Adrian Freedman joins Elevate on Friday March 6th to participate in a panel discussion about "Music: A Universal Language of Humankind?". Furthermore he takes part in "Eco Emergency, Psychospiritual Crisis and Plant Medicine" on Sunday, March 8th. Also on Sunday: A concert with the Shakuhatchi flute.
Free entry at the Festival location Forum Stadtpark! -> Full programme info.
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Elevate's festival theme 2020 is "Human Nature". What's your second thought about this?
My second thought about Human Nature is that it is endlessly creative and has enormous capacity for kindness, courage and transformational growth.
And your first?
My first thought was - ‘Why is he asking me what my second thought is before my first?”
Quo Vadis Humanity? In 2009 Elevate's main theme was the climate crisis. 10 years have passed. Whats your take on the next 10?
I don’t have any take on the next ten years, the next five or the next two... I am aware that both the planet and humanity are in crisis - but I feel that I understand what I have to do in the face of that, and that I have to continue my path step by step, focused on the here and now.
I understand my capacity to be in service to the forces of inner transformation that are calling so many people in these times, and that seem to be a necessary ingredient for real change to take place, and I understand what my role is in the face of that ... to continue holding space for folks to find their own source of inner strength, calmness and compassion.
More and more people are drawn to this kind of inner transformational work, and those of us experienced in holding space for such processes need not look further than the immediate, ongoing and increasing need for our services.
The relationship of humans and technology - more reasons to be pessimistic or optimistic? Can you name some?
I don’t have a feeling about this issue one way or the other. But my general tendency is to be optimistic.
And our relationship with nature? Of course we are "part of it", but....where are we going?
In my experience there seems to be a growing awareness about the interdependent nature of all things, and about the essential oneness of the human spirit with the spirit of nature. I guess what is needed is a cleansing of the lens of perception so that we can all feel these truths resonate more deeply within our being. In my experience a growing number of people are being called to engage in the inner work necessary to deepen these understandings and to feel more strongly this sense of Interbeing.
"Psycho-spiritual crisis", "a psychotic society",... How bad is the status quo of humanity?
Looked at in one way there could be said to be a sickness at the heart of humanity.
But at the same time, it seems to me that the tools and the practices, both ancient and modern, that are necessary to be able to be part of the healing of this sickness are becoming more and more widely available, and that more and more people are seeking them out, just as more folks are taking responsibility for being responsibly trained in these practices.
A message to the Elevate Festival community? What can we do?
Stay focused on the next step. Cultivate calmness and courage. Don’t be alone.
Elevate features many amazing artists in the music & arts programme. Can we meet you on the Dancefloor too?
No reason not to ...
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Adrian Freedman joins Elevate on Friday March 6th to participate in a panel discussion about "Music: A Universal Language of Humankind?". Furthermore he takes part in "Eco Emergency, Psychospiritual Crisis and Plant Medicine" on Sunday, March 8th. Also on Sunday: A concert with the Shakuhatchi flute.
Free entry at the Festival location Forum Stadtpark! -> Full programme info.
