Wisdom figures are hard to come by | Gene Baur at Soka April 23, 2016

Hi everyone,

There is a short list of people that I have personally met that have dramatically changed the way I see the world and the path I choose to walk in this life. One of those I speak of often is the international trauma expert, Dr. David Berceli. Back in 2004, it resonated deeply when I first heard him speak of trauma as our invitation to evolve as a species with its resolution supporting our growth toward wisdom.

When we do not feel safe, we contract, resulting in increased fear, competition, resentment, reactivity, and anger. When safety is sufficient to allow for trauma recovery and great self-reflection on life’s hardships, we do not go back to the way we used to be, we go forward, forever changed for the better by our experiences. In the best case scenario, our sense of empathy and compassion expand as part of a much bigger, broader worldview. We move from the tightly contracted limitations of a self-centered worldview of “me” into the species-preserving benevolence of pursuing the common good in a worldview of “we”.

In 2015, I had the extremely good fortune to meet yet one more of these rare individuals who have met with significant adversity, and come out on the other side with increased wisdom and compassion. That individual is Gene Baur, the Co-founder and President of Farm Sanctuary. Bearing witness to animal cruelty for three decades would cause many to get utterly stuck in cynicism and bitterness, yet, Gene has managed to remain inspirationally optimistic, while embodying groundedness. After 30 years, he carries an amazing amount of knowledge; beyond that, he carries his life experience with grace. His organization seeks “Compassion for All” and gently reminds us that animals are “Someone not Something”.

Wisdom figures are hard to come by in this world. For me, that fosters a profound sense of gratitude when I meet one.

After the Friday, April 22 10^th Annual Golden West College Peace Conference where Gene Baur will be the key note speaker, come on Saturday, April 23, to Earth Day at Soka University with Gene Baur: Eating in harmony with our values. This event was created for those who can’t make it on Friday and for those who heard Gene speak at Chapman last October stating they wanted to hear more. Many at the peace conference will likely feel the same, seeking on Saturday to hear Gene speak again in a venue designed to provide a longer time frame so that he can go more in depth.

Register here for GWC 10th Annual Peace Conference. (Watch the event trailer here.)

Register here for Earth Day at Soka with Gene Baur.

Also, Nicole Jafari has generously offered her beautiful Anaheim Hills home for a Fundraiser Brunch and Silent Auction for Farm Sanctuary (with Gene Baur) on Sunday, April 24, 11am – 2pm. For complete details, send an email to: info @ livingubuntu.org. I hope you will come join us that day also and offer your support to the remarkable work Farm Sanctuary is doing.

Thank you for staying engaged,
Barbara English, LMFT, CBT, TRE® Certification Trainer
Co-founder and Executive Director, Living Ubuntu
livingubuntu.org
(949) 891-2005

[Ubuntu] n.
Every human being truly becomes a human by means of relationships with other human beings

:::UPCOMING EVENTS:::

A Screening of Racing Extinction – (a pre-conference event) — register now!
Thursday April 14, 6:30pm – 9:30pm
Costa Mesa

Orange County for Climate Action (OCCA) Meeting
Wednesday April 20, 6:30pm – 8:00pm
1151 Dove Street #210, Newport Beach

Tension and Trauma Releasing Exercises (TRE®) – Group Shake
Thursday April 21, 4:00pm – 5:00pm
Newport Beach

Golden West College 10th Annual Peace Conference — register now!
Friday, April 22, 8:30am – 5:00pm
Huntington Beach

Earth Day at Soka University with Gene Baur — register now!
Saturday, April 23, 9:30am – 11:45am (with picnic vegan lunch outside afterward)
Aliso Viejo

Ahimsa for Our Plate and the Planet (w/ Gene Baur)
Saturday, April 23, 5:00pm – 6:30pm (reception after)
Pomona

Private Fundraiser Brunch for Farm Sanctuary (w/ Gene Baur) – for event details or silent auction donations: info @ livingubuntu.org
Saturday, April 24, 11:00am – 2:00pm
Anaheim Hills

TRE Certification Training, Module I
Friday, April 29 – Sunday May 1, 9:30am – 5:00pm each day
San Diego

Living Vegan “Social” at The Stand Natural Food Restaurant
Saturday, May 7 5:30pm – 7:45pm
Laguna Beach

A Screening of Speciesism
Sunday, May 22, 6:30pm – 9:00pm
Irvine

A Screening of Love Thy Nature
Sunday, June 26, 6:30pm
Huntington Beach

Hike in Aliso Wood Canyon / Lunch at Native Foods Cafe  — save the date, more info soon!
Saturday, July 16, 9:00am – 10:45am (Lunch: 11am – 1pm)
Aliso Viejo

A Screening of PlantPure Nation
(featuring vegan nutrition expert, Laura Oatman)  — save the date, more info soon!
Sunday, July 31, 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Irvine

Permaculture Workshop & Visit with the Animals — save the date, more info soon!
(featuring Jessica Due of Kindred Spirits Care Farm)
Sunday, August 14, 10:00am – 2:00pm
Reseda