Virtual Series: Finding Balance Amidst Chaos

Description

Finding Balance Amidst Chaos

A contemplative practice space for philanthropic leaders

Thank you for all of the thoughtful interest! To make space for this conversation, we have rescheduled this conversation on March 31st.

This 90-minute virtual session offers a gentle pause to explore how we can remain grounded, present, and resourced in a world marked by complexity and constant transformation.

Drawing from an integrated approach that weaves together contemplative practices with contemporary science, we’ll explore how inner stability becomes the foundation for wise action and sustained generosity.

In this session, we will:

• Reflect on this moment of global uncertainty and its impact on our lives
• Explore how self- and co-regulation can serve as anchors in turbulent times
• Experience guided practices of integral awareness — touching different dimensions of our being
• Share reflections with fellow philanthropic leaders
• Learn about the deeper 8-session journey ahead

Throughout, the session will be woven with moments of beauty — poetry, music, and visual inspiration — creating a space that nourishes the spirit as much as it engages the mind.
No prior experience needed. Come as you are.

At the close, those who resonate with this approach will be invited to join Nourishing the Givers — an intimate practice community where these themes unfold more deeply over time.

Date & Time

Tuesday, March 31, 2026 | 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM EST

Meet the Facilitator

Vasco Gaspar

Every human being carries an inner compass of wisdom, compassion, and sanity. Vasco Gaspar’s work creates the conditions for that essence to come alive — the beauty of coming back to wholeness.

Over two decades, he has worked with more than 30,000 individual from 60+ nationalities across 25+ countries — from startup founders to leaders at SAP, Santander, and the United Nations — helping them find clarity in complexity, presence under pressure, and courage to act from authenticity.

What participants say:

• “One of the best facilitators I have seen.”
• “Your gentle, nourishing presence… you helped me to discover what was already whole.”
• “You create this safe and welcoming environment to learn.”
• “Your work has an incredible capacity to hold space with assertive guidance, yet your
  presence is genuinely kind and empathetic.”

His approach weaves together:

• Awareness-based practices (Mindfulness, Presencing, Social Presencing
  Theater)
• Trauma-informed methodologies (Internal Family Systems, Compassionate
  Inquiry, Polyvagal Theory)
• Heart-rooted spiritual wisdom (Heartfulness, Loving Kindness, Giftivism) and
  artistic expression (music, movement, poetry)

Vasco facilitates monthly contemplative practice for the Robert H.N. Ho Family Foundation’s grantees — a model similar to what is being proposed here.

He serves as faculty member of the Social Presencing Theater program with Arawana Hayashi, and as certified volunteer trainer for the Heartfulness Institute — commitments rooted in his belief that embodied awareness and spiritual practice should be accessible to all.

Trained with Otto Scharmer (MIT / Theory U), Gabor Maté, Kamlesh D. Patel, Richard Schwartz, Arawana Hayashi, Deb Dana, and Nipun Mehta (ServiceSpace), among others. Certified in Theory U / Awareness-Based Systems Change, Internal Family Systems, and Compassionate Inquiry. Psychology degree from the University of Coimbra.

Author of Aqui e Agora – Mindfulness and creator of the Awareness-Based Human Flourishing framework — a way of facilitating that honors human complexity while guiding us toward our essential simplicity.

About the Hosts

This webinar is hosted by Fetzer’s Ally Development Team. This team constellates around the goal of deepening existing relationships, exploring new mission-aligned relationships, and fostering genuine connections. While Fetzer shares practices and provides guidance to donors, advisors, and family offices, the Ally Development Team is focused on developing lasting relationships through spiritual advising and accompaniment. This allows us to be more engagement-driven — emphasizing depth of trust, shared values, partnership manifestation, and shared ownership of outcomes.