Healing the Heart of Democracy: The Courage to Live into a "More Perfect Union"
“The human heart is the first home of democracy. It is where we embrace our questions. Can we be equitable? Can we be generous? Can we listen with our whole beings, not just our minds, and offer our attention rather than our opinions? And do we have enough resolve in our hearts to act courageously, relentlessly, without giving up-ever-trusting our fellow citizens to join with us in our determined pursuit of a living democracy?” ~ Terry Tempest Williams
For most of us the year 2020 was unlike any other in recent memory. What does this moment in time mean for you? What are your questions? What are you grieving? What are you celebrating? Where do you find hope? The founders of this country spoke of creating a more perfect union – which means that this democracy is a work in progress, one that needs all of us to create and uphold it. What does that look like for you? What will it take to get there, and to be on the journey together?
Prairie Oaks Institute invites you to begin 2021 with a new sense of purpose and possibility, and to join us for this timely and life-giving series of mini-retreats: “Healing the Heart of Democracy: The Courage to Live into a More Perfect Union.” Knowing the importance of human connection, especially in these times of physical distancing, we will gather online (via Zoom) in a cohort of no more than 25 people. Each session will be 90 minutes on the following Tuesday evenings (at 4:30 p.m. Pacific / 5:30 Mountain / 6:30 Central / 7:30 Eastern):
February 9: Creating Circles of Trust
February 23: We’re All in This Together
March 9: Appreciating the “Other”
March 23: Living with Tension and Paradox
April 6: What Do You Care Deeply About? Developing Personal Voice and Agency
April 20: Finding and Creating Community
May 4: Safe, Courageous Space for Deep Democracy
Guided by experienced Circle of Trust® facilitators Patricia Hoffman and Chris Johnson, these Courage & Renewal® gatherings will help us to:
Each session will include a nourishing mix of solitude and silence, conversation, and opportunity for reflective writing. They’ll be grounded in your own experience and fueled with insights from poets, scholars, artists, naturalists, musicians, scientists, and various wisdom traditions. (The retreat title, and much of what we’ll do in the sessions, is based on Parker J Palmer’s book Healing the Heart of Democracy: The Courage to Create a Politics Worthy of the Human Spirit. While it’s not required, if it’s possible for you we encourage you to read it ahead of time, or throughout the series.) Strictly confidential practices of deep listening, discernment, and mutual support will be a key component.
Commitment and Cost:
While we hope that you’ll be able to take part in the entire seven-session series, we also recognize that kind of commitment may be challenging for some; please join us as you’re able. We also recognize that these are tough economic times, so we suggest a modest donation of $150 for the complete series. We’re committed to cost NOT being a barrier to anyone’s participation, so if it's a better fit for you, select the $75 "Supported Registration" option below, or please let us know what level of investment can work well for you by emailing Chris at cjohnso542@gmail.com. Or if you have the means, please consider subsidizing the cost for someone else to participate by selecting the "We're All in This Together" registration option, below. And since space is limited, please scroll down and register now!
We suggest a $150 donation to register for the full series.
If the cost of regular registration might prevent you from participating, please select this option -- or email Chris (cjohnso542@gmail.com) to let us know an amount that would work better for you.
If you're able to help subsidize the cost for someone else to participate, please select this registration option. Thank You!!
