Constructing Sacred Containers for Participatory Action Research: An Embodied Mindfulness Arts-Based Practice.
Violence Against Women January 1, 2025 Lauren F Lichty, Alice Pedersen
College campuses often fail survivors of gender-based violence, prompting efforts to create empowering, participatory spaces. This article describes Sacred Containers, a mindfulness and arts-based embodied practice that uses dyadic and collective discussion to build co-constructed communities where participants become visionaries and experts on safety, power, and well-being. Based on student and faculty reflections across four cohorts, the practice aims to transform settings and address institutional betrayal. The article outlines the rationale, process, impact, and recommendations for implementing this approach.