We spent the day discussing the first two obstacles to self-transformation in service of making social change: self-expression and the inability to sacrifice.
Prioritizing the needs of the group above our personal desires and distractions requires mindfulness and a willingness to get out of our comfort zones.
We are faced with countless consumerist distractions and habits that take intention and practice to replace with behaviors that uplift community and justice.
The work of nonviolent social change takes sacrifice. We must stay up later, get up earlier, study harder and put away our cellphones, electronic gadgets and appetites to focus on the intrinsic rewards of being part of something bigger than ourselves.
Today we learned a bit about others’ lives cultures and pursuits from some of the people of Eureka CA, an elder and a culture-keeper from the Yurok Nation on the Northern California Coast and fishermen in Trinidad, CA. We ended the day with a contemplative walk-in ancient redwood forest.
