YES!, transformative practice and me

I had a conversation about this with a funder recently and we thought it would be interesting to share these musings with a wider community.  She asked me to ponder a few questions so here are my thoughts in response...

Describe(s) "transformative practice."  Not just the tools used, but also the intention behind "practice."

Transformative practice to me is different precisely because of the intention; it is not just spoken and acted out in some passive way but deeply held, connected to our core, and transcending towards the limitless of who we are and can be (accessing our greater humanity).  Part of our own personal transformation means that the environment is transformed too, on the level of how we might differently view, sit and flow in the world.  Personally, my practice tools include connecting in (and many times moving with) nature, in-every-moment meditations, and mindful interaction with living forces.  From a YES! perspective, I think it’s just as important to create a transformative space and culture that promotes the actual tools and practice.  Maybe these can be assumed as parts of the same thing so I’ll clearly posit that YES!’s description of transformative practice focuses on building place and communities where regardless of an individual’s chosen tools or practice and where they live or work, individuals can manifest these intentions in a supported, on-going way.

Why do we engage in transformative practice individually and as groups?

We engage in transformative practice as individuals because it’s the  path to more self-awareness and growth, living into our better selves, and actualization of our collective dream to exist in peace, abundance, and liberation.  We engage in transformative practice as groups for the same reasons, and by being in community, we can be more empowered in some ways, feeling supported, encouraged and inspired by others and reciprocating as so.  In particular, the last part about our collective dream can only be realized in right relationship with others, and we understand that liberation cannot happen if oppression, pain and suffering continue to exist for any one of us.  I feel the work of YES! with Jams and the alumni network addresses much of this, particularly the group practice piece.

To what end?

I think the path is continually drawing towards the “ends” described above if we stay on it. There’s not a destination you arrive at where you feel sufficiently enlightened but the end is more about the journey itself.  It is a lovely vision: a world without oppression, pain and suffering, and I think any transformative practice is bound with hope, faith, and commitment for that.  That said, we also need to surrender any attachment we have for how things might unfold and how it might look as we continue forth with as much integrity and perseverance as we can.

What is the nature of individual "transformation" that we intend when we engage in practice?

The nature of individual “transformation” we intend when we engage in practice relates the inner and outer journey.  It’s tapping into the best of who we are and who we really want to become (leading to learning, healing and growth); knowing our limitless capacity to love ourselves and others (leading to compassion, forgiveness, and selflessness); and feeling the connection to all life and what is sacred here and beyond (leading to peace, community, and spirit). When the inner work is not linked to the outer work, this is does not feel transformative to me. That process seems rather empty and incomplete.  YES! believes that true social change can only come from true individual change, the kind that engages our hearts and souls as well as our minds and bodies.

Now, what you do think, and how do you feel, about "transformative practice"? 

Nga Trinh-Halperin, YES! Development Manager