Mindful Movements
“If we work from a place of anger, of scarcity, or of hatred, that energy will be reflected in our efforts. If we want a peaceful, compassionate world we must act from an energy of peace and compassion. This is a central teaching of many of the great religious and political figures throughout history who have created peaceful movements to drive change.”
The practice of mindfulness has a long history of promoting social change. In the early 20th century, Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi used yoga and meditation as the basis for his non-violent resistance movement against British colonialism. This movement was highly influential in shaping subsequent civil rights movements, such as those led by Martin Luther King, Jr. and Nelson Mandela. In more recent years, mindfulness, yoga and meditation have continued to be powerful agents of social transformation. For example, they have been used to help survivors of trauma heal from their experiences and to promote greater understanding and communication between people of different cultures. By encouraging individuals to focus on their own inner strength and sense of peace, it allows them to be more open-minded and compassionate towards others.