Isn’t it time to Explore for “Meaning?”
I am as big a Marvel fan as anyone (I had actually read the Infinity Gauntlet decades ago) but realized recently that in a culture which offers less and less opportunities for meaningful action we are being fed no less than 40 major superhero franchises (if you add DC) to live vicariously through.
That is a lot of heroism.
A film like The Infinity Wars feeds our fascination with heroism and meaningful action. But in reality, we have just spent $14 and watched a flat screen for 150 minutes. We have done nothing meaningful or heroic at all.
Our cubicles (if we are fortunate enough to be employed) often have objects of meaning or to remind us of meaning – just check that out next time you are at work.
A lot of people are down on others for a variety of reasons. That is not what this is about. This is an invitation – you see I am stuck in exactly the same situation you are. I am looking for a primary sense of meaning in a universe that does not just spell it out for me or dispense it.
But I have noted a few things like it is universal. Everyone gets at least a temporary sense of meaning from something. Some of those things can be pretty unhealthy and damaging – even lead to evil, and others just the opposite. They can be good, fun and even helpful.
But do they really slack the thirst for primary meaning?
I saw it best revealed in a recent episode of Westworld in a face-off between one of the creators of the park (Anthony Hopkins) and one of the owners (Ed Harris) who has been in a sort of chess-match battle with him:
In a very real way, this is like us. We are at play at the various social and professional games and roles we all must play looking for meaning and purpose – but there is the suspicion that underneath these games lies the real questions of meaning and purpose – “the Truth” as Ed Harris puts it and we are meant to get to that.
This Fall. we at humanmeaning.org are continuing to experiment with what I am now calling “Exploration Groups” – groups of people who do not passively watch things alone but are gathering to actively explore different aspects of Truth, Being, Service, or Spiritual Practice together.
Superhero costumes are optional.
It is very broad as you can see. Last semester our first Exploration Group tackled Adventures with Dr. Luke – a 12-week immersion into 1st Century Palestinian culture to re-view some of the parables and narratives of Jesus with fresh and less Western 21st Century lenses.
It was fascinating and great fun as we unpacked the dinner Jesus was invited to in Luke 7 while we ourselves all ate Middle Eastern food “reclining at table” and explored the words of Jesus about the woman who broke open the alabaster vial of perfume to anoint His feet causing a huge ruckus.
Next (for us) comes Mr. Lewis – this Exploration Group reopens his classic God in the Dock (“God on Trial”) to explore new subjects each week as well as field current questions.
Lastly, we have Thomas Merton and his classic New Seeds of Contemplation. This Explorative Group is for those who already have some experience of Christ under their belt (the others do not) and are wanting a deeper and more meditative experience.
Doing this work in Exploration Groups is crucial as so much more is brought out and shared in a dynamic group setting once the paramount issue of trust is established. Safety and confidentiality for each member are demanded of all. Respect is the third and only other condition. People are utterly free to think and believe what they will without fear of being unloved or not accepted.
Exploration Groups take you out of being a passive viewer and make you an active investigator for your own life alongside others.
____________________
Coming this Summer and Fall – All THREE Exploration Groups once we find a sponsor.
What more would you like to see? You can now wrote me directly at
humanmeaningtogo@gmail,com
Mac
P.S. I will consider for sure. Also…stay tuned for an announcement about “Human Meaning Exploration Groups (live 8 week Zoom sessions) coming in mid-January)
Thanks. We are woefully behind but catching up!
I want to reply. It’s not me – it’s the subject. Sure – w are keeping it non-commercial and yes I have some real experience with internet content – but really: isn;t this something we all share?
Mac
This one is a somewhat clunky mix (Oxforrd). There is no programming (thank God) but it’s WYSIWG is less than straight forward…and new iterations tend to make it HARDER to design.
I paid for this design and Typestyle…not real expensive…maybe $100 – worth it, no?
Mac
I am coming out with both plans for 2021 nd also a brief Bio that will explain how and why I do what I do (and why we do NOT go commercial).
Best,
Mac
Thank you.
What more would you like to see? You can now wrote me directly at
humanmeaningtogo@gmail,com
Mac
P.S. I will consider for sure. Also…stay tuned for an announcement about “Human Meaning Exploration Groups (live 8 week Zoom sessions) coming in mid-January)
Thank you.
My dorect email here
humanmeaningtogo@gmail,com
Mac
Thanks for saying so. We are trying to go deep while being accessible and fresh. It’s a tightrope but it helps that we are talking common experiences – and just angles on that. We are also exploring – not laying down an agenda.
Look for some offerings in January 9very limited “Human Measning Exploration” Zoom Groups (LIVE. We have over 2,000 subscribers doing ZERO promotion and w will have 18 slots for people in three classes (yikes). We are just getting started.
Best
Mac
Glad. I have them too.
Mac
It would really depend on the link. We are non-commercial so we can ensure quality.
But you can write me at
humanmeaningtogo@gmail.com
Mac
Lebron,
I am glad you enjoyed it. It really is for readers like you.
Mac
I realaize I have not yet enavbled online discussion much. Some of that was my needing to just get UP a load of real material at first. Now I am turning to be able to be more responsive. You can write me with a question or two
humanmeaningtogo@gmail.com
Best
Mac
Well much appreciated but the main thing is you are finding it valuable. Nice of you to think of me – I am definitely thinking of this audience.
New annou8ncements soon! Stay tuned!
Best,
Mac
You are very welcome. You do seem to “get’ my intent and therefore why the site is not commercial, asks nothing and won’t.
We are going to open things up a bit come January with three “JHuman Meaning Exploration Grouops” which are live Zoom 8 week 1 hour a week classes. There is a cost for that of $200 both to get serious participants and to help keep my lights on (haha)- but seriously – the classes – while relaxed – go deep and are taxing as I just facilitate.
The last class all contributed articles to the online Journal – but then I recruited them and this will literally be the first 18 who sign up from our subscriber list of over 2,000 people. Of course – anyone who just cannot afford to pay will never be excluded.
We are in this together – and now more than ever we need to be talking about what is meaningful, no?
Best,
Mac
humanmeeaningtogo@gmail.com
I am so happy Ethel found it so helpful. More to come!
Best,
Mac
I am humbled by your remarks. Thank you. It really is for you-all.
Mac
Thank you Jordan,
Well we are all in the same boat really. True, I have been studying these iusissues for 45 years – but it is still very fresh and as I do live “Human Meaning Group Explorations” I learn whole new things with small groups.
Maybe you can be a part of one of our upcoming 8 week sessions (January). I am not saying this to sell it (it does cost to enroll – a nominal fee) but rather because it does LIVE what these articles suggest and which are- let;s face it- rather one-sided or- at best- suggestive?
Feel free to write me
humanmeaningtogo@gmail.com
More announcements and content to come.
Jordan,
“Your guys” – haha Are you a youth leader of come kind? If so maybe you might be interested in training to be a facilitator for Human Meaning Exploration Groups – for as you note – millions of people need and want this – and currently it is just me with another facilitator probably coming online in the Spring 9he is currently our editor as I am losing my eyesight – which is not great for a writer – but is really okay).
I have built all of this for more people than just me by far and away and we are already so far over capacity (2,000 subscribers and over 2200 comments with NO PROMOTION at all) that you can see my dilemma.
I new article coming out soon will address some of these issues and will also ask for help. This has never been about me or for me.
Best,
Mac