Inspiring Conversations with Darsheel Kaur of Circle of Root Medicines

Today we’d like to introduce you to Darsheel Kaur.

Hi Darsheel, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story? 
I was raised in the Sikh faith, a global community known for taking bold stances for truth, sovereignty, and oneness amongst all of life. Growing up as an immigrant in the Miami Valley, I struggled to find a sense of belonging and navigate social divisions, which I internalized and coped with in unhealthy ways alongside many of my peers. My journey eventually led me to becoming an outspoken community activist against racism, war, and xenophobia, and my further studies helped me understand how much of the struggles and hardships we witness and experience today are collective legacies of violence and unhealed historical traumas such as colonization and enslavement.

I desired to be part of an intentional community where we focus our energy on building trust and reconnection to interrupt the cycles of harming ourselves and one another and truly lean into deep listening and healing individually and collectively. I needed a space like this, focused on intentional healing and relationship building for myself, and wanted to share that with others. I envisioned sitting in a circle with my community on a regular basis as we navigate life together and share tools and practices for our collective upliftment to cultivate our creative power. I started by hosting circles in my living room with friends and family and eventually developed the HeArt- the House of Healing Arts.

That was 5 years ago, and today, the HeArt Dayton is in another season of transition with beautiful momentum and a growing community of people who have been impacted and inspired from participating in the space with us. It has been a training ground developing the leadership of many, the spirit of intentional living, collaboration, and interdependence has been spread and gatherings of circles are being held within and outside the HeArt, around the Dayton area and beyond.

As an educator, I look forward to continuing to build a community of learning for those interested in going deeper into the philosophies that are at the foundation of the HeArt. I also look forward to expanding these philosophies as I build my life beyond the Dayton area and make connections globally.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There have certainly been struggles along the way! The project was a lot more layered than I imagined it would be at the beginning. With the level of intentionality that I desired for this work, it was hard to find others willing and able to make the sacrifices necessary to meet these high standards I had set. There were struggles with division of labor, with sharing finances, with the practicalities of individual and collective ownership.

As a training ground addressing issues of power and trust, this brought its own challenges. We all are arriving in this community with our own histories, assumptions, worldviews, personal goals and desires, capacities, and limitations. As a trained conflict practitioner, I anticipated conflict, but in hindsight, I can see how the foundation wasn’t strong enough for some relationships to withstand the pressures of co-living, co-working, bringing our whole selves into a house and opening ourselves up to such an intimate level with one another. We are so used to isolating and withdrawing when life and community become difficult, it challenges our deeply ingrained behaviors to allow ourselves to be seen when we truly need support.

Overall, I would say the experiment of the HeArt has been a success as a training ground for leaders to focus on healing and deepening into trust, collaboration, and interdependence.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Circle of Roots Medicines?
The HeArt is a project of Circle of Roots Medicines, my personal business. I am a cultural educator and teach classes and workshops about Cultural Humility. I have done consulting work with nonprofits, school districts, and universities supporting their communities and organizations in moving through complex conflicts with a focus on collective healing and well-being, and integrating mind-body and restorative practices to analyze the layers and transform the conflict at its roots.

I approach education from a truly holistic perspective. Circles are integrated into all of my work, which allows everyone I work with to show up as a whole person- beyond their prescribed roles and social identities. I have brought circles into classrooms, social gatherings, professional development training, organizational board and staff retreats and meetings, conferences, and afterschool programs.

I also sell some of my favorite healing & wellness products which have been most supportive to me as I heal myself from the inside out.

I approach my work as a healing artist and truly love the creative process of meeting people where they are and designing/facilitating a space to support them in bridging the gap between where they are and where they would like to be, who they are and who they aspire to be. And this is all done with the foundational philosophy that we have all we need inside of us. I am showing up as a supportive companion to accompany you and your community through the natural transitions and complexities you may find yourselves experiencing. I can relate to the unique stressors of organizational leaders, of service professionals, and of students from marginalized backgrounds. My global perspective and diverse cultural knowledge help me connect with many types of people while providing an expanded sense of what is possible.

What matters most to you?
What matters most to me is remembering the truth of who we are- sovereign beings who are interdependent with the creative power to heal ourselves individually and collectively. We are not separate from nature; we are one. We are agents of change if we are willing to see ourselves that way, and we can co-create together when we are truly in alignment.

The joy and contentment that naturally shines through when people are operating on purpose and for our collective well-being is truly marvelous. There is an ease we can experience when we surrender to love, and I just want to experience as much of this pure love being expressed through the power of our lives as possible! I truly believe we can thrive collectively, and I know deeply I am here to help that happen however I can. When I operate in alignment is when I feel best!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.circleofroots.org
• Instagram: @darsheelkaur
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darsheelkaur/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDEqyjkatq7OfmJ2FEUUYDw
• Other: https://darsheelkaur.substack.com/