As much as I think about and practice sufficiency, rarely do I stumble upon it and allow the recognition to flourish before my eyes. Maybe because I am so literal-brained, so needing of evidence that Yes! Sufficiency is the truth. There is enough already for everyone to live comfortably. There has been now for 40 years. The earth does provide. The technology does exist. We are capable of such levels of consciousness and love. This laden berry bush does not need special food and watering and attention. We do not need to toil, to horde, to manipulate, to compete and to fight for our survival. Not anymore. We can rest in the social fabric right next door, rest into the bounty all around us, simply do the next Right Thing to support the web of this sufficient life. Eden does exist. Over the wall and in my backyard and inside my mind and all around. Today, this is my understanding of sufficiency.
We operate in many instances inside of a designated set of roles in relationship to other human beings: Service provider—customer Coach—client Mother—child Husband—wife Partner—partner Employer—employee When we conjure in our
Seven Stones – I and my husband Jon – went to Goat School this past weekend. 120 people from all over the country huddled under a tent in midstate Maine
We are coming off of the third Global Sufficiency Summit. In truth I have had this sadness lodged in my belly all week, felt tired, and kind of hung over.
Yesterday at about 3 minutes to nap time, Gina called and said, “Do you have a couple of hours to write this afternoon?” I think, “Is she kidding? A couple
In our work to usher in the truth and promise of sufficiency into the world, attending to social fabric will be a key focus. I don’t yet know what it will take to restore the social fabric of my own life, never mind the culture at large. For now, I am guessing it takes one relationship at a time. Starting with those around us first, family, friends, colleagues, neighbors, municipalities… small systems of connection that will web out from sheer strength and fortitude.
4 Virtual Learning Sessions plus 6-month Racial Affinity Group Experience
For this learning path, you will participate in the 4 virtual learning sessions and be enrolled in one of three Racial Affinity Groups:
1) People who identify as People of Color (Black, Indigenous, Asian, Hispanic)
2) People who identify as Bi-Racial or Multi-Racial
3) People who identify as White
*More specific affinity groups may be formed upon the completion of course registration
We believe that it is important to do our own work with people with similar racial experiences to build capacity for cross-race dialogue that supports authentic relationships and deep belonging for everyone. We will ask you to self-select into the group that best aligns with your racial identity. We recognize that for some this is not a simple choice and we are available to have a conversation with you to support your selection.
Together we will:
Reflect personally and collectively on the impact of embodied trauma, separation, scarcity and disconnection.
Work in learning partners and/or small groups for the sake of holding each other accountable and deepening our learning through multiple disciplines.
Engage in embodied practices for unwinding from the impact of racism in order to build stamina, capacity, and resilience.
Where: Online Zoom Sessions
Time: 11am-12:30pm ET/8am PT/4pm GMT*
When: 5-Sessions scheduled between Sept 28, 2023 – Jan 26, 2024 (see below)
*All sessions will run from 11am-12:30pm ET.
Racial Affinity Group Schedule
Thurs, September 28, 2023 — 11am-12:30pm ET
Kick-off/ Authentic Communication
Thurs, November 2, 2023 — 11am-12:30pm ET
Unpacking Our Racial Autobiographies
Friday, November 17, 2023 — 11am-12:30pm ET
Self-Compassion
Thurs, December 7, 2023 — 11am-12:30pm ET
What is Sustainable Abundance?
Thurs, January 25, 2024 — 11am-12:30pm ET
Inclusive Leadership
Course Registration
Upon registration, you will be directed to our online community space, where all aspects of your program will live, including: pre-work, event links, and a space to connect with fellow participants.
These four learning sessions will provide you with a new view and innovative framing of the problem as we see it. Below is a brief description of what will take place in each session:
Learning Session 1: Why Context Matters In session one, we look at our individualist narratives and the impact of not understanding the context in which we exist.
Learning Session 2: Unpacking Trauma In session two, we discuss individual and collective trauma. We define trauma and look together about our current systems of inequality and how they evoke trauma-like responses in so many of us.
Learning Session 3: Global Anti-Black Racism: A History Lesson In session three, we get a history lesson like none other: we explore the global slave trade as the foundation for our current economic model.
Learning Session 4: Understanding Power In our last session, we examine power; power structures, our relationships with personal power; the importance of learning a healthy relationship with power when so many of us have had power abuse in our lives.
Where: Online Zoom Learning Sessions
Time: 11am-1pm ET/8am PT/4pm GMT*
When: 4-sessions scheduled between Sept 21, 2023 – Jan 18, 2024 (see details below)
*All sessions will run from 11am-1pm ET.
Learning Session Schedule
Thurs, September 21, 2023 — 11 - 1pm ET
Why Context Matters
Thurs, October 26, 2023 — 11 - 1pm ET
Unpacking Trauma
Thurs, November 16, 2023 — 11 - 1pm ET
Global Anti-Black Racism: A History Lesson
Thurs, January 18, 2024 — 11 - 1pm ET
Understanding Power
Course Registration
Upon registration, you will be directed to our online community space, where all aspects of your modular program will live, including: pre-work, event links, and a space to connect with fellow participants.