Spiritual Preparation
Part of Resistance and Transformation
After reading the workshop plan, consider any experiences you have had with a utopian community. Have you ever been part of a cooperative living arrangement (even a temporary one, such as a summer community, a dormitory experience, or a youth conference)? What was it like? Did it have a lasting impact on you?
Read the definitions of utopianism and apocalypticism offered in Activity 1. Have you ever before explored utopian or apocalyptic thought in religion, philosophy, sociology, or political science? Can you observe ways utopian or apocalyptic ideas have influenced your life choices, perhaps including your choice of a religious community? Do you find one perspective more attractive than the other? Why or why not? As you lead this workshop, continue reflecting on the ways in which utopian and apocalyptic thought have driven your choices and actions. Encourage participants to do the same.
Before you lead the workshop, take time to complete this sentence: "At the end of this workshop, I hope the participants leave feeling... "