Sacred Activism: Reimagining Awakened Action
An Emergent Conversation
Although a great deal of human rights and ecological activism is rooted in secular rationalism and scientific materialism, there are also illustrious lineages of spiritually based social justice champions, including many prominent figures in the Civil Rights and various anti-war movements, and quite a few contemporary eco activists who draw from Indigenous teachings that view the entire web of life as ensouled. In this session, three leaders from very different backgrounds and generations working in very different fields but whose vision is anchored in a deep sense of the sacred will share their perspectives on how to bring one’s full heart and spirit to the quest for healing our relations with ourselves, each other, and the earth. With: Pat McCabe, a Diné mother, grandmother, activist, artist, writer, and ceremonial leader.; Sonali Sangeeta Balajee, Founder of Spiritual Social Medicinal Apothecary (SSoMA) and Our Bodhi Project, lifelong meditator, spiritual practitioner, artist, and activator; Kazu Haga, a trainer and practitioner with over 25 years’ experience in nonviolence and social change work, author of Healing Resistance: A Radically Different Response to Harm. Hosted by Nina Simons, author, co-founder and Chief Relationship Officer of Bioneers.
Magnes Museum
March 28th | 4:45 pm to 6:00 pm
Panelists
Sonali Sangeeta Balajee
Founder
Our Bodhi Project
Sonali Sangeeta Balajee, an artist, organizer, and mindfulness/yoga instructor, is the founder of: the Spiritual Social Medicinal Apothecary (SSoMA), a spiritual and political project; and Our Bodhi Project, which focuses on healthy movement-building through enlivening the connection between social and spiritual wellness. Sonali previously spent 13 years in U.S. local government, creating, leading, and managing social justice and racial equity initiatives and has had a long community organizing background focused on climate and racial justice, youth development, death-and-dying, and HIV/AIDS-related advocacy and service. She also currently serves on the boards of Bioneers and Worldtrust.
Kazu Haga
Author, Trainer, Practitioner
Kazu Haga, a trainer and practitioner of nonviolence and restorative justice who works with incarcerated people, youth, and activists from around the country and has over 25 years’ experience in nonviolence and social change work, is a core member of Building Belonging, the Ahimsa Collective, and the Fierce Vulnerability Network. Kazu is also a Jam facilitator and the author of Healing Resistance: A Radically Different Response to Harm. He and his family are residents of the Canticle Farm community on Lisjan Ohlone land, Oakland, CA.
Pat McCabe
Woman Stands Shining
Pat McCabe, (aka “Woman Stands Shining”), of Diné ancestry, was adopted into the Lakota spiritual way of life. She is currently beginning the stewardship of a piece of land at one of the four sacred mountains of her people, as part of the “Rematriation Movement.” McCabe, a proud grandmother, has long spoken and taught widely, nationally and internationally, sharing cultural and spiritual insights.
Nina Simons
