The Path is The Goal

An essential aspect of a spiritual journey is that the path is an embodiment of the goal. Each step we take brings into being what we wish to become. If we conduct our activism with real spirit we can incorporate this aspect too.

The Means become The Ends

Far too often we hear "the ends justify the means". This way of thinking allows for the goal to be separated from the way to that goal. Is that even possible?

If it is, we can have a goal so important it can excuse the way we get there. This may be true sometimes, but I cannot imagine an example. The danger to this way of thinking, where the goal is separated from the way, is manifold.

For one it gives space to oxymoronic reasoning. Our separated logic can defend strange actions like; killing "other" (innocent) people for the security of "your" (innocent) people; or violently demonstrating for peace.

The Being Peace path does not encourage this way of responding. We try not to partake in means which devalue our end. We explored this more at Ethics

Think Global Act Local

Rather each step we take towards our goal has the aim to be our goal realised in the moment. So as we work for a global peace, we take small steps towards a local peace, which includes making peace with our self. Finding what is needed to be at peace with ourselves, (patience, acceptance, space, love) helps us to understand what is needed to be at peace with those around us, locally and globally. If we take this in deeply we can find the strength to hold our goal in the light of what is needed.

This additional clarity allow us to find an action that not only does not compete with our goal, it actually embodies it. When this is possible we find an empowerment from having our aspirations and actions aligned. This energy is useful for it is not an easy task to undertake.

One Giant Leap

As we act we need mindfulness and heartfulness to be present so that we stay alive to the changing conditions within and around us. This is another time when being appropriate is paramount, and that means being flexible and responsive, not rigid nor reactive. We may need to go a little slower so that each step is taken in this way. Or we may find that we come into a zone; a state of being where we are effortlessly present. Either way we need to be aware of how and where we are in the moment.

Effort has Rewards

But why bother? Is it really so much better? Having done all this what do we get back? For one, by cultivating understanding of ourselves, we may find we have more empathy and less antagonism towards those who do not currently live our goal.
It can also give us an improved sense of perspective. By heightening the importance of the way we act, rather than focussing solely on the goal. We can respond to hardships, failures and set backs with greater resilience. We can take heart rather than lose it if the path we're on seems to stretch to eternity. There is only ever the next right step. Projections of the closeness or distance of the goal are not important to the actor who has the role of making the next appropriate move.

The Dance of Hope and Despair

Regardless, we can still feel deep despair and hopelessness at times on this path. Everything is subject to change; good and bad, high and low, progress and regress. Sometimes the house of cards we have built from good intentions and hope comes crashing down. There may be nothing we can do to change that.

This is the way things go; there is no easy way though life. If you want to change something you have to be willing to take that risk, make that compromise, give up some thing. We must recognise that when we win something, someone else loses something. There is no other way.

Never Give Up

So when "we lose we mustn't lose the lesson" (Dalai Lama) and we hopefully won't lose hope, and the knowledge that it all changes. This too will pass.

Likewise those steps we made were not wasted, even if we can no longer feel, sense or even remember them. For while they lived they too were the goal. Knowing that we did it, means knowing we can do it again. It can be empowering to remember the past, to reflect on our deeds, and again feel the impulse for change. So then we can pick our selves up, dust our selves off, and consider with the whole goal in mind what is the next right step.
For this moment we can start again, re-embody our goal with this living moment; in this action, with this breath.

When we are being the change we wish to see in every step, our satisfaction is not dependant on achieving our external aspiration. Our satisfaction is in living right and being true; we can live an authentic life, and really why would we do anything else?

The possibility of bringing Love into our Actions is next.