Pamela: What does (dis)empowerment feel like in the body, what triggers it, subdues it, allows it? How can we allow ourselves to experience power without the power-over, or power-under? We will explore, through an embodied contemplation, in a time where power dynamics are both explicit and implicit, what empowerment for-the-sake-of-empowerment-
Caitlin: The tension between the opposite poles of despair and empowerment makes each experience possible. In other words, we can’t fully experience empowerment unless we also experience its shadow – despair. Inspired by the work of ecophilosopher Joanna Macy, we’ll look at the way despair and empowerment work together to facilitate each other into being. Like it or not, you can’t have one without the other.
Erin: How does meditation help create the conditions for empowerment? In my thinking, our inner power is best cultivated in the soil of freedom, safety and understanding. Tonight’s meditation will tap into techniques that boost those qualities in our experience, first individually then collectively.
James: After 20 years in the ER, if I haven’t seen it all, I’ve seen enough. People hurting themselves, others. I’m left with a question: Is it possible to be non-violent in a world that makes the position seem both poorly rewarded, and unwise? In my view, it is, and the rewards are undersold. Surprisingly, it is not our actions that must tip from threat to friendliness, but our perception. From this fulcrum out actions emerge as non-harming towards self and other. We are going to explore this movement in our meditation, open the door for all kinds of kindnesses to move through.
Alex: The caregiver is a Mother Theresa figure meets modern day superhero. The job requires endless amounts of patience, strength, understanding, empathy and energy. So how do you as a superhero rejuvenate when things are going well, and stay strong and self regulate when things seem to be falling apart? We are going to tap into the wonderful wisdom of the community for strategies to survive and thrive. But first we’re going to tune in to the aliveness and awareness of the caregiving body.
