April 2024
The Heart of Freedom ~ Online Weekend with Unmani
In exploring Non-Duality we discover the Freedom beyond our human experience. We wake up to the knowing that we are always aware of it all. We rise out of the mud and mess of our lives, and take a bird's eye view of our humanity. But this is only half of the picture. We then need to dive back into the mud and dirt, into the pain and rawness of the ordinary experience of being a human with our feet on the ground in the world, and discover how this Freedom is actually lived. This is what living as the Heart is all about.
In this weekend together, we will explore the beliefs and identities that have seemed to have imprisoned us. In knowing that you are not what you think, there is so much more space to tune into the Compassion and Unconditional Love that is always here, and this enables our lives to be lived more courageously with an open Heart.
Unmani is originally from the UK, but has lived in many countries around the world, and has been holding meetings and retreats since 2003. Truth has always been her passion. In 2018, her beloved husband Robert Hanuman died suddenly from a heart attack. Robert's presence deeply influenced Unmani's teaching, and in the time they were together it evolved into a more human expression of the courage to live the paradox of the Absolute, living as this human.
Find out more »May 2024
Ellen Emmet ~ Venturing Into the Unlit Corners of the Now
There are times in each of our lives when a bitter wind blows our spiritual torch out. It may be called depression, grief, trauma, illness, the end of a relationship, or a sense that we are no longer in alignment with our deepest self.
During this weekend we will venture together away from the certitudes held by the mind and into the dark wilderness of the body. We will listen inwardly to our felt experience. Perhaps we will face and taste the unconscious layers of defense that pretend to protect us, yet keep us in a cell of false security.
Perhaps we will touch the vulnerability and strength of Life as she cycles and connects us to the great garland of creation.
Ellen will draw on her experience of Kashmir nondual yoga, Jungian ideas, Authentic Movement, and whatever else may arise from the field of our gathering. There will be time for sharing in a safe container.
Find out more »June 2024
John Prendergast ~ The Art of Self-Inquiry ~ Bay Area Daylong Retreat
Awakening to our true nature is greatly facilitated by the art of self-inquiry – a deep, honest, and intuitive investigation into the direct experience of who we really are. This investigation is based upon our love of the non-dogmatic truth and our desire to live in conscious accord with it. Rigorous self-inquiry often requires that we recognize and welcome our deepest doubts and fears and then question and see through them. The effect is profoundly liberating.
Our time together will include guided and open meditations, a talk, group and dyadic inquiries, and experiential conversations.
John J. Prendergast, Ph.D. is a spiritual teacher well known for his pioneering work in integrating non-dual wisdom and psychotherapy. He studied with the European sage Jean Klein for many years, as well as with Adyashanti who gave him dharma transmission in August, 2023. He is the author of The Deep Heart (2019) and In Touch (2015) and is working on a new book for Sounds True about the Ground.
Find out more »Mukti ~ Prior to Problems: Sanctuary and Source
When things feel “off" within one’s self or the world, a common tendency is to feel disempowered, and to relate to life as fundamentally problematic. Meanwhile, the practitioner who orients to liberated consciousness aligns with transformative spirit. Such spirit expresses immeasurable intelligence and possibilities, which can be brought to bear on life’s challenges, dilemmas, and decisions, and can shift problem-centered ways of perceiving to perceptions centered in curiosity, creativity, and resolution.
The blessing of seeing through the limitation of egoic states and the burdened paradigm of “problem,” is that this seeing can initiate a turn toward illimitable spirit.
Mukti is the head teacher and administrator of Open Gate Sangha, where she has taught in the lineage of her husband, Adyashant, since 2004. Her teaching methods are founded in meditation, self-inquiry, and body awareness, and she expresses a power of stillness, as well as feminine nurturing and a refreshing down-to-earth humanity.
Find out more »Unmani ~ What is the Awakened State?
Beyond all states that come and go, there is the knowing of them all: the Awareness of whatever is here. However, in your human experience, you might not always feel or acknowledge this knowing, and might experience being caught up in your mind, emotions, or the dramas of life.
In this meeting with Unmani, we will discuss what the Awakened State is, and look at the various misconceptions about Awakening. We will then explore how Awakening can be lived in our human lives, with all the ups and downs and challenges, as well as the fast pace of our modern human lives.
Unmani is originally from the UK, but has lived in many countries around the world. Truth has always been her passion. She meets each person exactly where they are at, while at the same time holding them in the truth of who they really are beyond it all. This combination and paradox of the personal and impersonal, brings so much depth, openness and healing to people's lives.
Find out more »Dorothy Hunt ~ Mystery and Manifestation
Although given many names, there is an unnameable Mystery that cannot be spoken. It reveals itself most deeply in Silence. There are also the “ten thousand things”—life in its ever-changing manifestations. When we experience that both Mystery and manifestations arise from the same source, we are invited into the intimate and ever-present mystery that is illuminating our every experience.
Dorothy Hunt currently serves as Spiritual Director of Moon Mountain Sangha, teaching at the request of, and in the spiritual lineage of Adyashanti. The flavor of her teaching blends Advaita and Zen with a deep welcoming of the human expressions of the Mystery.
Find out more »Where Awakened Heart Meets Broken Heart: Attending to A World in Crisis, with John Prendergast, Riyaz Motan and Lisa Ferguson ~ Bay Area Daylong Retreat
This daylong is an opportunity to turn toward our world in crisis and explore how our awakened hearts and deep knowing are called to respond. Whatever is touching your heart is welcomed, including climate and ecosystem breakdown, war and conflict, injustice and polarization. How is Being moving through us in response? We will explore through meditation, dyadic inquiry, and group interaction what it means to open to the deepest knowing of our awakened nature, while also being touched by our collective heartbreak.
The event will be guided by a three-person panel.
John J. Prendergast, Ph.D. studied with the European sage Jean Klein for many years, as well as with Adyashanti who gave him dharma transmission. He is is a retired Adjunct Professor of Psychology and psychotherapist, and the author of The Deep Heart (2019 ) and In Touch (2015).
Riyaz Motan is a spiritual guide, teacher, and former psychotherapist. His work interweaves Western psychology & Eastern wisdom traditions to help others find freedom from suffering to awaken to their essential wholeness.
Lisa Ferguson, Ph.D. is the founder of Climate Compassion, and has focused on supporting planetary wellbeing as a healing arts practitioner, climate justice activist, organizer and contemplative.
Find out more »Jeannie Zandi ~ Women, Spirit & the Body (women only)
Join Jeannie for a special call for women exploring the theme of spirituality and the body.
Jeannie’s gift for inviting people to join her in resting and rooted presence evokes a deep meeting with oneself and reality.
She is the director of Living as Love, a nonprofit organization dedicated to seeding a culture of the Heart on the planet, inspiring, teaching and supporting people to live from their essence as Love. She is known for her fearless clarity, tender mercy toward humanness, and a juicy, poetic and often humorous style that draws from Advaita Vedanta, Sufism, Christian mysticism and the ongoing revelation of fully engaged living.
Find out more »Shakti Caterina Maggi ~ Embodied nonduality
The teaching will be a dive into the heart of nonduality. An open and direct sharing about how our spiritual essence embodies in human experience to wake up to itself.
We will explore how suffering is the way through which we can recognize our self-imposed limitations. With courage and radical honesty we can use suffering as a trampoline to consciously connect to an unshakeable inner peace.
Shakti Caterina Maggi is a spiritual guide, meditation teacher and author widely recognized as one of the most authentic and profound voices of contemporary spirituality. Combining the vision of Advaita and non-dual Tantra with a contemporary approach, Shakti offers with humanity, compassion and great clarity an inner technology to dissolve that contraction of suffering that accompanies our lives, and access a space of peace and unconditional love towards life.
Find out more »Shakti Caterina Maggi ~ Embodied Non-duality
The teaching will be a dive into the heart of nonduality: An open and direct sharing about how our spiritual essence embodies in human experience to wake up to itself.
We will explore how suffering is the way through which we can recognize our self-imposed limitations. With courage and radical honesty we can use suffering as a trampoline to consciously connect to an unshakeable inner peace.
Shakti Caterina Maggi is a spiritual guide, meditation teacher and author widely recognized as one of the most authentic and profound voices of contemporary spirituality. Combining the vision of Advaita and non-dual Tantra with a contemporary approach, Shakti offers an inner technology to dissolve the contraction of suffering that accompanies our lives, and access a space of peace and unconditional love towards life.
Find out more »