Deep Roots, Strong Branches

Cultivating a Steady and Loving Presence as We Approach the US Election

One of One Earth Sangha’s Guiding Teachers, Adam Lobel, along with our director, Kristin Barker, hosted this program on Sunday, October 27 to cultivate the powerful qualities that can see us through even the most challenging times.

Storm surge

If we understood the language of trees, what would they teach us about weathering storms? Even if we don’t speak fluent tree, when we pause, listen, resonate, what wisdom are they conveying nonetheless and all of the time?

In the United States a pivotable election draws near and on a global level, the specter of escalating international conflict grows. Many of us are feeling tremendous uncertainty. In the midst of such tumultuous times, our deep concern for ourselves, our families, society and the living Earth community can easily turn into overwhelm.

The wisdom and practices from our traditions as well as our everywhere kin can guide us through exactly these moments. And, if we heed their call to steady our hearts with kind attention, so much more is on offer. EcoDharma teachers Adam Lobel and Kristin Barker led a gathering on October 27, 2024 to attune to our challenges and cultivate the qualities that can support not just our own being but all of our relations’.

Adam Lobel, PhD, practices at the intersections of ecodharma, meditation, and psycho-social political transformation. He is a scholar-practitioner of philosophy and religion, a Guiding Teacher for One Earth Sangha, an environmental justice activist working to resist the petrochemical buildout in his region, and a professor of Ecopsychology. Adam served as a teacher (acharya) in the Shambhala tradition from 2005 until resigning in 2018. A speaker on ecology and spirituality at the United Nations, he leads ecodharma workshops called “Silent Transformations,” has taught in the Ecosattva Training, and is a Greenfaith fellow. Adam’s teachings focus on Great Perfection Tibetan Buddhism, modern phenomenology, and inoperative studies (Heidegger, Foucault, Agamben). He has a longstanding interest in progressive contemplative education and transformative pedagogy. Adam teaches a critical style of contemplative training that seeks to avoid enclosure in neoliberal mindfulness while still disclosing effortless awareness. He is currently developing what he calls “four fields” of contemplative practices for potential worlds. For more on his teachings see his website: Releasement.

     Pieces on One Earth Sangha
Co-founder and Director

Kristin is co-founder and director of One Earth Sangha whose mission is to cultivate a Buddhist response to ecological crises. She is a graduate of Spirit Rock’s Community Dharma Leader program and now teaches with the Insight Meditation Community of Washington (DC). As a co-founder of White Awake, Kristin has been supporting white people since 2011 with a Dharma approach to uprooting racism in ourselves and in our world. With a background in software engineering as well as environmental management, she has worked at several international environmental organizations. She is a GreenFaith Fellow and serves on the advisory board of Project Inside Out as well as the steering committee for Interfaith Power & Light DMV. Kristin was born and raised in northern New Mexico and currently lives in Washington DC, traditional lands of the Piscataway peoples.

     Pieces on One Earth Sangha

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One Earth Sangha and our featured speakers offer these explorations on a donation basis, with no required registration fee. We invite you to participate in the tradition of offering dana, or generosity. Your support makes these gatherings possible, and any amount offered is greatly appreciated.

Another way to support us is to share what this exploration has meant to you in a way that we can use in our materials. We invite you to share a “testimonial” here! (select “EcoDharma Exploration Participant” from the dropdown menu.)

Recording

More EcoDharma Explorations

Upcoming

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A Work that Reconnects Spiral Gathering

What might the Earth desire from us this Earth Day? Alex Julie guides a Work That Reconnects spiral practice to ground in gratitude, lean into grief, and clear our heart-minds enough to listen for the Earth.

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As extractive systems collapse and uncertainty rises, how do we stay present and act with wisdom? This session explores Dharma teachings and meditative grounding for meeting grief and the call to disrupt and reimagine with courage.