Published 01-23-06
Submitted by Utne Magazine
"As we do in every issue of Utne, we try to provide practical solutions to problems many of us face everyday," says Nina Utne, Editor-in-Chief. "Each person we talked to for our cover package fights the battles of burnout, conflict, and often, despair with practices ranging from focused, daily self-reflection to established-faith traditions. We believe this kind of 'solution journalism' from a major independent media source is not only needed in the marketplace of ideas and rapid news cycles, it's necessary to sustain readers and others who are looking for alternative voices that have something to offer the challenges we face."
The new issue has already been lauded by the influential MediaPost, a leading advertising and media Internet portal, for its in-depth news reporting and analysis.
"Utne's thoughtfulness and measured approach makes it one of the few truly worthy titles out there," reports MediaPost contributing writer Larry Dobrow. Even when examining a much-reported topic in this post-9/11 world - how to remain grounded amidst threats of terrorism, flu pandemics and such - Utne "assesses the situation from several perspectives," Dobrow observes. "It presents an essay, a Q&A with an organizational consultant who doubles as a shaman, and first-person pieces in which five activist types share their secrets for staying cool, calm and collected. Utne surrounds the subject and, in doing so, offers an action plan for those inclined to follow it."
And what are some of those insights?
"Having an intimate and living relationship to your own sense of purpose is a renewable, inexhaustible source of energy, from which you can draw over a lifetime of service," explains consultant Robert Gass, a teacher and founder of the Rockwood Leadership Program in an interview with the magazine's Editor-in-Chief.. "It was just such a connection to purpose that sustained Nelson Mandala through his years imprisoned at Robben Island," Gass notes. He invites readers to cultivate a discipline of self-reflection and to practice "state-shifting" to stay centered amidst the intensity of any task and, ultimately, "to be the change we wish to see in the world," as Ghandi advocated.
Spiritual Activism (aka "Fierce Grace")
Writer Kristin Ohlson interviews five community activists from around the country to find out what keeps them grounded amidst frequently dire and dysfunctional situations. These individuals' ability to cope might be called "spiritual activism," and it is used to create real change, both inside and out. In her article, Ohlson profiles:
Also in the new issue:
About Utne
Since 1984, Utne has been a leading voice in independent media, bringing readers a visceral and informed point-of-view on issues ranging from the environment to the economy and from politics to pop culture--the kind of stories you'll find in the mainstream media months or years from now.
Reaching a total audience of nearly 700,000, Utne taps into the pulse of what's emerging in culture by engaging with the most visionary thinkers and doers of our time and by reading thousands of indie publications, web sites, blogs, newly published books, films and other off-the-beaten-path sources. Read more at www.utne.com.
Founded in 1984 by Eric Utne, UTNE READER reprints the best articles from over 2,000 alternative media sources bringing you the latest ideas and trends emerging in our culture... Provocative writing from diverse perspectives... Insightful analysis of art and media... Down-to-earth news and resources you can use... In-depth coverage of compelling people and issues that affect your life... The best of the alternative media.
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