Luminary: Stephen Dinan

Great Shift Dialogues: Barbara Marx Hubbard and Stephen Dinan

Barbara Marx Hubbard & Stephen Dinan | 02.05.08 |

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Futurist Barbara Marx Hubbard is on a mission of conscious evolution, one that was templated in her cells in an experience of what she calls the planetary birth.

Evolving Our Political Polarity

Stephen Dinan | 06.02.06 | 07:03 PM |

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Debate rages in political circles about the best strategy for reforming the two major parties and opening the door to a deeper wave of political change. Typically this takes the form of an insider-outsider split. On the one hand are the people who consider themselves realists and advocate for working within a major party – third party “spoiler� effects, they say, make working outside the system potentially dangerous. The fear is a repeat of Nader in 2000.

From a War on Terror to a World at Peace

Stephen Dinan | 06.09.06 | 11:34 PM |

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Management books such as Good to Great chronicle the importance of a tenacious, hedgehog-like dedication to perfection in a single domain as the key to creating a profitable and enduring company. The same is true of sports teams, political campaigns, and even churches. Finding and articulating a Big Dream that can inspire people to move in the same direction is thus at the core of true leadership.

Creating a More Enlightened Left

Stephen Dinan | 06.16.06 | 01:04 PM |

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After creating a more bi-partisan context over the course of the last twenty columns, I want to turn my attention for a few weeks to how we can create a more powerful and enlightened left – a next tier of expression of the Democratic party. The reason for this is two-fold: it reflects my natural predilections (I usually vote Democratic) and the current problems created by unchecked Republican power.

Creating a More Enlightened Right

Stephen Dinan | 06.23.06 | 04:21 PM |

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Last week I said I would continue to explore this week how we can create a more enlightened left. Instead, I’m feeling drawn to the other side of the polarity to write about how to encourage the creation of a more enlightened right.

Towards a More Competitive Left

Stephen Dinan | 06.30.06 | 01:06 PM |

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Today, my pendulum of analysis swings back to the left to look at what needs to happen for the liberal wing to evolve to the next level. I will focus on a single aspect of that evolution: competition.

Loving the Enemy

Stephen Dinan | 08.11.06 | 07:58 PM |

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After more than a month away from my Sacred America writing series, a time filled with equal parts romantic adventure, spiritual exploration, and rest, I find myself wanting to return to this series with a different spirit - less intellectual interpretation of political patterns and more visceral honesty about navigating these times.

Preparing for Leadership

Stephen Dinan | 08.18.06 | 11:53 AM |

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America is heading for a crisis in the coming years, a crisis precipitated by the growing recognition that we as a nation have become a significant cause of the planet’s major problems. Crisis is a term that engenders fear in many, but crisis also holds the seeds of positive transformation. Those who see crisis only through the lens of danger tend to become afraid and move away from dealing with the truth of the situation. If we can also hold crisis as a gateway to new possibilities, then we become more hopeful and more curious to examine every facet of a crisis, thereby discovering gems of insight and pathways to transformation.

Consecrating the Warrior

Stephen Dinan | 08.25.06 | 11:54 AM |

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One of the most vexing questions for those who want America to evolve to the next level is how to handle the warrior qualities that we’ve developed in our country. We are a country steeped in violence, from our high murder rates to our lust for bloodsports to our excitement at crushing an “enemy� in battle. Like the Romans who encouraged and cultivated martial culture through coliseum “sport� and battlefield glory, Americans have been trained to love violence in film, games, and sport, which has fed our growth into becoming Earth’s dominant military power.

Learning from Hezbollah

Stephen Dinan | 09.01.06 | 07:48 PM |

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The recent war in Lebanon was devastating on many levels, from the loss of human life to decimated infrastructure to massive ecological destruction. The long oil slick that rivals the Alaskan Valdez spill and has engulfed much of the beautiful Lebanese coast provides a sickening reminder of the aftermath of war – everything is affected by the black ooze.

Lady Liberty

Stephen Dinan | 09.15.06 | 06:05 PM |

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Recently, I was reading Thom Hartmann’s 2005 article on political branding, which led me to reflect on the psychology of political identity. While his analysis was fascinating, I came to different conclusions about what the left really needs right now. The right wing has succeeded in wrapping itself in the flag of patriotism, creating a political identity of loyal, religious Americans who are strong and self-reliant. The right’s visual logo is the flag itself. Hartmann is quite accurate in portraying the right as having done a more effective job at creating an enduring identity than the left, regardless of what we think of the actual policies.

Creating a Wonder of the World

Stephen Dinan | 10.20.06 | 06:06 PM |

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With midterm elections looming and partisanship on overdrive, I find myself curiously disengaged. So much energy, money, and time are being poured into short-term attempts to win power, much of it directed towards generating more fear – fear of terrorism on the one hand and fear of further Republican misuse of power on the other.

Balancing Optimism and Realism

Stephen Dinan | 10.27.06 | 04:15 PM |

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Over the last year, I’ve been writing columns that aim to create an evolutionary path forward that brings the higher expression of both ends of our political spectrum together in a more sacred whole. Now, with 11 days to the midterm elections, I find myself at a crossroads: the time is now for specific, short-term recommendations for how to engage politics in a more conscious way in the following days, but I’m still unclear on what to recommend.

Taking Responsibility for Transforming Iraq

Stephen Dinan | 01.26.07 | 11:40 AM |

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Those who have questioned the moral or strategic merits of the Iraq War have largely been vindicated in the public eye. Prominent Republicans have broken ranks to join the vast majority of progressives in seeking rapid exit from the growing quagmire.

Stephen Dinan teleseminar on "Emerging Frontiers in the Consciousness Movement"

Stephen Dinan | 05.02.07 |

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Join us for a visionary exploration and discussion as IONS President James O'Dea engages Shift in Action founder Stephen Dinan in a dialogue on "Emerging Frontiers in the Consciousness Movement." Together, they reflect on the broad currents afoot in the consciousness movement as it seeks to rise to meet the challenges of our day. By virtue of their roles at IONS, both have a unique vantage point in tracking trends and opportunities.

Shiva Rea teleseminar on "Yoga and Sacred Activism"

Shiva Rea | 07.18.07 |

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Dive into the depths of conscious embodiment with this teleseminar featuring world-renowned yoga teacher Shiva Rea discussing "Conscious Embodiment, Yoga in the Quantum Age."

A Progressive Honoring Conservative Values

Stephen Dinan | 05.26.06 | 12:46 PM |

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Some readers who lean towards the right-wing side of the political spectrum have urged me to do a systematic critique of left-wing shortcomings as part of activating a more sacred political vision for America. Truth, after all, rarely lies entirely on one side of any position or argument. They say my primary alignment with progressive values and candidates, even while respecting the importance of conservative values, makes it harder for what I’m saying to reach into the hearts of mainstream folks who might otherwise be responsive.

A New Constitutional Convention?

Stephen Dinan | 05.19.06 | 12:13 PM |

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The Constitutional Convention that led to the creation of the United States of America took place in the late 1700’s at a time when the population was below two million. Slavery formed the foundation of large parts of the economy, especially in the South. The right of women to vote was almost inconceivable. There were no cars, trains, or airplanes, much less mass communication systems or large corporations. Nor were there organized political lobbying forces for special interests. We had a ragtag military that had miraculously taken on the most powerful military force in the world. America was basically a startup operation, long on hope, short on experience.

Sacred America

Stephen Dinan | 01.14.06 | 02:42 PM |

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For many who are committed to healing this world, America has developed something of a mixed reputation: innovative and bold on the one hand, but wasteful, arrogant, and self-interested on the other. Add the term “sacred� in front of “America� and many envision a kind of fundamentalism that blinds us to our shadows, inflates our sense of self-worth, and goads us into righteous battles.

Patriotism and Progress

Stephen Dinan | 01.20.06 | 12:05 PM |

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#2 in the Sacred America series

The love of many Americans for their country is no small thing. They are willing to fight and die to protect the land of their birth. They glorify it in songs. And they wear it with pride on their bumpers and T-shirts.

Radicals and Republicans

Stephen Dinan | 01.27.06 | 12:00 PM |

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An essential dimension of activating a sacred vision for America is going beyond political polarities, not by erasing the differences but by understanding the importance of both poles in a larger context. Seen deeply, the truths carried by radical liberals and rock-ribbed conservatives are both required for America to step into greater maturity as a country.

E Pluribus Unum

Stephen Dinan | 02.03.06 | 02:48 PM |

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The Great Seal of the United States, which we find on today’s dollar bill, contains the Latin motto of E Pluribus Unum – “Out of Many, One.� At the time of the suggestion of this motto in 1776, it clearly reflected the unification of 13 states into one nation.

Deeper Lineage of America

Stephen Dinan | 02.10.06 | 02:03 PM |

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Americans are in the habit of thinking of our Founding Fathers as the source of our country. After all, they crafted the inspiring words and performed the brave deeds to free this land from the British crown and chart a revolutionary new path.

Marrying Science and Spirituality

Stephen Dinan | 02.17.06 | 06:53 AM |

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In last week’s article, I started to explore the hidden dimensions of how America was birthed. Instead of being solely the product of a tax-driven rebellion for independence from England, America was also a fulfillment of a much longer dream, one that traces back into history through a series of esoteric groups.

From Spiritual Feudalism to Spiritual Sovereignty

Stephen Dinan | 02.24.06 | 12:54 PM |

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Last week, I made a distinction between a Christian orientation and a Christing orientation. This distinction is at the heart of what is required for America to evolve to the next stage of its maturity. Today, I explore this in the present day context of fundamentalism.

Coming to Terms with Genocide

Stephen Dinan | 03.17.06 | 09:53 AM |

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Last week I set the context for why America needs to delve deeper into our history to clear patterns that are contributing to our current self-centeredness. Many of these patterns have historical roots in the misuse of power, which leads towards inflationary compensation. Our founding philosophy aspires towards universal rights, which are linked to a deep respect for the potential in each of us. However, the way in which we have wielded power often does not reflect that deep respect. To understand this gap between our ideals and our embodiment of those ideals, we need to start very early in our history.

The Next American Operating System

Stephen Dinan | 03.17.06 | 09:57 AM |

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The question can be raised of whether excursions into the deeper history of America are worthwhile. Why not simply focus on the many problems of the present? Why are things like the genocide of Native peoples or the esoteric links of our founding fathers relevant when we’ve got more pressing concerns like the Iraq war?

Rising and Declining Cultures

Stephen Dinan | 03.24.06 | 10:12 AM |

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In thinking about the epochal shifts now underway on our planet and how they relate to the evolution of America, I see two primary cultures, one in the ascendancy and one just starting to decline. These two cultures are not defined by skin color, language, ethnic group, or religion. They represent ways of thinking that have unique national expressions while transcending the borders between nation-states.

Honoring the Sacred Core of Islam

Stephen Dinan | 03.31.06 | 10:36 AM |

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Americans have a singular challenge in relating to Islam, a challenge that long predates 9/11 and Al Queda. People across the political spectrum assume that Islam is more likely to goad its followers into religious violence than other religions. Others, who are more cautious, differentiate radical extremism from the peace-loving core. The more reactive factions in the West go so far as to make slurs about the religion as a whole and assume the only solution is war. Across the full spectrum of politics, there is an uneasy feeling that the modern West and Islam are like oil and water. Healing this split may be the single most essential act in creating a true global community.

Wielding Godlike Powers

Stephen Dinan | 04.07.06 | 05:25 PM |

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Political leadership involves some of the highest powers available to humans on earth: the ability to forcefully dictate what others can or can’t do, to demand money and time for the good of the collective, to wage war, and to legislate the relations between millions of people. The level of power over others is staggering.

Towards a Strategic Political Movement

Stephen Dinan | 04.21.06 | 07:07 PM |

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Few people would argue that our current political process is balanced and fair. Big money and special interests skew the decision-making of both major parties. Third parties that are focused on fundamental reforms of the system may inadvertently play the role of spoilers when they attempt to draw voters away from the duopoly. The way the political game is currently architected, the best we can often do is to put our energy behind the party that we believe will do a moderately better job.

The Next Evolution

Stephen Dinan | 04.28.06 | 07:33 PM |

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When constructing a new building, a great deal of thought is distilled into an architectural blueprint. The blueprint is the bridge between a vision and its tangible manifestation. Although it is relatively flimsy – often only a few sheets of paper – its power is vast because it provides the conceptual lines along which permanent and substantial structures will be laid down.

Declaration of Interdependence

Stephen Dinan | 05.06.06 | 03:59 PM |

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When contemplating this week’s column, my thoughts turned to the idea of creating a Declaration of Interdependence, which would be designed to encourage a more mature expression of the American impulse.

Choosing to Give

Stephen Dinan & Devaa Haley Mitchell | Shift | Shift Issue #04: Choice and the Mirror of Consequence

Dinan and Mitchell demonstrate that sharing wealth and talents can be a compassionate act.