Healing Justice: Holistic Self-Care for Change Makers

Description

In the context of multiple forms of global economic, social, and cultural oppression, along with intergenerational trauma, burnout, and public services retrenchment, this book offers a framework and set of inquiries and practices for social workers, activists, community organizers, counselors, and other helping professionals. Healing justice, a term that has emerged in social movements in the last decade, is taught as a practice of connecting to the whole self, what many are conditioned to ignore -- the body, mind-heart, spirit, community, and natural world. Drawing from the East-West modalities of mindfulness, yoga, and Ayurveda, the author introduces six capabilities -- mindfulness and compassion; critical thinking and curiosity; and effort and equanimity -- which can guide practitioners on a transformative and empowering journey that can ultimately make them and their colleagues more effective in their work. Using case studies, critical analysis, and skill sharing, self-care is presented as an act of resistance to disconnection, marginalization, and internalized oppression. Healing justice is a trauma-informed practice that empowers social practitioners to cultivate the conditions that might allow them to feel more connected to themselves, their clients, colleagues, and communities. The book also engages critically with self-care practices, including investigation into the science of mindfulness, cultural appropriation, and the commodification of self-care. The message is clear that mindfulness-based practices are not a panacea for personal, inter-personal, or political problems. But, they can put practitioners in a more authentic and powerful place to work from, which is particularly important in a world where there is more connection to technology, ideologies, and people who share one's beliefs, and less connection to the natural world, people who are different, and the parts of oneself that one tends to reject. The book also offers suggestions for how to share self-care practices with community members who have less access to wellness. Cover Half title Healing Justice Copyright Dedication Contents Acknowledgments Introduction Part I: Healing Justice and Whole Self-​Care 1. Oppression, Trauma, and Healing Justice Case Study Oppression and Trauma Introducing Healing Justice Transformative Social Practice To Care or Not to Care Healing Justice as Practice A Journey Toward Wholeness Putting It Into Practice Inquiry Self-Care Practice Skill Experiment for a Day 2. Stress and the Self-​Care Revolution Case Study Understanding Stress The Impact of Stress Stress and Your Relationship with Time Chronic Stress and Stress Reduction Risk, Resilience, and Coping Stress Reduction Practices Healing justice as Revolutionary Act Putting It Into Practice Inquiry Self-Care Practice Skill Experiment for a Day 3. The Whole Self Case Study Introduction Beyond the Mind-​Body Split The Mind-​Body Connection Introducing Modern Buddhist and Yogic Philosophy Mind-​Body Medicine and Neuroscience Expanding the Field: The Whole Self The Ecological Self A Framework for Healing Justice Putting It Into Practice Inquiry Self-Care Practice Skill Experiment for a Day 4. A Skillful Path of Healing Justice Case Study Introduction The Human Predicament and the Whole Self A Skillful Path of Change Cultivating Balance Digital Technology and Healing Justice The Six Capabilities in Balance Mindfulness and Compassion Curiosity and Critical Inquiry Effort and Equanimity Nurturing the Positive Putting It Into Practice Inquiry Self-Care Practice Skill Experiment for a Day Part II: Holistic Self-​Care Practices and Skills 5. Connecting to the Body Case Study Introduction One Size Does Not Fit All Eat Mindless, Confused Eating Eating with Intention Move Joyful Movement Rest Sleep Putting It Into Practice Inquiry Self-Care Practice Skill Experiment for a Day 6. Befriending the Mind-​Heart Case Study Introduction Leaning into Emotions Coping Skills for Self-​Regulating the Emotions Conscious Communication Working with Thoughts Mindfulness-​Based Practices for Working with Thoughts Putting It Into Practice Inquiry Self-Care Practice Skill Experiment for a Day 7. Rediscovering Spirit Case Study Introduction Spiritual Disconnection The Path of Practice Spiritual Autobiography Cultural Appropriation and Spiritual/​Religious Practice Formal Spiritual Practice Breath Practices Meditation Movement Practices Inquiry and Reflection Putting It Into Practice Inquiry Self-Care Practice Skill Experiment for a Day 8. In the Fabric of Community Case Study Introduction The Common Good Empathy, Altruism, and Mirror Neurons From Social Support to Social Capital: Collective Efficacy and Community Resilience Healing through Community Community Ritual Humor and Laughter The Social Economy Loving-​kindness Practice Self-​Care Practice with Others The Limits of Community and Setting Boundaries Putting It Into Practice Inquiry Self-Care Practice Skill Experiment for a Day 9. Cultivating Connections between Person and Planet Case Study Introduction Nurturing Environmental Connection Sensorial attention Environmental Practices that Heal Walking in Nature Pet Therapy Transforming Relationships with Consumption, Resources, and Money Creating a Schedule that Honors You, Your Family, and the Planet Putting It Into Practice Inquiry Self-Care Practice Skill Experiment for a Day Part III: Where the Rubber Meets the Road 10. The Healing Justice Organization Case Study Introduction Structural Supports and Organizational Culture Worker Empowerment and Organizational Structure/Culture Relationships and Organizational Culture Social Justice and Organizational Culture Burnout in Organizations Assessing the Organizational Context for Burnout Organizational Approaches that Support Healing Justice Feminist Organizations Learning Organizations Contemplative Organizations Sanctuary Organizations Pathways for Creating Organizational Change Keeping the Big Social Justice Picture Alive and Well Promoting Participatory Decision-​Making and Collective Bargaining Rights Supporting Personal and Group Development Nurturing Relationships Using Advocacy Skills and Setting Boundaries Championing Healing Justice and Self-​Care in the Workplace Putting It Into Practice Inquiry Self- Care Practice Skill Experiment for a Day 11. Healing Justice on the Frontlines Case Study Introduction Staying Connected, Setting Boundaries Maintaining a Light Touch Embodying Healing Justice on the Frontlines Nurturing Relationships The Mindful Pause Caring for the Body Sharing Healing Practices with Others Making Healing Justice Accessible and Possible Putting It Into Practice Inquiry Self- Care Practice Skill Experiment for a Day 12. Widening the Circle and Coming Home Case Study Introduction The Paradox of Connection and Disconnection Belonging Technology Diversity Crises Practices to Support a Global/​Healing Justice Agenda Right Now, It’s Like This Safe, Resourced, Connected Dances of Universal Peace Looking Back, Going Forward You Your Global Community Your Work Conclusion A Healing Justice Manifesto Notes Introduction Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Index