All Our Relations - Making a Difference in the World Through Spiritual Action
Suzannah Tebbe Davis
“Walking, I can almost hear the redwoods beating.... It is winter and there is smoke from the fires. It is a world of elemental attention, of all things working together, listening to what speaks in the blood. Whichever road I follow, I walk in the land of many gods...Suddenly all my ancestors are behind me. Be still, they say. Watch and listen. You are the result of the love of thousands.”
― Linda Hogan, Dwellings: A Spiritual History of the Living World
Oceti Sakowin Camp, Standing Rock, North Dakota, December 2016
The elemental forces have called me, waking me from dreamtime and I have answered yes. One week later, I find myself in Cannonball North Dakota, in the midst of a fierce blizzard, joining thousands who have also been called to protest against the installation of the Dakota Access Pipeline.
I am a long time activist and a teacher of Sacred Activism. This is a model of action inspired by prayer, offerings and ceremony, this diverse community formed through our love for Pachamama ignited in me a promise to carry this work forward no matter what the outcome. The sacred fire was tended to, always in the presence of the elders. There was praying, there was divination, there was music, there was dancing, so much dancing. Dancing and falling and rising again. And always the chant: Mitákuye Oyás'in- a phrase from the Lakota language:. "We are all related," , "All my relations.".
Upon my return, I took two strong actions:
1) All Our Relations, Spiritual WIsdom in Action
Along with my colleagues Sharon Oxendine & Sheila Pride, also longtime activists, in the Spirit of co-llaboration with all beings, we upgraded Sacred Activism and co-created All Our Relations, Spiritual Wisdom in Action, a three day retreat held on the campus of Warren Wilson College, October 25-27, 2019 which offers a new model of constructive, collaborative action, weaving together the principles and practices of Sacred Activism, Yoga, Qi Gong, First Nation and Andean peoples and including breakthroughs in Neuroscience.
All Our Relations Incorporates the principles of sacred activism put forth by Andrew Harvey, weaves together the paths of the mystic and the activist and binds them together in spiritual passion and sacred purpose. Sacred Activism is a transforming force of compassion-in-action that is born of a fusion of deep spiritual knowledge, courage, love, and passion, with wise radical action in the world. The large-scale practice of Sacred Activism can become an essential force for preserving and healing the planet and its inhabitants.
Compassion in action begins first and foremost with embracing radical practices for self-care and healing. Participants will experience the need to embrace their innate compassion,wisdom and resilience in order to take effective Sacred Action.
Scholarship funds are available to eligible participants.
For more information: www.yourawakenedlife.net
Or e-mail Suzannah at : stebbed@gmail.com
2) Community Roots
My second action was to contact Tyler Garrison, Tyler had, along with a group of other brothers and sisters who were ignited through Standing Rock, birthed Community Roots, Community Roots is a grassroots Asheville, NC, non-profit dedicated to helping communities protect the planet and dismantle corporate rule. My ask was to infuse Radical Action with Spirituality. The answer was a resounding yes! The Community Roots Spirituality Team provides ceremony, prayer, divination and support to the core purpose of Community Roots towards the recognition of the Rights of Nature and its peoples.
The driving action of Community Roots at this time is to pass a Climate Bill of Rights.. For this to occur, we must gather 12,000 signatures by the end of January 2020, in order to put this initiative on the ballet in Asheville.
The core of the Asheville Climate Bill of Rights is as follows:
We the People of Asheville, North Carolina, declare that within the City we have a right to a healthy climate, and that right is violated by the extraction, production, waste disposal, distribution, sale and contracting related to fossil fuels.
(a) Right of Self-Government. All residents of The City of Asheville possess a right of self-government.
(b) Right to a Healthy Climate. All residents of the City of Asheville possess a right to a climate system capable of sustaining human societies, which includes the right to be free from all activities that infringe that right
(c) Right to Clean Air, Water, and Soil. All residents of the City of Asheville possess the right to clean air, water, and soil
(d) Rights of Ecosystems and Natural Communities. Ecosystems and natural communities within the City of Asheville possess the right to naturally exist, flourish, regenerate, evolve, and be restored,
In order for this initiative to appear on the electoral ballot in 2020, we must collect 12,000 signature by January 2020. To sign this ballot, you must be registered to vote inside Asheville city limits.
To learn more -or- to join us in this initiative you can:
Attend a 'What Can You Do' meeting.
Every month the Community Roots hosts a #WhatCanYouDo meeting and now we are sharing a bi-weekly online version for people who can't make it in person you can donate to Community Roots.
You can carry a signature sheet with you and collect signatures for this ballot initiative You can attend a community event and volunteer to collect signatures.
You can join one of our committees.
For more information visit us on Facebook: Community Roots, or at our website: www.cmroots.com
