Mindful engagement

This illustrated story tells of a change in my understanding following chats with members of the Caledonia Centre for Social Development and of the Northern Lights Sangha. The basic theme was ‘changing minds’. The thought train was as follows:

FIRST sort your ‘self’ THEN sort other people and things.
BUT it can take a long time to sort your ‘self.’ (ie to know that it is illusory)
THEREFORE – BEGIN sorting your ‘self’ and SHARE your ongoing experiences by BLOGGING about them.

What does sorting yourself involve? The short answer is MINDFULNESS.

Slow down. Make time to put attention on the breathing. Be aware of, and awake to, the thoughts and feelings that enter the attention centre.

Most often the task is to notice their arising and to let them go; and then to rest in the peace of no-self and of being out of space and time. Be calm. Be cool. Be unattached.

Sometimes the task is to engage with other people and the world. This involves viewpoints which are often rooted in either/or thinking. Rise v fall, left v right, socialist v capitalist and so on. The task is to note and thus avoid knee jerk reactions and to promote considered responses: to avoid anger and violence and to promote mutual respect and understanding.

As an individual in a group you can be the peace that permeates the gathering. This will involve noting the various parochial and limited viewpoints which are contending - and encouraging those present to expand their horizons and see a bigger picture.

The context will determine the appropriate details but there is (a) the quantum (very small) to cosmos (very big) continuum in terms of space and (b) in terms of time, the Big History story beginning with the big bang 13.7 billion years ago and evolving through cosmic, biological and cultural phases.

And today, and only very, very, very recently, on planet earth, there are beings that are conscious of their consciousness and are thus potentially capable of directing the future course of evolution. Blips of self aware stardust until, eventually, in about seven million years, our sun goes out.

But in the meantime there are many more or less favorable options for our future. Choosing the more favorable involves changing minds - yours and those of others. This means radical rather than formal education. Individuals can educate themselves or form more or less independent, adult study groups that organize for group action – for ‘social mobilization’.

Social mobilization can be for both socioeconomic (political) and spiritual (ethical and moral) ends.

In the 1960s the Brazilian, adult educator Paulo Friere promoted conscientization. This was a form of critical consciousness that focuses on achieving an in-depth understanding of the world, and allowing for the perception and exposure of social and political contradictions.

In the 1970s the Sri Lankan, social activist Sirisena Tilikaratna promoted a four stage cycle for ongoing social mobilization – (1) gather info, (2) analyze and prioritize, (3) set up mechanisms for action, (4) periodically reflect on progress.

Since the 1960s the concept of ‘Engaged Buddhism’ has been associated with the Vietnamese, meditation teacher Thich Nhat Hahn who has listed 14 precepts of engaged Buddhism. This involves seeking ways to apply the insights from meditation practice and dharma teachings to situations of social, political, environmental, and economic suffering and injustice.

The Dalai Lama now also encourages Buddhists to be more socially engaged. There is also support for the concept from a wide range of western Buddhists.

Arguably this is a good time for a paradigm shift in how humanity inhabits the planet. Many people are still caught up in the old, parochial, xenophobic, dualistic, antagonistic, us/them, and in-group/ out-group modes of thinking. But insights from neuroscience and evolutionary psychology suggest that such mental states are only loosely hard-wired. To be switched on they need a supportive socio/cultural environment: this suggests that a different socio/cultural environment can switch them off. It is never too late to change your mind.

There are more questions than answers. Science will provide objective evidence about how the mind/brain works in terms of its evolutionary history and of its present day mismatches. Mindfulness will allow the emergence and noticing of all types of reactive thoughts and feelings. These can then be used more responsibly while interacting with other minds.

And they can be shared in the flesh with like minded souls in your Sangha, although there might not be many of these in the early stages of the revolution. But they can also be shared with the tens, hundreds or thousands of people who follow and comment on your blog.

Don’t be stingy.
Mindful engagement – yoh!