The Hopeful Mindset
Finding Hope in the Natural World
A Tale of Two Mindsets
In The Hopeful Mindset the values of Western Civilization are referred to as the Fearful Mindset because our place in the world, according to this mindset, is a perilous one. This mindset is based on a faulty assumption about the nature of the world and our place in it. The Fearful Mindset assumes that we are independent individuals living in a world of independent objects and events.
On the other hand, the Hopeful Mindset is based on the actual nature of the world. Rather than being independent selves, human beings, along with all life forms on the planet, exist interdependently; depending on each other and the environment for existence.
The mindset we operate under determines the kind of things we come to believe will help us meet our needs. Our values are determined by the relationship we believe ourselves to be in with nature. The values of the Fearful Mindset arise out of a belief in independent selves living in a world of independent things. The values of the Hopeful Mindset arise out of the realization that we are interdependent individuals living in a world of interdependent phenomena.
|
Need |
Independent/Fearful/Cynical Mindset Value |
Interdependent/Hopeful Mindset Value |
|
Physiological |
Access to Physical Requirements – food, water, air, warmth |
Access to Physical Requirements + Vitality |
|
Safety |
Strong Protective Boundaries |
Resiliency |
|
Security |
Wealth – resource accumulations |
Sustainability |
|
Membership |
Tribal Membership – strength in numbers |
Inclusive Membership |
|
Significance |
Status within groups, Power, Respect, Admiration |
Personal Responsibility |
|
Meaning |
Personal Meaning – relative to self concerns |
Humility |
|
Purpose |
Personal Success – relative to others |
Personal Contribution |
Each of these sets of values motivates us to act in ways we believe will help us meet our needs. Unfortunately, acting according to the values of the Fearful Mindset has created many of the global problems we now face. We need to come to a clear understanding of the interdependent nature of our existence and to act according to the values that arise out of that understanding. We need to embrace the values of the Hopeful Mindset.