Introduction

Sacred activism is the fusion of spirituality and activism, or, as one of the most vocal and energetic proponents of sacred activism in recent years Andrew Harvey put it in The Hope: A Guide to Sacred Activism, the fusion of the mystics’ passion for God with the activists’ passion for justice to birth a third fire of sacred wisdom and love in action:

“This third fire was, I realized, the key to preparing and transforming the human race. If the fire of the mystic’s passion for God could be married to the activist’s passion to enact change, then a new kind of human being would be born. This human being would be grounded in universal, all-embracing, mystical truth and would be acting for justice in a local context with a global consciousness, beyond national or tribal or religious boundaries. The mystic’s shadow of addiction to being would be healed by the activist’s focus on doing. The activist’s shadow of addiction to doing would be balanced and transformed by the mystic’s surrender to divine wisdom and joy. The fusion of the mystic’s passion for God with the activist’s passion for justice in one Divine fire would heal the tragic split in our modern consciousness between masculine and feminine, body and soul, light and matter, passion and peace, inner contemplation and outer action.” – Andrew Harvey, The Hope, p. 59.

The core idea of sacred activism is that the mystical streams of the different religious traditions offer, in different ways, the possibility of spiritual transformation to all human beings who are willing to engage in sustained spiritual practice. The point of this transformation is not to float off to a disengaged bliss, but to incarnate the Divine in loving service.

Sacred activism is not a new idea – think of the anti-slavery campaigns of the 1700s – though the phrase itself is recent. Sacred activism is far more than simply the ethical implications of different religions. Sacred activism is the inevitable outgrowth of a deep, transformative spirituality that truly recognises and responds to the dire state of our planet and the abject suffering of the poor, the oppressed, and billions of animals.

Sacred activism is an antidote to two things: First, sacred activism is an antidote to a kind of detached, disengaged, dissociated, narcissistic, consumerist spirituality – the kind of spirituality that is so focussed on personal bliss, comfort and liberation that (ironically) it is curiously indifferent to the very nondualistic interconnection with other living beings that an authentic spiritual quest reveals. And second, sacred activism is an antidote to the angry, ranty, alienating activism that paints opponents as ‘the other’, or ‘the enemy’; that seeks retribution; that is unaware of its own shadow side; and that has so little grounding in spiritual practice that it burns itself out in bitter, exhausted disillusionment.

Sacred activism is what fuelled Susan B. Anthony, Mahatma Gandhi, Dorothy Day, Martin Luther King Jr., and Óscar Romero and what continues to drive the Dalai Lama, Desmond Tutu, Bill McKibbin and millions of other citizens living out an engaged spirituality with a clear-eyed appreciation of the challenges we are facing.

Sustained and committed spiritual practice is essential. Andrew Harvey describes five kinds of practice that I believe we all need to undertake, since it is so easy to focus on one or two and neglect the others (see The Hope, Ch. 9 & 13 and more extensively The Direct Path) :

1. Cool practices: For all, but especially for those with a fiery, passionate temperament – the classic quiet, calming, meditation techniques such as those found in Zen or Christian ‘centering prayer’, chanting, walking meditation, meditating quietly and reverently on the name of God and so on. 
2. Warm practices: For all, but especially for those who need the fire in the belly stoked, warm practices are needed to “keep the heart center open and flowing with the passion of compassion”. They include Sufi heart practices, Therevadan Buddhist practices of Metta, Tibetan Buddhist Tonglen meditation, Catholic Sacred Heart practice, active loving kindness to all beings and passionate, devotional chanting. 
3. Prayer practice: Includes familiar forms of prayer such as the ancient Aramaic christian prayer Maranatha (Our Lord, come), the Orthodox Jesus Prayer, the Catholic Rosary, the Lord’s prayer, the Hail Mary, the Prayer of St Francis the Gayatri Mantra, the mantra of the Bodhisattva of Compassion, Avalokiteshvara (Chenrezig in Tibetan, Guanyin in Chinese), ‘Om mani padme hum‘ (Praise to the Jewell at the heart of the Lotus), the Islamic prayer ‘lā ʾilāha ʾillā-llāh’ (“There is no God but God”, the first part of the Shahada, which even non-Muslims can affirm), as well as spontaneous prayer and intercessory prayer on behalf of others.
   
4. Body practice: Such as physical exercise, yoga, tai chi, qi gong and dance, such as the Sufi Sama or the 5 Rhythms developed by the late American dancer Gabrielle Roth. Activists often become workaholics, sacrificing the well-being of their bodies, exercise, sleep and good nutrition for ‘the cause’. Not only is this not sustainable, it hinders the powerful interplay between body, mind and spirit. 
5. Shadow work: We all have our shadow sides, also called our ‘false selves’ or unhealed egos, to work on. Activism which neglects shadow work becomes bitter, angry, alienating, divisive and ultimately burns itself out. Shadow work with a trained counselor or psychotherapist is perhaps the most neglected of the spiritual practices, but is essential. 

There have been untold numbers of humble, effective sacred activists throughout history. Some of the more well-known include:

• William Wilberforce who catalysed the end of the British slave trade.
• Olaudah Equiano, a former slave who became a prominent abolitionist helping end the British slave trade.
• Harriet Tubman who overcame the dehumanisation of slavery herself to rescue hundreds of other slaves during the American Civil War.
• Florence Nightingale who helped revolutionise the care of wounded combatants during the Crimean War and founded modern nursing. 
• Susan B. Anthony who was pivotal in the American suffragette movement bringing the vote to women. 
• Edmund Morel who campaigned fiercely for an end to Belgian atrocities in the Congo. 
• Dietrich Bonhoeffer who was a key leader of the German confessing church resisting Hitler.
• Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin who founded the Catholic Worker Movement
• Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela who saved South Africa from a bloodbath.
• Rosa Parks who helped ignite and lead the US Civil Rights movement.
• Martin Luther King Jr. who lead the US Civil Rights movement.
• Mohandas Gandhi whose moral courage led to the independence of India.
• Gustavo Gutiérrez who is regarded as the founder of the liberation theology movement in Latin America
• Archbishop Óscar Romero who was martyred in El Salvador for standing up for the oppressed.
• Mother Theresa, the humble Albanian nun who devoted her life to serving the poor in India.
• Jean Vanier and Henri Nouwen who have done so much for people with developmental disabilities.
• Abbé Pierre the French Catholic priest who founded the Emmaus movement, to help the poor, the homeless and refugees.
• Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama who has led the Tibetan people in nonviolent resistance.
• Jane Goodall who revolutionised our understanding and appreciation of the great apes.
• Julia Butterfly Hill who lived in a 180 foot tall California Redwood for 738 days to prevent it being logged.
• Bill McKibbin who has campaigned relentlessly on climate change and founded 350.org
• Dorothy Stang who was murdered in Brazil in 2005 for standing up to illegal loggers

… and many, many others.

Here are some more resources you might find useful and inspiring:

Books

Overviews of sacred activism

Bucko, A. and Fox, M., (2013) Occupy Spirituality: A Radical Vision for a New Generation, North Atlantic Books, Berkeley CA, xxviii +250 pp.

Fox, M., (1990) A Spirituality Named Compassion: And the Healing of the Global Village, Humpty Dumpty and Us, Revised Edition; Harper & Row, San Francisco, xviii + 285 pp.

Harvey, A., (2009) The Hope: A Guide to Sacred Activism, Hay House, Carlsbad, CA, New York & London, xxiii + 227 pp.

Harvey, A., (2012) Radical Passion: Sacred Love and Wisdom in Action, North Atlantic Books, Berkeley CA, xviii + 570 pp.

Prevallet, E., (2005) Toward a Spirituality for Global Justice: A Call for Kinship, Sowers Books & Videos, Just Faith Inc., Louisville, KY, 146 pp.

O’Dea, J., (2014) The Conscious Activist: Where Activism Meets Mysticism, Watkins, London, x + 244 pp.

Saade, C., (2014) Second Wave Spirituality: Passion for Peace, Passion for Justice, Sacred Activism Series; North Atlantic Books, Berkeley CA, xxvii + 337 pp.

Soelle, D., (2001) The Silent Cry: Mysticism and Resistance, trans. Rumscheidt, B. and Rumscheidt, M.; Originally published in German in 1997; Fortress Press, Minneapolis, ix + 325 pp.

Zimmerman, K., Pathikonda, N., Salgado, B. and James, T., (2010) Out of the Spiritual Closet: Organizers Transforming the Practice of Social Justice,  Oakland CA, Movement Strategy Center,  55 pp.

Sacred activists

Bonhoeffer, D., (1997) Letters and Papers from Prison, trans. Fuller, R.C., F. from the German ‘Widerstand und Ergebung’, published in 1970; New Greatly Enlarged Edition; Touchstone, New York, x + 437 pp.

Carson, C. and Shepard, K. (Eds.), (2001) A Call to Conscience: The Landmark Speeches of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Grand Central Publishing, New York & Boston, xi + 226 pp.

Fox, M., (2012) Hildegard of Bingen – A Saint for Our Times: Unleashing Her Power in the 21st Century, Namaste Publishing, Vancouver, xxiv + 158 pp.

Fox, M., (2014) Meister Eckhart: A Mystic-Warrior for Our Times, New World Library, Novato CA, xxiii + 311 pp.

Gandhi, M., (2005) Gandhi: Selected Writings, Dover Publications, Mineola, NY, Edited by Ronald Duncan, 253 pp.

Goodall, J., (1999) Reason for Hope: A Spiritual Journey, Warner Books, New York, xvii + 286 pp.

Hochschild, A., (1998) King Leopold’s Ghost: A Story of Greed, Terror, and Heroism in Colonial Africa, Mariner Books, Boston, 366 pp.

King, M.L., Jr., (1963) Strength to Love, Fortress Press edition published 2010, Philadelphia, 192 pp.

Rifkin, I. (Ed.) (2008) Spiritual Leaders Who Changed the World: The Essential Handbook to the Past Century of Religion, Skylight Paths Publishing, Woodstock VT, xviii + 277 pp.

Romero, O., (1985) Voice of the Voiceless: The Four Pastoral Letters and Other Statements, trans. Walsh, M.J.; Orbis Books, Maryknoll, NY, 202 pp.

Romero, O., (2004) The Violence of Love, trans. Brockman, J.R.; Orbis Books, Maryknoll NY, originally published in 1988 by Harper & Row, xvi + 214 pp.

Thurman, H., (1976) Jesus and the Disinherited, Beacon Press, Boston; Originally published in 1949 by Abingdon Press, 112 pp.

Spiritual evolution and transformation

Aurobindo, S., (1990) The Life Divine, 2nd Edition; Lotus Press, Twin Lakes WI, 1154 pp.

Aurobindo, S. and Saint-Hilaire, P.B., (2003) The Future Evolution of Man: The Divine Life Upon Earth, Lotus Press, Twin Lakes WI, xvi + 148 pp.

de Chardin, P.T., (2001) The Divine Milieu, original French edition, 1957; Perennial Classics, Harper Collins, New York, xlvii + 140 pp.

Griffiths, B., (2003) Return to the Centre, originally published 1976; Medio Media Publishing, Tucson AZ, x + 149 pp.

Harvey, A. (Ed.) (1997) The Essential Mystics: Selections from the World’s Great Wisdom Traditions, HarperCollins, New York, xv + 236 pp.

Harvey, A., (1998) Son of Man: The Mystical Path to Christ, Jeremy T. Tarcher / Putnam, New York, xix + 299 pp.

Harvey, A., (1999) Teachings of Rumi, Shambhala Publications, Boston MA & London, xx + 172 pp.

Harvey, A., (2001) The Way of Passion: A Celebration of Rumi, Jeremy P. Tarcher / Putnam, New York, originally published in 1994 by Frog Ltd., xi + 319 pp.

Johnson, K. and Ord, D.R., (2012) The Coming Interspiritual Age, Namaste Publishing, Vancouver, xxxiv + 405 pp.

Lossky, V., (1976) The Mystical Theology of the Eastern Church, St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press, Crestwood NY; first published in 1944 in French, 252 pp.

Merton, T., (1967) Mystics and Zen Masters, The Noonday Press, New York, 303 pp.

Rohr, R., (2009) The Naked Now: Learning to See as the Mystics See, Crossroad Publishing Company, New York, 187 pp.

Saint John of the Cross, (2010) The Dark Night of the Soul, trans. Lewis, D.; Saint Benedict Press, TAN Books, Charlotte NC, xxiv + 194 pp.

Śāntideva, (1997) A Guide to the Bodhisattva Way of Life (Bodhicaryāvatāra), trans. Wallace, V.A. and Wallace, B.A.; Snow Lion Publications, Ithaca NY, 151 pp.

Schwartz-Salant, N., (1998) The Mystery of Human Relationship: Alchemy and the Transformation of the Self, Routledge, London & New York, xii + 248 pp.

Shaia, A.J. and Gaugy, M.L., (2013) Heart and Mind: The Four-Gospel Journey for Radical Transformation, Mosaic Press, Melbourne, 398 pp.

Teasdale, W., (1999) The Mystic Heart: Discovering a Universal Spirituality in the World’s Religions, New World Library, Novato CA, xxiii + 293 pp.

The Dalai Lama, (2000) The Transformed Mind: Reflections on Truth, Love and Happiness, Coronet Books, Hodder & Stroughton, London, xxxvi + 195 pp.

Vaughan-Lee, L., (1995) Sufism: The Transformation of the Heart, 2012 Edition; The Golden Sufi Centre, Point Reyes CA, xxviii + 181 pp.

Wilber, K., (2007) Integral Spirituality: A Startling New Role for Religion in the Modern and Postmodern World, Integral Books, Boston & London, x + 313 pp.

Woodman, M. and Dickson, E., (1997) Dancing in the Flames: The Dark Goddess in the Transformation of Consciousness, Shambhala, Boston, 240 pp.

Spiritual practice and self-care

Abhishiktananda, (2006) Prayer, Canterbury Press, Norwich, translated from the expanded French edition of 1971, xii + 120 pp.

Anonymous, (2003) The Way of a Pilgrim and The Pilgrim Continues His Way, trans. Bacovcin, H.; Image Books Doubleday, New York, London, Toronto, Sydney & Auckland, xiv + 192 pp.

Bourgeault, C., (2004) Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening, Cowley Publications, Lanham, Chicago, New York, Toronto & Plymouth, xiv + 178 pp.

Brown, B., (2007) I Thought It Was Just Me (but it isn’t): Telling the Truth About Perfectionism, Inadequacy, and Power, Penguin Gotham Books, xxvii + 303 pp.

Brown, B., (2010) The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are, Hazelden, Center City MN, xvii + 137 pp.

Brown, B., (2012) Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent and Lead, Gotham Books, New York, 287 pp.

Chödrön, P., (2002) The Places that Scare You: A Guide to Fearlessness in Difficult Times, Shambhala Classics; Shambhala, Boston & London, ix + 139 pp.

Chödrön, P., (2010) Taking the Leap: Freeing Ourselves from Old Habits and Fears, Edited by Sandy Boucher; Shambhala, Boston & London, 111 pp.

Cope, S., (2007) The Wisdom of Yoga: A Seeker’s Guide to Extraordinary Living, Bantam Books, New York, xxxiv + 316 pp.

Cope, S., (2012) The Great Work of Your Life: A Guide for the Journey to Your True Calling, Bantam Books, New York, xxvi + 272 pp.

Finley, J., (2005) Christian Meditation: Experiencing the Presence of God, HarperOne, New York, xii + 290 pp.

Hanh, T.N., (2008) The Miracle of Mindfulness: A Manual on Meditation, Originally published 1975; Rider, London, Sydney, Auckland & Johannesburg, xiii + 140 pp.

Harvey, A., (2000) The Direct Path: Creating a Journey to the Divine through the World’s Mystical Traditions, 2011 Edition; Watkins Publishing, London, xii + 291 pp.

Harvey, A. and Erickson, K., (2010) Heart Yoga: The Sacred Marriage of Yoga and Mysticism, North Atlantic Books, Berkeley, CA, xx + 257 pp.

Iyengar, B.K.S., (2013) Yoga: The Path to Holistic Health, Revised Edition; Dorling Kindersley, London, 432 pp.

Keating, T., (2006) Open Mind, Open Heart, 20th Anniversary Edition; Continuum International Publishing, New York & London, viii + 190 pp.

Keating, T., (2009) Intimacy with God: An Introduction to Centering Prayer, Crossroad Publishing Company, New York, xxvi + 202 pp.

Macy, J. and Johnstone, C., (2012) Active Hope: How to Face the Mess We’re in Without Going Crazy, New World Library, Novato CA, xiv + 272 pp.

McDonald, K., (2005) How to Meditate: A Practical Guide, 2nd Edition; Wisdom Publications, Boston MA, ix + 269 pp.

Merton, T., (1960) Spiritual Direction & Meditation, The Liturgical Press, Collegeville MN, 108 pp.

Nouwen, H.J.M., (2010) The Wounded Healer: Ministry in Contemporary Society, 2nd Edition; Image Doubleday, New York & London, xiii + 109 pp.

Oka, M. and Soosalu, G., (2012) mBraining: Using Your Multiple Brains to do Cool Stuff, mBIT International, 351 pp.

Robertson, R., (2011) The Shadow’s Gift: Find Out Who You Really Are, 2nd Edition; Nicolas-Hays Inc., Lake Worth FL, 181 pp.

Roth, G., (1997) Sweat Your Prayers: The Five Rhythms of the Soul – Movement As Spiritual Practice, Jeremy P. Tarcher / Penguin, New York, xxvii + 220 pp.

Roth, G., (1998) Maps to Ecstasy: A Healing Journey for the Untamed Spirit, Revised Edition; Nataraj Publishing, Novato CA, xxi + 215 pp.

Schwartz-Salant, N., (1998) The Mystery of Human Relationship: Alchemy and the Transformation of the Self, Routledge, London & New York, xii + 248 pp.

Shapiro, E. and Shapiro, D., (2011) Be the Change: How Meditation Can Transform You and the World, Sterling, New York, x + 342 pp.

Shepherd, P., (2010) New Self, New World: Recovering Our Senses in the Twenty-first Century, North Atlantic Books, Berkeley CA, xvii + 490 pp.

Vaughan-Lee, L., (2012) Prayer of the Heart in Christian & Sufi Mysticism, The Golden Sufi Centre, Point Reyes CA, xxvi + 97 pp.

Sacred activism & the challenges of our age

Baker, C., (2009) Sacred Demise: Walking the Spiritual Path of Industrial Civilization’s Collapse, iUniverse Inc., New York & Bloomington, lv + 334 pp.

Baker, C., (2013) Collapsing Consciously: Transformative Truths for Turbulent Times, Sacred Activism Series; North Atlantic Books, Berkeley CA, xxiii + 175 pp.

Beath, A., (2005) Consciousness in Action: The Power of Beauty, Love and Courage in a Violent Time, Lantern Books, New York, x + 293 pp.

Berry, T., (1988) The Dream of the Earth, Sierra Club Books, San Francisco, xv + 247 pp.

Berry, T., (1999) The Great Work: Our Way into the Future, Three Rivers Press, New York, xi + 241 pp.

Berry, T., (2009) The Sacred Universe: Earth, Spirituality, and Religion in the Twenty-First Century, Columbia University Press, New York, xv + 181 pp.

Gunter, E. and Carter, T., (2014) Earth Calling: A Climate Change Handbook for the 21st Century, Sacred Activism Series; North Atlantic Books, Berkeley CA, xxv + 369 pp.

Korten, D.C., (2007) The Great Turning: From Empire to Earth Community, Berrett-Koehler & Kumarian Press, San Francisco, CA & Bloomfield, CT, xi + 402 pp.

Loeb, P.R., (2010) Soul of a Citizen: Living with Conviction in Challenging Times, 2nd Edition; St. Martin’s Press, New York, 378 pp.

Murphy, S., (2014) Minding the Earth, Mending the World: Zen and the Art of Planetary Crisis, Counterpoint, Berkeley CA, xi + 321 pp.

Tacey, D., (2009) Edge of the Sacred: Jung, Psyche, Earth, Revised Edition; Daimon Verlag, Einsideln Switzerland, 220 pp.

Vaughan-Lee, L. (Ed.) (2013) Spiritual Ecology: The Cry of the Earth, The Golden Sufi Center, Point Reyes CA, 264 pp.

Activism and social change

Ackerman, P. and DuVall, J., (2000) A Force More Powerful: A Century of Non-Violent Conflict, Palgrave / St Martin’s Press, New York & Houndmills UK, xv + 544 pp.

Alinsky, S., (1971) Rules for Radicals: A Pragmatic Primer for Realistic Radicals, 1981 Edition; Vintage Books, New York, xxvi + 196 pp.

Blackmore, E., Underhill, R., McQuilkin, J., Leach, R. and Holmes, T., (2013) “Common Cause for Nature: A Practical Guide to Values and Frames in Conservation“, Machynlleth, Wales, Public Interest Research Centre, 111 pp.

Hawken, P., (2007) Blessed Unrest: How the Largest Social Movement in History is Restoring Grace, Justice, and Beauty to the World, Penguin, London & New York, 342 pp.

Holmes, T., Blackmore, E., Hawkins, R. and Wakeford, T., (2011) “The Common Cause Handbook: A Guide to Values and Frames for Campaigners, Community Organisers, Civil Servants, Fundraisers, Educators, Social Entrepreneurs, Activists, Funders, Politicians, and everyone in between“, Machynlleth, Wales, Public Interest Research Centre, 80 pp.

McAskill, W., (2015) Doing Good Better: Effective Altruism and a Radical New Way to Make a Difference, Guardian Books, London, x + 325 pp.

Moyer, B., McAllister, J., Finley, M.L. and Soifer, S., (2001) Doing Democracy: The MAP for Organizing Social Movements, New Society Publishers, Gabriola Island BC, x + 227 pp.

Schell, J., (2004) The Unconquerable World: Power, Nonviolence and the Will of the People, Holt Paperbacks, New York, 448 pp.

Sharp, G., (2002) From Dictatorship to Democracy: A Conceptual Framework for Liberation, 2012 Edition; Serpent’s Tail, London, xxii + 138 pp.

Psychology & crisis

Dodds, J., (2011) Psychoanalysis and Ecology at the Edge of Chaos: Complexity Theory, Deleuze | Guattari and Psychoanalysis for a Climate in Crisis, Routledge, Hove UK & New York, xviii + 238 pp.

Moser, S.C., (2012) “Getting Real About It: Meeting the Psychological and Social Demands of a World in Distress”, In Environmental Leadership: A Reference Handbook ed. Gallagher, D.R., Andrews, R.N.L. and Christensen, N.L., Jr.; SAGE Publications, Thousand Oaks CA, pp. 432-440. Preprint available here.

Skeels, L., Nisenbaum, B., Ride, C., Pratt, S., Wauchope, B. and Leo, B., (2013) Let’s Speak About Climate Change, Psychology for a Safe Climate, 26 pp.

Weintrobe, S., (2013) Engaging with Climate Change: Psychoanalytic and Interdisciplinary Perspectives New library of Psychoanalysis; Routledge, Hove UK & New York, xxi + 255 pp. See a review here.

Wilson, T.D., (2011) Redirect: The Surprising New Science of Psychological Change, Little, Brown & Company, New York, 278 pp.

These five posts from ‘The Climate Psychologist‘ Margaret Klein are also well worth a read:

1) Rising to the Challenge of Our Time, Together: Introducing the Climate Mobilization

2) Living in Climate Truth

3) The Moral Imperative of Hope and the Wasteland of Climate Cynicism (W/ Glory Clip)

4) Are You in Climate Change Denial? Three Signs to Look Out For.

5) Terror, Hatred, Despair and Hope Must Coexist: Reflections on a Discussion with Believers of Near Term Extinction.

Films

A Force More Powerful A century of non-violent conflict.

Amazing Grace The story of William Wilberforce and the campaign to abolish the British slave trade.

Bonhoeffer: Agent of Grace The story of Pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s resistance to the Nazis.

Cry Freedom  The story of activist Steve Biko and newspaper editor Donald Woods battling apartheid in South Africa.

Gandhi The story of Mohandas K. Gandhi’s nonviolent struggle for Indian independence.

Romero The story of Archbishop Oscar Romero of San Salvador.

Songman and Living Kanyini The story of Australian indigenous elder Uncle Bob Randall.

See also:

Films for Action “A community-powered learning library and alternative news center for people who want to change the world”

Links

Activist Trauma Support

Adam Bucko “Author, speaker, spiritual activist.” Co-author of Occupy Spirituality.

A Force More Powerful “Using nonviolent conflict to achieve democracy and human rights.” Take a look at their 198 Methods of Nonviolent Action.

Andrew Harvey – Sacred Activism See also Andrew’s videos explaining his vision of sacred activism and his interview with Rachael Kohn on ABC’s Radio National and an interview with Tami Simon from Sounds True recorded on 22 June 2010.

Albert Einstein Institution “Advancing freedom through non-violent action.” The base for Gene Sharp and Jamila Raquib.

Anxiety and depression checklist (K10) from Beyond Blue.

Australian Churches Refugee Taskforce

Australian Psychological Society on Climate Change

Australian Religious Response to Climate Change “A multi-faith network committed to taking actin on climate change.”

Brené Brown Brené’s 2010 TED talk on the power of vulnerability is a must see, as is her 2012 TED Talk on listening to shame.

Capacitar International “Healing ourselves, healing our world.”

Center for Action and Contemplation, Albuquerque, New Mexico. The base for Fr. Richard Rohr.

Centre for Ecology and Spirituality – Glenburn (About 80 km from Melbourne)

Climate Psychologist – Margaret Klein

Common Cause “The case for working with values and frames. … To build a more sustainable, equitable and democratic world, we need an empowered, connected and durable movement of citizens.”

Dark Mountain Project “The Dark Mountain Project is a network of writers, artists and thinkers who have stopped believing the stories our civilisation tells itself. We see that the world is entering an age of ecological collapse, material contraction and social and political unravelling, and we want our cultural responses to reflect this reality rather than denying it.”

Ecological Buddhism “A Buddhist response to global warming”

Effective Altruism “Effective altruism is about answering one simple question: how can we use our resources to help others the most? Rather than just doing what feels right, we use evidence and careful analysis to find the very best causes to work on.”

Evangelicals for Social Action

Fellowship of Reconciliation “As an interfaith organization, FOR-USA’s mission is to organize, train, and grow a diverse movement that welcomes all people of conscience to end structures of violence and war, and create peace through the transformative power of nonviolence.”

Films for Action “A community-powered learning library and alternative news center for people who want to change the world”

Friends for a NonViolent World “A Quaker-inspired organization of people who affirm the dignity inherent in each human being. We share a commitment to advancing non-violence as an ethic for honoring human dignity and a strategy for achieving peace and justice.”

Headington Institute “The Headington Institute strengthens humanitarian organizations by promoting the wellbeing of their staff.”

International Center on Nonviolent Conflict ”

Life & Peace Institute “Life & Peace Institute (LPI) is an international and ecumenical centre that supports and promotes nonviolent approaches to conflict transformation.”

MiCBT Institute Mindfulness-Integrated Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. “MiCBT is an evidence-based therapy that integrates the best of Eastern and Western Psychology. It offers a unique and comprehensive skill set to treat a range of psychological conditions.”

Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) “is designed to help people who suffer repeated bouts of depression and chronic unhappiness. It combines the ideas of cognitive therapy with meditative practices and attitudes based on the cultivation of mindfulness.”

Mindful Occupation “A group of us who have years of experience practicing peer-based community mental health support got together to compile a manual for organizers and participants in the #occupy movement.”

Moving Essence – 5 Rhythms in Melbourne: “Are you seeking the fastest way to still your mind? Are you willing to move your body?”

Movement Strategy Center “For over a decade, Movement Strategy Center has helped large and small grantmakers and organizations design and implement successful strategy and programs. MSC is a leader in the art and science of collective impact.”

New Tactics in Human Rights – Self-Care for Activists: Sustaining Your Most Valuable Resource

Olive Branch Center “For spiritual inclusion and solidarity”, with Jessie Thompson and Chris Saâde, author of Second Wave Spirituality. See also this interview by Adam Bucko with Chris Saâde on 14 July 2014 “Passion for Peace, Passion for Justice“.

People Power – The Game of Civil Resistance is “about politics, about strategy and about social change. As a leader of a popular movement you fight against tough adversaries who control the police, the army and bureaucracy, even the media. The only weapon in your hand is your strategic skill and ingenuity.”

Plan to Thrive – Activist Health & Wellbeing “Plan to Thrive is a collaborative blog project to encourage and support the health and wellbeing of people and groups engaged in working for social and ecological justice.”

Plan to Win – Social Movement Learning “Plan to Win assists individuals, groups and campaigns to develop the skills and clarity required to win change in the world.”

Psychology for a Safe Climate  – Fostering emotional engagement with climate change

Quadratos with Alexander Shaia, author of Heart and Mind: The Four-Gospel Journey for Radical Transformation “How do we face change? How do we move through suffering? How do we receive joy? How do we mature in service?”

Rwandan Stories “A close-up look at genocide and recovery in Rwanda.”

Satyana Institute “The Satyana Institute is a non-profit service and training organization. Our mission is to support individuals, communities, and organizations to combine inner work of the heart with outer service in the world.”

Sojourners magazine “Faith in action for social justice.”

Tikkun magazine “To heal, repair and transform the world.” Edited by Rabbi Michael Lerner.

Training for Change “For over 20 years, Training for Change has provided activist training for groups standing up for social, economic, and environmental justice through strategic nonviolence.”

Yes! Magazine “Powerful ideas, practical actions.”

Last updated: 8  July 2019 Copyright © Brett Parris, 2011-2019.