What does it mean to be in right relations with those who deny the realities of accelerating ecological degradation, social injustice, and individual suffering or, worse, who actively exacerbate those interwoven crises? Whether because we share close personal ties with those who are dismissive of the crises of our time, because we are actively engaged in the work of participating in and growing movements seeking to mitigate those issues, or simply because they occupy such prominent places in our cultural landscape, the “bad guys” are an inescapable part of life for many.
This unavoidable interdependence raises a host of issues, in both our personal practice and our roles as advocates and activists attempting to reduce suffering in the world at large. How might we relate to the “bad guys” with equanimity and compassion? How might we understand their seemingly inexplicable perspectives? How might we interact with them, when necessary, in ways that reduce suffering rather than replicate systems of violence and harm? Is it worthwhile engaging with them directly in the hopes that they might eventually be part of the “solution” or are such attempts merely wastes of our finite personal and collective time, energy, and resources?
In this deep dive into the topic, participants explored the predicament of “bad guys” through a range of lenses – Buddhist, evolutionary, developmental, psychological, strategic – with the hopes of gaining new insights into how one might better relate, on behalf of both people and planet, to those who cause so much harm.
This gathering took place on June 23, 2024. A recording of the gathering is available below.
Kevin is an attorney, author, and facilitator. He spent a decade in Washington, D.C. working on climate change, clean energy, and international peace building issues. He is a core member of the Council on the Uncertain Human Future and an organizing member of Sacred Activism, a think tank exploring the intersection of climate change and mindfulness. He has trained with the Sati Center for Buddhist Studies, the Center for Council, School of Lost Borders, and the Work That Reconnects.
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Recording
Inquiries and Prompts
- Journalling prompt: Who are the “bad guys?” What do you experience when you encounter them (directly or mentally)?
- Inquiry for Group Discussion 1: Does Homo Economicus impact how you relate to the “bad guys” behavior? Does Homo Efficens help you hold their behavior differently?
- Inquiry for Group Discussion 2: Pick your group’s favorite climate change/environmental activist. Imagine they are installed as the CEO of Exxon tomorrow. What happens?
Additional Resources
- Kevin Gallagher shared about the Stages of Engagement (also referred to as the Engagement Filter) during the gathering:
- Learn more about the work of Emergent Resilience here.
