BE THE CHANGE: 7 Women Who Are Transforming The World From The Inside Out

 You must be the change you want to see in the world, as Mahatma Gandhi so eloquently said. In other words, change has to start within ourselves; we cannot expect the world to change if we do not. Instead of focusing on the problems, we can start to live the solutions.

If we want more love in our lives, we must become more loving; if we genuinely want to end terrorism and to bring real and peaceful change to the world, then we have to change from being concerned with our own needs to reaching out and helping each other. As Ed often says, when we make peace with ourselves, there is one less person suffering.

For kindness and compassion to become a natural expression of who we are, we may need help, guidance, and support. Meditation in its many forms is the one method we have found that does all of this. When we get to know ourselves more deeply we discover that we are more than we thought we were, that we have the resources, strength, and wisdom to not only make changes but to become the change we so long for.

Today is a special day for us as our book, BE THE CHANGE, is published (see below). And so Deb felt that this week we should highlight seven great women in the book, women who are movers and shakers and who are deeply influenced by the invaluable benefits of meditation. There are many other brilliant and wonderful women who are also contributing to change in this way who are in the book as well.

We begin with Marianne Williamson, uplifting and inspirational speaker, and author of numerous New York Times bestsellers, including The Age of Miracles.

“Einstein said that we cannot solve the problems of the world from the level of thinking that we were at when we created them. A different level of thinking means a different level of thinking. It does not mean just a different kind of thinking. It does not mean a different emphasis in our thinking. It does not mean a more loving kind of thinking. It means what he said, a different level of thinking, and to me that is what meditation brings.

“Meditation can change the world because meditation changes us. That is the point. It returns us to our right mind, and until there is this evolution in consciousness, we will stay locked in a fear-based perspective in which we continue to see ourselves as separate from each other, and in which we continue to think that we can do something to someone else and not reap the result ourselves.”

Seane Corn, Innovative Yoga Teacher, National Yoga Ambassador for YouthAIDS, and co-creator of the Off the Mat and Into the World campaign.

“First yoga changed my body; then meditation changed my attitude. Then I realized that whether my practice was fifteen minutes or four hours was irrelevant because it was not about how yoga can change me, but how I, through this practice, can begin to change the world. What I really felt was how dare I not step into the world and hold that space?

“If what is happening on a global level is representative of what is happening on the individual level and if I want to transform what is happening globally, then I have to look within myself and see where I am separating myself from other human beings and from the earth. Where am I living in blame, in hate, in terrorism, in war, in any negative capacity toward another being? For if I am not willing to clean up the fear or the disconnect that is within myself, then I am responsible for what is happening on a planetary level.”

Tami Simon, founder and CEO of Sounds True Publishing, a multimedia publisher with a mission to disseminate spiritual wisdom.

“The formal practice of meditation is, for me, very important. It serves as a truth-teller, for without it, I can easily fool myself. As a driven-achiever kind of person, before I started meditating, I was unaware that most of the time I was driving situations, trying to push to do more. What I have found through the practice of meditation is that I can actually choose, at any given moment, to lean away from that need to be pushing and to rest in the back of myself. When I do that, I create the space for all kinds of things to happen, and for other people to be heard, and for the whole world to actually be heard through me, instead of living some sort of ego-driven self-centered existence.”

Joan Borysenko, Inspirational Speaker and the author of many books, including the bestseller Minding the Body, Mending the Mind.

  “A long time ago, I came across a definition of meditation that it comes from the root meaning ‘right balance.’ That rang true for me because, personally, my attention is often so fragmented, egocentric, narcissistic, or self-concerned that there isn’t a whole lot of inner balance or alignment with what is. Rather, I am stuck in a state of non-balance. Right balance is when my mind is not spinning out endless movies and delusions, or maybe it still is but I am just not so attached to believing them. Meditation is when I can watch stuff go by and the part of me that usually interrupts and says, ‘That’s a good story, or that son of a bitch, or I’m guilty and awful,’ that part sits back and sees it as just one more story but without attachment to it.”

Jane Fonda, Oscar winning actress and five-time Oscar nominee, social and political activist, fitness instructor and meditator.

 “There are practical reasons for dividing everything up. It makes things easier to manage and to solve, especially technical matters: the us and them, the either-or, the man versus nature, mine and yours. Life is simpler to deal with. But we have applied this fragmenting mindset to all of life so that it has become our reality, which has led to further fragmentation and chaos and planetary destruction. The challenge is to figure out how to deal with our day-to-day life, while at the same time changing our mindset so that we see reality as the unbroken wholeness of the totality of existence, an undivided, flowing movement without borders. Meditation connects me to a great inwardness and unity, and at the same time there is a great expansion into everything.”

Debbie Ford, founder of the Ford Institute for Integrative Coaching, and the author of the New York Times bestseller The Dark Side of the Light Chasers.

“Meditation is connecting to something bigger than myself. We meditate to have a shift in consciousness, to take us out of the limitations of our individual self. You know that to walk by somebody starving is to walk by yourself. You know that to judge somebody else is to judge yourself. In this place hope exists, possibility exists. This is where you know that we are here to have this human experience. Meditation is a process that makes the trip not only possible but also a little gentler.”

Gangaji, international spiritual teacher and author of You Are That and The Diamond in Your Pocket.

“I grew up in the south, so I was profoundly conditioned to be racist. In meditation, my conditioning became more visible, but so did the ability to discover what was behind that conditioning, which I saw was fear. Fear is about survival. When you drop under that and experience the fear without trying to change it, just letting it be, then it becomes still. When you open your heart to fear, rather than trying to fight it or deny it or even overcome it, then you find it is just energy. There is a deconstructing that happens quite naturally of our racist and nationalist views, our gender or religious views. Then we are left with what cannot be either deconstructed or constructed."

Next week it's the men!

What does meditation mean to you? Do you have stories of how meditation has changed you? Do comment below. You can receive notice of our blogs every Thursday by checking Become a Fan at the top.

You can order a copy of our book at: BE THE CHANGE, How Meditation Can Transform You and the World. It is published THIS WEEK!! Join us for a booksigning: Nov 3rd at the Boulder Bookstore, 1107 Pearl St., Boulder CO; Nov 11^th at Powell's, 1005 Burnside, Portland OR; Nov 13th at Barnes &Noble, 2675 NW University Village St., Seattle WA; Nov 16^th at Barnes & Nobel, 150 East 86^th St., NYC; and Nov 17^th at Gasoline Alley, 250 Albany St., Springfield MA. More details at: www.EdandDebShapiro.com

****

Ed and Deb Shapiro’s new book, BE THE CHANGE, How Meditation Can Transform You And The World, forewords by the Dalai Lama and Robert Thurman, with contributors such as Marianne Williamson, astronaut Edgar Mitchell, Ellen Burstyn, Michael Beckwith, Jon Kabat-Zinn, Jane Fonda, Ram Dass, Jack Kornfield, Byron Katie, Dean Ornish, John Gray and others will be published Nov 3rd 2009 by Sterling Ethos. Deb is the author of the award-winning book YOUR BODY SPEAKS YOUR MIND. Ed and Deb are the authors of over 15 books, and lead meditation retreats and workshops. Enjoy their 3 meditation CD’s: Metta - Loving kindness and Forgiveness; Samadhi – Breath Awareness and Insight; and Yoga Nidra – Inner Conscious Relaxation, available on their website: www.EdandDebShapiro.com

 

Follow Ed and Deb Shapiro on Twitter: www.twitter.com/edanddebshapiro

Comments

[Akat1973]

I love you guys♥

[Dr. Andrew Lange - Huffpost Blogger]

I'm hoping more women will be the world's leaders. You've brought together great minds to help us focus on what's important. Great work!

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

We need to open to the feminine energy.

we see how men run the world it's time for the goddess energy to lead the way!

BE THE CHANGE

Ed

[soundheals]

Ed & Deb:

Congratulations on your new book. My wife Andi & I were at the Boulder Bookstore where you began your launch of this magnificent creation of BE THE CHANGE. We wish you all the very best with it. May it assist in enlightenment coming to all the beings on the planet--women and men!

Blessings of Light & Love through Sound!

Jonathan

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi Jonathan - you are a jewel

Thank you for being one of the contributors in our book.

Sound is meditation

you are a rare talent and one of the most respected sound healers in the world.

BE THE CHANGE

Ed

[Caitlin Price]

7 wonderful women we all can learn a thing or two from. I think DEB should be on the list so make it 8!

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi Caitlin - I couldn't agree with you more but you are our publicity agent so you are slightly prejudice

BE THE CHANGE

Ed

PS- Saying that I am honored to have Deb in my life and as my wife. I have learned so much from Deb.

A Bronx man like me is lucky to have a Brit as a wife.

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

BTW - it is a joy to have you involved with our

BE THE WAY

world

Ed

[topkatnc]

Love your article....I have never tried meditation and am very interested in it...To the peice on Gangaji..when she said I was raised in the south so I was profoundly conditioned to be a racist...She makes it sound like everyone in the south are raised to be racist....I am so sorry that she was raised that way...I was very lucky to have parents who taught me otherwise...Not everyone in the south are that way...Maybe should could have chosen better words to explain that...anyway , thanks for a good read....I needed that today !!

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

topkatnc Thanks for your comment

Gangaji wrote a comment below ... you may want to ask her what she to explain.

I am pleased to hear you would be interested in trying meditation is is a great gift to yourself.

Treasure yourself,

BE THE CHANGE,

Ed

[Gangaji - Huffpost Blogger]

I'm really glad you had unprejudiced parents! You have a lucky and blessed life. I should have been more specific in saying that I was raised in the South in the 1940's and '50s. My parents didn't even know they were racist. To them it was simply the way life was. That's the nature of conditioning, very subtle. By allowing our thoughts to become quiet, we can discover what assumptions generate our views of reality. Conditioning is just thought believed to be truth. Sending you best wishes, gangaji

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi Gangaji thank you for addressing thi issue and so well

It seems like you gained wisdom and compassion through your experience

I grew up in the bronx, NY and we had to face enormous racist issue

I too never realized it was racist motivated behavior we were just told stay away from anyone who was not like you

Oh well ... live and lean..

BE THE CHANGE

Ed

[BannedbannedBunny]

Be the Change arrived yesterday. Wish I could get it signed! Loving it already.

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi BannedbannedBunny- awesome

where are you?

we will be on our book tour in Portland, Oregon, Nov 11th, Seattle Nov 13th, NYC Nov 16th and Springfield, Mass, Nov 17th

It would be an honor!

BE THE CHANGE,

Ed

[BannedbannedBunny]

Might be able to see you on the 16th in NYC. I'll check the net to find out where you will be. I have read Marianne Williamson for years but I think you two have made meditation more clearer reading your words.. Oh & I do love the forward from the Dalai Lama. It would be a true honor to see you both.

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Come and be with us in NYC if you can:

NYC

Nov 16th at Barnes & Nobel, 150 East 86th St., NYC

at 7:00PM

hope to see you there!

[Kari Henley - Huffpost Blogger]

what a Who's Who List!
I love all of the women you highlighted, and they have all impacted my life in some profound way.
Thanks!
Can't wait to see the next list!
Kari

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi Kari - The next list will be next week

The MEN

stay tuned

Exciting and heartwarming

BE THE CHANGE

Ed

[WDHorden]

.
Congratulations, Ed & Deb, on the release of your latest book!

And thanks for another uplifting article. The quote by Jane Fonda regarding the integrative function of meditation as an essential counterpoint to the fragmentation of everyday life struck me as particularly profound. Here's hoping it encourages those who are looking for an antidote to stressful routines to give meditation a try--if it's contributed so significantly to highly productive and successful people, then it's surely worth serious consideration.

Great success on your latest endeavor!
How could it be otherwise, though, since it manifests your intent to Benefit All.

William.

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Wonderful William,

You never cease to amaze me

I was great talking with you on your radio show. You are the best. We have done many interviews worldwide and had our own T.V. series in London and

You ROCK!

BE THE CHANGE,

Ed

[WDHorden]

'Morning, Ed--

That was a gas! You and Deb brought so much energy, love and wisdom to the show!

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and stories--for sharing your lives! with our listeners!

Here's the link to the downloadable file of last night's show, should any of your readers want to listen to what the two of you are living today: http://www.co-creatornetwork.com/archive_innercompass.htm

Maybe, if the Great Spirit's willing and the creek don't rise, I'll get a chance to see you at Powell's on the 11th.

Love,
William

[khanti]

I was very impressed at ending part of Movie 'The cup'
The teacher was telling the students; the earth is uneven can we cover the whole earth so that we can walk on it easier. No, replied the students. So we cover our feet instead. We don't try to change the World instead we change ourselves. Or something to that effect.

Much Metta

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

khanti- this is superb

I remember seeing 'The cup' in India at a forest monastery in Baj Nath we were visiting H.E. Tai Situ Rinpoche.

Great film

You are my Huffpost Pick again!

Jygpo (Ed)

[khanti]

Here's one up for Yoga. Engilsh Premier League Players on Yoga.

http://www.tribalfootball.com/man-city-striker-adebayor-wenger-convinced-me-about-yoga-421581

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

khanti - great website

We did a BBC news show where we went into the Torquay United Football teams locker room and gave them a Yoga Nidra and it went very well. They then played their next game and won.

They were in last place before I took them into Yoga Nidra so they felt anything would help.

and it did

Joyfully,

Ed

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

Beloved Ed and Deb,

Congratulations again, and thank you for your inspiring post.

You never fail to offer an upward look at our lives and how we can lift above the issues that challenge us to be any less than our very best.

May you both be abundantly blessed in every way!

Anne

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi anne, You bring joy wherever you go

and make people feel good about themselves

Thanks for being our Huffpo Anne,

In joy,

Ed

[Elena Brower - Huffpost Blogger]

Seane Corn is a hero...
“If what is happening on a global level is representative of what is happening on the individual level and if I want to transform what is happening globally, then I have to look within myself and see where I am separating myself from other human beings and from the earth. Where am I living in blame, in hate, in terrorism, in war, in any negative capacity toward another being? For if I am not willing to clean up the fear or the disconnect that is within myself, then I am responsible for what is happening on a planetary level.”

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Spot on Elena

couldn't agree more

Peace,

Ed

[khanti]

Meditation is where you get a bit of respite to check on what are the rubbish you have inside and maybe get rid of some of it. It is when you are awaken from that state and back into your World that the real practice begins.
See things as they are; the thus ness of things. Is to conisder things as a whole not just to see it in our own perception based on our likes and dislikes. There are often two sides to a story; many causes and conditions.

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

well said - khanti

do read:

Meditation is where you get a bit of respite to check on what are the rubbish you have inside and maybe get rid of some of it. It is when you are awaken from that state and back into your World that the real practice begins.
See things as they are; the thus ness of things. Is to conisder things as a whole not just to see it in our own perception based on our likes and dislikes. There are often two sides to a story; many causes and conditions.

Jolly be,

Ed

[khanti]

Initial reading the title I thought it has something to do with mother, wife, lady luck....... Ok now I get the picture.

Congratulation on the lauching of your New Book. I will be ordering a copy from my local book store.

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

hi khanti - thabks for you continued wise comments

we are thrilled about our book

tonight we are doing a book signing with Joan Borysenko, Mark gerzon, Steve Demos, amd Rabbi Tirzah Firestone.

It is a fun beginning.

Joy,

Ed

[Sukim]

Ed and Deb,

Thanks so much for the inspiring piece.
You probably know about Michael Singer's Book, "The Untethered Soul." That helped me dis-identify with the noisy mind and find the quite place.
In Qigong, I've discovered the channel where I'm making medicine within.
So many dimensions to explore. So appreciate your service to this spiritual transformation.

Suki

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi Sukim - love your name?

does it have a meaning?

All paths are valid when at the core is love.

Ed