Spirituality of Activism: The Path of Morality, Justice, and Peace

In a world that begs of attention to injustice, affliction, and suffering, one has to wonder about the role of the humanity collective in alleviating those conditions. Aside from a limited number of natural disasters and certain health conditions, the history of the human species is rampant with manmade afflictions. Violence on different levels, spiritual hunger, emotional need, obsession with anger and vengeance, punitive approaches to non-conformity, disrespect for the environment and its inhabitants, and the need to emphasize our differences and, therefore, superiority, contribute directly to such afflictions.

Many engage in soul-searching exploration to answer the question. Along the way, some become disenchanted and resign themselves to the belief that nothing will change. They feel that their efforts will not impact the larger part of human suffering. Some will take the violent approach to avenge wrongdoing and to correct an injustice. Some will engage in charitable and community work to help those less fortunate. They will do it out of personal, religious, or spiritual conviction. Others yet will choose to remain completely passive and withdraw into the solitude of their inner selves to pray and contemplate believing that the best way to help humanity is by detaching from the negativity that plagues our political, social, and spiritual existence.

Is there really one true approach to help and is it worth the effort?

Everything anyone does is worth the effort, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem. What may appear important to one person may not be important to another. Sometimes difficult choices need to be made. The usual moral questions come up: In a life and death situation where only a few can be helped, what criteria should be used to determine who is helped first? How is human worth measured? Is it based on gender, age, mental status, social status, criminal behavior, etc.? Some may remember the agonizing decision one Australian mother had to make during the 2004 Southeast Asia tsunami. She could only hold on to one of her two boys because she knew that trying to hold on to both would mean losing both of them. She made a conscious decision to let go of the older one.

Whatever the outcome of that mother’s decision, her decision was made from a deeply visceral, existential, and spiritual perspective. Luckily, most of us do not have to engage in such agonizing choices, but many people around the world do on a regular basis. It is from this perspective that spirituality and activism will be addressed.

Activism is meaningless without the effort. Spirituality and activism are not “comfortable” acts to be exercised in our spare time and away from the concerns of the world. Western spirituality sometimes lacks a grasp of the human condition and its relationship to the divine. If humans are a reflection of that which is divine, it follows that whatever manifests in our reality is part of the divine, including violence and negativity. The divine is neither male nor female; it is neither good nor bad. It just is. At the same time, injustices can be committed due to inaction. Witnessing violence and abuse and not intervening to try stopping them is morally reprehensible. Most prophets and spiritual leaders encourage active participation to alleviate suffering and wrongdoing. Ghandi encouraged people to be the change they would like to see happen. Islam is specific about social justice and the role of the Muslim community: those who witness injustice should do everything within their power to stop it. If they cannot, they should speak out against it. If they are unable to speak out against it, they should abhor it in their hearts. Jesus preached and practiced compassion and charity, acts only accomplished with political and social activism in all spheres of life.

Spirituality and morality become empty in the absence of mindful physical, mental, and verbal efforts. Praying can be part of activism but, alone, it is not good enough and only satisfies the egos of those engaged in it and creates a class of “spiritual” seekers who set themselves apart from the rest of humanity to become elitists.

Spirituality is an ever-evolving way of being. It is a process designed to cause change for the better. It is most effective when practiced within the whole framework of our existence. It permeates every aspect of our lives, from the most mundane to the most sublime. It is practiced by pacifists and killers and by criminals and saints. It is evident in the way we talk to and treat our children, spouses, friends, and enemies. It is used consciously every minute of the day. Spirituality and activism are mutually inclusive. Both are a learning process in humanity’s effort to get close to balance and harmony, to the ideal. They are based in action intended for the benefit of all.

The best spiritual teachers and activists are those who set an example by their thoughts, words, and deeds, not just their faith, prayer, and meditation. Thinking and meditating about love are meaningless if that love is not expressed in action towards others. People “feel” love when love is expressed openly and honestly and when given respectfully.