Daily Question, August 3 How can I balance inner work with social action, ever grateful for opportunities to do both? 32 Reflections Share Click here to cancel reply.Please log in or Create a Profile to post a comment. Notify me when someone replies to my comment via e-mail. Palm7 years agoPalmIt comes from the inside out, not the other way around, even if in the end there is no “action” at all, the inner work will at least make me emanate good energies into the Universe 1 Reply JoeytheHoff7 years agoJoeytheHoffI am fortunate to have an opportunity to participate in these events through my school. I would like to volunteer to help maintain trails or parks or access to them and education for those who want to get outside and breathe. 0 Reply Paul Y7 years agoPaul YJill, you said it best when it comes to replenish ourselves spiritually, emotionally etc. I'm a Eucharistic minister in my parish here outside of Pittsburgh and I feel this is an awesome responsibility to have. I make 2 retreats a year, 1 is a themed retreat the other is a silent retreat where you could spend as many days you can in the 3rd week of June. Without those retreats I would be dreading something g that is so humbling to do at church. To spend time with the Lord during those days g... Jill, you said it best when it comes to replenish ourselves spiritually, emotionally etc. I’m a Eucharistic minister in my parish here outside of Pittsburgh and I feel this is an awesome responsibility to have. I make 2 retreats a year, 1 is a themed retreat the other is a silent retreat where you could spend as many days you can in the 3rd week of June. Without those retreats I would be dreading something g that is so humbling to do at church. To spend time with the Lord during those days gives me focus on what my faith as a Catholic means. I’m helping a friend of mine complete her the process of receiving her first communion and confirmation. I have to stand with her before the community and I feel I must be ready spiritually, emotionally and mentally to do this. Being like Mary in the gospel story is definitely a must for someone like myself or my ministry would all be for show Read More2 Reply Trevor7 years agoTrevorI have no idea. Much work to be done. You got me. 0 Reply Mary7 years agoMaryYes, Plant Goodness. That is quite a question. I actually see that as four questions. I am making progress on my inner work, and that effects my dealings with others in a positive way. And I try to remember to be grateful. That is about where I am now. Mary 1 Reply Jill7 years agoJillI have not yet found this balance this year. The fear, anxiety, anger from the political climate throws me off balance a few times a day. I am trying to figure out a way to stay informed without being thrown off kilter. It’s been hard on my emotional health. I am studying some of George Lakoff’s articles right now and finding some enlightenment. I really want to learn to effectively communicate again with those I disagree with. Hopefully I will find some balance again one day soon! 2 Reply Trevor7 years agoTrevorJust detach. 1 Reply Hot Sauce7 years agoHot SauceWhat an interesting question! I think something I could work on more is looking at where my inner work and work in the real world intersect. For instance, I believe part of my dharma is probably to study world religion/spirituality. Perhaps, to tie this to social work is to look at the teachings of religions and spirituality that are helpful and apply them into some kind of service project. Christianity, for instance, teaches the Golden Rule, so I, if focusing on this, could start a project that... What an interesting question! I think something I could work on more is looking at where my inner work and work in the real world intersect. For instance, I believe part of my dharma is probably to study world religion/spirituality. Perhaps, to tie this to social work is to look at the teachings of religions and spirituality that are helpful and apply them into some kind of service project. Christianity, for instance, teaches the Golden Rule, so I, if focusing on this, could start a project that I know will help those who have had similar desires, needs, and struggles that I have had. Read More1 Reply Trevor7 years agoTrevorCan I ask you something? Do you like bleach alot or does the bleach thing represent like purifying inner work to you? 0 Reply kathleen7 years agokathleengratefulness practice helps me balance both. I become more aware that what I have is enough and that attitude prompts me to notice what other people need. 1 Reply Trevor7 years agoTrevorhow wonderful kathleen! 0 Reply Anna7 years agoAnnaAs grown in a catholic tradition, this question brings me to …yes to the same place of Jill, 1 Corinthians 13:1. and also to two little women, them both named Therese. One, the author of today word of the day, so young, so focused on doing something for people in need, but at the end she decided for her inner works, and she chose to be a clausure nun. The other, so well known, Mother Therese, she always prayed before putting her hands in leprosy plagues. So, enlightened by these glorious and ... As grown in a catholic tradition, this question brings me to …yes to the same place of Jill, 1 Corinthians 13:1. and also to two little women, them both named Therese. One, the author of today word of the day, so young, so focused on doing something for people in need, but at the end she decided for her inner works, and she chose to be a clausure nun. The other, so well known, Mother Therese, she always prayed before putting her hands in leprosy plagues. So, enlightened by these glorious and inspiring exemples, I try to find my balance. Hard to discern and choose if it is better for me to be like Marta, or Maria ( 10, Luke’s Gospel, 38,42). Marta, focused on activity, was not wrong, as Pope Francis lately said, and Christ kindly and softly rebukes her: love comes first, and at first it brings to humbly listen, only later to act. Otherwise, maybe we are tempted to be omnipotent. Read More3 Reply Palm7 years agoPalmAnna, thank you for your beautiful insight, it actually made me understand the question better, and realise that it is in fact tricky to choose between “inner and outer work” and that they almost oppose each other, very interesting, thank you for telling about the author of today’s word too, fascinating… 1 Reply Hot Sauce7 years agoHot SauceInterestingly, many people seem to have misinterpreted this passage as saying that learning and doing inner spiritual work is more important than service, but the author of Luke-Acts is very concerned with lessening gender roles. Most biblical scholars say that Martha's problem is not that she serves too much, rather than learning, but that she is too concerned with her social "gender role." Mary was listening at the feet of Jesus, cultivating a rabbi-student relationship, something radical for ... Interestingly, many people seem to have misinterpreted this passage as saying that learning and doing inner spiritual work is more important than service, but the author of Luke-Acts is very concerned with lessening gender roles. Most biblical scholars say that Martha’s problem is not that she serves too much, rather than learning, but that she is too concerned with her social “gender role.” Mary was listening at the feet of Jesus, cultivating a rabbi-student relationship, something radical for women in those days. Read More2 Reply Francine Marie Tolf7 years agoFrancine Marie TolfThank you for this thought-provoking post, Anna. When I was young, I was indignant on Martha’s behalf. I did not think she deserved any kind of rebuke – Mary was being lazy! Well, I’ve changed my view since then. Thank goodness we humans are capable of doing that. 2 Reply Anna7 years agoAnnaDear Francine so glad to see you here! This story has really been interpreted in many ways, I like this, taught by the Pope. 1 Reply Jodiebeth7 years agoJodiebethI keep my awareness open to those God brings into my life each day whom I can help. I stay in a spiritual flow of being in the moment so I am best prepared to recognize the opportunities God presents. 2 Reply Michael7 years agoMichaelInner work implies awareness, awareness leads to action. 4 Reply Ed Schulte7 years agoEd SchulteYes. Right Action emanating out of Rational (non-egoic ) mind thinking. Observation and Intrspection are the two keys to right action. 1 Reply Dennis7 years agoDennisSince I do have difficulties in creating this balance, often neglecting the inner work, structure with with fixed occasions for contemplation and prayer is key, making it habitual. 2 Reply Michael7 years agoMichaelthey are one and the same. one can’t work without the other. they both fuel each other. the inner work puts me in a proper frame of mind to really push forward on social action. 3 Reply Gina7 years agoGinainner work and social action are really 2 sides of the same thing for me…… that said it is not easy and I am in a state of conflict for myself….am I being true to myself? ….do I wish same for others to be happy, I need to see my interrelatedness to all living things.. may all beings have peace and be truly happy….. as a society I believe we are judged by how we treat the most vulnerable……. 4 Reply Mary7 years agoMaryYes, I always have the most admiration for those who value and help the most vulnerable. “What so ever you do to the least of my brother, that you do unto me.” 0 Reply Gina7 years agoGinaone world, one people, all interconnected, that is my belief 0 Reply Bylgja Dis7 years agoBylgja DisSo good to read the reflections below. I find it difficult sometimes to find balance. When I ask for guidance I am sometimes surprised with the answers I get. I like to see this like a dance between the two. Sometimes there is to much action and sometimes not but it´s all part of the dance. 3 Reply Susan7 years agoSusanIn reflection, this question brings to my mind, 1 Corinthians 13, especially 1 Corinthians 13:1 “If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.” If we don’t take the time to replenish and restore our hearts, souls, minds and even our bodies with Divine Love, what do we have to offer of ourselves when we reach out to help others? 7 Reply Paul Y7 years agoPaul YWrite your reflection… 0 Reply Christina7 years agoChristinaSpurred by recent political events, I joined a very small, local "resistance" group. We're off for the summer; but I hope to be active again in the fall. The focus of my life, though, is my inner work. It lends deep meaning to my days. I can get knocked off course from my spiritual life by certain of my choices (like today, for instance,) but I'm hastening, today, to get back on course and renewed in my spiritual endeavors. Balance is always a tough thing, though. It's a challenge just simply to... Spurred by recent political events, I joined a very small, local “resistance” group. We’re off for the summer; but I hope to be active again in the fall. The focus of my life, though, is my inner work. It lends deep meaning to my days. I can get knocked off course from my spiritual life by certain of my choices (like today, for instance,) but I’m hastening, today, to get back on course and renewed in my spiritual endeavors. Balance is always a tough thing, though. It’s a challenge just simply to have the ENERGY I need to do all I’d like to do! Best of days to all who “land”‘ here! Read More9 Reply Gina7 years agoGinaBalance for sure is a challenge for me too! Some days more than others ! 3 Reply Kevin7 years agoKevinThis question actually speaks directly to the practice of my faith as a Quaker. For us, any social action undertaken ought to have come as a result of doing inner reflection and prayer, individually, and among a body of Friends (Quakers) in worship. From this practice a spiritual “leading” may rise, and when it does it provides the vision and stamina to stay the course and do the work. – Kevin 5 Reply Susan7 years agoSusanI do want to do my part in volunteer work or social action but find that I need to first seek God’s guidance or a spiritual ‘leading’ and sometimes, I have felt the answer is ‘No, this is not your place or time to volunteer or for social action, this is your time to spent in ‘inner works’ or in prayer, meditation or reflection.’ For example, our church was asking for volunteers to help out at Vacation Bible School, last month. In years past, when my children were young, I have vo... I do want to do my part in volunteer work or social action but find that I need to first seek God’s guidance or a spiritual ‘leading’ and sometimes, I have felt the answer is ‘No, this is not your place or time to volunteer or for social action, this is your time to spent in ‘inner works’ or in prayer, meditation or reflection.’ For example, our church was asking for volunteers to help out at Vacation Bible School, last month. In years past, when my children were young, I have volunteered at VBS, but this year, I prayed about it and felt that the answer for me was ‘No, not you, let the younger generation and the parents volunteer, it is their time to help out in VBS.’ And they did get all the volunteers they needed. I was needed to just spiritually and prayerfully offer my support. That Divine ‘no’ always surprises me but what it has taught me is that is it not all up to me to save the world. I am just one person and I have my place and time for ‘social action’ but what is more important for the foundation of my life is the inner works; faith, inner reflection, meditation and prayer. Read More5 Reply Kevin7 years agoKevinGreetings, Jill, thanks for what you shared here. I too have heard that “divine no” from time to time and have learned the hard way that it’s best to heed that message as it comes from the Spirit! When it comes to spiritual leadings, the word “should” ought not to be a part of it! My best to you. 0 Reply My Private Gratitude Journal Write an entry in your private gratefulness journal Get Started This site is brought to you by A Network for Grateful Living, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. All donations are fully tax deductible in the U.S.A. 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