Inner & Outer Work
Van Jones
Dear Friends,
Do we need to change the world or just accept it as it is?
Years ago I asked this question to the Benedictine monk David Steindl-Rast.
I was about 23 years old, and his response stayed with me.
He said there were two voices we need to balance.
ONE: When we think it is up to us to change the world and there is always something wrong, we need to shift and tend to our inner life.
TWO: When we are just focused on ourselves, and not attending to the world around us, we need to shift to tend to the external world.
The dance of life is to balance these.
Van Jones’ statement above speaks to what may be the challenge of our time:
Change will not happen without inner work… and no inner work without right action is likely to produce results.
WHAT WE DO NOT NEED
The world does not need more hateful activists complaining about everything … and neither does it need more self-consumed “spiritual people” obsessed with their “personal well-being” with little awareness of the world around them.
Both miss the mark.
THE BALANCE FOR YOU
Which of these two parts do you need to listen to right now in your life?
Are you more focused on one than the other?
As best I can tell, the world is calling each one of us, be it in addressing climate change or AI or any other challenge, to do both the inner and outer work.
I do not see any other way forward. And each one of us, no matter our life situation, has an important role to play.
Wisdom 2.0 … See announcements below, including Van Jones joining us at the Wisdom and AI Summit (3 months away!) and August Meditation Series (starting this Friday).
Blessings,
SOREN
AUGUST MEDITATION SERIES By Donation starts this Friday
We are thrilled to welcome renowned meditation teacher Sharon Salzberg this Friday to launch our series on supporting a regular meditation practice.
VAN JONES joins Wisdom & AI Summit
We are three months away from the Wisdom & AI Summit in San Francisco … exploring how we can use AI for the benefit of all humanity.
Learn more and apply on the website. There are still Early Bird Tickets Available.
Also if you are interested in an Assistant Position at Wisdom 2.0 Learn More Here >>>