What’s Love Got To Do With It?: Contemplative Practice for Social Justice

Veta Goler, PhD and Kelly Conroy Moore, PhD

Date: January 12, 2019 9:00 am - 5:00 pm at  CCFW
Lunch 12:00 – 1:00 (lunch is provided)

Registration is required.

Description:

"Justice is what love looks like in public." -Cornell West

This experiential day of retreat and reflection will explore the relationship between contemplative practice and working towards a more courageous, caring and equitable world. In this session the facilitators will share the Courage of Care blueprint for personal and social transformation through which we support individuals, organizations and communities as well as dive deeply into some of the practices and exercises to support meaningful change.

In this workshop we will:

·        review the basic science of compassion, empathy and burnout

·        learn sustainable compassionate practices for receiving care, deep self-care and extending care

·        explore systemic obstacles to compassion and methods for overcoming those obstacles in affinity spaces

·        envision more caring, sustainable systems and learn basic tools for creating more compassionate, just communities.[DoP1] 

Session Structure

This day-long retreat will include seated contemplative practices, interactive exercises, music, movement, poetry, reflection, and discussion. In addition, we will share our vision for seeing and healing the systemic and structural inequalities that inhibit our capacities to fully realize the types of communities in which we want to live and work.  People of color and white people will meet in affinity spaces for part of the day. Affinity spaces are opportunities for us to meet in safe spaces based on our identities (e.g. people of color or white people) and experience how we take differentiated approaches to using contemplative practices in social justice efforts.

Throughout the day, we will discuss social and systemic inhibitors to personal and collective liberation and explore practices that lead towards healing from these systems. We will consider the use of contemplative practices to build resilience and stamina in their work towards equity and justice – however that looks in our lives. We will then engage in practices, reflections and interactive exercises that are designed to help heal from these hurts. This workshop will offer participants a safe environment to explore and practice strategies for deepening their capacity to care for self and others.

Learning Objectives
At the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

·        Incorporate knowledge fromresearch on compassion, empathy and burnout into their work;

·        Integrate a blueprint for compassion and contemplative practice that includes examination of social and systemic obstacles;

·        Understand ways in which we are all hurt by inequitable systems; and

·        Engage with reflective practices that promote compassion and care.

This workshop is designed for those who find themselves wanting to deepen their capacity for care and compassion. No prior experience necessary.

Participants are eligible to receive up to 7 hours of Continued Education Units (CEU's)

Note about lunch: We will provide boxed lunches so that we can eat in community. There is a refrigerator and microwave if you wish to bring anything specific for yourself. Please contact Kelly Moore kelly@courageofcare.org  with any food related questions.

Cost:
Fees for this workshop are based on a sliding scale honor system. We ask people to be mindful and compassionate when selecting a price. CCFW does not generate revenue from our events; revenue, minus minimal administration costs, goes directly to the instructors. Participants are eligible to receive up to 7 hours of Continued Education Units (CEU's)

$175 Supporting: Help make compassion courses accessible to others in our community with limited financial means. This fee covers the cost of the course and allows CCFW to offer subsidized fees.

$150 Sustaining: This fee covers the actual cost of the course. Please select this price if you are able to pay the full cost of the course.

$110 Community: This is a reduced fee to help make the course accessible to people who have limited financial resources, and work with children and families. This fee does not cover the full cost of the course and is subsidized by people paying at the Supporting Level.

Financial Assistance: If the sliding scale fees still represent a barrier for you, a limited number of scholarships are available per course. \

To apply for a scholarship, please review criteria and complete the application form at: https://catalyst.uw.edu/webq/survey/mindful/237140  Note: Scholarship applicants will be notified no later than 3 weeks prior to the workshop. Applicants must wait to register for the course until a decision has been made in order to qualify.

About Courage of Care

We believe that we have the capacity to wisely, fiercely and creatively respond to the enormous social, economic and environmental challenges before us from a radical stance of love and compassion that helps us work for and on behalf of all. We also believe that realizing this vision requires a strategy—grounded in love and compassion—that integrates tools for both personal and social transformation. Visit http://courageofcare.org/ for more details.

About the Presenters

Veta Goler, PhD has been a faculty member at Spelman College for 30 years. A longtime meditator, she is committed to helping others discover the ways contemplative practices can enrich their lives. Veta is a Courage of Care faculty member and facilitator and a Center for Courage & Renewal facilitator.

Kelly Moore, PhD is a clinical social worker who has spent much of her career working with adolescents and families in mental health and school settings. A long-time practitioner, she has taught mindfulness and compassion classes to all ages and is currently running compassionate parenting groups in the Seattle area. Kelly is a Courage of Care faculty member and facilitator.

Privacy Policy

The personal information you submit to the Center for Child & Family Well-Being will not be shared, sold, or disclosed to third parties in any form, for any purpose, at any time without your authorization.

Contact Information

Marcellina DesChamps
Associate Director of Programs
Center for Child & Family Well-Being
Office: 206.221.8508
Email: ccfwb@uw.edu