The Contemplative Alliance

What is the Contemplative Alliance?

The Contemplative Alliance is an inter-spiritual movement grounded in contemplative practices and approaches with the goal of heightening awareness and generating actions to address the critical issues of our times. Originally formed by the Global Peace Initiative of Women in 2008, it's an alliance of organizations and individuals from across religious, faith and worship traditions who believe that inner development is an essential element in the positive transformation of the global community. It is currently organized under the auspices of The Global Peace Initiative of Women.

What was the inspiration for the formation of The Contemplative Alliance?

In November 2008 approximately 250 members of different contemplative communities across religious traditions gathered at the Aspen Institute campus in Colorado in response to the urgent challenges facing the nation. Out of that meeting emerged the idea for a Contemplative Alliance. The goal was to explore how the wisdom and compassion born of deep contemplative and spiritual practice could help shift the collective mindset of the country from one of separation and polarization to one of unity and common ground to address pressing economic, social, and environmental issues.

What is the mission and vision?

The vision of The Contemplative Alliance is that individuals and organizations will act from a place of deep inner wisdom to advance the wellbeing of the global community and our Earth’s living systems. Its mission is to foster a contemplative body of concerned global citizens that can draw upon and bring forth the spiritual resources of our collective practices toward effective social action.

What types of programs are offered?

The Contemplative Alliance fosters the idea that inner change is the basis for outer transformation and individual transformation leads to societal transformation. The aim is to bring the insights born of contemplative practice into action by looking at problems from the perspective of the well-being of the whole human community & the natural world. This includes increasing public awareness of the relevance and value of contemplative practice and emphasizing shared values and mutual respect for diverse contemplative traditions. Offering a vision for a new paradigm of wealth that balances outer development with inner richness.

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