Claudia Horwitz

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1995

Claudia Horwitz

Stone Circles

http://www.stonecircles.org

Durham, North Carolina, United States

Community Improvement & Economic Development

The Bold Idea:

How can we, as individuals and organizations, interrupt the cycle of burnout, renew our energy, and create a culture of support and sustainability? What spiritual and reflective practices keep us healthy and focused in our work? What can we learn from our spiritual stories and our inspirations for social change? What do groups, communities, and societies need to deal with conflict and build trust across lines of difference?

These are the questions that guide Stone Circle's work. Since its inception in the spring of 1995, Stone Circles has found unique ways to integrate faith, spiritual practice, and social change. It has developed innovative outlets for interfaith dialogue, action, and reflection and assisted individuals and organizations to integrate their faith into their work for justice. Over the past five and a half years, it has served over 4,500 people through workshops and trainings for nonprofit organizations, coalitions, and individuals; and interfaith celebrations which incorporate ritual, music, prayer, and movement from many traditions. Its approach includes training and organizational development, workshops on contemplative and spiritual practice, practical publications, and community celebrations. These programs bring together a group of activists, organizers and community leaders who are interested and committed to greater integration between spiritual and social justice work.

Biography:

Claudia works at the intersection of contemplative practice, community experience, and social change. She founded stone circles in 1995 to help individuals and organizations integrate spiritual and reflective practice into their work for social justice. Claudia's previous work includes developing youth leadership, supporting struggles for economic justice, and strengthening nonprofit organizations. Her book, The Spiritual Activist: Practices to Transform Your Life, Your Work, and Your World, is a practical guide to individual and social transformation through spirit and faith. She is a Rockefeller Foundation Next Generation Leadership Fellow and teaches Kripalu yoga.