Part of the MBMS Book Journey Series:
“3 Books that Re-arranged my Molecules: Becoming Aware and Growing-Up since 2020,” from Marianne Rowe
“Modernity, as a dominant paradigm, often masquerades as reality itself – its assumptions so deeply woven into our lives that they seem inevitable, even natural. Yet, beneath its veneer of certainty lies a system built on patterns of thought that distort our perception of life’s entangled complexity. These distortions … are not minor errors but the scaffolding of modernity’s algorithm. They create the illusion of separability, supremacy, and control, shaping how we relate to ourselves, each other, and the rest of life.”
– Vanessa Machado de Oliveira (a.k.a., Vanessa Andreotti)
In recognition that we, as a species, have never been in a global predicament at the current level, it is obvious that there are no experts, answers or tidy-fixes. In this book journey of Outgrowing Modernity, we are guided into exploration and inquiry of new ways of thinking, perceiving and relating to assist us in, not only navigating, but also evolving in and through this metacrisis.
How did we get into the middle of what’s happening in the world right now?
What new pathways might we create?
How might we meet and work with resistances that arise (in ourselves and from others) with skill and compassion?
What new stories can we live?
What seeds that we can plant right now for a life-affirming future?
Through experiential practices, reflective prompts and exploratory dialogue, we come together to cultivate our capacity to be in relationship with uncertainty, change, and complexity in a way that supports emotional sobriety, relational maturity, intellectual discernment, and intergenerational responsibility.
From Marianne:
Journey #1: Cultural Awakening
As I allowed myself to be changed by this book, I discovered more of who I am, what I’m here to do, and how I can be more fully engaged with Life and Living with purpose, humility, and love for all beings. Outgrowing Modernity is definitely not an easy journey, and it is definitely a necessary one to develop a sense of ease, stability and reverence in the midst of difficulty. I invite you to experience this journey … in this community of encouragement, support and companionship.
Co-Explorers & Guides for this Journey
Marianne Rowe and Cliff Berrien (who has worked directly with Vanessa) have both been engaged in a number of explorations and offerings with Vanessa and the Gesturing Towards Decolonial Futures (c)ollaborative for several years. They continue to let themselves be changed, inspired and humbled as the fruits of these engagements take root, bear fruit, and evolve through them.
Thursdays, May 7 & 21, June 4 & 18, July 2 & 16
5:00-6:30 pm
Cost:
$375 – Supporter (I want to offer more support to this important work.)
$300 – Regular (I can pay at the regular level.)
$200 – Partial Scholarship (Money is tight. I can pay at this level.)
This course meets online via Zoom, with additional components on our online community platform. When you register, we’ll send you the details to access the session on Zoom.
As a humane being, co-founding teacher of Monterey Bay Meditation Studio, and licensed marriage and family therapist, Marianne is dedicated to cultivating eco-systemic consciousness and living in-cahoots with Earth, Cosmos, and Life in all forms. Her sense of belonging and aliveness is sourced and deepened through walks, sits, and gazing with the Pacific Ocean, forest, night skies, along with evolutionary, envisioning conversations with beloved friends.
Marianne’s current passions include co-creating and cultivating spaces for healing, transformation, and evolution through awareness and connection. She feels very blessed to be alive and active in this fertile and challenging time … especially with the company of the amazing Constellation that has come to light in Monterey Bay Meditation Studio.. Read more.
Cliff Berrien is a drummer-percussionist, dj, and music educator with over 45 years of experience focused on the rhythms and music of the African Diaspora, as well as many other global and folk music traditions. He has used his degree in psychology and a substantial interest in healing, liberation and community to concentrate on cultural expressions of collective joy as transformative ways to develop creativity, cultural dexterity and contemplative-somatic awareness.
Cliff had the honor to work with his mentor Dr. Barbara A. Holmes, author of Crisis Contemplation (2021) and Race and The Cosmos, while working as educational program developer caucus at the Center for Action and Contemplation in Albuquerque, NM. Over the past decade, Cliff has worked with Resmaa Menakem, Bayo Akomolafe and Vanessa Andreotti, learning to "stay with the trouble" and "make good trouble" through the uses of: music, movement, art, creative and self-reflexive practices, along with deeptime, African, and global cosmologies developed to nourish curiosity, and deepen emotional and relational resilience. He also facilitates events within the ROOTED Global Village.
This course is part of the Meditation/Mindfulness, Relationships, and Evolution of Consciousness/Spirituality, and Liberatory Healing Currents.