Question 5: How can you, as Gandhi said, be the change that you want to see in the world?
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- Question 4: How do we shift from “Me” to “We” on both the local and global levels?
- Question 5: How can you, as Gandhi said, be the change that you want to see in the world?
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I am not sure I understand the question.Do you mean that, by transforming myself, by changing who I am, by creating on goingly a person I hope to be, I may change the world into what i want it to be? Even if I need to persuade others that my dream world is really both somewhat attainable and also socially desirable? Is this what you ask?.. Who ever did the asking?
Kansas, USA
I’m reading this question this way: Personally, what concrete actions can I do that will affect change in the world? (I think this begs specific actions, examples.) In order to answer, you’ll need to identify what you want to change. I want peace, therefore I act in a peaceful manner toward others. I want to eradicate hunger, therefore, I feed the hungry. I want to end slavery, therefore, I work to empower to downtrodden and support organizations that actively work to end slavery around the world. Slowly, one person at a time, each of us sets an example for those around us; and those who encounter us see that the world is a better place because we try each day in small ways to make it better. And they too begin to change, in small ways, how they impact the world. It is the ripple effect. Slowly, it spreads.
Peace.
I do like Rebecca’s comments. It shows a lot of insight. Quite right, we have to take action by changing ourselves. Then, we can start change by “paying it forward”. We should not wait for something nice, good to happen to us in order to do for someone else.
I hosted a small conversation. We were three people. I deeply enjoyed it. We decided to record a small podcast for those who want to listen to a wrap up of our conversation.
We are 3 people with an individual and collective practice which live the question. We are singing a song.
http://www.audioacrobat.com/play/WPG5zMwx
One of the conversational doorways provided into this topic was: “What gaps do you notice between your ‘walk’ and ‘talk’ and what steps can you take towards ‘being the change’?”
What a crucial element this question is for a dialogue about change. I often feel compelled to end conversations by asking, “And what is your next step?” To me, this is how conversations can be not only meaningful, but impactful.
Being in dialogue with others is an essential tool for raising our awareness. But as significant as that awareness may be, what often happens is that our moment of enlightenment passes, and we go on with our lives as before. Then we forget about it until the next time something or someone prods us into awareness again.
Perhaps one move we can all make toward “being the change” is to add this one simple question to our conversations about how the world should be different: “And what is your next step?” Perhaps if we keep asking this of others, they will also start asking it of us.
I love this suggestion of “and what is your next step?” as a final round question - or perhaps a completion round. I am ripe with insights at the end of a Conversation Cafe and do bring them into my life, but I notice that when I speak an intention out loud to other humans - even if i never see them again! - i tend to make good on my word. Giving and keeping your word is generally understood as an expression of integrity. It also generate energy for getting where you mean to go - but wander. It must always be that people are free to pass - to not take advantage of speaking an intention. and it is crucial that there is no coercion to all take the same step together as that would spoil the freedom in the Conversation Cafes. I encourage people to try this intention round following the final round and see what happens.