Overview
All too often white spiritual spaces seek spirituality as an escape. The spiritual becomes somewhere to retreat in order to block out what’s difficult to face. In doing so, we choose comfort over true spiritual connection and transformation.
What if instead, we fueled our spiritual practice through expanding our capacity to hold what is difficult? What if we saw the liberation of all people as our spiritual calling? When we allow ourselves to expand with the universe, we find ourselves in greater alignment with Spirit. What used to feel terrifying now lights our path. Confusion transforms into clarity. Contraction gives way to expansion.
Awakening to Liberation is a space for us to expand our conscious and spiritual bodies so we are able to hold and name the harms of white supremacy, capitalism, imperialism and the web they exist within. We will gather weekly for six weeks to practice spiritual expansion in the context of accountability and liberation.
This workshop is rooted in Black Feminist Liberatory Frameworks, and is facilitated by a white spiritual practitioner. As such, this workshop adapts these foundational frameworks to the work of accountability. All are welcome and to join, and your racial identity will likely change how you engage with the work and the space. For white folks, the work is expanding capacity for accountability and action. For racialized folks, the work may look different and more personal/protective. See the Energetic and Monetary Exchange section below for more information on adaptions for racial identity.
Together we are guided by the mantra “Nobody is free until everybody is free.”, from Fannie Lou Hamer’s Speech Delivered at the Founding of the National Women’s Political Caucus, Washington, D.C., July 10, 1971.
Session Structure
Each in-person session is 2 hours long and is structured as follows:
Opening of sacred space
Guided meditation for spiritual expansion
Facilitated discussion/journaling time
Energy clearing and closing of sacred space.
Workshop Structure
Each week is centered around a theme and progres
Week 1: Establishing Boundaries
Honor and explore energetic boundaries
Create Community Agreements
Open our Sacred Community
Reference/Guide: Pixie Lighthorse Boundaries and Protection
Week 2: Grounding to the Web
Acknowledge our position in the web of existence
Feel into our connection to The Universe/Spirit/God/The Great Mystery…
Reference/Guide: Octavia E. Butler Parable of the Sower
Week 3: Expanding into Accountability
Explore the edges of our privilege and oppression
Feel into sacred accountability
Reference/Guide: Audre Lorde Sister Outsider
Week 4: Expanding into Love
Honoring love as a liberatory framework
Feel into Sacred Love
Reference/Guide: Bell Hooks All About Love
Week 5: Sacred Rage
Explore anger as sacred information
Honor the rage of the oppressed through action, connection and expansion
Reference/Guide: Lama Rod Owens Love and Rage, The Path of Liberation Through Anger
Week 6: Sacred Solidarity
Explore solidarity as an anchoring force
Fortify ourselves in commitment to community
Feel into Solidarity
Reference/Guide: Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor How We Get Free, Black Feminism and the Combahee River Collective
Energetic and Monetary Exchange
Racialized folks (People of the Global Majority /BIPOC) may join free of charge. Racialized folks are welcome to engage as much or as little as you choose throughout the series. You are encouraged to adapt the practices as needed to support your own liberation journey, and opt out of anything that feels unsupportive. You will have the option to meet with Lauren independently to establish a plan and boundaries to protect your energy in the group setting.
Charge for white participants is $210.00 for the series. White participants are asked to commit to the entire series, and are encouraged to draw support from the group when capacity feels difficult to access. Together we will build capacity and practice accountability in the group setting. We will practice radical acceptance and love as we walk this sacred path.