Strategic Monk
At times, I have clearly been more of an activist than a contemplative. At other times, I have relied more on the contemplative aspects of whom I am. More and more, I see these two strengths coming together.
Much of my life has been shaped by my deep commitment to getting things done. Achieving things is one of my greatest strengths. I am very motivated to complete projects; to check things off the list and move onto the next thing. I have relied often on my abilities to set a course, stick with it, and meet my goals. Those skills have been central to my personal quest for justice, to my leadership, to the ways I have tried to help others, and to the ways I have sought spiritual meaning in my life. They have shaped the time I have spent in school, my relationships, my work and my leisure, and the way I understand myself; they are essential to who I am.
My life has also been shaped by a commitment to true depth. This commitment has drawn me to develop a whole other set of my skills and abilities, which also shape what I do and the way I understand myself. I have the ability to listen, to take time, to know what is right. I have come to see the long-lasting significance of not only accumulating a long list of accomplishments, but also recognizing and becoming my true self. Even more, I have learned, and am still learning, to trust that my true self discerns what actions fit with who I am, and what actions might be best left for others.
People often create a false dichotomy between contemplation and action; between being strategic and being monastic. For me, what is important is exploring and appreciating how the two fit and work together.
How do activism and contemplation work together for you?
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