living purposefully during metacrisis and collapse
In my latest essay I respond to the rise in prepping activities by outlining the concept of "rainbow prepping"... an approach that emphasizes preparedness for societal disruption through community collaboration and individual capability building. It invites a shift from fear-based survival tactics to fostering cooperation amid potential challenges. I outline fifteen action areas, such as…
The July 2026 Metacrisis Initiative salon welcomed around 100 attendees to explore lessons from past societal collapses. Speakers included Rupert Read, Helena Norberg-Hodge, Will Self, and Michel Bauwens. They approached the the topic from different angles and some lively interactions ensued. The video of the event is now on jembendell.com, as well as information on the next salon on (the topic of…
The author reflects deep questions about life's meaning and purpose amidst a global metacrisis. They explore the significance of universal unconditional love, service, and remembrance of the divine, as central to human existence, drawing insights from various spiritual traditions. The essay emphasizes that purposes can be found in both grand visions and everyday actions, advocating for…
Rediscovering the importance of life as a result of awakening to metacrisis and collapse is a recurring theme for many of us. I discussed it in the final pages of my book 'Breaking Together', which I excerpted for a new post on my site. That's in preparation for discussing the spiritual invitations from crises, in the next salon of the Metacrisis Initiative, with the Reverend Stephen Wright. The…
In this reflective and descriptive essay, Jem discusses overcoming the Christianity he was taught as a child, which emphasized rules rather than the deeper essence of love and kindness inherent in spirituality. The essay focuses on insights gained through conversations with Reverend Stephen Wright, who interprets the Ten Commandments as descriptions of natural human behaviour rather than strict…
Professors Jem Bendell and Rupert Read emphasize the importance of understanding past societal collapses to address current challenges. They advocate for narratives that focus on adaptive simplification and intentional contraction, rather than nostalgia or progress. Through historical examples, they encourage creative responses to societal disruption while promoting a dialogue on potential…
I am pleased to share with you an important supplement to the Deep Adaptation framework. That framework introduced questions to ask ourselves in the face of collapse. I now upgrade the framework to include the positive personal orientations to cultivate (or release) in ourselves and each other in the context of metacrisis and collapse. Six reflection questions, and six positive orientations: I…
How often do you really feel heard? This essay presents "Clarity Groups," a peer mentoring practice encouraging deep listening without interruptions or unsolicited advice. This method fosters personal clarity by allowing participants to share and receive feedback in a supportive environment. The author Jem Bendell describes the transformative impact of being truly heard and appreciates the…