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Spiritual Leadership, A New Consciousness, and a World in Crisis

$45.00

Description

Description

Study Group With Toni Nash, CSJ
Took Place in Spring 2019; New Group to Be Announced Soon!

 

The universe has been flooding us with revelatory information for eons and contemporary science helps us understand it.  However, this is only part of the story; making meaning of these revelations is beyond the scope of science.  The other part requires religious and spiritual interpretation to reveal the deepest meanings of this ongoing activity of the Divine.

What role can religious and spiritual leaders play in this meaning-making? Don’t we have to update our own understandings first?  Most leaders today learned spirituality based on perceptions of the universe from at least 50 – 100 years ago, when there was still a sharp divide between the sacred and the profane.

What changes as we recognize the connections between the ongoing activity of creation – cosmogenesis – and the crises threatening our world?  How might our public witness change if we lived our spiritual commitment, our religious vows, within an understanding of a sacred universe?  How do new insights about the universe challenge our life and ministry?

Join Toni Nash, CSJ for this seven-session study group based on her PhD Dissertation  Cosmological Commitment in a Time of Planetary Crisis.  Sessions will be Zoom meetings in which participants meet and engage with each to apply our learnings to the challenges we face in today’s conflicted world.

Who is this for?

This course is designed for spiritual and religious leaders who want to frame their life and ministry within the new universe story. It particularly challenges those who make religious vows but will have significance for other leaders.    

In This Study Group, You Will:

  • Learn to analyze different aspects of our ecological, social and spiritual crisis through the lens of the cosmos-building principles of identity, difference, and interdependence
  • Increase your familiarity with the ways the cosmogenetic principles manifest in the world around us
  • Understand the consequences of ignoring these conditions
  • Explore the potential of these operating principles to become practical ethical standards for decision making
  • Examine what kind of internal transformation is needed for us to become vibrant contributing members of the Earth Community 
  • Explore how religious commitment and vows, influenced by cosmogenesis, would witness to right relationships between humans and the rest of the whole Earth community

 

Sessions and Recommended Readings

Session 1 (March 21): Aligning with the Flow of Energy: This session will explore the foundations for understanding the cosmos-building principles of identity, difference, and interdependence as essential to the process of evolution

Nash, T. (2015). Cosmological commitment in a time of planetary crisis:  (Chapter 1: Introduction”

Berry, T. (1999). The great work. New York, NY: Bell Tower. (especially Chapters 1-6, 14, 16)

Macy, J. (2007). Coming back to life. Gabriola Island, BC, Canada: New Society Publishers. (Chapters 1, 2)

 

Session 2 (March 28): What Crisis Looks Like: We will examine some of our most pressing challenges to life and health on this planet through the lens of the cosmos-building principles of identity, difference, and interdependence

Nash, T. (2015). Cosmological commitment in a time of planetary crisis:  (Chapter 2: “Theories of the crises and of an inadequate worldview”

Boff, L. (1997). Cry of the Earth, cry of the poor. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books. (Chapter 3: “The ecological crisis” In the first part of this chapter, Boff presents a Latin American perspective on the destructive thinking at the root of the ecological crisis: pp 63 – 75)

 

Session 3 (April 4): Deepening our understanding of Identity and Interdependence:We will examine how identity arises out of our interactions with the whole, and how the whole is changed by individuals

Nash, T. (2015). Cosmological commitment in a time of planetary crisis:  (Chapter 3: “Cosmogenesis as Alternative Consciousness” pp.20 -34)

 

Session 4 (April 11): The Role Differentiation plays in Evolution: How to live with differences is one of our greatest challenges today. We will explore the essential contribution differentiation makes to our evolution

Nash, T. (2015). Cosmological commitment in a time of planetary crisis:  (Chapter 3: “Cosmogenesis as Alternative Consciousness” pp. 35 – 47)

 

Session 5 (April 18): Spiritual Leadership in an Evolving Universe: This session challenges spiritual leaders to play a unique role in midwifing the profound transformation of consciousness we need to undergo to a align with Earth’s evolutionary processes

Nash, T. (2015). Cosmological commitment in a time of planetary crisis:  (Chapter 4: “The role of religious leaders in societal change” pp.49 – 59)

Berry, T. (1999). The Christian future and the fate of the Earth. New York, NY: Bell Tower. (Chapter 4: Christian Cosmology pp. 26 – 34)

Boff, L. (1997). Cry of the Earth, cry of the poor. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books. (Chapter 3: “The ecological crisis” In the second part of this chapter, Boff gives a liberation theology critique of our destructive religious thinking: pp 75 – 85)

 

Session 6 (May 2): Foundations for Decision Making: This session will explore activities and decisions that will align with the optimal flow of energy in our daily decisions.

Nash, T. (2015). Cosmological commitment in a time of planetary crisis:  (Chapter 5: “Living the values that we need to survive” pp.60 – 75)

 

Session 7 (May 9): Grounding in a Cosmos-Building Approach to our World: In this session will examine what kind of internal transformation that is needed for us to become vibrant contributing members of the Earth Community

Nash, T. (2015). Cosmological commitment in a time of planetary crisis:  (Chapter 6: “Values for a vibrant earth community” pp.76 – 81)

Swimme, B. (2000). Cosmic directionality and the wisdom of science. In J. F. Haught (Ed.), Science and religion in search of cosmic purpose (pp. 91–104). Washington, DC: Georgetown University Press.

 

Toni Nash, CSJ is a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet and teacher for over fifty years, a national lecturer, retreat director, and spiritual director. She has ministered on the faculty of a renewal program for Catholic religious and priests, and served in general leadership for her religious congregation. In 1994, Toni and three other Catholic sisters co-founded Sisters of Earth, an informal network of women from across the globe who share a deep concern for the ecological and spiritual crises of our times and who wish to support one another in work toward healing the human spirit and restoring Earth’s life support systems.  She has called work on the bi-annual Sisters of Earth conferences a vital opportunity to serve those who are working for environmental justice and the transformation of our human relationships with the rest of the Earth community. Toni holds a doctorate in Philosophy and Religion with a concentration in Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness. As a Religious Cosmologist, her work helps people to integrate their own religious traditions with the insights of contemporary science about the nature of the universe and the role of humans. She is particularly interested in the role of spiritual and religious leaders in this time of planetary crisis. She can be contacted at tnashcsj@juno.com.

 

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Anthony Robert Zelle, Esq., Tony is an Earth lawyer. While serving as Chair and President of the Earth Law Center, following 30 years in private practice trying cases and arguing appeals, he served as lead editor and author of the only comprehensive book on the subject: Earth Law: Emerging Ecocentric Law-A Guide for Practitioners. Developed for law school curricula, and now part of developing LLM programs internationally, the book has also become the primary reference source for practitioners.

The focus of Tony's current work is developing Earth law in practice and creating revenue-generating opportunities for Earth lawyers.

Learn more about Tony’s journey from a recent Boston College Law School Magazine profile.https://lawmagazine.bc.edu/2025/02/voice-for-the-earth/

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Maisie Paddon, Maisie is spearheading the advancement of Earth Law by integrating its principles into transformative policies and business strategies that resonate with Earth-centric practices and Nature's patterns. At the helm of Project 2040, she seeks to revolutionize financial systems, foster circular economies, and develop regenerative food systems. Her extensive experience in top-tier management consulting, with roles at Ernst & Young and Capgemini, showcases her ability to lead complex innovation programs and engage with C-suite leaders. With a solid foundation in Philosophy and Climate Science, Maisie is deeply committed to beneficial systemic change. She champions the inclusion of Nature's voice in discussions that tackle the multifaceted crises of today's modern world, while aligning her efforts with global frameworks like UN SDGs, ESG principles, and ISO standards. Her holistic and emotionally intelligent approach underscores her pursuit of sustainable and equitable solutions.

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Kerry Hudson, Hudson works as an activist and public interest lawyer with a focus on social justice, and an academic and employment history addressing heirs' property reform and protections of the Florida aquifer. He served as co-founder and manager for a medical practice that focused on Environmentally Acquired Diseases, and the effects of that most macro of human phenomenon—climate change, on the most granular, personal issues—individual health and the chronic and intractable maladies brought on by changing climate. He has served as Education Director for Rights of Nature and eco-centric education, creating informational content addressing topics such as environmental protections and property law, and the Public Trust Doctrine, and creating supplemental educational content for the law school textbook Earth Law: A Practitioner’s Guide. He holds an MFA in writing, has a publication history with both fiction and non-fiction, and has authored funded grants examining strategies to mitigate generational heirs' property abuses. He holds a J.D. with a focus on Environmental Justice, social equity, and restorative justice and has created informational and educational content addressing the intersection of environmental and legal issues such as the one-percenters' climate change preparations. Currently based in London, He works on a long-form manuscript addressing the importance of property law, social justice, and the climate change crisis.

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April Elizabeth Finlayson, April Elizabeth Finlayson is an “Edu-neer” dedicated to designing holistic and transformational learning experiences. She has a fervent commitment to reimagining education, promoting lifelong learning and creating uniquely curated, humanizing educational experiences for youth, and the young at heart. This has led to the development of nearly a dozen innovative schools and numerous educational programs in the K-12, after-school learning, adult development and Higher-Ed spaces.

April’s style of leadership and service is rooted in making space for learner voice, agency and empowerment. She believes that the best teaching and learning is reciprocal, interwoven and interchangeable. April asserts that “if a learner knows that they are seen, affirmed, “in-powered” and protected while learning, they will feel loved, and will henceforth thrive!”

April's students and graduates have gone on to international and national renown in philanthropy, entrepreneurship, professional athletics, entertainment, and being great, enjoyable people. April was cross culturally raised and educated between The Bahamas, the USA and Canada. She completed her undergraduate degree in International Development Studies, Political Science and Management from McGill University, and earned both her Master's Degree in Mind, Brain and Education and her Doctorate Degree in Education Leadership from Harvard Graduate School of Education.

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Tara A. Pierce, Tara holds degrees in painting, the humanities, a J.D., and an LL.M. in Oceans, Environment, & Sustainability. This transdisciplinary background enriched her legal studies and contributed to the successful publication of several papers on Earth Law and Restorative Ocean Farming. Her latest thesis synthesised her entire academic and hands-on experiences into an approach to transforming the law into a healing practice. Tara regularly guest lectures on Ocean & Coastal Law developments for various institutions in the United States and Europe.

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Cat Haas, Cat Haas is the Director of the Eco Jurisprudence Monitor (EJM), where she oversees the research and development of the world’s most comprehensive database of ecological jurisprudence initiatives globally. Since 2022, she has led efforts to document and analyze the global evolution of Earth-centered law, with a particular focus on the Rights of Nature movement, ecological law, and Indigenous ontologies. Cat holds an M.A. in Global Studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where her research explored the influence of Indigenous cosmologies and pluriversal ontologies on the development and globalization of the Rights of Nature movement.
She also serves on the Steering Committee of the Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature (GARN) Academic Hub, an interdisciplinary network of scholars specializing in ecological law and governance.
With a background in environmental education, Cat is passionate about fostering awareness and advocacy for sustainable, equitable legal frameworks that address the climate crisis and center ecological well-being

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Ava Roche, Ava is currently a pre-law focused senior at Columbia University studying Political Ecology, conducting her senior thesis on the socio-political effects of deep-sea mining in the Cook Islands. She is attending Columbia University’s Climate School next fall, and aspires to be an earth lawyer, with experience as the student director of the Earth Law Centers, “Earth Law: Emerging Ecocentric Law- a Guide for Practitioners” course last summer. She is an avid scuba diver who is passionate about protecting earths vital oceanic ecosystems, and is interning at Columbia Law Schools, "Sabin Center for Climate Change Law” this coming summer under Michael Gerrard. Above all, she can’t wait to TA with Earth Law Practice and work in such an impactful environment.

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Aurélie Rodzynek, advances Earth Law by uniting global advocacy, legal strategy, and community-led action. As Communications, Marketing, and Strategy Lead for the Earth Law Alliance, she works to embed Rights of Nature principles into governance systems worldwide. She has held leadership and coordination roles across North America, Europe, Asia, and the Pacific, guiding water governance initiatives, supporting international advocacy campaigns, and developing education programs on climate resilience and biodiversity. Leveraging her expertise, Aurélie has contributed to major UN-based gatherings and COP, promoting a holistic legal approach to protecting nature.

Holding an MPA in Environmental Science and Policy from Columbia University and a BA in International Relations, she works at the nexus of law, science, and community priorities to help restore ecological integrity and strengthen the relationship between people and the planet.

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Janet Marley is completing an MA in Ecopsychology at Naropa University. She is currently researching styles of governance in traditional indigenous societies of Turtle Island and how such wisdom ways can positively influence modern ecocentric regenerative residential communities and bioregional initiatives. She has a BA in Religious Studies from Brown University. Janet is a community organizer with an abiding interest in designing and co-creating intentional living and learning centers that model and teach connection, communication, and reciprocity with the natural world. Her gifts and roles include Teacher, Naturalist, Healer, Event Producer, and Facilitator of ceremony, council, rites of passage, vision quests, ecotherapy, and trauma integration work. She is a Montessori-trained educator and mom of two young children. She currently serves as a board member for The Circle for Change Initiative and is the Director of Programming and Events at the Manitoulin Eco Park, an indigenous-led nature connection facility in Ontario, Canada.

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Urwa Hameed, is a final year law student at Boston College Law School. She is a graduate of Boston College with degrees in International Studies and Political Science and has taught a course in Environmental Law at her alma mater. Urwa is the author of two published books, including her most recent, Hosting Earth: Facing the Climate Emergency (Routledge, 2024), which examines the environment through a philosophical and theological lens, framing humans as both hosts and guests of the Earth. Her work blends academic rigor with a deep commitment to exploring humanity’s moral and spiritual responsibilities toward the planet.

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