In partnership with the Austin Story Project and Dandelion House, The Hearth is helping to facilitate The Fierce Nonviolence Pilgrimage. Led by Certificate in Community Storytelling Graduate Fumiaki Tosu, this immersion program for young adults will explore the spiritual roots and daily practices of nonviolent social change– where the inner work of the soul fuels the outer work of justice.
A guiding question for the pilgrimage will be, “How do we create the more beautiful world we so deeply desire?”
This year, on the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, the pilgrimage will focus on people and places in the Pacific Northwest impacted by the U.S. nuclear arsenal. The pilgrimage begins on July 31st in Hanford, Washington and will end on August 7th at the Trident submarine base (optional extended pilgrimage: starts July 28th in Spokane, Washington). The program will include storytelling and teachings from tribal leaders, community members, and others impacted by the U.S. nuclear weapons program, as well as from Norimitsu Tosu, an 83 year-old atomic bomb survivor from Hiroshima. Through story-sharing led by Mark Yaconelli, contemplative practice, ritual, and teaching participants will learn the history, strategies, and spirituality of nonviolent action, and leave with tools for social change they can bring home to their own communities.
All young adults, ages 21 to 34 are encouraged to apply to join the pilgrimage. There is a sliding-scale fee, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds.
