Be The Change

 

Recently while driving home from work I saw a very large sign hung on the back of a pickup truck that had written in large letters, "Patriot in Exile." In exploring what this appeared to mean, I came upon a Facebook page with this name that has some deeply disturbing posts with an equally disturbing and sad intention rooted in fear, distortion, separation, vast misinformation, us against them, and violent projections di

rected at those who they perceive as "Other". I would be included in the "Others", as would those I love. And I found myself filled with gratitude that I don't hate today and that my circle of caring grows and grows. It comes to me to add these quotes by James O'Dea, which is such a soothing balm to my heart, spirit, soul. May it be for yours also.....

 

Be the Change

Think of the Dalai Lama, a great force for peace, constantly 
smiling and chuckling even as he faces enormous challenges 
on behalf of his people. See how his sweetness is a flowering 
of nonviolence, and you will understand what a contrast such 
a man of peace is to oppressive seriousness.

How else can we “be the change” we seek in the world 
if we have not yet mastered our own triggers that 
lead us away from peace?

I have witnessed the most profound healing occur between 
former enemies when they gained true insight into the way 
their situation arose because they were blinded by rigid 
beliefs and conditioned to deny the reality of 
their experience.

Recognizing shadow projections is a fourth area of inner work
that is vital to understand for peace work. The shadow so 
dangerously projected onto others in the form of name-calling, 
and hate speech is a reflection of our own unresolved and 
repressed issues. In the psychology of peace work, we see the 
relationship between freeing ourselves and freeing others from 
projections that are often so damaging. As we do so, our 
conscience becomes luminous and our humanity more expansive. 
Imagine a world where everyone has reached the capacity 
to freely embrace difference without judgment!

Freeing our own inner lives and freeing the societies we live 
in have never so clearly interconnected. Science, spirituality, 
and activist engagement affirm that embodying and living a 
peace practice is what sets you free, which in turns allows 
you to help free those around you. But that is where the 
real zinger is: you have to be what you believe.

If we really align our inner and outer, we will be 
courage and not just admirers of it.

My friends, are you ready to be the change?

~ James O’Dea

from Cultivating Peace:
Becoming 21st-Century Peace Ambassadors