‘'In the stream of meaninglessness, there are always blossoms of meaning, cohesion, love and creativity'’

Meditation teacher and historian of ideas Jes Bertelsen talks to actress Ellen Hillingsø about outer and inner growth, about facing one's inner demons, and about unrest and hope in global crises. In a dialogue that develops into a dance.

This conversation begins cautiously, almost hesitantly. Ellen Hillingsø and Jes Bertelsen must first feel for each other and the topic she brings up: the experience of meaninglessness in the consumer society and extreme individualism. Jes Bertelsen first answers cautiously and almost diplomatically, Ellen Hillingsø asks with clear respect for the capacity she has come to visit.

But then the conversation picks up speed. Bertelsen describes how, for him, there is not necessarily a contradiction between inner and outer growth, how he believes that there is a possible balance between moving inward and outward. Hillingsø becomes increasingly direct and personal, talking about how she tries to face her own inner demons, her anger and her abandonment. And her joy in her children, in the creativity of her profession, in deep human contacts. Gradually, the conversation becomes warmer, faster and at the same time deeper and more personal. To gradually become a kind of dance, a sometimes almost passionate pas de deux between two people from different backgrounds who meet in worry, unrest, reassurance and flashes of enthusiasm.

Listen to the interview here (first the weather forecast is heard, then the conversation comes):

The interview was published as part of Microphone holder series on Radio24seven.