Vita Sapien - Update 2023

Climate Emergency Forum welcomes back Guy Lane, founder of Vita Sapien, in a discussion that highlights the concept of Vita Worldview, which aims to integrate ecological science with spirituality through Lifewise philosophy and Vita religion.
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This video was recorded on December 9th, 2023, and published on February 15th, 2024, and represents the opinions of the discussion participants.
The dialogue centers on Vita Sapien's mission and philosophy. Guy Lane, an environmental scientist and entrepreneur, discusses Vita Sapien's focus on creating a non-theistic spiritual philosophy grounded in scientific understanding, particularly addressing the climate and ecological crises.
Vita Sapien draws inspiration from Stoicism, seeking to provide a framework for personal well-being and societal contribution akin to the ancient philosophy's emphasis on eudaimonia. However, unlike traditional religious institutions, Vita religion doesn't involve belief in a deity but rather emphasizes reverence for nature and our interconnectedness with the living planet. Guy emphasizes that Vita religion isn't intended to replace existing spiritual practices but to foster a deeper spiritual connection to the Earth.
The conversation delves into the philosophical distinctions between Vita Sapien's perspective and other ecological philosophies like James Lovelock's Gaia theory. While Gaia theory views Earth as a single organism, Vita religion extends this concept, positioning human beings as integral parts of the Earth's greater body. This perspective challenges conventional notions of the environment, emphasizing humanity's inherent connection to the planet and the implications for decision-making and stewardship.
Guy outlines Vita Sapien's objectives at COP28, including seeking recognition as a delegate NGO organization, launching Vita Religion, engaging in media outreach, networking, and seeking funding to scale up their operations. He underscores the potential of Vita Worldview to influence the trajectory of human civilization away from environmental catastrophe. The dialogue reflects a holistic approach to addressing the climate emergency, integrating scientific understanding with spirituality and advocating for systemic change.
Links:
- Vita Sapien
vitasapien.org/
- Vita Sapian with Guy Lane (CEF Video)
• Vita Sapien with Guy Lane
- Vita Sapien - At COP15 in Montréal (CEF Video)
• Vita Sapien - At COP15...
- Epictetus (wikipedia)
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epictetus
- Stoicism
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoicism
- Gaia hypothesis
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaia_hy...
- Vitae-Planeta from vitasapien.org website
vitasapien.org/vitae-planeta
- I Am That
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Am_Th....
Special Guest:
Guy Lane - is an environmental scientist, author and entrepreneur. He conceived in 2016 the idea of a non-theistic spiritual philosophy that was grounded in the science and needs of the age, and began to write down the ideas and build a team to advance the cause. Guy is Vita Founder, Chairman of Vitae-planeta Ltd (the corporate vehicle that underpins Vita) and a Vitan Minister.
Program Host and Video Co-producer:
Charles Gregoire - Electrical Engineer, Webmaster and IT prime for FacingFuture.Earth & the Climate Emergency Forum; Climate Reality Leader
Video Production:
Heidi Brault - Co-producer. Website assistant, Organizer and convener, Metadata technician, COP29 team lead for FacingFuture.Earth and the Climate Emergency Forum; BA (Psychology); Climate Reality Leader
Our Website:
climateemergencyforum.org/
Acknowledgement:
We'd like to acknowledge these two organizations without which our attendance at COP28 would not have been possible.
- Sustainable Population Australia (SPA)
- The International Society for Ecological Economics (ISEE)
Attributions:
Background Music:
- Title: Through the City II
- Author: Crowander
- Source: Free Music Archive
- License: CC BY-NC 4.0
Image and Video: climateemergencyforum.org/ass...
#spirituality #philosophy #sustainability

[@brianwheeldon4643]

Thank you for this information CEF and Guy Lane. Over the years I've been fortunate enough to spend what amounts to years, not months, in the French Alpes and Italian Dolomiti while living outdoors and riding a bicycle. I developed an understanding for these mountains that goes beyond words alone. Now the ice is melting fast, I feel a part of me has lost something intangible and it hurts to think about it. I think Guy Lane is on the right track. Thanks

[@earthsystem]

This really feels like a heart home for me, I spent many years daily going about the mountains, and I know this land intimately, from the peaks to the the life-sustaining waters of the river system, the birds, the tree species, the Manzanita... it is so much my heart home.

[@earthsystem]

The changing wheel of seasons, the fallen old-growth trees decaying on the forest floor, the legends of the Akashic record...

[@vthilton]

Save Our Planet Now!

[@rbj5767]

❣️⚡️🙏✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[@publicdomain1103]

Spiritual connection to Nature is the ultimate equilibrium and existential element of sustainable progressive existence. ShakeUp XR

[@christill]

I said on the original video that I like the idea. Not because I’m a particularly spiritual person. Not at all actually. But a lot of people think that way, so it makes a lot of sense.

[@RajendraTayya-rh9mk]

Thinking is unlike physical prowess to define masculinity. It is the natural law.

[@davidgreen424]

It always annoyed me how the only way to deal with climate change is to make sure it was profitable, not because of mass extinction of other animals. How do you put a price on a frog , a moth, or a sea sponge ? . For example, coral reefs must be saved because of the value of the tourist dollar, and that's how we motivate people.... really ? . That way of thinking means animals that can't be valued that way are expendable. This idea seems very commendable, but as an atheist I worry about over emphasis on the religious philosophy.

[@sudd3660]

nothing works as long there is a price on things, motivation comes from life and nature.

[@singingway]

The only "religion" I could synch with.

[@singingway]

7:04 it's hard to feel a part of nature when nature is uncomfortable with cold and heat and poison ivy, biting insects, ticks and other things which can kill you. So wilderness education would help people to feel more at home in nature.

[@Corrie-fd9ww]

I loved your presentation on Environmental Coffeehouse with Sandy! Yes it’s true, modern people having lots of barriers to nature means relearning a lot and it’s not always comfy. And with the very real degradation and imbalances out there now, bc of humans, it means even more adapting. Short visits to start with and prioritizing elders and teachers who’ve always been in a healthy relationship with nature/as nature. It’s not anything that I believe could be scaled for the masses or anything but there’s still plenty of places on earth where something like this is possible. The question as always is, but will people? 🤣

[@singingway]

@@Corrie-fd9ww thank you! I now have a podcast on my Climate Agents KZbin channel !

[@Silks-]

I think I understand what he's trying to get at, but I don't think there's anything like 'supernatural' about it, and I wouldn't agree that all humans are part of just one 'superorganism'. My belief is that there are many 'colonies' with each human playing the part of an 'ant' e.g. as part of a company or as part of a nation. I don't however think that there's anything linking every single human in the world together in the same way as there isn't anything connecting different ant colonies together. I think a good alternative term that I believe to be a better description of Guy's theory is simply cohesion. There's nothing that deep about it. Unless I'm missing something?

[@Silks-]

I mean we're all part of the Earth and nature, but that knowledge is nothing revelationary.

[@Corrie-fd9ww]

No it’s nothing new and it’s not a revelation, it’s timeless wisdom or basic common sense, however people/humanity in general have forgotten that simple and basic wisdom and in denying, forgetting, etc, this predicament just grew and grew. Without this simple guiding wisdom as a part of daily life, daily living (which for most modern people, it’s not a part of their awareness) the chaos of the human-centered paradigm reigns supreme and destroys everything as a result. Inner world, mind and beliefs etc, is what produces outer world, all the collective, anthropocentric actions and systems that led to where we are now. This movement or any like it are just about reminding people what already is and always has been ultimately true. It doesn’t need to be religious or spiritual but this is a response to those many people craving that connection beyond the rational or left brained way of being and living (and over emphasis on this part of the mind being at the root of our collective predicament, meaning, seeing life as mechanical facts and objects means objectifying it as “other” and that feeds the wrong belief that we are separate or better than the rest of life etc)

[@Silks-]

Yeah I see what you mean; technology has given us the illusion of being above or separate from biosphere, and he's simply trying to remind people that we're not. He's right as well, too many people (me included at times) do forget the fact that humanity relies on nature more than we like to admit. Shame we're far too late and barely anyone will listen but hey, it could give meaning to some people's lives so who am I to judge.

[@Corrie-fd9ww]

Yeah it’s really just a reminder- deep ecology, basically. But deep ecology shows up in lots of philosophies, like Daoism, indigenous wisdom, Quakers, the list goes on. What’s really fascinating to me is how our collective industrial paradigm, the inner worldview, is what got us here. It’s really at the root of it all. Beliefs! Identity, as the result of beliefs! Humans are inherently believing animals, story tellers and meaning makers, and a crappy paradigm that teaches us to believe in human supremacy and an entitlement to escape the consequences of our actions bc we are special and god said so…well look what we made as a result. The limitless growth economy seems to have religious roots. Crappy beliefs = crappy treatment of earth = overshoot. I feel really passionate about remembering wisdom traditions that reminded people on a daily basis of the reality of earth and the need to live in alignment with the rules of earth. There’s traditions alive today that weave daily and regular reminders of our real relationship with earth into every aspect of life. Since we are such an immature and skitchy species, we need constant wisdom reminders to stay in line with earth, and once those reminders are gone, look what happens. So if someone wants their reminders to be spiritually meaningful then this can help. I see a lot of people in the spiritual marketplace craving that kind of relationship with nature/earth but usually what’s offered out there is just more dressed up dominator monotheism for the sake of winning at life/getting everything you want. Anyway, I’m always glad to see offerings like this to counter the gross stuff that got us here. Rev Michael Dowd did a webinar called Indigenuity Is Not Optional, has great stuff about this topic

[@anthonydavis3872]

So, am I to understand this as essentially 'neo-animism', attributing integrative dynamism to all organic and non-organic entities, including homo sapiens? If so, why not simple present as such. Don't see the sensibility of presenting this as 'religion' rather than simply a worldview and way of being. Understanding and respecting the facts of human integration in and dependence on the global ecosystem certainly does not require something framed as a 'religious worldview'.