Life After Doom: Resources for Audiobook Listers, and for Groups and Individuals
In Life After Doom: Wisdom and Courage for a World Falling Apart, I offer a "Dear Reader" section at the end of each chapter. It can be used by individuals for reflection, journaling (written or audio), and other forms of contemplative engagement.
It can also be used to as a resource for reading groups. (See also Appendix 2, available below.)
You can download the Dear Reader section for each chapter here:
The print version of Life After Doom contains 6 appendices. Three of them are not well suited to an audiobook format, so we are making those appendices available here for folks who listened to the audiobook. In the PDF below, you’ll find:
Appendix 1. Best Resources for Our Predicament (See below for updates.)
Appendix 2. Using this Book for Small Groups, Classes, Sermon Series, and Retreats
Appendix 4. Your Plan.
Appendices for AudioBook Listeners PDF
Chapter 21 provides readers with guidelines for action. Here is an excerpt from that chapter:
Since the book went to print, many excellent new resources have been released. I will occasionally add new recommended resources here:
Thanks to Jessica Serrante for her absolutely beautiful podcast series with the sage-saint Joanna Macy, We Are the Great Turning: https://resources.soundstrue.com/we-are-the-great-turning-podcast/
An in-depth, well-produced documentary on climate change, civilizational collapse, and energy: https://youtu.be/U1scdUrhH5o?si=SE9fzxerNcJK2iIt The final words are a quote from Pierre Tielhard de Chardin.
Three philosophers on the psychological drivers of our current situation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6V0qmDZ2gg&t=3s
You can order Life After Doom here: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250893277/lifeafterdoom
0 Comments2 Minutes
I’ll be at Greenbelt Festival this August – see you there? #GB24
Instagram: @greenbeltfestival - https://
0 Comments1 Minute
Friends in and around Guelph and London, Ontario, Canada!
I'll be speaking in your neighborhood on May 10 and 11, 2024. I hope you can come!
(PS: These are the only scheduled events in Canada where I'll be speaking about my new book, Life After Doom: Wisdom and Courage for a World Falling Apart.
For information on the Guelph lecture the evening of May 10,
see https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/life-after-doom-an-evening-with-brian-mclaren-tickets-828450256017
University of Guelph, Stone Road East, Guelph, ON, Canada
50 Stone Road East Guelph, ON N1G 2W1 Canada
For information on the London lectures on May 11,
see https://wesleyknox.com/mclaren-lectures/.
Wesley-Knox United Church,
91 Askin Street, London, Ontario N6C 1E7, www.wesleyknox.com
As we face the realities of climate change and related ecological crises, and grapple with political and social instability, many of us feel overwhelmed and wonder how to respond. In these interactive lectures based on his new book, Life After Doom: Wisdom and Courage for a World Falling Apart, and his 2022 book Do I Stay Christian, author, activist and public theologian Brian McLaren will explore the complex relationship between Christian faith and its host civilization, and how robust spiritual practice and a vibrant faith community can help people face possible futures, engage in a constructive and sustaining hope, and live from love rather than fear, denial or anger. Brian will examine four scenarios for the years ahead, anticipate some rough air, and imagine safe landings on the other side of this time of transition.
For full information and registration, visit www.wesleyknox.com
Supported by Broadview Magazine: www.broadview.org
For a downloadable poster:
0 Comments2 Minutes
Feasting and Fasting
My friend Jim Burklo sent this gem ...
Let us feast on simple pleasures, and fast from all that gets our bodies and souls out of balance.
Let us feast on kindness, and fast from sarcasm.
Let us feast on compassion, and fast from holding grudges.
Let us feast on patience, and fast from anxiety.
Let us feast on peace, and fast from stirring up needless conflict.
Let us feast on acceptance, and fast from judgment.
Let us feast on joy, and fast from jealousy.
Let us feast on faith, and fast from fear.
Let us feast on creativity, and fast from all that deadens our souls.
Let us feast on social justice, and let us fast from negligence of the most vulnerable.
Let us feast on service to others, and fast from selfishness.
Let us feast on delight, and fast from despair.
Let us feast on bread and wine in spiritual communion, and fast from all that keeps us from communing deeply with each other and with God.
So that our lives might be sufficient, fulfilled, complete, whole, enough.
Amen!
-- From Jim Burklo.
Learn about the project Jim and I are involved in - supporting a new progressive Christian campus ministry network called ZOE.
0 Comments1 Minutes
“I Do Not Walk on Water” (a poem)
In passing, I shared this poem as part of a delightful online class with John Dominic Crossan and Tripp Fuller. Several participants asked for the poem.
You can watch past and future class sessions here: http://www.crossanclass.com/.
+++++
I do not walk on water
Except in winter,
When ice makes the miracle more natural.
To me, these days, natural miracles are better,
Signifying lessons to live rather than shortcuts to take,
A more subtle yet more real magic.
For me, nature is already as supernatural
As it needs to be.
The simplest, humblest things --
Green moss on grey rock,
Spotted turtle basking in a shaft of sunlight --
They are true signs and wonders,
Holy, significant, wonderful.
I used to crave miracles to prove something
(most especially, myself, my faith, my tribe's exceptionalism).
Now, instead of the miracle,
I try to keep my eyes open for the meaningful.
That these sounds in air or these marks on paper
Could bear my heart to yours,
Or bring what you see to my eyes ... what
Could be more miracle?
+++++
0 Comments1 Minutes