The Invitation of Laudato Si’ Consumerism from a Spiritual Angle

We Wanted Laudato Si’ to Call Us to Transformation We read it and shared our responses. We saw the interconnection between what Pope Francis was calling us to and our own desires to address sustainability and get to the underlying causes of these same societal and global issues. on generate genered reflections for the flowing from our reflection We drew from the concepts presented in Joanna Macy and Chris Johnstone’s book Active Hope Mid-Atlantic Community

Our Reflections and Observations Led Us to Consider Embracing a Communal Action. We recognized that we wanted to respond corporately. Our sharing revealed that we were desirous of adopting a response that would go deeper than simply agreeing to making an outward change, and to move towards inner conversion and transformation. Mid-Atlantic Community

At Our Full Community Meeting in April 2016, We Agreed… …to create a common examination of consciousness around consumerism, which includes three elements: The common mantra; The consciousness examen; Ongoing education about consumerism. on generate genered reflections for the flowing from our reflection We drew from the concepts presented in Joanna Macy and Chris Johnstone’s book Active Hope During the course of our communal focus, we included other input found in Joanna Macy and Chris Johnstone’s book Active Hope, the poem The Great Turning by Christine Fry, and lyrics of the song “Canticle of the Turning.” Mid-Atlantic Community

The response meant that each of us would make a commitment to seeking personal transformation. We first adopted a common mantra. Mid-Atlantic Community

We Developed a Series of Examinations That Would: Give a reflection on an aspect of consumerism; Offer a unique self-examination every three months; Raise questions calling for growth and change. Mid-Atlantic Community

Theme One Consumerism: Personal Needs and Wants Reflection: Consumerism is defined as a social and economic order which encourages the acquisition of goods and services in ever-increasing amounts. It is exemplified at the personal level by individuals who purchase goods and consume materials in excess of their basic needs. Consumerism can mean high levels of consumption and/or selfish, frivolous collecting of products, leading to unnecessary surplus and waste. For example, advertising encourages us to want the biggest, latest and best, the most luxurious, comfortable and convenient products. Ideas about luxuries and a growing importance of fashion may also be an arbiter for purchasing rather than a necessity to living. Prosperity and social mobility can often provide more disposable income for consumption and may cause ego satisfaction and social stratification of “the haves and have nots.” Mid-Atlantic Community

Theme One Consumerism: Personal Needs and Wants Reflection Questions Do I, in any way, live in undue comfort and excess even though I am aware of the plight of the poor and vulnerable? In what ways can I release things I no longer need or use and refrain from acquiring more? Mid-Atlantic Community

Educational Component The examen is further supported by providing resources, such as articles and videos, on a regular basis around the current theme to enrich our knowledge of the effects of consumerism in our lives. During the past three months, because the theme of Personal Needs and Wants intersected with the holiday season, the resources have explored ethical alternatives in gift-giving; the possibility of offering gifts of time, skills and experience; and of simplifying. Mid-Atlantic Community

Future Examens on Consumerism Will Explore : A One World Economic Market Care for Creation and Environment Degrading Human Culture Mid-Atlantic Community