“Mystics on the Front Lines: Integrating Spiritual Perspectives and Resources into Social Activism” is this week’s topic, Sunday, May 18, at the Pagosa Unitarian Universalist (UU) Fellowship.
The Revs. Janess and David Sheets will describe some of these spiritual principles and show how they apply to our approach to social activism.
The Sheets are ordained ministers of the Sufi Universal Worship, spiritual retreat guides and senior teachers in the Inayatiyya, a Sufi path of spiritual liberty. They studied with renowned Sufi master Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan for more than 30 years and continue to serve in many local, national and international roles in the Inayatiyya. Now retired from careers in Texas child protective services, they live in Pagosa Springs, where they guide meditation retreats and enjoy being in the mountains, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.
The following is what they say about the upcoming service.
Today across the globe, millions of people are suffering from wars of aggression and genocide, oppression of freedom and human rights by autocratic regimes, migration of peoples whose lives are at risk in their home countries, and mass extinctions of plant and wildlife populations due to climate change. These tragic events overwhelm us with shock, sorrow and outrage, and call us to take action for change.
How we engage existing power structures to achieve change — our attitudes, methods, goals, and even our thoughts and emotions — makes all the difference for the impact and effectiveness of our activism. Reacting to unjust and intolerable conditions with anger, divisiveness and animosity toward those in power often adds fuel to the fire and contributes little to lasting, positive change.
Studying spiritual principles, such as unity of all beings, interconnectedness, acting from wholeness and disarming hatred with love, and then integrating them into our social activism, enables us to be aware of the inner and outer dynamics of lasting change and to engage them consciously, compassionately and courageously.
All are invited to explore with us as we offer diverse topics with curious minds and open hearts.
You can find us at Unit B-15 of the Greenbriar Plaza, 301 N. Pagosa Blvd., on the north side facing the Pagosa Peak. We also offer Zoom services the first and third Sundays of the month. Find our current newsletter at PagosaUU.org for the link to join, and to find our current programs.
A shortened meditation practice is held each Sunday at 9 a.m. All are welcome to share in this weekly practice.
