On October 27, I participated in "Daily Acts for Balanced Living: Exploring Solutions for Restoring Ourselves and our Communities," facilitated by Professor Kenn Burrows of San Francisco State University. 
Photo by Alaina Rios
Pictured above from left to right is Steve Bhaerman (aka Swami Beyondananda), Professor Kenn Burrows, and David Mathison.
An Open Space event, participants created their own agenda:
"Open Space is a social organizing tool that catalyzes transformative education and supports a community finding itself, helping the energy and wisdom of a group emerge. Participants gather around a topic and create breakout sessions about whatever they personally love, or feel most urgently about."
It was also an Orangeband event, which explores the power of meaningful conversations. They encourage fostering a shift from "I" to "We" in our attitudes and actions, by taking a greater role in our democracy, and recognizing personal responsibility for these issues.
Why conversation? According to Orangeband:
- It allows people to connect with one another, building community
- Change begins with people talking about what they care about
- No hype, nothing to sell. Just honest, open conversation
- They seek to create pro-active and non-partisan conversations, with all points of view welcomed
- Discussion is about topics that matter to the group and individual
- An anti-dote to isolation from each other and growing disconnection between our government, the people, and common issues
We reflected on and discussed the biggest challenges facing humanity, how to restore balance to our everyday lives, how personal, cultural, and environmental addictions add to imbalance, and what it takes to live a balanced and meaningful life.
Thanks to all the professors, students, and fellow travelers who participated in this powerful event - I left with much more than I brought!
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