Thanks for sharing the link to your Substack - I appreciate your perspectives and look forward to reading more!
At the risk of getting off in the weeds, it occurred to me that you are discussing primarily an *extrinsic* or *collective* definition of sanity: how do one's own thoughts, behaviors, actions fit in with the arbitrary norms of a broader community or culture? This is by nature subjective, imposed upon us by the DSM or by the judgment of others.
I think it is also worthwhile to consider an *intrinsic* definition of sanity, which feels more objective to me. In this regard I would say sanity is defined by *coherence* and *consistency* (across time) of one's own cosmology, values, perceptions, perspectives, and actions.
I often read John Michael Greer's essays, and he argues that the growing insanity of our time is driven by cognitive dissonance (inconsistency between the cosmology of Progress and our real-world perceptions of a world in crisis and decline) and a corresponding inconsistency between stated values (on such topics as equality, generosity, and environmentalism) and real-world perspectives/actions (based on tribal politics, fear, greed, and narcissism).
It feels to me that part of the work of Charles Eisenstein and the Sanity Project is to restore consistency and coherence by offering a cosmology and associated set of values that is compatible with the world we actually inhabit, that does not conflict with our sensory input and intuitive knowing. The other part of the work is, as you describe, establishing a community in which a different, more reverent way of being is regarded as normal and positive rather than aberrant.
Charles' cosmology - with its solid embrace of the physical world and fervent belief in an impending evolution of consciousness - is not the only option to restore sanity, though it is the one that I am realizing resonates most strongly with me. An alternative that I see many people taking is to dive deeply into one or another established spiritual tradition, in which our physical existence is viewed as transient, illusory, or ultimately of little importance relative to the hereafter and the spiritual dimension of our lives. This seems like it will be the divergence in the years ahead as the belief system centered around Progress and technology collapses and leads to large-scale intrinsic insanity.
My goal in writing the Dendroica Project is to share my own path toward sanity by focusing on the magic, wonder, and aliveness, and sacredness of the physical world we inhabit, and I view Charles as a fellow traveler on that path.
Was feeling a little insane today and decided to journey into my own archives to see if past me had a message for the me I have become.
Your wisdom is more relevant though.
I hear that I am sane because I am internally coherent? What a relief!
I have, since writing this essay, pursued a life marked by much less cognitive dissonance, and much more authentic resonance and consistent expression. It’s good to hear it reflected back to me that this has been a sane choice.
It hasn’t alienated me, although my self-doubting part sometimes screams that I’m being rejected for being too woo (when I’m really just being ignored) when I don’t bunker in my own conviction and self-love.
I sometimes worry I’ve become hyper-religious and grandiose—DSM terms. But your time bomb helped me contextualize my explorations and recategorize them as actually healthy.
Thanks for sharing the link to your Substack - I appreciate your perspectives and look forward to reading more!
At the risk of getting off in the weeds, it occurred to me that you are discussing primarily an *extrinsic* or *collective* definition of sanity: how do one's own thoughts, behaviors, actions fit in with the arbitrary norms of a broader community or culture? This is by nature subjective, imposed upon us by the DSM or by the judgment of others.
I think it is also worthwhile to consider an *intrinsic* definition of sanity, which feels more objective to me. In this regard I would say sanity is defined by *coherence* and *consistency* (across time) of one's own cosmology, values, perceptions, perspectives, and actions.
I often read John Michael Greer's essays, and he argues that the growing insanity of our time is driven by cognitive dissonance (inconsistency between the cosmology of Progress and our real-world perceptions of a world in crisis and decline) and a corresponding inconsistency between stated values (on such topics as equality, generosity, and environmentalism) and real-world perspectives/actions (based on tribal politics, fear, greed, and narcissism).
It feels to me that part of the work of Charles Eisenstein and the Sanity Project is to restore consistency and coherence by offering a cosmology and associated set of values that is compatible with the world we actually inhabit, that does not conflict with our sensory input and intuitive knowing. The other part of the work is, as you describe, establishing a community in which a different, more reverent way of being is regarded as normal and positive rather than aberrant.
Charles' cosmology - with its solid embrace of the physical world and fervent belief in an impending evolution of consciousness - is not the only option to restore sanity, though it is the one that I am realizing resonates most strongly with me. An alternative that I see many people taking is to dive deeply into one or another established spiritual tradition, in which our physical existence is viewed as transient, illusory, or ultimately of little importance relative to the hereafter and the spiritual dimension of our lives. This seems like it will be the divergence in the years ahead as the belief system centered around Progress and technology collapses and leads to large-scale intrinsic insanity.
My goal in writing the Dendroica Project is to share my own path toward sanity by focusing on the magic, wonder, and aliveness, and sacredness of the physical world we inhabit, and I view Charles as a fellow traveler on that path.
Was feeling a little insane today and decided to journey into my own archives to see if past me had a message for the me I have become.
Your wisdom is more relevant though.
I hear that I am sane because I am internally coherent? What a relief!
I have, since writing this essay, pursued a life marked by much less cognitive dissonance, and much more authentic resonance and consistent expression. It’s good to hear it reflected back to me that this has been a sane choice.
It hasn’t alienated me, although my self-doubting part sometimes screams that I’m being rejected for being too woo (when I’m really just being ignored) when I don’t bunker in my own conviction and self-love.
I sometimes worry I’ve become hyper-religious and grandiose—DSM terms. But your time bomb helped me contextualize my explorations and recategorize them as actually healthy.
Sorry I didn’t see this sooner, haha.