Curiosity Drives Inquiry
What is next for Conscious Social Change?
For those individuals and organizations curious about or practicing at the intersection of inner work and social change, we invite you to stay connected with us as this field continues to grow.
Curiosity Drives Inquiry
Inspired by a moment of deep insight from a transformative practice, or moved by another’s suffering, people are finding the importance of their own inner journey and its relevance to their social justice work. Curiosity drives more inquiry. We go in search of others with similar experiences. We seek the tools and know-how to bring the inner domain into the collective, and ways to measure how it is making a difference. We experiment and learn. We share. Community is forming.
There is a growing movement of actors who share a common recognition that mindfulness and self-realization is critical to effective leadership and social impact. We know mindfulness changes the structure and functioning of the brain, enhancing our emotional wellbeing and capacities for awareness and curiosity. We know that deepening consciousness builds social-emotional intelligence, reduces bias, and catalyzes a sense of connection. We know that understanding ourselves and others leads to a more prosocial orientation and a tendency to work towards the common good. And with this altruistic and more mindful orientation, we lead differently and more effectively.
Explore our conceptual model and learn more about how inner work drives social change.
An Alternative Paradigm for Creating Systemic Social Change
Conscious Social Change (CSC) is one model for integrating inner and outer transformation. CSC is a design philosophy and methodology of creative, compassionate problem-solving and solutions-building grounded in mindfulness and self-awareness. Developed by our founder, Gretchen Ki Steidle, CSC is an alternative paradigm for creating systemic social change that begins by understanding change from the inside out through mindfulness. Mindfulness can also be used as a design tool for understanding issues, building solutions, and engaging stakeholders to work collaboratively and inclusively towards systemic change. Read more about how mindfulness is used as a design tool.
Global Grassroots was the longest-standing demonstration model of CSC in action. And as Global Grassroots closes its formal international operations, what is next for CSC and this movement of inner work for social change around the world? Following are a few of the endeavors that will continue this legacy:
Global Grassroots
Global Grassroots as a US-based NGO, will continue to work to advance a more conscious approach to social change worldwide, and to support practicing organizations who are demonstrating such approaches through financial and thought resources, partnership, visibility, and community. For the short-term, it will serve as a fiscal sponsor for the newly emerging local initiatives led by its CSC practitioners in East Africa and then explore how it might continue to be of service advancing Global Grassroots’ wisdom and thought leadership thereafter. Contact us (info@globalgrassroots.org)
Umurage Growth
As Global Grassroots’ phases out its operations in East Africa, we are excited to announce the launching of Umurage Growth, a Rwandan not-for-profit organization with a mission of empowering individuals, particularly grassroots-level women and young women, in self-discovery, personal growth, and positive action. The organization was founded to create a society where women and young women are empowered to be change agents for positive change in their communities.
Circles for Conscious Change
Circles for Conscious Change, LLC is a transformative education and mindfulness design firm working to advance the field of Conscious Social Change. Led by Global Grassroots founder, Gretchen Steidle, CCC is dedicated to advancing Conscious Social Change globally through three primary focus areas:
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A live, crowd-sourced, social systems map and network of actors working at the intersection of inner work and social change around the globe. Its purpose is to help foster greater visibility, collaboration, and resources for this sector, identified as its own field. It aims to be responsive and supportive of the needs and ideas of its members, catalyzing cross-sector learning and connection. The Conscious Change Collective will also serve as a central network for connecting all certified CSC practitioners globally. If you are a practitioner working in this field, please contact us to be included in the Conscious Change Collective.
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Inner leadership programs and mindfulness-based incubators for specific stakeholder groups, using CSC to help support change agents in advancing their own solutions using mindfulness as a design tool. If you are interested in attending or arranging a Mindful Design Lab for your organization or community, please contact us.
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Including deep inner journeys for individuals and cohorts dedicated to social change, using mind-body practices and plant medicine, including breathwork and psilocybin ceremonies. CCC also hosts the core CSC practitioner certification program and the Inner Leadership Academy for university students. If you are interested in exploring the deeper inner journey of the change agent, please contact us.
CCC will be working to advance the field of inner work and social change and provide programs and support for practitioners eager to advance change more mindfully through the CSC methodology. Please contact us by clicking here.
Learn more about Conscious Social Change as a design philosophy and methodology.
This microsite provides a wealth of wisdom and insight from Global Grassroots’ wide-reaching literature review of five fields of personal transformation (mindfulness, wellbeing & resilience, empowerment & agency, social & emotional learning, and community & belonging). It also provides an overview of our survey of 58 NGOs using inner work for social change and the cross-cutting patterns learned from their work. Finally, our founder offers a conceptual model to explain how inner work creates positive conditions for social change.
