At Imagine, we teach that living mindfully is simple, yet not easy. We all seek to protect ourselves from the shadow side, from those qualities in the world around us that are too distressing to recognize and from those qualities in ourselves we’d rather not acknowledge. We hide, even from ourselves. We settle for being “ok” and for being “right”. Our shadow work then begins with willing to simply be with “what is”, however uncomfortable or painful. The issues we are facing in the world these days are increasingly complex. So at Imagine we practice this: we stay present with curiosity and compassion and without judgment - feeling the grief and outrage and confusion in our heart AND turning towards the reality of recent events. When it becomes necessary to contribute to the world beyond the noble and not-easy task of living mindfully, we strive to stay with what is present inside and outside of ourselves - and take action once we feel grounded there. We intend to be compelled by “clear seeing”, not from a place of reactivity.
In this newsletter, we would like to introduce you to some contemporary teachers who address this convergence of spirituality and activism eloquently.
The Franciscan monk Richard Rohr is the founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation. For him, true contemplation is a very down to earth and practical practice - external behavior should be connected to and supported by inner guidance. A Life’s Journey explores the idea that “the combination of human action from a contemplative center is the greatest art form, one that takes our whole lives to master.” Change comes from the Inside speaks more directly to social injustice. Richard invokes Dr. Martin Luther King in making the case that we need to seek win-win solutions, which “takes a high level of spiritual development and demands spiritual conversion.”
Eden Tull, Dharma teacher, author, activist, and founder of Mindful Living Revolution, addresses systemic racism in her latest blog “If not us who, if not now when?” Quoting Chief Seattle in her title, she offers 10 encouragements for healing. She explains that there is only one perspective that makes sense to her: “We are all in this together. An unjust system is unjust to all.” Included in the blogpost is a link to a growing Resource List that points us to ways to take direct action to support the black community and economy.
Vietnamese monk Thich Nhat Hanh pioneered Engaged Buddhism, the activist stream of Buddhism. His 2003 interview with Krista Tippit on OnBeing, which has been re-broadcasted a couple of times is very current. Krista visited Thich Nhat Hanh at a retreat attended by police officers and other members of the criminal justice system, where they had gathered to “find buoyancy and “being peace” in a world of conflict, anger, and violence.” Buddhism and Social Action is a Harvard University Pluralism Project highlighting some practical applications of active involvement in the world’s struggles.
We hope you find some encouragement in these articles. We would love to hear from you - please share with us worldwide examples of people who facilitate change at this intersection of activism and spirituality.
- Summer Meyer
CEO Imagine Mindfulness
