wisewords
conflict are those who experience their
own continuing inner conflicts, which
keeps them humble. While it would be
sentimental to claim that this approach
always succeeds, we can say that the
active spiritual path shows us the way
to the only solutions that can succeed
in the long run.
A Conversation
What qualities do all sacred activists
with Andrew Harvey
have in common?
Author and Sacred Activist
The embrace of unconditional love
and forgiveness is essential to the suc-
cess of all major activist adventures
by linda sechrist
in our world, not just to saints and
Buddhists. Until you try this, you will
never explore your own capacity to
I
n The Hope: A Guide to Sacred sacred practice would be like run- love and forgive.
Activism, author, scholar and ning into a forest fire, dressed only in Sacred activists understand that
mystic Andrew Harvey inspires us a paper tutu.” Like Marion, I believe service is the only road to profound
to participate in radically transforming that extreme situations, like those we and lasting joy, and that the deep-
the world by becoming sacred activ- are in now, require extreme solutions est service rises out of their deepest
ists. Awakened to our divine purpose, that are born from another dimension compassion, which is born out of their
we become effective, practical agents of truth and compassion. Our present deepest heartbreak.
of change for peace and sustainability. world crisis is spiritual and mystical;
therefore, only spirit and mystical How do we know our sacred cause
What is the difference between sa- consciousness will give us the pas- when we meet it?
cred activism and activism? sion, energy and peace that provide
the kind of solutions that have any Sacred activism asks two related things
It is my experience that a large major- real chance of being effective. of those who serve: to remain open,
ity of activists are fueled by an honor- without illusion, to the danger that the
able outrage and desire to do good. What differentiates the outcomes world is in and to ask, “What is my
The sacred activist, rather, lives from advocated by the sacred activist and deepest heartbreak?” If you can open
the depths of divine consciousness the activist? your heart to the horror of what is hap-
and acts from the depths of divine pening and at the same time identify
wisdom and compassion, because he The sacred activist is aware that the your deepest heartbreak, the answer
or she is committed to a deep spiritual temptation and excitement of project- will marry a profound urgency with a
practice. ing their own unacknowledged dark- focused and passionate commitment
Sacred activists understand that ness onto others keeps them from see- to your primary cause.
the deepest service rises out of their ing just how implicated they are in the
deepest compassion, which is born problem. Such an enlightened thinker What has kept you going for more
out of their deepest heartache. They also understands that advocating for than 20 years as an activist?
are committed to being, in the face of any cause in the spirit of condemna-
growing chaos, suffering and vio- tion only reinforces the behavior it is The things that keep me going—a
lence, what Robert Kennedy called, trying to end, and virtually ensures that sense of urgency about the dangers
“a tiny ripple of hope,” and a “center any efforts increase resistance, rather we face; a tremendous love for hu-
of energy and daring.” than healing. man beings, animals and nature; and
The radical psychological self- an energy that rises out of the depths
Why is a deep spiritual practice im- work on their own shadow, or dark of profound and direct realization
portant to the sacred activist? aspects, as well as incessant prayer by from the divine—are available at any
the sacred activist, opens the doors to moment, to anyone who has a deep
The Jungian analyst Marion Wood- a sense of humility which views op- hunger for them.
man once said to me, “Continuing to ponents not as an “other,” but rather
do pioneering sacred work in a world through the eyes of kindness and For more information about Andrew
as crazy and painful as ours without respect. The most effective negotia- Harvey and the Institute for Sacred
constantly grounding yourself in tors in situations of extreme danger or Activism, visit AndrewHarvey.com.
Pr i n t e d o n re c y c l e d Pa P e r t o Pr o t e c t t h e en v i r o n m e n t
March 2010 17
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