October 2021
Peter Russell ~ Letting Go of Nothing
This event will be held in a shaded garden courtyard.
Bring layers for the variable Berkeley weather.
Peter Russell will be leading a session based on his new book, Letting Go of Nothing: Relax Your Mind and Discover the Wonder of Your True Nature.
The call to let go lies at the heart of the world’s spiritual traditions. Non-attachment to outcomes, surrendering desires, accepting the present, opening to a higher power, relinquishing the ego, forgiveness—they all entail letting go. But letting go is not always easy. That’s because we often think of it as getting rid of some disturbing thought or feeling. Peter Russell reframes letting go, not as another task we need to do, but as letting in and letting be, and applies this principle to letting go of judgments and grievances, unhealthy emotions and fixed beliefs, and our assumptions as to what will make us happy.
He shows how letting go is key to meditation—allowing the thinking mind to quieten so that we can experience the intrinsic peace of our natural mind, unperturbed by worry and concern. When we do, we discover the true nature of the self—the “I” at the heart of our being. Here, free from the machinations of the ego-mind, we can be more in touch with our hearts and our innate wisdom, and taste the awakening that all the great mystics and spiritual teachers have spoken of.
Peter Russell is a leading thinker on consciousness and contemporary spirituality. He is the author of a dozen books, including The Global Brain, Waking Up in Time and From Science to God. His new book, Letting Go of Nothing, was published this August.
Peter studied theoretical physics, experimental psychology, and computer science at the University of Cambridge, and meditation and Eastern Philosophy in India. And pioneered the introduction of personal growth programs to corporations in the 1980s.
His mission is to distill the essential wisdom on human consciousness found in the world’s various spiritual traditions, and to disseminate their teachings on self-liberation in contemporary and compelling ways.
Suggested donation: $15 to $25
Find out more »June 2022
CANCELLED – Matt Kahn ~ The Heart of Awakening: A Deep Dive into Loving Presence
Sorry to announe we've had to cancel these events.
Friday June 17th, 2022 ~ 7:00pm – 9:00pm (PDT)
and
Saturday June 18th, 2022 ~ 11:00am – 5:00pm (PDT)
Attend one or both dates, In-person or by Livestream.
Is there an inner calling inviting you back home to the truth of love? Are you ready to explore a reality more real and tangible than the pain and fear of the world? Isn’t it time to make more meaningful contact and deeper connections with yourself and those you know? If so, then please join best-selling author and empathic healer, Matt Kahn for a deep dive into the heart of awakening.
This Friday Night Event and Full-Day Saturday Immersion are your opportunities to:
- Experience a profound transmission of healing energy that eases the mind, relaxes the nervous system, expands consciousness,and opens your heart to receive more love.
- Explore innovative ways that point awareness back to the truth of undivided reality in the most direct and abiding way.
- Learn how to be more naturally present, awake, and aware without giving the ego more “to do”.
- Release core wounds to amplify self-worth and strengthen your sense of compassion as necessary components to the deeper stages of awakening.
- Remember how to be the grace of loving presence without denying your personal self and no matter how others around you seem to be.
About Matt:
Matt Kahn is the author of the best-selling books Whatever Arises, Love That, Everything Is Here to Help You, The Universe Always Has A Plan and his upcoming book All for Love – the Transformative Power of Holding Space (release date: June 21). His books have been translated into more than a dozen different languages around the world. In 2020, Matt was named as one of the 100 Most Spiritually Influential Living People in the World by Watkins Magazine. His second book, Everything is Here to Help You, was featured in the “Be Kind” box by Ellen Degeneres.
He is a spiritual teacher and highly attuned empathic healer who has become a YouTube sensation with his healing and often humorous videos. Universally known as “The I Love You Guy,” more than 20 million YouTube channel viewers are finding comfort, inspiration, and relief from the challenges of daily life through his intuitive updates and helpful, uplifting heart-centered messages. When the world gets crazy, help is here – one “I Love You” at a time.
What People Are Saying:
The most amazing fresh, most ahead of time and new paradigm teachings ever from the kindest most loving and humblest teacher ever. – Sabine N.
Thank you, Matt! I feel so supported in the most compassionate way when I listen to you. – Heather S.
A beautiful speaker and spiritual teacher. Matt has helped me tremendously with letting go of blame, ridicule, and sabotaging thoughts and emotions I was inflicting on myself and others. And incredible at teaching me to love this within me with so much self-compassion that I can finally breathe and live easier. – Silencio M.
He has a way of explaining things that makes you feel like he’s talking to you. Just you. Right through the TV at you. He has helped me work through so much own stuff and I finally feel free. I understand how this works. And I’m doing everything I can to embody it. – Steven H.
Thank you Matt. Everything you say seems like missing pieces of a gigantic puzzle. You're not just making more sense of the whole picture, but you're helping me see how much bigger it really is. I feel exposed to more and better mystery about the world and myself. I love everything you say and reading your books releases so much heaviness in my heart. - Amelie B.
I recommend if your heart is in need of healing and your soul is calling out for a higher level of consciousness -- then Matt Kahn is what you're looking for. Helping to guide you to a better level of understanding. Gratitude, LOVE, compassion so much more. Blessed to have crossed his path. – Donna
Find out more »October 2022
Rupert Spira ~ The Essence of Non-Duality
“Meditation is what we are, not what we do; the separate self is what we do, not what we are.”
In the last few years Rupert Spira has become one of the most respected and sought-after teachers of non-dual wisdom, known for his crystal clear use of language, laser-like intellect, skillful guided inquiries, and powerfully direct pointing to aware presence—all delivered with warmth, wit and an unmatched and distinctive eloquence.
In his meetings, Rupert explores the perennial, non-dual understanding that lies at the heart of all the great religious and spiritual traditions, such as Advaita Vedanta, Kashmir Shaivism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Mystical Christianity, Sufism, Zen etc., and which is also the direct, ever-present reality of our own experience. This is a contemporary, experiential approach involving silent meditation, guided meditation and conversation, and requires no affiliation to any particular religious or spiritual tradition. All that is required is an interest in the essential nature of experience, and in the longing for love, peace and happiness around which most of our lives revolve.
After thirty years of intense seeking, Rupert met his primary teacher Francis Lucille, who introduced him to the direct way taught by his own teacher, Jean Klein. He is the author of several books, including his latest, You are the Happiness You Seek.
www.non-duality.rupertspira.com
$60 - Supported: for those who would like to attend but are unable to do so for financial reasons
$90 - Standard: for those with sufficient financial resources to attend at a fair price
$120 - Sponsor: for those with adequate financial resources and a desire to support attendance for others.
If you are not able to contribute the "Supported" amount contact us at localevents@opencirclecenter.org.
Pre-registration is strongly suggested as seating is limited and this event may sell out. Please print your receipt from Rupert's website and bring it to registration at check in.
Covid Protocols & Cancellation Policy for In-Person Attendance
Lunch Break: There are places close by to go out for lunch, or you may bring your own lunch, though there is no refrigerator access. There's a nice small yard with lawn, and limited indoor space for eating at the premises.
NOTE: The venue is a kosher-style facility, so no pork or shellfish, and no meat mixed with dairy on premises.
PARKING: There is some limited street parking in the neighborhood, free and without time limit on weekends. There is also parking a few blocks away at the east parking lot of the Ashby Bart station: www.bart.gov/stations/ashb/map
You may also find paid parking just a few blocks away at Alta Bates Parking Garage: Enter on Colby between Ashby and Webster St.
January 2023
Caverly Morgan ~ The Heart of Who We Are: Realizing Freedom Together
This gathering is about the act of being. It’s about knowing a happiness you can’t explain because you have no reason to point to. The joy of pure being. Together we’ll explore knowing who you are, resting in presence, and what it means to act in the world on behalf of this deep knowing.
We’ll give our attention to the pleasure of being aware of being aware, and seeing what gets in the way of this—personally and collectively—while exploring how to let it go, to undo, to realize freedom together.
This gathering will consist of a guided meditation, a teaching, and a group discussion. It is based on Caverly’s new book:
The Heart of Who We Are.
Caverly Morgan is a meditation teacher, non-profit founder, speaker, and author. She is the founder of Peace in Schools, a nonprofit that created the nation’s first for-credit mindfulness class in public high schools. Caverly is also the founder of Presence Collective, a community of cross-cultural contemplatives committed to personal and collective transformation. She is the author of A Kids Book About Mindfulness as well as The Heart of Who We Are: Realizing Freedom Together.
Caverly blends the original spirit of Zen with a modern nondual approach. Her practice began in 1995 and has included eight years of training in a silent Zen monastery. She has been teaching contemplative practice since 2001 and leads meditation retreats, workshops and online classes internationally. More at caverlymorgan.org.
Suggested donation: $15 to $25
Enter through gate on Prince St.
Adam Chacksfield ~ Living In Your Desire ~ In-Person in Berkeley, CA
How do you act and make choices when you realize there’s nothing you need to be or become? How do you claim the gift of your unique embodied life when you see that all stories of life purpose are fictions?
When we are spacious enough we can zoom out and realize the absolute freedom of nonduality, and the open space of vast possibility in which our particular lives are unfolding.
From here, we can also zoom in and explore the inspiration of our deepest desires. Let’s tune in to what lights us up and what shuts us down. Let’s embrace the sensual juiciness of our journey, and honor the movement our hearts and the truth of our experience. Inspiration effortlessly brings us all the way here, move us, and creates our lives.
You don’t need to believe the fear and shame conditioning that has you ignore your desire and instead do what you’ve been taught is “normal” or what “you should do.” You get to live inside your desire, enjoy it’s erotic vitality, and unfold freely without believing in any destination.
Adam’s teaching is an expression of nondual wisdom that also passionately embraces the whole of our embodied aliveness. Adam’s reliable open-hearted presence makes him adept at supporting people in moving through the fear and shame conditioning that so often shuts us down.
Adam facilitates retreats and workshops in North America and Europe. He coaches individuals and couples. Adam also created and teaches a four-month online course called “Erotic Embodiment & Intimacy.”
Suggested donation: $15 to $25
Find out more »February 2023
Pamela Wilson ~ Letting Stillness Live and Guide the Life ~ Local IN-PERSON Berkeley Event
This event will be held in the large cozy Sanctuary space.
Pamela invites us to uncontain the field of presence, clarity and strength within by noticing the ongoing inner satsang that appears in the heart, body and mind. Bringing warmth and compassion to what is tight or troubled liberates the past from the body, allowing a rooted, clear and free flowing expansion. Life then can live itself, no role play required!
Pamela Wilson evokes through dialogue, inquiry and her very presence the qualities of unconditional love and radical acceptance. She endears herself to her audiences with her playful and light-hearted humor, combined with compassion and deep understanding of what it is to be human. She is celebrated for her ability to open the heart, call forth our own inner sage, and create a space in which long-held struggles and notions about one’s identity relax. Pamela is featured in the book Ordinary Women, Extraordinary Wisdom.
Suggested donation: $15 to $25
Find out more »April 2023
Pamela Wilson ~ Letting Stillness Live and Guide the Life ~ Local IN-PERSON Berkeley Event
This event will be held in the large cozy Sanctuary space.
Pamela invites us to uncontain the field of presence, clarity and strength within by noticing the ongoing inner satsang that appears in the heart, body and mind. Bringing warmth and compassion to what is tight or troubled liberates the past from the body, allowing a rooted, clear and free flowing expansion. Life then can live itself, no role play required!
Pamela Wilson evokes through dialogue, inquiry and her very presence the qualities of unconditional love and radical acceptance. She endears herself to her audiences with her playful and light-hearted humor, combined with compassion and deep understanding of what it is to be human. She is celebrated for her ability to open the heart, call forth our own inner sage, and create a space in which long-held struggles and notions about one’s identity relax. Pamela is featured in the book Ordinary Women, Extraordinary Wisdom.
Suggested donation: $15 to $25
Find out more »Manilai ~ Sound Bath ~ In-Person in Berkeley, CA
This event will be held in the large cozy Sanctuary space.
Join us in a space of connection, honoring and healing.
We will relax and re-harmonize to the sounds and vibrations of crystal singing bowls performed by Manilai. Each singing bowl is attuned to one of the 7 main chakras and helps to clear and align the chakras. You will be invited to completely relax during this one-hour full-bodied, immersive experience that invites deep healing and restorative processes.
“Sounds permeate our systems, resonating with our essence, so that inner dissonance seems almost immediately to be transformed into harmony.”- Dr. Mitchell Gaynor
Bring what you like for your comfort such as a foam or yoga mat, pillows and blankets.
Write up about me:
I went through a period of deep emotional release and healing. Profound shifts happened in my experience of life when I moved from living from my head to my heart. Now I connect to Heart's Truth to guide my way, letting go of the mind's attachment to the illusions of control, security and life story. So much freed when I brought my attention to inner joy and loosened the seeking of happiness outside of myself. I am grateful for this beautiful journey of heart opening and experiencing the unfolding of love all around and through me.
My joy of singing bowl sound baths started several years ago and I felt an immediate affinity for their beautiful vibration and sound. Sound baths have been very healing and restorative for me and I love sharing this with others.
Suggested donation: $15 to $25
Find out more »Amoda Maa ~ Knowing Our Essential Nature as Open Awareness ~ In-Person in Berkeley, CA
Amoda Maa offers a profound invitation to all those who wish to embody the truth of awakened consciousness in the midst of everyday life. Her meetings include silent or guided meditation, discourse, and an opportunity to ask questions from the innermost. Speaking with clarity and grace, she invites an open-hearted honesty to the exploration of what it means to recognize and live from our essential nature as open awareness.
Amoda’s teachings are free from any ideology and are not affiliated with any lineage or tradition, and yet the luminous truth is the same nondual understanding at the core of of many spiritual traditions. Arising from her own direct experience and expressed in a contemporary language, these teachings are relevant and accessible to all people from all backgrounds and cultures. She is known for her authenticity, depth, and unique expression of “masculine” clear-pointed insight and “feminine” unconditional acceptance.
Since 2016, she has been living in the US, and today her teachings are followed by a growing global community. She has been a speaker and guest teacher at a variety of conferences, featured in several magazines, interviewed for numerous broadcasts and podcasts, and is the author of several books including Embodied Enlightenment and Falling Open in a World Falling Apart. Her life and work are dedicated to supporting an "inner transformation of consciousness” and envisioning a new world of peace and enlightened living.
More info on Amoda, her teachings, and events, including Bay Area daylong gathering on April 22nd at www.amodamaa.com/events
Suggested donation: $15 to $25
No pre-registration.
No one turned away for lack of funds.
Peter Russell ~ Nonduality and the Science of Consciousness ~ In-Person in Berkeley, CA
This event will be held in the large cozy Sanctuary space.
The spiritual teaching of nonduality, which stems from the Indian philosophy of advaita, teaches that consciousness is the primary reality, the fundamental essence of the cosmos. On the other hand, the current scientific worldview holds that the physical world is primary, and that consciousness somehow, in ways that we do not yet understand, emerges from it. Both views have their challenges. If consciousness is primary, why do we not see it in all things? Conversely if the physical world is primary, how does consciousness arise from something as insentient matter?
Peter Russell, M.A., D.C.S.
Peter Russell is a leading thinker on consciousness and contemporary spirituality, he coined the term "global brain" with his 1980s’ bestseller of the same name in which he predicted the Internet and the impact it would have on humanity. Other books include Waking Up in Time, From Science to God, and his most recent, Letting Go of Nothing.
Suggested Donation: $15 to $25
No pre-registration.
No one turned away for lack of funds.