Childrenof the Earth
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Children of the Earth Pioneering Spiritual Activism Nina Meyerhof Diane de Terra ii Children of the Earth Pioneering Spiritual Activism Nina Meyerhof Diane de Terra Published by red Red Barn Books of Vermont Barn An imprint of Wind Ridge Books books Shelburne, Vermont 05482 of vermont iii Children of the Earth Pioneering Spiritual Activism Copyright 2013 Third Edition By Nina Meyerhof and Diane de Terra All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. ISBN: 978-1-935922-29-2 Published by Red Barn Books of Vermont PO Box 636 Shelburne, Vermont 05482 iv Contents Foreword ...........................................................................................................................................1 Preface ...............................................................................................................................................3 Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................................5 My Story ...........................................................................................................................................7 The Handbook ...............................................................................................................................11 Children of the Earth’s Model for Spiritual Activism ............................................................12 Introduction ..............................................................................................................................17 Pioneering Spiritual Activism ...............................................................................................17 Ethics, Principles, and Values ................................................................................................17 Code of Ethics ....................................................................................................................17 Guiding Principles .............................................................................................................18 Values for Becoming a Global Citizen ...........................................................................19 Spiritual Activism ...................................................................................................................20 Why Spirituality as a Focus? .................................................................................................20 What is Spiritual Activism? ...................................................................................................20 A Movement for Change ..................................................................................................23 Model: Reflect–Connect–Act ........................................................................................24 Self Esteem ..........................................................................................................................24 Chapter 1: Reflect ...................................................................................................................27 Learning to Reflect ..................................................................................................................29 Meditation ...............................................................................................................................30 Observing the Breath ........................................................................................................31 Walking Meditation ..........................................................................................................32 Mantra..................................................................................................................................33 Focusing the Mind ............................................................................................................34 Prayer ...................................................................................................................................34 Guided Visualization ........................................................................................................37 Models for Individual Reflection .........................................................................................39 Ho’oponopono ...................................................................................................................39 HeartMath ..........................................................................................................................41 Free Writing or Stream of Consciousness Writing .....................................................42 Art Expression ....................................................................................................................42 Native American Traditions ..................................................................................................43 Global Ethics in All Religions ...............................................................................................43 v Chapter Two: Connect .........................................................................................................45 Learning to Connect ...............................................................................................................47 Models for Connection .........................................................................................................48 Active Listening .................................................................................................................48 Circle Groups .....................................................................................................................49 Compassionate Listening .................................................................................................51 Nonviolent Communication with Listening Skills .....................................................52 Conflict Transcendence .........................................................................................................54 Chapter Three: Act .................................................................................................................59 Learning to Act ........................................................................................................................61 Lateral Leadership ...................................................................................................................61 The Leader as Group Member ........................................................................................63 Guiding Practices ...............................................................................................................63 Planning a Program ...........................................................................................................63 Decision-Making ...............................................................................................................65 Models for Group Action ......................................................................................................66 World Café ..........................................................................................................................66 Open Space .........................................................................................................................68 Appreciative Inquiry .........................................................................................................69 Sociocracy ...........................................................................................................................71 Implementing Spiritual Activism .........................................................................................74 Needs Assessment .............................................................................................................74 SWOT Analysis ............................................................................................................75 Force Field Analysis ....................................................................................................76 Teamwork .................................................................................................................................77 Know How You and Your Team Act ..............................................................................77 Putting It All Together ......................................................................................................78 Conclusion .................................................................................................................................81 UNESCO Manifest for a Culture of Peace and Nonviolence ........................................83 vi Foreword You are about to experience the guidance of Nina Meyerhof, an inspired and practical visionary. Her effective peace building and leadership development is known worldwide. She has guided countless emergent young leaders and her legacy lives on. Nina’s wisdom embraces cultural diversity. This extensive groundwork leads to evolved leadership. By integrating the physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual parts of our human experiences we put in balance our own inner transformational work. We can no longer preach peace without also being peaceful. Balancing the rational and the intuitive leads us to becoming effective and strategic.