Dear Beloveds,
A part of me hopes all is well in your world. Another part of me knows that for as long as things are perceived as “well” for a few individuals, people will not be forced to see the destructive reality of the lives modelled by capitalism and colonisation and how these impact millions of internally displaced, dispossessed, and marginalised Africans and people of colour the world over. South Africa celebrated its 30 years since democracy on Saturday, 27th April 2024. Not only does this not impress me, but it makes me feel sad. I feel sad because black people and people of colour in South Africa continue to be subjected to white rule, norms, and culture. Many people feel disempowered, isolated, and unsafe --spiritually, physically, and economically, causing them to live in fear and tension with themselves and others. This causes me to ask; what is democracy, what is freedom, and what is liberation?! And what is our role in creating a world or society that truly makes it possible for people to be free from white supremacy and liberated from fear in ways that nourish their hearts and expand their minds? To this end, I think the conversation Dr. R. Michael Fisher and I had on this season’s fourth episode of Conscious Conversations about the path of fearlessness, healing, and liberation is apt as we reflect on what freedom and liberation mean for each of us.
We know that societies across the globe are built on a dominant culture – an oppressive, violent, hurtful, exploitative and destructive fear-based culture that thrives on inequalities in terms of gender, race, class and income. Dominance as a cultural construct has for centuries had a strong presence in institutions, influencing the socio-political agenda and landscape of societies. Fear as a concept, especially is one of the most important and under-researched concepts of our time. Fear-based conditioning is created when a person is hurt and does not heal that hurt, causing a disassociation from love. It’s a cause of great trauma. Fear is a dominant symptom in non-self-regulating, hurting, and violent societies that have been subject to oppression and domination. Fear is said to be a pattern of death, degeneration, dis-ease, and enslavement. Like a virus, fear infects the ideologies, myths, beliefs, values and socio-cultural context of societies.
Love on the other hand is said to be a pattern that is life-giving, regenerative, healthy, and emancipatory – so the question is, in what ways can we be more intentional about choosing Love and Fearlessness in how we show up every day? In what ways can we reimagine and live in a love-based potential future? In what ways do you need support to nurture your seeds of love for more life to grow?
Episode 4 of Conscious Conversations Season 3 is here.
Dr. R. Michael Fisher, Ph.D. is a naturalist, artist, liberation educator, human development consultant and transdisciplinary fearologist, with a passion for the transformation of a culture of fear to a culture of fearlessness. As a curriculum designer, he has a vision to upgrade "fear education" around the world. He is author of 15 books and hundreds of journal articles and monographs. He lectures wildly and currently serves on faculty at Southwestern College, Santa Fe, NM in the doctoral program of Visionary Practices and Regenerative Leadership. He is founder of In Search of Fearlessness Research Institute and is founder and senior editor of the International Journal of Fear Studies. He lives in w. Canada, volunteers at a non-profit daycare center for children, and co-creates ventures of art-care with his partner Barbara Bickel.
Some of Michael’s work can be found on his YouTube channel and Fearlessness Movement blog.
Conscious Conversations features spiritual teachers, seers and thought leaders who, through their insights, help our listeners gather tools that can aid them in navigating life, enriching their lives – mind, body and spirit. Our intention is to share with our community a deeper perspective about spiritual awakening, the journey that follows, and how we can utilise these tools in our daily lives. Our listeners would like to hear more about our guests and how they embarked on their personal journeys of transcending challenges and breaking boundaries, walking with spirit and fulfilling their purpose.
Through Conscious Conversations, we aim to create a collective safe space that encourages honest human connections, helping listeners reframe the self-limiting ideas they hold about themselves and their life experiences. We hope these podcasts will inspire deep and meaningful conversations that lead to intentional changes designed to facilitate healing and expansion.
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Yours -- Fearlessly,
Mmabatho Montse
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