Joanna Macy, the noted creator of “The Work That Reconnects”, writes: “The energy expended in pushing down despair is diverted from more creative uses, depleting the resilience and imagination needed for fresh visions and strategies.”
We are living through a time in our collective history when great and overwhelming confusion and debilitating fear often result in the temptation to withdraw, surrendering hope and our ability to act.
The list of reasons for this paralysis are numerous and can be terrifying, heartbreaking, enraging. The pain we are all experiencing is extensive and the suffering in our world and planetary family can be felt at every turn. What then are our alternatives?
This year’s Kateri Peace Conference offers a day of community and healing, coming together to share grief, anger and confusion yet also our strength, joy and cohesion realizing our communal connections, ability to transform and grow, using frameworks established by Macy and our shared learning and experience.
These frameworks were shaped out of the heart held belief that a “great turning” away from a world of war, disconnect, autocracy, inhumanity, greed, environmental destruction is there before us though had this moment difficult to see.
These frameworks affirm that this longed-for systemic transformation is to be realized in our reconnecting ever more deeply in solidarity with one another and to a renewed belief, active hope and determined engagement in life affirming change. This work of renewal and reconnection will lead to the creation of the defining wisdom and transformative strategies needed to continue our way forward.
The one day conference will consist of a series of experiential workshops evolved through the years by Macy which will move participants in small groups through:
1. Opening to gratitude
2. Honoring our pain for the world
3. Seeing with new eyes
4. Going forth with fresh vision, determination and renewed hope.
It is our responsibility and privilege to help weave a new societal tapestry based on truth, fairness, openness and community. Join us in exploring this doorway into renewal, resilience and transformation.