Episode 28: Climate Consciousness with Hrund Gunnsteinsdóttir
In continuing the series on climate consciousness, Marti and Todd welcome guest Hrund Gunnsteinsdóttir, an Icelandic author, filmmaker, and sustainability leader. Hrund discusses the Icelandic concept of "InnSæi" which means intuition or "inner sea." She explains how InnSæi represents seeing within oneself, understanding one's place in the world, and navigating life through an inner compass.
The conversation explores how modern life has disconnected people from their InnSæi and the natural world. However, by cultivating presence, imagination, and awe, we can shift our center of gravity back within. This helps us make better decisions, empathize, tap into creativity, and care for the planet. The conversation stresses the importance of understanding the complexity and interconnectedness of life. We must move from separation to participation, respecting planetary boundaries. Our consciousness and actions impact the world.
From the Edge: Journey from the Edge (Marti)
Conscious Rant: Clearing the Lot (Todd)
Guest: Hrund Gunnsteinsdóttir
Hrund Gunnsteinsdóttir is an Icelandic author, speaker, filmmaker, and sustainability leader who brings together ideas and people across sectors and disciplines to inspire creative mindsets and constructive solutions.
A firm believer that change starts from within, Hrund draws on her broad-based and global experience ranging from sustainable businesses, post-conflict reconstruction and development, film making, the arts to various roles in the private and public sectors where she has led innovative projects.
Hrund is an Advisory Council member at Yale’s International Leadership Centre, a board member of Eyrir Invest and Nordic Ignite Angel Ambassador. She has been recognized for her work as a Yale World Fellow, World Economic Forum Young Global Leader and Cultural Leader, and Icelandic Ocean Cluster’s Sustainability Leader.
Series: Climate Consciousness
What role can leaders play in healing our relationship with the planet? Can one person make a difference? What is happening around the globe that brings us hope? Join Marti and Todd for this series on climate consciousness featuring scientists, thought leaders, farmers, and more.
Timeline
[01:11] The nature of consciousness
[04:58] The concept of 'InnSæi' and its importance
[09:27] Hrund’s personal journey
[19:03] Role of presence in decision-making
[21:48] Power of presence and participating
[29:32] Shifting from separation to participation
[30:50] Understanding sustainability and climate consciousness
[32:09] Understanding the complexity of ecosystems
[32:25] Metaphor of a car and the Amazon rainforest
[33:15] Impact of human actions on ecosystems
[33:50] Concept of planetary boundaries
[34:41] Importance of protecting our own boundaries
[36:34] Evolution of current Western sciences
[39:01] Role of imagination in shaping the future
[39:17] Power of InnSæi in shaping personal growth
[40:33] Being fully alive
[42:16] Power of imagination in shaping our reality
[45:59] From the Edge: Journey from the Edge (Marti)
[55:39] Conscious Rant: Clearing the Lot (Todd)
[59:58] Takeaways
Quotes
“Never before have we needed the human superpowers of creativity, empathy, tolerance and open-mindedness so much. These superpowers are threatened by our modern over-emphasis on rational thinking, algorithms, the way we are constantly bombarded with information, distraction and insecurities, and the increasing levels of burn-out, anxiety and stress. Our greatest hope for a bright tomorrow lies in shifting the center of gravity by reconnecting within, to other beings and the natural world." — Hrund Gunnsteinsdóttir
“In the context of sustainability and the crisis that we are faced with the health of our planet, the only way out is in. We need to come from within.” — Hrund Gunnsteinsdóttir
“The more you are present in yourself, the better you're able to base your decisions and your reactions on your own experience.” — Hrund Gunnsteinsdóttir
“People around us actually love to see us being present because this is our greatest gift that we can give to each other.” — Hrund Gunnsteinsdóttir
“Presence—coming to our own center . . . There's that expression of finding true north and which way do I go? The more we explore ourselves and the nature of being human, the answer isn't an outward direction. It's the center. It's being.” — Marti Spiegelman
“Intuition is embodied.” — Hrund Gunnsteinsdóttir
“Being in the rhythm of InnSæi—shifting the center of gravity—also means that we can't plan everything into detail. We are not in full control and it's okay. It's okay to allow the world to come to us. It's such a gift, but many of us find it really hard because we are afraid to let go of control.” — Hrund Gunnsteinsdóttir
“It's not up to me to figure out what's best in every moment when I'm participating in Life. All I need to do is be present, open my awareness, and respond to what life is bringing.” — Todd Hoskins
“If we could find the center of ourselves, and in that discovery experience that we are connected and the world is guiding us and informing, a lot of the terrible, huge-scale problems we are facing would start to dissolve because human participation would begin to change. Human participation would increase and grow, and that changes everything.” — Marti Spiegelman
“The cosmos is within us. We are made of star stuff. We are a way for the universe to know itself.” — Carl Sagan
“When we have a balance between the receiving and giving, the analytical and the creative, and the logical and the intuitive, we are better able to ensure that circulation system of soul is all set in place.” — Hrund Gunnsteinsdóttir
“If love did not live in matter, how would any place have any hold on anyone?” — Rumi
“I have a feeling that my boat
has struck, down there in the depths,
against a great thing.
And nothing
happens! Nothing … Silence … Waves.
— Nothing happens? Or Has everything happened,
and we are standing now, quietly, in the new life?” — Juan Ramón Jiménez
“When we are aligned with InnSæi, life unfolds and it actually becomes easier in a way.” — Hrund Gunnsteinsdóttir
Cafe Europa near the Liberia, Guanacaste Airport in Costa Rica