Beyond Performative Activism: Paris Abbas on True Spiritual Action

In this episode, I talk with Paris Abbas, a theosophist and yoga teacher who's work has had a big impact on me over the past couple of years. Paris shares her insights on the current global landscape, particularly concerning Palestine, and the often-disappointing silence from within the wellness and spiritual communities. She discusses her personal journey of finding her voice, navigating online negativity, and the importance of spiritual practices in grounding activism. We delve into the performative nature of some Western spiritual circles, the collective "soul test" we are facing, and the necessity of reclaiming our full emotional spectrum. Paris offers a powerful reframing of motherhood as an archetypal force for change and encourages us to reimagine a future rooted in collective care, awareness, and the dismantling of oppressive systems.Key Takeaways:The current global crises, particularly the situation in Palestine, serve as a significant "soul test" for humanity, urging us to move beyond superficial spirituality and engage with difficult truths.True spiritual practice should anchor us in taking action and speaking out against injustice, rather than being a means to bypass suffering or focus solely on personal happiness.Authentic communication, rooted in soul-level truth, is a powerful tool for connection and change, even in the face of online negativity and censorship.There is a collective need to move from a "maiden phase" of development, characterized by passivity, to a "mother" archetype, embodying fierce protection, compassion, and responsibility for all.Reimagining a positive future involves cultivating awareness, challenging the scarcity mindset, fostering community care, and recognising that we have the collective power to create a world where everyone has dignity and basic human rights.Episode Highlights:00:03:16: Paris reflects on the impact of her earlier conversation on "Beyond Colonial Spirituality" and how she has "toughened up" over the past year.00:14:00: A critique of how spirituality in the West can often be about cherry-picking practices for personal happiness, bypassing the world's suffering.00:19:00: Paris explains her powerful concept of this era being a "soul test" for humanity.00:30:00: Discussion on the silence within wellness spaces and the idea that "one day when it's safe, everyone will have always been against this."00:47:00: Paris introduces the idea of the collective silence, especially from women and mothers, as being indicative of a "maiden phase" of development.About the Guest:Paris (Pyarvin) Abbas has been a yoga-teacher/ practitioner for over 20 years and a lifelong Theosophist. She was born and raised in Siberia, Russia, where she went to medical school to become a psychiatrist. She is a child of the world, eternal student of the Ancient Wisdom, devotee of the Great Mother and a mom of two amazing boys.She continues to learn and teach yoga, practices spiritual healing in Therapeutic Touch modality and learns how to grow lush gardens in the rough climate of South Texas.Instagram: @‌ParisAbbas108Fundraiser for a family in Gaza: Check the link in Paris's Instagram bio.Episode links:Leah Kim's podcast Voices on the Side: Episode "Beyond Colonial Spirituality"Re𐊼.Briana LynnSarah of MagdaleneConnect with Megan:Instagram: ⁠@‌HigherLove_withMegan⁠Website: ⁠www.higher-love.com⁠This episode was written and recorded by me and produced by Lucy Lucraft (http://lucylucraft.co.uk )If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!