Sacred Activism:

In meeting this time of great turbulence, uncertainty, violence and loss, let’s explore conjoining these two ideas or principles that have been falsely segregated by western capitalist culture. 

How might we reclaim their true meanings to each of us, to serve as a vital compass point in navigating this time? Together, they may offer us ways to show up that are more life-affirming, resilient, and purposeful than the fractured polarity we’ve inherited. 

What if activism is just another form of leadership (a term we’re all redefining now), and one that encompasses every conscious action we engage with to care for what we love and hold most dear? How might we shed old ideas about religion or belief systems, to clarify each of our relationships to the sacred that is true for us? 

Join us to explore these relationships - and the possibilities that arise from Sacred Activism -that can shift how we relate to ourselves, each other and the Earth.

A majority of us have grown up with conditioning to avoid what’s difficult, challenging or painful. We turn away from, dismiss or ignore the tough stuff, and often don’t engage with conflict or make space to fully process uncomfortable or difficult emotions. That disengagement often emerges from or causes internal separations or trauma, and these wounds can get carried forward with a sense of disconnect, othering, drama or victimization. This deeply limits our capacity and efficacy as change agents, activists, and leaders.

But if we try reorienting ourselves, and reframing our relationship to difficulties, we may recognize that the challenges we face in life are life’s ways of honing, growing and strengthening us.

As we redefine a leadership that’s sourced more from the heart than from the head, and listens as much or more than it speaks, let’s broaden our definition to include the leadership of our full selves. 

As we co-create and reinvent leadership to meet this time, how might prioritizing the quality of relationships - on every level, from within ourselves and in our most intimate circles to our work environments and civic engagement - help to harmonize and strengthen our effectiveness as change agents for our worlds? 

As Fritjof Capra notes, “the shift to an eco-literate society - one that knows how to relate harmoniously with the natural world - requires a shift from amassing and counting things to mapping relationships.”  And, as we endure an epidemic of loneliness, with educational systems that have not taught or cultivated our capacities to relate well, we’ll explore some practices and principles that together may yield great benefit. And improve the quality of our leadership.

How might these practices and perspectives around Sacred Activism, Relational Mindfulness and Leadership help us each discern what’s authentically ours to do? And how to do it from presence and wisdom rather than urgency, reactivity or fear? Together, we’ll explore refining and clarifying our particular strengths, gifts and purposes.

Much of our cultural orientation has been to serve others’ needs till we drop. What can help us deepen our self-awareness to cultivate a balance between care of the self and others? How does this relate directly to dissolving the illusion of self vs. other, and shift us from a ‘me’ culture to a ‘we’ culture? How might we prioritize practices of regeneration, while valuing rest, stillness, and collaboration?