THE MISSION STATEMENT OF GROWING HUMANKINDNESS

Growing Humankindness is here to nurture a more connected, compassionate, and relational world. We merge the insights of relational science with self compassion, soul, and loving presence to restore our relationships with ourselves, with each other, and with the living world.

We offer classes, art, poetry, and gatherings to soften the judgment and shame we harbor for our protectors – the self protections we erect in the face of trauma and loss. Our offerings are rooted in our desire to soften the separation we feel within ourselves, with others, with Spirit, and with our living world.

We offer these resources and our own healing journeys on behalf of our shared world, to deepen our compassion for ‘the other voices of ourselves speaking’* and to nurture a gentler, more tender world.

* – This phrase was taught to me by my friend, poet Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer, which she adapted from Bill Plotkin’s work.

This image is a collage of ‘yearnings for healing’ that I made during the 2022 Listen class.

We’re guided by these core values:

• Simplicity and joy – we yearn to live simply on the earth and to embrace the joys of daily life
• Hospitality – we yearn to create a space of welcome for ourselves and others
• Humility – we honor the gifts of not knowing, of asking for help, and imperfection. We yearn to offer ourselves and others the safety and compassion to make mistakes, repair, and weave together a stronger whole.
• Interbeing – we honor our interconnectedness, the ways we’re contingent and interdependent, and the power we have to nurture and support life.
• Soulful listening – we go down to honor our richness, to embody our wholeness
• Courage and village mindedness – we long to express our yearnings, gifts, medicine, and love more deeply in the world, for the good and care of all
• Wonder and gratitude – above all, we remain in awe of the human heart, and the gift of life

Spiritual connection and inner connection are one whole

Connection – or relationship – is the lifeblood that sustains us biologically, pyschologically, emotionally, and spiritually. It is vital, our food.

As polyvagal theory founder Stephen Porges says, “Connection is a biological imperative.” The Buddha said it this way: “Our fear is great. Greater still is the truth of our connectedness.”

As we see it, interpersonal neurobiology and our wisdom traditions point to and speak from the same truth.

Sometimes we put these needs into an either/or – where we seek spiritual or psychological relationship, or prize one over the other. But we see these as parts of an interrelated whole:  two streams of the same river. We need both to thrive.

These connections interweave, influence, and nurture each other. Because we are one being, when we heal one area of connection – our connections with ourselves, our connections with others, or our connection with something greater –  the others are also positively impacted.

Therapy, healing and inner ‘work’ help us connect with others in healthier and more nourishing ways. And spirituality connecting with something greater – however you define that – also assists that inner healing journey. Likewise, as our human relationships and as our inner selves heal, we experience healing in our relationship with Spirit, with source, and our sense of belonging to the web of life.

Our offerings and our work honors this whole, this great stream of healing – whether we are listening inward, outwards, around or upwards. We yearn for healing in all areas of connection – with ourselves, with others, with the living world, with soul, and with Spirit.

May your heart be nourished here.

With warmth, Karly and the Growing Humankindness team