Published in 1993, 'Parable of the Sower' is a dark and vivid portrayal of a future where global climate change and economic crises have led to social chaos. The story is told through the diary entries of Lauren Olamina, a 15-year-old Black girl living in a gated community near Los Angeles. Lauren suffers from hyperempathy, a condition that makes her feel the pain and pleasure of others. As her community is destroyed by external threats, Lauren embarks on a perilous journey north, developing a new faith called Earthseed along the way. Earthseed's central doctrine is that 'God is Change' and cannot be resisted, but can be influenced. The novel explores themes of survival, faith, family, hope, and community in a world torn apart by environmental devastation, economic collapse, and violence.
Parable of the Talents is the sequel to Octavia E. Butler's Parable of the Sower and continues the story of Lauren Olamina, the founder of the Earthseed movement. The novel is set in a dystopian America where Lauren has established a community called Acorn, centered around her Earthseed beliefs. However, Acorn is attacked and taken over by the Christian American 'Crusaders,' leading to the enslavement and brutal treatment of its members. The story is told through journal entries by Lauren, her husband Taylor Franklin Bankole, and her daughter Larkin Olamina (also known as Asha Vere). It explores themes of survival, faith, and the struggle against oppression, as well as the complexities of religious power and the human quest for purpose. The novel ultimately sees the rise of Earthseed as a powerful religious movement and Lauren's vision of humanity's destiny to colonize other planets[2][3][5].
You know, there's this thing that happens - we get so caught up in the doing, the productivity, the hustle. We define ourselves by what we accomplish, by the checkboxes we can tick off. But what if there's another way? What if we're not just cogs in a machine, but creative beings made in the image of a creative God? In this episode, we dive into that question with author Maria Bowler. She shares how becoming a new mom during the pandemic forced her to confront this head-on - when the doing was stripped away, who was she really? The answer, it turns out, lies not in what we produce, but in our very being. Maria invites us to consider a new vision - one where we're not just doers, but makers. Where the effort we exert isn't about forcing our will, but about deep engagement. Where we trust that our heart's desires and the things that break it open are clues to the creative work we're meant to do. So take a deep breath, my friends. This conversation just might be the permission slip you need to let go of the pressure to perform and instead embrace the freedom to create. To make time for the things that truly matter - not just what we can check off the list. The world is waiting for the unique gifts only you can bring.
Maria Bowler is a writer, coach, and retreat leader. She holds a masters in religion and the arts from Yale University, is a former magazine editor, and has taught creative writing at the university level. Canadian by birth, she now lives in the Driftless region of the US with her family.
Maria's Book:
Making Time
Maria's Recommendations:
Parable of the Sower
Parable of the Talents
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