Merton/Cardijn Option #5.
What is a Contemplative Activist?
"Jesus saw the tax collector and, by having mercy, chose him as an Apostle, saying to him: Follow me." ~ St Bede
What is a Contemplative Activist?
A contemplative activist is you and me. We learn to integrate contemplative practices, such as mindfulness, meditation, and prayer, into our activism. The goal is to understand our inner spiritual or philosophical practices and how they align with outward engagement in social action and purpose for the greater good. This approach emphasizes the importance of inner reflection and emotional awareness as foundational to effective social change. Think of Merton, Cardijn, the Patristic Fathers of the Church, Dorothy Day, and the Documents of Vatican II. Rather than reacting impulsively to social injustices, we, as contemplative activists, take the time to cultivate a deep sense of compassion and understanding, which informs our actions in the world. We must understand that contemplation (inner work) and activism (outer work) are not opposing forces but meaningful and sustainable forces for change when both are held and practiced together.
When we delve into the lives of Thomas Merton and Joseph Cardijn, we uncover the profound transformation that contemplative practices can bring. Both men believed that personal transformation and inner peace are essential for sustainable and effective social activism. Their engagement in practices such as meditation, prayer, and self-reflection led to the cultivation of compassion, clarity, and resilience. These practices, which anyone can adopt, help stay grounded and avoid burnout, which can be common in activist work. Merton, in monastic life, Cardijn in prison, and even Dietrich Bonhoeffer discovered the transformative power of inner peace, meditation, and prayer as the driving force of action. You and I do not need to enter a monastery or find ourselves in prison. Still, we must create an environment that fosters inner peace, engages in sustainable social activism, and brings about the kingdom of heaven. Their stories inspire us to believe in the transformative power of contemplative practices in our own lives and the world.
Key Characteristics
Inner Reflection: We as contemplative activists engage in practices that help us manage our inner states, enabling a more thoughtful and aligned response to social issues. This inner work equips us to act with clarity and purpose rather than from a place of anger, fear, or frustration.
Contemplative activism is about personal growth and promoting social justice and change in a way that reflects love and compassion. This approach empowers us to channel our best selves, fostering more peaceful, constructive dialogue around contentious issues. It's a powerful tool for those who want to make a difference in the world, providing a sense of purpose and direction in their activism. Contemplative activists believe effective activism requires a delicate balance between action and contemplation. This integration of contemplation and activism is a most effective tool that helps prevent burnout and disillusionment, allowing us to sustain our efforts over time. It's a reassuring reminder that taking time for inner reflection is not a luxury but a necessity for long-term, sustainable activism.
As contemplative activists, we should emphasize the importance of community and gathering with others to reflect on our shared values and goals. This collective contemplation can strengthen bonds and enhance the effectiveness of our activism. It's not just about personal growth, but also about fostering a sense of togetherness and shared purpose.
Contemplation involves a variety of practices that quiet the mind, foster inner stillness, and cultivate deeper self-awareness and connection to something larger than oneself. These practices include meditation, prayer, silence and solitude, Lectio Divina, Centering Prayer, mindfulness, and contemplative arts. Each offers a unique way to engage in inner reflection and personal growth.
Meditation: Various forms of mindfulness and focused attention practices.
Prayer: Engaging in dialogue or communion with the divine or a higher power.
Silence and Solitude: Spending time in quiet reflection, often in nature. Go for walks. Or put your feet in the sand if you are near a beach and become one with the universe.
Lectio Divina: A slow, meditative way of reading and reflecting on sacred texts. Many parishes around the area are printing Lectio Divina in the bulletins.
Centering Prayer: A fancy word of silent prayer. It does take practice, and you will notice in the beginning how distracted our minds become when we try to pray and be quiet together.
Mindfulness is paying attention to the present moment without judgment in daily life. The key is not to pass judgment but to discover where mercy plays an important role.
Contemplative Arts: Engaging in creative activities like painting, music, or writing as a form of reflection. If you take one of those walks alone in the woods, try singing. You might be surprised by what you discover about your inner self.
Deep Listening is paying full attention to others with empathy and without judgment. Try this as you watch the evening news. Listen without passing judgment, find where your heart takes you, and meditate on the meaning. Think of mercy as a verb.
Activism: This involves taking action to address social, political, economic, or environmental issues. It can manifest in many ways, such as:
Advocacy: Speaking out for marginalized groups and causes. This can be accomplished in speaking, writing, blogging, teaching, and various social media forums.
Direct Action: Participating in protests and demonstrations and realizing their strength in numbers.
Community Organizing: Cultivating grassroots movements for change in local communities, parishes, and schools. You do not have to be a professional community organizer to create change.
Education and Awareness Raising: Contemplative activists inform others about important issues and strive to be their neighborhood's 'Paul Reeves.' Service: Directly helping individuals and communities in need. For example, working in food kitchens helps many of us stay grounded, gives us moments of reflection and purpose, and allows us to see the gospel in action.
Working for Systemic Change: Engaging in policy reform and institutional transformation. Again, it takes a village to bring the gospel into action.
The Integration: The crucial aspect of contemplative activism is the conscious and dynamic interplay between these two dimensions. Contemplative practices inform and fuel activism by:
Cultivating Inner Peace and Resilience: Contemplative practices help activists avoid burnout and sustain their commitment over the long term. Inner peace, in this context, refers to a state of calm and tranquility that allows for clear thinking and emotional stability. As the old saying goes, it takes a village to bring about change. Think of the 'village' that followed Jesus, hundreds and eventually thousands. A good example of 'contemplative activists' is the early followers of Jesus in the first century.
Fostering Empathy and Compassion: Enhancing our understanding of others' suffering and strengthening our motivation to act. Making mercy a verb.
Promoting clarity and discernment means enabling more thoughtful and strategic actions that move you and me beyond reactive responses to more meaningful and pro-gospel responses.
Challenging the Ego: Assisting other activists in acting from a place of love and justice instead of anger or a desire for personal validation.
Recognizing Interconnectedness: Contemplative practices foster a sense of unity among all beings. This interconnectedness, or the understanding that all living things are interdependent and connected, leads to a more holistic approach to social change. It encourages contemplative activists to consider their actions' broader implications and work towards solutions that benefit all, sustaining Hope and grounding action in a profound sense of meaning and possibility, even when faced with challenges.
Contemplative activists do not just focus on changing external systems, such as fighting oppression, creating alternative economic models, or supporting marginalized communities, but also prioritize transforming their state of being with mercy at the core.
In summary, contemplative activism combines the inner journey of self-awareness and compassion with the outer journey of social justice, creating a holistic approach to activism that aims to transform both the individual and the world.
A contemplative activist has mercy. A contemplative activist practices mercy.