October 15th 2011- In its infancy Occupy encapsulated people with so much elated hopefulness, a sense of connection and synchronicity spread through the movement. At a phenomenal pace, excitement and energy unfolded and amazing things were achieved both locally nationally and internationally. Individuals living in their everyday life suddenly became part of something, a community; a sense of belonging filled the air. It was electric!! The winter months drew near and Scotland a cold harsh terrain over this season meant that survival became a paramount concern. As with all occupy movements across the globe each has been dealing with a very versatile group of people who hold some commonality in that they feel aggrieved by a global system of corruption. Activist remained strong despite the growing difficulties in supporting different people's needs in mid winter. People demonstrated difficulites ranging from social isolatation, homelessness, poverty, and addiction. These challenges are a direct result of an unequal society. In the mix was differing ideology between feminist groups, anarchists and occupy activists and ordinary people who wanted to conncect with Occupy. Various needs from different groups and individuals not being met let to deeper struggles, conflict was born, communication became challenging, even impossible and splitting took place. A unity lost.
Occupy has major strength as a movement working for social change if there is an actualization of the culture changing impulses, ideology behind occupy . This actualization in to what is truly lacking in society is known, yet what is not known is what to do about it? Compassionate communication is at the very heart of the matter, a lack of compassion is what has allowed so much corruption to go on unchallenged. There is a fundamental deficiency in compassion towards fellow human beings in society. A question to ask of ourselves is if politicians had compassion at their centre of their politics would they wage war? If compassion was at the heart of society would bankers be able to pay themselves so much money to the detriment of all others?
Imagine if compassion were to guide us, what kind of world that would make. The revolution is Love and compassion, it is the tool we use to challenge decisions based on a lack of care, a lack of kindness. Occupy Compassionate Communication is about reclaiming our true humanity for the good of mankind. The capacity in people to offer compassion really comes down to a learning need. It is not the structure our society is based on at present, and thus might feel alien to us at first.
Education Education Education!!!
Lets learn to occupy compassion in all our communication.