Maui Council 2017

evolutionary toolkit

Visions, Models, Plans, Skills, and Knowledge for Reinhabiting Maui

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(The Toolkit section is under construction. See the Toolkit Introduction below for info on how you can contribute.)

Introduction to the Evolution-Local Toolkit

Welcome to the Evolution-Local Toolkit, a soon-to-be dynamic archive of visions and models, knowledge and skills for bringing the Great Transition to life, place by place. Stored here will be a wide variety of tools for grassroots education and empowerment.

But what is education for? It is usually focused on preparing individuals to succeed, and reproduce the dominant culture. Yet if that culture is fundamentally unsustainable, we need to do something other than reproduce it. This raises questions: What type of culture shift is needed? What types of people are needed to make that shift happen? What skills and knowledge will people need to reinhabit their local landscape, to organize in their communities, to carry out the Great Transition, the Great Work of our times?

A simple framework for what the Great Work entails might look something like:

Worldview -- Vision -- Models/Plans -- Knowledge -- Skills -- Action

The first element, our worldview, reflects the big picture stories or myths we use to orient ourselves in time and space. Where do we come from? How did it all begin? How should we relate to the planet and each other? In the Epic of Evolution the union of scientific truth and spiritual wisdom result in a worldview with the potential to reintegrate humanity with the living planet, and to bring us together, transcending our differences while celebrating our diversity. Cultivating an evolutionary consciousness evokes a sense of awe and allows us to embody the ever-creative nature of the universe.

The next element is a vision of what we want to evolve toward. Instead of just opposing wrongs, or preparing for survival, this is about co-creating visions of what we can aspire to and strive for. Visions rooted in evolutionary values. Visions that inspire us and guide our actions. Visions that include healthy forests and waters; ecologically sound communities; economic systems that allow us to adapt, cooperate, and thrive; sustainable local food and healthcare systems.

Models translate the broad visions into different domains of life: individual wholeness, family, household, community, village, city, bioregion. Examples may include proposed or proven models for neighborhood gardens, bikeways, elementary school curricula, composting facilities, conflict resolution processes, food hubs, rites of passage, issue campaigns – you name it.

Action plans provide outlines and details on how to implement the models and adapt them to local conditions.

The Toolkit will also maintain an archive of articles and links to resources on the knowledge areas and skills needed for the Great Transition. The skills and areas of expertise are many and varied, and might include producing food, fuel, and fiber from locally-sourced materials, managing worker-owned businesses, running efficient community meetings, or maintaining neighborhood microgrids. Both technical skills and people skills are equally needed for our transition.

The Toolkit is meant to inform and culminate in real-world action. While our future holds great challenges it will also draw upon on the best in each of us, including our imagination, intelligence, persistence, and passion. All of our individual gifts and contributions are needed, and we can derive great meaning and satisfaction, knowing that our personal and collective work fits into and supports the Great Work of our time.

* If you have a vision or model to share, or a passion for a specific knowledge or skill area, please feel free to contact us at evlomaui@gmail.com about contributing material or helping organize sections of the Toolkit. Proposed additions to the Toolkit can be made via the discussion forum.

** For opportunities and ideas on how to engage locally visit the Activate! Section

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