PREMISE

The eyes of the future are looking back at us and they are praying for us to seebeyond our own time.

—Terry Tempest Williams

PREMISE

I THINK OF Moving Toward the Millionth Circle as a sequel to The MillionthCircle (1999) but with a different focus. The Millionth Circle was a guide onhow to create and sustain women's circles with a sacred center, which I called"Zen and the Art of Circle Maintenance." It proposed nothing short of bringinghumanity into a post-patriarchal era via the proliferation of women's circlesthrough a principle that can be intuitively grasped: when a critical number ofpeople change how they think and behave, the culture does also and a new erabegins. The "millionth circle" is a metaphoric number for the tipping point.This second small book was inspired by being at the United Nations duringmeetings of the Commission on the Status of Women each spring where severalthousand activists from grassroots non-governmental organizations (NGOs) thathelp women and girls present panels and workshops, sharing information andmeeting each other. I realized how their effectiveness and numbers would growexponentially through a world conference on women, and how circles with a sacredcenter would support women who work for change in their lives and in the world.I became an advocate for a UN conference, not as a goal in itself, but as a hugestep toward reaching the tipping point.

Moving Toward the Millionth Circle is especially meant for heart-centeredactivists who are motivated to act by compassionate action, a sense ofsisterhood, or fierce mother-bear protectiveness which is a combination of loveand outrage. It is for women wherever they are, who are activists because of apromise made to others, to divinity, or to themselves. It may have been acalling or is the result of one step leading to another. It may be a vow to stopa multi-generational pattern of family or institutional or politicalindifference toward abuse or injustice. It may be a deep conviction that this isyours to do. Activism is a personal choice. It is a passion for a causeexpressed through actions, funding, communication, as well as prayer, rituals,and art.

I have been a persevering advocate for a UN 5th World Conference on Women andwomen's circles because I see the potential for transformative change when womencome together in common cause. A world conference would energize a globalwomen's movement by raising consciousness about what needs doing and can be doneonce political will is mobilized: implementing the Beijing Platform for Actionand Security Council Resolution 1325 about women, peace, and security areexamples. The vision of a world in which women's rights and human rights are oneand the same needs to be kept alive, which a global conference would do.

I hope my words will reach younger women who want to get involved in themillionth circle vision and that when there is global conference that they willcome and support others to be there. I see possibilities for inter-generational,international mentoring at this conference as a two-way experience that willgive to both and change the world. In the late 1960s, consciousness-raisinggroups formed in the United States and appeared to be just women talking to eachother about patriarchy and equality. They validated each other's reality andpotential for action. They took their perceptions seriously and with supportfrom their sister-activists whom they did not want to let down, individually andin groups took actions that added up to make history. These circles were thebasis of the Women's Movement that changed the world for American women in the1970s and led to four UN World Conferences on Women between 1975 and 1995.

I am convinced that we can contribute by what we do to how history will turnout. I believe that empowered women in sufficient numbers can truly influencethe course of humanity at this time in history and fulfill Nobel Peace Prizerecipient Aung San Sun Kyi's vision about the ability of women to contribute topeace. She was under house arrest for fifteen of twenty-one years between 1989and 2010 for her opposition to the military junta's seizure of the democraticgovernment of Burma. In her opening keynote via videotape to the 1995 NGO Forumon Women at the Fourth UN World Conference on Women in Beijing, she said:

For millennia women have dedicated themselves almost exclusively to the task ofnurturing, protecting and caring for the young and the old, striving for theconditions of peace that favour life as a whole ... Now that we are gainingcontrol of the primary historical role imposed on us of sustaining life in thecontext of the home and family, it is time to apply in the arena of the worldthe wisdom and experience thus gained in activities of peace over so manythousands of years. The education and empowerment of women throughout the worldcannot fail to result in a more caring, tolerant, just and peaceful life forall.

Grassroots efforts to mobilize support for a World Conference on Women gainedthe support of the two most important leaders of the United Nations. On March 8,2012, the Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the 66th General Assembly PresidentNassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser announced their support in a joint statement. Theysaid "it is high time for a global women's conference, all the more importantbecause of the enormous changes the world is going through, with both positiveand other implications for women." They noted the enthusiasm of civil society,particularly women's organizations, for such a conference had added extrastrength to their support. It seemed likely that they were responding to theFifth World Conference for Women Campaign. The symbol "5WCW" on big blue buttonswas worn by supporters at the UN and displayed on websites and newsletters. Thepetition for the conference had over fifteen thousand signatures when they madetheir joint proposal to have a global women's conference.

The Secretary General and President of the General Assembly asked for memberstates to submit and pass a draft resolution for a world conference on women in2015, which would have happened if ambassadors in the General Assembly hadresponded favorably. They did not.

When "why not?" is asked, the bland and true answer is that "it was not theright time" for this proposal. Later developments suggest support for a globalwomen's conference with UN auspices might be forthcoming if a conference wereheld without the simultaneous meeting of the member states. The reasons why notwere complex, speculative, and based on hearsay and confidential conversations.However, since "why not?" is the very first response by everyone who learns ofthis, I did want to share my perspective. In the General Assembly, mostresolutions are passed by consensus. There was lobbying against the proposal byambassadors from member states that are against reproductive rights and equalityfor women. There was displeasure that there had not been consultation before thejoint statement was made. Some major NGOs were very concerned about thepotential danger to the strong existing UN position on women embodied in theBeijing Platform for Action, and they let this be known. When support from theUnited States and European Union was not forthcoming, support from countriesthat initially indicated that they supported the proposal faded.

The idea of a UN global women's conference got a huge boost, however. Thepossibility had gone from "Forget it, the time of women's conferences is over"to being a hot topic.

The Fourth World Conference on Women, known as the Beijing Conference, was intwo parts: the official meeting with representatives from the member states(currently 193 countries) and the NGO Forum, attended by all the others—peoplefrom organizations and individuals concerned with women and girls (nongovernmentalorganizations, civil society). Of the forty thousand people whoattended, over 90 percent participated in the forum that was, for many, a life-changingexperience which then rippled out through their organizations andthrough what they have since done in the world. The stories I have heard of theeffects on the girls and women who went to any of the four UN women's worldconferences is what inspires me most about the potential for a 21st centuryWorld Conference on Women, which could easily not only draw twice as manypeople, but also through media, technology, and connections through circlesreach millions more. Ideas from such a conference could go viral. The result canbe a global women's movement that would accelerate reaching the tipping point.

UN Women (the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment ofWomen) was established at the UN in July 2010. There was no such organizationwhen the first four conferences were held. UN entities such as UNICEF (children)and WHO (health) sponsor or co-sponsor international summits and conferenceswithout the 193 member states meeting simultaneously. Support from philanthropy,from individuals and foundations, and from various governments is required tonot just hold a conference, but also to provide grants to individual women fromorganizations in developing countries who do much on the ground but would nothave funds to send members to an international meeting. Yet these are the womenwho inspire and do much with the support that we can provide, and whose reportsmost touch outrage and hearts to stop the exploitation and abuse of girls andwomen.

Our first buttons and website used "5WWC" for Fifth Women's World Conferenceback in 2003 (see the current 5wcw.org and the archival site 5wwc.org). Wechanged to 5WCW when it seemed that this was the only form possible, but nowthat UN Women exists, there may be a way to have it under UN auspices butwithout the same structure as in Beijing. Since women from many developingcountries may not be able attend unless it is endorsed by the UN, this isimportant. And if, as we were told, "5WCW" is now a red flag because it connotesmember state participation, we may return to "5WWC" or drop it. The intention isto not lose what the button-logo stands for: a grassroots movement to have aglobal women's conference.

It has been made absolutely clear that women need to become activists on theirown behalf. This was the conclusion reached by the largest global study onviolence against women (American Political Science Review, Weldon, S.L. & Hun,M. Cambridge University Press, 2012). Only strong feminist movements are able tovoice and organize around their top priorities as women. This study foundastonishingly high rates of sexual assault, stalking, trafficking, and violencein intimate relationships, as well as other violations of women's bodies andpsyches. The study included every region of the world, varying degrees ofdemocracy, rich and poor countries, and a variety of the world's religions. Itcovered 85 percent of the world's population. Without strong feminist movements,abuse of women is sidelined, subordinated to men's needs or to the priorities ofinstitutions or political parties.

Now is the time for circles instead of hierarchies, for people to meet togetherin a form in which everyone is equal, in person and in virtual online circles.Circles with a sacred center support those in them to be true to themselves, tofollow whatever the calling or assignment might be, to support each other, makewise choices, and call upon invisible help through prayers, intentions, andmeditation. Moving Toward the Millionth Circle is about circles and about heart-centeredactivists. It is about seeding circles and a global feminist movement.It is about spiritual equality and the healing power of the sacred feminine.

HEART-CENTERED ACTIVISM

What would I do today if I were brave?What if we all meant to do what we secretly dream?If I refused to listen to the voice of fear?and listened to the voice of courage whispering in my ear?And never lose faith even when losing my way?

—Jana Stanfield

HEART-CENTERED ACTIVISM

ANY WOMAN WHO realizes the potential of being in a women's circle that cansupport and sustain the women in them to be true to themselves—and who carriesthe intention through to midwife a new circle, adds one more toward themetaphoric "millionth circle," that one that tips the culture from patriarchaltoward egalitarian, from hierarchy toward collaboration, and from dominancetoward interdependence. Truly an epic intention.

Each new circle draws from and adds its energy to the morphic or archetypalfield of the circle. The more circles there are the easier and faster it is fornew circles with a sacred center to form.

Each established circle that considers itself part of the movement toward themillionth circle, that aligns itself each time it meets with this as a consciousintention, adds energy to the field and reminds its members that they are partof a quiet yet evolutionary effort.

It's sacred feminine feminism, or simply heart-centered activism to be doingwork in the world, community, or family on behalf of women and girls, for theprinciple of equality, or as an advocate for what is true for you. I believeevery activist needs the nourishment that a circle of women can provide to keepon keeping on.

Heart-Centered Activism

It takes work to be an activist of any kind.There are twists and turns,setbacks, large and small victories.always much to be doneand more to do.If you are called to be an activist"take heart" applies.

* * *

It will be a labyrinthine journey that will test you.Sometimes it will seem that the path is going straight to the goal,and then it turns sharply and you feel back to square one,as in a board game.Will you give up or will you keep on?

* * *

Circumstances change, people you counted onmay not come through.May join forces with others, abandon ship.Or just run out of steam.

* * *

It helps all concerned to be in a circle of supportwith shared meaning at the center.Activism is really not a job for a do-it-yourself action heroeven if it depends on one person doing her jobat a particular moment.When activism is your assignment in the way that I define it,meaningful, fun, motivated by love,then it also is soul work.

Assignments

The idea of recognizing an assignment when one comes along grows throughpersonal encounters with people whose lives and "assignments" are congruent,authentic, and involved in service. There are many, many good causes to becomeinvolved with, but the assignment about which I write is one that has your nameon it, written so only you know that this one is for you. It is something youvolunteer to do. Taking on an assignment is an aspect of individuation—ofbecoming authentically oneself, of being on a path with heart or on a chosenlife path. It is doing soul work. And as many may tell you who began withsomething small but significant, one step leads to another.

The idea that an "assignment" could be your soul work begins with a premise thatwe have a soul as most everyone throughout time has assumed; if so, there mustbe some point in being here. An immortal soul comes in through the body of abiological mother, into a world of family, society, culture, and time, that iseither welcoming or not. I remember the series of insights that led me to thinkthat we are "spiritual beings on a human path, rather than human beings who mayor may not be on a spiritual path" as I wrote in Close to the Bone: Life-ThreateningIllness as a Soul Journey. Our lives are short, time passes quickly,and we will have our share of suffering and joy. Time, place, skin color, andgender will greatly affect the expectations, opportunities, and limitationsplaced on us. And yet, if we have a soul, then what we do here in the time wehave matters.

In this particular historical and cosmological time, the excesses of alpha malepsychology and patriarchy has brought humanity and the planet to the brink, andsome of the wiser men look to women to save the situation: "We men have made aproper mess of things, it's up to women to save us," said Desmond Tutu, formerAnglican archbishop and Nobel Peace Laureate, or as the nineteenth-centuryphilosopher Matthew Arnold foresaw, "If ever the women of the world cametogether solely for the benefit of mankind, it would be a force the world hasnever seen."

I took on the assignment of advocacy for a UN Fifth World Conference on Women(5WCW) as a direct outgrowth of the idea behind the metaphoric millionth circle.My advocacy was not a goal in itself, but a giant step toward reaching themillionth circle—just as smaller conferences of women and gatherings with thisintention also will be. Circles that form during a workshop, as well as ones Ihave been in for many years, continue to inspire me. I can say from my ownexperience that "Each circle supports each woman in it to believe in herself andlive authentically, to be who she could be with support from the circle andspiritual energy from her deepest sources, and to live into her assignment."