learning to be present
to the planet in
a mutually beneficial manner
In the Ecozoic Era, human beings will learn to be present to the planet in a mutually beneficial manner.
What is beneficial to human beings? Spiritual wellbeing.
CCP Founder Jana Norman has been conducting qualitative research to develop definitions of spiritual wellbeing.
Starting with three terms identified by AL Williams, Jana asked people to describe their experiences of spiritual wellbeing in a self-reflective journaling project. She presented her findings at the 5th Australian Positive Psychology and Wellbeing Conference, Adelaide South Australia, in September 2016.
The three component categories of spiritual wellbeing identified by Williams and defined by Jana are self-actualisation, consonance, and connectedness.
“...the universe is the primary
sacred reality.
We become sacred by our participation in this more sublime dimension of the world about us.””
"Everything...all should be truly loved...in order to realise my humanity that forms a unity." Wang Yang-min, 16th century, quoted in Berry, 1999, 193
self-actualisation
"the discovery and development of one’s most authentic self, and the acceptance of self that allows one to be most fully and creatively in relationship with others"
(Norman, 2016)
practice self-actualisation
"What you seek is seeking you." Rumi, 13th century
consonance
"a sense of “fit” or resonance between external and internal experience of life"
(Norman, 2016)
practice consonance
Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,
the world offers itself to your imagination,
calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting –
over and over announcing your place
in the family of things.
- Mary Oliver, "Wild Geese"
connectedness
"a sense of being part of a greater whole and a sense of unity of nature and purpose"
(Norman, 2016)
practice connectedness
practices of the cosmic person
Practice Self-Actualisation
ENNEAGRAM
Learn more about yourself by exploring the Enneagram, an ancient personality model.
Practice Consonance
Is this you?
The life I am living is not the same as the life that wants to live in me.
The practice of consonance is ultimately a listening practice.
Before you tell your life what you intend to do with it, listen for what it intends to do with you. Before you tell your life what truths and values you have decided to live up to, let your life tell you what truths you embody, what values you represent.
The quotes above are from Parker J Palmer, founder of the Center for Courage & Renewal.
Discover the practice of letting your life speak. Short intro: Brainpickings review of Parker J Palmer's Let Your Life Speak.
The guidebook at Book Depository: Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation
Practice Connectedness
A meditation practice of connectedness: to self, to other, to all.
The original name of this practice is metta bhavana, which comes from the Pali language. Metta means ‘love’ (in a non-romantic sense), friendliness, or kindness: hence ‘loving-kindness’ for short. It is an emotion, something you feel in your heart. Bhavana means development or cultivation. The commonest form of the practice is in five stages, each of which should last about five minutes for a beginner.
Follow the easy steps of the practice here at the Buddhist Centre.
