Einstein appreciated perhaps more than most that the problems and solutions to our social, environmental and economic issues have the same source – our mind. His insight into human nature is usually overshadowed by his scientific achievements, but he once said: “We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.”
When he discovered laws around atomic energy (E=mc2) he most likely envisioned a world where we had access to a limitless source of energy to power any machine we could possibly desire. As a pacifist he certainly wasn’t originally intending the discovery to be used for destruction as it eventually was in the atomic bomb.
He would have empathised when Gandhi said, “The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world’s problems.”
Can you begin to imagine the vast gap between actuality and what life could be like when we reflect on just the contrasting ways technology can be used constructively or destructively?
The way of thinking that has brought us exploitation, inequality, conflict and destruction of our natural planet, is not the same way of thinking that will bring about sharing, equality, and living in harmony with each other and our natural planet.
Transforming our thinking and being from beyond ego driven fearful thoughts and behaviour to thoughts and behaviours founded on compassion and unity, from so called clever thinking to wise thinking is the biggest advancement mankind can make in transforming life on earth.
Narrative and media plays a central role in creating and reinforcing our ways of thinking and behaving. To bring a vision of a better life into reality starts with imagination or an idea, becomes more solid with a story, even closer to reality when communicated eloquently I have a dream, and combined with commitment and determination over time becomes reality.
This philosophy underlies the Transformational Media Initiative (TMI), a global network of changemakers and media professionals committed to using their talent to create media that serves the needs of humanity.
Media much like this website, sharing good news will play a key role in helping us change our thoughts to become more compassionate and wise individuals.
This year TMI launched a programme working with school children to help empower them to have a less reactive and more mindful relationship with media. This will help give children a deeper understanding of the affects of media, and provide the tools and techniques to both consume and produce media in a constructive way.
The vision for the initiative is to connect people from around the world to share their stories and find people with complimentary skills to collaborate on projects that bring their ideas to life.
This year, in partnership with the UN Foundation, the TMI will have its 2nd summit in Washington, DC from October 26th November 2nd with associated events organised across the globe.
If you would like to find out more or to join the initiative please see: www.transformationalmedia.org and on Twitter: @transformingmed
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