August 2019
Adam Chacksfield ~ Falling Open Together
Described by Pamela Wilson as “a great messenger of truth a unique transmission that does wonderful things for my spirit,” Adam invites us to share the direct experience of the heart, mind, and life falling open. In this effortless opening, the suffering involved in resisting feelings and believing our thoughts spontaneously releases. This allows our natural abundance of joy, peace, wisdom and love to become apparent and available. Heart-centered but direct, Adam offers a path straight into the truth of who you are. Adam Chacksfield is the founder of the Center for Nondual Awareness and creator of Falling Open, a four-month online course transforming how participants experience their lives.
Find out more »Tom Kurzka ~ Rest in Being: The Love of Your Life
You are invited to join Tom as we explore this experience called me and my world. We’ll begin with an introduction followed by a brief guided meditation, then open dialogue. There is no question or concern that is too unworthy to be addressed. Often the most deep rooted problems are our gateway to the Love that we all are. Through this process Tom holds a sweet tender kindness that makes many who work with him feel held and safe. Within this supportive framework our full humanness is embraced and touched. As we radically accept and meet the worst of the worst, a gentle piercing happens as the entirety of our human experience melts in Being’s all-embracing arms, this ever present Love. We see that we are that Love, this sweetness that unconditionally holds our humanness.
In 2000, after a lifelong battle trying to hold onto his false sense of a separate self, Tom’s fight against Reality spontaneously ended, resulting in a shift into unitive consciousness or Being. Shortly thereafter, Tom was asked to share and has since been holding small group meetings at his home in Oregon and also with a group in Virginia. Tom is known for his humility and a profound acceptance of what is. The guidance moving through him has flavors of Advaita Vedanta, Sufism, Buddhism and, most importantly, an ongoing revelation of living in the moment.
Suggested donation: $15 to $25
Find out more »Brian and Alexandra Theard ~ The Summer of Healed Relationships
To have a quiet mind, an open heart, and not take anything personally is the basis of a healed and holy relationship. But what happens when we hit a wall, and a painful disturbance seems to be insurmountable? The limits of our human heart can seem to be stretched beyond what we believe ourselves to be capable of feeling. And yet we are each carried beyond our personal limits as we bring our dark thoughts and negative feelings to Light, placing everything on the altar of Truth. No difficulty can withstand the quiet light of loving awareness.
Within the core of every difficult situation and emotion, is an intrinsic miracle moment. In choosing the growth opportunity within that situation, instead of defending a point of view, we are miraculously assisted by all the love of the universe. If we choose to accept it, moments of disharmony offer us a priceless gift, which carry us far beyond our perceived disturbances, to inner peace. Our persistent willingness catapults our relationships into a brighter and lighter timeline, removing doubts and insecurities, replacing them with the certainty of a loving purpose more valuable than anything in the world.
In our upcoming events at Open Circle, we’ll explore the qualities of honesty and higher willingness, in a practical and easy way. We’ll open up to the loving dimensions of consciousness that foster true safety, vulnerability, and a quiet tenderness of heart. You needn’t be in crisis to reap the essential benefits offered here. Come as you are.
Brian and Alexandra intuitively draw from direct experience, and 27yrs of partnership in the context of awakening. They share teachings from A Course in Miracles and Sri Ramana Maharshi in their exploration of loving relationships. What they've discovered, is any relationship given to truth, is a path of awakening to what lies beyond all concepts and definitions. And all relationships offer the chance to walk our talk with great integrity.
Suggested donation: $10 to $20
Find out more »Richard Miller ~ Just Say “Yes”
If to say it once, and once only, then still to say: Yes. And say it complete; say it as if the word filled the whole moment with its absolute saying. Later for "but," Later for "if." Now only the single syllable that is the beloved, that is the world. ~ Gregory Orr
The role of the six senses is to divide what is ever indivisible. Awakening reveals our 7th sense that knows only unity: ‘This’ that is always whole, ever present, that knows only love.
Saying, “Yes,” to each moment affirms our life as unitive love in action. “Yes,” acknowledges our ability to embrace radical authenticity and intimacy with ourselves and with every person and situation we encounter.
Join Richard for this Open Circle online inquiry into our unchanging ground of timeless Being, Awareness, and what lies beyond that underlies and pervades all changing states. Richard’s presentation entails guided meditation, a talk, and spirited intimate dialogue.
“Awakening to nondual Being reveals that all seeking is not for intimacy of object to object, but of the Self with Itself, where no separate other exists.” ~ Richard
Richard's teachings are based upon a lifetime of inquiry into the nature of freedom. Following a series of awakenings all sense of separation fell away while working with his spiritual mentor, Jean Klein. Richard experiences this awakening as always fresh and alive, yet forever opening to itself. Author of iRest Meditation: Restorative Practices for Health, Resiliency, and Well-Being, Yoga Nidra: The Meditative Heart of Yoga, and The iRest Program For Healing PTSD, Richard is the founder of the iRest Institute, and co-founder of the International Association of Yoga Therapists and Institute for Spirituality and Psychology. As well as leading spiritual retreats, Richard is researching the effectiveness of the iRest Meditation protocol that he has developed with soldiers, veterans, students, children, the homeless and people experiencing issues such as PTSD, substance abuse, sleep disorders and chronic pain. For information please visit www.iRest.org.
Suggested donation: $15 to $25
Find out more »Prajna Ginty ~ Born to Love
2-4 pm, with refreshments until 5 pm
We will explore how deep love lives within us. Regardless of all that life brings to us once we claim our birth right we set free our most authentic expression empowered by love. Love is all that matters. Tumble into your soft quiet openness and notice how protection and division dissolve.
Prajna Ginty, MA. Mystic, Shamanic Practitioner, Hakomi Therapist, Spiritual Mentor and author Edge of Grace, A Fierce Awakening to Love. Prajna’s journey raising her twin daughters with disabilities continues to illuminate life’s spiritual and deeply human dimensions. She offers a rare fusion of non-dual mysticism, somatic therapy, and plant medicine. Prajna’s popular retreats catalyze the healing and integration of traumatic experiences empowering you to live as love. Prajna was an early student of Adyashanti and lives with her family in Santa Cruz, CA
Prajna's website: www.awakeningprajna.com
Prajna's Youtube channel: www.youtube.com/c/AwakeningPrajna
Location: 8476 Sonoma Ave, Sebastopol, CA.
Park in driveway or on Sonoma Ave. Walk down short driveway to house with carport.
The satsang starts with a short meditation, then comments by the speaker, followed by questions, answers, and discussion. Please arrive 10-15 minutes early for the best seat.
Suggested donation: $10 to $20, no one turned away for lack of funds.
Find out more »Gail Brenner ~ Suffering is Optional
You’ve had a taste of your true nature as nondual awareness, yet you still find yourself recycling conditioned thought patterns, and getting stuck in the emotions that underlie them. You get triggered and feel scared, sad, angry, or resentful. You’re sometimes overcome by behaviors that seem beyond your control.
This evening will be a safe and supportive intimate group gathering where we untangle the ways we feel separate and discover over and over the infinite peace of our true nature. Gail Brenner, Ph.D. is an eternal student of happiness who blends her experience as a psychologist with a loving presence that invites people into harmony with all of life. She is gifted at meeting our humanness with nondual understanding in ways that are practical and loving. Gail has worked with clients and groups for over 20 years, bringing laser-like clarity to the confusion of common problems, such as reactive emotions, compulsive behaviors, feelings of personal inadequacy, and relationship struggles. She is the author of three books, including The End of Self-Help and her latest, Suffering is Optional.
“Here's some very good news: freedom from unhappiness is possible, and nothing needs to change. You don't need to change your thoughts, process your feelings, learn to relax, or become a better person. The invitation is simply to see things clearly. See clearly through to the essence of what makes you unhappy, and you'll realize that, at the core of your being, there's no conflict, resistance, or separation. You now know peace deeper than you could ever imagine. Shine a laser on every experience that makes you suffer, and you'll always find your true nature, pure being that just is."
Suggested Donation: $15-$25 per person
Find out more »September 2019
Satsang with Pamela Wilson ~ Autumnal Blessings
Fellowship of the Heart hosts this event.
Co-sponsored by Open Circle
Labor Day, Monday Sept. 2nd, 2-4 pm.
71 Windsor Lane, Petaluma- Home of Menahem & Jennifer Anderman
Sangha and Refreshments following. You are invited to bring a savory or sweet snack (vegan/vegetarian) to share. We will provide beverages. Please bring back jacks if you want to sit on the floor. Suggested donation $10-20, no one turned away.
A Walk in the Petaluma hills following refreshments is possible so, if interested, bring walking shoes.
From Pamela: here we are, benevolent rooted space wearing a remarkably sensitive instrument called the body. Most sages report the body mind insists on being included and permeated by presence, so it too, can know and live its naturalness. The body is the five elements, already free with no history, though it has born witness to all. As compassion we will be instantly aware of any suffering and answer its call, as stillness we will be aware of remaining restlessness. To be with what is in the moment, this is our function and is at the heart of all longing. Join with your fellow sages in satsang, sharing what you are noticing is an act of love.
Pamela speaks the Truth of advaita, non-duality - that the universe is one undivided whole. For the last fifteen years she has traveled widely in the United States, Canada and Europe, holding satsang and giving private sessions. She sat with Robert Adams and Neelam. Week-long retreats have been held in Mexico, Costa Rica, France, the United Kingdom, Canada and the USA. She has endeared herself to many through her lighthearted humor and compassion, and deep understanding of what it is to be human. She lives in the Bay Area of Northern California.
Drop-ins welcome. Please plan to arrive before 2pm so we can all settle in together. Doors open at 1:30pm. Our home is the far right house in a grouping of four houses off of Windsor Lane. We are the last grouping on the right from “D” street direction and the first grouping on the left from Western Avenue direction. Parking is available on Windsor Lane. Please do not park in the driveway area.
For Information, contact Menahem @ (707) 690 8395 menahem@world12.net or Jennifer @ (530) 701 8162 or jennifer@world12.net
Pamela's website: www.pamelasatsang.com
Find out more »Finders Course ~ 4 Month Online Course
Why Seek When You Can Find?
Get the remarkable wellbeing and other profound psychological benefits that have been historically associated with states such as enlightenment, persistent mystical states, and nonduality, but without taking years or having to follow religious or spiritual dogma.
What is the Finders Course?
The Finders Course is the first universally effective, step-by-step course that helps people transition to Ongoing and Persistent Non-Symbolic Experience rapidly, safely and reliably.
The course is 100% secular, and built on data from the world’s largest scientific research project in this area, which included over 1,200 participants on 6 continents. Our research showed that using the Finders Course, over 70% of people reached Persistent Non-Symbolic Experience in 4 months or less. And another 19% of people who took the program had temporary experiences of it.
Through the Finders Course, we provide the most effective methods and practices for creating permanent positive shifts in peace of mind, mental balance, life satisfaction and happiness. From ancient practices to cutting-edge science, our programs help you to assemble a personalized program to reach your goals. In our course you’ll find a community of like-minded adventurers on the same journey.
The Course Format
- Weekly video modules introducing a variety of proven practices, including:
- Daily meditation (using 26 different methods)
- Intention
- Gratitude
- Mindfulness
- One-on-one practice/exploration sessions
- Online weekly support group meetings
- Mentoring
- Facebook group
- Book (The Finders by Dr. Jeffrey A. Martin)
Please note that the course does require a significant degree of commitment, which has been found to be crucial to its effectiveness. One must be prepared to commit a minimum of one hour a day, plus an hour or two a week for group meetings, over a four month period.
Right now the Finders Course is available through Open Circle at a special discounted price of $1,995, for the course beginning October 5th, a 20% discount off the normal price of $2,495.00. If you have financial concerns, please email us at the address below.
Free Introductions
On Wednesday September 4th at 7:00pm and Saturday September 14th at 9:00am Pacific Time, we will be offering special, free introductory sessions online to discuss the course, and to answer any questions you may have.
To join either of the free introductory sessions at the appointed time, click https://zoom.us/j/3814331950 (no pre-registration is required)
For more information on the course, please visit https://finderscourse.com/.
To register for the course at this special price, go to: https://smileu.finderscourse.com/offers/YvaYSfaS
Enter “Open Circle” when asked who referred you to the course.
For any questions, please contact Kelley Duilio at kelley.duilio@gmail.com
Find out more »
Atma Nambi ~ Live Life
Please join us for these special events with South Indian spiritual teacher, Atma Nambi.
Atma Nambi is a spiritual teacher from Tamil Nadu, south India. His spiritual journey started at age 10, and later, while following a career in the business world, he underwent years of spiritual practice with several prominent teachers, including the famous Yogi Ramsurat Kumar and Mohan Bharathi. His various practices included bhakti, karma yoga, mantra, and kundalini, culminating in his Self-Realization in 1994.
Since then, he has been sharing what he lives – total Presence 24 hours a day – with an approach that is casual, immediately applicable, and down-to-earth. He inspires people to live a conscious life in line with each one’s individual potential, which brings pure joy and contentment, health and prosperity in all relations, as well as materially. Atma Nambi shares easy, practical and powerful techniques and approaches that can be applied in everyday life for people of all ages in all levels of society. These will enable you to live a life of celebration, while cultivating the recognition of the true Self.
Both the Friday evening and Saturday programs will culminate with optional chakra initiations by Atma Nambi. The initiations are individual but are done in a group context. The whole group enhances the energy in the initiated. During this process, practical tips will be given on how to keep the chakras activated and maintained, as well as keeping in good physical health.
Note that there is an additional sliding-scale charge for these initiations.
Friday, September 6th
An Evening of Wellbeing: 7 – 9:00 pm
Experience the Truth, discuss life-related situations, and enjoy being in inner silence. This is an instant experience of wellbeing and peace.
Suggested donation: $15-25
No one turned away for lack of funds.
Anahata Heart Chakra Initiation: 9 – 9:30 pm
The activation of the heart energy center, the fourth chakra, is a way to open up the heart and to heal heart-related issues; it enables better relationships, abundance of love and compassion, inner peace, and empowers the immune system.
Sliding Scale: $35-50
Please bring a candle to hold.
Saturday: September 7th
Live Life Workshop: 10 – 5:00 pm (Lunch 1 – 2:30 pm)
The Live Life Workshop addresses how to create an atmosphere of ever-rising consciousness, energy and creativity. Atma Nambi will give techniques for raising the internal and external awareness and atmosphere. There will be moment-to-moment techniques, easy to implement in everyday life, as well as powerful techniques for clearing negative energy (karma), and for inner transformation.
When there is an energy coordination brought in to the spot we are in flow. This is a state of consciousness that takes away the blocks from different parts of the body, enhances creativity and the ability to perceive the situation as it is. Flow makes every action joyous and healthy for oneself and others. An atmosphere of flow increases the amount and the quality your work, while addressing the internal atmosphere within one’s Self enhances relationships with family, friends and co-workers, as well as the atmosphere at home, school or at work.
Sliding Scale: $60-120
Kundalini Initiation, 5 – 6 pm
This initiation activates and awakens the mega-energy of kundalini, which dwells at the base of the spine. The rising of kundalini energy acts powerfully, dissolving fear, anxiety and depression. It generates more and more energy through the chakras, and since it is a life-force energy, its awakening enables both mental and physical wellbeing. It can dissolve many karmas and impressions from the past, and a new way of living in joy, peace and harmony can be established. Since this is a powerful initiation, Atma Nambi will select the individuals who he feels are ready.
Sliding Scale: $35-50
Please bring a fragrant flower.
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Additional Services:
While Atma Nambi is in the Bay Area, he is also offering other services to the general community.
Personal Sessions
Atma Nambi provides personalized guidance, spiritual healing, personal techniques and mantras to remove blockages and open up for your inner qualities and powers; he provides individual guidance, with the tools you need to move forward in life, to heal and to open up to the potential in all areas of life, both spiritual and material. He also guides couples and families in how to live a content and joyous family life, and gives guidance to those running centers or doing service for the wellbeing of humanity.
$50
Personal Atma Darshan Sessions: Being in Light
During this private darshan session, Atma Nambi bestows his grace in abundance. He opens up the door of the mind, and the eight spiritual powers that one carries within, enabling the purity of the Self to be experienced.
$50
Kubera TapasKubera Tapas is a fire ceremony performed for cleansing and spiritual and material abundance in private homes, the workplace, and in organizations. Throughout the ages, countless people and places have received great benefit in every aspect of life through Kubera Tapas. The ceremony lasts for approximately 1.5 hours.
$250
To book any of the above services, please email Aradhana at: LIVELIFE.Atma@gmail.com.
www.facebook.com/AtmaNambi.LiveLife/
There are also several videos of Atma Nambi on YouTube.
Find out more »
Atma Nambi ~ Live Life
Please join us for these special events during a rare visit by by South Indian spiritual teacher, Atma Nambi.
Atma Nambi's spiritual journey started at age 10, and later, while following a career in the business world, he underwent years of spiritual practice with several prominent teachers, including the famous Yogi Ramsurat Kumar and Mohan Bharathi. His various practices included bhakti, karma yoga, mantra, and kundalini yoga, culminating in his Self-Realization in 1994.
Since then, he has been sharing what he lives – total Presence 24 hours a day – with an approach that is casual, immediately applicable, and down-to-earth. He inspires people to live a conscious life in line with each one’s individual potential, which brings pure joy and contentment, health and prosperity in all relations, as well as materially. Atma Nambi shares easy, practical and powerful techniques and approaches that can be applied in everyday life for people of all ages in all levels of society. These will enable you to live a life of celebration, while cultivating the recognition of the true Self.
Both the Friday evening satsang and the Saturday daylong event will culminate with optional chakra initiations by Atma Nambi.
Find out more »