The Animate Earth Responds: Initiation in a time of Crisis with Alnoor Ladha and Lynn Murphy
Nov 15, 2023
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Alnoor Ladha and Lynn Murphy, authors of "Post-Capitalist Philanthropy: Healing Wealth in the Time of Collapse," discuss the transition from trauma culture to initiation culture. They critique capitalism, explore wealth concentration, and emphasize the need for decolonization. They also delve into the mind-body connection, the importance of reclaiming history, and choosing our role in this crisis. The episode ends with a suggestion for a transformative book and gratitude towards the production team.
Philanthropy is intertwined with capitalism and often serves as a way to dress up tax avoidance strategies in a guise of public and community spiritedness.
Philanthropic foundations function as private wealth management firms for the wealthy, allowing them to maintain control and influence over social and environmental issues.
Transitioning to post-capitalist realities requires inner work, the creation of compelling alternatives, and a shift towards intrinsic values of solidarity, cooperation, and reciprocity.
Deep dives
Redefining Philanthropy and Capitalism
The podcast episode explores the book 'Post-capitalist Philanthropy: Healing Wealth in the Time of Collapse' by Lynn Murphy and Alner Ladder. The authors offer a sharp critique of capitalism, highlighting how it is a self-terminating algorithm that socializes costs to the many while privatizing gains for the few. They argue that philanthropy is intertwined with capitalism and often serves as a way to dress up tax avoidance strategies in a guise of public and community spiritedness. The authors challenge the existing philanthropic system and call for a shift towards post-capitalist pluralities based on shared values rooted in experiences of the shortcomings of the current system and the exploration of alternative ways of being.
The Systemic Structure of Philanthropy
The podcast delves into the workings and self-justification of philanthropic foundations. It is highlighted that philanthropy functions as private wealth management firms for the wealthy, allowing them to maintain control and influence. These institutions perpetuate the status quo by preserving capital and giving away a small percentage as grants. The foundations try to maintain their power and existence by controlling where the money goes and determining what social and environmental issues are addressed. The podcast emphasizes the need for a larger conversation around the concentration of wealth, the perpetuation of power imbalances, and the need for alternative models of philanthropy that challenge the dominant narrative.
Moving towards Post-Capitalist Realities
The episode explores the concept of transitioning from the current capitalist system to post-capitalist realities. The guests emphasize the importance of inner work in shifting collective consciousness. They propose that creating more beautiful and compelling post-capitalist alternatives is key to inspiring change. It is argued that a praxis of contemplation, self-awareness, and decolonization is necessary to challenge the cultural norms and values perpetuated by late-stage capitalism. The episode also highlights the significance of developing new narratives, building post-capitalist infrastructure, and shifting to intrinsic values such as solidarity, cooperation, and reciprocity. Ultimately, the conversation is framed within the broader context of moving from a trauma culture to an initiation culture, reconnecting with life force, and re-establishing right relationships with the natural world.
Understanding the Collapse of the Capitalist System
The speaker discusses the collapse of the capitalist system and highlights the different worldview held by the super-rich. They emphasize the importance of recognizing the ongoing collapse and the need to break free from the conditioning of capitalism. The speaker also explores the spiritual implications of hoarding and the role of the wealthy in global events like Palestine. They suggest that a radical shift in ontology, moving from a rational and materialist worldview to an animistic and relational one, is necessary for transformation. The speaker urges a deep exploration of our ignorance and the humility to embrace the mysteries of the world.
Initiation, Trauma, and the Path to Post-Capitalism
The conversation delves into the significance of initiation, trauma, and the cultural context in exploring post-capitalism. They discuss the challenges of creating a culture of initiation in a world lacking elders and traditional structures. Rather than a linear process, the initiation is seen as the collective response to present-day crises like ecological collapse and ongoing capitalist exploitation. The importance of recontextualizing and reclaiming history, as well as engaging with grief and humility, is emphasized. The speaker highlights the need for an ontology shift towards a trans-rational, relational, and animistic worldview to navigate the complexities and possibilities of our time.
How do we move ourselves – individually and collectively – from the broken Trauma Culture of our times, to the Initiation Culture that will allow us to step forward, healed and whole?
Alnoor Ladha and Lynn Murphy have co-authored a book: Post-Capitalist Philanthropy: Healing Wealth in the Time of Collapse.
Vandana Shiva says of it, “Ladha and Murphy walk us through the deep logics of neoliberalism, the foundations of globalisation and the ideology of corporate free trade … the authors dissect philanthrocapitalism. And they indicate the possibilities of reclaiming the true economies of the gift, of solidarity, of caring and sharing. For now, I invite you to please read on as if Life depends on it.”
On every level, this is a remarkable work, grounded in the understanding that we hold our realities in our bodies, that we have been born into a trauma culture, even as we yearn for the our birthright and our legacy as inheritors of initiation cultures. This is one of several genuinely transformative concepts that Lynn and Alnoor bring to the table: the intellectual capacity to explore the crisis of the moment – coupled with absolute grounded, experiential knowing that we are spiritual beings first, that we are mystical beings, and that if we can find the humility and the willingness to change, if we can bring ourselves to the web of life full open, asking for help, the Animate Earth responds.
Biographies: Lynn Murphy is a strategic advisor for foundations and NGOs working in the geopolitical South. She was a senior fellow and program officer at the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation where she focused on international education and global development. She resigned as a”‘conscientious objector” to neocolonial philanthropy. She holds an MA and PhD in international comparative education from Stanford University. She is also a certified Laban/Bartenieff movement analyst.
Alnoor Ladha is an activist, journalist, political strategist and community organiser. From 2012 to 2019 he was the co-founder and executive director of the global activist collective The Rules. He is currently the Council Chair for Culture Hack Labs. He holds an MSc in Philosophy and Public Policy from the London School of Economics.
