A radical holistic edge-fusion learning space with a collection of really useful collaborative tools for making social-ecological just change.
A radical holistic edge-fusion learning space with a collection of really useful collaborative tools for making social-ecological just change.
Workshops
HEdge Space
A Holistic Do-it-Together Tool kit.
Praxis tools to support people bring about just change, together
Workshops
Samhain: Ritual Action for Change
Mulchie Workshops
Date: November 2023
Location: The Punch Bowl, Gort, Co. Galway
Team:
Co-Researcher: FMW (Workshop Proposer)
Lead Researcher: GH (Support, documentation)
Duration: 3 hours
Workshop Method: A combination of reflective questions, Buddhist Kora ritual practice (counting rounds, pilgrimage) and nature foraging
Purpose:
Eco-consciousness raising and eco-mindfulness
1. To explore workshops that include a spiritual dimension in connection with nature, creativity and activism. Responds to spirit and science divisions in activist groups that FMW had experienced.
2. FMW was also interested in seeing how this approach might create a change in how participants feel about consumption in society (consumerism). (SDG 12)
3. That FMW complete their research praxis through the action experience and reflection on it
Workshop Structure
1.Meet and Greet
2.Individual walking, foraging, and gathering what we are drawn to in the forest.
3.Placing our offerings on the alter at the foot of the tree.
4.Pilgrimage together by making rounds around the tree.
5.Share in a silent ritualistic tea.
6.Reflection, feedback and discussion on the workshop experience
Co-Researcher FMW wanted to develop a workshop incorporating pilgrimage which had been explored with other co-researchers at another workshop.
They also wanted to develop a workshop to respond to their concerns about science and spirituality divides experienced in activism.
Additionally, they were interested in how being present with nature might shift our perspectives on consumerism and propel us to action in the area.
The workshop was co-designed across two inperson meetings, a discussion based meeting along the Gort river walk in July 2023, and an experiential exploration workshop practice, at the Punch bowl Gort in September 2023.
The public workshop occurred in November 2023.
Co-Researcher FMW wanted to develop a workshop incorporating pilgrimage which had been explored with other co-researchers at another workshop.
They also wanted to develop a workshop to respond to their concerns about science and spirituality divides experienced in activism.
Additionally, they were interested in how being present with nature might shift our perspectives on consumerism and propel us to action in the area.
Experiential exploration practice of the workshop, at the Punch bowl Gort
Visioning practice space to make space for others.
The workshop was co-designed across two in-person meetings, a discussion based meeting along the Gort river walk in July 2023, and an experiential exploration workshop practice, at the Punch bowl Gort in September 2023. The public workshop occurred in November 2023.
Introducing people to the forest forage and pilgimage kora practice and ritualist tea
Placing our foraged gatherings from nature at the foot of the tree, the riutal alter space
Doing Kora rounds of the tree having left our foraged bounty at the foot of the tree, an alter space.
Ritualistic Tea
Ritualistic Tea, Workshop Feedback and Share Back
While the feedback sheets were handed out and completed, we all felt a disconnect between what we were feeling from the forest and the ritual experience and text-based language of the questionnaire. This was verbally articulated through a shareback on the session over tea. We all jotted down some thoughts anyway, but people also felt a desire to draw. We had a sense of just being together in a comfortable and present silence (as was the purpose of the ritual tea) followed by a gentle sharing chat.
Some workshop Outcomes
1.Participants felt a greater connection to nature and themselves and how they felt about consumption practices after the workshop.
2.There was a resonance between what FMW was trying to communicate about the value of spirituality in activism, tensions between spirituality and science in activism, and how participants were feeling. This was especially the case for one participant who shared their experience of a spirit science divide in a local activist river group they were involved in. Interestingly they had noted that the divide also had a gender dimension, in that, it was women (AFABS) in the group who were advocating for the value of spirituality in activism and men (AMABs) who were uninterested in that practice.
3.A new line of activism opened up. There was also a suggestion that FMW and the participants would go on to explore this issue further, essentially continuing their praxis beyond the life cycle of the PhD and outside of its constraints. This was a great outcome from the workshop action. It brought Joanna Macys’ ‘Spiral’ to mind, in how we ‘go forth anew’ after critical reflection work (Macy & Johnstone, 2022), and the resonances between her spiral approach and praxis.
In our planning meetings we had also discussed how such a workshop could be used within collective activism for just change in the emancipatory sense, or systems change, and beyond awareness raising on consumption.
FMW proposed that one way to do that would be to invite people with various views on the divide between spirituality and science in activism to workshops like these as a way explore the divide. A workshop like this can both model the value of spirituality in activist practice and create space to explore issues and action through different knowledges within communities, groups and movements. Such activities could lead participants to build new relationships, alliances, and action ideas in the struggle for emancipatory transformation.
The workshop aligns with Article 9 & 13 of the Transdisciplinary declaration. These speak to openness towards myths and religions and discussion and knowledge sharing between scientistic, religious, economic, political, or philosophical perspectives, to find understanding around our shared life and shared Earth (Nicolescu, 2002, pp 149-152).
The workshop also brought to mind work which interweaves art, nature and spirituality to stimulate the imagination and healing (McNiff, 1998; Mc Niff, 2007). Some concerns about their only being two participants in the workshops are explored in the discussion later. FMW research praxis trail can be viewed here. https://hedgespace.net/samhain-ritual-action-for-change#co-researcher-fmw-praxis-trail-samhain-workshop.
This workshop also brought to the fore different meanings on the term consciousness raising.
In Radical adult education and Feminist education
conscientization and consciousness raising are practices concerned with identifying oppressive power relationships and structures in society that are generating injustice for people.
Consciousness raising in spirituality often refers to achieving a heightened level of awareness or understanding as part of a higher universal system of consciousness. It’s about becoming more aware of the spiritual essence and the interconnectedness of all things, and a sense of oneness with the universe
'Collective consciousness (in sociology) refers to the shared beliefs, ideas, attitudes, and knowledge that operate as a unifying force within a society or social group. It encompasses the common understanding of social norms and influences our sense of belonging, identity, and behavior. Émile Durkheim, a French sociologist, introduced this concept in his work, emphasizing how totemic religion played a role in uniting members of traditional or primitive societies through a shared consciousness. In essence, collective consciousness represents the interconnectedness of individuals within a larger community, shaping their shared experiences and values' (lazy wiki referencing)
‘Our mighty oak has fallen’. Andrew St. Ledger RIP – The Woodland League.
Sadly, the day of our workshop coincided with the reposing of the soul of Andrew St Ledger, RIP, founder of the woodland league, Feakle Co. Clare, who passed away that week. Being in forest on that day, at that time, we felt connected with our woodlands, communities, and his life, and we paid tribute to the activist work he had achieved throughout it.
Key Generative Themes From the Sessions
Key Really Useful Questions From the Sessions
Weaving our intentions and knowledges together Workshop
Linking back to FMW earlier explorations and interests with other co-researchers:
Spirituality, pilgrimage, kora as activism being explored in the core workshop:
SDG connection/permaculture principal etc
Resources