Understory Project

Evolving consciousness through a virtual 12-week psycho-metamorphic journey of re-defining the self as part of healthy living systems through community, education and nature-based experiential practice.

A hand with a ring touches moss-covered tree bark with small plants growing on it.

What you’ll get

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    12 weekly live sessions
    1 community session per month

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    Dynamic resources to further your understanding and embodiment of a healthy living systems consciousness

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    Guided meditations and journal prompts

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    Private space on Sutra.co for community, connection and ongoing discussions

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    Experiential body-mind exercises

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    Personal and collective transformation

Who is it for

A person with gray nail polish gently holds a black and white butterfly in their hands.

Our vision for this project is to empower individuals to thrive in a future characterized by resource constraints, climate change, and shifting societal norms. We believe that by understanding human behavior, social dynamics, and cultural narratives, we can foster resilience and adaptability in the face of unprecedented challenges.

We welcome and invite people from all walks of life concerned about the current state of the world and interested in new ways of thinking and being human in a more-than-human world. In the spirit of interdisciplinary collaboration, we encourage participation from anyone interested in looking beyond the apparent polycrisis and its fundamental drivers. For example, what happens when we question the unexamined dominant notions of self, identity and purpose, and how these shape our lives, communities and the larger world?

Our intention is to provide an iterative learning experience, informed by what is unfolding during live sessions and within the group itself. Each module includes two live sessions, the first being an introduction to the topic, and the second diving deeper into the material. We hope this workshop speaks to those called to cultivate a more joyful and holistic experience of being alive in our complex and often challenging world.

Module 1:
12/8/25 (2pm -3pm ET) & 12/15/25 (2pm-3:30pm ET)
Module 2:
12/22/25 (2pm-3pm ET) & 1/5/26 (2pm-3:30pm ET)
Module 3:
1/12/26 (2pm-3pm ET) & 1/19/26 (2pm-3:30pm ET)
Module 4:
1/26/26 (2pm-3pm ET) & 2/2/26 (2pm-3:30pm ET)
Module 5:
2/9/26 (2-3pm ET) & 2/16/26 (2pm-3:30pm ET)
Module 6:
2/23/26 (2-3pm ET) & 3/2/26 (2pm-3:30pm ET)


Module 1: Ecosystems
Module 2: Being
Module 3: Kinship
Module 4: Seeding
Module 5: Composting
Module 6: Psychosphere

Dates & Times

Sliding scale $425-$1200
Pay what you can

Investment ($1200 value)

Click here to register.
*If outside the U.S., you can pay directly in your own currency via Wise.com using this link.

✺ Frequently asked questions ✺

  • What is an understory? The understory is the layer of trees and shrubs that grow between the forest floor and canopy.  The understory is a metaphor for the bridge or layer between the forest floor (those of us understanding that change is necessary) and the larger tree canopy (a future healthy living systems consciousness).  The understory supports the bottom up evolution of a new forest canopy or healthy living systems consciousness.  

  • No. The Center for Living Systems Psychologies seeks to create the conditions for a collective healthy living systems consciousness. The first step toward psychologies aligned with healthy living systems is to shift individual and collective consciousness. Mainstream consciousness and the resulting dominant worldview was born out of fear, unresolved individual and collective trauma, as well as the perception of humans as separate from nature. 

  • We will not be recording the weekly live sessions to encourage full participation, which allows for emergence within the group. However, we will hold a monthly community session for anyone who missed the live course sessions.

  • Completion of the course entitles you to an initial 12 months of membership in the community and access to all onsite workshop material.

  • The initial community membership can be renewed for a small fee.

  • We aim to provide unique thought and ongoing discussion, as well as catalyzing experiential exercises designed to instill deep reflection and change.