A Path for Warriors for the Human Spirit

An offering from Margaret Wheatley and Companions

     Warriors  for  the  Human  Spirit  are  awake  human  beings  

who  have  chosen  not  to  flee.  They  abide.  

They  serve  as  beacons  of  an  ancient  story  that  tells  of    the  goodness  and  generosity  and  creativity  of  humanity.  

You  can  identify  them  by  their  cheerfulness.  You  will  know  them  by  their  compassion.  

When  asked  how  they  do  it  they  will  tell  you  about  discipline,  dedication    

and  the  necessity  of  community.    

U.S.  woman  applicant,  41+    

******    

A  Warrior  does  not  forsake  the  world.    

South  African  woman  applicant,  61+        

                     

  2  A Path for Warriors for the Human Spirit Warriors  for  the  Human  Spirit  is  a  one-­‐year  cycle  of  trainings  that  includes  three  on-­‐site  trainings  (5  days  each)  and  robust  interactions  during  the  interim  periods.    Our  intention  is  to  develop  individual  skills  in  the  context  of  a  strong  community.    Trainings  occur  in  Cohort  groups  of  about  36  people,  either  at  Zion  National  Park,  Utah  or  Schumacher  College,  Devon,  England.    The  year-­‐long  cycle  is  designed  to  form  the  identity  of  a  Warrior  for  the  Human  Spirit,  provide  the  skills  required  of  this  role,  and  create  a  strong  community  of  companions  who  can  be  relied  on  for  support  far  into  the  future.  These  Trainings  are  intended  to  strengthen  leaders,  activists  and  community  workers  to  remain  actively  engaged  in  the  world,  supported  by  new  capacities  and  a  strong  community,  in  devoted  service  to  the  human  spirit.   My personal journey into warriorship  Who  do  we  choose  to  be  in  service  to  this  time?    I  have  asked  this  question  of  thousands  of  people  in  many  different  places  for  the  past  few  years.  It’s  a  question  I  had  been  asking  myself  for  many  years,  as  I  struggled  to  discover  ways  I  could  serve  that  also  would  give  me  the  ability  to  persevere.  Now,  after  many  decades  of  working  in  the  world,  I  feel  I  have  discovered  my  answer  to  this  question  by  naming  myself  a  Warrior  for  the  Human  Spirit.    I  felt  the  need  to  become  a  Warrior  for  the  Human  Spirit  as  I  witnessed  what  is  happening  to  people  in  organizations,  communities  and  nations  everywhere.  In  far  too  many  places,  people  just  don’t  matter.  Our  great  human  capacities  of  generosity,  caring  and  creativity  are  ignored  or  denied.  And  people  themselves  don’t  remember  their  own  capacities  as  they  withdraw  into  fear,  aggression  and  self-­‐protection  in  response  to  this  frightening  time.  Too  many  leaders  grasp  for  control  and  self-­‐interest,  making  short-­‐term  decisions  that  destroy  both  human  potential  and  the  future.    My  initial  response  to  this  increasing  degradation  of  the  human  spirit  was  to  work  harder,  to  speak  more  insistently,  to  write  in  a  voice  of  warning–but  this  only  led  to  exhaustion  and  despair.  Often  I  was  overtaken  by  disabling  emotions  of  anger,  grief  and  sadness.  As  I  talked  with  many  people,  I  learned  that  these  were  common  reactions.  And  I  discovered  a  community  of  people  intent  on  doing  good  work,  trying  to  keep  their  hearts  open,  wanting  to  make  a  meaningful  contribution,  aspiring  to  stay  and  be  of  service  even  as  situations  became  increasingly  more  difficult  and  disheartening.    Caught  in  these  emotions  and  witnessing  things  disintegrating  at  an  increasing  pace,  I  became  aware  of  the  role  of  warriors.  Throughout  history,  they  appear  in  many  cultures,  always  as  a  small  group  of  people  who  commit  themselves  to  defending  the  kingdom,  the  faith,  the  tribe.  They  train  with  great  discipline  and  diligence  to  develop  their  skills  which  they  willingly  offer  in  selfless  service.  I  studied  the  role  of  warriors  in  Japan,  India,  Tibet,  Native  American  nations  and  in  the  U.S.  military.  It  became  clear  to  me  that  this  was  the  role  I  knew  would  benefit  myself  and  the  community  of  people  I  had  discovered.    I  am  learning  the  profound  benefits  of  following  this  path.  I  am  learning  how  to  deal  with  the  overwhelming  emotions  of  grief,  sadness,  anger  and  depression.  I  am  learning  how  to  work  with  my  mind  and  respond  more  sanely  in  situations  that  previously  triggered  my  ego.  I  am  learning  how  much  discipline,  diligence,  and  support  are  required  to  develop  these  life-­‐saving  skills.  I  am  learning  that  I  stand  on  the  shoulders  of  warriors  throughout  time  who  have  trained  to  be  of  service.  And  as  a  consequence  of  what  I’m  learning,  I  can  stay  engaged  with  the  world  with  an  open,  breaking  heart,  in  service  to  the  human  spirit.  

 

  3                                                                                                Vision and Purpose  A  Path  for  Warriors  for  the  Human  Spirit  is  based  on  the  understanding  that  good  leaders  and  engaged  activists  now  require  a  very  different  kind  and  quality  of  training  if  they  are  to  persevere  in  their  work  as  effective  leaders  for  their  organizations,  communities  and  causes.      It  is  increasingly  difficult  for  mature,  experienced  leaders  and  younger,  engaged  activists  to  do  their  work  without  falling  victim  to  exhaustion,  overwhelm,  cynicism  and  despair.    These  leaders  do  not  need  any  more  training  in  how  to  create  adaptive  and  resilient  organizations,  or  how  to  advocate  for  their  causes,  or  how  to  engage  their  communities.    What  they  need  is  an  entirely  different  category  of  skills  and  capacities  so  that  they  can  act  wisely  and  well  and  stay  in  their  roles,  using  their  influence  and  power  to  offer  sane  and  life-­‐affirming  responses  in  this  time  of  constantly  increasing  challenges  to  the  human  spirit.      Participation  in  these  Trainings  requires  a  one-­‐year  commitment  to  attend  three  on-­‐site  trainings  of  five  days  each  every  six  months,  and  to  actively  participate  in  learning  and  practicing  as  a  community  in  the  interim  periods  and  beyond.  The  Trainings  develop  in-­‐depth  capacities  and  skills  in  three  areas:    1.  Discerning  leadership  that  leads  to  wise  action  2.  Personal  skills  to  maintain  a  stable  mind  and  true  presence  3.  Developing  as  a  member  of  a  strong,  reliable  community     Who is a Warrior?  A  Warrior  is  simply  a  decent  human  being  who  aspires  to  be  of  service  in  an  indecent,  inhumane  time.    We  want  to  be  of  service  without  adding  to  the  confusion,  aggression  and  fear  now  so  prevalent,  so  we  train  ourselves  well  and  form  as  a  strong,  supportive  community.    Through  discipline  and  dedication,  we  develop  our  confidence,  skillful  means  and  compassion.    We  learn  to  see  clearly  into  the  nature  of  situations  and  practice  with  enthusiastic  perseverance  to  cultivate  our  own  wakefulness.      

 Warriors  do  not  leave  the  scene.    Our  commitment  is  to  stay  engaged  with  those  in  power,  to  work  inside  our  organizations,  communities  and  families.  We  are  committed  to  act  in  ways  that  make  it  possible  for  people  to  experience  their  human  potential.    We  aspire  to  be  a  discerning,  compassionate,  sane  presence  in  the  most  difficult  circumstances.    Yet  we  also  realize  that  no  matter  how  much  mastery  we  have  attained  in  our  professional  and  personal  lives,  we  need  different  skills  and  perspectives  to  meet  the  ever-­‐increasing  challenges  we  face.  This  is  why  we  dedicate  ourselves  to  training.        As  Warriors,  we  willingly  offer  our  compassion  and  sanity:    

◊ We  have  unshakable  confidence  that  people  can  be  kinder,  gentler  and  wiser  than  our  current  society  tells  us  we  are.  We  rely  on  human  goodness  and  offer  this  faith  as  a  gift  to  others.  

 ◊ We  offer  ourselves  not  as  activists  to  change  the  world,  but  as  compassionate  presences  

and  trustworthy  companions  to  those  suffering  in  this  world.    We  embody  compassion  without  ambition.  

 

  4  ◊ Our  confidence,  dignity  and  wakefulness  radiate  out  to  others  as  a  beacon  of  who  all  

humans  are.    

◊ Our  confidence  is  not  conditioned  by  success  or  failure,  by  praise  or  blame.  It  arises  naturally  as  we  see  clearly  into  the  nature  of  things.  

 ◊ We  create  an  atmosphere  of  compassion,  confidence  and  cheerfulness  with  our  very  

presence.    

◊ We  create  a  good  human  society  wherever  we  are,  whenever  we  can,  with  the  people  and  resources  that  are  available  to  us  now.  

 ◊ We  rely  on  joy  arising  anywhere,  knowing  it  is  never  dependent  on  external  circumstances  

but  comes  from  working  together  as  good  human  beings.      

◊ We  encounter  life's  challenges  with  a  sense  of  humor,  knowing  that  lightness  and  play  increase  our  capacity  to  deal  with  suffering.  

   

The Skills and Capacities of Warriors: The Training Curriculum  

1. Discerning Leadership That Leads To Wise Action      

o skills  for  dealing  with  situations  of  high  conflict  and  polarized  positions    o skills  for  dealing  with  situations  of  high  volatility  and  strong  emotions    o perceptual  tools  to  access  the  richness  of  information  available  in  any  situation  o systems  thinking  skills  to  reveal  relevant  interconnections  and  potential  consequences  

of  policies  and  actions  o skills  to  create  sane  solutions  to  complex  problems  by  analyzing  well  the  multiple  

causes  and  conditions  of  the  situation    

2. Personal Skills To Maintain A Stable Mind And True Presence  

o Skills  to  maintain  composure  and  stay  present  in  difficult  situations  o Practices  to  cultivate  a  stable  mind  that  enables  less  reactivity  and  wiser  responses    o Practices  to  act  with  compassion  and  insight  rather  than  aggression  and  fear  o Practices  to  transform  negative  emotions  (e.g.  anger,  grief,  sadness)  into  energy  for  

intelligent  action  o Identity  formation  as  a  Warrior  for  the  Human  Spirit  that  strengthens  the  ability  to  act  

with  clarity  and  integrity  in  all  situations  o Confidence  to  step  forward  as  a  role  model  and  mentor  of  the  best  human  qualities,  

such  as  generosity,  insight,  patience,  compassion  

3. Developing As A Strong Community

o Developing  new  insights  and  competencies  for  effective  leadership  that  always  arise  from  participating  in  a  community  of  practice  

o Using  the  loneliness  and  stress  inherent  in  activism  and  leadership  as  motivation  to  do  the  hard  work  of  creating  a  strong  community  of  support  

  5  o Employing  training  processes  that  simultaneously  develop  individual  skills  and  a  

community  of  trusted  allies  and  companions  o Strengthening  the  personal  capacity  to  persevere  because  we  are  supported  by  a  

community    o Thriving  on  moments  of  clarity,  joy,  grace  that  always  appear  when  humans  work  well  

together  no  matter  how  difficult  the  external  circumstances        Demographics: First Three Cohorts There  are  130+  Warriors  who  will  train  in  three  different  cohorts  (two  at  Zion  National  Park,  Utah;  one  at  Schumacher  College  England).    The  first  Cohort  begins  training  October  23rd.  Cohorts  Two  and  Three  begin  next  April  and  June.  They  are  a  diverse  group:    

• 20  countries  representing  all  continents  (except  Antarctica)  • Age  range:  28  -­‐  85  • 73%  women;  27%  men  

o 65%  are  women  over  50  • Range  of  professions:  

o Public  Service,  government  o Education  o Healthcare    o Political  Officials  o Multinational  Corporations  

§ Financial  § Mining,  Gas  and  Oil  

o Arts  Leadership  +  Artists  o Women  Religious    o Consultants,  Coaches  o Social  Activists  in:  

§ Restorative  Justice  § Environmental  Policy  § Environmental  Education  § Healthy  Community  § Global  South  NGOs  § Suicide  prevention  § Emerging  Leaders  § Hospice  § Youth  at  risk  § Women  in  poverty  § Alternative  health  

  7    

Warriors  for  the  Human  Spirit  are  not  the  ones  who  will  bring  the  light,  but  rather  those  willing  to  stand  in  the  "in-­‐between"  

to  hold  off  the  darkness  as  long  as  possible  for  those  who  are  to  bring  the  light.    Our  battle  is  not  "winnable"  but  still  we  stand    

knowing  that  for  us  there  will  be  no  glory,  no  stories  of  triumph,  just    the  quiet  satisfaction  of  doing  what  we  know  is  ours  to  do.  

U.S.  woman,  51+    

 A  Warrior  is  a  person  who  has  the  courage  to  face  

 the  dark  forces  threatening  our  world    and  to  grieve  for  what  is  being  lost  especially  for  future  generations.      

Her  insight  into  the  present  world  situation    energizes  her,  deepens  her  compassion  for  those  suffering  from  oppression  and  

motivates  her  to  live  in  a  way  which  brings  peace  into  each  situation  she  encounters.      She  is  strengthened  by  comradery  with  her  fellow  warriors.  

  U.S.  woman,  81+      

     

A  Warrior  for  the  Human  Spirit  is  simply  someone  who  doesn't  lose  faith  in  people,    no  matter  what  they  do."  

                                   South  African  woman,  age  61+  

   

  8        How Participants Defined Themselves As A Warrior For The Human Spirit    A  Warrior  for  the  Human  Spirit  is  one  who  serves  by  exhibiting  the  best  qualities  of  the  human  spirit  in  the  most  difficult  of  situations  with  and  for  those  who  suffer.    She  or  he  does  so  with  grace  and  joy,  lifting  all  in  the  process.    The  warrior  brings  sanity  and  stability  to  every  situation  and  releases  outcomes  to  goodness.    She  or  he  offers  their  gifts  in  all  environments  and  evokes  the  gifts  in  others.         U.S.  woman,  61+    

As  an  organization  development  consultant,  I  worked  for  25+  years  to  effect  change  and  create  inclusive  systems–I  was  motivated  by  rage  based  on  experiences  as  the  daughter  of  migrants.    I  spoke  truth  to  power,  denounced  injustice,  raged  and  tired  and  detached.    Five  years  ago,  after  breast  cancer,  I  began  a  different  journey  and  way  of  being.    I  am  re-­‐engaging  work  but  with  a  different  vision.    Warriors  have  an  abiding  commitment  to  all  of  humanity  and  persevere  in  the  face  of  unfathomable  obstacles.    Warriors  are  steadfast,  deeply  committed,  and  devoted  to  living  an  engaged  life.    They  see  through  the  veil  of  our  culture  and  oppressive  systems  and  are  not  intimidated  by  power  or  status.    They  are  selfless,  joyful  and  trustworthy.    Warriors  are  generous,  humble,  patient,  kind  and  not  driven  by  ego  or  attached  to  outcomes.  

      U.S.  woman,  aged  61  +    The  commitment  to  learn  to  cultivate  a  breaking  heart  surrounded  by  community  is  a  level  of  vulnerability,  surrender  and  commitment  I  am  eager  to  bravely  face.    My  definition  of  Warriors  is  that  we  cultivate  the  courage,  through  sustained  discipline,  to  bear  the  enormous  tragedy  we  are  facing  in  the  world  today  while  at  the  same  time  bearing  the  enormous  beauty  of  everything  humans  can  be.    Warriors  are  committed  to  cultivating  the  right  conditions  for  true  humanity  to  arise  but  are  completely  free  of  ambition.           Canadian  woman,  age  31+      

I  come  from  the  Islamic  tradition  and  was  contemplating  on  the  ways  of  the  Sufis:  "Blessed  are  they  that  mourn,  the  bringers  of  joy  are  children  of  sorrow.    Every  blow  we  get  in  life  pierces  the  depths  of  the  heart  and  brings  forth  springs  of  compassion."    Then  I  read  in  your  description  that  we  will  learn  to  "Embrace  sadness  as  the  path  to  an  open,  peaceful  heart."         India,  man,  age  41+      

A  Warrior  for  the  Human  Spirit  is  a  person  who  can  hold  both  the  deep  suffering  and  the  immense  humanity  of  the  people  at  the  same  time,  who  knows  both  realities,  feels  them  intensely,  and  is  still  able  to  act  wisely  in  service  to  the  people,  the  community.    The  Warrior  can  hear  the  story  of  grief  and  hold  that  pain  while  also  holding  the  story  of  healing,  and  trust  that  both  are  present.           U.S.  woman,  61+  

   I  am  often  referred  to  as  a  world  leader  in  my  field,  yet  I  feel  huge  gaps  in  my  skills  with  each  new  challenge.    Working  in  Greece,  teaching  lawyers  how  to  resolve  conflict,  I  found  

  9  a  lost  generation  of  young  people,  desperate  for  support  in  finding  an  alternative  to  the  overwhelming  self-­‐obsession  and  ambition  of  this  time.         British  woman,  age  51+      

A  Warrior  has  survived  personal  and  stressful  challenges.    It  is  from  this  depth  of  understanding,  or  acceptance  of  what  can't  be  understood,  from  which  power  is  drawn–power  in  the  form  of  wisdom,  strength,  selfless  determination,  compassion  and  humility.    Warriors  provide  comfort  to  the  suffering,  peace  to  the  fearful  and  reassurance  that  they  will  no  longer  be  left  alone.    A  Warrior  is  a  symbol  of  peaceful  perseverance  bringing  forth  skills  that  are  lacking  in  our  modern  times,  yet  measurable  by  loyalty.           U.S.  woman,  age  51+          

I  currently  work  as  a  public  servant  in  equity,  diversity  and  human  rights  where  daily  I  am  witness  to  the  fear  and  hatred  of  difference  and  its  impacts.    I  wish  to  be  of  service  to  those  suffering  with  their  own  fear  and  hatred  as  a  compassionate  and  trustworthy  warrior.  I  consider  this  my  life's  journey  and  am  seeking  a  community  in  which  to  grow  and  contribute.         Canadian  woman,  41+  

   My  role  in  helping  to  nurture  wiser  community  leaders,  and  as  a  community  leader  myself,  is  in  service  to  others  "to  support  our  best  capacities  of  generosity,  compassion,  altruism,  curiosity,  creativity  and  caring."    I  am  humbled  and  inspired  by  the  people-­‐-­‐and  also  horrified  by  the  destruction  of  the  human  spirit  that  I  see  daily.    I  am  yearning  for  training  and  community  support  to  help  me  stay  "fully  engaged  with  an  open,  broken  heart."           Australian  woman,  51+  

   

I  have  spent  my  career  in  the  public  service  but  lately  worry  that  I  am  doing  more  harm  than  good  by  being  part  of  a  system  that  has  strayed  so  far  from  its  original  values.    This  program  allows  me  to  give  up  railing  against  the  system  and  the  crazy  making  restrictions  and  people  who  seem  to  care  only  for  their  own  entitlement.    Instead  I  can  focus  my  energy  on  nurturing  in  myself  and  embracing  in  others  the  fundamental  decency  and  resiliency  of  the  human  spirit.    It  means  I  commit  to  using  the  influence  I  have  to  further  the  value  of  human  dignity  and  not  for  my  own  gain  or  entitlement.         Canadian  woman,  age  51+  

   I  work  in  one  of  the  world's  largest  Global  Financial  Services  companies  and  have  tried  to  argue  my  way  out  of  seeing  that  I'm  meant  to  be  there,  that  this  is  where  my  vocation  is.    It's  a  huge  welcome  to  think  that  right  where  I  am  might  be  where  I  can  be  of  most  service.    It  feels  powerful  and  liberating.           British  man,  51+       For  some  time  now  I  have  felt  alone  and  unsure  about  whether  I  can  continue  my  justice  

activism;  I  know  it  is  time  to  make  a  shift  and  I  long  to  do  this  with  others  in  a  supportive,  trustworthy,  sustained  community.    I  believe  we  are  consoled  and  strengthened  by  being  together  and  I  am  committed  to  staying  in  the  world  as  a  spiritual  warrior.  

        U.S.  woman,  61+  

  10      I  have  devoted  my  life  to  serving  people  at  risk  of  suicide  or  bereaved  by  suicide,  working  toward  systems  change  from  "within  the  system."    Now,  at  60,  I  have  hit  (and  I  mean  HIT)  the  limits  of  that  approach.    I'm  not  sure  what  to  do  and  I  hope  communal  wisdom-­‐-­‐and  power-­‐-­‐will  illuminate  the  Way.           U.S.  man,  60+    

Attracted  to  the  slivers  of  light  that  shine  in  the  darkest  places,  I  am  struggling  to  reconcile  the  vitriol  in  the  world.    I  am  seeking  a  shift  in  the  way  I  interact  with  the  world  to  return  to  a  place  of  joy  and  confidence.    It  is  time  for  me  to  challenge  my  perspectives  and  assumptions,  and  to  acquire  new  tools  to  operate  beyond  fear.    I  aspire  to  connect  with  others  in  service.         U.S.  woman,  41+    

 A  Warrior  is  someone  that  can  harness  the  traditional  knowledge  and  wisdom  of  our  ancestors  for  the  future  of  our  people  and  planet.    The  rock  in  stormy  seas,  the  beacon  in  the  dark,  the  mule  carrying  the  heavy  load,  the  poem  that  inspires  and  lifts  the  spirit,  the  catalyst  in  the  chemical  reaction  the  connector  that  makes  things  more  than  the  sum  of  their  parts.    They  do  all  of  this  yet  ask  for  nothing  in  return  and  leave  no  footprints  on  the  earth.           Welsh  woman,  51+      

I'm  drawn  to  being  in  community,  building  discipline,  being  of  service.    Additionally  the  emphasis  on  "warriors  do  not  leave  the  scene"  is  powerful.    I'm  encouraged  by  the  opportunity  to  build  not  only  a  community  but  discipline  in  order  to  serve  the  world  in  a  loving  and  non-­‐aggressive  way.         U.S.  woman,  31+    

A  Warrior  is  anyone  who  hears  the  call  for  greater  humanity  in  our  world  and  responds.    A  person  who  hears  and  sees  through  the  noise  and  distraction  that  isolates  and  dehumanizes  us.    It  is  not  a  warrior's  job  to  liberate  others  but  rather  to  relentlessly  trust  in  people's  ability  to  choose  their  path  of  liberation  and  walk  that  journey  with  them.           U.S.  woman,  41+  

   

A  Warrior  for  the  Human  Spirit  is  a  human  being  who  will  spend  the  rest  of  his  life  as  a  beacon  for  truth,  decency  and  peace  in  a  world  that  seems  to  go  a  little  darker  each  day.           U.S.  man,  51+            

         

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DEFINING A WARRIOR FOR THE HUMAN SPIRIT A WORDIE FROM 140 APPLICANTS