Introduction by Fania Davis, Restorative Justice for Oakland Youth
The renowned former Black Panther, political prisoner, humanrights activist — and educator, poet, and professor of Sociology and African American Studies at Merritt College in Oakland — has for 35 years advocated for “restorative justice” and the role of spiritual practice in sustaining activism and promoting social change. Grounded in her belief in the greatness of the human heart, Ericka says each one of us has the ability to look there for the answers to questions about the future of our world. Personal transformation is necessary to achieve social transformation.
As the pace of life accelerates and technology mediates more and more “connection,” there is a growing hunger for conversations that matter and methods of meaningful engagement. How are dialogic and relational practices part of social change, and what can they contribute to personal and planetary healing? With: Ilarion Merculieff, Aleut traditional messenger; Sharon Shay Sloan, council trainer and community steward. (Interactive/Experiential)
As social, family and cultural structures change and mingle, tradition bearers are carrying responsibility for multiple lineages. Simultaneously more and more people have access to ceremonies and profound spiritual teachings and experiences with little or no understanding of their full meaning or cultural or socio-political context. As we experience, adopt or inherit spiritual beliefs and practices, when do we assume political or social responsibility for the people(s) who have gifted them? Do we know what lineages we carry? When are we culturally appropriating? When are we not? What is the relationship between spirituality and social justice? With: Ilarion Merculieff, Aleut traditional messenger; Sharon Shay Sloan, council trainer and community steward. (Interactive/Experiential)
We face the extreme loss of species, cultures, and languages, an increased gap between social classes, and continue to push Mother Earth’s life-support systems to the brink. We experience unprecedented grief and loss in our everyday lives. Simultaneously, we are being called to act now. What is the relationship between grief and action? How do we grieve, alone and together? What is lost when we do not? What is gained when we do? When is enough enough? With: Ilarion Merculieff, Aleut traditional messenger; Sharon Shay Sloan, council trainer and community steward.
Introduction by Joshua Fouts, Bioneers Executive Director
James Nestor, an author and journalist with a passion for extreme adventure who has written for Scientific American, National Public Radio and The New York Times, draws from his mind-boggling, multiple award-winning new book, DEEP: Freediving, Renegade Science, and What the Ocean Tells Us about Ourselves. He’ll describe how groups of athletes and scientists plumbed ocean depths, and researchers collaborating with engineers from Apple, Google and elsewhere worked to "crack" the cetacean language code and send back messages to these giant marine mammals – to make contact. Their weird and wondrous new discoveries might just redefine our understanding of the ocean, and of ourselves.
Restoring this balance in ourselves and in the world begins in each of us, and yet we cannot do it alone. How do we work together to restore the relationship of the masculine and feminine, the inner and outer dimensions of life? With: Ilarion Merculieff, Aleut traditional messenger; Sharon Shay Sloan, council trainer and community steward; and guest presenters TBA. (Interactive/Experiential)
As the world seems to be falling apart around us, spiritual teachings and practices can make a difference in shaping our goals and in sustaining our courage as activists. Some of the leading figures in our culture who have combined deep spiritual commitment with engaged activism share their personal experiences of the strengths they have found in their own traditions. Hosted by Jakada Imani, Executive Director of the Ignite Institute at the Pacific School of Religion. With: Joanna Macy, activist, thinker, author, Buddhist scholar; Starhawk, pioneer in Earth-based spirituality, author, activist; Patricia St. Onge (Mohawk), founder of Seven Generations Consulting;
Emmanuel Vaughan-Lee, filmmaker, founder of the Global Oneness Project and Naqshbandi Sufi.
Psychedelics, now being studied again by researchers for their promising healing potential, are still largely used within rapidly mutating subcultures, and they continue to have profound if hidden global socio-cultural impacts on eco-awareness, spirituality, creativity and sexuality. Hosted by Bioneers Associate Producer, J.P. Harpignies.
With: Erik Davis, Ph.D., author of TechGnosis, The Visionary State, and Nomad Codes, leading expert on spiritual subcultures, host of the Expanding Mind podcast; Yalila Espinoza, Ph.D., integrative health advisor, founder of Vancouver's O1 Center, expert in the sexual content of sacred plant experiences; Eve Bradford, writer, artist, filmmaker, Ceremonial Director for the Symbiosis gatherings, a leading figure in global festival culture; Isis Indriya, co-founder of The Village in Nevada City, a highly experienced facilitator of ceremonies, ritual theater and performances.
