Transformation stewardship

September 27, 11:10 PMSpiritual Living ExaminerMarlena Rich

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“Each moment you are happy is a gift to the rest of the world.” -Harry Palmer

I believe in transformation; that what was once damage can become wisdom, what was once false can turn true, what had been weak becomes powerful, that which had been sick is then well. What are the keys to these evolutions? Openness, intention, vigilant vision, attentive will, patient expectancy, and channeling the divine love and human support are all a part of the formula that starts with simple present mindfulness. Anne Frank, the holocaust victim whose diary became famous, said,

“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”

Certainly it is easier to blame the world for not conforming to our idea of fair and perfect and sit around whining about how this selfish person or that wretched situation should change to fit one’s ideals. But where is the freedom, the bliss, the evolutionary strategy for actually improving the world? It is in holding a high ideal of self-love and inner joy in the face of challenge, ours and that of our world. We are in a fluid continuum, always in choice as to our experience of the world.

The book, Trauma Stewardship, by Laura van Dernoot Lipsky with Connie Burk, provides a critical roadmap for caregivers of all types to strike a balance.

“Somewhere between internalizing an ethic of martyrdom and ignoring ongoing crisis lies the balance that we must find in order to sustain our work.”

The teaching has to do with recognizing the sacredness of the responsibility as caretakers, creating a space for and honoring others’ suffering, along with the importance of not taking it on as one’s own. They teach embracing of the paradox “that to truly know joy, we cannot afford to shut down our experience of pain.” We need to get into the fire with our clients while maintaining our own internal peace. Otherwise, the experience of trauma exposure will degrade one’s ability to truly stand for and support others in their pain. And it isn’t about putting on a happy face, but to select a healthy inner focus that is a balanced experience of both polarities simultaneously.

Lipsky offers a variety of simple yet profound practices drawn from a broad range of spiritual traditions, modern psychology and personal experience that guide us to look at our responses, motivations and to discover new resources for renewal. The material is useful for anyone who might find themselves in a care taking role.

“Taking care of ourselves while taking care of others allows us to contribute to our societies with such impact that we will leave a legacy informed by our deepest wisdom and greatest gifts instead of burdened by our struggles and despair.” –Laura van Dernoot Lipsky

Attending to our personal transformation enables us to stand for the healing of others and for our planet.  Wholeness begets wholeness.

For more info: Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc.