I don’t know when it was the Dalai Lama said, “Compassion is the radicalism of our time.” It was long enough ago that when I first heard it it did feel truly radical.
Now it’s a bumper sticker.
Not only does the Dalai Lama’s message resonate more than ever today, we may finally be ready to act on it. We can also go one step further and get a little more specific.
Taking a step back and seeing all the way to the roots of our separation from the flow of Life I have come to know and feel intuitively that compassion, respect and prioritizing relationships are foundations for a transformational approach to personal and collective healing. Compassion, love, and dialogue have always been cornerstones of deep nonviolence, pivotal aspects of the methods taught by Gandhi and MLK.)
Old Paradigm vs the Transformational
While direct action has a vital role to play in social transformation, the truly radical folks–the ones going to the roots of the crisis–are not those with fists in the air and blaming, shaming messages of discontent (that’s the Old Paradigm). The mindset of separation and violence can never lead us to a beautiful, life-affirming world. The politics of force and fear and power-over has played itself out.
When we realize that it’s the beliefs and assumptions that people hold that give rise to the insanity around us, we come to appreciate that we need so much more than millions of solar panels and a progressive in the White House. We come to appreciate what we’re really up against!
When so much has to change so thoroughly, the willingness to prioritize relationships and the ability to engage in uncomfortable conversations and transform conflict is what can work at the root level. Openness, vulnerability, and unconditional respect is what matters most now.
The Opportunity for Real Transformation
So many of the people and organizations we have turned towards in the past for leadership haven’t taken the step back and seen all the way to the roots of what ails us. They are stuck in the Old Paradigm. A new generation of transformational leaders willing and able to embrace the principles and practices of restorative justice and community peacemaking is being called forward.
What an opportunity we have! Or maybe it’s better thought of as a responsibility. Either way, responding to this moment is what Active Peace is all about, and it includes all aspects of life—otherwise we’re still practicing separation.
I come into this New Year freshly committed to continuing my work at the deep roots of peacemaking and social justice where there is no separation of the personal, interpersonal, and political. I’m happy to be in service to this mission and I’m grateful for your support and encouragement going forward.