What is The Innerwork Center?
The Innerwork Center is a 501c3 nonprofit organization in Richmond, Virginia’s Museum District offering award-winning keynotes, single and multi-session programs, retreats, donation-based drop-ins, and other unique opportunities to do inner work individually and collectively. Our program categories include Mindfulness, Creative Expression and Movement, Psychology and Consciousness, and Wisdom Traditions and Spirituality.
Chrysalis was founded in 1994 by Nancy Millner to provide opportunities for psychological and spiritual growth informed by, but not necessarily bound to, mainstream religion. Her vision was that Chrysalis would “provide hospitable time and space for seekers on diverse paths to explore how to live connected to their true selves, to each other and to spirit.”
Nancy chose the name Chrysalis (pronounced kriss’-uh-liss), which is the stage when a caterpillar transforms to a butterfly, to represent transformational opportunities and time provided by Chrysalis for us to reflect on the sacred connections between all beings and the universe.
In 2013, Chrysalis became Chrysalis Institute to reflect its serious commitment to encouraging spiritual growth and exploration beyond the conventional boundaries of any one faith.
In 2019, Chrysalis Institute continued its own transformation, adopting the name The Innerwork Center.
Our evolution continues!
We may be small and humble, but we're not afraid to ask the big questions!
You’ll often hear us say at The Innerwork Center that we are working towards a wiser and more compassionate RVA - but what does that mean exactly? When we talk about compassion, what we mean is seeing the suffering of others and wanting to alleviate that suffering. Sometimes it's our own suffering that we work to alleviate. Compassion is a source of resilience and when we're able to feel connection amidst suffering, it can be a life preserver that keeps us afloat.
When we talk about wisdom it gets more complex. Wisdom is seeing clearly -- seeing what IS.
When we are able to see what is, with radical acceptance, we better understand the immense work we have in front of us. We see the insidiousness of "ism-s" ravaging our communities. We encourage you to join us in recognizing this reality, with both urgency and sorrow. Inner work allows you to discover the work that is yours to do and compassion holds the belief that you can make a difference, if you are willing to take action.
Just as we feel pain, we can sense that others feel pain. Just as we want to be free, so do others.
Use your inner work practice to discover what is YOUR work to do and let's create a wiser and more compassionate RVA, together. We won't ask you to do anything that we are not willing to do. We are doing our inner work right alongside you.
Mission
We are a catalyst for well-being through programs that inspire curiosity, cultivate mindfulness, and awaken the spirit.
Vision
We envision an individual and collective human experience rich with compassion, authenticity, and meaning.
Culture of Belonging
We are creating an organizational culture where everyone feels welcome to be their true selves. That can only happen with explicit effort from all key stakeholders including staff, board, faculty, and volunteers. We value each other’s diverse experiences, our common humanity, and our interconnectedness.
