Five benefits of Active Hope
Council of all Beings
What is Active Hope? How can it help us during our current time of challenge, change and uncertainty?
I came across the Work that Reconnects and Active Hope, created and developed by Joanna Macy, author and teacher.
She is a respected voice in the movements for peace, justice and ecology, she interweaves her scholarship with learnings from six decades of activism. She created an experiential journey of a spiral, where we move through different stages: Gratitude, Honoring Our Pain for the World, Seeing with New/Ancient Eyes, and Going Forth. This process equips us with tools to help them face the mess we’re in and find and play their role in the collective transition, or Great Turning, to a life-sustaining society.
How do we benefit from Active Hope in our everyday lives?
Five benefits of Active Hope:
1. Transform depression into joy
The process of Active Hope helps to let go of feelings of depression. When we are fully present with our feelings and emotions, we find that they are not static, but that they change. On the inner level, practising mindfulness, for example, is a simple daily practice where we can be aware of the more subtle changes in our inner space. On the outer, when we engage with any action, no matter how large or small, we can feel good about ourselves and feel more joyful. Recently, while I was looking after my mum after she came out of hospital, I decided to alternate our meals between meat and vegetarian meals. It was a very small action, yet I felt happy and positive with that choice.
2. Turning anger into and presence and patience.
It is very common to feel anger towards anyone destroying our world. We can be critical and judgemental to individuals, organisations, governments and companies who prioritise greed, selfishness and short term economic interests above caring for humanity and the planet. Anger can include the whole spectrum, from a small aversion, or being critical and judgmental, to full blown anger, rage and hatred. These are all feelings and emotions that are part of the human experience. However, we do have a choice in how we speak and act. Patience does not mean doing nothing, not at all. With patience we can carefully consider our responses, with care and wisdom. How do we do that when we experience anger about injustice?
3. Interconnectedness.
Greta Thunberg mentioned that before she started her school strikes, she was a lonely girl without any friends. Now, since she engaged with her courageous action speaking out about the climate crisis, encouraging young people to strike, and demanding action from the adults, she has ten thousands of followers and sympathisers, gets invitations from governments and the United Nations, and is well connected. It is definitely true that it is more fun and inspiring to work together with others, teaming up with likeminded people.
4. Feeling good about making positive choices
Sometimes the topic of the climate crisis can seem overwhelming. Yet every journey starts with one step. Look at your life right now. Is there one step you just have made, can take?
5. Cultivating our resilience.
One practice to cultivate resilience is ‘rejoicing’, focussing on the positive. Giving thanks to whatever is going well, for ourselves, our world. Let us pat ourselves on the back whenever we personally engage in a positive action. This may well be unusual in our culture, but give it a try! And let’s appreciate other individuals and groups who make a difference, creating an atmosphere of support.
We invite you to uncover and experience your innate connection with others and with the self healing powers of the web of life, so that you may be inspired to play your part in creating a sustainable civilisation.
Margo van Greta
Margo van Greta is a pioneer of holistic spirituality and a facilitator of transformation, creating a safe and supportive space for deepening the inner journey and make a positive contribution in our world. She works at the Findhorn Foundation, Scotland, at the heart of the Findhorn Ecovillage.
I came across the Work that Reconnects and Active Hope, created and developed by Joanna Macy, author and teacher.
She is a respected voice in the movements for peace, justice and ecology, she interweaves her scholarship with learnings from six decades of activism. She created an experiential journey of a spiral, where we move through different stages: Gratitude, Honoring Our Pain for the World, Seeing with New/Ancient Eyes, and Going Forth. This process equips us with tools to help them face the mess we’re in and find and play their role in the collective transition, or Great Turning, to a life-sustaining society.
How do we benefit from Active Hope in our everyday lives?
Five benefits of Active Hope:
1. Transform depression into joy
The process of Active Hope helps to let go of feelings of depression. When we are fully present with our feelings and emotions, we find that they are not static, but that they change. On the inner level, practising mindfulness, for example, is a simple daily practice where we can be aware of the more subtle changes in our inner space. On the outer, when we engage with any action, no matter how large or small, we can feel good about ourselves and feel more joyful. Recently, while I was looking after my mum after she came out of hospital, I decided to alternate our meals between meat and vegetarian meals. It was a very small action, yet I felt happy and positive with that choice.
2. Turning anger into and presence and patience.
It is very common to feel anger towards anyone destroying our world. We can be critical and judgemental to individuals, organisations, governments and companies who prioritise greed, selfishness and short term economic interests above caring for humanity and the planet. Anger can include the whole spectrum, from a small aversion, or being critical and judgmental, to full blown anger, rage and hatred. These are all feelings and emotions that are part of the human experience. However, we do have a choice in how we speak and act. Patience does not mean doing nothing, not at all. With patience we can carefully consider our responses, with care and wisdom. How do we do that when we experience anger about injustice?
3. Interconnectedness.
Greta Thunberg mentioned that before she started her school strikes, she was a lonely girl without any friends. Now, since she engaged with her courageous action speaking out about the climate crisis, encouraging young people to strike, and demanding action from the adults, she has ten thousands of followers and sympathisers, gets invitations from governments and the United Nations, and is well connected. It is definitely true that it is more fun and inspiring to work together with others, teaming up with likeminded people.
4. Feeling good about making positive choices
Sometimes the topic of the climate crisis can seem overwhelming. Yet every journey starts with one step. Look at your life right now. Is there one step you just have made, can take?
5. Cultivating our resilience.
One practice to cultivate resilience is ‘rejoicing’, focussing on the positive. Giving thanks to whatever is going well, for ourselves, our world. Let us pat ourselves on the back whenever we personally engage in a positive action. This may well be unusual in our culture, but give it a try! And let’s appreciate other individuals and groups who make a difference, creating an atmosphere of support.
We invite you to uncover and experience your innate connection with others and with the self healing powers of the web of life, so that you may be inspired to play your part in creating a sustainable civilisation.
Margo van Greta
Margo van Greta is a pioneer of holistic spirituality and a facilitator of transformation, creating a safe and supportive space for deepening the inner journey and make a positive contribution in our world. She works at the Findhorn Foundation, Scotland, at the heart of the Findhorn Ecovillage.
