|
|
|
MSC is engaged in a multi-year research project about the impact of spiritual practice on social justice leaders, organizations and the broader progressive movement. As the research progresses, we'll be sharing some of our inspiring interviews with social justice organizers from around the country.
Coming Soon: An interview with Gihan Perera, co-founder and Executive Director of the Miami Workers Center.
The Spirit In Motion Program works with individuals, groups and alliances to support a balanced approach to work and life and create sustainable organizational cultures that reflect the world we are trying to create.
In our daily leadership development work with organizers, we witness the power of this cultural transformation as we see groups enter into strategic partnerships and alliances that work, as opposed to ones that implode. These effective partnerships are the foundation for a strategic, collaborative and sustainable movement.
The social justice movement is like a village with many roles and parts – activists, healers, storytellers, etc. Each person is honored and plays a critical role in the whole working community. Spirit In Motion is dedicated to working with individual leaders and organizations to find grounded, sustainable roles in a thriving village.
Our Spirit in Motion Program provides:
One-on-Ones
In these individual sessions we create a safe space for letting go of fears and the negative energies that hold us back. One-on-ones help create room for transformation, navigate difficult transitions and nurture healing from within. This is a time to find balance in your heart, mind and spirit.
SIM Leadership Council
To expand the number of people trained in and facilitating sustainability work, we have established the Spirit in Motion Council. This group of activists is committed to working on individual and organizational sustainability through wellness and connectedness to spirit.
Sustainable Organizing Trainings
These trainings use activities, discussion, popular education, spirit work and ceremony to reflect on what drives our work, how we can create social change from a place of compassion, and how to realize our vision in our organizations.
Organizational Transformation
We provide organizational support and facilitation to key groups looking to incorporate reflective practices and conflict resolution into their workplace.
Movement Gatherings
For large movement gatherings and events, Spirit in Motion supports the conveners to incorporate reflective, celebratory and grounding activities into the overall process. Through this we introduce large numbers of activists from across the country to our sustainability resources.
Support Circles
Spirit in Motion offers support circles for activists and organizers working for justice in communities of color and other marginalized communities. Support circles provide a space to breathe, reflect, process and heal in order to sustain ourselves.
Sustainability Tools, Curriculum and Documentation
MSC documents and disseminates models and best practices for sustainability, including the Spirit in Motion toolkit.
Contact:
Kristen Zimmerman or Brenda Salgado
©2004 Shash Yázhí
Published in Issue 22 of the National Organizers Alliance Newsletter, July 2004
How can we maintain hope, love and balance in our struggles for social justice? This article examines this central question through Shash Yázhí’s personal story and the work of the Spirit in Motion program.
The Spirit in Motion Toolkit
©2005 Movement Strategy Center
Spirit in Motion believes that it is necessary to integrate sustainability into all levels of our movement work. The activities in this toolkit have been developed by Spirit in Motion to support individuals and organizations to increase sustainability in their work and lives.
The Wellness Shield: A Tool For Reflection And Sustainability
©2005 Movement Strategy Center
Organizers and activists can use the Wellness Shield to reflect on each part of their day (sunrise, day, sunset and night) and then write down what they do, where they focus their energy, and what they do to sustain themselves at these times. In this way, they create individual maps of where they already have, or need to create, balance in their lives. An elder from the Lakota Nation has supported Spirit In Motion to use this traditional Lakota symbol and way of understanding.
Spirit & Sustainability Profile
Download this interview as a PDF
An interview with Gihan Perera, co-founder and Executive Director of the Miami Workers Center, about spirit and sustainability in the social justice movement. It was conducted in April 2008 by Neelam Pathikonda, former Spirit in Motion Director, as part of a multi-year research project by the Movement Strategy Center.
