We have to have an own belonging.
We have to have a belonging to ourselves as a fundamental starting point of being able to avail ourselves of any other kinds of spiritual practice, development, formation.
Otherwise, we are subject to being corrupted beyond measure.
So do you remember a time when you felt like you just didn't belong?
Maybe you were the new kid at school, or only one of your race in the room, or never fully accepted by your family, or maybe it was a new team or job or company and you felt like no one got you or accepted you.
Most of us have felt like an outsider at some point in our lives, some of us.
For most of our lives, we all seek that profound feeling of belonging, of being seen, understood, and embraced fully for who we are.
This experience of belonging, we know, is also a key element of a life well lived, of a good life.
So, to wrap up, our January jumpstart series were diving into the world of belonging, and our guest teachers today really understand those deep human longings intimately.
Rev.
Angel Kyoto Williams is an author, Zen priest, and founder of the center for Transformative Change who has explored belonging through the lens of social justice.
And Melissa Carter is senior director for spiritual life at NYU, helping students embrace their humanity and discover a sense of purpose as youll hear, Rev.
Angel really calls us to belong to ourselves first before seeking external validation.
And Melissa helps peel away the false narratives so that she could live authentically.
The journey to belonging, it really begins within.
By returning to our inner wholeness, we can then connect to others from a place of truth.
So join us as Rev.
Angel and Melissa reveal how practices like mindfulness help us rediscover our deepest sense of belonging, and then move more heart centeredly and openly into a broader community.
So excited to share this conversation with you.
I'm Jonathan Fields, and this is good life project.