By Robyn Baker, CPS Communications and Research Associate
Marillenknodel and velvet curtains. Shattered glass. Spiritual courage. Crossing the Atlantic. A sewing machine. Tram rides. Poverty. Law school. Two beautiful children. 1970 Supreme Court Amicus Curiae. The Chalice & The Blade. David Loye. The Center for Partnership Studies. Interdisciplinary Journal of Partnership Studies. United Nations. Sacred Pleasure. Spiritual Alliance to Stop Intimate Violence (SAIV). Tomorrow’s Children. Social Wealth Index. The Real Wealth of Nations. Grandchildren. Nurturing Our Humanity. Center for Partnership Systems.
And so much more.
Riane Eisler is one of those souls you meet once in every few lifetimes. As a leader, she is innovative, wise, and driven. As a person, she is elegant, kind, and intelligent. As an academic, she is ahead of her time and has worked tirelessly to redefine “normal” as a world of shared peace and prosperity. She radiates the love and light the world is slowly, but surely, beginning to understand and embrace. She reminds us that humans can endure the most difficult and painful chapters of history, and still contribute to a global paradigm shift in powerful ways.
Eisler’s work gives us insight into the darkest parts of domination systems and a holistic understanding on how to sustainably evolve into a partnership-oriented world. One of her greatest contributions, the Center for Partnership Systems (CPS, previously known as Center for Partnership Studies), was founded as a focal point of Eisler’s passion for integrated Partnership at all levels. This year, the CPS celebrates its 34th birthday alongside Riane Eisler’s own birthday as she pivots once again to lead the movement we need to make Partnerism mainstream.
Riane Eisler reminds us that humans can endure the most difficult and painful chapters of history, and still contribute to a global paradigm shift in powerful ways.
By founding the Center for Partnership Systems, Eisler has created a focal point of connection, collaboration, and inspiration for all those seeking answers to the underlying “why” seemingly age-old challenges, from gender and racial inequality to persistent warfare, have continued into the 21st century. She has channeled so much love and incredibly hard work into creating a space for the partnership-domination spectrum to be made known: a concept that did not yet exist to explain the countless attempts at system change that did not succeed during the last few centuries. Despite significant points of progress, such as the abolition of monarchial rule according to the “Divine Right of Kings,” the world remained in its framework of the haves and have-nots; thus causing the same patterns of hierarchical ranking to replicate themselves over time and space.
Eisler filled the gap in humanity’s pursuit of creating a thriving, caring, and connected way of life for people and the planet. Her research and writing went beyond what was accepted as “normal,” and even “moral,” to discover the roots of our Partnership past and provide the tools we need to co-create a Partnership future, today and everyday. By doing so, she has paved the way for all generations to unite in making our world more reflective of our true human nature: love. Not only this, but she continues to work diligently and passionately to raise awareness about the importance of the four cornerstones of Partnership-oriented progress: caring economics, hierarchies of actualization, egalitarian gender relations, and peaceful, inclusive narratives and language.
I am sure the CPS team, our esteemed partners, and our heart-full community can unanimously agree that Riane Eisler’s work has opened our eyes and minds to the potential for Partnership in every aspect of life; with ourselves, each other, our communities, countries, and Earth. For the remainder of the month, may we send love and best birthday wishes to Riane for an enriching and fulfilling year ahead.
Thank you, Riane Tennenhaus Eisler, for all you are and all you do.
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