NAVIGATORS

We are the ones we've been waiting for...

Navigators are engaged citizens who are actively contributing to turning the human course from the dominator model of Empire to the partnership model of Earth Community. Defining characteristics are a passion for connecting people, exploring new ideas, challenging conventional thinking, and sharing information and insights. They are deeply aware of the tension between the Empire and Earth Community, the urgency of our time, and the need to spread awareness of the disabilities of Empire and the potentials of Earth Community. They are at once intellectuals engaged in a search for truth and activists engaged in giving concrete expression to that truth in their local, national, and global communities. Their work is grounded in a sense of integral spirituality that recognizes the profound interconnectedness of all beings.

Stories are the primary tool of the Earth Community Navigator. Navigators themselves do not, necessarily, steer the ship. They discern the direction to the desired destination, attune to the cultural currents, the rocks and shores, and discern the favorable winds and then communicate the essential information through the telling of stories to those whose decisions actually determine the ship's course.

Navigating the Great Turning Leadership Gathering - March 2007

In late March, 2007, more than 120 activist-leaders, who were already working to make the “Great Turning” a reality in 20 states and Canada, came together in Columbus, Ohio, to strengthen collective and individual works, foster critical connections, and advance the understanding of the Great Turning.

Through story-telling, lively conversation and quiet reflection, break-out groups and presentations, participants explored how the "Empire to Earth Community" framework resonated with their work, what tools and resources would be helpful in advancing their work, and how Navigators from around the country might stay connected.

Stories about how social change organizations can increase their effectiveness by defining their missions in terms of the cultural stories they seek to change, written by Navigators who participated in the Gathering, were compiled by Michael Greenman in Great Turning Stories. While many months have passed, these stories continue to provide insight and inspiration; to shed greater light on them, we have posted them on the Read Stories page, and encourage updates from the authors and comments from readers.

The story of how this Gathering came about, is, in itself, a tale of circumstances unfolding over time, and a bit of synchronicity. An indicator of the depth and substance of the conversations at the Gathering can be found in the areas of inquiry that were explored; these areas of inquiry remain relevant, timely and useful for Earth Community Dialogues, study groups, personal reflection and action. For example:

• Identifying Empire Stories, Framing Earth Community Stories
• Small Groups/Circles as Social Change Agents
• Engaging Faith Communities
• Organizing Local Alliances to Create Local Earth Communities
• Earth Community Leadership
• Elders for Earth Community

The closing ceremony, The Covenant with Mother, presented by Dr. Tusi Avegalio, is a story from Polynesian wisdom about the living covenant between human and Earth Mother.