The Principles of Radical Aliveness
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 udgments 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 ask 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 the heart and the attitude of awareness are important to be able to hold a non-shaming space.
Knowing I Don’t Know
This means that I know I have a perceptual filter that is connected to how I was socialized and that it shapes the way I see things, the assumptions I make, and the things I 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 truly know 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.
Honoring Multiple Perspectives
The first thing I need to do is to understand, name and VALIDATE my own perspective. When I know and proactively work on becoming aware of understanding the ways I have come to perceive the world (perceptual filter) I can be open to other people’s experiences and perspectives that are not the same as mine. This doesn’t mean that one doesn’t have or cannot set boundaries, but when we do set boundaries, they are based on concrete verified information and an awareness and ownership of our own values. Understanding the emotional landscape of what happens when a boundary is overstepped helps us be with and negotiate differences (especially when feelings that are labeled as negative are expressed- such as anger, hate, and resentment).
Being Willing to be Changed
When I know I don’t know, and I embrace and am open to multiple perspectives I have an opportunity to EVOLVE because I am allowing NEW INFORMATION INTO MY 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.
Welcoming Everything
Welcoming everything is an attitude of openness and curiosity- it is an attitude that says, I allow the impulses and energy that want to flow in me and in others with an intention towards consciousness and transformation. It is an attitude that says I will STAY to the best of my ability (and to the limit of what might be my own non-negotiable values) when you show up in your own unique way. We welcome 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.
Do No Harm
We are aware that in spite of our intentions there is always an impacted side and therefore we develop skills that allow us to listen, stay, and change our thoughts and behaviors in places where what we have known until now is not enough. Doing no harm is aspirational. We have to work on this until we die. The edge is to learn to keep listening when we hear of the harm we have done.
Do Your Part
This emphasizes that Radical Aliveness leads to action. When we embody the principles, we are necessarily changed and bring our greater awareness and gifts to life.