"Are we living in an age of moral decay or moral growth?" James Kenney asks his audiences in talks in the U.S. and abroad. The pessimists win out, citing everything from road rage to economic crisis, religious fanaticism, global violence, and environmental disasters. But the good news, says Kenney, is that what we see is not what we get. We misperceive things because we’re in a period of accelerated cultural evolution, or "sea change." The last one being 300 years ago, it’s no wonder we may not grasp what’s happening now. Kenney illustrates using two intersecting waves: A dominant wave, representing worn-out values such as patriarchy, racial inequality, the inevitability of war, exploitation of nature, and materialism, is on the decline. Another wave, representing more evolved values such as gender equality, nonviolence, spirituality, ecology, human rights, is on the rise. At this point in time, the influence of the two waves is about equal. It is a crosscurrent marked by chaotic change, uncertainty, identity crisis, and extremism. But it is also enriched by new understanding, energy, commitment, and spiritual growth. Kenney not only provides a historical perspective on the phenomenon, he ends the book with 12 principles for personal growth.
Thriving in the Crosscurrent
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It is a welcome surprise to read a book that proclaims 'things are getting better.' Most people only see and bewail the decay of traditional values. It takes a person with Jim Kenney's wide historical perspective, awareness of contemporary innovative thinking, and prophetic vision, to discern the emerging new values, which are global rather than parochial, and which will, I pray, provide the moral and spiritual basis for a more peaceful and caring civilization, which treasures the sacredness of all life.
—Marcus Braybrooke, President, World Congress of Faiths; author of A Heart for the World and Beacons of Light
Out of Jim Kenney's own lifetime work with grassroots communities and interfaith/intercultural movements has come this inspirational book, which will excite and energize its readers. His articulation and affirmation of humanity's growing new consciousness of our interdependence, and our cultural evolution from old ways into new values— based on justice, nonkilling, nonviolence, and peace —will give hope to the human family.
—Mairead Maguire, 1976 Nobel Peace Laureate; author of The Vision of Peace
Here's hoping we're in for a sea change of the kind Jim Kenney describes – it will take real shifts if we're to deal with the problems bearing down on us, climate change most of all. And those shifts will, as he says, have their roots in our understanding of who we are.
— Bill McKibben, educator, environmentalist, founder of the international climate campaign 350.org; author of Deep Economy: The Wealth of Communities and the Durable Future
Jim Kenney believes that we are living in an exciting time of cultural evolutionary sea change. He draws on his broad experience at the cutting-edge of work for peace and justice and offers a compelling vision of human possibility.
—Riane Eisler, author of The Chalice and the Blade and The Real Wealth of Nations
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
At last--a balanced, in-depth perspective on the current world situation
September 21, 2010
By Madame K
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
...which takes into account not only the problems and international turmoil, but also the progress and emerging enlightenment making itself felt around the globe.
It is so easy to get caught up in bewailing the immediate problems, while failing to appreciate the gradual and far-reaching improvements in basic attitudes and values. How unfortunate if those of us who could support the groundswell of positive changes were to give up our efforts because of widely-published pessimistic attitudes based on partial information!
In THRIVING IN THE CROSSCURRENT, his timely and profound new book, Jim Kenney shows us how to make sense of the chaotic world situation (not to mention the nightly news), and encourages us to believe in and join together to work toward a better future.
Highly recommended.
It is so easy to get caught up in bewailing the immediate problems, while failing to appreciate the gradual and far-reaching improvements in basic attitudes and values. How unfortunate if those of us who could support the groundswell of positive changes were to give up our efforts because of widely-published pessimistic attitudes based on partial information!
In THRIVING IN THE CROSSCURRENT, his timely and profound new book, Jim Kenney shows us how to make sense of the chaotic world situation (not to mention the nightly news), and encourages us to believe in and join together to work toward a better future.
Highly recommended.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By connieasl
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I loved this book. I have bought several copies and given them to friends. It is wonderful to hear someone, with the breadth of knowledge of Jim Kenney, say that there is truly hope of positive change in the complicated world we are faced with today.
