Active Hope Workshop

Active Hope is a practice, something we can learn and get better at.

The inspiration for the workshop comes from the book Active Hope: How To Face The Mess We’re In Without Going Crazy by eco-philosopher Joanna Macy and resilience expert Chris Johnstone, based on deep ecology and its expression through the Work that Reconnects.

The session moves through the four stations of the dandelion spiral: Gratitude, Honouring our Pain, Seeing with  New Eyes, Going Forth.

1)  We begin with gratitude as a basis for wellbeing and personal resilience.

2)  We honour the feelings of pain that can arise when we face the reality of social and ecological injustice.

3) We explore the internal and external resources available to us to see things from a new perspective and develop individual and collective power and potential.

4) We use this momentum to set concrete intentions and practical actions that we can take back into the world.

These workshops are suitable for anyone looking to energise their sense of hope, passion and purpose to be able to respond effectively to our changing world.

You could be already involved in environmental or social justice activities and are looking to feel re-inspired in your efforts, or maybe you want to experience a deeper connection to nature and find the energy and ways to be engaged in improving life on our beautiful, fragile planet.

Everyone welcome

More about the facilitators:

Michelle Towle

Michelle is a Health Promotion Consultant working in North West lutruwita. Michelle also has a passion for sustainable living and has been an active member of The RESEED Centre in Penguin for the past ten years.  Twenty years ago, Michelle participated in her first deep ecology workshop with John Seed and since then has enjoyed facilitating many Active Hope workshops.

Pat Fleming

 Pat has worked over some 40 years in a number of countries facilitating deep ecology and the Work that Reconnects workshops, giving talks, trainings and webinars. Her writing includes in 'Thinking like A Mountain - towards a Council of All Beings’ and in ‘A Wild Love for the World - Joanna Macy and the Work of our Time’. She’s recently moved with her partner to northern lutuwita (Tasmania) and is loving being here in this country and meeting community. 

Suggested Cost:  $5 - $50 (whatever you can afford is welcome)