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Featuring keynotes by Jane Goodall, author of The Book of Hope
The live summit has concluded, but you may still enjoy the program in its entirety from November 8–10, 2021.
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November 4–7, 2021
November 4–7, 2021
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Welcome to the Activating Hope Summit
A once-in-a-generation online gathering aimed at sparking hope around the globe
This event begins in:
Welcome to the Activating Hope Summit
A once-in-a-generation online gathering aimed at sparking hope around the globe
This event begins in:
The Resilience of Nature
Workshop #1
The Resilience of Nature
Workshop #1
Building Stress Resilience and Hope for Our New Era: Integrating Science and Wisdom
Please have a pen and paper on hand for this workshop.
There is a rich science documenting how humans maintain well-being in the face of adversity, and how adversity can lead to growth. As we approach this crossroads in humanity with planetary and human health at risk, with an unstable climate, we face a new type of modern stress—one that is communal, existential, and that can lead to hopelessness. In this session, we will explore how the counterforce of activism bolstered by resilience and contagious hope will become the largest movement in the world.
Session Highlights
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Explore how different types of stress affect our aging biology -
Learn the benefits to developing an extended view of time, the long game, planting seeds for a positive future
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Develop a view of social quantum change, our individual influence collectively, and how this can empower us and ultimately lead to transformational change
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Distinguish between specific hopes and absolute hope
Elissa Epel
Elissa Epel, PhD (she/her), is a professor and vice chair in the Department of Psychiatry at University of California, San Francisco. Her research aims to elucidate mechanisms of healthy aging and to apply this basic science to scalable interventions that can reach vulnerable populations. She studies psychological, social, and behavioral pathways underlying chronic psychological stress as well as the interconnections between stress, addiction, eating, and metabolic health.
Click here to download your PDF copy of Dr. Elissa Epel’s guidance on Building Stress Resilience and Hope for Our New Era.
Workshop #2
Hope Is Movement, Movement Is Hope
Movement is one of the great human technologies that has enabled humans to survive and thrive in spite of trauma. After a brief review of some of the current scientific research on the mammalian body’s responses to stress and trauma, as well as culturally diverse stress-reduction modalities, we will directly engage with the body. Using movement, sound, guided meditation, and community-building exercises, participants will connect directly to their bodies, exploring a variety of embodied methodologies that promote hope, healing, and transformation. All bodies, genders, and experiences are welcome.
Session Highlights
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Stress responses: fear, flight, freeze, tend, and befriend
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Hardwired for healing: culturally diverse strategies for stress reduction and healing
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Varieties of breathwork: stationary meditation, secular mindfulness, relaxation response
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Diverse movement strategies for hope, healing, and transformation
Arisika Razak
Arisika Razak, MPH (she/her), is professor emerita and the former chair of the MA and PhD Women’s Spirituality Program at the California Institute of Integral Studies. For over 20 years, she provided midwifery care primarily to indigent women and women of color in the San Francisco Bay Area. She has led embodied healing and empowerment workshops for over 35 years and performed nationally and internationally as a spiritual dancer.
Beacons of Hope
Rewilding: Rediscovering Ourselves in Nature
An important discussion on the role nature plays in inspiring hope among all humans and the role we play in protecting our shared world.
Session Highlights
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Explore the importance of integrating nature into our everyday lives as best we can
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Discuss the incredible power that comes from our connectedness with nature
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Marvel at the abundant hope of Mother Nature
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Rest in the inherent nature of the earth to provide and care for us all
Rachel Neumann
Rachel Neumann (she/they) is a nationally published writer, editor, and meditation teacher whose work focuses on bringing more beauty, joy, and justice into the world. She is the author of four books and was the primary collaborative writer for Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. Rachel is a partner, chief strategy officer, and senior literary agent at Idea Architects, focusing on developing culture-shifting narrative nonfiction. Rachel grew up on the Salmon River (Karuk territory) and currently lives in the Bay Area on Xučyun, the ancestral and unceded land of the Chochenyo Ohlone.
Craig Foster
Craig Foster is one of the world’s leading natural history filmmakers and cofounder of the Sea Change Project. His film My Octopus Teacher (winner of an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature and winner of a Golden Panda, Grand Teton, and PGA) follows the story of his year with a wild octopus, at the same time honoring his pact to dive 365 times a year.
Ross Frylinck
Ross Frylinck is a writer and photographer and a former commissioning editor at Cambridge University Press. He has been working in ocean conservation for the past fifteen years and is cofounder of the Sea Change Project.
Zolani Mahola
Zolani Mahola is a South African singer, actress, storyteller, world-renowned inspiration speaker, and lead singer of the internationally acclaimed South African music group Freshlyground.
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When my son was younger we would live in a tent in the (Canadian) forest behind my in-laws house Friday evening after work and school, to Sunday evening – from once the ground had thawed in the Spring and until it was too cold, usually before the end of October. Sometimes we’d sneak into the forest even in the winter – the coldest night was minus 24 degrees C. (I didn’t sleep much.) So many memories, of wildlife and Northern Lights. My favorite was the night a mouse was running around underneath the tarp floor of the tent, watching my son be so careful not to harm it. He still has a way with nature at 31 years old – the crows leave him gifts.
I was raised on rock. There were few trees and one day I went with my father into a scrub bush to gather organic leaf mould for his garden in clay soil. And there, in the rock we came across giant footprints. They contained a reverberating presence moving perhaps through a shallow lake bottom in forming clay cast by minerals over eons of a huge, vibrantly alive creature. The footprints may have lain hidden until our fascinated human perception exposed the miracle. They were perfect and timelessly cast, soft and round with toes like an elephant’s and heavy with the weight of a living body. They conveyed a message. Much, much later I saw a blood red sunset ignite the sky and my mind/body fell and dissolved, melted into the ground. The message delivered.
A couple of years ago, I was at a wetland at dusk with my binoculars waiting for the sandhill cranes to come to roost. Boy, was I in for a treat. At one point, the sky was blanketed with what seemed like thousands of sandhill cranes. With the cacophony of their calls, the myriad movement of fluttering wings as they landed, the busyness and purposefulness of intention that filled the air as the birds found just the right spots to roost, seeing the beautiful community amongst them and with their surroundings (if this makes sense) was absolutely astounding. I was overwhelmed with a profound sense that their is indeed a higher intelligence and beauty in this world. I felt like I wanted to both cry and dance at the same time. There was also a profound stillness and sense of clarity within.
At a lake when thunder and a light rain rolled in to greet me, my dog, and a lady bug.
In a field across from my childhood home, stood two large trees. I spent most of my childhood hugging their branches and looking at the ground from above. Even in my teens, I spent time in trees where angst and stress disappeared. My small yard boasts more plants than lawn, but still I must trek to the forest for larger doses of vitamin N (nature). When the blacktop gives way to dirt road, I exhale and say, “I am home.”
I had spent 3 hours hiking up Humpback Mountain on the Oregon coast with my 6 year old son and husband.. Many stops along the way, many times exploring streams, plants and scenes. When we arrived at the top the whole world opened before my eyes.. It was incredible, I stood in awe. To this day and that was 40 years ago, when I reconnect with the feelings of that day I feel my soul sing.
Growing up in California, U.S.A., I loved the majesty of the redwoods and the amazing diversity of their ecosystem. Four years ago, I got to experience them over a few days when my son got married in a grove which was just a stunning natural cathedral. I felt so peaceful, safe, and protected with old growth redwoods surrounding and towering over us all. I can hear the creaky, huge branches (like stairs in an old house) that slowly swayed in the wind as we sat under them and the stars around a campfire that night.
one memory comes to mind – being in Norway on a boat going through the Fiords. Just one awe-inspiring view after another as the boat traveled through…breathtaking, peaceful, incredulous, mouth hanging open. I have been fortunate to have many memories come into my consciousness as I reflect on this question… so lovely, so fortunate, so amazed at mother nature. Also fortunate to have a man made lake very close to where I live with lots of walk paths through woods and always feel peaceful, serene, my body relaxes, love to see what creatures I will find on each walk, or maybe just the water and the trees….ahhhhhhhhh
While we find our way in the wilderness, may we also do so with awe and respect. For me, encountering the oceans and sharks have always be the most humbling of experiences. While it nourishes us, I hope people go into nature spaces respecting the wildlife and the land, not seeking to touch but rather just being an awestruck bystander who doesn’t change anything, destroy anything or seek to alter anything.
Went swimming & diving (even thou mega bad sciatica dove off 5 meter). Our new Chinese friend was there too, a very fun guy -25 yrs younger than me & my brother likes him too. Our city is multicultural & we both have been brought up not to judge people on Race, abilities, etc. Just saying hi to people makes a person’s day!
The ‘rewilding’ talk was wonderful.
Loved camping outside in a swag, sometimes a tent, in the outback for weeks . Just being out for extended periods without coming back into a town was blissful, sleeping under the stars which seemed to hang within reach, going to sleep with birds roosting and waking up to them, breathing with the natural rhythm of the natural world. these extended periods in nature throughout my life are when I feel the most alive. My heart and senses are dulled in the city. A walk in the local park is not the same for me…
On another line, deep sadness and alarm reading a story in the Wa Post 5 days ago regarding the Indigenous people of the Amazon who live in their natural world without outside contact are being illegally pursued by missionaries. They live in “one of the largest Indigenous territories in Brazil, called the Javari Valley, a swath of forest larger than the state of South Carolina… its estimated population of 6,300 Indigenous people, it’s considered the world’s largest repository of uncontacted peoples”. They need more protection.
I was fortunate enough to visit Argentina about 20 years ago. While there I visited the Iguazu falls. It was so beautiful! There was so much water coming down the falls. I could see it swirling and bubbling and creating mist and rainbows. The sound of the water thunders so that you have to shout just to speak to a person standing right next to you. Being there, surrounded by these wild waters filled my entire body with such happiness, bliss and joy. To this day I remember what it feels like to be absolutely overtaken with a deep sense of awe in every fiber of my being! I was there with friends and on our way back we couldn’t speak we just smiled. I still have a picture of all of us huddled together in front of the falls. We exude happiness! I think Mother Nature took me in her arms that day, like she had done many times before. The difference was that on that day I knew what she was doing, I felt it in my bones. Thinking about it all these years later, I can still feel it!
Just today, I was at the local park. I was in a virtual therapy session and had just shared something with my counselor that caused me great distress and emotional suffering. My counselor led me in a meditation. When I opened my eyes I looked up at a beautiful tree with yellow foliage. In that moment, my mind was at peace. My body was fully grounded and regulated with nature all around me. And my spirt was soaring with the wind that was rustling the leaves of the tree. In that moment, I remembered that all seasons bring death and new life.
I am always in Awe in Muir Woods in the midst of the Redwoods. I am humbled by their majesty, and it is the one place I feel I belong. The trees respond and hold me and it doesn’t matter the color of my skin, age or gender. In that space I feel Love.
I felt so free floating in the ocean while holidaying in Costa Rica right before the Lock downs (so blessed to have spent 10 days in a humble little village.) I felt in awe when a local Guide shared his knowledge and love of the Jungle, hearing bird calls, seeing tiny frogs, being with ancient trees. I wanted to stay there forever. My body, mind, heart and spirit were so in harmony with the tropical heat, the sunshine, wild flowers growing everywhere, beauty filled me with gratitude.
I am very blessed to have lived in a very rural area for over 35 years. For me being alone in nature especially the water recharges my soul. When I feel drained from life and people I have to take my nature time or I am not good to anyone. Nature keeps me balanced.
On a camping self-retreat one spring in the Sierras, I was doing walking meditation along a broad creek when I noticed several butterflies go past me. I paused and looked around and realized I was standing in the middle of a river of butterflies using the creek as a highway on their migration. I counted at least 4 species traveling as groups, some landing to rest on my body and then resuming their trek. As I moved they flowed around me. It felt as if they were letting me join them on their miraculous journey. My spirit certainly did.
What joy you have brought. The wisdom the gratitude for life and for our mother Earth. The words of Jane Goodall and the songs of Zolani Mahola have given me a bigger flicker of hope for now and for ever. Thank you.
Each morning I awaken to grateful feeling of another day to play on Mother Earth. I imagine (before rising) what adventure walk I will take with my dog today. As we make our way outside we see all of nature’s gifts every day.
The one day that was the most memorable was after I had lost someone to suicide. I went to the ocean looking for some solace and closure. I really wanted to let go of the sad thoughts. As I walked the ocean edge a rose appeared on the sand. I just stood at the shore and watched it being washed out to the endless ocean. I felt truly connected to my higher power of mind, body and spirit!
In the late 90’s I was in a hurry driving to Chaco Canyon on a desolate road, to be a part of an archeological group. After reaching the top of a hill I was mesmerized by a full view of the most glorious sunrise I’ve ever seen. I pulled over to stop, and forgot all about my destination for a few minutes, because I felt I was a part of nature itself. I’ve never forgotten it.
I believe the great mother is looking after us, but we need to help. This afternoon a pair of cardinals came to drink from my birdbath. Usually it would have been frozen over, but for climate changes we have warming here in South Dakota. I can continue to put warm water in the birdbath instead of turning it over for the winter.. Every one of us can do one small thing..
I was in the mountains in the middle of the island of Jamaica. We had just finished practicing for a gospel concert and as we were walking back to our car I felt a warm glow as a bright light shone down through the trees. In those moments I felt overwhelmed with a sense of awe. My body, mind and Spirit felt at one with my surroundings. I felt I was connected to it all. I was part of my surroundings, there was no separation, I was part of nature.
That was almost 50 years ago and it was an overwhelming experience I can never forget. Thank you for allowing me to write about the experience.
This also gives me hope knowing I am part of this hugh ecosystem.
Early this morning I took a walk up into the solitude of the desert here in Arizona close to the Colorado River. The air was cool, dry, and scented by creosote. This walk, a walk made many times before, had a different feel this time because it was one thing I could do as an unsymptomatic, Covid-19 quarantined person without fear of contaminating others. When I reached a one mile point I turned around to enjoy the view of the river and its lake far below me. I felt I belonged with the desert. I’m looking forward to repeating this walk.
Am so. excited to hear that which are taught there and my advice is to inform you that make it always so that will make people to learn more things which are hidden…
Jah bless !!! Nice day
I live in the high Sierras of California, so I experience awe everyday when I hike with my dog in these glorious forests. One time in particular, I was cross country skiing and got caught in a blizzard. My little dog, Rishi Raj, was with me. I couldn’t see even 5 feet ahead of me and wasn’t even sure if I was on the trail. But, fear subsided, and I just trusted that I was on the right track.. My confidence in tact, I skied on feeling intuitively that I was fine, my dog at my side. I was in pure awe at the power of nature and felt guided all the way, uplifted and resonant with nature.
I was car camping outside of Flagstaff, AZ, in March. By the time I got to a site, it was growing dark and beginning to snow. Rather than set up camp, I hauled everything out of my car and set up a nest in which to sleep. Dinner was sparse. I sat in the back of the car and asked a silent question – “Why, why did you make me this way – to wander and feel rootless – despite my longing to help? Why, despite my gifts, have I not yet found my place? An incredible stillness came over me. I can only describe it as this deep “knowing” that all was well – that my “trials” had a purpose. That was one of the best nights sleep that I have ever had – in the snow and the forest.
I also would like to share another recent “tip” I received while hiking in Southern Utah. I have been full of doubts – about my climate assignment – whether I was sane or not – after decades of being at odds. I began to ask my Inner Critic what it would do in this situation – to invite it forward to participate rather than nag. It worked. Within a few days of this approach, I found myself saying “Well, why wouldn’t I be showing up for this?” That is my new mantra – that I share because Elissa talked about mantras.
A couple days ago I walked in the nearby bosque ( a preserve of trees and dense undergrowth all along the river ) in Corrales, New Mexico along the Rio Grande river. I was off trail. It was pretty rugged going. Suddenly a very large piece of the landscape jumped into the air in front of me and flew off straight up into the treetops and then disappeared into the intense blue sky. Much MUCH bigger than a hawk. That compact raptor neck and elegant wingspan. I had just experienced an eagle take flight from nearly at my feet. I felt a kind of blessing all day. Still do. Always nature does it while awareness knows it. Same one thing. Just hoping we can still encounter something like this for many years to come. It will take some work.
I love reading this. It made me smile and feel a sense of connection. I had many wonderful experiences with nature and spirit in NM over 25 years. I now live in CO but it’s not the same.
We have a very old willow tree ( we call her the Storytime Tree ) in our front yard and one year it needed some big time TLC trimming because a huge branch broke. When the job was done it was devastating to see how bare she was but it was amazing how fast she grew back to her beautiful self, truly cared for by Mother Earth.
Watching the sunset from start to finish on the West Coast of the state of Washington ( Olympia National Park ) This stunning display occurs every night and how often do we actually participate in it fully? That big ball of light dropping into the ocean, after displaying its spectacular artwork of color and light. Made me feel alive, peace filled and connected to the Earth.
On a Florida beach where I could drive my car onto the sand. A thunderstorm rolled in off the horizon and I could simply watch the storm and the lightning in the distance. I felt relaxed, peaceful, and grateful that the storm was offshore.
In my garden, heavy rain has produced the most superb roses. I am lost in time and can barely shift my gaze. I have no words but perfection, bliss!
Dr Epel says that they don’t look at hope when studying stress. That brought me up short. I wonder why in the world not? Could it be because of embracing the bias of that the earth (or Gaia) is broken and in need of being fixed?
hi again 🙂 I much prefer the bias that Craig Foster offers that the Great Mother is looking after us and supporting us. May I and all deepen my thoughtfulness and feel myself held in Her deep wisdom
Sitting quietly In cave’s center without a lamp…how colorless, how expansive I am
Arching my neck to meet the gaze of the night’s sky,..how faint, how small I am
I live in Alaska. I can see the glorious Chugach mountains from the loft in my house. They tell me human concerns are minor They give me perspective. They tell me not to egoize.
On a light gray day, I sat looking out at Lake Superior and could see nothing on the horizon except the water blending into the sky. It was so peaceful, and soothing, to be held in their convergence. Wanting to sit there forever, and knowing I couldn’t, I tried to soak as much of the experience into my being as possible, so it might always be with me.
Exactly
For me it was using my kayak for the first time in a river.noticing the beauty of the water and its stillness and the associated sounds made me appreciate my place within the world from a gratitude perspective
In my previous residence I had always self-evidently felt connected to the trees around my house. Then I moved house. I felt lucky that there is a tree right in front of my balcony, but strangely I didn’t feel connected to it. It sort of felt like the tree thought “So there is a new human living in front of me, big deal”. I totally agree that this sounds weird, but there was nothing I could do about it. Then after a year and a half (I was resigned to this being the new way-it-is) there was this fabulous big storm. I couldn’t help but sit in front of my glass balcony door and look at my tree in the storm. It took hours. Ever since that day it feels that my tree and I know each other, also when the weather is quiet or it is losing its leaves. And…..ever since that day I feel more that this is where I live.
Almost daily….I am awed most mornings by the beautiful sunrises and even during the short walk to my barn….the glistening spider webs, a seedling starting in the paddock, the eggs my small flock of hens leave me daily, fireflies still astonish me as do dragon flies, the meteor showers, full moons, thunder storms, hearing rain approaching through the trees, hearing the wind through Canada Geese feathers, as they quietly glide onto the creek….chicks just hatched under a broody hen 21 days after she started to incubate them.,, sunsets, a deer at the edge of road….I always say “thank you“…..
Every morning I have the privilege of awakening to the majesty and splendor of the sacred mountain here in Taos. Some mornings she is crowned with clouds, other times with impossible blue sky, and occasionally she is dusted with snow. Opening the door to greet her, to give thanks for another day, is a ritual which never ceases to inspire awe and gratitude. To live in the lap of this mountain and here her singing, calling us home to Mother Earth, has been one of the greatest gifts of this life.
Thank you for this nourishing conversation about coming home, being home in the ocean and wild nature—on a related note, experiencing ‘My octopus teacher’ was a life-changing gift. Great gratitude!
I live in the city. I love my garden. Just taking the garbage out gives me the chance to take in the beauty that surrounds me. Hear the birds sing. Watching the squirrels scampering along the power lines with nuts in the their mouths. Seeing the seasons change. The seasons of the flowers. The seasons of the food growing. The seasons of the trees.
The earth provides such richness. Truly soothes the soul.
Yes, I love our raised bed vegetable garden that we made 2 summers ago. I had never grown veggies before only pots of herbs. It amazed me how planting these tiny seeds, watering them with love that they could grow into tall bean plants, tomato plants and such lush greens. Wow Mother Nature is so bountiful. I felt so sad when we got frost 2 nights ago with still so many cherry tomatoes still green on the vines…. now the leaves have withered and the tomatoes will never turn red to be plucked and savoured. Later that morning I took my daughter’s 6 month old puppy out for a walk she had never seen frost and I laughed as she licked the grass. The Maple trees on our street looked surreal in the bright sunlight as if glowing from within – colours of yellow, gold, orange and red leaves – spectacular – I forgot my sadness of frosted veggies – to marvel at the beauty of autumn trees in Ontario, Canada.
My first trip to Monument Valley….the colors,the smell of the earth, the quiet…..I’m in my spiritual home out there
When i first saw a Rhino..I was mesmerized. I cried and cried…not only because I felt blessed but I cried for what the human race has done to them..I cried for all the animals used and abused in the world..I cried for how we have stolen their autonomy and honestly if it was not for the fight I still have in me to help them in anyway I can..all HOPE within me would die and I would die too
Listening to you all reminded me of the time my family went to the ocean and my father took me swimming for the first time in my life. I was very young and that was the only time we ever did that. That memory is so dear. Thank you for your sparkling conversation.
happiness, energy
Was wonderful to hear the talk with Rachel and my fellow South African’s about our beautiful Mother Earth and our calming and nurturing ocean. I am also very blessed to live in Cape Town, South Africa. Sending lots of love and hope from this part of our amazing Planet.xxxx
Almost everyday I am astonished by the nature. I have the luxury to live close to a forest, the fields and the sea and able to enjoy them whenever I can. All the four seasons brings awe.
I love all these talks and teachings by these spiritual leaders.
However, nothing will ever change my mind about animal agriculture.
Yes we are living in a very tough world today, and most of it is caused by factory farms, they do harm to animals, the planet and our bodies.
No matter how spiritual a person is, if one is not Vegan, then one is contributing to the most harmful, cruel, industries in the world.
This has to end. No one needs animals as food, or leather, or dairy or any other bodily secretions.
Animals are not here for us, they are here in their own right.
I have the benefit of living in an area abundant with nature. Daily, I walk in local forestlands, over 3600 acres that have been set aside as a park. I have my regular wooded friends, and I regularly can feel their amazing majesty and care. I see their communication with one another through sap, and their healing and growth, especially as nurse logs. The bounty is awe-inspiring, the generosity is heart expanding.
My brothers have created a special series of walking trails on a 40 acre parcel of land in northern Wisconsin. The seasons dictate the wondrous and magical feeling of hiking on the various interconnected trails…..the whiteness and quietness of the snow in winter serves as a blanket, the leaves turn into a profusion of color in autumn and the leaves crunch beneath each step, the greenery erupts anew in spring, and the summer becomes busy with birds calling, deer grazing, insects buzzing. It’s a magical place that they maintain and protect.
A Beautiful gift from your brothers!
I’m often the only one swimming at a public, olympic-size, spring-fed, outdoor pool surrounded by trees in a small Mexican town. When I’m swimming backstroke staring at the cloudless, blue sky, the trees, the birds, the butterflies, I can’t help feeling incredibly fortunate to have this opportunity. My body feels relaxed, my mind is clear and calm, and my spirit experiences incredible gratitude and connection with nature.
May I ask which town this is in? I love my swimming and nature.
Hi Doug. Craig, Ross, and Zolani are in South Africa and swimming in the Cape of Storms.
Can you tell me where in Mexico this is. I love nature and swimming.
Craig, Ross, and Zolani are in South Africa and swimming in the Cape of Storms.
Sounds so wonderful. what town are you in?