“Things fall apart,” said Gotama as he drew his last breath, “tread the path with care” (Batchelor).

How we accompany the suffering of others can nourish us — or leave us prone to empathic distress, secondary trauma, moral injury, and caregiver burnout. Joan Halifax calls these caregiver “edge states.” Ancient eastern traditions and western neuroscience affirm that contemplative practice nourishes and restores us, supporting a grounded and well-regulated nervous system that allows us to sustainably offer ethical care with both compassion and equanimity, to serve with what Halifax calls “a soft front and a strong back.”

If you’re a psychotherapist, social worker, social justice worker/activist, trauma worker, chaplain, nurse/doctor or other medical professional, psychiatrist, hospice worker, a teacher, or another kind of healer/caregiver, please join us on the first friday of each month from 3-5 pm. We will visit and get to know each other, enjoy light refreshment, and sit together for 20-30 minutes, as an introduction to our regular weekly contemplative practice of quiet sitting and restoration with fellow caregivers (Fridays 4-5pm). There is no cost but donations to cover cost of the space will be accepted.

For those of us who descend into the realms of suffering with others (like the beloved Jizo bodhisattva), a regular contemplative practice will keeps us grounded, connected to our intention, attuned, compassionate, and engaged. Providing support for compassionate care while preventing empathic distress is of the highest importance – both for ourselves and those for whom we care.

This will be a nondenominational space/time to quietly sit together on a weekly and monthly basis. Whether you identify as spiritual but not religious, secular (“of this world”), a contemplative practitioner, or are faith-based and value contemplative practice with other caregivers, you’re invited to practice with the Circle of Contemplative Caregivers for quiet sitting to “find a place of rest in the middle of things” (Ostaseski).

Please message with any questions.
Jinji Willingham