Practicing Democracy at Home
“The human heart is the first home of democracy,” observes American author Terry Tempest Williams. “It is where we embrace our questions. Can we be equitable? Can we be generous? Can we listen with our whole beings, not just our minds, and offer our attention rather than our opinions?” In our actual homes, these questions can serve as guidelines for our relationships with our family and housemates. Here are 14 suggestions for household activities that promote democratic values.
Practicing Democracy with Your Money
What factors determine how you earn, spend, invest, and give away your money? The answer reflects your cultural background, your values, your ideals, and even your perspective on democracy. Bringing thoughtful awareness to your relationship with money can lead to a fulfilling life and deepened civic commitment. Here are nine ways you can approach your finances in ways that promote democratic values like equality, freedom, and justice, as well as democratic virtues like fairness, integrity, and consideration of others.
July Practice: Lessons in Unlikely Pairings
“Since its inception, Nuns & Nones [which brings together religiously unaffiliated young adults and Catholic sisters] has garnered intense interest and widespread media coverage.
June Practice: Contemplative Walks
This spiritual practice takes walking from an experience of observation and listening to a contemplative experience to increase your self-awareness and your feelings of deep connection to your neighborhood. It is designed to encourage such democratic values and virtues as caring, generosity, service, and consideration.
Practicing Democracy in Your Neighborhood
Democracy begins locally—not only within the city or county government nearest you but even closer, within your neighborhood. Philosopher and activist Grace Lee Boggs observed: “We can begin by doing small things at the local level … That is how change takes place in living systems, not from above but from within, from many local actions occurring simultaneously.” That process is how we can strengthen our democracy. Here are 12 starting points.
Five Decades of Chronicling Spirituality in Everyday Life
For "tracking down the sacred in the nooks and crannies of our popular culture," (as philosopher Sam Keen notes), we extend our congratulations to Mary Ann and Frederic Brussat on the 50th anniversary of their marriage and their work together!
May Practice: Use Right Speech
This practice is from The Practicing Democracy Project's "Practicing Democracy at Work" guide. While it is framed for the workplace, right speech is important in every aspect of our life!
Retreat Centers Collaboration
Retreat center leaders and constituents continue their work establishing a network to support spiritual transformation in everyday life.
iBme Teen Retreat: Inward Bound Mindfulness Education
Mindfulness retreat for teens that supports developing self-awareness, compassion, and ethical decision making, and empowers youth to apply these skill in their lives and communities. Find registration and contact information here.
Retreat Centers Collaboration
Retreat center leaders and constituents continue their work establishing a network to support spiritual transformation in everyday life.