Something is Emerging

Trust emergence is a phrase I learned as a new mindfulness teacher and it’s served me well over the years, though its not always easy. Its a willingness to be present with what is spontaneously arising in the moment rather than mindlessly defaulting to conditioning.

This time in history appears to be a particularly dynamic one with lots of uncertainties – filled with ubiquitous change, but also with risks and possibilities unknown to previous generations. Fortunately many amazing spiritual journeyers and contemplative adventurers are meeting the moment with innovative ways to metabolize what is emerging. This post is where I will add observations about some of these discoveries.

“When patterns are broken, new worlds emerge.” ― Tuli Kupferberg

Ayllu Arts cofounder Karen Lisondra guiding a human mandala practice.

Ayllu Arts

A really wonderful collaboration that I encourage you to explore is Ayllu Arts. Cofounded by diverse performance artists deeply immersed in collectivist ancestral values and philosophies, they create performances and programs intended to promote social-emotional well-being and restore balance and reciprocity to our relationships with each other and the Earth. Co-founder Karen Lisondra offered us some innovative embodied practices during our October 2024 retreat and Communities of enCOURAGEment series in December including a human mandala, rhythm making using coins from around the world, and a Butoh 舞踏 based practice. She and co-founder Amado Espinoza have also provided several delightful sound immersions for our community over the years.

“Compassionate action emerges from the sense of openness, connectedness, and discernment you have created.” – Roshi Joan Halifax

Climate Cafés

The last two years have been the hottest on record and there are likely to be big rollbacks in US environmental protections in the coming years. Our local Resilient Activist offers Climate Cafés, in collaboration with the American Library Association and its Sustainability Roundtable, for people who are worried about what is emerging in the climate crisis. The folks at the Resilient Activist believe that resilience grows from community and a Climate Café is an informal, open, respectful, and confidential space to safely share emotional responses and reactions related to the climate emergency with others. I am one of the climate aware therapists who attends the meetings and I’ve found it very uplifting and mutually supportive.

“Faith is the strength by which a shattered world shall emerge into the light.” – Helen Keller

Dharma Art Journal founder Pam Hausner guided us in a collage practice around seeing thoughts as thoughts

Dharma Art Journal

Community, creativity and reciprocity have formed the through-line connecting the experiences fortifying me this fall and winter for the year ahead. Another organization I’d recommend is Dharma Art Journal, led by artist and dharma teacher in training Pam Hausner. Pam provides skillfully crafted visual journal projects that allow even the most artistically challenged among us to delightfully experiment and gain insight through mindful creativity. This online community provides a handy materials list in advance and a helpful bird’s eye camera view as we work.