I recently participated in a climate justice conference here in Colorado that coincided with the International Day of Peace. 

Since I was intent on making the connection between climate change and peace, I spoke with one of the conference organizers about the tendency in conference settings to focus on the “outer” doing and forget about the importance of the “inner” being. 

I shared my view that this kind of separating is a classic feature of the dominant worldview that continues to undermine big picture thinking, relationships, and the overall effectiveness of collective action.

If we can’t get along, we aren’t going to get much done together. And we’re called to go way beyond simply getting along. We’re called to create interpersonal environments where real trust can be built. Safe environments where we can bring our full selves—our questions and fears, our mistakes and doubts.

I see such environments as the base foundation for personal and collective healing and transformation.

In response, the conference organizer asked me to write-up some tips people could keep in mind as we engage with each other. I’m including what I came up with below. 

Since I noticed how well these Ten Tips for Transformation fit with the opening meditation I offered a year ago at the International Day of Peace event sponsored by the United Nations Association of Denver, I include a link to that as well. I call it Natural Peace.

I hope these thoughts and resources resonate with you!

For Active Peace,

Scott Brown

Ten Tips for Transformation

1. Let us celebrate the beauty of coming together with shared intentions for a more just, peaceful, and sane world. 

2. Let us see each other and honor the unique gifts each person brings.

3. Let us connect to our own good intentions and our wounding—the beliefs and habits that cause us to feel separate. 

4. Let us create collaborative environments where people can show up with their questions, doubts, and feelings.

5. Let us prioritize relationships and commit to transforming conflicts into deeper, more meaningful relationships. Yes we can!!!

6. Let us understand that healthy relationships depend upon self-awareness, self-love, and self-responsibility. 

7. Let us practice staying connected to our hearts, the Earth, and the life energy that fuels us.

8. Let us appreciate the depth of our predicament and be honest about our fear, sadness, and insecurity. 

9. Let us bring the gift of our full presence to each encounter.

10. Let us put heads, hearts, and hands together in service of Life and Oneness. It’s time!!!