#78 Holding Love & Power (Without Losing Either) with policy advisor Jamie Bristow

Send a love message Hey everybody. This podcast is about seemingly impossible combinations and this one is the doozy of love and power. It’s about the politics of care. Or love in politics. Can you hold those words at once? Can we? We might be surprised by ourselves.Jamie Bristow has spent the last fifteen years bringing mindfulness and contemplative practices into the British Parliament, the UN, and halls of power around the world. And now he’s decided love is the only answer. But what happens when you bring the language of love into spaces where we typically speak only of power via politics?This episode, hosted by philosopher and cognitive scientist Andrea Hiott, delves into the intersection of love and power in political and personal realms. Guest Jamie Bristow, with his extensive experience in the British Parliament and the UN, explores how mindfulness, consciousness, and inner transformation can reshape politics and society. Through discussing concepts like Eros, resilience, and ontological meta modernism, the conversation examines how personal and societal change can be navigated, holding love and power together to create meaningful transformation. The episode also touches on Jamie's journey from a corporate advertising executive to a 'legitimizing agent' for contemplative practices in politics, highlighting the role of faith, trust, and the evolving nature of consciousness.Jamie is a policy advisor working at the intersection of inner & outer transformation, resilience and sustainabilityFind Jamie and his work here*Also the episode with Fotis and Johannes that also touches on themes of metamodernism00:00 The Sacred Nature of Power02:05 Introduction to Love and Philosophy02:25 Exploring Love and Power in Politics03:14 Jamie Bristow's Journey08:41 Mindfulness in Parliament18:38 The Intersection of Inner and Outer Worlds31:51 The Role of Love and Power in Society43:45 Exploring the Concept of Eros44:23 The Broader Implications of Eros46:33 Love as a Cosmic Force47:43 Resilience and the Role of Love52:51 Trust and Faith in Personal Growth55:43 The Politics of Love01:14:06 Navigating Modernity and Postmodernity01:19:18 The Middle Way and Superposition01:27:50 Closing Reflections on Love and PhilosophyThe System Within: addressing the inner dimensions of sustainability and systems transformationMindfulness in Westminster: Reflections from UK Politicians Reconnection: Meeting the Climate Crisis Inside OutThe Conscious Food Systems Alliance (UNDP) Power & Love: A Theory and Practice of Social Change by Adam KahanePolitical Emotions: Why Love Matters for Justice - Martha NussbaumFull intro and notes here.Care is not the opposite of love. It is the very urge of life. 'Caring for what?' is the primary question. That we have a choice about what we care for and how is what makes us human, but it's quite the challenge and responsibility. Let's help one another handle it.Support the showBuy Holding Paradox: The Navigational Approach to Mind and Consciousness by Andrea HiottSign up for Making Ways newsletter and projects.Please rate and review with love. YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Substack.