The Work that Reconnects, Therapy, & a Carbon Tax Update
Sep 17, 2024
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In this engaging talk, facilitator Sally Ludwig and activist Joanna Macy delve into the Work That Reconnects, merging Tibetan Buddhism with community action against environmental crises. They discuss the therapeutic bond between personal well-being and activism, highlighting the importance of collective emotional responses. The conversation also addresses misconceptions about carbon pricing in Canada, urging a deeper understanding of climate policies. Personal stories and community healing strategies make this a thought-provoking and inspiring discussion.
Embracing emotions such as anxiety and despair as valid reactions fosters resilience and motivation for environmental activism.
The work that reconnects emphasizes the importance of community and deep emotional connections to enhance collective activism efforts.
Deep dives
The Validity of Emotions
Emotions serve as vital feedback mechanisms, indicating areas that require our attention. The discussion highlights how society often views feelings as personal weaknesses, but in truth, they represent valid reactions to the world around us. By recognizing anxiety, grief, and despair as natural responses, individuals can acknowledge that these emotions emerge not only from personal experiences but also from broader environmental and societal crises. This understanding enables people to bring their whole selves into activism, transforming feelings into powerful motivators for action.
Interconnectedness of Relationships and Activism
The concept of interconnectedness is central to understanding how personal relationships and community dynamics influence activism. Shared experiences and emotional exchanges deepen connections among activists, fostering a sense of solidarity and intimacy that can propel efforts forward. The conversation illustrates how incorporating elements from the 'work that reconnects' enhances organizing by promoting a more nurturing atmosphere where individuals feel seen and heard. Such deeper connections contribute to a collaborative spirit, ultimately enriching the activism landscape.
The Work That Reconnects Framework
The 'work that reconnects' is framed as a transformative process that cultivates collective resilience and a deeper connection to the Earth and each other. This framework emphasizes emotions' role throughout a spiraling journey, encouraging participants to express gratitude, confront their pain, and reconnect with a larger ecological consciousness. By structuring experiences around these emotional shifts, individuals can gain insights that empower them to act alongside their community, embracing their interconnectedness as part of the living Earth. The process is designed to evoke a sense of agency and purpose, strengthening motivations to both heal oneself and the planet.
Dimensions of Activism
Activism is not confined to traditional direct actions; it encompasses various dimensions that foster societal change. The model includes understanding systems, nurturing life, and changing consciousness alongside holding actions like protests and petitions. This comprehensive view recognizes that nurturing life, through acts like gardening and community feeding, is equally essential and vital to sustainability efforts. Acknowledging these diverse dimensions encourages a more holistic approach to activism, emphasizing collective well-being and the importance of rest and recuperation in sustaining long-term efforts.
Jessica talks with facilitator Sally Ludwig about the Work That Reconnects, an interactive group process developed by scholar and activist Joanna Macy. Drawn from foundational teachings from Tibetan buddhism, Systems Thinking, Deep Ecology and Deep Time, the group work centres around community to find our way through the many environmental and social crises of our times. They also discuss Sally's background in family therapy. On October 1st at 12 pm EST, Jessica will be hosting an hour podcast club for ‘We Are the Great Turning’ related to this work that you can RSVP by emailing ontario[at]sierraclub.ca.
In the Q&A there's also a discussion of how to approach the latest media debates around the carbon tax. Find more carbon tax facts here: https://www.sierraclub.ca/carbon-tax-impact-canada/
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