A Little Idea: Embrace The Process (Occupy This Book Excerpt)
By Mickey Z.
07 March, 2014
World News Trust
(To follow is an excerpt from Occupy this Book: Mickey Z. on Activism, which can be ordered here.)
Way too many people think that unless critics expound a specific strategy for change, their opinions are worthless. This reaction misses the essential role critical analysis plays, and in our society, where the problems -- and their causes -- have been so cleverly disguised, the first step we must take is to identify and demystify the past and the present.
There is also an assumption that there would be no value to anyone’s solutions while we are in the midst of these myriad global crises. Let’s take a moment and step away from that idea.
Join me in imagining us all detaching from a system designed to destroy us and all life. Can you see that? -- and then can you see us all dismantling that system so we can create and discover the paths and options currently invisible to us?
Hold that thought while I tell you a bit about how I came to understand this…
Like many martial artists of my generation, Bruce Lee was a catalyst and inspiration for my own studies. I specifically opted to take up his original style of Wing Chun Kung Fu.
The first form one learns in Wing Chun is called Sil Lum Tao, which is usually translated as "a little idea." The movements of Sil Lum Tao can initially seem awkward or even esoteric, but as we advance in Wing Chun, we discover that indeed these movements indeed offer a little idea of what lies ahead. How we choose to use and apply these movements, however, is ultimately up to us.
I immediately loved the "little idea" concept. I’ve seen it carry over into my writing, my public speaking, and my photography. By offering a little idea of what is possible, it’s like encouraging others to also partake with me, which leads us all to break free of what is accepted.
Sil Lum Tao has also been translated as "a beautiful beginning."
I ask you: What “little idea” can you bring to your local activist movement, and how soon will you create this “beautiful beginning”?
#shifthappens
Note: To continue conversations like this, come see Mickey Z. in person on March 15 at Bluestockings bookstore in NYC.
Order Occupy this Book: Mickey Z. on Activism here.
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Mickey Z. is the author of 11 books, most recently the novel Darker Shade of Green. Until the laws are changed or the power runs out, he can be found on a couple of obscure websites called Facebook and Twitter. Anyone wishing to support his activist efforts can do so by making a donation here
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