Gwendolyn Ren is a Gatherer and a Guide, a facilitator of Emergent Space.
Gwen (she/they) is a trauma informed facilitator, designer, innovator, and vision keeper tending spaces and experiences that center through change and adapt through emergent process. Drawing from somatic inquiry, mindfulness practices, poetry, Circle, and community based storytelling, she seeks to uplift our humanity and stoke possibility. Braiding meditation and movement, deep rest and deep listening, contemplation and playful curiosity, she designs gatherings that are fertile for both personal growth and community based healing.
Gwendolyn identifies as Yonsei (4th generation Japanese American) and believes that authentic presence can embolden individuals and shift groups and organizations into their full potential. Believing in Nature in/as all things, she visions a thriving, well rested future born from our ability and willingness to align our values and collaborate in actionable ways. Her life/work centers place making, and relational acts with both human and other than human beings. She acknowledges that wherever we are in this country we are on indigenous land.
Gwen shares through the container of "Sometimes Silent” Retreats, as a writer and a ceremonialist, in circle and in session, and by invitation and collaboration. She has self-published one book, as the water moves.
Thinking a lot about access and belonging, sliding scale support and creative exchange is available whenever possible.
Spaces of beloved invitation and collaboration include: Abide Yoga, Acupuncture First, ATNSC, Cleveland Museum of Art, Hope Springs Institute, moCa Cleveland, Penland School of Craft, Red Clover Ranch, Samavesa School of Yoga, Willow Room Collective.
Please reach out if you have an idea or would like to explore. I love hearing from you!
Her writing, her work, even her very presence is a gentle, yet potent, invitation to slow down, listen deeply, and be changed.