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Read this newsletter online: http://transformativechange.org/docs/nl/transform-200908.html Download printable PDF version: http://transformativechange.org/docs/nl/transform-200908.pdf
what's new
welcome August is a month without national holidays, but around the world people have historically fought to find independence this month. August is the month that women in the US won the vote and that seven countries (Ecuador, Pakistan, India, Korea, Indonesia, Uruguay and Malaysia) won their independence. And it is the month Martin Luther King Jr. gave his �I Have a Dream� speech, continuing the struggle for black folks to reclaim their own lives. Given that long history of self-determination we thought we'd focus on restoring, reflecting, and reclaiming what's ours-whether that means our own voices, our literal independence, the right to be seen as whole human beings or our need to reflect on our deeds. Thousands of people all over the world will also participate in Ramadan this month, reflecting on Allah, their actions, and their intentions to find ways of being more charitable--more human to themselves and others.
SITforChange: Pledge, Promote, Participate--Make Moola SITforChange just got virtual! Individual participants can sit here or waaaay over there. Our 2nd Annual Sit-A-Thon, held locally in MLK Park in Berkeley on September 19th, can now be joined virtually. By popular demand, we've set it up so that you can "SIT for Change" from wherever they are. Be a Changemaker, form a Teams, even design your own creative SITs for Change: sit-in, sit at home, sit in community, sit in your local park. If you're an organization, you can RAISE FUNDS for your work by partnering with us. Be a participant, partner, sponsor, volunteer or vendor. Registration officially launches on Monday, August 10th. Go now: Read more... Wanted: "Old" iBook and Powerbook G4s
in SIGHT Our Circles of Connection
the practice of inconvenience what's in your wallet? INcite with angel Kyodo williams Years ago, Gloria Steinem, the formidable godmother of modern feminism posed a query
Both RJOY (Restorative Justice for Oakland Youth) and
that my fading memory won't recall exactly, but it irrevocably changed how I view my life. The
Tributary Streams of a Healing River advocate
gist of it was this: if life came to an end for you, if you were hit by a car or something less
video (excerpt from Tributary Streams of a Healing
tragic, but equally sudden while out in the world, and someone had to go through your
people's natural sense of retribution is restorative
wallet to find out who you are, would your
highlight RJOY's work, it does give a good idea about
checkbook reflect your values? Would your statement make a statement and is it the one you would want shared? What story would the carbon
restorative justice as a means for true justice. In the River) ex-warden Dennis Maloney speaks about how justice. And although the featured video doesn't what they do... Read more...
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copies of what you sign on the dotted line for tell about what matters to you? Not the story of a year ago before the massive nosedive we're in became clear. Today. Now.
http://transformativechange.org/docs/nl/transform-200908.html
Learn More About RJOY
in TIME
I know, i know....many of us are so politically correct that we don't write paper checks and maybe haven't for years, but you get my drift: whether
27 Days of Change: Practice
its paper, plastic, prepaid or PayPal...
Period Sept 1-27 REAL Change & Justice Begins
What's in YOUR wallet?
with YOU Designed for activists, allies and agents of social
Later this month, Muslims all over the world will begin Ramadan, the
change, Practice Periods are seasonal 27 days of urban-
annual 30-day observance of a daylight fast. Neither food nor water passes the lips from sun up to sun down. The same goes for sex and any unlawful, unkind or distasteful acts. Things of pleasure and things of pain
based, intensive practice towards inner change, done
are released equally in a daily commitment to taking in less while directing one's energy inwards for reflection, prayer and renewal. Since September 2001, I've engaged this deep practice of total abstinence
how you want to show up in the world and receive the
while in the midst of our busy lives. Join people nationwide, online or in person, to set 6 intentions for support you need to embody them. Residential opportunities available. Register Today.
intermittently, regaining consistency in the last few years. Urban Retreat: Wake Up for Change Sept 4 - 6
When I commented on it beginning soon (August 22nd in North America), a community member scoffed at its inconvenience: it lands just as we are
Full participation is encouraged, but not required.
preparing for our own Fall Practice Period, not to mention working feverishly on our single biggest event of the year. Her concern is well-placed. The outcome of this year's event matters like no other
on what it means to inner awareness to broad-based
before: like many smart but small organizations, we're sitting on a financial precipice looking over the edge.
sustainable, centered social change.
This is, more often than not, the nature of deep practice: It isn't convenient. It doesn't fit your schedule. It doesn't conform to your whim. It isn't selectable for good days instead of bad. In short, it isn't a hobby...it's a practice.
During this non-residential weekend retreat we focus social change. Take time to strengthen the foundation of your work in the world; deepen your intentions for Read About 27 Days of Change See a Sample Intention Agreement Register for 27 Days of Change
in the CENTER Training to Transform Folks from Inside-Out
And owing to this practice, as deeply as we are in a literal existensial crisis, we are happy. Not happy to be facing the jaws of organizational
Last month, eight people took
Death (or Rebirth as the case may be) but happy with who we are, what we do and HOW we show up in the world. I've made peace with the fact that one of the reasons we're in a tight place is because we gave up the
Instructor Training (fMIT). They
the first-ever fearlessMeditation were instructed on how to teach fearless Meditation I--a workshop that teaches the
Game of jumping through money hoops. We continue to honor our commitment to change from the inside. Daily. 5:40am wakeup bell. 6am
basics of establishing a nonsectarian, universal sitting
yoga. 7am meditation. Week after week. When the bills come and when they go.
workshop is the first of its kind--using social justice as
meditation practice in a social justice context. The the context for a meditation practice--rather than religious, medical or otherwise. With each person
If not as dramatic, remaining committed to established personal and
taking what they learned into social justice arenas, it's a
organizational practice--especially in the face of challenge--is a stance no less determined than that of Gandhi's Salt Marchers, or those folks that
radical focus that could be earth shattering: It's one of
continued to cross the bridge in Selma. We put our butts on the line and on the cushion to usher forth a new way of Being Change. Facing financial firing squads, we stand (and sit) committed to finding Right Relationship
folks go out and do social justice work.
through real partnership with a community of practitioners, participants and donors that care enough to support this new way even when it is neither easy nor convenient. In the process, we stand committed to maintaining Right Relationship with ourselves.
those things that has the potential to change the way Read more...
outer ACTION The Technological Practice of Reclaiming Community We have Facebook, MySpace,
While Ramadan is a fasting practice, it's not about holding back--it's
Twitter and now Ning. Social
about reconnecting with the places within us that have tightened over
networking may not be quite the
the year and re-learning to give generously from that place of connection
same as what our parents and
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that knows that we ourselves own nothing. We belong to and are of the Divine and are infinitely blessed to express that Divinity here on Earth. On our knees, with foreheads touching the earth, palms turned toward the sky, our very breath is a celebration of Life. Each morning, we meet
grandparents used to have, knowing nearly everyone in
the darkness in symbolic solitude and contemplate the challenge before us: a day without eating. As days come and go, humbled in the face of
means to connect, share, inspire and inform amongst
our increasing frailty, physical strength tapped, endurance tested, we meet our humanity. Each night, our commitment is rewarded only by the
our desire to reclaim the connections we need.
opportunity to renew ourselves to meet the challenge again. The iftar meal breaks the fast in community, a bonding together to regain strength from not only the food but the energy of shared commitment. Ramadan is
the neighborhood or at work, but it does allow for us to reclaim a certain kind of community many of us have been missing. The explosive success Facebook as a people invested in changing the world is evidence of Read more... Join the Transformative Change Ning Site!
social CHANGE Reflecting on Race, Justice &
endded with a feast, but also with almsgiving--sharing of whatever we have--regardless of how much, an equally significant practice of commitment that brings balance. In an essay on The Transformative Power of Practice Staci Haines and Ng'ethe Maina, two leaders in the field of Transformative Social Change,
the American Way
Editor's Note: Here, a community member offers personal reflections on race after observing the confirmation hearings for our new and
talk about two kinds of practice: Default Practices are "deeply rooted behaviors that we do automatically, consistently, and unconsciously in
long overdue Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor.
response to any given situation" and Intentional Practices are " those that we choose to do in order to transform the way we show up in the
Since November I've regularly heard statements like:
world. Through new practices we increase choice and alignment with our values." When we are faced with challenge, it's especially easy to return to--and justify--deeply rooted unconscious practices: fear, contraction, a
I see is beautiful people."
sense of lack and a resulting need to control. Ramadan shows up every year with a fresh invitation to let go of craving, control and excess with no pat-on-the-back congratulations, no true witness but that of your own
"We live in a post-racial society" or "I don't see color, all Read more...
in the MIND Happiness is Not Normal Or so says John Hayes, founder of Acceptance and Commitment
deepening alignment with your commitment to Change. Now is not the time to hold out. Not on your commitments, not on your practice and not on change. Change IS on the horizon. The best thing about it is that at this moment, we can't actually make out what it's going to look like. Like much of the unknown, we can take that to be a mark of real danger or of real hope. I'm opting for the latter, but I'm practicing come what may. Are you practicing what you are committed to? or, in other words: What's in YOUR wallet? Sure, the best things in life are free. And someone pays--through hard work, advocacy and showing up--for equitable access to much of it. Even if you have a little, break off a little bit of that something. Put your cash where your heart is. We need a little change to bring about big change. To start you off, here's what's in my wallet. While there were others, I am now reorganzing my priorities to support those that need it most: In no particular order, these are organizations that need support today. Now. Of all the great work out there, I used three criteria to bring these to the top in addition to financial need:
Therapy (ACT). "We don't assume that left to their own devices, normal human beings are happy and that only an odd history or a broken biology disturbs the peace. We assume instead that suffering is normal and it is the unusual person who learns how to create peace of mind." Read More ... The Third Wave of Therapy Don't be Normal: Learn to Create Peace of Mind
"the best workshop i've ever taken. radically changed my work." fearless Meditation is our 3-part signature series that teaches practical meditation in a social justice context. CXC offers this informative, life-changing workshop at no charge for agents of social change that want to learn about or are ready to establish a meditation practice of their own...and leave the dogma at the door: fM I:August 7 | 7pm & every 1st Friday fM II: practice of the breath | Fri August 19
in the BODY Relief for Your Back It's very common to hold tension
1. Their leadership takes less, little or even no pay, not out of
in the shoulders and neck. And if
martyrdom, but from a place of studied consideration of what is needed
you're like me, spending long
and what is enough. Each brings not only depth of experience, but
hours sitting at a desk, working
extraordinarily unique lenses to personal practice as the fundamental
on a computer, you're following a
basis of systemic change.
recipe for creating shoulder and neck tension. Try
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instead a recipe for shoulder and neck tension relief,
2. Their staff, if they have one, are deeply commited to the work, giving of their time and energy generously and unequivoably. The collaborative nature, unpaid volunteers and networks of support make each organization's impact in their fields much greater than their budgets. There's a lot more bang for your buck with them.
the Supported Backbend: Read More ...
wellness & being well Restoring Balance in Your Life
but most importantly,
Most of us working for social change know how it feels to be
3. Their vision is one that holds a unique place for the new change that is still taking shape. They are holding open the doorway to new organizational ways of being, making their practice--how they are being--as important as what they are doing.
off balance. It's easy to get wrapped up in our work and neglect other areas of our lives, especially our health. One approach to restoring balance to our lives and health is Ayurveda, the
Simply said, should these uniquely situated organizations disappear, they cannot be replicated and they would take with them a bright lens into all of our future. Every dollar given to these organizations would be multiplied ten-fold by the devoted thoughtfulness, hard work, deep practice, ingenious creativity and sheer will of these organizations and their leaders, the integrity of each of whom i can vouch for personally:
"science of life." Read More... Take a quiz to figure out which Dosha you are: Read more about Ayurveda on Wikipedia
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Ruckus Society http://www.ruckus.org/donate Oakland-based Ruckus provides environmental, human rights, and social justice organizers of impacted communities nationally and beyond with the tools, training, and support needed to achieve their goals. Through these trainings, we help people learn the skills they need to practice nonviolent direct action safely and effectively. XXXXXX
La Plazita Institute http://www.laplazitainstitute.org
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Based in Albuquerque, Designed around the philosophy of la cultura cura or culture cures, La Plazita's programs strengthen community, families and enable youth to leave behind a destructive lifestyle by tapping into
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their own roots to express core traditional values of respect, honor, love, family, and community. the stone house: a center for spiritual life and strategic action @ stone circles http://thestonehousenc.blogspot.com/ Just outside the NC Triangle, the stone house is rooted in place. Movements for social justice have always thrived in places of sustenance and safety where people can deepen relationships and envision new
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Center for Transformative Change (CXC) Click to donate:http://www.snipurl.com/cxcdonate Holding it down on the South Berkeley/North Oakland border, CXC is the
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first national center entirely dedicated to bridging the inner and outer lives of social change agents, activists and allies to support a more
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effective, more sustainable social justice movement. As a meta-intermediary, this unique hybrid organization is both a
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residentially-based community of practice (not just theory!) and an
888.XSOCHANGE (new number! toll free)
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register@transformativechange.org Center for Transformative Change is the first national
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center entirely dedicated to bridging the inner and
Change.
outer lives of social change agents, activists and allies to support a more effective, more sustainable social justice movement.
angel Kyodo williams, is founder of urbanPEACE and it's Center for Transformative Change. A social visionary and leading voice for transformative social change, she is the author of Being Black: Zen and the Art of Living With Fearlessness and Grace. Want to read other essays or just keep up with angel? Be sure to read her blogs, join her fan page in Facebook or follow her on Twitter. Blog: new Dharma: live, love & lead from the heart
Donate to the Center to support our work Visit the Center's website Center for Transformative Change 2584 MLK Jr. Way Berkeley, CA 94704 · USA +1.510.549.3733 Google the Center
Facebook: Fan angel here Twitter: Follow angel for tweets of wisdom on Change Web: www.angelkyodowilliams.com angel Kyodo williams' next public talk: Thursday | August 18 | 7:20pm @ Center for Transformative Change
newDharma Talk The Five Pillars of Islam ” All of the great traditions of personal transformation have built into them--no matter how they're playing out in the forms of mass religion--they all have built into them an intention, a practice that invites surrender of the will, surrender of willfulness, surrender of ”do it the way I want to do it. ”They all invite ”do it as it is,” as it is given...” — angel Kyodo williams Listen The Five Pillars of Islam
activists, allies & agents of change 4 Activists Who Change the World This month we're re-highlighting a few intermediaries-activists who not only work within the hybrid of social change and inner change, but whose work acts like a bridge for those on the frontlines. They teach those who protest, demonstrate and actively work with getting change to happen the skills, tools, and techniques needed to accomplish that work-whether those skills include new ways of nonviolent direct action or staying fully connected to thoughts, feelings, and sensations that support what frontline activists do. The work intermediaries do sharpens, restores and allows us to reconnect with what we want, who we are and where we're going. Read more...
resources for change… The restoration of Earth, Mind and Spirit are ways to reconnect with ourselves and one another. Check out these links to learn more. Making the Case for Restorative Justice Even More Tips on Restorative Yoga Restore, Reclaim & Reflect on the Earth
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quote of the month “Non-violence is powerful because it goes beyond resistance. It goes to creating the future that you seek with the other. This is where equality becomes important. Non-violence really creates that foundation, that premise where you can build a relationship of mutual trust and respect with those who have treated you unjustly that is founded on equality between you and them.” —Sami Awad, Holy Land Trust (HLT) holylandtrust
Center for Transformative Change is a project of urbanPEACE, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational organization whose mission to inform, incite and empower a broad-based, presence-centered transformative social change movement.
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