Awakening The Dreamer Symposium to be Held in Honor of Earth Day
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Celebrate Earth Day a couple of days in advance on Saturday, April 20th by attending the Awakening the Dreamer, Changing the Dream symposium in Worcester. The public dialogue, centered around exploring a new global vision built on environment sustainability, spiritual fulfillment and social justice, will take place at Friends Meetinghouse at 901 Pleasant Street. All proceeds from the event go to benefit the Pachamama Alliance and Quaker Earthcare Witness.
Awakening the Dreamer, Changing the Dream seeks to foster an awakened global citizenry who understand the urgency of our times and respond to the invitation to care for all creatures and the Earth. Through videos, discussions, and silence, the session will attempt to reach deeply into heart and mind to explore whether the dream of the modern industrial world is really the one we have longed for.
"There are so many great things going on in Worcester already related to these issues," ," says Kerry Thompson, a volunteer Awakening the Dreamer Facilitator and Event Host.
"One of the best parts of the symposium is that it leaves people hopeful and inspired, realizing they're part of something much larger than themselves or the community -- a worldwide movement of humans who visualize a better future and are actively working towards it."
The Issues on the Table
The session will begin with a sobering overview of current patterns of environmental destruction and social injustice and conclude with a vision of an environmentally sustainable, spiritually fulfilling, and socially just human presence on this planet.
The session overall will center around four questions to focus the discussion: "Where Are We?," then moving on to reflecting on "How Did We Get Here?." Then after that, it's brainstorming together, thinking about hope and action, with "What Is Possible Now?" and "Where Do We Go From Here?"
"It's kind of a journey. Going through the first part gives everyone a shared experience that helps them come together with ideas at the end," Thompson explains.
"The purpose is to see that our culture of consumerism has led to unintended consequences, that have led to suffering for all living things and the environment, and the promises of a "more stuff" culture has not led to happiness in our personal lives. It's about respecting the earth and all of its inhabitants, so it's especially apt for Earth Day," says Thompson
The Public is Encouraged to Participate
Volunteer representatives of ATD will be facilitating the discussion. This will include: Reb MacKenzie, who is active in Quaker Earthcare Ministry and a member of Quaker City Unity Friends Meeting in Unity, NH; Tom Thompson, who works at the the EcoTarium in Worcester and is an environmental activist and poet from Lancaster, MA; Mary Anne Cleary, who is the New England Coordinator for the Pachamama Alliance from Clinton, MA; and Event Coordinator, David Legg, energy efficiency consultant and photographer from Auburn, MA.
"I attended an Awakening the Dreamer Symposium twice in 2012 and found it inspiring both times," says David Legg.
"With excellent leadership, vital messages, engaging group exercises and creative multi-media it helped me think deeply about ecological, spiritual and social justice connections and to find new hope and encouragement for the future."
"Many participants leave the symposium with deeper knowledge and a new feeling of urgency to help with the crises we face in the world today. We hope participants will be inspired and hopeful by the day's experience to go back home, into their communities, to do whatever they feel called to do to be part of a worldwide movement to be environmentally sustainable and socially just and to feel happy and fulfilled in their own lives too, " says Thompson.
Space being limited, Those who wish to participate are encouraged to pre-register by clicking here. Check is at 9:30. Lunch will be provided. The event is free with donation of $20 (Free for students age 15 to 25).
For more information please clic herehttp://www.pachamama.org/workshops/about.
Contact [email protected] or 508.320.2497 for help with; registration, ride sharing, rides from bustrain station, or overnight hospitality.
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