BEN OKRI, CHARLOTTE JARVIS & MIRABELLA OKRI – Begin with a Leap

Quick Overview

Ben Okri argues that humanity must undergo an unprecedented spiritual and political "leap" to overcome current crises like climate catastrophe and social division, emphasizing that this leap must originate from the heart and be a continuous, collective act of love and imagination, not just the outdated methods of the past.

Key Points: Ben Okri defines a "leap" as a magical, multidimensional act that transcends earthly conditions, often associated with joy, spiritual elevation, or the perfect execution of a physical feat like a bird flying or a Maasai warrior jumping. The current condition is characterized by unacceptable circumstances such as climate catastrophe, war, poverty, and oppression, all of which rely on the "old law" of selective empathy that limits concern to one's immediate tribe or nation. Okri suggests that achieving a new, desired state requires a leap that is not merely an act, but a fundamental shift rooted in thought, vision, or dream, contrasting it with the slow pace of mere spiritual evolution. The required leap must be guided by love and a new poetry that can communicate truth, as opposed to the current political language of the left which he finds blurry and divisive. He references the Maasai people's ability to leap high without bending their knees as an example of physical transcendence, linking it to the idea that a leap is an act of freedom and faith. The speaker emphasizes that this necessary leap involves breaking free from the constraints of the current reality, which is defined by an inherited history of colonialism, genocide, and oppressive structures. The ultimate goal is to create a new world, a new species of human, where the collective portrait of humanity is complete, which requires constant effort and a foundation in love rather than hate or revolution.

Context: This video captures a segment from the UNFINISHED festival in Bucharest (Sept. 26-28, 2021), featuring a conversation between Ben Okri, a renowned author, and an interviewer (presumably Charlotte Jarvis, based on a later reference). The discussion centers on the concept of a "leap," explored through Okri's essay, which he introduces by contrasting it with current political and social realities.