"If we want to continue as a civilization, even as a species, into the infinite future, our vector of social, perhaps even biological, evolution must be towards survival of the kindest. You could say compassion is the acknowledgment that we’re connected to everything, everywhere, all the time. Once you begin to glimpse that, it changes not only the way you see the world, but also the way you behave."

-Marc Ian Barasch, author of 'Field Notes on the compassionate Life'

We all source our own self-awareness in individual and creative ways.

Many describe the primary function of a human lifetime as a journey of self discovery.

When people come together to transform society, a common perspective or experience is typically sought to build unity and integrity of purpose. But true transformers of society can be distinguished from the reactionaries by their discovery of identified personal values.... values that reflect a journey of self discovery.

Values like these may sound self-evident at first, but accessing and nurturing them is no easy feat. This is why a "transformational social movement" cannot be viewed upon as simply an ideology or philosophy. True intentions need to arise from inner-sourced values. And we can spend much time documenting what we believe such values would be, but there's a more direct and authentic vehicle to get there: Self Awareness (or "consciousness").

Well, I guess if we're able to read this page, we must be conscious, rather than being unconscious. But what we're really identifying here is the process of conscious awareness. It may be true that the pathway of being aware of one's existence can lead to many life-enhancing, and even mystical experiences, but it also holds the capability of generating values derived from an appreciation of all life, including a genuine compassion for the earth and her inhabitants.

Once these values are sourced within ourselves, the actions required for transformational work in the world become so much clearer. Some metaphysical philosophies have a tendency to polarize the experiences of "conscious awareness" and "social action", as if the two are not capable of co-existing.
But a consciously-aware individual breaks through such barriers, and engages such awareness into fruitful action.

Community members attend Peoples Cafes for a variety of interests, with the most common objective of wanting to affect societal change via community dialogue and action. But experience in the cafe gatherings has shown that when participants' interests are more ideologically-driven than value-based, dialogue tends to remain theoretical, and social action is done reactionarily.

However, those participants who have spent time in self exploration tend to hold a deeper perspective on making a difference in their community and in the world. Concern tends to not only be about our own interests, or just our economic class, or even just our nation. Rather, concern expands to all life, in all places... and also with a greater interest in creating a better world, than in chastising those whom we deem responsible for today's problems. Self awareness could also lead to self-evaluation; what has been my own role in formulating the community, and the world, we live in? What are my lifestyle choices, my willingness to talk with others, and my involvement in community or civic activities?

Self awareness can also lead to a process of tapping into our own platform of life values. When these values are not defined by political affiliations, religious doctrines, or ideological theory, but rather by our own internal experiences and our relationship with life, they can take on a whole new meaning. One of the most powerful potentials of holding and identifying these life-values is that they can replace issue-positioning on the platform of our engagement in the world.

What this means is that we no longer need to play the polarization game when it comes to speaking or acting with individuals, groups, organizations, or even political parties. Polarization quickly takes place when our position on an issue becomes opposed by someone else's position. Such differences of opinion will naturally and frequently occur, and sometimes even some of the healthy disagreements can devolve into harsh criticism, accusations, projections, and even demonizing of the "others".

But when we approach the policies, choices, and decisions of the day from a platform of values, not only can many of these polarization scenarios be circumvented, but it also becomes far easier for people to get a clearer understanding of our intentions and desires. And when these values represent sane, cooperative, and respectful policies toward our world, it becomes DIFFICULT for others to argue against-- whereas a position on any issue is VERY EASY to argue against, and to be misconstrued.

This suggested approach doesn't portend that we never engage in making choices on the issues of the day. After all, decisions still need to be made, ballot measures need to be selected at the voting booth, and daily choices still need to be carried out. However, experience has shown that personally accessing, and then skillfully presenting, one's own values when it comes to life's affairs, not only leads to much more enjoyable forms of communication, but moves us to our goals of building a better world more quickly.

This method has been repeatedly proved at the Peoples Cafe gatherings. Expressing personal values about life and the world leads to much deeper conversations, even when values greatly differ-- whereas getting hooked into strong debates on differing opinions of specific issues sometimes leads to the type of contention that pulls people apart, rather than bring them together as community. And community building is why we meet in the first place.

RELEVANT ESSAYS

Toward a New Consciousness

Spiritual Courage

America's Moral Crisis

Social Values

Spiritual Politics

by Connie McLaughlin & Gordon Davidson

Sacred Pleasure

by Riane Eisler

Field Notes on the Compassionate Life

by Marc Ian Barasch