In Correspondence #48

Japan, Funding the Commons and an engagement

Dear friends,

Happy Vesak! 🪷 I’m writing from my co-working space in Norra Djurgården, Stockholm, where more than a month before the summer solstice, we are already getting 17 hours of daylight (on midwinter it was just 6 hours) 🌞

What I’ve been up to

• I spent an epic 2.5 weeks in Japan with Laura. For paid subscribers, I’ve created an interactive map of our trip, with our favourite/secret spots highlighted 🇯🇵

• anddd… we got engaged whilst we were there ☺️ We’re getting married in Stockholm in September, and we’ll later also celebrate in Devon 🇸🇪 🇬🇧

• I saw the captivating Aurora play in Stockholm

• I’m hosting a block at Funding the Commons: Infrastructures of Resilience featuring Andrea Farias, Samuel Delesque, Jocelyn Ames and friends, Berlin, 10-11 June – see you there?

What I’ve been reading

Since last time, I’ve shared 20 items to my knowledgegraph. Some highlights:

• Technology is Re-Enchanting the World by

  Herald of the Octopus
  and
  Philip Moreira Tomei

• technofeudalism and the death of serendipity

• The Intelligence Curse & AI 2027

I also finished the books There Is No Antimemetics Division (creepy, creative sci-fi) and The World We Create: From God to Market (philosophical epic on societal evolution).

Life as Practice

In case you missed it, Laura and I are offering a unique year-long group mentorship starting Sep 2025, Life as Practice.

What if everyday life could become your practice ground for profound growth and transformation? How would it feel to intentionally weave meditation, movement, learning, creativity, and self-reflection into the rhythm of your days? What aspects of your authentic self would unfold if supported by dedicated mentors and a like-minded community for a full year?

Read more and apply

Plans for the future

• A retreat with Daniel Odier at Ängsbacka, May

• The summer Elevate, 1-8 June

• Funding the Commons: Infrastructures of Resilience, Berlin, 10-11 June

• Network Nations at Emerge Lakefront, 14-20 July

• (Probably) The Borderland, 21-27 July

• The ÖTILLÖ swimrun on Åland, 9 Aug

• Deep Joy: A Samadhi Retreat with Yahel Avigur and Sari Markkanen in Finland, 15-22 Sep

Offerings from friends

Did you know… amongst other things, I’m the lead developer of Dandelion. Why not list your next event there?

• Emerge Lakefront Artist-in-residence Scholarship Program: A 6-month fully-funded residency, apply by May 15

• The Dreaming - A performance by Moor Wild Ensemble, Devon, 16-17 May

• Alchemy of Shadow and Breath - A One Day retreat, Frome, 14 June

• Second Renaissance Art of Ritual Residency, Thenac, France, July 24-27

• Borealis Psychedelic Science Summit 2025, Stockholm, 26-27 Sep

And finally…

I’m hyped for the release of Circles v2 on 21 May, in my view one of the most promising candidates for a global universal basic income. Join the waitlist

Mettā,
Stephen