Shelly P. Harrell, Ph.D. Jessika Bailey, M.A.

Jacob Stein, M.A. Tyonna Adams, M.A.

Presented at the Biennial Conference of The Society for Community Research and Action

June 26, 2015 Lowell, MA

Freire wrote about our ontological “vocation to be fully human” and how it becomes distorted by oppression. Social justice involves processes of humanization and affirmation of diversity in the service of individual and collective wellness. Injustice is maintained where there is dehumanization and compromised wellness.

Individually Relationally Collectively

Fulfillment of Freire’s human vocation involves an existential paradox Central to this vocation to become fully human includes

Awareness of oppression Resistance to oppression Liberation from oppression Movement toward the transformation of oppression

While simultaneously trying to “be fully human”, and live authentically and meaningfully in the context of oppression.

Interconnectedness and understanding of our interdependence

across our diversities, between the local and the global

Compassion for our shared humanity, Critical Consciousness of our collective condition, Involvement in the world with a sense of purpose greater than ourselves

e.g., the dismantling of oppression and promotion of wellness- individually, relationally, and collectively.

This central aim of this workshop is to introduce the CO-EXIST approach experientially by

facilitating Communal and Contemplative (CoCo) practices. CoCo practices, the actual

technologies of CO-EXIST work, emphasize reflective, creative, and relational processes.

The COmmunity-EXISTential approach was developed as a way of addressing our shared calling to become more fully human in our pursuit of wellness and social justice.

Community – Conscious Awareness of our Interconnectedness, Relationality, Awareness of our Interdependence Existential – Experiential Awareness, Meaning-Purpose, Authenticity, Challenge of the Human Condition to Thrive and Maintain Our Humanity in the Context of Limitations

Please write 4 words on your index card: One word to describe a strength that you bring to your personal and professional endeavors. One word to describe something in the natural world with which you feel strongly connected or identified (e.g., color, flower, tree, animal, part of nature, a place etc.) Choose One of the following words: Illuminating Affirming Manifesting Mobilizing Expressing Igniting Revealing Amplifying Creating Radiating Liberating Engaging One word to describe a central value in your life that guides your decisions and ways of living or a word that represents a vision that you have for our world.

FIRST NAME:

_________ (your strength)

MIDDLE NAME: _________ (your identification/connection)

HYPHENATED LAST NAME:

___________(action word) - ___________ (value/vision)

“I AM” … FIRST NAME: _________ (your strength) MIDDLE NAME: _________ (your identification/connection) HYPHENATED LAST NAME: ___________(action word) - ___________ (value/vision)

CO-EXIST is informed by PEaCE Theory PEaCE = Person-Environment-and-Culture Emergence

1) Interconnectedness and Relationality 2) Complexity and Context 3) Culturally-Syntonic Engagement 4) Affirmative Humanization 5) Existential Meaning-Making 6) Empowerment and Liberation 7) Creative Transformation

How we conceptualize the specific practices that bring the PEaCE principles to life Examples we use -Reflection and Writing -Diverse Meditative Practices -Expressive Arts -Experiential Activities - “Giving Testimony and Bearing Witness”

Developing the practices involves creativity to maximize Person-Culture-Environment Fit

Communal and Contemplative Practices support empowerment and agency through engagement in culturally-syntonic and values- congruent behavior and action Co-Co practices allow people to access the energies of interconnectedness, meaning, and authenticity that fuel and sustain action

Wellness-Promoting Transactions that strengthen interconnectedness through

Identifying and facilitating connection to integrated/holistic self, culture, persons, humanity, nature, spirit, ancestors, etc. Nurturing interpersonal relationships Fostering Sense of Community/Belonging Dialogue as the practice of love

Wellness-Promoting Transactions that enhance experiential and critical awareness of internal and external conditions through

Attention to Being-in-Culture-in-the-World transactional processes Exploring meanings and values Meditative, Reflective, and Creative processes Enhancing Critical Consciousness

Contemplative Practices can be thought of as encompassing a variety of strategies for deepening and expanding experiential and critical awareness by bearing witness to one’s own experience, both

internally and in the world. In the CO-EXIST approach, contemplative practices

are a culturally-diverse group of meditative and consciousness practices that involve experiencing

and directing Mind-Body-Spirit energies.

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CONTEMPLATIVE PRACTICE refers to a culturally-diverse family of methods involving the intentional creation of temporal, mental,

and emotional space to practice the sustained regulation of attention and facilitate intimate

connection with internal, relational, collective, and/or spiritual experience, thus creating the

conditions for transformation and optimal well-being to develop. (Harrell, 2013/14)

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“Culture” because there are diverse contemplative practices in many cultural and religious traditions and the resonance and effectiveness of any meditative or contemplative approach is a function of its congruence with values, beliefs, and cultural worldview

“Context” because contemplative practices such as meditation, like all human behavior, occurs in multiple ecological contexts and these must be understood to maximize the potential effectiveness of any particular meditative or contemplative practice

“Liberation” because the meaningful core of all contemplative practices is freedom in the context of the challenges and boundaries of the human condition such that the effectiveness of the practice is enhanced when it remains connected to this ultimate purpose of liberation

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Indigenous and multicultural psychology (e.g., Ubuntu Therapy, Testimony Therapy) Liberation psychology Transformative education (e.g., Freire, hooks), Methods of conversation and dialogue ContempIative practice and pedagogy Womanist theory and practice, Narrative counterstorying

…Patriarchy is the root of oppression.

…Change is necessary not optional.

…What does it mean to be fully human?

…Solidarity manifests as peace.

…Cold comforts and conveniences disconnect.

…Beautiful love exists even though we are not free.

…Voiceless oppressed rise toward freedom.

…What can we do to make it better?

…Tragedy and horror can lead to peace and justice.

Close your eyes and open your heart-mind.

Exhale into the present here-and-now moment.

Notice your internal experience by observing (without evaluating) what is going on physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

Trust in what matters most to you by bringing it to consciousness using a meaningful word, an affirmation, proverb, sacred text passage, image, symbol, etc..

Explore your choices.

Release what does not serve your highest purpose and return to the situation more centered.

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“The struggle has always been inner, and is played out in outer terrains.

Awareness of our situation must come before inner changes, which in turn comes before changes in society.”

Engaging the dance between inner and outer awareness as important for wellness individually and collectively

Diverse identities Social Justice