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
Jeannie Zandi ~ Dancing around the Center
Join Jeannie to explore the integrity of resting in the center of your being and allowing your life to be an expression of that.
Jeannie’s gift for inviting people to join her in resting and rooted presence evokes a deep meeting with oneself and reality. Within that, Jeannie’s humor and iconoclasm serve to bring people into an understanding that is beyond the intellectual. Through silent and guided meditation, spontaneous talks and exchange with participants, Jeannie will host a space of clarity and warmth where the richness of relating can be explored safely and your innermost questions met fully.
Jeannie Zandi 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. A year before the birth of her daughter, Jeannie was plunged into a dark night of the soul that culminated in a radical shift of consciousness. 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.
Suggested donation: $15 to $40
No one turned away for lack of funds.
Please register early if you can.
The event will be recorded and emailed to participants within a week.
To check your local time, use a tool such as: Time Zone Converter
Ellen Emmet ~ Venturing Into the Unlit Corners of the Now
2-Part Retreat: May 18 & 19, 2024
We start at 10:00 am Pacific Time / 6:00 pm UK time /
7:00 pm Central European Time.
Time Zone Converter
Recording will be emailed to participants after each meeting.
You’re welcome to join even if you can’t attend all the live sessions.
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, a sense that we are no longer in alignment with our deepest self.
Here we are, standing at the threshold of our being, knowing that nothing we have used to light the way forward will work.
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 portent 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, the Jungian ideas especially as expressed by Marion Woodman, Authentic Movement, and whatever else may arise from the field of our gathering. There will be time for sharing in a safe container.
About Ellen:
Ellen’s deepest intuition was confirmed when she met her teacher in the non-dual tradition, Francis Lucille. Hearing his words, she recognised the eternal, limitless and universal nature of our shared reality. Over the years, this understanding has continued to unfold and to touch all levels of experience.
At the very same time, Ellen has never ceased to delve into the depths of her human experience, seen and unseen, thirsting for a wholeness and connectedness which appeared to be lost or obscured. This unstoppable quest brought her to therapy, Jungian workshops (and later Jungian analysis), Dream Work, Authentic Movement and creative writing.
More and more, she senses that each of our lives is a journey of revelation and integration, including its darker crossings, through which the face of truth can shine uniquely and anew, wedding us to our direct experience and connecting us to the great family of creation.
To find out more about Ellen and her offering, visit www.ellenemmet.com
Sliding Scale: $40 to $80
Some Partial Scholarships Available
Please register early if you can.
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Find out more »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 »Ellen Emmet ~ Venturing Into the Unlit Corners of the Now
2-Part Retreat: May 18 & 19, 2024
We start at 10:00 am Pacific Time / 6:00 pm UK time /
7:00 pm Central European Time.
Time Zone Converter
Recording will be emailed to participants after each meeting.
You’re welcome to join even if you can’t attend all the live sessions.
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, a sense that we are no longer in alignment with our deepest self.
Here we are, standing at the threshold of our being, knowing that nothing we have used to light the way forward will work.
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 portent 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, the Jungian ideas especially as expressed by Marion Woodman, Authentic Movement, and whatever else may arise from the field of our gathering. There will be time for sharing in a safe container.
About Ellen:
Ellen’s deepest intuition was confirmed when she met her teacher in the non-dual tradition, Francis Lucille. Hearing his words, she recognised the eternal, limitless and universal nature of our shared reality. Over the years, this understanding has continued to unfold and to touch all levels of experience.
At the very same time, Ellen has never ceased to delve into the depths of her human experience, seen and unseen, thirsting for a wholeness and connectedness which appeared to be lost or obscured. This unstoppable quest brought her to therapy, Jungian workshops (and later Jungian analysis), Dream Work, Authentic Movement and creative writing.
More and more, she senses that each of our lives is a journey of revelation and integration, including its darker crossings, through which the face of truth can shine uniquely and anew, wedding us to our direct experience and connecting us to the great family of creation.
To find out more about Ellen and her offering, visit www.ellenemmet.com
Sliding Scale: $40 to $80
Some Partial Scholarships Available
Please register early if you can.
>
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 and retired psychotherapist and adjunct professor of psychology at CIIS, 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.
www.listeningfromsilence.com
YouTube channel
The meeting will be from 10:00am to Noon and 2:00pm to 4:30pm, with a break for lunch.
Please bring your own lunch, or feel free to go into town to one of the restaurants or to Good Earth Natural Foods.
Pre-registration required, as space is limited.
Registration closes at 5 pm on May 31st
Suggested donation: $75
(Any amount acceptable. No one turned away for lack of funds.)
For inquiries contact LocalEvents@opencirclecenter.org
Location:
The meeting will be held at a private home in the Fairfax hills, with views of Mount Tam and hiking trails.
Address and directions will be provided upon registration.
If you have symptoms of a viral infection, or have had a recent
Covid exposure or positive test, please stay home out of consideration for others.
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 »Pamela Wilson ~ The Deep Blue of Substratum ~ 4 Part Online Retreat
June 3rd, 6th, 10th & 13th, 2024
10:00 am – 12:00 pm, Pacific Daylight Time (PDT)
Time Zone Converter
Recording will be emailed to participants after each meeting.
You're welcome to join even if you can't attend all the live sessions.
Each one of us is the ocean, though we are reticent to sink into the dark blue peace below the waves. There’s no need to tame the waves, they’re also intelligent presence and will balance themselves when we’re resting down under. Let’s live from the depths of being rather than opposing or trying to manage the waves. More fun to root down and stretch out inside holding everything lightly and respectfully.
Please join Pamela and your fellow sages in living from substratum and flow.
Pamela Wilson evokes through dialogue, inquiry and her very presence the qualities of unconditional love and radical acceptance. She is celebrated for her ability to open the heart and create a space in which long-cherished struggles and notions about one’s identity relax. Featured in the book Ordinary Women, Extraordinary Wisdom, Pamela is at her best in heart-felt dialogue, so please bring your questions!
More about Pamela: www.pamelasatsang.com
Sliding Scale: $80 to $120
Some Partial Scholarships Available
Please Register Early if you can.
Pamela Wilson ~ The Deep Blue of Substratum ~ 4 Part Online Retreat
June 3rd, 6th, 10th & 13th, 2024
10:00 am – 12:00 pm, Pacific Daylight Time (PDT)
Time Zone Converter
Recording will be emailed to participants after each meeting.
You're welcome to join even if you can't attend all the live sessions.
Each one of us is the ocean, though we are reticent to sink into the dark blue peace below the waves. There’s no need to tame the waves, they’re also intelligent presence and will balance themselves when we’re resting down under. Let’s live from the depths of being rather than opposing or trying to manage the waves. More fun to root down and stretch out inside holding everything lightly and respectfully.
Please join Pamela and your fellow sages in living from substratum and flow.
Pamela Wilson evokes through dialogue, inquiry and her very presence the qualities of unconditional love and radical acceptance. She is celebrated for her ability to open the heart and create a space in which long-cherished struggles and notions about one’s identity relax. Featured in the book Ordinary Women, Extraordinary Wisdom, Pamela is at her best in heart-felt dialogue, so please bring your questions!
More about Pamela: www.pamelasatsang.com
Sliding Scale: $80 to $120
Some Partial Scholarships Available
Please Register Early if you can.
Mukti ~ Prior to Problems: Sanctuary and Source
A key aim of spirituality is to be in the world, but not of it. This can present as being engaged in the human world, while greatly being informed by Source, the creative and sustaining realm of spirit.
When things feel “off,” or indeed are, 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. Moreover, one’s attunement to peace and quietude in spirit 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 that generate and dwell in the burdened paradigm of “problem,” is that this seeing can initiate a turn toward illimitable spirit.
Mukti’s presentation will be devoted to investigating doorways to spirit and will point to the undivided state and its power to harmonize, heal, resolve, and rectify. Her presentation will be followed by a Q&A session, in which audience members can join her in furthering the investigations of her presentation.
Mukti, whose name is translated as “liberation,” is the head teacher and administrator of Open Gate Sangha, where she has taught in the lineage of Adyashanti since 2004. Her teaching methods are founded in meditation, self-inquiry, and body awareness. Mukti expresses a power of stillness, as well as feminine nurturing and a refreshing down-to-earth humanity. For teaching excerpts, audio downloads, qi gong videos, and a calendar of Mukti’s current programs, visit: www.muktisource.org
Suggested donation: $15 to $40
No one turned away for lack of funds.
Please register early if you can.
The event will be recorded and emailed to participants within a week.
To check your local time, use a tool such as: Time Zone Converter