Being Whole
We are constantly in an exploration of what it means to be alive and be ourselves. We see that leaders who act on what " being whole" means to them are able to show up with humility and vulnerability.
Aligning spirit, intellect, abilities, aspirations, and emotional well-being enables Spiritual Changemakers to unlock new ways to address our spiritual, social, and environmental challenges. Creating systems that value our wholeness may mean letting go of rules, roles, and paradigms of what it means to be “correct,” “devout,” or “enough” so that everyone can be fully seen and appreciated.”
We believe this Signpost of the Future is about:
- Offering new powerful forms of spiritual support by "unbundling" faith traditions
- Empathy and making space for difference
- Acting on what makes YOU come alive. Being in alignment.
- Addressing the systems that have prevented EVERYONE from being valued
Check out the stories:
Unbundling systems to build new forms of spiritual support
Unbundling systems means deconstructing preconceived notions, practices and hierarchies in order to find better spiritual designs for everyone. Springtide Research Institute's data provides insight into the impact of spirituality and faith in Gen Z's wellbeing and thriving.
Yes-And... mentality
We consider it crucial to develop this mentality when it comes to the intersection of changemaking and faith (or spirituality) because of the potential for growth that is unleashed when we acknowledge that everyone is a changemaker, and we are open to listen and collaborate together, across diversity.
Doing what makes you come alive: inner work toward outer action
Ashoka Fellow Molly Burhans aligned her intuition, calling, and skills to create the organization GoodLands, through which she and her team are building the first large-scale maps of the Catholic Church’s global landholdings using GIS (Geographic Information Systems) mapping.
Addressing the pain
As changemakers rooted in empathy, religious trauma and hurt (and their social dynamics) are central things to consider when we bring our spiritual beliefs into our way of effecting change.
Power in Everyone
This has become some sort of mantra for us. When we are able to recognize the beauty and uniqueness of everyone's voice, we can relate to one another in a way that unleashes agency and nourishes an Everyone a Changemaker world.
There are four parts to this idea:
- We need to adapt our systems, structures, and roles in ways that spread power
- We learn from young people when we see them as leaders
- There's no space for discrimination, hate, abuse, or bigotry
- The greatest impact happens when people most affected by the challenges are in the driver's seat.
Check out the stories below to see this in practice!
Shifting roles to spread power
This article invites us to reflect on the changes of attitudes and structures that are required to recognize the power of every person as an agent of change (Everyone a Changemaker).
Young people leading
Daniel is a great example of a teenager who sees faith (in this example, Christianity) as a powerful common foundation to bring his friends from around the world together, online.
Focus on creating systems of equity
“Everyone a Changemaker” means that we are building a world where everyone has the capacity and opportunity to contribute and to create positive change.
People driving their own solutions
Through GirlTrek, Ashoka Fellow T. Morgan Dixon has created a movement anchored in the spiritual, historical, and physical power of every Black woman.
Fluid Mindset
Over the last 30 years (and particularly due to the internet) we have been adjusting our understanding of limits, boundaries, and connections in daily life. Our world has become more fluid. Having a fluid mindset is about embracing the beauty of constant evolution and training our brains to thrive amidst constant change. This way of looking at the world is supportive of innovation and building new possibilities for the future.
This emerging pattern involves:
- Bringing down the physical and mental walls that distance us from one another
- Creatively utilizing our assets in alignment with our spiritual values
- Building communities that are able to evolve together
- Being solutions-oriented to step into possibility
As above, here are some stories to exemplify:
No more walls
No more walls is a metaphor for all structures and beliefs that limit our connection with each other. When we think outside the box or step beyond the boundaries of existing structures, we are able to imagine new options, include different perspectives and connect deeply with one another.
Creatively connecting assets and faith
This article takes us on a journey through different cities in the United States where Sikh Gurdwaras were able to effectively reach a portion of the population that was facing food uncertainty during the coronavirus lockdown.
Community Everywhere
In an age defined by constant change, physical and virtual spaces provide unique opportunities to connect with likeminded and diverse people from around the world.
Knowing your neighbor to love your neighbor
As migration and global citizenship increase our possibilities to learn from people with different cultural backgrounds, we as changemakers benefit from keeping an attitude of openness to knowing how the other sees the world. ’
Building the Future, Together
For years, spiritual and faith communities have looked for ways to address systemic challenges such as climate change and migration, together. We are aware that our future depends on teamwork.
We observe that:
- Collaborations based on trust can enable systemic change.
- Bringing different industries, sectors, faiths, and people to the table can have ripple effects that transform our worldview and community for the better.
Check out the stories:
Collaborating across difference for common purpose
The key to multi-cultural collaboration is the agreement on the common goal. As interfaith and multi-spiritual networks organize, enormous potential can be unlocked to mobilize spiritual communities for the most pressing needs of our time.
Diverse inputs make better solutions
Around the world, displaced and homeless populations are part of street communities with unique ways of organizing and caring for one another. Amy Cantrell's work is based on relationships, both with people in power and with the homeless people around town.