Sunday Assembly Portland

Please join the Sunday Assembly community November 12th for a talk by Dr. Jason Luoma as he presents his research From Shame and Separation to Empathy, Compassion and Connection.

According to Dr. Luoma, "Human beings are a fundamentally social species. For our ancient ancestors living in very harsh environments, being part of the tribe was essential for survival. Those people who got kicked out of the tribe died. As a result, evolution has lead to us having brains that still respond as if social exclusion as if it were a life-threatening event. Shame recreates the feeling of being "outside the tribe" and is thus a very painful and confusing emotion. Understanding shame is important in addressing issues like power, prejudice, social status, and belonging -- topics that are in central focus in today's political and social climate. This talk will help listeners understand the little discussed emotion of shame, how it works, and outline two majors avenues for addressing how shame operates in our lives and our communities."

Dr. Jason Luoma is CEO of Portland Psychotherapy Clinic, Research and Training Center, a research and training clinic based on a social enterprise model that uses business revenue to fund substantial and ongoing research activities. As a researcher, Dr. Luoma studies shame, self-criticism, stigma, belonging, and the interpersonal effects of emotion. He has nearly 50 professional publications, including one book, and provides workshops around the world on these topics. He is also a practicing psychologist who has been providing psychotherapy for over 20 years. His clinical practice focuses on using evidence-based therapy approaches to help people who suffer from shame, self-criticism, discrimination, and disconnection. 

ORGANIZATION INFORMATION

The Sunday Assembly Portland is a chapter of the secular global movement of Sunday Assemblies. We promote community, positivity, and compassion for those who seek an alternative to religious congregations. We meet once a month to sing songs, listen to inspiring talks, and celebrate the wonder of life.

In addition to the monthly assemblies, we organize small group meetups and participate in volunteer projects across the Portland area. We are free, family friendly, and offer support to every person as we take full advantage of the one life we know we have.