El Arrebato: The Struggle and Empowerment Path

1. el arrebato/the struggle: empowerment and the path to conocimiento Laura I Rendón ASCENDER Webinar Art by Liliana Wilson October 2018

2. Introduction Welcome Thank you for the work you do with our most vulnerable students This is very noble work Moment of Silence Relax, Deep Breaths This is your time This is for you

3. Voyager, there are no bridges.One builds them as one walks--Gloria Anzaldúa

4. El Arrebato/The Struggle Moving Toward Conocimiento, Enlightenment. Walking in the World With Both Knowledge and Wisdom Highly-Evolved Human Being.

5. Accessing Conocimiento A form of spiritual inquiry, conocimiento is reached via creative arts—writing, art-making, dancing, healing, teaching, meditation, and spiritual activism… Comes from opening all your senses. Inner work, public acts. Anzaldúa, 1999

6. Gloria Anzaldúa’s 7 Stages of Conocimiento (2002)

7. El Arrebato/The Struggle What are you struggling with right now? What is your own arrebato? Focus on one for now. What feelings come up for you as you engage with this struggle? Anger, sadness, frustration, depression, etc. Know this: Often working through the experience of struggle can make us stronger. The arrebato speaks to the strength and dignity of the human spirit.

8. Moments of Vulnerability/Shock/Loss of Foundation • Loss of loved one • Being diagnosed with life-threatening disease • Loss of job • Sexual assault/abuse • Loss of relationship—sometimes we leave and sometimes we are left behind • Experiencing racism, sexism, homophobia • Experiencing macro- and micro aggressions • Transitioning from one place to another • Being in an accident • Being in a hospital • Suffering with physical and emotional pain • Being labeled “provisional” when admitted to college • Feeling “stuck” • Lacking a sense of purpose and meaning

9. Examples of Strength, Courage and Resilience Are All Around Us • Unspeakable horrors that should never happen, but they do. When they do, we have a choice—fall into despair and fall to pieces (lead a broken life) OR become a dynamic, potent survivor and warrior who advocates for the dignity of human life. • 2018 Nobel Prize 23 year old Winner Nadia Murad, and Iraqi woman who became a sex slave for the Islamic state. Now Nadia is working to bring Islamic State members to justice for war crimes and genocide against the Yazidi people. Film: On Her Shoulders • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lT6EgVIGwDY • Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani woman who as a teenager was shot in the head simply for advocating for women to have an education. She survived and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014 at age 17 (the youngest). Her advocacy continues. She was not silienced! • Low-income, first-gen students

10. VULNERABILITY AND EMPOWERMENT • When we work through our most difficult times we can come out stronger. During our struggle we can discover that we are given new teachings, tools, gifts and growth processes that can result in our personal growth, transformation and empowerment. Source: Mark Nepo, The Endless Practice (2014)

11. Healing and Self Care

12. Healing & Self Care Strategies • Stay connected to the original impulse that brought you to engage your work (sense of purpose) • Form a support group/network • Embrace your faith/spirituality. Take time for reflection, deep thinking and attention to your overall well being • Learn about the work of our ancestors. What were their teachings? • Incorporate spiritual and self help materials into your weekly reading • Develop a contemplative practice of your own • Participate in a self care retreat or spiritual journey at least once a year. • Set aside time for rest, replenishment & being with your loved ones—massage, vacation • Find a mentor • Understand it’s OK to say no—honor your limitations • Shape your legacy—how do you wish to be remembered?

13. Resistance Strategies • It begins with YOU! Be your authentic self. Stay true to your beliefs and values. • Don’t take very difficult challenges on by yourself. Create a network of people to engage with resistance with you. • Connect with a powerful person(s) on campus. • Take on a powerful role on campus—Faculty Senate President, Chair of Latinx Faculty and Staff Association, award-winning scholar/practitioner, etc. • Continue your path toward enlightenment and self development which allows you to see your strengths and weaknesses as well as that of others. • Make your case with factual information, not assumptions or hearsay. • Understand that there is a reason people behave in negative ways that can stem back to their childhood experiences. • Establish your path with integrity, authenticity and compassion. Walk the path of love, not hate. • View every life experience as your opportunity to grow.

14. The Blessing Way—Angeles Arrien • Action 1: Set sacred intention everyday.Action 2: Give gratitude everyday.Action 3: Take a life affirming action everyday

15. Empowerment Carries Responsibilities What gives you empowerment is conocimiento, your ability to walk in the world with armed with both knowledge and wisdom.

16. Empowerment Responsibilities Remain compassionate, loving, and authentic Take care of body with nourishment, rest replenishment/honor our limitations

17. Empowerment Responsibilities Remain unattached to the outcome/stop trying to control situations Do not abuse your power/understand that the other side of power is gentleness & vulnerability

18. Empowerment Responsibilities Work toward equity, service and social justice Practice gratitude & generosity Work on developing your own contemplative practice

19. Loving-Kindness Meditation

20. Loving-Kindness Meditation • Get comfortable as you are sitting in your chair • Soften your belly and chest—focus on in and out breath • Soften your heart—close your eyes and see if you can recall feelings of love and kindness in your life. Even if you can’t, stay with this spaciousness.

21. Recitation • May you be safe. • May you be healthy. • May you be happy. • May you be peaceful. • Que seas feliz. • Que te siempre tengas buena salud. • Que tengas mucha felicidad. • Que tengas paz.