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FULL: Active Hope: finding meaning, purpose and agency in highly challenging times:


Are you feeling angry, anxious, confused, guilty, powerless, alone or hopeless about the climate and environmental crisis, or the general state of the world? Or are you feeling numb, or indifferent, and can’t work out why, given how serious it is?

Would you like to find a way to move forward, with hope?

Then join my 1.5 day small group online programme which will help to build your motivation, creativity, courage and resolve, moving you from a sense of isolation and confusion to a sense of participation and purpose.

Dates and Times

- a full day on Zoom on Monday 5th June (09.30am to 4.30pm GMT)
- a half day on Zoom Monday 3rd July (09.30am to 12.30pm GMT)

What is Active Hope?

“Active Hope” is a process we can apply to any situation – there are 3 key steps:

  1. We take in a clear view of reality

  2. We identify what we hope for (desired direction or values)

  3. We take steps to move ourselves or our situation in that direction.

The guiding impetus is intention – and we let intention – not the perceived likelihood of the desired outcome - be our guide.

Active Hope is a practice.. it is about becoming active participants in bringing about what we hope for.
— Joanna Macy & Chris Johnstone

To build active hope we use “The Work That Reconnects” - a way to connect and reconnect with each other and our world.

Based on the teachings of eco-philosopher, teacher and activist Joanna Macy, it is a set of practices and insights, drawn from deep ecology, systems theory and spiritual traditions. It helps us to draw strength, discover new perspectives, gain clarity and find our purpose. And it helps us to appreciate that we can each play a meaningful play in the transformation of our world.

Who is this programme for?

  • Individuals seeking a significant personal shift towards a sense of purpose and agency

  • Managers and leaders and other changemakers inspiring others

  • Coaches, therapists and consultants supporting individuals and / or changemakers

  • Anyone passionate about our world, sustainability, and regeneration!

Together we will explore:

  • How The Work that Reconnectscan help you - personally and professionally - to face ongoing, challenging times by opening your eyes, mind, and heart.

  • “Three Stories of our Time” - Business as Usual, the Great Unravelling, and the Great Turning - that will help you to see and understand what is happening in our world, so you can choose go forward.

  • The “Spiral” – four stages of a transformational journey that you can use regularly to support you to move gently from grief (which can be paralysing or make you manically busy) to a deeper, calmer, sense of purpose and agency - to a place of Active Hope.

  • The importance of “we” - you are more significant, stronger, creative, and more deeply interconnected - with other human and non-human life - than you may have yet realized. What part can you play in reconnecting and being part of supportive communities?

The first session - a full day - will take you through the above, and the half day one month later will be for you all to reflect and share your journey since then, and continue to discover what Active Hope means and looks like for you.

Fee:

£147 per person. I encourage you to commit to both sessions for both your own benefit and that of the rest of the group. The fee includes plenty of resources (videos, writings, exercises) to enrich your ongoing journey.

There are just 8 places. Two free bursary places are available for people from BAME backgrounds (as part of my efforts to address racism and inequality) or activists who are unwaged, or earning only Volunteer Living Expenses from an activist organisation. If you are interested please contact me to check current availability of bursary places before completing a booking form.

Additional private 1:1 coaching and support with me, using the frame of the Work that Reconnects, is available on request, at a fee to be agreed.

Comments from previous Active Hope / WTR events:

“This offered a beautifully held and welcoming space to connect with each other and reconnect with ourselves. I loved the journey through the spiral, coming away with a greater sense of possibility for our lives with this earth.”

“Good coaching has to be ethical in a sensitive, connected way that enables insightful communication and clarity of curiosity that has a truth and braveness to it. This too is the approach that will bring a truly determined energy to change our business as usual world of human pretence at life into being real life. This workshop has that energy.”

“This was a brilliant introduction to the Work That Reconnects. The mix of theory and practical exercises allowed us to fully experience the work for ourselves, whilst also understanding some of the underpinning theoretical framework. At the end of the day, I felt reconnected with my interest in environmentalism, in a way that was both gentle and powerful.”

“.. a fantastic opportunity and experience, to connect with others, reflect deeply and make sense of my own personal experience in the world today. It was challenging but equally beautiful in the sharing of wonderful conversations with great people. I really appreciated my own learning about gratitude and considering the contribution I can make to a life sustaining society. Super facilitators. Thank you!”

“Linda and Gwyneth were wonderful guides to this empowering and profound work. If anyone is thinking about giving this a try, I would encourage you to just do it - you won't be judged and you will definitely connect with others and be both reassured and inspired.”


NB: This will be a profound and valuable experience but is not intended as a substitute for personal therapy. If you’re experiencing extreme anxiety please contact me via here for a confidential discussion about how you can get the support you need.

To Book:

Please complete this form below and we will send you an invoice, and on payment your place will be confirmed. Booking is subject to our Terms of Business.

With deep thanks for the beautiful tree image to veeterzy on Unsplash