| An Invitation to Our Mahal na Kapwa |
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May this letter reach you in good health and spirit. We hope that you are able to maintain grounding amidst the Great Churning (a pun on Joanna Macy’s term) and winnowing that call on us to be a people of courage and wisdom. In these turbulent times, we take heart in a reminder from the Japanese poet who writes:
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"Since my house burned down, I now own a better view of the rising moon." (Mizuta Masahide 1657–1723) |
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This rising Moon tugs at our hearts towards a Kapwa community where we can widen the circle and deepen our experience of our Filipino indigenous soul. Hence, we hope that you may be willing to join us again with PAGSUYO 3. In this third offering, we invite you to be with us in exploring more in-depth, within the sacred circle of community, this process of “courting our Indigenous Soul,” this time, through Ethnoautobiography. You may have heard us make references to Ethnoautobiography (EA) in previous sessions. EA is a framework for getting to know our long body; this is a Haudenosaunee concept which is akin to the Filipino concept of kapwa. |
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We foresee a year-long online course meeting once-a-month where we engage the above themes through storytelling, artistic and creative forms of expression, journaling, and other participatory activities. Given the intimate nature of the course (built on indigenous practices of self-exploration and inter-kapwa relationality) a limited number of slots will be available. In addition to access to the monthly gatherings, each participant will be able to sign up for a one-time, 45-minute video conference with Pagsuyo facilitators. In this conversation — which will be attended by one or more facilitators — you can share your thoughts or ask questions about the EA journey, and discuss anything that is arising in your heart and spirit about our emergent practice.
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The EA book (developed by Jurgen W. Kremer and R Jackson-Paton) was “midwifed” by Ate Leny by lending her classes to pilot test the framework. Ate Leny, in recognizing that her own classroom pedagogy has been influenced by Filipino Indigenous Psychology, found in the EA structure a useful tool that is capable of weaving the elements of our long bodies in a clear, gentle, and accessible way. She and Jurgen eventually team-taught an EA course that became the basis for the published workbook suitable for both academic and non-academic community settings. Ate Lily subsequently spent a sabbatical in 2014 shadowing this course and has since used EA in her own classes to salutary effect. You can read more about EA in this special issue of ReVision Journal where both Ate Leny and Ate Lily have published essays—check them out.
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Registration for the offering is limited to 24 participants on a first-come, first-served basis. In the spirit of reciprocity and generosity, a tuition fee of $421 for the year-long course will be required to register. The number represents the 421 named rivers (ilog) in the Philippine archipelago. Rivers represent connection, returning, and continuation, the endless flow of life through vast landscapes as it journeys back to the sea. Your offering will support CfBS programming and organizing, including honoraria for speakers, curating of events to support the community and to help fund Indigenous-led projects in the homeland. With the program fee, you will receive a copy of the EA book shipped to you. In addition, you will have access to the live sessions and recordings of the discussions. If you need a payment plan, email [email protected] to make arrangements. |
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Learn More: Attend the Info Session |
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On Sunday, November 9, facilitators will host an information session about the offering. In this session, you will learn more about the format of the offering and meet the facilitators. This is also a great time to ask questions.
The information session will be held at 4 pm Pacific/7 pm Eastern on Sunday, Nov. 9.
Email [email protected] to RSVP |
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Daghang salamat for your continued engagement with the sacred work of re-membering our shared commitment to honoring Indigenous ancestral wisdom. Nagmamahal, Ka Leny, Ka Lily, and Pagsuyo facilitators |
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