Objective
Charles Eisenstein is a public #speaker, gift economy advocate, and the #author of several books including The Ascent of Humanity (2007), Sacred Economics (2011), and The More Beautiful World Our Hearts Know Is Possible (2013). Eisenstein has spoken at various conferences and events over the years. His events are held voluntarily, and in accordance with his ideal of generosity and "living in the gift," he generally charges people for expenses but no professional fee.[1]
Born in 1967, Eisenstein graduated from Yale in 1989 with a degree in Mathematics and Philosophy. He describes his late 20s through his mid-30s as "a long period of intensifying crisis." During this time, he held short-term positions as a construction worker, college instructor, and yoga teacher, but spent most of his time as a stay-at-home dad. He then spent four years writing The Ascent of Humanity, which was published in 2007 and became his first commercially successful book.[1]
His work covers a wide range of topics, including the history of human civilization, economics, spirituality, and the ecology movement. Key themes explored include anti-consumerism, interdependence, and how myth and narrative influence culture. According to Eisenstein, global culture is immersed in a destructive "story of separation", and one of the main goals of his work is to present an alternative "story of interbeing". Eisenstein has been involved in the Occupy, New Economy, and permaculture movements.[1]
Eisenstein has four sons; one with his current wife, Stella, and three with his previous wife, Patsy. He currently lives in Asheville, North Carolina.
Interviews
"When we fall in love with other beings and this vast being we call Earth, then the question no longer is 'are we going to survive or not if we continue the fossil fuel economy or whatever we're talking about. That's not the right question. The question is, 'are we contributing to the flourishing of life? What part are we playing? What do we want to be? What world do we want to live in? How do we take care of the world that we love?' So, it's a revolution of love; not of more enlightened self-interest." ~ 25:00
Contexts
#charles-eisenstein