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fierce light
November 2009 
What if we can't save the world?
Posted on Mar 14th, 2009
by 
Carla
Carla
This is in Response to the Questions and Reflections for March 13, 2009:
Tonight I attended the Camden Festival of the Spirit screening of Fierce Light by Velcrow Ripper. He was present for a post film discussion.
With the film, Velcrow wanted to observe and connect with people around the world who are finding a strong spiritual core in their activism for peace, justice and the environment. These seem sterile words, for in most cases their lives, their freedom, their homes, and communities were at stake. The people faced arrest, persecution, murder in order to organize peaceful actions in the cause of justice.
Watching the scenes of people marching, chanting, sitting, while tear gas, police, and bludgeons closed in, I wondered again: is it enough that I make art about love? That I pray in a sweat lodge? That I touch people?
I had a question for the film maker but it eluded me. The question cried to be asked, but I couldn't find the words. Finally I borrowed this question: What if we can't save the world?
Velcrow offered a wise and eloquent response. He spoke of the difference between Hope and Optimism, saying he is not optimistic, but he has hope. (Optimists see evidence and conclude things are looking up; hope sees desperation, and takes action anyway.)
As Siona posted in her blog, Paul Hawken's book Blessed Unrest points to a world wide grassroots upwelling of small, local activist groups who are making real change. Velcrow likens this to an immune response to the war and destruction that has brought us to the brink. To poorly summarize his answer to my question: we continue our "soulful" activism without knowing if we will succeed, because we must, and because the rewards we receive now are so great: community, deep spirituality, and positive growth.
Spiritual activism is Light and Life giving.
I have a renewed appreciation for the presence and potential of the people at Gaia.com. I wonder if typing in blogs and posting videos is enough? It certainly does not make compelling cinema. But I think it counts and when we are called to put our Souls on the line for something big, I think we are ready.
With the film, Velcrow wanted to observe and connect with people around the world who are finding a strong spiritual core in their activism for peace, justice and the environment. These seem sterile words, for in most cases their lives, their freedom, their homes, and communities were at stake. The people faced arrest, persecution, murder in order to organize peaceful actions in the cause of justice.
Watching the scenes of people marching, chanting, sitting, while tear gas, police, and bludgeons closed in, I wondered again: is it enough that I make art about love? That I pray in a sweat lodge? That I touch people?
I had a question for the film maker but it eluded me. The question cried to be asked, but I couldn't find the words. Finally I borrowed this question: What if we can't save the world?
Velcrow offered a wise and eloquent response. He spoke of the difference between Hope and Optimism, saying he is not optimistic, but he has hope. (Optimists see evidence and conclude things are looking up; hope sees desperation, and takes action anyway.)
As Siona posted in her blog, Paul Hawken's book Blessed Unrest points to a world wide grassroots upwelling of small, local activist groups who are making real change. Velcrow likens this to an immune response to the war and destruction that has brought us to the brink. To poorly summarize his answer to my question: we continue our "soulful" activism without knowing if we will succeed, because we must, and because the rewards we receive now are so great: community, deep spirituality, and positive growth.
Spiritual activism is Light and Life giving.
I have a renewed appreciation for the presence and potential of the people at Gaia.com. I wonder if typing in blogs and posting videos is enough? It certainly does not make compelling cinema. But I think it counts and when we are called to put our Souls on the line for something big, I think we are ready.
Access: Public
this is just a small part of it…it has to be brought to the streets too.
Thanks for clarifying. What I meant at the end is that we are the ones who will go to the streets when we have to. Or to the tops of the trees, or the Capitol Building. That’s what I am counting on.
My thoughts on this…Maze maybe we are in the streets, our own streets, whatever they may be :) Carla, I agree with your thoughts. I used to think perhaps my part wasn’t enough, yet when we add all those parts together the sum is larger. As we do what we do, that positive energy goes out into the universe. Those of us who make up gaia excite me in that we are all so different yet want many of the same things. We cover all the bases :)
Some people sing, some write poetry, some protest on the streets…I don’t do any of these things, I teach (heehee, I like to think there is music, poetry and protest in my style). There are students who will get my message of peace, love, acceptance, and pass this on to others and to also hopefully learn to think for themselves to figure out their truth. Carla, I find your art exquisite and believe people who see it are touched by it, take that with them and radiate that out to others.
I will have to read Paul Hawkin’s book. I do think more and more of us are moving into the new paradigm as we discover our own light. I have no idea what this will mean for the universe as we go through this shift, it is bumpy.
hugs and peaches all :)
Love, Sprite
Carla, I think this is what I meant by the hundredth monkey capacity in the blog I wrote about my time on Gaia a couple of weeks ago. How can we not be building a powerful wave of love and light just by doing whatever positive, loving, light-filled thing we are each committed to doing…whether that is going to work every day in some capacity that makes a positive difference, creating art that awakens new thoughts, new dreams, or the inspiration to do something differently, or showing up for rallies and conferences and protests and refusing to support or tolerate what is wrong or unjust? We each make a contribution when we know that what we are doing adds to the world as we would have it be. Keep the faith!
I sort of have my own take on this question, but what came to my mind at the end of your sharing was that the world Is what it Is today, but I think that Gaia is made special one person at a time because of the beautiful souls residing here like yours. Does this create a saving force? I think that if I stay in the Now we are all perfect, including our world. In the end though it is not the thought or opinion of my human mind’s interpretation on the state of our world, but the saving grace of my Spirit. Sending you much love today. x
I wondered again: is it enough that I make art about love? That I pray in a sweat lodge? That I touch people?
Yes. Yes. Yes. For change to happen, people must first care. People must feel safe enough to allow their own tender hearts to come into contact with the world, and to be touched by it, and must be capable of feeling empathy for those who share our small planet. Otherwise we become a world of the shell-shocked and closed. The work you do helps people connect with their hearts, so that they can connect with others, and so, then, that we all might respond. The work you do is essential.
The snow melted and I found my way back over here.
Thank you all for your comments and affirmations.
Maze, you and the Doobie Brothers.
Sprite, I'll bet you have a hot diva teaching style. I'd love to see you in action. Who gives more than a teacher? You are inspiring!
Mamakat, that 100th monkey thing is surely the key. What is the alchemy that makes that work? People talk about critical mass. The number of people listening, praying, initiated, recycling: whatever it is. In a world of 7 billion, how many monkeys equals 100? and do we need to know, just be the best single monkey we can be?
Di, the saving grace of my spirit (yours, mine, ours) what could be more powerful.
Siona, people feeling safe enough to let their own tender hearts come into the world. I must remember that. If people don't feel safe, they can't shine, or feel, or connect. Thank you for your connecting work that helps create safe space. I have always felt Gaia to be safe, even when it gets raucous!
Carla, This is beautiful! Thank you for asking the questions, and for receiving and sharing the answer! Ladies, what wondrous responses all…
I believe if we all, each of us, those on Gaia and other sites, communities around the globe attend to being conscious, to the next right thing, yes first for themselves, we all evolve… we all awaken.
Is our work enough, is what we create going to change the world, who knows? Does our creativity invite others to see the world differently, are we moved to do just a little bit more, get the message clearer, to make the piece with deeper intention and Love… and sending it out into the world…