Spiritual Activism?

The "Bleeping Herald", the online publication that started after the movie "What the Bleep Do We Know?", just sent out its most recent e-mail. They interviewed with a famous Yogi named Seane Corn, who considers herself a "spiritual activist". I really liked this term.

Here are some of the highlights of that interview:

"I've never done any service that has been selfless. I don't even know what that means. I say that because every single time I've gone out there into the world to be of service in any capacity, I have gotten more than I have ever given. My life has changed on so many levels and all I have to do is give time, energy, money, or some effort but what I get in return has been truly indescribable and priceless."

"Bleeping Herald: In spiritual circles there are often those who believe it's not a good idea to focus on the "dark side" of things whether it be their environments, their lives in general, etc., with the reasoning that focusing on the more "negative" aspects will bring that into one's own life. Since you can't do as much service as you do without dealing with hard issues, can you address that way of thinking?

Seane: I've heard that perception before, I just don't personally relate to it. To understand the light I've had to also understand and respect the power of the shadow. It is the flip side of the same coin. Everyone has obsession and jealousy, anger, hate, judgment, blame and all those negative perceptions and if you don't acknowledge them and you repress them, they come out in other ways."

This response above is a very key message. I especially see it as a response to the very much popularized way of thinking through the book "The Secret". Brodie, President of AIESEC International 05-06 and a current McKinsey Consultant, also mentioned the same approach in his blog.

On with the interview:

"This idea that there is an other, a you against me is really what's perpetuating the wars, the terrorism, and all the dysfunction of this planet so as spiritual activists, we have to be willing to go above it and see the bigger picture."

"So the real battle first starts within the individual and then it can transcend out into the community."

The most inspiring part of Barack Obama's speech in Turkish Grand National Assembly

Here's how Obama finished his speech today in our Grand National Assembly in Ankara:

"I know there are those who like to debate Turkey’s future. They see your country at the crossroads of continents, and touched by the currents of history. They know that this has been a place where civilizations meet, and different peoples mingle. And they wonder whether you will be pulled in one direction or another.

Here is what they don’t understand: Turkey’s greatness lies in your ability to be at the center of things. This is not where East and West divide – it is where they come together. In the beauty of your culture. In the richness of your history. In the strength of your democracy. In your hopes for tomorrow."

He definitely has a point. Personally, I don't find the "Bridge" metaphor that is given to our country by many people satisfying enough. I think we should consider ourselves as the "Center" between the West and the East with a growing economy, a peacemaker role in the region, and a real democracy.

CDC - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Outbreak Notice

The Center for Disease Control has issued a medical alert about a highly contagious, potentially dangerous virus that is transmitted orally, by hand, and even electronically.

This virus is called Weekly Overload Recreational Killer (W.O.R.K.). If you receive W.O.R.K. from your boss, any of your collegues or anyone else via any means whatsoever - DO NOT TOUCH IT!!! This virus will wipe out your private life entirely. If you come into contact with W.O.R.K. you should immediately leave the premisses.

Take two good friends to the nearest liquor store and purchase one or both of the following antidotes:

• W.O.R.K. Isolating Neutralizer Extract (W.I.N.E.)
• Bothersome Employer Elimination Rebooter (B.E.E.R.)

Take the antidote repeatedly until W.O.R.K. has been completely eliminated from your system.

You should immediately forward this medical alert to five friends. If you do not have five friends, you have already been infected and W.O.R.K. is controlling your life.