As a child, I found magic in making mud pies decorated with dandelions, watching squirrels gather their treasures, and observing ant colonies build their intricate homes. The Rocky Mountains stood as silent witnesses to countless family picnics, their ancient presence a constant reminder of nature's grandeur. This early connection to the natural world led me naturally to study environmental science and geography – I wanted to protect what I loved.
But something unexpected happened along the way. I realized that environmental protection wasn't just about scientific solutions or policy changes. The core issue was much deeper: humans had lost their connection to nature. If I wanted to make a real impact, I needed to help people remember.
The Journey Inward and Outward
After more than a decade studying yoga philosophy through practice, self-inquiry, and learning from South Asian teachers, a profound truth emerged: the spiritual path inherently leads to service – to nature, to community, to justice. Take Ahimsa, the principle of non-violence. It's not merely about avoiding harm to ourselves or others; it calls us to stand up against violence wherever we witness it. This realization illuminated the deep interconnection between spiritual practice and social justice.
Yet, somewhere along the way, these natural allies became separated.
The Commodification of Spirit
Modern spiritual spaces often echo with phrases like "light and love" and "good vibes only" – a watered-down spirituality that avoids engagement with social issues, dismissing them as "negativity." This commercialized version of spirituality often appropriates practices from Indigenous peoples and people of color while discarding their ethical frameworks and deep understanding of ecological harmony.
What I frequently observe in yoga communities is an individualistic dilution of practice. Yoga becomes reduced to physical postures, losing sight of its broader system that supports our connection with others and teaches us how to be of service. While everyone's spiritual journey is unique, at its core, spirituality is about remembering our divine unity and interconnectedness with all beings. We tend to our own wellbeing so we can effectively serve the health and wellbeing of all.
The Cost of Separation
When individual healing loses its collective context, it can breed a subtle spiritual elitism – a "holier than thou" attitude that creates barriers rather than bridges. Statements like "if you don't meditate, you're not at my level" make these transformative practices inaccessible to those who might benefit from them.
Conversely, activism without spiritual groundedness can lead to burnout and lost connection to love's presence in our actions. As Joanna Seibert wisely notes, "Many who support social justice do not seem to connect to or affirm a supporting spirituality. Consequently, social issues sometimes consume them."
Building the Bridge Back
This is why we need spaces where spiritual practice and social justice can reunite. Activism takes many forms – from protest to policy engagement, from conscious consumption to community education. Whatever form it takes, it must be sustained by practices that nourish and restore us.
In these challenging times, as we face climate crisis, mental health struggles, and collective trauma, we need both inner work and outer action. We need spaces where we can:
Move beyond spiritual bypassing to engage with real issues
Embrace discomfort as part of growth
Use spiritual practices to sustain social action
Build resilient communities through both approaches
Root Down Rise Up: Gathering for Collective Healing and Organizing.
A New Vision: Root Down Rise Up
Reuniting Spiritual Practice with Social Justice
This is why I'm creating Root Down Rise Up, monthly gatherings where spiritual practice and social justice reconnect. These gatherings serve as laboratories for integration, where we can:
Develop practical tools for personal and collective transformation
Have real conversations about difficult topics
Build community support and co-creation
Integrate ancient wisdom with modern challenges
We heal ourselves to heal our world, and in healing our world, we find our own healing. This is not about perfect practice or immediate solutions. It's about creating spaces where we can explore this vital integration together, supporting each other as we navigate the challenges of our time.
An Invitation
If you feel called to explore this intersection of spiritual practice and social justice, if you're seeking a community that honors both inner work and outer change, join us. Let's remember together that spiritual practice was never meant to be separate from social action – and in their reunion lies hope for our collective future.
Head over to my events section to see our upcoming Root Down Rise Up gathering and check out our membership where you will find extra support and resources as we traverse this mountain together.
December's Event Theme: Hope - Your Holiday Survival Toolkit
Join us Saturday, December 7th from 12 - 3 PM at Future Roots Stamner Park, Brighton UK.
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