#505: Elizabeth Lesser on Building Omega Institute, ADD (Authenticity Deficit Disorder), and Seeking The Emotion of Illumination

Elizabeth Lesser shares the story of how she co-founded the Omega Institute in 1977 in Upstate New York. Originating from a communal living experiment inspired by spiritual teacher Pierre Vallayat Inayat Khan, the institute was envisioned as a holistic learning center blending Eastern spirituality, Western science, and personal growth. Initially a community of young seekers living in a former shaker village, Omega grew rapidly, hosting a wide range of workshops in holistic health, meditation, arts, and social change. Elizabeth emphasizes the importance of their experimental beginnings, acknowledging the difficulties and eventual evolution away from communal living toward a sustainable educational institution.

Elizabeth discusses her personal understanding of spirituality and mysticism. She prefers the word 'mysticism,' emphasizing the idea of dwelling in mystery and experiencing the divine directly. Spirituality, rooted in the concept of spirit as the indwelling principle, is about connecting with the sacred in everyday life. She highlights the importance of approaching life with a sense of wonder and openness to experience, as inspired by poets like Gerard Manley Hopkins. Elizabeth also underscores that spirituality is deeply personal, and her definition encourages a relaxed, experiential approach to the mystical aspects of life.

Elizabeth introduces the concept of 'innervism,' a term she coined to describe the importance of inner work alongside activism. She believes that effective social justice work begins with cultivating peace within oneself. Elizabeth recounts her experience working with her sister through a 'soul marrow transplant,' a metaphor for internal healing and clearing open secrets — unresolved issues and assumptions that hinder authentic relationships. She advocates the practice of honest inquiry and asking difficult questions, emphasizing that change often occurs through inquiry rather than immediate resolution. She encourages regular assessments of inner states to foster real peace and authenticity, both personally and in collective efforts.

The episode explores Elizabeth's latest book, 'Cassandra Speaks,' which focuses on the stories women tell and how shifting narratives can transform human history. She depicts Cassandra, the mythological figure cursed to predict the future and be ignored, as a symbol of women's voice and intuition often invalidated across cultures. Elizabeth advocates for women to reclaim their truths and elevate their stories to effect cultural change. She discusses the importance of women in leadership, their nurturing instincts, and the need for societal recognition of these qualities. The overarching theme is empowering women as storytellers to reshape collective myths and narratives.

Elizabeth addresses the qualities of leadership, emphasizing the importance of combining strength with compassion — what she calls 'full-hearted fatherhood' and the 'tend and befriend' instinct in women. She discusses Gloria Steinem's quote about women’s potential for aggression and how women can channel power constructively. Elizabeth advocates valuing nurturing, empathy, and relational skills in leadership roles traditionally dominated by male stereotypes of heroism. She hopes to see a cultural shift where emotional intelligence and care are recognized as strengths, especially in men and in new models of leadership.

Elizabeth emphasizes that grief is a sign of love and suggests that society often lacks rituals for mourning that honor the depth of loss. She recommends external practices like traditional mourning periods and creating space for authentic mourning to facilitate healing. Her advice includes reading books on grief, like those by Elizabeth Kubler-Ross and Henry Nowen, to prepare oneself for loss and to honor the process of grieving as integral to love and connection. She advocates for staying open emotionally and allowing grief to be a part of life, rather than seeking premature closure.

Elizabeth offers practical wisdom, encouraging listeners to be gentle with themselves, recognizing that inner work and external change are ongoing processes. She advocates for small, consistent efforts—'doing as little as needed'—and highlights the importance of balancing inner compassion with boundaries. Her overarching message is one of love, authenticity, patience, and communal growth, emphasizing that personal transformation can lead to broader societal shifts.