Have questions? Find out more here:
What is the goal of the day?
The goal is to have 100,000 participants doing inner change actions on November 12, 2011, at Occupy/We are the 99%/Decolonize movement sites around the country and the world. We want to both celebrate the use practices of faith, spirit and transformation, and to strengthen their role in creating a deeply transformative atmosphere in the exciting movements we are seeing gain momentum right now.
Additionally, many people will choose to help fund this important work of supporting social change agents to become more balanced, sustainable and compassionate in the work they do.
What will people do that day?
Be the Change. Each participant will take on a SIT4Change Challenge: 108 minutes of inner change actions (examples include: seated/walking meditation, yoga, sit-ins, reflective theater, sweat, chanting, tai-chi, prayer circles, martial arts forms) We invite you to be creative about what inner awareness means to you.
Where does this happen?
SIT4Change Challenges will take place at Occupy sites or wherever participants may be located. Sponsors will pledge $1 for each minute their sponsored participant practices. For more in-depth ideas visit www.sit4change.org
Why 108?
108 bridges many peoples and is considered powerful from many perspectives: spiritual, astrological, mathematical, geographical and scientific. The numbers 12 and 9 are also deeply significant in spiritual traditions and when multiplied equal 108. The mala, a garland of 108 beads used in different traditions to support one’s inner practice, connects this number to our event.
Why Now?
This is a pivotal moment as the energy of the Occupy Wall Street (OWS) efforts galvanizes communities and creates space for many voices to be heard. At the same time, Occupy Within messages emerged in response to more aggressive approaches. These calls for nonviolent noncooperation have caught on and are spreading like wild fire from city to city – connecting this moment in time to a strong legacy of social justice movements. This reminds us that the change we call for must start within. Because we are all striving for social change and not social same, we invite you to join with others to collectively step up and SIT4Change! You might even join your SIT4Change challenge with efforts at Occupy sites in a location near you. Or, consider creating one if you don’t find one locally.
Why focus on inner awareness practice as a social justice vehicle?
Inner awareness practices vary widely. They look like: Martin Luther King Jr. leading prayer as angry mobs spit and kicked at him, it looks like Tibetan monks walking in silent meditation amidst tanks guarding their fundamental human rights. More recently, it looked like Arab Spring Muslims taking time during their protests against a dictatorial government to pray five times each day. Social movements grounded in non-violent healing action as an antidote to hatred and violence has been the most transformative element of all major justice shifts throughout history.
We want to promote that legacy of using inner change to support social change agents to be more effective wherever they are.
Who is organizing the SIT4CHANGE 2011 Challenge?
The Center of Transformative Change (CXC) is the first national center entirely dedicated to bridging the inner and outer lives of social change agents, activists and allies to support a more effective, more sustainable movement of social justice for all. When agents of change are supported in living more balanced lives, they become empowered to make effective changes in health care reform, education, homelessness, the environment, fair housing, LGBT rights, women’s rights, rights for people of color, rights for youth…rights for everyone.. Organizations and local movements are encouraged to take this day and idea and put forward what you’re able to make this day as powerful as possible around the world. For a list of all endorsing organizations, and to sign up your organization, click here.
Where do the proceeds go?
Proceeds of SIT for Change will benefit the Transformative Change Fund. The fund was created to develop national low and no-cost inner awareness programs, including meditation and yoga, to encourage and empower individuals doing work to change the world lead more balanced, compassionate, sustainable lives. The fund is housed with Center for Transformative Change, a 501c3, nonprofit educational organization. All contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.
I don’t want to raise money. Is there a minimum pledge?
There’s no requirement to raise money and no minimum amount to pledge. We ask each registered participant to create a goal to raise $108 (which gets you a very cool T-shirt too.) But what we really want is for each participant to get the word out to as many people as possible because then more people find out that Transformative Change is REAL Change.
How can I get involved?
1. Register right now and send a pledge request to your social networks: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, MySpace, etc.
2. Get out your email address book and send pledge requests to EVERYONE you know–give them the opportunity to “Do Different” as you SIT for Change. Using the power of the Internet to reach out widely, we can reach our goal easily.
What do I get?
Incentive & Gifts:
✓Participants who raise $108 or more will receive a SIT for Change WorldChanger logo T-shirt.
✓All ChangeMaker participants that raise $540 or more receive a Limited Edition SIGG Bottle with our Sitters of Color logo.
(more benefits to be determined and posted soon)
Count me in! How do I donate or make a contribution?
You can donate online using credit card, Paypal or check. Click here to donate.
If you prefer, you can send a check via snail mail:
Please make checks payable to: Urban Peace
Mailing address:
Center for Transformative Change
2584 Martin Luther King Jr Way
Berkeley, CA 94704-2630
You can also support someone’s SIT4Change Challenge.
