Today, I wanted to discuss how your soul connects to social sustainability…
I first heard of the term “social sustainability” at a workshop in 2011. The purpose was to teach us the practice of ‘listening within” to that still small voice of your inner knowing.
Without the leading of this divine voice (our impersonal fragment of Deity) that embodies truth, beauty and goodness, we may not be discerning what’s right from wrong for our own experiences here.
Instead, the vast majority of your truth will come from the outside, and alot of what goes on externally that lacks inner foundation isn’t sustainable. $$ and power can exist without integrity and create tragic social issues.
Thought Leaders who lead from Within
I’ve been paying attention to the newer thought leaders who wake me up to the kind of world I am hoping for: a sustainable one where our future feels more hopeful than what we are currently facing.
Living judgment-free create soul moments and has been a ‘soul practice’ of how not to get offended while standing up for what’s right or against what’s wrong for ourselves when we follow our own truth.
In the media, and our social networks, there’s so much that feels like it’s missing the soul, and you have to dig to find deeper truth that aligns with your own values.
I am constantly discovering young thought leaders who are applying spiritual principles in their work and practices that are sustainable for humanity.
It gives me hope for the future.
These voices keep me and my 3 young adult children on our toes around what’s happening in the bigger consciousness, which affects our consciousness and decisions we make here at home, and within our circle of influence.
Here are some thought leaders I’ve been following lately:
(1) Dr. Zach Bush is one of the few medical minds who has integrated spirituality into his work. In this eye-opening interview, he shares a different take on Covid-19 that may surprise you, raise questions, and have you seeking very different ways to sustain your health.
I’ve picked up Restore to take as a gut health supplement.
(2) My son introduced me to Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj. Wow. He addresses controversial issues and woke me up to alot going on behind the scenes in our world. Blown away by his smart delivery & humour to get some tough points across.
This ‘Hip Hop” episode gave me a totally different appreciation of how popular music gets out and mixes with politics and movements that can have both ups and downs.
Anything creative is really coming from our higher place within.
This talk on fast fashion brings you up close and personal with how we are destroying our planet in both the manufacture and shortened wear of clothing. It’s scary the somber reality we face here.
Reading labels on the clothes I buy has become mandatory. I’ve embraced thrift shopping, and recycled fabrics – it feels good to help move in the direction of sustainable clothing.
Humour disarms our judgment and we’re more open to raising important new questions on tough subjects like the influence of billionaires.
When people act in ways that are offensive, and hurtful over controversial topics – here’s what I genuinely feel underneath: CONFUSED.
What are they thinking? Doing? Choosing? Seriously – I don’t get it!
This is the space (being confused and asking questions) that Hasan creates for us. You see more here, and can feel his underlying view searching for what’s right for humanity from a place we all are wondering about.
(3) Biodynamic farming is a completely sustainable, pesticide-free approach that integrates nature’s circle of life. It arrived 2 decades before organic farming and has its roots in spirituality. How it works can be seen in the “Biggest Little Farm” on netflix (or their website here).
The founder of biodynamic agriculture was Rudolf Steiner (1861–1925). an Austrian-born lecturer, author, architect, social activist, and a spiritualist! He was so far ahead of his time, and I believe we need to embrace his ideas a lot more.
He was also the visionary behind Waldorf Education, an independent education system based on the spiritual values of truth, beauty and goodness.
Here’s a snapshot of his education model:
Birth to 7 years
The goal to teach children that the world is GOOD. This stage centers on imaginative free play, drawing, painting, songs, games, stories, and practical tasks eg. cooking, cleaning, gardening. There’s an emphasis on identifying with nature.
7-14 years
The goal to teach children that world is BEAUTIFUL by introducing a curriculum of study that included a healthy balance of the arts & sciences (including mythology, mineralogy, astronomy as well as nutrition).
14-21 years
The goal to teach children that the world is TRUE. This stage included the importance of critical thinking and analysis, intellectual understanding, and developing the capacity for abstract thought and conceptual ideas to develop discernment.
On top of farming, and education, Rudolf also worked with pharmacists and MDs to create a holistic approach called “anthroposophic medicine” that integrated conventional medicine with medicines from plants, minerals and animals, art therapy, massage, counseling & psychotherapy.
So much needs to change with the food supply and education systems, and health care is divided instead of integrated. We all know now that our overall health and well being requires care of our highly integrated mind, body, and soul.
I consider Rudolf to be a pioneer of social sustainability taking spiritual principles, and applying them to our social systems.
(4) I wasn’t sure what to expect seeing High School Musical’s main star Zac Efron hosting a documentary! His “Down to Earth” launched this month reminded me of Michael Moore’s “Where to Invade Next” that also wakes you up to powerful sustainable ways hitting every major social issue – healthcare, workplace, justice, prison reform, food, and education.
The Costa Rica and Puerto Rica episodes really touch your soul & open your mind to new ways of thinking!
(5) 28 year old Harvard graduate Nas (Muslim) alongside his girlfriend Aylne (Jewish) showcase hopeful short videos like this one where religions are finally living side by side in a country in the Middle East. I get excited seeing this kind of acceptance of people’s different belief systems in that area of the planet. And, how it fosters social sustainability.
The way Singapore disposes of its trash in this video makes you wonder how long will it take for the rest of us to get here?
One thing you often notice about sustainable thought leaders – the critical reviews are generally terrible! Ignore them and take a peek for yourself.
I am always reminded of this quote being on the spiritual path, and living differently for a better world:
Truth Passes Through Three Stages:
First, It Is Ridiculed.
Second, It Is Violently Opposed.
Third, It Is Accepted As Self-Evident
I believe that the more we can put our energy and attention into applying spiritual values for sustainable ways (put your light in the field), the more we create our own fantastic version of the world we can all enjoy.
It requires we let go of the judgments we hold energetically against those blocking the path forward, while standing up for our opinions, beliefs, and perspectives.
By following your truth led by your still divine voice of what’s right and wrong for you, a path is being paved for a more compassionate, social sustainability and wildly creative abundant world for everyone.
