Collective Liberation and Work That Reconnects
How do we create group spaces that are truly safe, inclusive, and transformative—especially when patterns of harm still show up within them?
Coming Together in the Great Turning is a practical, deeply informed guide for facilitators ready to engage the realities of power, oppression, and group dynamics—while building spaces rooted in collective liberation and care.
Building on the legacy of Joanna Macy's Work That Reconnects, this book supports facilitators in moving beyond intention into skillful, grounded practice. It addresses the real challenges that arise in workshops and group settings—and offers clear, compassionate pathways toward more just and resilient ways of working together.
What You'll Gain
- The confidence to recognize and respond to patterns of harm as they emerge in group spaces
- Practical tools for trauma-informed, anti-oppressive facilitation
- A deeper understanding of how systemic oppression shows up interpersonally and collectively
- Strategies for shifting from disconnection and harm toward "interconnected systems of support"
- Approaches to fostering trust, accountability, and meaningful participation.
Rather than offering abstract theory, this guide draws from decades of lived facilitation experience to help you navigate complex group dynamics with clarity and care.
Practical Tools for Real-World Facilitation
This book offers grounded, field-tested approaches to:
- Facilitating workshops that actively address power, privilege, and inclusion
- Recognizing and interrupting harmful dynamics before they escalate
- Integrating trauma awareness into group process and leadership
- Creating containers that support emotional safety and authentic participation
- Working skillfully across differences, identity, and lived experience.
If you've struggled with how to hold space for difficult conversations—or how to respond when harm occurs—this book provides concrete guidance you can apply immediately.
Who this Book is For
- Facilitators of the Work That Reconnects seeking to deepen and evolve their practice
- Workshop leaders and educators working with groups in social, environmental, or community contexts
- Activists and organizers building collaborative, justice-centered spaces
- Practitioners committed to anti-oppressive, trauma-informed facilitation
- Readers ready to engage both inner and collective transformation.
A Continuation of a Transformative Body of Work
This book builds on the foundation of Joanna Macy's Work That Reconnects and the widely influential Coming Back to Life, extending that lineage to meet the realities of today's social and ecological challenges.
Drawing on a global network of facilitators and practitioners, the authors bring together decades of experience to support the ongoing evolution of this work—integrating social justice, collective liberation, and group process into a coherent and practical framework.
Grounded in Experience and Practice
Aravinda Ananda, Molly Young Brown, and Kurt A. Kuhwald bring extensive experience as facilitators, educators, and leaders within the Work That Reconnects community. Their work spans decades of supporting individuals and groups navigating the emotional, social, and ecological challenges of our time.
A Practical Path Forward
In a time of overlapping crises, the ability to come together with honesty, care, and skill is essential.
This book offers a way forward—helping you facilitate spaces where people can face difficult truths, build connection, and move toward collective liberation.
Aravinda Ananda is a social ecologist and principal lead at Living rEvolution, a facilitator of the Work That Reconnects, and a founding weaver (emeritus) of the WTR Network. She is also President of the Board of the Interhelp Network, a nonprofit dedicated to liberatory and transformative group work. Aravinda lives in Watertown, MA.
Molly Young Brown draws on ecopsychology, psychosynthesis, and the Work That Reconnects to support her work as facilitator, teacher, life coach, and writer. She is the author of 7 books including two editions of Coming Back to Life, and Growing Whole: Self-realization for the Great Turning. Molly lives in Mt. Shasta, CA.
Kurt A. Kuhwald is an ordained Unitarian Universalist minister (retired), spiritual director, transformational coach, and activist. He has facilitated the Work That Reconnects and supports individuals and groups to walk onto that ground where the intersection of care for the world meets inner liberation. Kurt lives in Oakland, CA.
