James O’Dea: The Conscious Activist
James O’Dea: As a child I had vivid spiritual experiences. I also had an equally vivid sense of fairness and justice. I even told God as a seven year old that he would have to free the Devil from Hell because nobody should be tortured for all eternity– that from a kid who as an adult spent many years working to prevent human rights abuses and promote universal application of laws designed to outlaw oppression and to guarantee freedom. As you can see from reading the book I was knifed in political violence; I was witness to war and massacre; I’ve visited places of brutal conflict and genocide. At the same time I found myself exposed to great spiritual masters from a variety of traditions who opened my heart, who taught me how to explore the subtle planes of existence and to experience radiant unconditional love. The work that was uniquely mine to do was to integrate these two worlds: the world of the human rights activist and the world of the mystic. I believe that the integration of ecstatic spirituality and inspired action opens up the powers of consciousness in ways that herald new capacities and new possibilities for humanity. I am so grateful for a life that even in the midst of global turmoil I have been witness to the birth of global healing.
About The Conscious Activist by James O’Dea
James O’Dea’s new memoir is a rousing and soulful exploration of the challenges and dilemmas faced by a spiritually aware human rights activist. Entitled, The Conscious Activist: Where Activism Meets Mysticism, O’Dea traces his spiritual and activist awakening, from his early days in an English seminary school, to his presence in Beirut during the Sabra and Shatila Massacre. Historical reminiscences are set against reflective passages where O’Dea discusses the initiations and challenges of full-time activism.
