Unity
of Greater Portland will usher in their Interfaith Intercultural Season with a
series of films, multi-media talks and forums with Connie Baxter Marlow and
Andrew Cameron Bailey, authors, filmmakers and futurists.
The
weekend’s events are centered on the theme, “Become the promise America made to
the World.” Central to this theme is the
connection to the Indigenous values embodied by Marlow’s great, great
grandfather, James Phinney Baxter and his son, Percival Baxter, both prominent
Maine politicians.
Native American cosmology, their way of life and belief
systems are connected to the heart, spirit and oneness of all life, honoring
the animals, the earth, and the water, said Marlow. “This is what James Phinney
Baxter and Percy Baxter did in their public and private lives; they honored the
women, the animals, the earth and the water,” she added. These values inspired action:
The Baxters gave the people of Maine, Baxter State Park, Baxter Woods, and
Mackworth Island. James Phinney Baxter, six-time Mayor of Portland, formed the
Portland city park system. All of these acts were designed to allow people to
get close to nature and access those aspects of themselves, Marlow said.
Understanding
these indigenous values that were so important to her ancestors is of critical
importance, Marlow said, to finding a new perspective that can move us from old
ways of being into new realities. “Without that, we’re stuck,” she said, “separated
from the true nature of the universe.”
On
Friday, September 22, the pair will screen their film, “SEEDS OF FREEDOM: A
Vision for America,” which highlights the belief held by James Phinney Baxter
that America must embody the high ideals of New England’s original settlers.
The film also includes a link that is often missing: the role of the American
Indian in the evolution of democracy and the American mind and spirit.
The
screening will be followed by a multi-media talk and discussion titled,
“Thoreau, the Pope and the Indian: A Shared Vision.”
On
Sunday, September 24, the two will present their message, “The Baxter Legacy –
Alignment with Indigenous Values,” at the 10 a.m. service. This will be
followed by a multi-media presentation and discussion at noon, titled, “Civil
Disobedience, Spiritual Activism and Higher Law: A Vision of the Individual’s
Role in Creating a Just World.”
The
intent of these presentations is, “giving people hope and courage for what to
do right here, right now, given the current situation in this country and in
the world around our birthrights of liberty, justice, equality and abundance,”
said Marlow.
On
Sunday, they will track the evolution of social activism, from civil
disobedience and non-violent non-cooperation through to spiritual activism;
which is aligned with higher law, Marlow said. “As we’ve unfolded our
understanding of the nature of the universe and humanity’s place in it, quantum
science has shown us that our thinking actually affects the collective,” she
said. “What we’re showing is this evolution of consciousness and our ability to
affect change through supporting something positive.” The hope is that people will come away with
an idea of their own personal power, along with some tools for understanding
their place in a conscious, loving, abundant universe, she said.
Bailey
added that asking questions about core beliefs isn’t something typically done
in today’s society, but it’s critical to do so. Bringing these beliefs to the
surface, he said often allow for change, allowing people to see their
circumstances from a different perspective. “It changes perspective. It gives
people a more accepting attitude toward existence. It’s literally the
difference between a fear based existence and a trust based existence,” he
said.
No comments:
Post a Comment