A Community of Practice exploring the power of mindfulness as a driving force for positive change.
Course dates & times:
Starting September 14th, 2023
Every second and fourth Thursday of the month
9:00-9:45 am ET | 3:00-3:45 pm CET
In this virtual "Mindfulness for Changemakers" series we explore the transformative power of mindfulness in increasing the quality of our lives and driving the change and transformation many of us want to bring about in the world.
You will gain valuable insights from experienced facilitators specializing in mindfulness and leadership, as well as access essential tools and practices tailored for changemakers. You will learn stress management techniques, resilience building, and self-care practices to prevent burnout. And you will deepen your emotional intelligence, focus, and productivity.
These bi-monthly gatherings will also provide a unique opportunity to learn and connect with like-minded individuals from around the world who are committed to creating positive change.
This offer is not directly led by Ashoka. It is an initiative that emerged through the Ashoka Community and is hosted by Ashoka Fellow Adam Molyneux-Berry, Integral Coach Shreya Awargal and Ashoka staff member Luzette Jaimes. It integrates the advice, wisdom, and support of many community members and experts in the field.
This series is open to experienced changemakers who are passionate about driving positive change in their respective fields.
Whether you are an entrepreneur, activist, nonprofit worker, or a changemaker from any discipline, this series is designed to enhance your leadership skills through the lens of mindfulness.
Format:
Bi-monthly virtual sessions (45min)
Dates:
Starting September 14th, 2023
Every second and fourth Thursday of the month
9:00-9:45 am ET | 3:00-3:45 pm CET
Commitment:
This series intends to create a community of learning and practice. We encourage you to register if you can join most sessions. If you can only join a few sessions, please mention it in the registration form.
September 14th, 2023 at 9:00-9:45 am ET | 3:00-3:45 pm CET
This module provides an overview of mindfulness as a practice of being fully present in the moment without judgment. It introduces the concept of observing and understanding one's thoughts without attachment or criticism.
September 28th, 2023 at 9:00-9:45 am ET | 3:00-3:45 pm CET
In this module, participants learn to observe and acknowledge their emotions without reacting impulsively. They develop skills to navigate and manage emotional responses more effectively through mindfulness.
October 12th, 2023 at 9:00-9:45 am ET | 3:00-3:45 pm CET
This module focuses on cultivating awareness of bodily sensations, movements, and physical experiences. It encourages participants to connect with their bodies to enhance self-awareness and well-being.
October 26th, 2023 at 9:00-9:45 am ET | 3:00-3:45 pm CET
Forgiveness is explored as a practice to release resentment and negative emotions towards oneself or others. It involves understanding and accepting past experiences while moving toward emotional healing.
November 9th, 2023 at 9:00-9:45 am ET | 3:00-3:45 pm CET
Gratitude is discussed as a mindfulness practice that involves appreciating and acknowledging the positive aspects of life. Participants learn to cultivate a sense of thankfulness and enhance their overall well-being.
November 23rd, 2023 at 9:00-9:45 am ET | 3:00-3:45 pm CET
The "Power of Pause" module emphasizes the value of taking mindful breaks and moments of stillness in our busy lives. It helps individuals pause, reflect, and respond to situations rather than reacting impulsively.
December 7th, 2023 at 9:00-9:45 am ET | 3:00-3:45 pm CET
The Default Mode Network is a network of interconnected brain regions that are most active when an individual's mind is at rest and not focused on the external environment or a specific task. It's often associated with self-referential thinking, mind-wandering, daydreaming, and introspection. The DMN is involved in processes related to autobiographical memory, envisioning the future, and the sense of self. It can also contribute to rumination and worry when overactive. Mindfulness practices often involve intentionally shifting one's attention away from the default mode of mind-wandering and rumination and towards a more present-focused awareness. When individuals engage in mindfulness meditation, they activate brain regions associated with attention and awareness while deactivating the DMN. This can lead to reduced mind-wandering, decreased self-referential thinking, and increased present-moment awareness, thus altering the brain's default mode of operation.
Date to be announced.
This module introduces the practice of Metta, or loving-kindness meditation. It involves generating feelings of love and compassion towards oneself and others, promoting positive interpersonal relationships.
Date to be announced.
Equanimity is explored as a state of emotional balance and resilience. Participants learn to cultivate emotional awareness and self-regulation, allowing them to respond to life's challenges with calmness and equanimity.
A free weekly offering led by Ashoka Fellow Bart Weetjens and open to any member of the Ashoka network worldwide interested in practicing meditation. All levels are welcome.
Dates & times:
Every Tuesday 9:00 - 9:30 am ET | 3:00 – 3:30 pm CET.
Coaching and mentoring can help you learn about yourself and the way you lead. It can give you tools and resources to amplify your strengths and gifts and to illuminate blind spots that may be holding you back from being the leader you want to be.
Shreya is a certified coach trained in adaptive leadership and adult development at Harvard University and a practitioner of vipassana and mindful self-compassion. She brings over 15 years of leadership and consulting experience advising global non-profits, governments and fortune 500 clients to increase performance while making the world a better and kinder place.
Adam is a certified integral leadership coach and certified mindfulness meditation teacher who works with mission-driven leaders navigating complexity. In his own journey, Adam has launched 10+ organisations - including SMEs, systems-change organisations and social businesses.
Having experienced the full spectrum of leadership challenges, from personal and team burnout to systems-level collaborations during extreme uncertainty and volatility, Adam learned firsthand just what it takes to thrive individually and collectively, in the midst of complexity.
Luzette works on social ecosystem activation and system change through the design and facilitation of transformational learning processes. She works in the areas of human development, being-well, and awareness-based leadership development for Changemakers.
For two decades she has focused on social entrepreneurship through different roles at Ashoka, including launching Ashoka’s Learning & Development to deepen an organizational learning culture in support of their vision of accelerating the emergence of an “Everyone a Changemaker” world.
Luzette is the founder of Alive & Thriving, LLC, a human development incubator for individuals and groups, and co-founder of Consciousness Coalition (CoCo Labs), a collaboration initiative to integrate human development into community development. Luzette is adjunct faculty at George Washington University Center for Public Leadership’s e-co Leadership Coaching Program. She holds a BA in Finance & Intl Rel, a MSc in Holistic Science (whole and complex systems). Professional Certified Coach PCC, Theory U facilitator, Being-well coach and mindfulness practitioner.
