Humanity Healing's Twelve Keys of
Spiritual Activism
"Yesterday is gone.
Tomorrow has not yet come.
We have only today.
Let us begin." ~ Mother Theresa ~
"Where ever you are, be there totally." ~ Eckhart Tolle ~
The embrace of the path of
Spiritual Activism enables individuals or groups to develop the
noble qualities of compassion, wisdom and gratitude. It is in
itself a Path of Transformation - a Spiritual Blueprint for
living. We can shift our perspectives of reality through seeking
service beyond self by practicing the Gifts of Service. The core
dynamics behind the Spiritual Keys of Activism are creativity,
adaptability, understanding and the peaceful resolution of
conflicts.
1.All Action MUST
be Based on Compassion
When championing a Cause, the mindset must be altruistic and the
motivating emotion must be positive. Spiritual Activism is
action for the benefit of something, not against something.
"When you have a pro-peace rally, I will be there." ~ Mother Theresa's response to a question about why she did
not attend an anti-war rally.
2.Compassion
Flows from the Understanding of the
Connection Between All Living Beings
We are all connected through our shared Humanity. When you learn
to see that our differences are superficial and our similarities
manifest, sympathy (or worse, pity) gives way to compassion. Our
actions shift from one of "us helping them" to one of "for the
good of All". We become One.
"The whole idea of compassion is based on a keen awareness of
the interdependence of all these living beings, which are all
part of one another, and all involved in one another." ~ Thomas Merton
3.Compassion
Must Be Applied With Wisdom
There are more Causes that exist than an individual or group can
possibly be involved with. It is important to choose your causes
carefully. Learn to Act instead of React.
"That is true wisdom, to know how to alter one's mind when
occasion demands it." ~ Terence
4.Apply
Synergy and Teamwork to Accomplish Goals
Synergy is the process where two or more actions combine to
produce an effect greater than the sum of its individual parts.
Like ripples in a pond, spiritual actions combine and build on
each other to magnify an effect beyond what each could do
individually. Whenever possible, team up with others to acquire
a multifaceted and more holistic approach.
"The whole is greater than the sum of the parts." ~ Unknown
5.Spiritual Activism is the
Pursuit of Service for the
Good of All, Not for the Advancement or Benefit of Individuals
or Selected Communities
The mindset behind your actions must be noble, holistic,
Universal and non-partisan. Be mindful that ego and self-service
have no place in Spiritual Activism.
"Common folk, not statesmen, nor generals nor great men of
affairs, but just simple plain men and women, can do something
to build a better, peaceful world. The future hope of peace lies
with such personal service." ~ Henry Cadbury
"Reverence for Life affords me my fundamental principle of
morality, namely, that good consists in maintaining, assisting,
and enhancing life and that to destroy, harm, or to hinder life
is evil. Affirmation of the world -- that is affirmation of the
will to live, which appears in phenomenal forms all around me --
is only possible for me in that I give myself out for other
life." ~ Albert Schweitzer
6.Pursue Integrity, Honesty and Dignity in the
Conduct
of Your Actions
Embrace Mindfulness in the application of your activities and be
aware of how your actions may be perceived by others.
Machiavelli's "The ends justify the means" has no place in
Spiritual Activism. If our methods are not noble, our results
will not be either. Practice Spiritual Transparency, allowing
negative energies to bypass your system without harming it.
"Integrity is doing the right thing even if no one is watching." ~ Unknown
7.Do not
Defame Your Detractors or Those Who Doubt You
A confrontational approach leads to a defensive reaction.
Approach others with Openness and Compassion in your heart.
Build on the commonalities between you instead of focusing on
the differences. As much as possible, detach yourself from the
results of your actions. Aspire to always be a Peacemaker.
"Honest differences are often a healthy sign of progress." ~ Mahatma Gandhi
"An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind." ~ Mahatma Gandhi
8.Raising
Another Up Raises You Up As Well
Helping another becomes a form of self-love as well as an
expression of outward love. This becomes an upwardly spiraling
cycle of increasing awareness, connection, compassion,
involvement, capacity, and back to increasing awareness.
"Oh, Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
To be understood, as to understand;
To be loved, as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive,
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned." ~Saint Francis Prayer
"Compassionate action involves working with ourselves as much as
working with others." ~ Pema Chodron
9.Learn to
Listen to Your Heart and Not Your Mind
You mind may only see the problem. Your heart will always feel
the solution. Learn to act with Faith and cultivate a loving
perception when facing collective problems.
"Faith is taking the first step, even when you don't see the
whole staircase."
~ Martin Luther King, Jr.
10.Search
Out Viable and Sustainable Solutions
Seek out solutions that maintain or restores the dignity of
individual human and their communities. The goal of Spiritual
Activism is to raise another up, not make them dependant.
"Give a man a fish and he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish
and he eats for a lifetime." ~ Jesus
"We have not inherited the world from our forefathers. We have
borrowed it from our children."
~ Kashmiri proverb
11.Do
Not Judge Yourself Simply By The Results Of Your
Actions
Maintain a sense of detachment as to overall results. Embrace
mindfulness as you intentionally diminish a judging attitude
while keeping watchfulness on the gates of your heart. The
ultimate goal of Spiritual Activism is to unconditionally raise
the understanding and support of Humanity, with no exceptions.
This achievement is larger than any individual. While individual
projects can be completed, the sum is so much greater than its
parts. Learn to see yourself not on where you have reached, but
on the Path you are traveling. There is real fulfillment in just
being called to serve humanitarian and spiritual causes.
"Every man stamps his value on himself. Man is made great or
small by his own will." ~ JCF von Schiller
" The most precious gift we can offer others is our presence.
When mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like
flowers." ~ Thich Nhat Hanh
12.Let Metta
Be The Motivation For Your Actions
If you cultivate Metta (the practice of loving-kindness) in your
heart, you will succeed. The Intention that is the motivating
force behind your actions is paramount. Start from a position of
pure and altruistic Love.
"A positive future cannot emerge from the mind of anger of
despair" ~ Dalai Lama
1. All Action MUST
be Based on Compassion
