IMCC is continuing to pioneer a series of programs designed to guide us in looking more deeply into the experience of "separation" and the creation of "the other." By grounding our personal practice in the Buddha Dharma, we can investigate the causes and conditions within ourselves and society that perpetuate the suffering of separation. We can also explore together, in community, that which opens us to our true nature of interconnection.
To date four events have been offered:
Healing Separation, Raising Consciousness, a daylong participatory workshop facilitated by Presence Center for Applied Theatre Arts.
An Evening of Mindful Dialogue where Jeff Fracher and Bernadine Anderson speak of healing separation in ourselves, our relationships and our community.
Bridging Separation, a series of classes that urged shared examination of the lived experience of racism, sexism, classism, ageism, and homophobia.
Bridging Separation: Constructed and Unconstructed Intimacy, an Insight Dialogue retreat.
The next scheduled event is "Mindful of Race" with esteemed Dharma teacher and leadership facilitator Ruth King. It will be held over Memorial Day Weekend, May 24-26, and will focus on directly investigating racism and white privilege.
Since space had to be limited to 32 participants, the intention of this initiative has been to create a nucleus of the current IMCC leadership, along with the IMCC committee pioneering the work as well as the IMCC community members who have participated in the past "Bridging Separation" events.
We want to continue to identify everyone in our larger community who is interested in this work and who might want to participate in future workshops/events. Please let us know if, in the event of space opening up in this current workshop, you might be available to participate. Cost is $120.
It is the aim of IMCC to use the fruits of the workshop to create future events, workshops, and retreats for our larger community. We welcome all who are interested in this work and would like to hear from you. For further information, please contact Kristina Weaver at kristina.nellweaver@gmail.com or Allie Rudolph at locusthollow@gmail.com.