Yes.

It will be talked about a lot in the up and coming wonderSpirit events in our church hall.

Can you say a bit more, seeler?

From Micah:   What does the Lord require of you?    Justice, Mercy, humility.

What did Jesus teach (and live):   Love, justice, mercy. humility

Where should our concern be?  My church teaches social justice, and it tries to practice it - from a study of investment in mining in the Philipines, to native fishing, to the social welfare system in this province (probably the worst in Canada).  Many times I have listed on this forum the various social justice issues that my congregation is involved in. 

And that comes out of our spirituality and our relationship with the God that is within us and around us, above us and under our feet - that uplifts us and supports us, and that loves us unconditionally, and forgives us over and over again.

But are any connections between the more 'inner life' oriented practices, like prayer, meditation, cultivating virtuous motives, etc...  and the more 'outward, social' oriented practices ever talked about?

In almost every sermon, business meeting, study or discussion group, seminar -- and sometimes at social groups and book club.

(I wish I was feeling better because I can totally get into this conversation but I'll give it my best.)

In short?  A spiritual practice is the "food" of  social action.  Typically, social action and activism are fueled by righteous anger, which in itself is fine but it is not sustainable.  If you try to sustain anger, it doesn't take long to get yourself in trouble.  It leads to burn-out, frustration and potentially depression.

So, spiritual practice must replace anger if it is to sustain a socially conscious frame of mind.

(I hope this is something.  I'm actually really excited about this topic, and I've written on it in my Bachellor in Religious Studies in the context of women's caring.  But, I might have to wait till my 2nd trimester!)

Blessings!

Nishy

People see right from wrong throughtout society. Usually suffering is associated with lack of spiritual beliefs and discipline caused from lack of respect. The world can abuse us in many ways usually a spiritual practice that supports peaceful beliefs does not associate itself with social injustices. Therefore a lack of spiritual practice results in lack of reverance and respect for others. This is due to a lack of respect for oneself. Hope I didn't sound lame. FAITHFOREVER!

Thanks, Nishy.  I like your metaphor of "food". I'd even extend it and say that activism fueled by "righteous anger" is acting on an empty stomach. Eventually the bile gets to you and everyone around you (including the ones you think you're serving).   I can't tell you how many times someone whose life is radiating rage has told me that their favorite bible story is of Jesus whipping the money changers and throwing them out of the temple. Everything we know about him though suggests that he didn't act "on an empty stomach."

Crossing religious boundaries for a moment, the Dalai Lama gave another nice metaphor of this process, saying that social action is great, as long as you do "internal disarmament" first.

not lame at all, Freestorm...  Very critical links you're pointing out, I think especially because they hang together not just logically, but in real life experience.  "Peaceful beliefs" usually get talked about like things we just pull out of a dresser drawer and stick into our minds somehow. I like the way you're linking them to a supportive spiritual practice.  Kind of like Nishy's comment in a way. You can meet people with a belly full of righteous anger that have "peaceful beliefs" on the surface of their minds.  No wonder they burn out. No "food" to grow and sustain those peaceful beliefs.

I was just thinking of how ironic it is that many of us in the church are now trying to find practices that help us to perceive the cosmos as totally imbued with the sacred. Ironic in the sense that the traditions and practices of the Aboriginals, which the church sought to eliminate, were providing that sacred view. But there was too much dust on the lens for us to realize what we were doing. Not that that makes us any less accountable. And I'm sure that our making reparations, if  approached in the right spirit, can be a good lens-cleaning spiritual practice.

rishi

My experience has been the same as seelers.  In our church we try to cover the whole spectrum that fits within the Christian faith from Spirit  to Social justice  internationally, nationally and llocally.  It is part of our daily practice.

Shalom

Mate