Though it may seem counter-intuitive, turning within to a place of deep seeing has enlightened many to the understanding that we are connected as one whole creation. Whether seeing a tree with new eyes, dancing with a group, giving selflessly in service or in deep meditation, moments of oneness can arise that change a person forever. There is a grounding in truth that joins our common humanity beyond any religious distinctions. The German feminist theologian Dorothee Soelle called it “the mysticism of wide open eyes” because having seen the oneness of all beings, all further acts become loaded with tangential meaning. Suddenly, caring for the world intersects with one’s own needs in ways that could promote a transformation of society. In this article, Michael Edwards explores how spirituality can connect to social change.
