By F. DAVID PEAT
About this blog
Welcome to the Gentle Action blog. The purpose of this blog is to encourage debate and exchange ideas on what F. David Peat has termed Gentle Action.
In his new book Gentle Action: Bringing Creative Change to a Turbulent World Peat argues that while individuals, organizations or governments take action or give aid, often from the best of motives, it is sometimes the case that such action is disruptive and damaging to a community, economy or environment. The reasons are that in some many cases plans and policies do not take into account the complexity and delicate nature of the systems that surround us. Moreover the nature of the organization that attempts to bring about positive change may be more rigid than the system it seeks to alter. In addition so often the organization is now working from within the system but imposing change from outside.
The solutions proposed in the book are that new forms of “gentle action” are needed, actions which begin from within the system in question and emerge in creative ways.. These may range from projects on an international scale to a simple action by an individual. Such actions generally flow from what Peat has termed “creative suspension” – that temporary pause when we listen and learn what the system has to teach us before taking action.
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By F. David Peat, February 17, 2009 @ 10:32 am
Your contributions, comments and cases are welcome.
By Juliet Kapsis, July 21, 2009 @ 1:49 pm
Making ripples – I am so grateful for the conversation between Michael Toms and F. David Peat that I listened to last night on New Dimensions Media. During that hour, I was presented with stories of individual folks who made a difference. Mr. Peat – you spoke of the great optimism you have for our time and I share that with you. Rosa sat so that Martin would walk and Obama would run. And I would be sitting in a cafe today creating a future for myself that is based on the good of all. People are ready for change and leadership and each of us is responsible for that change and leadership. I look forward to what we are all creating! Peace and joy!
By F. David Peat, July 21, 2009 @ 2:46 pm
Juliet
Thank you for your kind comments.
David
By mutitu Njeru, June 2, 2010 @ 8:23 am
Hi, am a small farmer in Embu. I would like to start a rabbit farming project and would appreciate ideas on rearing, ordering and selling.
kindly link me up.