Michael Tellinger on Ubuntu and More

03/22/17 • 62 min

Episode 85 - Michael Tellinger

Michael Tellinger is a relentless questioner, taking no information for granted.

His investigation of the ancient stone circle structures found near his home of South Africa resulted in three books: Temples of the African Gods; Slave Species of god and Adam’s Calendar.

Hidden Origins

In those books, he shares the research that led him to his theory about the real purpose of these structures and his conclusion that human civilization is likely much older than scientists have previously believed.

I became aware of Michael by watching the Internet subscription channel, Gaia, where he can be seen on several interview shows as well as on his own series, "Hidden Origins." On these shows, Michael pulls together disparate pieces of information to weave a new tale about our ancient past as well as our possible future.

His relentless questioning also led him to found the Ubuntu movement - an effort that seeks to promote a contributionist economy. (Not long ago I interviewed Brandon Shalton who heads up the Ubuntu U.S. "One Small Town" effort.)

While certainly unorthodox, Michael's work can be quite compelling and prod us to question everything we have been taught.

To my mind, an idea like Ubuntu, today, could only come from someone like Michael Tellinger - someone willing to question everything as well as to entertain just about any idea. Although, you would think, most scientists would embrace such an approach, too often they don't as Charles Eisenstein pointed out in his article, "The Need for Venture Science."

Ubuntu

I also believe that only an outrageous idea such as Ubuntu, has a real shot at successfully replacing our current economic system.

So I was absolutely thrilled when a former guest, Michael E. V. Knight, put me in touch with Michael Tellinger so that I could interview him.

In this episode, we discuss the need to question what we've been taught; why our monetary system isn't serving humankind; what Ubuntu is and how it would change daily life for humans; and what Michael is doing to spread the Ubuntu message.

A society which only requires a few hours of weekly work from each of its citizens in exchange for quality food, clothing, housing and health care, may seem absurd. But is it really any more absurd than working 40 hours a week at a job you hate to pay for cheap products, poisonous food, housing and healthcare that are anything but guaranteed?

While I may not agree with all of his theories, I'm grateful that there are people like Michael, willing to brave public scrutiny and an entrenched academic system in an effort to uncover truth and find solutions to our most pressing human needs.

Episode 85 - Michael Tellinger

Michael Tellinger is a relentless questioner, taking no information for granted.

His investigation of the ancient stone circle structures found near his home of South Africa resulted in three books: Temples of the African Gods; Slave Species of god and Adam’s Calendar.

Hidden Origins

While certainly unorthodox, Michael's work can be quite compelling and prod us to question everything we have been taught.

Ubuntu

I also believe that only an outrageous idea such as Ubuntu, has a real shot at successfully replacing our current economic system.

So I was absolutely thrilled when a former guest, Michael E. V. Knight, put me in touch with Michael Tellinger so that I could interview him.

Previous Episode

The Importance of Being a Father

Being a Father Brings Change

Being a Father, growing into that role, does not happen overnight. Sure, the physical part, the birth of a child, usually happens relatively fast (and often during the night), but being a father is an ever evolving undertaking.

Ideas of how to be a parent formed prior to the arrival of the baby often change rapidly when faced with the reality of having a real live little person with a mind and a personality of her own as part of the family. Sometimes, change comes about slowly. Values, expectations and life goals might change completely and are constantly in need of being reexamined as the children grow and change.

For Diego, the birth of first daughter was a bit of a shock - life changed dramatically. After the initial “honeymoon” phase with the new baby, reality hit. It is not as easy to get up and go and do whatever you want once a baby is part of the equation.

Who is Diego?

If asked that question ten years ago, Diego probably would have answered that he is a young business professional out to conquer the world of business. His priority at that time was more centered around career building and making money - lots of it. Making investments, creating a retirement, buying a house. In short, desires and goal which are considered “normal” and/or desirable for most people.

Enter children and Permaculture into Diego’s life. A complete shift of priorities happened. Today, Diego has left his corporate job behind and is building a business and a lifestyle centered around his family.

Diego is the founder of Permaculture Voices, a podcaster and an online entrepreneur.

What is Permaculture Voices?

Permaculture Voices started as a conference with the goal of bringing the great teachers in the Permaculture arena together for a conference in a place where people would want to travel to. The place was San Diego in early spring. People from cold climates surely could use the break from ice and snow and weren’t yet busy working on the land.

A conference needs promoting. And a podcast seemed like a good idea to reach people all over the world. Guess what. Diego fell in love with podcasting.

Now, several years and three major conferences later, Diego decided to let go of the large conferences and Permaculture Voices has morphed into an online business featuring podcasts and online courses as well as in-person workshops, and more.

Balancing Work and Being a Father

Diego and Marianne met at a Master Composting class when he was a brand new father. He and his wife had just purchased a house and Diego had started to be interested in growing food, composting and fruit trees. Somehow, Permaculture came to his attention and with it, his change in life philosophy and his life work.

Now, Diego has three kids - a big step from somebody who never thought he wanted any. On the day of the birth of his third daughter, Diego started a daily podcast. Part of his motivation was to leave a legacy for his children. But he also wanted to address daily issues of life in general which often are not talked about.

Diego wants to show the good, the bad and the ugly.

Starting a new show is adding even more work at the same time when a new baby is added to the family, but Diego sees this podcast almost as a form of therapy for himself.

This is his secret to getting it done: Prioritize and let go of time suckers like TV!

Adding this work turned out to be beneficial to him and helped him clarify his priorities as well as his workflow. Time with the children and with his wife is part of the scheduling - equally important as work task. This hasn’t always been the way, but evolved as Diego’s priorities shifted

Diego is driven to get things done and had to adjust to his new life as a father. At some point, he realized how quickly kids grow and he wanted his daughter to know that she came first. Not the TV. Not friends. Not the phone.

Life hack: Use your future self to hold you now self accountable.

More Snippets of Our Conversation

Cruel irony of being a parent: On the micro scale, parenting can be hell at times, but on the macro, you want your babies back when they are grown up.

Our own parents were great providers, but not so present in the emotional support department

Diego is laying the foundation now with his kids that they all can and will be friends their whole lives.

Allowing and fostering the curiosity and creativity we think kids have to start with and which often, at an early age, get subdued by parents and teachers.

Our parents were raising us the way they felt was best for us, and we did/ are doing the same - only very different.

Our children’s stories are not ours to write.

We agree that it is much better for an individual to be raised with confidence in themselves.

Diego is leaving his corporate job. The re...

Next Episode

Laughter Yoga For Health

Laughter Yoga with Linda Leclerc

Linda spreads Laughter Yoga wherever she goes. A few years back, she was in San Diego for a training and we met up for lunch and to pick up a couple of items at the mall. By the time we said goodbye, Linda had brought smiles to the faces of at least a dozen people - overworked waiters, bored shopkeepers and fellow shoppers alike.

It is easy to get everyone to laugh at a Laughter Yoga session. The people there came for that reason, but it is another thing to sprinkle joy everywhere, all the time. Linda does that. And I love her for it.

What is Laughter Yoga?

What is that Laughter Yoga you are talking about, you might ask. Most people think of Yoga as skinny people in tight clothing putting their bodies into pretzel like positions which seem not to be meant for humans to get into.

So, is Laughter Yoga folding into a pretzel and then laughing? The good news is that Yoga really doesn’t require a person to be super flexible to practice and the even better news is that everybody, no matter what size, or age, or ability can enjoy Laughter Yoga. It is simply intentional laughter or laughter for no reason.

That sounds so simple. Just laughing. But that simple act of intentional laughter has so many benefits for our bodies, our minds and our souls.

What does a Typical Laughter Yoga Session Look Like?

Usually people come together in a group to practice Laughter Yoga, but it can also be a solitary activity. In a typical session, the leader first explains the benefits of Laughter Yoga. This engages the intellect of the participants. Getting the mental okay to participate is important for many. Let's face it, in a Laughter Yoga session we are asking people to engage in pretty silly behaviors. Or so it might seem to the newbie.

In reality, we are creating an environment in which we can let go off everyday worries and fears. But our mind first has to agree to engage in an behavior that many adults perceive as more fitted to children. To do so, we first have to convince the self-critical subconscious that it is okay to engage in this not very adult-like, but very playful behavior.

That done, We stretch a bit and learn about laughter exercises, laughter cheers and the laughter mantra: Hoho hahaha. Imagine the chachacha rhythm and clap with your chanting. Hoho hahaha - you got this!!

After a good 20 or 30 minutes of laughter exercises and maybe speaking gibberish, everybody is ready for a good laughter meditation. My favorite way is for everybody to lie down on the floor. If possible, all heads pointing towards a center, but everybody has enough space that nobody is touching anybody else. Seated on chairs or on the floor works as well.

The important part is that everybody closes their eyes and nobody speaks any language they know. Gibberish, animal or other noises are okay. Then, we all start to smile, then chuckle and see what happens. Sometimes, not much. But most of the time, people start laughing and laughing and laughing. One infects the other. The group might become quiet. Then one person breaks out giggling again, and the whole group joins in.

This can go on for minutes. And the beauty of a laughter meditation is that you are not thinking of anything. You are simply laughing.

Some of the Health Benefits of Laughter Yoga

This is a list of some of the health benefits of Laughter Yoga.

Deeper breath - more oxygen to the body.
Beneficial to the cardiovascular system - helps regulate both, high and low blood pressure
Reduces pain
Aids digestion
Reduces Stress
Helps with depression, anxiety and psychosomatic disorders
Enhances learning by stimulating both sides of the brain.

Linda Leclerc

Linda Leclerc is Laughter Yoga Master Trainer certified by Dr. Kataria who created this discipline. As a master trainer, Linda can train Laughter Yoga leaders and teachers.

Here are some quotables from our interview:

We are starting to forget how to laugh because we are taking our self so seriously.

We are taking everything so seriously

Everybody who is making us laugh is a social magnet.

About health benefits:

The social aspect of Laughter Yoga might be the best of all. If you are laughing with somebody, you connect with that person. You are no longer judging or being self-conscious. You look into each other's eyes and you see the human being and you love that human being.

Linda on Laughter Clubs:

A Laughter Club is a place where everybody goes to laugh. Usually, the meetings are free and everybody is welcome.

Stress, it's on everybody's mind and in everybody's vocabulary. Laughter helps us relief all the symptoms of stress. We breathe deeper, endorphins are being released and pretty soon we feel better and more relaxed. Laughing every day is a ch...