by Nicholas Sabatino
As we entered the introspective winter months, Pacifica reached out across our community of students, faculty, staff, and alumni, asking for reflections on our core values: Logos, Eros, Consciousness, Integrity, Service, and Stewardship.
We wanted to collect stories that bring these values beyond the written word and into how they are lived, so we can share and celebrate the important, imaginative, and impactful work happening both within Pacifica and across far-reaching communities. Whether it’s through therapeutic practice, groundbreaking research, creative expression, publications, fieldwork, or service, Pacifica is full of people using their education, explorations, experiences, curiosity, and sense of calling to bring action to our motto of tending soul in and of the world.
We were deeply engaged by the responses we received. As we share them in news and social posts in the coming weeks, we hope they serve as an inspiration, celebration, and demonstration of what it means to be part of the Pacifica community and the meaningful work aligned with our depth-rooted mission and values.
Through the years, Pacifica evolved the following core values to guide institutional life, activities, and our interactions:
Logos: The idea that academic excellence is central to what informs our curriculum, research, and scholarship – demonstrated by our conscious reflective regard for the larger social world.
Eros: The importance of open communication, respectful relationships, care, and a heartfelt regard for a diverse community. How does Pacifica live this value? How do you bring this to your participation in our community and in your own life?
Consciousness: The awareness of Pacifica as a “psychological community” with a connection to the deep psyche – mindful attention is given to personal and community introspection.
Integrity: The necessity for a just, psyche-centered attitude rooted in the “wisdom traditions.”
Service: To ourselves as unique human beings, to others within the Pacifica community as well as to those we engage in the world.
Stewardship: Care of the world soul by becoming sustainable at all levels – from our way of being actively present in imaginal inquiry to our presence in the larger earth community.
As we reflect on how we live into these, we can also ask what else captures the shared principles and beliefs we wish to commit ourselves and that align and ground our mission?
We send appreciation to all those who shared of themselves in this series – and to the many more community members not captured here who dedicate themselves and their work to depth-oriented living. These stories will be posted over the coming weeks on our website and social platforms this winter. Please join us in celebrating our community of soul-tenders who embody logos, eros, consciousness, integrity, service, and stewardship.
Nick serves as Pacifica’s Chief of Staff and Vice President of Strategic Initiatives and Communications. Having held various roles in his 10 years at Pacifica, Nick brings his experience from across departments and deep respect for Pacifica’s mission and its people in efforts to support and uplift them each day.
