Introduction

"You’ll do a lot of sharing of ideas this semester as we examine the Modern world from multiple points of view. Let’s begin, then, by reflecting on yourself as an individual (a rather Modern concept)… how do you think? how do you learn? who are you?Reflect on yourself as person situated in space and time… what is the context of your life? how has your adjustment to pandemic life been? how has the person you are been conditioned by the place and time in which you experience existence? Reflect on your personal journey (also a rather Modern concept)… where is there movement in your life? where is there stasis? what are your aspirations, and do you see them playing out in a world you would describe as “modern”? You don’ have to answer all of these questions… they are just a way to get you thinking about how you might introduce yourself in the context of a class on modern times."

Who am I? What kind of a question is that?!? But since I asked you guys to answer it, I should do the same. I am a teacher, a pilot, a meditator, a friend, a mom, sometimes a life coach, it would seem... I spend a lot of time thinking and I confess I have two different modes: solo, quiet thinking and dynamic, interactive, classroom-style thinking. I am going to miss the classroom environment this last year of my long career at NDNU because I love the way my students' contributions to classroom discussions can send my thoughts in new and unexpected directions. You'll do that in the online environment as well, but there's something special about the energy of a classroom. 

I feel privileged and daunted at the same time to be living in the present. As I grew up, the "environmental movement" was just beginning. People scoffed at "tree huggers" without making the connection that loving a tree is loving the planet is loving humanity is loving oneself. I was certainly one of those people with limited consciousness but no bad intent. We were so unaware, and that was only a few years ago in the grand scheme of things. Now it is so clear to me that the so-called environmental movement is a movement inward, not outward... a recognition of the co-equality of all living beings... that tree really did deserve a hug after all, and in its way, it hugged back. In fact, if anything can save humanity, it will be that tree. What generosity. Is it any wonder people cried these past few weeks as they helplessly watched our local forests and preserves go up in smoke? So as a person situated in space (California) and time (2020), I find the world challenging and also full of promise. Another way of feeling situated is that I am convinced we are living through an era-shift from what we call "modernity" to the next-thing for human civilizations. We don't exactly know what that will be yet, but if we survive as a species, it will be because the future is good, because we have learned to live as more appreciative and humble inhabitants of this extraordinary planet. 

My personal journey? Very much TBD. I find myself at a point of transition a little earlier than I'd planned, but I have for several years been saving for and developing a hermitage retreat in far northeastern California. This retreat, for myself but also for others who need a quiet place to reconnect with their natural selves, is going to be done sooner because of the accelerated timeline for my transition which was brought upon me by the changes at my beloved NDNU. I don't feel there is stasis anywhere in my life... rather everything is in flux. I think a lot of people are feeling this way right now. What an incredible thing we are living through. 

My aspirations. To be a good human being. To be helpful. To nurture and encourage people's love for the planet. To play a constructive role in whatever after-modern-era reality may be at hand, for surely we have seen this one through to the end.