The
Psychic Reader, January 2001
The Alchemy of Activism
by Kirstin Miller
Over a year ago, I happened upon a cool band in Berkeley. They were
playing a gig at People's Park, near Telegraph and Haste. In addition
to their upbeat, danceable, funky style, bright clips and smooth dips,
I just really liked their vibe. They have this collective aura that is
both integrated and individual. It's very stylized, a very S.F. Bay
Area urban earthy jive energy.
Since that People's Park afternoon, I've gotten to know Chemystry Set
more, especially singer/songwriter/activist Sven Eberlein. Sven, a
German native, can't even vote here; nevertheless, he has a most well
developed sense of the democratic process and the American mindset. I
am inspired by him, because Sven is one of those people who engages
life.
There are so many people out there who live out their lives as
observers and watchers. Maybe that's because there are countless things
to watch: TV, movies, computer screens, time going by on clocks,
scenery flashing by as we drive back and forth to work....
Overall, not many of us get excited about changing the world, taking a
stand, or risking something for a principle. To do that, you have to
quit being a watcher or an observer. Although we are taught that we
live in a country ruled by the will of the people, we prefer to sit
back and will it all to go away so we can do something else instead of
participating in creating our country. Evil aspersions have been cast
on politics and government, and for the most part quite rightly, as
politicians and governments have, for many centuries, been oppressive
and harsh.
But then there are people like my friend Sven, who can't help but to
take a stand. Sven mixes music, politics, spirituality and activism
into an ongoing quest for a life path that makes sense and a
difference. There was a time in my life when I disliked activists. But
looking back, I realize that it was because I was so inactive myself.
Anyone who generated that energy, that movement of change, invalidated
my in-activism and made me nervous.
Since then, I've come to realize that this world needs a lot more
activism and a lot less passivism on the part of 'the people.' There
are many challenges out there - corrections to be made, wrongs to be
righted, things to do, ideas that need implementing and risks that need
to be taken in order for the planet to continue evolving, or even to
sustain life and the species inhabiting this place we all call home.
Collective soul, collective creativity - this planet is our shared
adventure. We are individuals, but we've all got tickets to ride
together.
Sometimes I'll walk into a room full of people and wonder.....is
anybody really here? When you meet an activist, you find that they are
right there, alert and ready to think and react. Acting and doing take
energy, but with certainty and purpose, you generate more of whatever
you do, and in the end, you have more for yourself, or perhaps more OF
yourself. You have to be more aware, more in the present moment. To be
proactive and alert, I believe, is our natural condition as humans.
Social programming and family conditioning, on the other hand, would
rather us be passive consumers than risk-taking activists. Too bad for
us, but nice for the status quo.
If I may make a suggestion: for your New Year's resolution, I would
hope that you consider doing something for yourself by consciously
doing something for somebody or something else. Your charity, your good
will made active, your conscious creativity aligning with a healthy
vibration for people, the flora and fauna, and the planet, will not
compromise your personal abundance. As you will see, when you
thoughtfully and consciously learn how to give of yourself, you may
find yourself in the process.
Happy New Year to all of you, and thanks to Sven and so many other
people who have taught me about the dynamics of giving and receiving.