Sanity Repatterning
Yesterday I posted an essay about a very particular form of insanity that has plagued humanity since pre-history: the madness of the mob. Its sibling is dehumanization, a false view of the human being.
This false view of others invariably includes a false view of oneself. The rejection of others in mob dynamics accompanies a kind of self-rejection. This is a deep patterning that has taken especially virulent form in our time.
The patterning can be undone. New patterns are offering themselves to us. I’d like to share this video excerpt from a speech I gave a couple months ago about sanity, as an introduction to my modest initiative called the Sanity Project.
It is unrealistic to expect that one can repattern deep, culturally-reinforced habits of thought and speech on one’s own. We need to build a counterculture, a bubble of coherency in which compassion and reverence for the human being is the norm. That is what I and my partner in this endeavor, my exquisite former wife Patsy, intend with the Sanity Project. It is a sanctuary from the cultural madness and a training ground for the future.
The content of the six-month program includes my short videos, live calls, and guest appearances (Iian McGilchrist, Orland Bishop, Bayo Akomolafe, and Stella Eisenstein are upcoming). Equally important are the discussion forums, small groups, and member-organized events. Program intensity is variable. Time commitment could be an hour a week, or much more. We have rolling admission, so you can join any time. Membership fee is self-determined. You can pay the standard fee or choose another amount that feels right and fair, that represents a real commitment, and that respects your financial circumstances.
The program is going strong and I’d love to welcome more people into it. I express myself fully there in ways I rarely can on a political campaign. Those of you already participating—thank you for helping to keep me sane.