healing response intiative_final logo_blank.png — CV-19 Healing Response Initiative

The CV-19 outbreak and corresponding governmental control measures have ushered in a new reality here in the Bay Area. This reality has brought uncertainty, unforeseen hardships, anxieties, and profound suffering- especially for communities already at the margins of society. This reality has also offered a rare opportunity to pause, reassess, realign and, ultimately, evolve- both personally and as a society.

Over the past few weeks, Genesis has worked diligently to shift our healing ecosystem to an online platform in order to support all those who are seeking emotional, mental, spiritual, and physical support at this time.

While healing support offered via online platforms can be powerful, impactful and cathartic, it is also true that these offerings are quite limited within an a socially isolated/distant environment. Therefore, the goal of these initiatives is both to respond to the immediate need, while also laying the foundation for a robust healing infrastructure which people can utilize once the shelter-in-place & distancing measures are lifted.

Rebirth

“Even before CV-19 struck, the rate of social distancing was already alarming and ever-escalating. For decades, our technological advancements have allowed us to not only shelter-in-place, but to also date-in-place/shop-in-place/create-in-place/teach-in-place/meet-in-place/play-in-place and so on and so forth. Despite having unprecedented access to the world and its people, we have become increasingly isolated, intolerant, and generally disconnected from ourselves, each other and the planet. CV-19 has simply accelerated this trajectory and exposed the most inhumane aspects of our society. This is both the tragedy and beauty of this COVID moment. Tragic because we are now seeing clearly the result of a world dominated by unjustifiable expansion, consumption, opulence and control. The beauty of this moment, however, is equally powerful. To witness everyday people extend their hearts, their gifts, their time, and their resources to support those who are most impacted has been heartwarming. It has been a reminder of our deepest essence.

I hope that this moment can be a catalyzing force in the hearts of every being on this planet. I hope this will be the moment in history when we decided to return to ourselves, to each other and to the planet. May this be the moment we reintegrate into the tapestry of living creatures on this planet, rather than insist on being its overlords. The seedlings for a more beautiful and sacred way of life are beginning to break through the soil. May we nourish and protect them.”

- Nova Ren Kai-Enqú Ananda, ENVOY & Vision Keeper

Genesis Healing Roadmap

There is a complex web between an individual's experience of trauma and the contributing environmental, political, institutional & historical factors at play. This complexity entreats a tension not easily reconciled. While it is true that most trauma in our society stems from a larger social, economic, and/or political injustice, for an individual to begin their healing journey at such a scale can be overwhelming, disorienting and quite taxing. Yet on the other hands, healing efforts which individualize trauma to the exclusion of larger systemic/historic oppression, violence and injustice, are anemic, ineffective, and complicit in perpetuating the very trauma it professes to heal. Striking the proper balance between “the personal” and “the political” is a delicate healing art form- one that requires diligent practice.

It is wonderful to see people heal their personal wounds in order to live a more vibrant life, and it is our hope that people don’t simply stop there. While it is natural to want to return to some semblance of equilibrium or comfort, we would urge people to resist the impulse to “adapt” to our current reality. Instead we would encourage everyone to see this as an opportunity to evolve (maybe even liberate) themselves and others. Although suffering can be incredibly disturbing and distressing, it also offers us a unique chance to connect with all other beings who are also suffering- most of whom were profoundly suffering even before the CV-19 outbreak hit. And through the activation of our empathy, we can become better advocates for ourselves and for all living creatures. This is the path toward transformative healing. And to that end, we wish to offer this roadmap. May it it spark your imagination and expand what you believe is possible.

Co-Authored by: Nova Ren & Natalie Puente + Designed by: Natalie Puente — Co-Authored by: **Nova Ren & Natalie Puente +** Designed by: **Natalie Puente**

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Virtual Gatherings

Even on the most difficult days- amidst all the chaos and uncertainty- it is completely possible to set an intention which will result in the healing of our wounds, the regeneration of our bodies, the reparation of our relationships and the revival of our hearts!

We believe that within each of us lives a powerful healer. In order to support the cultivation of this “inner-healer”, we offered a communal healing space for anyone in the country on Thursday evenings. Participants learned a particular healing practices which allows for community building and vulnerable organic healing to occur within a limit period of time.

If you’d like to learn more about these spaces or even learn how to facilitate spaces like this for your community, click “learn more” to email us directly!

Regional Responses

For frontline workers, educators, service providers, health professionals, and community advocates this crisis has placed an immeasurable amount of pressure on an already strained non-profit and service sector.

Genesis is excited to partner with organizations through the Bay Area, to build and nourish local healing ecosystems in order to sustain our frontline workers, service providers and advocates during this moment and beyond!