Positive Patriotism

The Evolving British

Chris Parish Interviewed by Dr Nicholas Beecroft. Chris is a leading voice in the emerging field of evolutionary spirituality. Having grown up as a postmodern liberal, he used to feel that patriotism was relic from a bygone age which had no relevance to the modern world. After all, it was associated with imperialism, racism, war, nationalism so it was best consigned to the history books. However as he travelled the world, he noticed that people from other countries, such as the USA or even liberal postmodern countries like Denmark, had a much more self-confident attitude to their national identity which they could celebrate in an uncomplicated way without feeling racist or backward. 

He came across a survey of indicators of wellbeing and subjective patriotism in which the British ranked very highly across all the objective measures of success and wellbeing but ranked themselves 104th, along with the Sudan and Yemen, in terms of attitude to their country. He realized that what marked Britain out was its huge fall in status from having been the most successful and dominant power for 200 years until the middle of the Twentieth Century, then falling down to the second rank. Modern liberal Britons seemed to have difficulty coming to terms with the weight of this history. 

In this interview with Dr Nicholas Beecroft, Chris explores the British national identity from an enlightened, liberal, post-postmodern perspective. He discusses the wounds, traumas and shame of past wrongs associated with British patriotism and the way in which we have responded to that, often putting it unconsciously into shadow, unresolved and unintegrated. He unpacks all that and puts it in an integral, developmental, conscious, evolutionary context-understanding the history in its context and connecting our past, present and future as a stream of conscious spirit over time. 

Finally, he states his own patriotic feelings and beliefs and models how we can confidently embrace our patriotism and tribal parts in this evolutionary, conscious, still liberal, post-postmodern integral world view. 
Chris Parish is the director of EnlightenNext UK as well as author, seminar leader and a major contributor to the emerging field of evolutionary spirituality. In collaboration with Andrew Cohen, he developed a powerful communication technique known as ‘enlightened communication.’ This unique form of intersubjective dialogue results in new perspectives and releases individual and collective creativity. 

Chris leads seminars and workshops throughout the world on Evolutionary Enlightenment and regularly engages with other contemporary thinkers and cultural critics. 

Having spent nearly forty years pursuing spiritual illumination and philosophical understanding, he is a close collaborator, partner and student of spiritual teacher and cultural visionary, Andrew Cohen, in teaching Evolutionary Enlightenment: an approach to individual and cultural transformation that combines timeless wisdom with the particular challenges of our moment in history. Chris is the Managing Director of EnlightenNext UK, a popular speaker, skilled workshop facilitator and well-published author. 

Dr Nicholas Beecroft, a Military and Organizational Psychiatrist, has spent 25 years exploring the worlds of Medicine, Psychiatry, Business, International Relations and the Military. In the Future of Western Civilization Series, he interviews visionary leaders to discover their inspiring, positive and practical visions for the future and challenges them with incisive questions.

Future of Western Civilization Series 1, Book 1 
Introduction to the Series-Dr Nicholas Beecroft interviewed by Melanie Mortiboys 
British Patriotism-A Newcomer’s Perspective-William Nkata Masembe 
The Next Big Shift-From Machine to Living System-Dr Nicholas Beecroft 
Global Simultaneous Policy Making-Bottom-Up Global Policy-John Bunzl 
The Future of Capitalism-Getting What We Really Want-Jon Freeman 
Transpartisan Politics-The Power of Integrating Diversity-Joseph McCormick 
Creating Heaven on Earth-Taking Small Steps in the Right Direction-Martin Rutte 
Bonds, Fields and Intentions-Culture Catches Up with Science-Lynne McTaggart 
Leadership with Integrity-How to be True to Yourself-Dr Mary Gentile 
Wisdom-Lost and Rediscovered-Professor Jim Garrison 
The Living Universe-Bringing Science, Finance and Society to Life-Dr Elisabet Sahtouris 
Organizational Democracy-10 Steps to Democratic Culture and Leadership-Traci Fenton

Future of Western Civilization Series 1, Book 2 
The West is Best-Insights from the PR Man to the Stars-Howard Bloom 
Evolutionary Enlightenment-Living from your Creative Impulse-Andrew Cohen 
Renaissance 2-Catalyzing the Second Renaissance-Dr Robin Wood 
Positive Patriotism-The Evolving British-Chris Parish 
The Master Code-The Theory that Explains Everything-Dr Don Beck

Future of Western Civilization Series 1, Book 3 
Generational Cycles-Predicting the Future-Neil Howe 
Catalyzing Change-Engaging Emergence-Peggy Holman 
Successful Nations-Harnessing the Aspirations of the People-Richard Barrett 
Resurrecting Christianity-Rising to the Challenges of a Complex World-Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali 
German Identity & Patriotism-Healing the Wounds, Integrating the Shadow-Adrian Wagner 
Compassionate Healthcare-Re-humanising Medicine-Dr Robin Youngson 
New Money-The Evolution of Finance-Jordan MacLeod

Future of Western Civilization Series 1, Book 4 
Unleashing Human Potential-Alignment, Energetics and Connection-Soleira Green 
Wise Democracy-Discovering Solutions to Intractable Problems-Jim Rough 
Mindfulness-Applications for Leaders and Clinicians-Dr Nicholas Beecroft 
Evolutionary Leadership-Conscious Leadership in an Age of Transition-Peter Merry 
The Future of Europe-A View from Inside the European Union-Helen Titchen Beeth 
Ending the Culture War-A Devoted Conservative and a Die-hard Liberal Make Friends-Phil Neisser & Jacob Hess 
The Future of Western Civilization Progress Report-Dr Nicholas Beecroft interviewed by Melanie Mortiboys