1. Alignment for Sustainable Future Action
Reflection
Consciousness
Marcus suggested alignment as a way of thinking about actions on behalf of the future as growing out of
each individual’s passion. This passion informs action and as we all act in concert then vision emerges.
His reasoning was that when we do not acknowledge those things in life that feed our soul and we do
what we think is ‘right’ then ultimately we burn out because we have failed to care for our own
sustainable development.
Miriam asked Marcus to explain this more: Action is best, most energized and most fulfilling when linked
to our passions. Part of an effective team is to have people who fulfill necessary functions that they are
emotionally connected to. The vision of the group is kept alive throughout this process because it has
not been captured too soon. Of course any social change action actually has some kind of vision to kick it
off, but this vision should be honored by being left out of focus. Such honoring allows for shifts and
changes along the journey of bringing the social change into being.
Outcomes: This suggestion generated considerable discussion and the figure above represents the final
outcome. Gennady suggested that the arrow figure needed to be an ascending one to indicate the
expansive nature of the alignment. Dada pointed out that passion without reflection and consciousness
had been the cause of many evils in the past and present. He suggested that both Reflection and
Consciousness development should be the prerequisite for any emergent social change engagement. He
argued that personal change/growth/conscientization was necessary at all points in this process.
Summer Seminar: Ljungskile Day 1 M Bussey