Malibu author Andrew Beath believes education, and changing one individual at a time with conscious awareness, will lead to cultural change, liberating people from the addiction to consumption and creating a healthier society.
By Bridget Graham Gungoren / Special to The Malibu Times
“Consciousness in Action: The power of beauty, love and courage in a violent time,” By Andrew Beath; Lantern Books, 293 pages
After initiating several nonprofit, social justice and environmental organizations over the years, Malibu resident Andrew Beath has found himself as an author, sharing his observations and base teachings on how to achieve “social consciousness of action.”
“I found seven attributes of consciousness activism,” Beath said. “I’m not saying these are right, or that there aren’t others; these are the ones I’ve found to be true.”
Beath defines conscious living as “engagement in the world to express one’s most profound understanding of the nature of reality.” He said there is a desire for a more profound understanding of relationships to the natural world; a desire to understand the interconnectedness of life.
His book is an examination of the seven attributes he’s found: Nonviolence, not knowing (spontaneity), introspection, Eros (the art of loving), no enemies, and vision and joy without motive.
Beath is the founder of the nonprofit EarthWays Foundation, started in 1985 to “encourage personal awareness and social responsibility from a global perspective,” according to the Web site. The goal is to empower disadvantaged indigenous women and girls, as well as promote social activism in many different areas of the world. EarthWays Foundation also served as one of the three producers of the World Festival of Sacred Music in September of last year.
Educated at Duke University, Beath was named to the all-star football team in the Atlantic Coast Conference. After one year in professional football for the Greenbay Packers, he pursued a graduate degree in international finance from the Wharton School of finance. But it was at the age of 30, he felt there was more. Beath took off for a 10-year travel adventure, which eventually led him back to the United States. He made his home in Malibu and founded nonprofits for sustainable living and education.
In addition to the arts and education programs, and environmental projects, Beath founded Social and Environmental Entrepreneurs, or SEE, to focus on animal rights, at-risk youth, wildlife conservation and many other issues of social justice.
“Cultural change brings more compassion and caring people coming together with the animals and the earth,” Beath said. “There is wisdom in building … a wave of energy.”
The book includes excerpts from social activists such as Julia Butterfly Hill, Joanna Macy, Deena Metzger, John Mack, Ralph Metzner and others, who contribute with agreement of Beath’s insight of what it means to be a participant in conscious activism.
“It’s about going within one’s self and finding a deepened sense of human condition, why we’re here and living in relationship to all living things,” Beath said. “It’s about understanding the human condition.
“It’s a global issue,” he continued. “If we continue the way we are, we’re in big trouble. What will global warming do in 10 years for our children?”
While quick not to discount the importance of protests, he said, “It’s not just about protesting … All work is critical.”
Beath said he believes education, and changing one individual at a time with conscious awareness, will lead to cultural change, liberating people from the addiction to consumption and creating a healthier society. He said if each person understands the irreversible damage being done to the planet, the earth’s beauty could be preserved for future generations. The seven engagements “have demonstrated their viability across time and cultures to bring about change.”
Beath is scheduled for a book signing March 5, 3 p.m., at Diesel, A Bookstore in the Cross Creek Shopping Center.