The Great Growing Up: Being Responsible for Humanity's Future

THE GREAT GROWING UP

Being Responsible for Humanity’s Future

by

John Renesch

Smashwords Edition

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Published on Smashwords by:

HOHM PRESS

P.O. Box 2501

Prescott, AZ 86302

800-381-2700

http://www.hohmpress.com

The Great Growing Up

Being Responsible for Humanity’s Future

Copyright 2012 by John Renesch

All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

Cover Design: Accurance, Bloomington, Illinois

Interior Design and Layout: Kubera Graphics, Becky Fulker, Prescott, Arizona

Smashwords Edition License Notes

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Advance Praise

"John Renesch, renowned futurist and prolific author, has written a deeply provocative book to inspire the evolution of a new humanity. The Great Growing Up brilliantly captures the critical importance of the present moment and outlines a trajectory for achieving a mature, peaceful future for all. John’s roadmap to our collective future is clear, compelling, and transformative. His new book is important and empowering. I highly recommend it."

—Lynne Twist, co-founder,

The Pachamama Alliance

"Like a master painter, John Renesch provides a broad interpretive mural of the last half-century along with a sweeping and sense-making depiction of how humankind has encumbered itself with less than a fully human milieu. But he does not leave us in stoicism or anomie. He encourages hope that we can rebuild our future through new forms of conscious leadership. One is left with both an understanding of our past and a renewed sense of mission regarding a future on which mankind’s very survival depends.

—Andre L. Delbecq,

J. Thomas and Kathleen L. McCarthy University Professor,

Santa Clara University

"John Renesch is a Renaissance Man who lives in the twenty-first century. In The Great Growing Up he shows how, through conscious evolution, we can put our predatory past behind us and create a dignitarian world. Prophetic yet practical, The Great Growing Up integrates science, philosophy, spirituality, and psychology into a compelling vision of a world that will work for everyone."

—Robert W. Fuller,

former president, Oberlin College,

author of All Rise: Somebodies, Nobodies, and the Politics of Dignity

This book is about the art of the possible despite all odds in these turbulent times. It is a manifesto for all of us as humans to lead rather than follow our own evolution.

—Mark Thompson,

bestselling coauthor of Success Built to Last

"In his new book—The Great Growing Up—John Renesch challenges us with authority, humanity, energy and optimism, to address the key issues facing society today, both globally and personally—and these two dimensions are closely linked. It is full of valuable insights, as well as being a call to action. These messages need urgent attention if we are to survive this century, let alone see a better world in the years ahead. Time is not on our side."

—Bruce Lloyd,

Emeritus Professor of Strategic Management,

London South Bank University

"Ever the optimistic realist, John Renesch makes clear from the beginning that The Great Growing Up intends to make us uncomfortable with the lies we tell ourselves about our world and our place in it. In debunking the myths that we think guide us, John offers a transformative manifesto of what is possible for humanity with the emphasis on human. But this is not new age mumbo jumbo; John’s background in business and the physical sciences is evident throughout. Read this book and share it."

—James A. Autry,

author of The Servant Leader and Looking Around for God

"In The Great Growing Up, John Renesch meticulously describes today’s dysfunctional societies and the dissatisfactions they have created. However, a well-functioning society is possible through ‘conscious evolution, ’ the use of human intention to create alternative money systems, transformative learning, gender parity, energy independence, and a host of other paradigm changes. The Great Growing Up contains a vivid description of contemporary society that is as accurate as it is depressing; however, Renesch gives his readers a ‘Great Dream’ for the future that is rooted in the writings of the founders of the United States, yet rebooted for the tattered world of the 21st century . . . a splendid book."

—Stanley Krippner, Ph.D.,

Professor of Psychology, Saybrook University,

coauthor of Personal Mythology

"John Renesch has been a pioneer and visionary in the search for human values based on reciprocity and relationship rather than self interest and dominance. His search has led him to the threshold of a new awareness that he aptly calls The Great Growing Up. His book is an invitation to cross that threshold and together remake the world."

—Alan Briskin,

author of The Stirring of Soul in the Workplace and

coauthor of The Power of Collective Wisdom

"John’s thinking and work about the direction we humans have to take is both challenging and timely. In The Great Growing Up we are given authentic hope. This book provides both an analysis and template for deep contemplation and action."

—David Kyle,

author of The Four Powers of Leadership

"Inspiring, practical and thought provoking . . . The Great Growing Up challenges each of us to develop and stretch our capacities to generate a global reality that secures a preferred future ‘that works for everyone’."

—Angeles Arrien, Ph.D.,

cultural anthropologist,

author of The Four-Fold Way and Second Half of Life

Have you ever wondered whether our planet is engaged in some epic transition to a better society? One where individuals, due to massive new technological and social interdependences, come to see themselves as part of a single integrated ‘organism’ or ‘global brain, ’ as well as free, individual moral actors? Teilhard de Chardin called this coming event ‘Planetization’ and some foresight scholars see it as part of the natural developmental future of Earth. If we are to responsibly integrate our incredible new powers for self- and environmental change, and protect against ongoing environmental degradation and destruction, such a consciousness shift must occur. Read this sublime book, and start being the change yourself, every day. You’ll find very few routes to deeper universal insight, peace and happiness that are as direct and valuable as this book.

—John Smart, President,

Acceleration Studies Foundation

"John Renesch is not only a smart man, but also a wise one. The Great Growing Up offers a conscious choice for the kind of future we want to create and the role we each want to play in bringing it about. Don’t just read this book—do it!"

—Alan M. Webber, cofounder,

Fast Company magazine

"The Great Growing Up gives us vital and wise guidelines to the unprecedented emergence of ourselves as cocreators of our world. It is an important work for our own conscious evolution, self and social."

—Barbara Marx Hubbard, founder,

Foundation for Conscious Evolution

"In The Great Growing Up, John Renesch has given us an astute diagnosis of what ails us as individuals and as a global community. He then gives us a prescription for treatment. But rather than a bitter pill to swallow, we have a recipe filled with hope for a renewed spirit."

—Gregg Magrane, Ph.D.,

geneticist, University of California San Francisco

"In The Great Growing Up John Renesch has brought together an impressive range of sources to provide a readable overview of our prospects for a renewed civilization. He manages to capture the essence of many concepts and ideas and to make them accessible. You don’t need a Ph.D. to read this book—merely an open mind and a willing spirit."

—Richard Slaughter, futurist,

Foresight International, Brisbane, Australia

This is a beautiful easy-to-read book. Renesch weaves together the external and inner challenges humanity faces—ageing, inequity, gender imbalances, spiritual poverty, lack of reflection—and provides us with solutions forward. Humanity is like an adolescent, the transition to adulthood is not always easy, but through the work of John Renesch we are given an exploratory map on how this could be possible, and even more important, his book provides us with a pause, a time to reflect, on how each one of us can play a role in the transformation ahead, now.

—Professor Sohail Inayatullah,

Tamkang University, Taiwan and

the University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia

"The American Dream is under siege instead of being seized and society is at a significant crossroads. The Great Growing Up not only warns us of the destructive path our world is heading down, it provides a vision for a brighter, better future that our children can inherit. The good news is that we are still in control: we each can make a difference and John Renesch shows us how."

—Brian Feinblum,

Planned Television Arts,

Chief Marketing Officer, VP

John Renesch challenges us to examine where we are in our evolution and squarely face the challenges confronting us as a species. Then he offers us the opportunity to transcend our conditions and engage in a global transformation of epic proportions. Will we squander this opportunity or act on it? Provocative, engaging and, most importantly, essential to the conscious evolution of humankind.

—Ken Dychtwald, Ph.D.,

best-selling author of sixteen books, including

With Purpose: From Success to Significance in Work and Life

I welcome this important book which maps the unprecedented challenges and opportunities for humanity in this era. John Renesch, as always, is an expert guide to this phase of human development and he lays out our options with deep understanding and compassion.

—Hazel Henderson, President,

Ethical Markets Media (USA and Brazil),

author of Ethical Markets: Growing The Green Economy and Beyond Globalization

"Once again, John Renesch gives us the benefit of his accumulated wisdom and experience with The Great Growing Up. He points the way to a new vision of infinite possibilities, which is available to everyone. If you’re interested in changing the world for the better, then The Great Growing Up is a must read. You’ll be glad you did!"

—Michael Toms,

Founding President, New Dimensions Radio;

author of the bestselling An Open Life: Joseph Campbell in Conversation with Michael Toms and True Work: Doing What You Love and Loving What You Do

"In his new book, The Great Growing Up, John Renesch explodes the myths that have kept us bound to a dying world and awakens us—our minds and spirits—to the new possibilities. His deep reflections help us regain our inherent balance between how we choose to use the resources of the world and the resources of the spirit within—choices which allow us to ‘take a stand, ’ standing on both feet, and walk into a new and more alive world. Congratulations on creating a really excellent book for our time!"

—Pat Lynch, Founder and CEO,

Women’s Online Media and Education Network

"The Great Growing Up invites you into an inspiring, big-picture vision of a world healed by changes in how we think, work, and live as individuals. John Renesch stands with you before the mirror of time to examine what we have created through our sometimes unconscious, careless freedoms. He plants seeds of change in the process, creating a space for you to discover a deeper sense of contribution through your own personal transformation into The Great Growing Up the world badly needs."

—Debbe Kennedy, founder,

Global Dialogue Center and Leadership Solutions Companies,

author of Putting Our Differences to Work: The Fastest Way to Innovation, Leadership, and High Performance

In his new book, John Renesch makes an insightful and honest assessment of our past and maps the way forward for us as a society and individuals. His call to action is both critical and timely, empowering each of us to create the world we can be proud of—unified, just and profoundly human. The wealth of information and wisdom that is contained in this book is amazing.

—Julia Balandina Jaquier, Ph.D.,

Head of Sustainable Investment Group,

AIG Investments, Zurich

A powerful visionary beacon for our evolving humanity. John Renesch shows us how to be the change we would like to see—in humanity.

—Debashis Chowdhury, author of

In Our Own Image: Humanity’s Quest for Divinity via Technology

With so many of us struggling, we all need a vision of hope that looks at life, business and the dark side of human behavior right in the eye. That’s what John Renesch does in this provocative, comprehensive guide to the future—and our role in constructing it.

—Patricia Aburdene,

author: Megatrends 2010: The Rise of Conscious Capitalism

"The Great Growing Up is packed with some of the best thinking this century has to offer about how to secure our future. The book is easy to read and will feed anybody with a hunger for change. Thought provoking, practical and inspiring."

—Mike Zeidler, founder,

Association of Sustainability Practitioners, London

"An invitation to participate in an enhanced future for the human species, John Renesch’s The Great Growing Up presents frightening evidence of the myths and trends propelling us down our current unsustainable path backed by an eloquent and inspirational vision for achievement of the shared peace, prosperity, and fulfillment that is the promise of all humankind, should we all only have the guts to overcome our fears, embrace meaningful change, and stand our ground."

—Darrell J. Brown,

Vice-Chairman and Editor, Leaders Magazine

An inspiring, visionary book detailing both the dangers and the opportunities before us, John Renesch persuasively shows how, despite the turmoil of our times, we can collectively rise to the occasion and create the society that we all know in our hearts is possible.

—Peter Russell,

author of The Global Brain, Waking Up in Time, and other books

"Humanity is bound to live soon through either a breakdown or a breakthrough on an unprecedented scale. The Great Growing Up explores how we can improve the chances for the breakthrough."

—Bernard Lietaer,

author of The Future of Money: Creating New Wealth, Work and a Wiser World

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Other Books Authored or Compiled

by John Renesch

Steven’s Choice

Getting to the Better Future: A Matter of Conscious Choosing

Leadership in a New Era

New Traditions in Business

Setting Goals

The New Entrepreneurs

(with Michael Ray)

The New Bottom Line: Bringing Heart and Soul to Business

(with Bill DeFoore)

Rediscovering the Soul of Business

(with Bill DeFoore)

Learning Organizations

(with Sarita Chawla)

Working Together: Producing Synergy by Honoring Diversity

(ed., Angeles Arrien)

Intuition at Work: Pathways to Unlimited Possibilities

(eds., Roger Frantz and Alex Pattakos)

Community Building: Renewing Spirit & Learning in Business

(ed., Kaz Gozdz)

When the Canary Stops Singing

(ed., Pat Barrentine)

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Contents

Preface

Introduction

Chapter 1: The New Great Dream

Chapter 2: Our Present Reality

Chapter 3: The Power of Consciousness

Chapter 4: Choosing Transformation

Chapter 5: Forces for Transformation: Category I: Forces Pushing for Change

Chapter 6: Forces for Transformation: Category II: External Attractors

Chapter 7: Forces for Transformation: Category III: Internal Attractors / Inspiration

Chapter 8: The New Legitimacy

Chapter 9: Let It Begin with Me

Endnotes

Bibliography

About the Author

About Hohm Press

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Preface

There are two windows of opportunity for human beings in motion right now. One is closing fast while the other is slowly opening wider. The one that’s closing fast is made up of all the threats to the quality of life as we know it—deforestation, population growth, deteriorating water and air quality, and all the other trends that make headlines each day. When this window closes, human beings may have to make one of the toughest mass adjustments in history if our species is to survive. This is the window of bad news.

The window that is opening is the good news: ever-increasing numbers of individuals seeking self-actualization, growing in consciousness, and willing to take on leadership roles in bringing about the first conscious evolution of our species. This window represents a somewhat invisible global movement of historic proportions. This collective choice is choosing adulthood over the largely adolescent ways we have been relating to one another and to our planet Earth.

Just about every system we have created—economic, government, healthcare, international security, education—is in crisis. At their best these systems are dysfunctional, and at their worst they’re doing more harm than good. The signs are too obvious to ignore. It’s time to grow up and be responsible as adults for what we have created as adolescents.

The Great Growing Up shows us how we can make this historic transition while both windows of opportunity are open.

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Personal Note

My earliest motivation in life was to assure the survival of my younger brother and myself. I was thrust into the role of head of household after barely starting school in the post World War II years, with a brother four years behind me. At the time, survival looked like maintaining the remnants of a family, making sure my kid brother and I got fed and wore clean clothes and that my mother was taken care of when she was drunk, which was almost every night and weekend. Luckily, our mother managed to hold down a daytime job, so we had some money. I could wake her from her stupor, get her signature on a check, shop for groceries and fill in the amount. Not bad for a pre-ten-year-old kid!

When my mother remarried and it became apparent that our family home would be stable, I began to relax about mere survival and looked around to see what the rest of the world was doing. I was now in my mid-to-late teens, having skipped most of my childhood and taken on what I understood grown-up behavior to be.

After a decade or two of entrepreneurial adventures—starting businesses that looked like fun to me—I started growing out of my own egocentric ways and began experiencing the entire world. Well into my thirties, I started identifying with the pain and suffering I