To say the United States is divided would be an understatement. Even beyond racism, white people had trouble uniting amongst themselves hence the civil war. . But there is hope, our western culture likes to view time as linear, but aboriginal thinking according to author Tyson Yunkaporta says it’s cyclical. The answer may lie in returning to the ways of the land prior to the European invasion. Here’s how indigenous thinking will Heal America’s spirit, a review of Sand Talk.

“There is a pattern to the universe and everything in it, and there are knowledge systems and traditions that follow this pattern to maintain balance, to keep the temptations of narcissism in check”-Author Tyson Yunkaporta

Our macro perspective of racism leads the headline news and the subtle micro influences barely get a mention. After reading Yunkaporta’s Sand Talk you begin to learn the harmful effects of American culture we aren’t even aware of. One of the biggest is America’s independence in contrast to aboriginal’s interdependence. America loves to compare itself to dictator lead countries to show how free it is here. But that freedom comes with a cost.

“One man tried going in a straight line many thousands of years ago and was called wamba (crazy) and punished by being thrown up into the sky. This is a very old story, one of many stories that tell us how we must travel and think in free-ranging patterns, warning us against charging ahead in a crazy way.”-Author Tyson Yunkaporta

The cost is a true community, the cost is not having a village raising a child and the child being raised by the government and a failed public school system. Ironic how our independence makes us more dependent on the government. Were independent with citizens and interdependent with the government when the reverse should be ideal.

“Were all in a narcissistic relationship with the government”

As mentioned in the opening section our society has been divided long before Donald Trump. For over 400 years there hasn’t been any unity. That should be the first red flag. Wars and revolts make the headlines but it’s the culture that influences it more than anything. American Culture lacks interdependence on citizen relationships and doesn’t value them unless someone can financially help you. And we wonder why things are the way they are today.

“Understanding your own culture and the way it interacts with others, particularly the power dynamics of it is far more appreciated…”-Author Tyson Yunkaporta

With the rise of social media and the pandemic, it’s going to take a lot of courage and a strong mind to embrace the value of interdependence Yunkaporta speaks of.

American culture is an algorithm that runs a real-time simulation of the biblical end of days prophecies. Mother against daughter, father against son, and young against old, all because we chose not to embrace indigenous ways of interdependence.

Yunkaporta’s calls readers to become the custodians of society and the earth. To really respect nature and not just make it a hashtag or marketing campaign. The book is a call to put aside our desire to be above the land and its people which Yunkaporta refers to as the first law. Sand Talk speaks of community engagement but it also calls us to take inventory of our prejudices and biases.

“Diversity is not about tolerating differences or treating others equally and without prejudice. The diversification principle compels you to maintain your individual differences, particularly from other agents who are similar to you. This prevents you from clustering into narcissistic flash mobs.

You must also seek out and interact with a wide variety of agents who are completely dissimilar to you. Finally, you must interact with other systems beyond your own, keeping your system open and therefore sustainable.” – Author Tyson Yunkaporta

Sand Talk can be purchased Here

In conclusion, One doesn’t have to go far to see the complaints of the average U.S. citizen. The way things are going isn’t working and the old America way didn’t work otherwise we wouldn’t be in this mess. If you’re strong enough to put aside your biases and embrace Independent thinking you will find a lot to learn in Yukaporta’s Sand Talk. This book is 250 plus pages, our review barely scratched the surface..

Verdict–BUY