At the most recent gathering of the Bowen Island Philosophy Café, we considered whether progress and growth are truly possible while trying to hold on to the past. It’s a tough (and often contentious) topic for a community like ours, but the group came to some insightful conclusions that may help us move forward.
Whether considering the development of a parking lot or the changing housing market, there is frequent tension here between the ways of the past and the demands of the future. This is not unusual for a community of this size, nor is it inappropriate. We need to be discerning of new developments, which could be damaging to individuals or to the island itself. But as a small community, we should also avoid escalating conflict whenever we can.
The greatest insight from our discussion was the understanding that what matters most to us as a community is something we cannot fully grasp. It is a feeling, or a collection of feelings. It is the sense of safety, acceptance, and cooperation that have defined this place for multiple generations. Underlying the fight to preserve a building or structure from the past is often the desire to maintain the feeling attached to it, not the structure itself. This offers further insight into what it is about the past that we’re trying to hold onto. And it provides some common ground on which to move forward.
The implication is that it may be possible to grow and evolve as a community without forfeiting what matters most. No new construction or bylaw can take away the feeling of Bowen. It is yours and mine to hold onto and express in every experience we make here, today and into the future.
Whether individually or as a community, the experience of tension between past and future is a normal part of the human condition. Accepting change is inherently difficult for us all, as change requires adjustment. It begs us to do things a little differently, or to see things a little differently, and it can be stressful.
But it is only in change that growth and evolution are possible and new experiences can be had.
A final reminder was offered by the group. Each one of us brings with us our own Bowen story—our own unique perspective. Let us remember this in all of our conflicts, no matter the underlying tension. Let us listen to each other carefully, and consider the possibility that ours is not the only experience here.
The next Philosophy Café will be held on May 25th, from 7-9 pm at the Bowen Island Lodge. Our conversation will focus on the following question: ‘Do we have free will?’ Our goal is to provide a safe space for healthy, respectful conversation and debate in order to raise local consciousness.
