Join us for a profound conversation with our featured speaker, Dr. Varma, as we explore how individuals and communities find strength, healing, and renewal in the face of adversity. What We Will Explore: The Impact of External Conditions: Discover how war, systemic violence, and harsh external realities strip away familiar coping mechanisms, deeply affecting our inner mental wellbeing and giving rise to trauma, anxiety, and depression.
A Holistic Framework for Healing: Move beyond the traditional medical model. We will discuss why mental health must be viewed through a comprehensive lens that integrates social, structural, and spiritual elements.
Community Resilience & Collective Wisdom: Learn how communities enduring violence develop profound tools for survival. We will look at the vital role of communal gatherings, interdependence, and shared spaces for meditative concentration—such as prayer and sitting in silence.
Together, we will reflect on how experiences of profound trauma can, when met with the right support and collective wisdom, ultimately build resilience and offer deeply valuable lessons for human growth.
Speaker: Dr. Saiba Varma Associate Professor of Anthropology UC San Diego
Saturday, May 30, 2026 6:00-7:30 am (Los Angeles) 9:00-10:30 am (NYC/Boston) 9:00-10:30 pm (Beijing)
