Heartbreak

Susan Tingley and Mona Garrett sent me the following emails:

From Susan: Hi book study leaders! Mona Garrett and I were so inspired by Andrew Harvey! As many of you know, he asked us to choose one area of activism among the many worthy causes to work on so we could focus ourselves, and so our efforts would be optimized. He also explained that the best way to choose our area of activism would be to choose the one that our hearts were breaking the most over, because this is the source of our passion.

We had this cool brain-storm! Wouldn't it be neat if we could see what other's "heart-breaks" were? We thought that it could be very helpful to be able to connect with other like minded people regarding what breaks our hearts the most in this world of ours. The idea would be to publish this list (strictly voluntarily, of course). We would also assure people that just because they had a particular area of heartbreak, that that didn't mean they necessarily had to commit to any activism, at this time.

There are many reasons why individuals could or could not engage in activism at a particular stage in their lives; for example, that they were already caring for their families, or that they were struggling with an illness, etc. The only reason for the list is to enable people to connect, not to create any guilt trips.

Would you leaders consider adding this topic to your discussion, and create such a list from your group? Mamie and Paula will create the master list, and publish it. Andrew also suggested a powerful way to connect and identify the heart-break that will open you to activism. His suggestion is below. Thank you so much!

Love, Susan Tingley

From Mona: I really do not remember him suggesting any techniques, however it seems to me that if you prayerfully set an intention to opening up to and finding the thing that breaks your heart before you watch the news, read the paper, talk to people, open your eyes as you drive past the homeless or open your heart as you think of those who are hungry, abused or imprisoned; you'd get a good idea the direction you need to pursue. Then once you've made that decision, look for local ways to get involved, there could be some organization in which to funnel your energy and would support and feed your passion.

I do however feel it is important, at least to me, to be sure to envision any situation/person/place as whole along with our activism and I believe Andrew said to be sure to act out of a full heart for everyone vs out of anger and disgust toward anyone.