The Metacrisis: A Reflection of a Deep Intracrisis
The way out is in
In our modern world, we stand at the precipice of what many have come to term the “metacrisis” — an overarching crisis that permeates every facet of our existence, from ecological devastation to societal fragmentation. Yet, beneath this sweeping meta-crisis lies something even more profound and intimate: an “intracrisis.” This is the crisis of the self, of meaning, of purpose — a crisis born not from external forces alone, but from the deep chasms of separation we have cultivated within ourselves.
The intracrisis is a deep, personal crisis of meaning, purpose, and identity that arises from our disconnection from ourselves, others, and the natural world.
It is the inner turmoil born from the separation we have cultivated within, manifesting as a sense of emptiness, isolation, and existential disorientation. The intracrisis is the soul’s cry for reconnection, urging us to heal the fractures within and rediscover our true essence in harmony with the greater web of life.
We have separated ourselves from each other, from nature, and most tragically, from our own selves. In the rush toward progress, we have lost the capacity to be truly present, to feel connected — not just in a superficial sense, but in a way that honors the sacredness of life and the interconnectedness of all beings. This separation, this disconnection, is the root of the intracrisis. It is the quiet despair that lingers beneath our pursuits, the sense of purposelessness that gnaws at the edges of our awareness, the void we attempt to fill with endless consumption, distraction, and external validation.
The meta-crisis we observe — the climate crisis, the erosion of trust in institutions, the widespread mental health challenges — are all manifestations of this deeper intracrisis. We seek outside ourselves for answers, believing that the solutions to our existential dilemmas lie in more technology, more control, more power. Yet, these pursuits only exacerbate our sense of isolation, for the answers we seek can never be found out there. They reside within us, in the spaces we have neglected, in the depths we have refused to explore.
The intracrisis is the cry of the soul, urging us to return home — to reconnect with our true nature, to remember the essence of who we are. It is an invitation to dissolve the barriers we have erected between ourselves and the world, to heal the wounds of separation, and to cultivate a sense of presence that is rooted in love, compassion, and understanding.
This is not a call to abandon the external world or the challenges it presents. Rather, it is a recognition that true transformation begins within. The healing of the meta-crisis can only be realized through the healing of the intracrisis. As we turn inward, we must confront the fears and vulnerabilities we have long suppressed. We must engage in the sacred work of self-discovery, reclaiming the parts of ourselves that have been lost in the chaos of modern life.
In doing so, we begin to unravel the threads of separation that have bound us. We start to see that the crisis of the self is not separate from the crisis of the world; they are one and the same. As we heal the intracrisis, we naturally begin to heal the meta-crisis, for the outer world is but a reflection of our inner state.
The path forward, then, is one of reconciliation — of mending the rift between our inner and outer worlds, of embracing the fullness of our humanity, and of rediscovering the sacredness of life. It is a path that requires courage, humility, and a deep commitment to truth. But it is also a path of profound liberation, for in reclaiming our connection to ourselves, we reclaim our connection to the world. And in doing so, we find the meaning and purpose that has eluded us for so long.
The meta-crisis is indeed daunting, but it is not insurmountable. By addressing the intracrisis within, we lay the foundation for a new way of being — one that is rooted in love, connectedness, and a deep reverence for the life we share. This is the journey we are called to undertake, both individually and collectively. It is the journey home, to the place where we are whole, where we are one.
Is there a way out of this crisis?
The way out, as Thich Nhat Hanh would remind us, is within. It begins with a recognition, a profound acceptance, that we have detached ourselves — from our essence, from our humanity, from nature itself. This recognition is not just an intellectual understanding but a deep, embodied awareness of the rift that has grown between who we are and who we pretend to be, between the world we live in and the world we yearn for.
This recognition gives way to reconciliation. It is not enough to simply acknowledge our disconnection; we must actively work to heal it. We need to reconcile with ourselves, to look inward and mend the fractures within our own souls. This is the intra-recognition, the moment of seeing clearly the ways we have strayed from our true nature. From this place of clarity, we can begin the process of intra-reconciliation — making peace with our imperfections, our fears, our vulnerabilities.
But reconciliation does not stop with the self. It extends outward, to others, to the world around us. As we reconcile with ourselves, we naturally begin to reconcile with others, recognizing that our lives are inextricably linked. This is the path to rediscovering our place in the interdependent whole system of life. It is an understanding that we are not isolated beings, but inter-selves, interconnected in ways that go beyond the physical and the visible.
To embrace this truth is to enter into a deeper understanding of interbeing — where our existence is intertwined with all life. And in this realization, we step into the process of inter-becoming, a dynamic journey of transformation where our individual growth contributes to the evolution of the collective.
The way out is not a departure from our current reality but a return to what we have always been. It is the journey back to our true nature, to our interconnectedness, and to the wholeness that is our birthright. Through recognition and reconciliation, both within and beyond, we find our way back to the interdependent web of life, where we can finally thrive, together, as part of a greater whole.
Thanks for your support! Before You Leave!
If you relate to this story, I would greatly appreciate you clicking the 👏button.
For further reading, I’m sharing some previous articles and insights related to my research on this topic if you’d like to explore it more deeply.
The Metacrisis: How to Navigate Our Epoch’s Greatest Challenge
Interbeing: Tapping into the force of renewal.
Interbecoming: The Inner Journey to an Ecological Civilization.
A path forward for anyone who dares to dream of a healed world.
Embracing the Journey from Interbeing to Inter-becoming
A Dialogue with Nature: Patterns of Interbeing
“Do you recognize the patterns?” Nature questions. “The sea’s energy, its pulsating rhythm”
A Guide for the Ecology of Interbeing to InterBecoming
Regenerative Design and Zen Buddhism
Deep Ecology: A Call for Profound Interconnectedness with Nature
Thank you for sharing this. I just wanted to offer a similar take to your diagnosis of the "intracrisis" (https://tmfow.substack.com/p/philosophy-for-our-future), one that in my other essays I attempt to offer a cure for. Looking forward to reading more of your work