Spice Dojo Session 3 🌶️

​​Spice: something that adds zest or interest; experiential vibrancy. 

​​Dojo: a place for immersive learning.  

​​The Spice Dojo is a space where people can experiment at the edges of social dynamics through play. It is theater meets therapy meets anthropology meets religion (think fight club for emotional growth). Through a series of games designed to first build trust then progressively explore more unorthodox or uncomfortable scenarios, the dojo will allow participants to inhabit different characters, to find catharsis in discomfort, and to ultimately come away with a sharpened sense of empathy and self-awareness.

​​The following are some examples of games or themes that one might explore in the Dojo: prolonged eye contacts, laughter -> wailing feedback loops, uninhibited truth-telling, flattery, intentional aggression or confrontation, confessionals and displays of shame, exaggerated power hierarchies, and dissection of gender-based performativity.

​​Our goal with this event is to use gameplay as a vehicle to discover new ways of being authentic and to examine the whole gamut of human emotion in social settings. That being said, the specific directions we will explore will depend largely on participants' interests. We welcome people to bring scenarios and games that they are interested in experimenting with. There will also be ample space for group reflection during each session on what people are experiencing and what is / isn’t working. 

​​We firmly believe in the need to establish a strong baseline of safety, and as such we propose two starting rules:

​​(1) Abundant Goodwill. This requires having faith that other participants are coming from a place of openness and curiosity, and extending kindness to others to allow them to inhabit their truest expressions. 

​​(2) Never Inflict Physical Harm. While words may sometimes be emotionally harmful, we draw a firm boundary at bodily harm and non-consensual physical contact. 

​​Disclaimer: While we emphasize respect and openness and strive to create a safe environment, some of the themes explored in this event may bring up (or be designed to bring up) uncomfortable feelings. We encourage prospective participants to bear this in mind. 

​​Location: We’re in the Astrology Lounge (the vibey meditation room.) When you enter the commons, it’s immediately to your right.