Doing Good by Doing Well... A New Generation's Take on Capitalism

I have been known to be a bit critical of my generation.  Born in 1981, depending on how you cut it I belong to either gen x or gen y often called the millennial generation. 

My people, this generation, have been called lazy and narcissistic or at the very least self-absorbed with our twitter and facebook obsessions thinking that everyone in the world cares what we are doing at all times.  There are procedures and manuals all over the business sector in how to deal with us as employees, apparently we aren't the easiest to work with, bucking hierarchical structures, and assuming everyone wants our opinions on well... everything.  And as a group we did not stand up to authority in the manner our boomer parents did, allowing Bush to take us to war without so much as creating a protest sign.

But for once, I don't want to knock my generation, I want to applaud it!  Sure I believe there are many ways, good and bad, that we are different than generations before us, but one thing I think is clear we are creative and innovative, and I believe we are indeed changing the world.

Millennials take on Business and Philanthropy

Some of the most exciting things in the business world are coming from this millennial generation.  Take for example Toms Shoes.  For every pair of shoes they sell Toms donates a pair of shoes to a child or person in need.  Toms is just one of the MANY businesses using the power of capitalism, to do good in the world.

What I love about the success of Toms Shoes mission is obvious. I am so happy that they have found a way to fulfill their mission of ensuring more children and people around the world have shoes.  This is certainly doing good!  What I think is hallmark of the unique approach popping up in so many settings is the way they are choosing to use capitalism and American consumption to be the catalyst for tremendous good in the world. What I think is unique to this mindset is the ability to taking two seemingly contradictory mindsets capitalism (consumption) and philanthropy (compassion) and showing the way they can in fact work together.

I have such hope and some plans :) on ways millennials and their mindset will continue transforming not only business, but politics, and many other sectors.  By 2012, millennials will be the largest voting block in America.  And if this generation has shown us anything they will not just make an impact in the traditional sense with their vote, they will no doubt change the system and hopefully the power structure... let the revolution begin! 

Rising from the Ashes

Broken Open, by Elizabeth Lesser...

"I am fascinated by what it takes to stay awake in difficult times. I marvel at what we do in times of transition — how we resist, and how we surrender; how we stay stuck, and how we grow. Since my first major broken-open experience — my divorce — I have been an observer and a confidante of others as they engage with the forces of their own suffering. I have made note of how fiasco and failure visit each one of us, as if they were written into the job description of being human. I have seen people crumble in times of trouble, lose their spirit, and never fully recover, I have seen others protect themselves fiercely from any kind of change, until they are living a half lie, safe yet stunted.

"But I have also seen another way to deal with a fearful change or a painful loss. I call this other way the Phoenix Process — named for the mythical phoenix bird who remains awake through the fires of change, rises from the ashes of death, and is reborn into this most vibrant and enlightened self. . . 

"I've tried both ways: I have gone back to sleep in order to resist the forces of change. And I have stayed awake and been broken open."

This quote is from the introduction to Elizabeth Lesser's phenomenal work, Broken Open.  It has been a meaningful piece for me, since I read it a number of years ago. Today, these words took on a whole new meaning.

Last night the yoga studio where I teach had an awful fire. One of the massage rooms was completely destroyed and the devastation was palpable.  This is a picture as we cleaned today.

As the day went on, more and more people arrived to help, each bringing their own unique style of love and support. Together we cleaned and trashed and literally walked through soot and ash, and then in the most mundane moment I saw them right before me my own phoenix examples.

These women, so strong and so brave, were right there, picking themselves up and rising from the ash. They were deeply engaged in the moment and I believe through their laughter they realized they would fly again.  It was so beautiful.  

These women were nothing short of inspiring. I knew they did not recognize their own strength, we never seem to notice it in times of crisis, do we?  It is just there, an inner determination and instinct, it is the will to walk through the fire yet again.

I ache for the loss at our studio... carrying out the beautiful posters of amazing asanas that lined the hall, cleaning the soot off absolutely everything!, scooping up the charred keepsakes and trinkets that had once held such meaning.

And yet, I find myself so comforted by the phoenix process.  The symbolism of the phoenix that we so often evoke in our classes has new meaning for me. 

Yes the destruction is great, but the rising up and rebirth is so much greater.

Namaste  

Twitter: History, How-To and Help!

Ok, Allison your friendly twit here to help you out with a little twitter history, how-to, and some helpful tips!  You'll be tweeting in no time! (Follow me on twitter @allisonrockey)

Confession:  I was a full-blown twitter skeptic.  My initial response was not just turning my nose up, it was full on disgust. I thought it seemed like the most narcissistic Web 2.0 creation yet!  You want me to periodically answer the question, "what are you doing?" throughout the day, as if anyone would care what I am doing in my mundane life...

So being a narcissist at heart I tried it!

To my shock, my twitter addiction came not from having a platform to talk (though I do love that) but it was what I was learning from others.  Great websites, the latest news, all just a click away.  In so many ways it was as if I had internet elves combing the vast internet for the simple treasures and bringing them back for me!

Quick History

In a nutshell, Twitter at its beginning was used primarily as a way for people to send text messages to all of their friends to let them know what they were up to.  By sending a text message from their cell phone, all of their twitter followers would be updated with a text message being send to their cell phones.  This is still possible but fewer people use it this way and more use it now on the computer. 

Twitter Song

You're No One if You're Not on Twitter

by Ben Walker (@ihatemornings)

Twitter Benefits

By following news organizations, journalists, politicians, and your savvy friends you will be the first to know EVERYTHING!  Did you know that the L.A. earthquake was being tweeted (discussed on twitter) 15 minutes before the Associated Press reported there was an earthquake!  I rarely see anything on the nightly news that I did not already read on twitter that day.

Getting Started: Twitter how-to

Simply go to Twitter.com and set up an account.  It is free, easy and only takes a few minutes. 

Be sure to keep your account public, unless you have a REALLY good reason to have your account set to private, it pretty much defeats most of the purpose and makes it more difficult for people to follow you.

Be sure to write a brief bio, it gives people a reason to follow you and a bit of credibility. 

Following vs Followers...

Following are the people's updates you are receiving, your followers are receiving your updates (which are most generally called tweets).  Twitter can search your address book to show you which of your friends are on twitter, and will now suggest some people to follow.  A great way to find interesting people to follow is when you find someone you enjoy their tweets, simply click on who they are following and pick some interesting ones to follow. 

There are two ways to communicate with others on twitter.  The public reply, which will show up in your tweet stream, and the direct message which is private and can almost be thought of as a direct email between two people that no one else can see.  You can send public replies to anyone. You must both be following each other to sending a direct message.

Perfecting the tweet

What makes a good twitter user?  Why should anyone follow you?  Here are some quick tips:

1) Be concise (you only have 140 characters to get your point across) 

2) Be relevant

3) Be clever

4) Cater to a niche, you are an expert on something, so tell us about!

5) Pass on other interesting tweets by re-tweeting their posts, but be sure to add your own spin.

6) Be current! People want to know what you are doing now, so write in the present tense, watching a beautiful sunset is more interesting that watched a beautiful sunset 30 minutes ago.

7) Twitter is not a one-way street, engage, reply to others, and make connections.

8) When you do a public reply, add extra details so we know what you are talking about even if we did not see what you are replying to.

Twitter terms and symbols

• @username will show up alot!  This is when people are sending a public reply to others.
  
• RT @username: This is when someone likes a tweet from some else and they want to share it with their followers by retweeting it.  Nice way to give credit to those you follow and share the interesting tidbits.
  
• Following the people whose updates you are receiving
  
• Followers the people who are receiving your updates
  
• Twitterverse: The sphere of twitter, also called twitterville.
  
• Tweet an update.
  
• Twirt nickname for flirting on twitter :)
  
• #topprog- You will notice on twitter people using a # followed by some letters. This is a hashtag. These are a quick way to have a searchable comment for others on the same topic. One example while the tv show Top Chef was on, people watching it would comment and include #topchef then you could easily see comments by people you are not following but were also watching the show. #topprog is for progressive topics, there are many hashtags and are user generated.

I hope this helps!  Find me on twitter and I happy to show you around.

Happy tweeting all! 

5 Reasons why Mainstream Media is killing Progressive Religion and what you can do to help!

What does American religion look like to you?  Does it look like Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, Rick Warren, and James Dobson?

What does American religion act like to you? Is it the political power of the religious right, the vandalism of anti-abortion protesters, and the legal battles of angry homophobic people?

What does American religion sound like to you? Is it arguments such as the Bible is literally true, my faith is the only true faith and the rest of you are not just wrong, but so wrong you will spend eternity in hell?

If you answered yes to these questions, if that is what religion looks like to you, I ask you to take a deep breathe and hear me out!

Did you know most American Religious people are nothing like what has been described above?  Did you know that only 33% of Americans believe the Bible is the Word of God and literally word for word true.  Did you know that only 27% of Americans believe there is only one true way to interpret their religion?  Did you know that a staggering 70% of Americans believe that many religions can lead to eternal life? Statistics can be found at the Pew Research Center here)

ahhhhhhhhhhh to me that is a breath of fresh air!

So why do we have such a distorted view of American Religion and Religious people? I believe the mainstream media is at least in part to blame for shaping public opinion in this way, and here are my 5 reasons...

1) Check out this story today by MSNBC. "Great Sex Sermon Causes Stir in Rural Town"

If you read this article, and THIS makes MSNBC, no wonder you have a backwards view of religious folks. This is not stirring, this is not interesting, and it most certainly is not NEWS!  

My favorite line of the article being this...  "The controversy is a bit ironic considering the church's overall point is about as straight-laced as they come: That God intends for sex to be enjoyed solely within a heterosexual marriage, and that anything else — adultery, pornography, homosexuality, even "sexual arousal" outside of marriage — is sin."

Check out our recent sermon on sex, VERY different!

2) Same-sex Marriage Debate

Through all of the coverage of Prop. 8, the media tried to have a "balanced" perspective. Their idea of balance? One gay-rights advocate vs. one "Christian."  

3) Despite selling millions and millions of books, when was the last time you saw a progressive religious person interviewed on a major news network?

4) Religion is only factored into a news story when there is no other reasoning, when logic is lost. It is the default dummy defense, making religion seem like an irrational motivator. Why do you want to keep to happy gay people from marrying (because the Bible says), why do you want to disregard science not allowing Evolution to be taught in schools and teach Creationism instead (because the Bible says), why do object from stopping the spread of AIDS through the use of condoms (because the Pope says)... dear God!  When the ideas of people seem to only be impacted by their faith when there is no reason, no wonder religion seems irrational!

I have ample reasons why I believe the LGBT community deserves equal rights, why evolution should be taught in schools, and why we need to employ intelligent action to fight the spread of disease.  These reasons are not separate from my religious beliefs, they are very compatible and come from the same place inside of me. 

5) Sensationalism wins!  And unfortunately crazy sells!

Together, can't we stop the spread of crazy?  We have groups working on this, but here are ways you can help! 

1) Support your local progressive religious communities, there are progressive Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, yoga communities all over this country.  Support the work they are doing, and champion their voice. I work at one of them, here in Michigan check us out C3/CCC.

2) Write editorials to your local paper. Get the dialogue started in your community and make your voice known.

3) Support national groups such as The Center for Progressive Christianity, The Interfaith Alliance, and great public radio programming like Speaking of Faith.  The work these organizations are doing can have a tremendous impact.

4) Speak up! Don't be afraid to share with others that your progressive social views, care of the earth, human rights, etc are strengthened by your religious beliefs. Let's change the dialogue one at a time.

5) Share other ideas on this blog or email me!

Hamantashen: My First Taste of Judaism

As many of you know, I LOVE to bake. And I am sure my fellow bakers will agree a huge part of the fun in baking is to share the goodies.  I love to bake for birthdays, for celebrations, and even for rainy days. To be honest, I rarely eat much of what I bake, I bake for the joy of feeding others.  This experience of baking for others, along with many of my best recipes I learned from my dear mother, and whether I call her for advice while baking (very common occurrence) or not, she is always there baking with me in spirit. 

Last night with my dear friend Chloe I baked for Purim, a Jewish Festival we are celebrating tonight at C3/CCC.  As we molded our little cookies into the shape of Haman's hat we talked, we laughed, and we shared in the experience of life. After Chloe went to bed and I finished up the last batch, meticulously repeating the same movement, flowing in the rhythm of hamantashen, I was aware how jealous I was of Jews. I wish my spiritual tradition involved food the way theirs does. My first reaction (half seriously) was I should become Jewish!  This is SO great! Then I thought there must be an easier way to experience what I am after.   

The act of food preparation, the act of eating, of sharing food, of nourishment and the experience of pleasure, so central to the human experience. The way I approach religion and my spiritual practice is to go deeper into the experience of being alive.  It is beautifully described by this quote from Henry Miller, 

"The aim of life is to live, and to live means to be aware, joyously, drunkenly, serenely, divinely, aware." 

Spiritual practice at its heart is to me awareness. Some are drawn to the spiritual practice of being which leads many to meditation or prayer. Quieting oneself and focus on just being here now, being aware of the present moment, not seeking anything at all, aware of inhale and our exhale.  It is a beautiful practice.

Others are drawn to spiritual practices of doing. An active way of experiencing the world beyond ourselves. Acts of kindness, working for social justice, serving those less fortunate, are wonderful ways to broaden our perspective and take in more of life. There are so many beautiful acts of doing.

The Spiritual Practice of Baking is a way I enjoy experiencing the practice of doing and being. I can be lost in the moment and aware of nothing beyond the dough, the flour, the present to what I am doing.  And baking can also take me to a place of selfless joy.  Where the act of creating for another brings me right up to bliss. On the flip side, not realizing you have to refrigerate the dough for an hour, forgetting an ingredient, making a mess, spilling something... ample opportunities to come face to face with your humanity!

My life (spiritual) practices include:

yoga

writing

meditation

blogging

therapy and self-help books :)

baking!

What do your practices include? 

Purim and Hamantashen resources:

If you are looking to learn more about Purim, this info sheet created by Rabbi Rami Shapiro should help.

If you are looking for info on the story of Purim, and some great Hamantashen advice and tips, check out the Cupcake Project website.

And if you want to try my Hamantashen recipe (seemed great to me!) I'll list it below or you can find it here.

Please note, you have to refrigerate the dough for at least an hour so plan accordingly!

Hamantashen Recipe

7 ounces (200 grams) butter

8 ounces (250 grams) cream cheese

1/4 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups all-purpose flour

chocolate spread, strawberry jam or apricot butter for filling

egg, beaten

sugar for garnish

Preparation:

1. In a mixing bowl, cream the butter and cream cheese together. Add sugar and vanilla, and mix until smooth. Add flour and mix lightly. Refrigerate dough for an hour or more.

2. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Cover baking sheets with parchment paper.

3. On a floured surface, using a floured rolling pin, roll the dough to about 1/8 inch (1/3 centimeter) thickness. 

4. Cut the dough into circles using the top of a drinking glass. Flour the rim of the glass if it is sticking to the dough.

5. Place each cut-out circle on the baking sheet.

6. Place 1 - 1 1 1/2 teaspoons of filling in the center of each circle of dough.

7. Pull up sides and pinch three corners together to form a triangular cookie with filling showing. If needed, use a drop of water to make sure the corners are pinched close tight and won't open in the oven.

9. Americans like to brush each pastry with beaten egg and sugar before baking. Israelis like to sprinkle them with confectioners sugar after they are baked. Choose whichever sweetening method works best for you.

10. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden.

Namaste!

and she whispered... I Am Powerful

Thursday, March 5, was International Women's Day.  I had the opportunity to participate in nationwide screening of the film, A Powerful Noise which was shown at 450 theaters and was followed with a live panel discussion, featuring Madeleine Albright, Nicholas Kristof, and other experts on poverty and women's empowerment.

The film began was some startling statistics:

• Of the world's 1 billion poorest people, 60 percent are women and girls.
  
• Women work two-thirds of the world’s working hours, yet earn only 10 percent of the income.
  
• Women produce half the world’s food, yet own only 1 percent of its land.
  
• Women make up two-thirds of the estimated 776 million adults worldwide who cannot read or write; and girls make up 55 percent of the 75 million children not attending school.  
  

The film followed the stories of three women walking into their own power to create profound change in their communities.  I am so fortunate to have been born in a society where I do not face the extreme discrimination and hardships these women have had to endure. I have been well educated and given amazing opportunities.

And yet, just before the film began as they panned the audience and the camera focused on a woman in the crowd wearing a shirt with the tag line from the film "I am Powerful" and I felt a surge of emotion.

What does it mean to be a powerful woman in our culture? Sometimes I am surprised that I don't have it remotely figured out yet. It is easy in times such as these for all of us to feel that sense of vulnerability and powerlessness. The economy seems to be in a free fall, completely out of our control, yet impacting our lives in a very personal way.

I have found in our culture that women have a unique relationship to power. Women tend to be rewarded for being polite and appropriate. The more we work skillfully within the structure of our society, conforming to certain social norms, and following the rules the more accolades we receive. We learn quickly how to play many different roles, when we embrace our sexuality and when we diminish it, when to embrace our intelligence and when to let a man think it was his idea, when we take the lead and when we choose the role of the cheerleader and supportive one, and when we learn to allow others to feel they have power over us even as we feel we are secretly in control. 

Skillful women are faced with these choices everyday, and to some degree it is always empowering to have a choice. These tactics, manipulations, etc when done effectively can have a huge impact on a woman's success.  And countless women have used these skills to bring about tremendous good in the world.  But I am left asking the question, does a woman feel powerful when using her feminine tool box of tricks?

When thinking of purchasing one of the "I Am Powerful" t-shirts to support work CARE is doing to create opportunities for women around the world, I must admit, I had some strong reservations to wearing a shirt with those words on it. Yes, this feminist had some reservations.  

As I sit here reflecting on that observation, I am left wondering if my fear around walking into my own power albeit by wearing a shirt proclaiming it on my chest, or through my actions and behaviors, is it centered on the fear of destroying one of the most powerful tools in my box? Would I be giving up one of the roles that has proven so effective for me in the past? 

Our world is dangerous, scary, and tough! Can my power be trusted? Will it be respected and rewarded? Will it be enough?

In times of crisis and danger, instead of praying to the male God of my past, to intervene and help me, this feminist will be heard uttering the simple truth, I Am Powerful...

Namaste: The shit in me greets the shit in you

That's right I said it.

"Namaste: The shit in me greets the shit in you. When I am in that place in me, and you are in that place in you, we are one." *bow*

Here come the yoga police to strip away my right to teach, can you hear the sirens?  I can.

Namaste

I end all of my yoga classes with namaste.  With my hands to my heart, and following a deep breath, I look at each student and say, "The light, love, and peace, in me, greets the light, love and peace in each one of you, when I am in that place in me, and you are in that place in you, we are one. Namaste"

After a yoga class nothing feels more true for me. 

And yet here I sit, after a very long Monday, which followed a VERY long Sunday and I don't feel light, love, or anything close to peaceful.

So I tweeted, the shit namaste, and I sat.

I sat.  Then I laughed.  And then it was real.

I mean on the one hand it was absurd. "The shit in me greets the shit in you."  I knew I was tempting some of my co-workers who quite unintentionally greeted my shit today. But then I took a step back and met the simplest reality I have ever known. 

The simple yet deeply real truth is a lot of people are living very difficult lives, and we are all a part of it. No one can escape this reality of uncertainty, fear, and stress whirling around us. Whether the economic downturn has hit us personally or not, it is there impacting our reality and ready to smack us in the face.

Truthfully it is in times of despair, sadness, or shittyness that I have experienced a deep sense of connection with the despairs of the world opening me to a connection with all of life. So I guess you could say my deepest shit is what some call God.  ooohhhh and maybe I have gone too far again.

With sensitivity, honesty, and a desire to accept all that is, I say to you...

The shit in me greets the shit in you. When I honor all that I am, and you honor all that you are, we are one in full humanity. Namaste.