. Drawing on transformative processes derived from a pastiche of Buddhist jazz artist narratives, the written works of SGI Buddhist leader and peacebuilder Daisaku Ikeda, and various renowned jazz artists, critics and scholars, and against a backdrop of unpredictability, an imagined Buddhist jazz ethos emerges as a tool for navigating between the old and new, traditional and uncertain, familiar and untrodden offering hope for a more peaceful and harmonious coexistence.
http://peacestudiesjournal.org/volume-8-issue-2-december-2015/ Our world is facing unprecedented ... more http://peacestudiesjournal.org/volume-8-issue-2-december-2015/
Our world is facing unprecedented conflicts in cultures of violence. Largely drawing on Daisaku Ikeda’s work as a starting point, this inquiry stresses the recognition of our inner universality, a mutually creative coexistence shared with the universe that can reawaken our inherent symbiotic, altruistic motivations as the next step in establishing the peaceful coexistence of human beings. Whether or not we are aware of it, these symbiotic, altruistic motivations constantly renew themselves as we strive to nurture and elevate our empathic potentials, simultaneously deepening the inherent humanity that defines our human integrity. Social interactions that form the basis of this deepened integrity spring forth independent of ideology, interactions that are the antithesis of war. Throughout history and time war has been the response to a set of ideological differences where the present is continuously sacrificed to some utopian non-existent future. Five conceptual alternatives to the political and economic ideologies heretofore sustaining war are proposed, alternatives that embody the spirit of inner universality, along with contemporary applications in practice. Supporting the premise that dialogue enriches new understandings of inner universality, I conclude by offering the dimensions of a new dialogue.
NONE OF US ARE GETTING OUT OF HERE ALIVE: Death, Stepping Outside Traditional Frameworks and Limitations
Humanity is on the threshold of recognizing the fundamental error in its view on life and death. ... more Humanity is on the threshold of recognizing the fundamental error in its view on life and death. Both death as well as active life is necessary to the vital formation of a larger, more essential whole. Now, with clear, pragmatic ideas, applying an analysis of the sociology of knowledge and change as it pertains to matters of life and death, Carol Simpson focuses on ways in which we can step outside death’s traditional frameworks and limitations. Discussing death as well as topics related to death, such as birth, aging, the elderly and war, Simpson examines cultural differences and attitudes and offers varying perspectives including the Buddhist view, drawing sophisticated and compelling implications and conclusions. She applies the lenses of eight key contemporary social scientists: Edgar Morin, Kenneth Gergen, Edward Stewart and Milton Bennett, Mary Catherine Bateson, Edith Doyle McCarthy, Philip Slater, and Piotr Sztompka, adding the perspective of Buddhism’s Lotus Sutra as posited by Shakyamuni, Nichiren, Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, Josei Toda, and especially contemporary Buddhist philosopher, peacebuilder, educator and poet, Daisaku Ikeda. Simpson, like Ikeda, concludes that to construct a more humanistic and sustainable view of life, it is first of all crucial to establish a culture which correctly positions death in its larger living context and which assigns as its essential component an awareness of the all encompassing eternity of life.
Hardship and adversity are the necessary conditions for one who chooses to live a life of courage... more Hardship and adversity are the necessary conditions for one who chooses to live a life of courage in dedication to the noble aspiration of the welfare of others. Such people tend to experience the greatest of challenges. Courage, integral to acquiring leadership capability, is the cause for doing the most difficult things out of the sheer sense that they are the most just. Courage is the foundation for growth and moves beyond the selfish ego into the realm of action for the happiness of others. Buddhism views courage as a vital form of compassionate action. Compassion, like courage, is an equally indispensable characteristic of great leaders. The Hartwick Leadership Case of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail” poses the question: “Is criticism an integral part of leadership” (King, Maguire, & Watkins, 1994, p. 3)? I propose that to develop genuine character which is the backbone of great leadership, one must dedicate oneself to the pursuit of world-changing tasks and then be prepared to meet and withstand the harshest criticism. Here, four leadership models are proposed as exemplary for having withstood and overcome some of the harshest forms of physical criticism: Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., Daisaku Ikeda and Florence Nightingale.
Key Words: Criticism, Leadership, Courage, Compassion, Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., Daisaku Ikeda, Florence Nightingale
After viewing the 1998 film “Elizabeth,” I wrote this paper which briefly examines the question o... more After viewing the 1998 film “Elizabeth,” I wrote this paper which briefly examines the question of whether Elizabeth should be considered the great model of leadership most would make of her. A highly shrewd, intelligent and most remarkable anomaly of her time, she rose to power and succeeded in uniting her people. She did this without husband or successor, was a remarkable writer who used her words to gain influence and had an era named after her. Nonetheless for me, she somehow falls short of being the virtuous and ethical symbol to which I would assign the title “great leader.” True she was effective in her ability to reinvent herself after a troubled childhood, but when compared to women who dedicated their lives in service to humanity, women like Florence Nightingale or Madam Curie, for example, Elizabeth I left a lot to be desired.
One of the greatest challenges of modern times is how to create and replicate new myths and imag... more One of the greatest challenges of modern times is how to create and replicate new myths and images and stand up with courage resisting in civil disobedience all unjust authority that continues to uphold violence. In this paper, written immediately after viewing the 1970 movie, Patton, I argue for women to come together and refuse to allow war any longer. I appeal to all common sense, hope, ethics and responsible citizenry, and propose that we reclaim our common humanity, restore the peace and harmony that is our natural human birthright, and pave a new path of peaceful coexistence for future generations.
Keywords: Myths of War, Women as Restorers of Human Dignity, General George S. Patton, Buddhist Doctrine of Eternal Life and Dependent Causality, Global Citizenry, Leadership, Evolution in Consciousness, Civilization, Daisaku Ikeda, Riane Eisler, Partnership, Peaceful Coexistence
Engaging in the ongoing challenge to surmount and triumph over every adversity is the key to esta... more Engaging in the ongoing challenge to surmount and triumph over every adversity is the key to establishing the conviction and commitment to help others do the same. The sharing of experiences of winning over one's own limitations can serve as one of the most courageous and effective forms of mentoring. Alice Eagly's research indicates women are more prone to transformational leadership in the areas of coaching and collaboration. Could women’s tendency toward ethical compassion coupled with a capacity to persevere and endure be at the root of this finding? This paper begins by examining the transformative role of women in leadership as courageous mentors, then describes qualities that define courageous leadership, and finally shares some of the research pointing to women’s transformative models as coalition builders, including some Buddhist views. The shifts from domination to partnership while working for the "greater good" toward ethical, transformational and authentic leadership are suggested as the wave of the future. These shifts will be the direct result of women's new leadership roles in an age of increasing dependence on soft power where wisdom-based tools emerge out of courageous and compassionate mentoring.
The compassionate and human interconnecting capacity of jazz defines its inherently empathic qual... more The compassionate and human interconnecting capacity of jazz defines its inherently empathic quality. Jazz's lived experience as a barrier breaking, life-revering phenomenon makes it a model for new paradigms in twenty-first century education, leadership and sustainability. As a culture, jazz mimics and expresses the sustaining character of life’s and death’s cycles, a notion which can inspire profound discussions with compelling implications for the future. Drawing on jazz’s organic style and approach, individual interviews and round-table discussions with jazz artists and audiences are proposed as the source for future findings by the author. Here, the potential for these spontaneously jazz-like, co-created dialogues to serve as the basis for a future doctoral dissertation and documentary are discussed. Grounded in current quantitative mirror neuron empathy studies and Riane Eisler’s Cultural Transformation Theory, the topic of inquiry is presented as: How can jazz inform models of human empathy and cultural transformation toward a shift in humanity's evolution in consciousness toward human sustainability? In particular, this paper also suggests how particle physics’ phenomena such as quantum uncertainty, Quantum Observer Effect, and String Theory can pertain to jazz. Applying these ideas to the teachings of Nichiren Buddhism, the feasibility and originality of a metatheory (Interconnective Humanistic Resonance Theory) is considered along with an assessment of the current stage of the author's research.
Humanity is on the threshold of recognizing the fundamental error in its view of life and death. ... more Humanity is on the threshold of recognizing the fundamental error in its view of life and death. Both death as well as active life is necessary to the vital formation of a larger, more essential whole. In this paper, I apply the sociology of knowledge and change as it pertains to death and focus on ways in which we can step outside its traditional frameworks and limitations. I also discuss topics related to death such as birth, aging, sickness, and war, and examine cultural differences in attitudes toward death. I offer varying perspectives including the Buddhist view and from these draw implications and conclusions. I apply the lenses of contemporary social scientists such as Edgar Morin, Kenneth Gergen, Edward Stewart, Milton Bennett, Mary Catherine Bateson, E. Doyle McCarthy, Philip Slater, and Piotr Sztompka. To these I add other relevant passages from the writings and speeches of key thinkers on the topic of death, in particular, Buddhist philosopher, peacebuilder, and educator, Daisaku Ikeda. To construct a more humanistic and sustainable view of life, it is first of all crucial to establish a culture which perceives death in its larger living context as but one cycle in the expansive eternity of life.
Jazz has a unique character and history that finds analogy in matters of life and death. Its spon... more Jazz has a unique character and history that finds analogy in matters of life and death. Its spontaneous and courageous aspect provides compelling models for leadership and social creativity and has a procreative capacity that imitates the eternal cycles of birth and extinction. Jazz’s transformative quality allows reinvention and reinterpretation of old and new forms and can inspire the creation of shared convictions. Its ebb and flow through mentors and griots is a model for preservation and sustainability. Yet, jazz’s emphasis on the moment recalls the brevity of life, the importance of living life to its fullest and the inevitability and finality of death. Deeply embedded in its philosophy and culture, are the historical lessons for transforming adversity into freedom and joy, and for discovering a synchronistic rhythm that makes meaning of “man’s inhumanity to man.” The Buddhist principles of non-violence, dialogue and compassion are the foundations of jazz and form the basis of human life’s highest integrity.
This paper begins by examining domination as something human beings have “inherited" through recu... more This paper begins by examining domination as something human beings have “inherited" through recursive processes that can potentially be altered through creation and implementation of new myths. Applying Riane Eisler's model of "hierarchies of actualization" to the concept of egalitarian mentorship and mutual empowerment (based on giving and caring), there follows a discussion on how when such ethical considerations are present, creativity flourishes as do conviction and human capacity. Driven by a heightened sense of mission toward the happiness of humanity as taught by exemplary mentors, human beings become more capable of inspiring and enhancing their own lives and those of others. Exploring the partnership template in my own daily life, I conclude with how I see myself modeling partnership in the future. Examining my own lived-embodied experience and how it has brought me to value life as well as discover in music and my voice a powerful vehicle for delivering my message, I propose to contribute to an evolutionary consciousness that can ultimately transform myths of fear and domination to myths of life and partnership.