Getting to the Heart of the Lesson

Each one of us holds multiple “locations.” Many lessons in A Joyful Path,Year 3 have reminded us we are located within a vast, beautiful, intricate and expanding universe! We are also located on particular land masses, in regions and cities or villages that have particular names, cultures, and characteristics. The weather patterns, water, plants, trees and animals surrounding us establish our locations within various ecosystems, as well.

In this lesson, we want to provide opportunities to better appreciate two of our locations: our social location and our location as a species in Earth’s larger living system. When we truly appreciate the power of these locations, an important shift happens. Knowing who we are, where we come from, and what that means in a society allows us to address any imbalances — to practice redistribution so all may have equity and abundance. Similarly, when we comprehend how our species affects the larger living system, we can take responsibility for our impact and create life-giving reciprocity instead of destruction.

Teacher Reflection/Activity

Some reading and a 10-20 min exercise (more if you have time and wish to take it) so you are able to experience the teachings offered through this lesson.

Sociologist and author Lynn Weber describes the topic of this lesson like this:

An individual’s social location is defined as the combination of factors including gender, race, social class, age, ability, religion, sexual orientation and geographic location.

Understanding our social location and the amount of power or privilege we carry in human society, really matters as we do our best to bring justice and live a spiritually fulfilling life. When we are overly consumed by trying to “get it right,” we can fall into judgment, perfectionism or self-doubt that prevent us from having meaningful relationships and embodying who we are as members in the great family of Creation. To better appreciate (and celebrate) the integration of our social and cosmic locations, please play with both of the activities for this lesson (below) and share what you are noticing with those you love.

Sacred Text Quotes

Hebrew Scriptures. Genesis 12:1 (NRSV)

Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.

Hebrew Scriptures. Job 12:7-10 (NRSV)

But ask the animals, and they will teach you; the birds of the air, and they will tell you; ask the plants of the earth, and they will teach you; and the fish of the sea will declare to you. Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of every human being.

Christian Scriptures. Galatians 3:28 (NRSV)

There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.

Christian Scriptures. Matthew 12:46-50 (NRSV)

While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, “Your mother and of power or privilege we carry in human society,

I know who I am in this Earth really matters as we do our best to bring justice family. and live a spiritually fulfilling life. When we are overly consumed by trying to “get it right,” we can fall into judgment, perfectionism or self-doubt that prevent us from having meaningful relationships and embodying who we are as members in the great family of Creation. To better appreciate (and celebrate) the integration of our social and cosmic locations, please play with both of the activities for this lesson (below) and share what brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.” He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”