The Business of Us All

Writer Raymont Anderson, Ph.D., poses a series of questions in the July issue of Science of Mind magazine: “What is the purpose of religious or spiritual organizations? Is it to assist people by giving them the means to live their best lives? What happens when religious organizations operate in opposition to life, liberty, and freedom? When their silence serves as a demonstration that they act in opposition to equity, justice, and unity?

“What is the point of declaring that we practice a living faith of action by saying such things as, ‘Treat and move your feet,’ if there is going to be a choice, consciously or unconsciously, to abstain from any effective action and activism?”

Anderson points to Ernest Holmes’ assertion, often repeated, that there is only One Life, and that Life (God/Spirit) is incarnating Itself in, through and as each of us. In a speech at Asilomar in 1954, Holmes said,” Your life is my life; my life is your life. I cannot leave you out and understand myself. I am incomplete. I am lame and blind and halted without inclusion.”

“If our spiritual organizations are to survive and thrive in the 21st century and beyond,” Anderson writes, “we must engage and embody a new paradigm and a new practice. And it must be one that recognizes the importance of supporting human rights with true advocacy beyond offering just thoughts and prayers.”

He stresses that the “call to action is now. The warning alarms are ringing now. The red flags are waving vigorously now. The question before us is: What will New Thought do to be a healing presence in the world?”

Practicing Sacred Activism

How can we be the change we want to see in the world and live from our commitment to the Beloved Community? How do our words, thoughts, intentions, and beliefs become meaningful action?

From Naropa University: Sacred activism is an approach to social justice that synergizes mindful awareness and spirituality with the work of diversity, equity and inclusion. Spirituality … nurtures roots of hope, self-awareness and sacred community to human rights work, while social justice work activates and focuses spiritual practice on tangible injustices.

This interdisciplinary framework prepares today’s Beloved Community with the skills needed to be active change agents while simultaneously improving personal resilience, intrapersonal communication, and emotional balance.

From Andrew Harvey: We can live from a vision of action that is inspiring, hopeful, and grounded in deep spiritual wisdom and compassion. People are rising up who have fused deep spiritual knowledge, experience, and practice with wise, incessant action for justice and peace.

Together, we can accomplish the unimaginable.