‘The Evolving Expression of Essence:’ A Tribute to Carol Sanford

Sometime in 2010, as Sustainable Brands® was regaining its footing post the
2008 stock market meltdown and had moved into office space in ‘the City’ (San
Francisco), I received a note from someone named Carol
Sanford — who had been watching
what we’d been doing, was in the city, and wanted to meet up. She came to meet
me in our humble neighborhood; and what followed was the most generous,
instructive, energizing and encouraging conversation I had had in several years.
From that moment on, I began to become familiar with Carol’s background — her
familial connections to Native American wisdom traditions and the depth of her
compelling intelligence on the importance of moving beyond sustainability to
regenerative systems.

Over the course of her lifetime, Carol has become one of the most important
thinkers, writers and teachers on this topic — which, as she describes it,
involves building conditions and practices that support the “evolving expression
of essence.” From that first meeting and through the years since, I have watched
Carol practice what it’s like to show up in life seeking to help those around
her — whether individuals, communities of practice, or multinational
organizations such as Google — ‘evolve their expression of essence.’ And I
have been deeply fortunate to experience her support of my ability to evolve
my own expression of essence, and that of Sustainable Brands’ organization and
community.

Carol Sanford in 2023 | Image credit: John Crawford/Babson Thought & Action

It is with deep gratitude and sadness that I share today that Carol is now in
the process of leaving this
life. Her life has been a model
of one well-lived — one that has contributed to the evolution of humanity, and
helped prepare us for the uncertain time in which we find ourselves and point
the way forward. Below, I share a note from her family sent to friends of Carol
on the afternoon of November 24th. Also below are links to some of the
introductory articles she wrote for Sustainable Brands — which remain an invaluable resource for individuals and organizations seeking to understand the principles and advantages of regenerative systems. I encourage all who read
this to follow Carol’s wishes, and to consider adding her
books to your library and knowledge base — so
together, we can ensure her legacy and expertise in building regenerative
businesses and systems live on for generations.

We send her and her family love and peace during this time. And I ask that all
of us take this time to remember all we have to be thankful for, and to find
some small moments over this week to consider how we can each help create the
conditions for fostering more regenerative thinking and being in the world.

Carol and her family have asked all who are able to do daily readings directed
toward her from The Tibetan Book of Living and
Dying
*to help with her transition. You may direct the daily readings toward her
starting today, while she is still here, using Chapter 13, “Spiritual Help for
the Dying.” For another 49 days after her passing, please make readings from any
part of the book, keeping her in your heart.