How can we maintain our equilibrium in a world seemingly gone mad? How do we resist giving in to despair, helplessness, and rage in the face of disturbing statistics about nuclear waste or the latest detailing of the imperial ambitions of our government? How do we keep "sustaining the gaze," when it all seems too much for one person to bear? How can we spare the time necessary for inner growth when there is so much other work to be done? And how can we afford not to?

It is clear that these times call for wisdom and action. The weaving together of these two threads was the focus of September’s Wisdom and Action conference in Berkeley. Presented by the California Institute for Integral Studies (CIIS), the conference was a rich multi-dimensional experience. Via a blend of spoken presentations, music, celebration, and poetry, we heard the ancient African legend of the Woman of Peace, learned of sitting meditations in the midst of anti-globalization demonstrations, peace-making in East Timor, vigils at nuclear weapons sites, and the wonders of the cosmos. We were reminded of the faith and vision of the medieval cathedral-builders who - while knowing that they themselves would not experience the benefits - were still willing to start the process and keep at it day after day, creating something magnificent for the benefit of future generations.

The conference brought together an impressive array of activists and wisdom-keepers - Joanna Macy, Matthew Fox, Sharif Abdullah, Starhawk, Daniel Ellsberg, Ralph Metzner, Donald Rothberg, John Seed, Brian Swimme, Lui-sah Teish, Marianne Williamson, and Diana Winston among them. It was truly inspiring to bear witness to their stories, and to learn about what sustains them in their work for peace and justice. I would like to share my interpretation of these insights, given by people who boldly walk their talk. Non-attachment to results was stressed. In an incredibly complex web of life we cannot always see the results of our actions, but if we take an action, there will be a result. Each step we take forward changes the system in some way.

It is important to focus on the long haul, letting go of any notion of affecting a particular election or event, and instead, focusing on the nature of our human society. We should ask ourselves where we should be one hundred years from now, then work backwards - where should we be in 50 years, 10 years, and what should we do tomorrow? In this I am reminded of the ancient Chinese proverb, "If your vision is one year, plant rice. If your vision is ten years, plant trees. If your vision is 100 years, teach children."

We must remember the sacred, and feed the soul through art, music, nature, and community. We must care for ourselves as mindfully as we care for others and for the planet. How can we create a culture of peace if we do violence to ourselves in the process?

Along the same lines, we can acknowledge what is true and disturbing about the world and still live with joy. In fact, it is essential that we do so, for to be courageous we must fill up on joy. Action requires fuel, and what burns longer and brighter than love or joy? We can fall in love with the world in the face of its horrors. We can become fully conscious of the pain and suffering in the world right now and be fully aware of the beauty and joy in the world at the same time. When Matthew Fox described his experiences in Latin America, amongst the stories of the killed and tortured, he said he was overwhelmed by the amount of courage in our species. There are many more acts of beauty than there are of violence.

The idea of waking up was repeated throughout the conference. "They" couldn’t do what they are doing if there weren’t so many who remain passive and silent. We are called to speak out, to act, to become hands for the divine compassion.

Wake up, pay attention, keep the faith, and keep breathing. Fill up with joy, love, and laughter, and remember that there is always more going on than meets the eye. We can find meaning and hope in the moment, responding to what really moves us. This is a powerful time to be alive. Every thought, word, and action counts. In the words of Rumi, "By a single thought that comes into mind, in one moment, a hundred worlds are overturned."

Sally Carless is the founder and director of Global Village School for Peace and Diversity Studies; a K-12 international homeschool diploma program dedicated to teaching about peace and justice. She is a musician who loves to be at home in her garden under the oaks in Ojai. Sally can be reached at 805-646-9792.

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