Global Sense: Awakening Your Personal Power for Democracy and World Peace [Paperback]

Judah Freed (Author), David Wann (Preface), Vandana Shiva (Afterword), Thom Hartmann (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 16, 2006

Does your life make global sense? Global Sense reveals the way the world really works and how a sense of our global oneness empowers us to change the world by changing ourselves. Uniting deep spirituality and personal growth with environmental awareness and grassroots politics, Global Sense brings our highest ideals down to earth where we can use them. The book explains in practical terms (with lots of examples) how we can build our world anew in the 21st century.

Award-winning author Judah Freed interweaves his own story with insights on the causes of today's global crisis, which he identifies as "alpha male rule" and "authority addiction." His solution for both individuals and society: "Mindful self rule and personal democracy." Because we all are globally interconnected, Freed proves, everything we think, feel, say and do impacts the world (by design or default), so we may as well live deliberately. Through our daily life choices, each of us can help build the momentum for a quantum shift of humanity into global enlightenment. Inspired by Thomas Paine's history-changing essay, Common Sense, Global Sense offers reasons for hope in these times that try our souls.

Note: This totally rewritten 2012 edition of Global Sense replaces all previous editions of the book, which has won annual awards as best personal growth book and best social change book along with being featured on C-SPAN BookTV.

Praise for Global Sense:

"Global Sense is the handbook needed by the Occupy Wall Street movement."
- Jerry Ashton, The Huffington Post; author, Written Off: America & Americans

"Global Sense explodes the old myths that we are essentially evil, that hierarchy and dominance are natural law. Judah Freed reveals how ancient 'male rule' and 'authority addiction' restrain our innate power for self government. Democracy can work, he argues, when we are willing to do the personal and spiritual growth needed to manage our freedom and society responsibly"
- Thom Hartmann, author, Screwed, Last Hours of Ancient Sunlight

"Global Sense is about personal and social transformation, starting with the inner self feeling a genuine recognition of our rights and responsibilities. The book is a declaration of our global interdependence rooted in Gandhi's principle of personal sovereignty."
- Dr. Vandana Shiva, author, Stolen Harvest; Earth Democracy

"Thomas Paine rallied Americans to a new sense of themselves and their possibilities. Judah Freed does likewise for citizens of the planet."
- Bill McKibben, author, Deep Economy, The End of Nature, and Eaarth

"There is a hunger for this kind of integrative global perspective. I am extremely enthusiastic about the book!"
- Frances Moore Lappe, author, Diet For a Small Planet and EcoMind

"Modern culture struggles at the crossroads of reckless technology and the duty to uncover the spirit on which the healing of mankind rests. Global Sense helps us choose the path of healing."
- Malidoma Some, author, Of Water and the Spirit

"Judah Freed proposes a cultural/political Big Bang. He argues that we can best empower one another by empowering ourselves. The breakthrough idea of this important book is that with personal growth and global thinking, we can have both safety and liberty."
- Dave Wann, co-author, Affluenza; author, Simple Prosperity

"Judah Freed reminds us of the continuing relevance of American patriot Thomas Paine while transforming Paine's message of democracy and human rights into the spiritually-rich and psychologically-informed discourse of the 21st century."
- Rabbi Michael Lerner; author, The Left Hand of God; editor, Tikkun

"It makes 'global sense' to read Judah Freed's book, and then to act mindfully to make a difference in the world."
- Thomas Crum, author, The Magic of Conflict; Three Deep Breaths

"Read this book!"
- Pete Seeger, folk singer and activist

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

In Spring 2011, as I'm settling into a new life with my new wife on Kauai in Hawaii, I was thinking that I'm finally done with this book, Global Sense. I  can move on. Then I started getting intimations that the book is not done with me. I heard Thomas Paine quoted often in the media. People said things that sparked insights on how to make the book much more practical. News headlines told me the world needs global thinking now more than ever. The book then reappeared in my dreams. Thoughts of revising the text would not leave me alone.

On July 4, 2011, trusting my intuition, I began rewriting this book from scratch. I kept some sections, but little of the original text survived. Feeling pressured from within, I spent all of my free time at my computer, praying for the best words to flow through me. Often I awoke from sleep with whole passages in my mind waiting to be transcribed. My hardest task was getting my ego to step aside so Spirit could use me to help global thinking go global, to help generate a quantum social shift in our world. Six months later, the revision was done.

The new fully revised and expanded 2012 edition of Global Sense has five sections:

Part I opens with the solid evidence that a quantum cultural shift into global consciousness is at hand, yet we need to work for it. After a parable on the nature of self government, the book discusses how we make sense of the world. We see how split perceptions have kept us from knowing our oneness with all life, that our connectivity gives us global power.

Part II reveals the source of our emotional and cultural dependence on authoritarian leaders. An historic survey revealed that alpha male rule and authority addiction are the main reasons humanity has waged wars and ruined our planet.

Part III considers what's at risk if we do not change our ways. We find that those ruling society are desperately afraid of losing control over us because a global sensibility is empowering us to rule ourselves.

Having now explained why the world is the way it is, the book then presents highly practical approaches to self improvement and world improvement.

Part IV explores options to practice mindful self rule though our bodies, minds, hearts and souls with a focus on trusting our conscience. The chapters are fulled with practical tips and extensive resources for governing our lives from within.

Part V examines our options for practicing personal democracy though green homes and lifestyles, our relationships, organizations, and community activism. After proposing a  blueprint for  developing a global direct republic, in which government by the consent of the governed could become a reality, the  book closes with the idea that our global connectivity can empower us to create a miracle in our world, if we do our personal and spiritual growth work now.

Global sense is a good idea whose time has come. Global sense makes common sense. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

Judah Freed is an international journalist based in Hawaii. Since starting in 1976 as a newspaper reporter in Denver, Colorado, he's published a thousand articles or columns in U.S. and European publications, including The Rocky Mountain News, The Denver Post, Westword, Colorado Daily, Colorado Statesman, Euromedia, Il Mondo, The Sun, and The Huffington Post. Judah also is a speaker, book publishing consultant, life coach, energy healer, and vision quest guide. He's hosted broadcast and Internet talk radio shows. Judah earned a dual BA in journalism and communication from the University Without Walls at Loretto Heights College (Regis). He researched public and organizational communication theories through the individualized MA program at Antioch University. As a fourth-generation Coloradoan, he's lived in Denver, New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, and elsewhere. He lives today on the garden island of Kauai with his wise wife, Melissa Mojo, a photographer, author and singer. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Media Visions Press Ltd (September 16, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0972890521
• ISBN-13: 978-0972890526
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,024,265 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

JUDAH FREED is an international journalist based in Hawaii. Since starting in 1976 as a newspaper reporter in Denver, Colorado, he's published a thousand articles or columns in U.S. and European publications. Judah also is a speaker, communication consultant, book publishing coach, life coach, energy healer, and vision quest guide. Growing up in Denver, he's lived in New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, and elsewhere. Today Judah lives on the garden island of Kauai with his wise wife, Melissa Mojo, a photographer, author and singer.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book changed how I see myself and the world!, October 13, 2004

By 

Global Thinker (Philadelphia, PA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Global Sense: Awakening Your Personal Power for Democracy and World Peace (An Update of "Common Sense") (Paperback)

Awareness of our global oneness has always been a spiritual feeling for me. As a result, I've always appreciated the ecological activists' phrase, "Think globally, act locally." But I never thought this idea applied to politics. I've long felt that my vote is meaningless and that nothing I do or say will really make any real difference. Wow, was I mistaken!

"Global Sense" by Judah Freed turned around my whole concept of what it means to be a global citizen. Now I understand that what I think in my head and what I do in the world every day changes life on earth for everybody.

I was especially hit hard by Freed's idea that those of us with global sense who act from our conscience actually have more power in the world than all the presidents and kings and dictators put together. He says that by each of acting on what we know inside is right, from the products we buy to the the politician we elect, our combined strength (without any central organization) is enough to make all the power addicts on earth quake in their boots. I like that. I never realized before that I am so powerful.

The book also helped me to see that "government by the consent of the governed" means I have the right to change my government's policies. If my government is making laws without my consent that violate my "natural rights," such as the USA Patriot Act, then my government is no longer morally legitimate, according to Tom Paine, and therefore loses its right to govern. This idea shakes up my mental blocks. I'm not in favor of a revolution (nor is Freed), so this means that my vote is important. More than that, this means I have to closely monitor the actions and policies of those I elect to make sure they stay accountable to me! Seems like we all need to do do this.

Another idea that really hit home is that my personal growth is the key to democracy and world peace. The book says I have to manage my personal freedom responsibly if I want to enjoy freedom in the society. The books says that if I want peace in the world, I have to cultivate peace within myself. This is common sense, but it never occurred to me before.

So, if you want to read a book that will change how you think and feel about yourself and your power in the world, I strongly encourage you to read "Global Sense."

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Global Sense" Makes Sense In Today's World, July 16, 2007

By 

Justine A. Alessi - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Global Sense: Awakening Your Personal Power for Democracy and World Peace (Paperback)

I received an advance copy of "Global Sense" from Judah Freed at The International New Age Trade Show in Denver in June, 2007. I read it on the plane traveling home and I must say it is a thought provoking and insightful book. Thomas Paine would be pleased with Freed's work! Freed presents each of us the power within to divert disaster and war simply by applying the principles of human nature. It is not man's nature to cause pain and plight and yet when we follow the precepts of many of the world leaders today, that is exactly what we achieve. If each global citizen communicated man's true desire, the world would indeed be a different place! Bravo to Judah Freed for having the courage to present his ideas!