Uploaded December 2021 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
Society for Consciousness Studies 2021 Conference Presentation Title:
Caring Sustainability™ and the Coming Together of Consciousness and Social Justice
Abstract: This is a unique opportunity to witness an online conversation between Debby Flickinger and Martha Brumbaugh that explores Caring Sustainability™ as it applies to consciousness and social justice. Caring Sustainability approaches social justice and consciousness through the reconnection of self, others, and nature with the desired outcome of balance and harmony. In these uncertain times, communities and organizations must have the courage to meet each other where they are in this moment. This dialog is designed to look at the possibilities that are created for an elevated consciousness when there is a place for everyone at the table. Looking at consciousness through a Caring Sustainability™ lens allows one to utilize caring when approaching social justice issues, hence raising one’s consciousness to be able to listen deeply and respond contemplatively. Dr. Flickinger’s work with Caring Sustainability™ demonstrates the importance of bringing the fluidity of new language to societal issues while Dr. Brumbaugh focuses her work on indigenous ways of knowing. Together, the newly planted and the deeply rooted wisdom traditions might shape our understanding of the fundamental components of consciousness in social justice. Therefore, in order to think about social justice in the future, there must be careful consideration of the issues that the whole of society is dealing with today. There must be an element of consciousness in all that is taught; in all that is learned; and in all that is done.
Dr. Debby Flickinger
Affiliated Faculty, Union Institute & University
Bio: Dr. Flickinger is affiliated faculty at Union Institute and University (UIU) teaching doctoral courses on social justice, engaging difference, and sustainability through a caring science lens. She received her doctorate from the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS). Her dissertation was titled Learning with Hearts in the Trees (Transformation, Reflective, Education, Enlightenment, Sustainability): A Transdisciplinary Inquiry into Teaching Caring Sustainability to Children. Dr. Flickinger has contributed a chapter in Miracles and Mysteries Witnessed by Nurses, a collection of stories edited by Jean Watson, Ph.D., facilitated workshops, and participated on panels at various conferences around the globe, including Riga, Latvia, White Rock, BC, Canada, and Prague, Czech Republic.
Dr. Martha Brumbaugh
Educator and Founder of the Edge of Lemuria, Crossroads for Healers and Seekers
Bio: Dr. Brumbaugh is an educator, writer, artist, and shaman, who has been practicing Cross-Cultural Shamanism and Earth-based Spirituality for more than five decades. She is a virtual writing, coach, mentoring theses and dissertation students by focusing on the juncture of writing and spirit. Martha received her doctorate in Transformative Learning and Change from the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) in 2006. Her doctoral dissertation, Out of the Mists: An Organic Inquiry into Sacred Ways of Knowing and the Shaping of Reality, focused on the impact of cross-cultural Shamanic practices on middle-aged, middle-class women of Celtic descent. More recently, she has published articles on her own lived experience of shamanic states of consciousness. Martha has taught at John F. Kennedy University, Heald College, and served on dissertation committees at CIIS. She has presented workshops at CIIS and San Francisco State University. She currently teaches in the private sector and has presented workshops at CIIS and San Francisco State University and at various conferences on Consciousness and Shamanic Traditions.
Society for Consciousness Studies 2021 Conference Presentation Title:
Caring Sustainability™ and the Coming Together of Consciousness and Social Justice
Abstract: This is a unique opportunity to witness an online conversation between Debby Flickinger and Martha Brumbaugh that explores Caring Sustainability™ as it applies to consciousness and social justice. Caring Sustainability approaches social justice and consciousness through the reconnection of self, others, and nature with the desired outcome of balance and harmony. In these uncertain times, communities and organizations must have the courage to meet each other where they are in this moment. This dialog is designed to look at the possibilities that are created for an elevated consciousness when there is a place for everyone at the table. Looking at consciousness through a Caring Sustainability™ lens allows one to utilize caring when approaching social justice issues, hence raising one’s consciousness to be able to listen deeply and respond contemplatively. Dr. Flickinger’s work with Caring Sustainability™ demonstrates the importance of bringing the fluidity of new language to societal issues while Dr. Brumbaugh focuses her work on indigenous ways of knowing. Together, the newly planted and the deeply rooted wisdom traditions might shape our understanding of the fundamental components of consciousness in social justice. Therefore, in order to think about social justice in the future, there must be careful consideration of the issues that the whole of society is dealing with today. There must be an element of consciousness in all that is taught; in all that is learned; and in all that is done.
Dr. Debby Flickinger
Affiliated Faculty, Union Institute & University
Bio: Dr. Flickinger is affiliated faculty at Union Institute and University (UIU) teaching doctoral courses on social justice, engaging difference, and sustainability through a caring science lens. She received her doctorate from the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS). Her dissertation was titled Learning with Hearts in the Trees (Transformation, Reflective, Education, Enlightenment, Sustainability): A Transdisciplinary Inquiry into Teaching Caring Sustainability to Children. Dr. Flickinger has contributed a chapter in Miracles and Mysteries Witnessed by Nurses, a collection of stories edited by Jean Watson, Ph.D., facilitated workshops, and participated on panels at various conferences around the globe, including Riga, Latvia, White Rock, BC, Canada, and Prague, Czech Republic.
Dr. Martha Brumbaugh
Educator and Founder of the Edge of Lemuria, Crossroads for Healers and Seekers
Bio: Dr. Brumbaugh is an educator, writer, artist, and shaman, who has been practicing Cross-Cultural Shamanism and Earth-based Spirituality for more than five decades. She is a virtual writing, coach, mentoring theses and dissertation students by focusing on the juncture of writing and spirit. Martha received her doctorate in Transformative Learning and Change from the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) in 2006. Her doctoral dissertation, Out of the Mists: An Organic Inquiry into Sacred Ways of Knowing and the Shaping of Reality, focused on the impact of cross-cultural Shamanic practices on middle-aged, middle-class women of Celtic descent. More recently, she has published articles on her own lived experience of shamanic states of consciousness. Martha has taught at John F. Kennedy University, Heald College, and served on dissertation committees at CIIS. She has presented workshops at CIIS and San Francisco State University. She currently teaches in the private sector and has presented workshops at CIIS and San Francisco State University and at various conferences on Consciousness and Shamanic Traditions.
