Monday, January 28, 2008

The Last Hours of Ancient Sunlight


I just finished reading The Last Hours of Ancient Sunlight by Thom Hartmann. Finishing it took a little effort on my part. The first third of the book details our current world situation in regard to the world oil supply, how we are running out of it and how the consumption of their entire supply of fuel and food ultimately led to the downfall of all past empires on this planet and how we as a society are following in their foot steps. It was so full of gloom and doom that I put the book down for several days. All through this section of the book, Hartmann states that he will get around to making suggestions as to how we can avoid the very ruin he seems to be predicting so I took him at his word and picked it up again. I am so glad that I did.

The tone of the book begins to shift about half way through as he chronicles the lives of indigenous people and their ancient knowledge of themselves in relation to their environments. Then he begins to talk about what worked for these peoples and how we may be able to incorporate some of their knowledge and outlooks into our lives. No, he doesn't necessarily mean going back to nature and living off the land with no modern conveniences. Instead, he talks about changing our view of our own relationships with the world around us, including our relationships with each other.

My bottom line: Get brave and read the book. Don't skip over the Afterward written by Neale Donald Walsh.

Soundtrack: Joni Mitchell's Big Yellow Taxi

cross posted at Things I Put in My Head

5 comments:

heartinsanfrancisco said...

I hadn't heard of this book, but I will read it. Also, I'm a big fan of Neale Donald Walsch and loved all his "Conversations With God" books.

I suspect that one of the major differences between our society and older civilizations is their lack of egocentricity. Few of us really see ourselves as part of a whole, not more or less important than the other parts, and ultimately such a lack of balance brings a society to its end.

The Minstrel Boy said...

joni always made me play mandolin on that one.

also on "carey" but i digress.

Unknown said...

I know you will love it, Heart.

MB, can you give us any specific recordings so that we can actually hear you? or are you refering to strictly live shows?

Anonymous said...

I wandered into your blog while doing some brain research, prompted by my re-reading of "The Last Hours of Ancient Sunlight". Fantastic perspective I think. Since it was first published a decade ago and some of the ideas are coming true, it seems we are in for a bumpy ride.

As a side note, do you think Chris Angel has a copy of the Messiah's Handbook? Sometimes when I see his illusions, I think he might.
Peace

Unknown said...

Thanks for your comment. I have to admit that I am not familiar with the Chris Angel to whom you are referring.