The Principles of Radical Aliveness
Cultivating a Non-Shaming Heart and Attitude
This is the place where we know and can see our own and others deep goodness and essence. A non-shaming heart creates a space where deep vulnerability feels safe to emerge. Here we know that any judgments we have, personally or socially, are ours to own and understand so that we can stand with others in our shared equality and humanity. A non-shaming attitude asks us to be aware that we have all been socialized and that we evaluate the world from a lens that we need to learn deeply about so that we can be open to seeing the things we have not been able to see before. Both of these things are important to be able to hold a non-shaming space.
Knowing I Don’t Know
This means that we know we have a perceptual filter that is connected to how we were socialized and that it shapes the way we see things, the assumptions we make, and the things we value. If we are not aware that we have a perceptual filter we will misinterpret what we see according to our own narrow perspective. We will also JUDGE others’ ways of being based on our unconscious values. This is equally important in relationships when we work with people whom we assume are similar to us as well as people who come from different national and international backgrounds; we never know truly what is going on with another person. What we KNOW is what is TRUE FOR US. When we know we don’t know we become more open to the mystery that is in front of us, allowing life to be as big as it really is.
Welcoming Multiple Perspectives
The first thing we need to do is to understand, name and VALIDATE our own perspective. When we know and proactively work on becoming aware of and understanding the ways we have come to perceive the world (our perceptual filter), we can be open to other people’s experiences and perspectives that are not the same as ours.
Being Willing to be Changed
When we know we don’t know, and we embrace and are open to multiple perspectives we have an opportunity to EVOLVE because we are allowing NEW INFORMATION INTO OUR AWARENESS. We need each other to become who we are meant to be. Multiple perspectives expand us. They help us to experience ways of being that we haven’t known about. This gives us the opportunity to see places where the information we have been holding has been incomplete or inaccurate and allows us to change our hearts and minds. This creates the healing of relationships as well as social issues.
Saying YES to Everything
Saying yes to everything is an attitude of openness and curiosity. It is an attitude that says, we allow the impulses and energy that want to flow in us and in others with an intention towards consciousness and transformation. It is an attitude that says we will STAY to the best of our ability when you show up in your own unique way. We say yes knowing that in order to know our selves and others fully, all feelings, energy, and expressions are necessary to come into the light to be transformed by consciousness and awareness.