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."