Bholanath
Jedi
From running a search of the Forum I saw a few references to John Perkins, author of Confessions of an Economic Hit Man. There was mention that he could be a "tar baby", being set up to get "knocked down", etc. Last fall I saw a documentary on one of his current projects and have been thinking about just exactly where is he at, and that I would need to read some of his other books. However, being in a "third world" area, I will have to wait till I can hit a big-city bookstore and search availability.
I am very curious to know if other SOTTers/Forumites are aware of what he's now involved with, and what they might think/conclude. He seems to be manifesting a very interesting "personal transformation". I personally come away with some mixed feelings, and some of it is hard to pin down, just intuitive questioning/doubting that he is truly who he appears to be. I sense an egotism and a kind of super "cool dude" persona. Not quite enough humility IMHO.
In brief, Perkins has been, for some years now, involved with South American rainforest shamans, and tribal communities. He claims to have helped raise $millions for indigenous causes, and several tribes in particular. He promotes the idea that native peoples hold the keys to getting us out of the mess and creating a life-honoring and peaceful future. He personally has worked with shamanic/entheogenic medicinal plants. I have no problem with any of this.
His books include: Shapeshifting - Techniques for Personal and Global Transformation [He claims to have been studying with shamans since 1968, so I'm wondering if he was doing so while also an "economic hit man", and if so, why? Maybe he explains. Also one reviewer said he became turned off when, halfway through the book, he started talking about Jesus (?).], Spirit of the Shuar - Wisdom From the Last Unconquered People of the Amazon, The World Is As You Dream It - Shamanic Teachings from the Amazon and Andes among others. His latest book is Secret History of the American Empire. He also claims to have "changed his life" due to reading a book called The Good Remembering by Llyn Roberts. His focus and project name is:
'WAKING OUR WORLD" Movement:
Inspire Earth-Honoring Changes in Consciousness
Utilize Indigenous Wisdom to Effect Social and Environmental Change
Conserve Forests and Preserve Traditional Cultures and Values
Encourage Sustainable Ways of Living
The 'Waking Our World' programs are low priced. However he also has 'Shapeshifting' workshops at places like Omega Institute (not cheap). His websites are: www.dreamchange.org and www.johnperkins.org
Perkins openly admits he was paid handsomely for both his work as "hit man" and afterward, to "shut up". He made his nut and has got himself 'covered' probably nicely for the rest of his life, even if he never wrote a book.
But the reason I'm posting is that I heard an interview with him last Thursday on KPFA/Pacifica on the Visionary Activism Show with Caroline Casey. It can be found archived here: http://kpfa.org/archives/index.php?arch=21670
The program blurb is:
"Caroline is aptly joined by bestselling author John Perkins, whose latest book,The Secret History of the American Empire. a crucial exploration of how we got here, a world where we have abdicated leadership to sociopathic dementors... Like the profound movie "Lives of Others," Perkins is not only a story-teller, but is an incarnational embodied story himself, of how the sociopathic heart can bloom once again with conscious kinship. Once an agent of the problem, now in service to the solution, Perkins' story invites us all to acknowledge and withdraw our complicity from tyranny, that we may be liberated (hence liberating) agents of visionary activism at this time of dire beauty."
"...the sociopathic heart can bloom..." - that's an interesting statement. In the interview he talks about how corporate execs are just 'scared' to rock boats, lose their jobs, that they care about their kids and grandkids, etc. He also says "people have to take to the streets", etc., kind of like Cindy Sheehan says. Oh well. I wonder if he could be a candidate for gifting a "Political Ponerology" book.....
Maybe he's totally what he appears to be. Any thoughts?
Moderators: feel free to move to "Shamanism" or other category deemed more appropriate.
___________________________________________________
In this great future you can't forget your past..... - Bob Marley
I am very curious to know if other SOTTers/Forumites are aware of what he's now involved with, and what they might think/conclude. He seems to be manifesting a very interesting "personal transformation". I personally come away with some mixed feelings, and some of it is hard to pin down, just intuitive questioning/doubting that he is truly who he appears to be. I sense an egotism and a kind of super "cool dude" persona. Not quite enough humility IMHO.
In brief, Perkins has been, for some years now, involved with South American rainforest shamans, and tribal communities. He claims to have helped raise $millions for indigenous causes, and several tribes in particular. He promotes the idea that native peoples hold the keys to getting us out of the mess and creating a life-honoring and peaceful future. He personally has worked with shamanic/entheogenic medicinal plants. I have no problem with any of this.
His books include: Shapeshifting - Techniques for Personal and Global Transformation [He claims to have been studying with shamans since 1968, so I'm wondering if he was doing so while also an "economic hit man", and if so, why? Maybe he explains. Also one reviewer said he became turned off when, halfway through the book, he started talking about Jesus (?).], Spirit of the Shuar - Wisdom From the Last Unconquered People of the Amazon, The World Is As You Dream It - Shamanic Teachings from the Amazon and Andes among others. His latest book is Secret History of the American Empire. He also claims to have "changed his life" due to reading a book called The Good Remembering by Llyn Roberts. His focus and project name is:
'WAKING OUR WORLD" Movement:
Inspire Earth-Honoring Changes in Consciousness
Utilize Indigenous Wisdom to Effect Social and Environmental Change
Conserve Forests and Preserve Traditional Cultures and Values
Encourage Sustainable Ways of Living
The 'Waking Our World' programs are low priced. However he also has 'Shapeshifting' workshops at places like Omega Institute (not cheap). His websites are: www.dreamchange.org and www.johnperkins.org
Perkins openly admits he was paid handsomely for both his work as "hit man" and afterward, to "shut up". He made his nut and has got himself 'covered' probably nicely for the rest of his life, even if he never wrote a book.
But the reason I'm posting is that I heard an interview with him last Thursday on KPFA/Pacifica on the Visionary Activism Show with Caroline Casey. It can be found archived here: http://kpfa.org/archives/index.php?arch=21670
The program blurb is:
"Caroline is aptly joined by bestselling author John Perkins, whose latest book,The Secret History of the American Empire. a crucial exploration of how we got here, a world where we have abdicated leadership to sociopathic dementors... Like the profound movie "Lives of Others," Perkins is not only a story-teller, but is an incarnational embodied story himself, of how the sociopathic heart can bloom once again with conscious kinship. Once an agent of the problem, now in service to the solution, Perkins' story invites us all to acknowledge and withdraw our complicity from tyranny, that we may be liberated (hence liberating) agents of visionary activism at this time of dire beauty."
"...the sociopathic heart can bloom..." - that's an interesting statement. In the interview he talks about how corporate execs are just 'scared' to rock boats, lose their jobs, that they care about their kids and grandkids, etc. He also says "people have to take to the streets", etc., kind of like Cindy Sheehan says. Oh well. I wonder if he could be a candidate for gifting a "Political Ponerology" book.....
Maybe he's totally what he appears to be. Any thoughts?
Moderators: feel free to move to "Shamanism" or other category deemed more appropriate.
___________________________________________________
In this great future you can't forget your past..... - Bob Marley
