Bioneers brings together a very diverse, discerning, engaged and reflective community, and the curated conversations around crucial topics we have been hosting recently (“Conversation Cafes”) have proven highly popular and stimulating. Each session begins with a very brief presentation by one of the conference presenters as a “conversation starter” to frame the topic, followed by structured group discussion. At the end of each session, a “harvester” who has carefully witnessed and “absorbed” what has transpired, offers us a poetic synopsis/recapitulation of the highlights of our time together.

In this session, researcher/physician/author, Michael Amster, MD, will share the magic of awe, the most powerful of human emotions, one that can give us a sense of unity with the entire universe. When practiced enough, awe has the potential to heal us and change the world because when we experience it, we feel kinder and more caring, deeply connected to others and all life on earth. In this conversation starter, we will explore how experiencing awe in the ordinary moments of our lives can boost our health and vitality and can help us as we seek to address humanity’s greatest current challenges.  Facilitated by: David Shaw, Santa Cruz Permaculture and UCSC Right Livelihood College. Harvester: Jahan Khalighi, spoken word poet, youth educator and community arts organizer.