Original Thinking

Book Spotlight – Original Thinking: A Radical Revisioning of Time, Humanity, and Nature

by Glenn Aparicio Parry

Five hundred years after Columbus came to the American continent, a series of historic dialogues began between Native American elders and leading-edge Western scientists exploring the underlying principles of the cosmos. From 1999-2011, the author organized and participated in thirteen of these groundbreaking dialogues, held annually, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Inspired by these dialogues, Original Thinking unfolds in a similar way to a dialogue circle. Unlike most non-fiction books, it begins with and is centered around questions. These questions penetrate ever deepening layers of meaning, starting with: “Is it possible to come up with an original thought?”—then going on to consider “What does it mean to be human;” “How has our thinking created our world today;” and more. It delves into the evolution of Western thought not for sentimental reasons, but to recover the living roots of wisdom that can correct the imbalances in our modern worldview.

It is significant that the very word “original” once referred to origin—or place—but now means the beginning of time, at least for Western peoples. The consequences of time usurping place are devastating. Both time and place have become abstractions. And so has thought. To think was once “to thank” and “to feel” because our thinking originally celebrated the connection of the human soul to the world soul—the anima mundi. Now our thinking is something we seemingly do all by ourselves, apart from living nature. It is no wonder we keep destroying the ecology, both consciously and unconsciously.

For more information, or to purchase the book, click the book cover or visit: originalthinking.us