* Book: Spretnak, C. Relational Reality: New discoveries of Interrelatedness That Are Transforming the Modern World Topsham: Green Horizon Books, 2011

Here is the publisher’s summary:

“Ms. Spretnak’s eighth book, Relational Reality: New Discoveries of Interrelatedness That Are Transforming the Modern World was published in 2011. Noting that our hypermodern societies, currently possess only a kindergarten understanding of the deeply relational nature of reality, she illuminates the coherence of numerous recent discoveries that are moving the relational worldview from the margins into the mainstream. The central realization, with myriad manifestations, is that all entities in this world, including humans, are thoroughly relational beings of great complexity who are both composed of and nested within contextual networks of creative, dynamic interrelationships. Nothing exists outside of those relationships. She presents newly created relational approaches that are already transforming the way we educate our children, attend to our health, green our communities, and rethink economic activity. New analysis of the crises of modernity and bountiful new solutions are the result.”

Gina Messina-Dysert has written an enthusiastic review which you can find here.

Here is an excerpt from a review by Earth-Link:

“”Relational Reality begins with the statement: “The failure to notice that reality is inherently dynamic and interrelated at all levels – including substance and functioning – has caused a vast range of suffering.” Spretnak then proceeds to reveals the remarkable level of coherence among numerous surprising discoveries of the interrelated nature of reality. These discoveries have resulted in a new perspective that has been emerging gradually for the past several decades but has gained momentum and is now transforming every mainstream field of human endeavor. All our basic assumptions (built on the old idea that everything in the physical world is essentially separate and functions mechanistically) are being reconsidered.

No longer a marginal perspective, the Relational Shift is based on the realization that all entities in this world, including humans, are thoroughly relational beings of great complexity who are both composed of and nested within networks of creative, dynamic interrelationships. Nothing exists outside of those relationships. The author explores the relational shifts that are occurring in areas as diverse as education and parenting, health and healthcare, community design and architecture, and the economy. She suggests that, as we try to grasp the interrelated nature of reality, emergent relational approaches are already transforming these areas, and posits that new analyses of the crises of modernity and abundant new solutions are the result.

At the end of these analyses, Relational Reality concludes that “the Relational Shift – which is truly a Relational Renewal – brings us into a deeper realization of our inherent relationship with the sacred whole, the entire creative presence, the divine mystery of it all.”