As we settle into the renewing energy of Spring, it is important to take time to acknowledge our individual emotional and spiritual health. Acknowledging our mental and physical state is only one part of the equation, though.
We also need to find ways to embrace practices of mindfulness and communication to build resiliency in the face of climate change so we do not burn ourselves out or fall into despair.
Two Offerings for Building Resiliency
Planting Seeds of Resilience: A Training on Resiliency in an Age of Climate Change
Our first program during this Season of Hope was our Planting Seeds of Resilience training on April 19, 2024 from 6:00 – 7:00 pm on Zoom. This workshop was EM/WA IPL’s introduction to the topics of resiliency and eco-anxiety.
Together we went through :
- the process of identifying what we are feeling,
- learn different methods of self-regulation,
- highlight different ways of having community,
- and follow it up with small group work in breakout rooms to more freely explore your own thoughts, feelings, and tools for resiliency!
This training gave us space to have honest moments of reflection, connection, and skill development with one another in a group setting.
This recorded training is an introductory exploration to the topic of resilience and eco-anxiety, a topic with lots of nuance and diverse experiences and this workshop is meant to be introductory and will not encapsulate every instance where ecological related anxieties might occur
The Animals’ Lawsuit Against Humanity: A Book Discussion with Rabbi Anson Laytner
May 16th, St. Mark’s Seattle, WA, 7:00pm-8:00pm
On Thursday, May 16, 2024 from 7:00 – 8:30 pm at Saint Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral, we will have a book reading and panel discussion with Rabbi Anson Laytner, discussing his book The Animals’ Lawsuit Against Humanity.
This multifaith, multicultural book will be a lovely, connective event where we can reflect and discuss not only relationships with each other, but also among the difference species that share our Earth and are harmed by our actions.
The Animals’ Lawsuit Against Humanity is an interfaith and multicultural fable that uses the voice of all members of the animal kingdom to speak up of the mistreatment they have endured from humans. Both sides must testify before the Spirit King and argue for themselves and in doing so, highlights the complexity of the human vs. all other beings ecological debate.
This fable has its roots in Islam in 10th century Iraq, has its teachings expanded through a history of translation among 14th century Jewish communities into Hebrew and Christian communities into Latin, and later
gained popularity among 19-20th century European Jews illustrates how captivating, and maybe infuriating, the argument between environmental concerns and animal rights has been for centuries! And it’s a topic that we in 21st century Seattle, Washington, US also seek enlightenment and debate on.
Thursday, May 16, 2024, 7:00-8:00 pm
Saint Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral
Bloedel Hall, 1245 10th Ave E, Seattle, WA 98102