BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Open Circle - ECPv6.18.2//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:Open Circle X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://opencircle.net X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Open Circle REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/Los_Angeles BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0800 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:PDT DTSTART:20230312T100000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0800 TZNAME:PST DTSTART:20231105T090000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0800 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:PDT DTSTART:20240310T100000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0800 TZNAME:PST DTSTART:20241103T090000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0800 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:PDT DTSTART:20250309T100000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0800 TZNAME:PST DTSTART:20251102T090000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240701T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240701T000000 DTSTAMP:20260106T170251Z CREATED:20260106T170251Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260106T170251Z UID:10000862-1719792000-1719792000@opencircle.net SUMMARY:Ellen Emmet ~ Venturing Into the Unlit Corners of the Now DESCRIPTION:2-Part Retreat: May 18 & 19\, 2024 \nWe start at 10:00 am Pacific Time / 6:00 pm UK time / 7:00 pm Central European Time. \nTime Zone Converter \nEvent will be recorded and emailed to participants after the meeting. \nYouÕre welcome to join even if you canÕt attend all the live sessions. \nThere 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. \nHere we are\, standing at the threshold of our being\, knowing that nothing we have used to light the way forward will work. \nDuring 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. \nPerhaps we will touch the vulnerability and strength of Life as she cycles and connects us to the great garland of creation. \nEllen 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. \nWatch Ellen share about the role the body plays in her work: \nhttps://opencircle.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/230602-Ellen-Emmet-Interview-Clip-1.mp4\nAbout Ellen: \nEllenÕs 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. \nAt 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. \nMore 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. \nTo find out more about Ellen and her offering\, visit www.ellenemmet.com \nSliding Scale: $40 to $80 \nSome Partial Scholarships Available \nPlease register early if you can. \nREGISTER URL:https://opencircle.net/event/ellen-emmet-venturing-into-the-unlit-corners-of-the-now-3/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240701T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240701T000000 DTSTAMP:20260106T170307Z CREATED:20260106T170250Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260106T170307Z UID:10000861-1719792000-1719792000@opencircle.net SUMMARY:Mukti ~ Prior to Problems: Sanctuary and Source DESCRIPTION: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. \nWhen things feel Òoff\,Ó or indeed are\, within oneÕs 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 lifeÕs challenges\, dilemmas\, and decisions. Moreover\, oneÕs attunement to peace and quietude in spirit can shift problem-centered ways of perceiving to perceptions centered in curiosity\, creativity\, and resolution. \nThe blessing of seeing through the limitation of egoic states that generate and dwell in the burdened paradigm of Òproblem\,Ó is that this seeing can initiate a turn toward illimitable spirit. \nMuktiÕs 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. \nMukti\, whose name is translated as Òliberation\,Ó 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 MuktiÕs current programs\, visit: www.muktisource.org \nSuggested donation: $15 to $40 \nNo one turned away for lack of funds. \nPlease register early if you can. \nREGISTER \nThe event will be recorded and emailed to participants within a week. \nTo check your local time\, use a tool such as: Time Zone Converter URL:https://opencircle.net/event/mukti-prior-to-problems-sanctuary-and-source/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240602T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240602T000000 DTSTAMP:20260106T165949Z CREATED:20260106T165949Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260106T165949Z UID:10000831-1717286400-1717286400@opencircle.net SUMMARY:Christiane Prendergast ~ Exploration in Stillness ~ In-Person Local Event DESCRIPTION:With gentle movements\, we allow the body to be felt as it presents itself\, moment to moment. Whether there is constriction or heaviness\, we unconditionally welcome it through space-feeling\, sensing\, as well as with an occasional simple inquiry. With this approach\, we experience that there is nothing to do\, to change or to achieve. Open Presence allows these movements to free themselves and to be newly sensed at any moment. In this way\, we effortlessly become one with welcoming that is our home ground. \nWe start with a short meditation. At the end of the session there will be a time for sharing and questions. \nPlease bring a blanket or a mat. \nBio: Originally from France\, Christiane was a student of the late European Advaita master Jean Klein for over 20 years. Although rooted in Advaita\, Jean incorporated a form of subtle-body yoga from Kashmir Shaivism. It is this approach that he taught to Christiane. \nSuggested Donation: $15- $25\, no one turned away. \nNo pre-registration. Pay at door when you arrive. \nIf you have symptoms of a viral infection\, or have had a recent \nCovid exposure or positive test\, please stay home out of consideration for others. URL:https://opencircle.net/event/christiane-prendergast-exploration-in-stillness-in-person-local-event/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240601T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240601T000000 DTSTAMP:20260106T170751Z CREATED:20260106T170751Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260106T170751Z UID:10000972-1717200000-1717200000@opencircle.net SUMMARY:Amoda Maa ~ An Inquiry into the Living Truth of Freedom (In-Person & Livestream) DESCRIPTION:Open Circle is hosting a series of SATSANGS & a DAYLONG with Amoda Maa in California\, USA. \nFebruary 27th (7-9 pm\, PT) ~ Berkeley\, CA \nFebruary 28th (7-9 pm\, PT) ~ Mill Valley\, CA \nMarch 1st Daylong (11:00am – 5:00pm\, PT) ~ Fairfax\, CA \nMarch 2nd (2-4 pm\, PT) ~ Sebastopol\, CA \nAll events are In-Person ~ \nLivestream is also available for Feb. 27th to March 1st \nClick here to access details & registration for ALL events in series. \nAmoda Maa invites an open-hearted honesty to the exploration of what it means to live as freedom in all circumstances. She offers profound pointers to how this freedom reveals itself if we are willing to surrender all resistance to Òwhat isÓ and how the light of our essential nature shines through all experience when the Òveil of self” comes undone. Through dialogue\, inquiry\, and guided meditation she supports the recognition of that which is beyond the duality of perception\, thought and feeling\, and takes us to the experience of the ever-present and unchanging reality of awareness. This unbounded awareness is the eternal ground of Being É and this is the source of true peace and freedom. \nThis is a two-hour meeting\, including guided meditation/silence\, discourse and Q&As. \nAmoda Maa offers a profound invitation to all those who wish to embody the truth of awakened consciousness in the midst of everyday life. AmodaÕs 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 many spiritual traditions. \nShe offers meetings and retreats in the USA and Europe\, is the author of several books\, and is founder and spiritual director of the Amoda Maa Foundation. \nwww.amodamaa.com \n– \n \n  \nSuggested donation: $15 to $30 \nNo one turned away for lack of funds. \nPre-registration for In-Person attandance closes at Midnight on Feb. 26 (the night before event) \nPre-registration is encouraged\, but you can also just show up & pay at door. Come & join us! \nREGISTER for IN-PERSON Attendance \nOR \nREGISTER for LIVESTREAM &/or Recording Access \nIf you register for Recording access by event date\, link to access it will be sent to you within a week. \nIf you register for Recording access AFTER event date\, please forward your confirmation email to web@opencircle.net to notify us that you registered after event date. \n  \nPARKING: There is some street parking in the neighborhood\, free and without time limit. \nFor inquiries contact LocalEvents@opencircle.net \nIf you have symptoms of a respiratory infection\, or have had a recent \nCovid exposure or positive test\, please stay home out of consideration for others. URL:https://opencircle.net/event/amoda-maa-an-inquiry-into-the-living-truth-of-freedom-in-person-livestream/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240601T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240601T000000 DTSTAMP:20260106T170616Z CREATED:20260106T170616Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260106T170616Z UID:10000924-1717200000-1717200000@opencircle.net SUMMARY:XXX - SAMPLE -John Prendergast and Lisa Ferguson ~ Engaged Nonduality DESCRIPTION:Engaged Nonduality \nAwakening and Action: Toward an Engaged Nondual Approach \nwith John Prendergast and Lisa Ferguson ~ Oct. 13th \nRecording will be emailed to participants within a week. \nYouÕre welcome to join even if you canÕt attend the live session. \nIn this kickoff to the series\, Lisa will present a working framework and practices to open the space to explore an engaged nonduality: how the recognition of non-separation moves in response to our world in crisis. This will include themes of personal and collective awakening\, individual action\, and collective liberation. We will explore how love and truth might move through us\, as well as how we can kindly tend to our conditioned parts and intense emotions – such as terror\, despair\, rage and shame – that may emerge as we face the enormity of our Metacrisis. \nJohn and Lisa will offer space for group sharing\, meditation and a deep meeting of what arises as we face our Metacrisis in community\, from the heart of being. \nEngaged Nonduality Series \n \nThis series weaves nondual awakening and an embodied response to our world in crisis. We are facing intersecting crises of climate breakdown\, the potential of ecological and systems collapse\, severe injustice and inequality\, rising authoritarianism\, unaligned tech and AI\, and more. The path of nonduality has much to offer in these times\, including a deep recognition of our wholeness and shared Being\, and opening to the wellspring of our wise response. \nWhile awakening is often engaged in a more personal context\, we are expanding the context to include structural harm and systemic crisis\, where the rubber hits the road in our world today. This series invites guest presenters to explore how the wisdom of these nondual teachings may be deeply embodied through a response to our world in crisis. These sessions may include guided meditations\, group and dyadic inquiry and group interaction. \nThe following events in the series will be hosted by John Prendergast and Lisa Ferguson. \nRegister for one or more dates\, or the full series together. \nOctober 20th: Jeremy Lent ~ From Awakened Heart to a Flourishing Future \nOctober 27th: Jonathan Gustin ~ Non-dual Responsibility – Exploring Non-duality & the Metacrisis \nNovember 2nd: Caverly Morgan ~ \nJohn J. Prendergast\, Ph.D. is the author of The Deep Heart: Our Portal to Presence (2019 ) and In Touch: How to Tune In to the Inner Guidance of Your Body and Trust Yourself (2015) and is working on a new book entitled Your Deepest Ground: A Guide to Embodied Spirituality (March 2025). He is a retired Adjunct Professor of Psychology at the California Institute of Integral Studies as well as a retired psychotherapist. He studied with the European sage Jean Klein for many years as well as with Adyashanti who gave dharma transmission to John in August\, 2023. John and his wife Christiane offer residential retreats in the United States and Europe. \nwww.listeningfromsilence.com \nYouTube channel \nLisa 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.Ê She offers psychospiritual support to activists through one-one sessions and small groups\, weaving together a focus on awakening\, healing and wise action. \nwww.climatecompassion.org \nSuggested Donation: $15 to $40 \n(any amount acceptable\, no one turned away for lack of funds) \nPlease register early if you can. \nREGISTER for Oct. 13th \nFull Series: Sundays October 13\, 20\, 27\, and Saturday Nov 2 \nSuggested Donation: $60 to $120 \n(no one turned away for lack of funds) \nREGISTER for Full 4-part Series \nThe events will be recorded and emailed to participants within a week. \nTo check your local time\, use a tool such as: Time Zone Converter URL:https://opencircle.net/event/xxx-sample-john-prendergast-and-lisa-ferguson-engaged-nonduality/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240601T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240601T000000 DTSTAMP:20260106T165910Z CREATED:20260106T165910Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260106T165910Z UID:10000825-1717200000-1717200000@opencircle.net SUMMARY:CANCELED Lynn Marie Lumiere\, MFT ~ Being Present with What Is: Deepen Your Ability to be Still in the Midst of Challenges ~ Weekend Retreat DESCRIPTION:We regret to inform this event has been canceled. \nA Weekend Retreat: Saturday and Sunday\, April 20-21\, 2024: \n9:00 am Ð 12:00 pm Pacific Time\, each day \nTime Zone Converter \nRecording will be emailed to participants after each meeting. \nYou’re welcome to join even if you can’t attend all the live sessions. \nLife is full of challenges. This is how we evolve and awaken. What is important is how we meet them. \nThe key to being with challenges in a way that allows for more freedom and transformation is to stop\, be still\, and feel our discomfort without avoiding or engaging it. This is possible because we all have a built-in ability to do this. It is natural to us; weÕve just forgotten how. We can re-discover this ability and see that no matter what is arising\, it is not wrong. It is just what is\, and inner support and guidance is always available. Lynn Marie will offer her assistance with the somatic\, emotional and psychological issues that are interfering with your capacity to be present. \nYou are encouraged to attend the 3-hour sessions for this retreat live so you can benefit from sharing your experience and processing with Lynn Marie. However\, you are also welcome to attend at your convenience by listening to the recording. \nLynn Marie LumiereÊis a seasoned psychotherapist\, Somatic Experiencing Practitioner\, spiritual mentor\, and author. She offers a rare blend of embodied spiritual wisdom with a skilled therapeutic approach that facilitates healing of psychological trauma/wounding and the embodiment of awakening. Her depth of experience\, rooted in her own healing and awakening journey\, spans decades of expertly guiding individuals in the resolution of their trauma and into connection with their true nature. She is the author of Awakened Relating: A Guide to Embodying More Love in Relationships. \nFor more information see: www.lynnmarielumiere.com \n URL:https://opencircle.net/event/canceled-lynn-marie-lumiere-mft-being-present-with-what-is-deepen-your-ability-to-be-still-in-the-midst-of-challenges-weekend-retreat-2/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240601T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240601T000000 DTSTAMP:20260106T165909Z CREATED:20260106T165909Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260106T165909Z UID:10000823-1717200000-1717200000@opencircle.net SUMMARY:Stephan Bodian ~ Wake Up Now: A 2-Day Journey Through the Stages of Awakening DESCRIPTION:April 13 & 14\, 2024 \n9:00 am Ð 12:00 pm\, Pacific Time \nTime Zone Converter \nEvent will be recorded and emailed to participants after each meeting. \nYou’re welcome to join even if you can’t attend all the live sessions. \nAwakenings come in many shapes and sizes and are as diverse as the people who experience them. Yet they tend to follow a similar trajectory\, from the initial recognition that youÕre not who you thought you were to the full realization of your nondual spiritual nature beyond the mind. Along the way\, you may have a range of different experiences and insights that offer motivation and inspiration and deepen and expand your understanding. \nIn this weekend mini-retreat\, weÕll explore the journey of awakening through teachings\, guided meditations\, self-inquiry\, dialogue\, discussion\, and ample time to rest in the silence and stillness of Being. In the process youÕll discover that awakening is not a noun\, but a verb\, not a state but an endless unfolding into the Mystery of what is. \nStephan Bodian is a teacher in the nondual wisdom tradition of Zen\, Dzogchen\, and Advaita Vedanta. He’s been offering the School for Awakening\, an annual multi-month intensive program in spiritual unfolding and awakened living\, since 2007. As a licensed psychotherapist\, he brings a deep understanding of the impact of trauma and early conditioning on the process of spiritual realization and offers individual counseling and mentoring in psychospiritual integration. Stephan studied for many years with Advaita master Jean Klein and received Dharma transmission from Adyashanti in 2001. His books include Wake Up Now and Beyond Mindfulness. For more information\, visit : www.stephanbodian.org \nSliding Scale: $60 to $90 \nSome Partial Scholarships Available \nPlease Register Early if you can. \nREGISTER URL:https://opencircle.net/event/stephan-bodian-wake-up-now-a-2-day-journey-through-the-stages-of-awakening/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240601T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240601T000000 DTSTAMP:20260106T165909Z CREATED:20260106T165909Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260106T165909Z UID:10000824-1717200000-1717200000@opencircle.net SUMMARY:CANCELED Lynn Marie Lumiere\, MFT ~ Being Present with What Is: Deepen Your Ability to be Still in the Midst of Challenges ~ Weekend Retreat DESCRIPTION:We regret to inform this event has been canceled. \nA Weekend Retreat: Saturday and Sunday\, April 20-21\, 2024: \n9:00 am Ð 12:00 pm Pacific Time\, each day \nTime Zone Converter \nRecording will be emailed to participants after each meeting. \nYou’re welcome to join even if you can’t attend all the live sessions. \nLife is full of challenges. This is how we evolve and awaken. What is important is how we meet them. \nThe key to being with challenges in a way that allows for more freedom and transformation is to stop\, be still\, and feel our discomfort without avoiding or engaging it. This is possible because we all have a built-in ability to do this. It is natural to us; weÕve just forgotten how. We can re-discover this ability and see that no matter what is arising\, it is not wrong. It is just what is\, and inner support and guidance is always available. Lynn Marie will offer her assistance with the somatic\, emotional and psychological issues that are interfering with your capacity to be present. \nYou are encouraged to attend the 3-hour sessions for this retreat live so you can benefit from sharing your experience and processing with Lynn Marie. However\, you are also welcome to attend at your convenience by listening to the recording. \nLynn Marie LumiereÊis a seasoned psychotherapist\, Somatic Experiencing Practitioner\, spiritual mentor\, and author. She offers a rare blend of embodied spiritual wisdom with a skilled therapeutic approach that facilitates healing of psychological trauma/wounding and the embodiment of awakening. Her depth of experience\, rooted in her own healing and awakening journey\, spans decades of expertly guiding individuals in the resolution of their trauma and into connection with their true nature. She is the author of Awakened Relating: A Guide to Embodying More Love in Relationships. \nFor more information see: www.lynnmarielumiere.com \n URL:https://opencircle.net/event/canceled-lynn-marie-lumiere-mft-being-present-with-what-is-deepen-your-ability-to-be-still-in-the-midst-of-challenges-weekend-retreat/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240601T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240601T000000 DTSTAMP:20260106T165908Z CREATED:20260106T165852Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260106T165908Z UID:10000822-1717200000-1717200000@opencircle.net SUMMARY:John J. Prendergast\, Ph.D ~ ÒFalling OpenÓ ~ 4-Part Course DESCRIPTION:4-Part Online Course \nFeb 24\, Mar 2\, 9\, 16\, 2024 \n10:00 am Ð 12:00 noon Pacific Time\, each day \nTime Zone Converter \nEvent will be recorded and emailed \nto participants after each meeting. \nYou’re welcome to join even if you can’t attend all the live sessions. \nIn this four-part series we will explore the theme of falling open to not knowing\, to the boundless heart\, and to the groundless ground of Being. What happens when our mind sees itÕs limits and lets go\, when our heart remembers its native innocence and wholeness\, and when our false ground falls away? Meetings will include guided and silent meditations\, talks\, experiential conversations\, and dyadic and group meditative inquiries. \nJohn J. Prendergast\, Ph.D. 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. He is a retired Adjunct Professor of Psychology at the California Institute of Integral Studies as well as a retired psychotherapist. He studied with the European sage Jean Klein for many years as well as with Adyashanti who gave dharma transmission to John in August\, 2023. John and his wife Christiane offer residential retreats in the United States and Europe. \nwww.listeningfromsilence.com \nYouTube channel \nSliding Scale: $80 to $140 \nSome Partial Scholarships Available \nPlease Register Early if you can. \nREGISTER URL:https://opencircle.net/event/john-j-prendergast-ph-d-ofalling-openo-4-part-course-3/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240601T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240601T000000 DTSTAMP:20260106T165851Z CREATED:20260106T165851Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260106T165851Z UID:10000821-1717200000-1717200000@opencircle.net SUMMARY:John J. Prendergast\, Ph.D ~ ÒFalling OpenÓ ~ 4-Part Course DESCRIPTION:4-Part Online Course \nFeb 24\, Mar 2\, 9\, 16\, 2024 \n10:00 am Ð 12:00 noon Pacific Time\, each day \nTime Zone Converter \nEvent will be recorded and emailed \nto participants after each meeting. \nYou’re welcome to join even if you can’t attend all the live sessions. \nIn this four-part series we will explore the theme of falling open to not knowing\, to the boundless heart\, and to the groundless ground of Being. What happens when our mind sees itÕs limits and lets go\, when our heart remembers its native innocence and wholeness\, and when our false ground falls away? Meetings will include guided and silent meditations\, talks\, experiential conversations\, and dyadic and group meditative inquiries. \nJohn J. Prendergast\, Ph.D. 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. He is a retired Adjunct Professor of Psychology at the California Institute of Integral Studies as well as a retired psychotherapist. He studied with the European sage Jean Klein for many years as well as with Adyashanti who gave dharma transmission to John in August\, 2023. John and his wife Christiane offer residential retreats in the United States and Europe. \nwww.listeningfromsilence.com \nYouTube channel \nSliding Scale: $80 to $140 \nSome Partial Scholarships Available \nPlease Register Early if you can. \nREGISTER URL:https://opencircle.net/event/john-j-prendergast-ph-d-ofalling-openo-4-part-course-2/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240601T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240601T000000 DTSTAMP:20260106T165850Z CREATED:20260106T165850Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260106T165850Z UID:10000820-1717200000-1717200000@opencircle.net SUMMARY:John J. Prendergast\, Ph.D ~ ÒFalling OpenÓ ~ 4-Part Course DESCRIPTION:4-Part Online Course \nFeb 24\, Mar 2\, 9\, 16\, 2024 \n10:00 am Ð 12:00 noon Pacific Time\, each day \nTime Zone Converter \nEvent will be recorded and emailed \nto participants after each meeting. \nYou’re welcome to join even if you can’t attend all the live sessions. \nIn this four-part series we will explore the theme of falling open to not knowing\, to the boundless heart\, and to the groundless ground of Being. What happens when our mind sees itÕs limits and lets go\, when our heart remembers its native innocence and wholeness\, and when our false ground falls away? Meetings will include guided and silent meditations\, talks\, experiential conversations\, and dyadic and group meditative inquiries. \nJohn J. Prendergast\, Ph.D. 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. He is a retired Adjunct Professor of Psychology at the California Institute of Integral Studies as well as a retired psychotherapist. He studied with the European sage Jean Klein for many years as well as with Adyashanti who gave dharma transmission to John in August\, 2023. John and his wife Christiane offer residential retreats in the United States and Europe. \nwww.listeningfromsilence.com \nYouTube channel \nSliding Scale: $80 to $140 \nSome Partial Scholarships Available \nPlease Register Early if you can. \nREGISTER URL:https://opencircle.net/event/john-j-prendergast-ph-d-ofalling-openo-4-part-course/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240601T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240601T000000 DTSTAMP:20260106T165849Z CREATED:20260106T165849Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260106T165849Z UID:10000819-1717200000-1717200000@opencircle.net SUMMARY:Lisa Cairns ~ Is There a "Doer"? DESCRIPTION:There’s no “doer” doing anything\, there is no independent person\, it’s just a happening\, all of it\, now. When you’re walking your legs are simply walking all by themselves and we claim that and we say “I’m walking”. \nWho is this “I” that walks ? \nThere’s nobody that’s walking. \nWalking happens. Speaking happens. Looking happens. Hearing happens. Action happens. \nAnd our illusion is that we act. \nI act. I’m naked. I’m not naked. I’m free. I’m not free. I’m enlightened. I’m not enlightened. \nThere is nobody. It’s all coming from divinity and nothing is outside of you\, nothing! \nEverything is a production of your brain\, and your brain is a production of that infinite unknowable source which is free. It’s so free\, everything! \nThere’s nothing you need to worry about or not worry about but yeah\, worrying happens. But it’s not your worrying and there’s nothing wrong with worrying happening\, There’s nothing wrong with deceit happening\, there’s nothing wrong with anger happening\, there’s nothing wrong with love happening or joy happening\, they’re all the same. It is simply life playing out\, and it couldn’t be any other way. \nNon-duality is what is in this moment: \n \nAbout Lisa: \nIn Bali in 2011\, Lisa suddenly lost total control while eating banana fritters with ice cream\, and there was a sudden and explosive energetic shift; at that moment it was understood\, beyond the intellect\, non-dual philosophy. \nFor the past eleven years\, she has traveled around the world\, sharing an amazing Indian Philosophy called Non duality. She has spoken in book shops\, cafes\, yoga centers\, universities\, schools\, the UKÕs NHS (National Health Care System)\, conference centers\, festivals\, theatres and in someoneÕs front room. \nIn her talks\, she tries to communicate the limitless nature of life\, which you could say is at the root of every philosophy\, religion or story. This is a tall order\, so failing that\, she hopes to open doors for anyone who wants to listen\, providing a broader perspective on this magical thing we call life. \nMore about Lisa: www.lisacairns.com \nSuggested donation: $15 to $40 \nNo one turned away for lack of funds. \nPlease register early if you can. \nREGISTER \nThe event will be recorded and emailed to participants within a week. \nTo check your local time\, use a tool such as: Time Zone Converter URL:https://opencircle.net/event/lisa-cairns-is-there-a-doer/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240501T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240501T000000 DTSTAMP:20260106T170514Z CREATED:20260106T170514Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260106T170514Z UID:10000900-1714521600-1714521600@opencircle.net SUMMARY:Gail Brenner ~ Melting into Being (In-Person Event) DESCRIPTION:Melting into Being – Come and enjoy an afternoon of melting into being with your fellow truth lovers. All are welcome! \nIn our time together\, weÕll relax into effortless being\, marinating in the luminescent knowing of our true nature. WeÕll leave the limitations of our personal stories and attachments to discover liberationÑalready hereÑtimeless\, boundless\, and free. This is youÉwho youÕve always been despite any beliefs that tell you otherwise.At the same time\, we bow to our humannessÑmeeting our conditioned and fear-based patterns with understanding and compassion. And we know that who we are is unlimited\, overflowing with love\, and infinitely peaceful. You are welcome just as you are with your fears\, doubts\, shame\, and questionsÑor simply to share sacred space. With guided meditation\, quotes from our beloved masters\, and open conversation\, weÕll celebrate together\, discovering peace and happiness right at the heart of our everyday human lives. I look forward to being with you! \nGail Brenner\, Ph.D.Êis your guide. As a psychologist\, author\, and teacher\,Êshe transmits a love of truth with a fire that burns brightly. Gail is an expert in healing from early trauma and brings to this work years of experience with individuals and groups. She is known for creating the safe space needed for deep inner exploration. GailÊis the author of the award-winningÊThe End of Self-HelpÊandÊSuffering Is Optional. \nGail’s website: gailbrenner.com \nSatsang: 2-4 pm \nRefreshments: until 5 \nSuggested Donation: $10- $20\, no one turned away. \nNo pre-registration. Pay at door when you arrive. \nLocation: 8476 Sonoma Ave\, Sebastopol\, CA. Park on Sonoma Ave. \nNote: The address sign says 8474/8476.Ê Park on the street\, and walk down the short driveway to the house with the carport. \nPlease dress mindfully\, doors & windows will be open! \nIf you have covid-like symptoms\, or have had a recent Covid exposure or positive test\, please stay home out of consideration for others. URL:https://opencircle.net/event/gail-brenner-melting-into-being-in-person-event/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240401T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240401T000000 DTSTAMP:20260106T170751Z CREATED:20260106T170751Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260106T170751Z UID:10000971-1711929600-1711929600@opencircle.net SUMMARY:Susanne Marie ~ The Light Inside the Dark ~ In Honor of Solstice DESCRIPTION:In honor of Solstice we will meet in the unmoving stillness\, resting with equanimity\, holding what we encounter within with kindness and allowance. By entering darkness\, we are invited to know ourselves more intimately\, surrendering to that which does not push away what we contain. By making peace with what is denied and feels uncomfortable\, we open to the power of yielding to the wisdom of inner reconciliation. Solstice in Latin translates to: the standing still of the Sun. Together we will stand still\, rest and gather nurturance within our beingness\, opening in allowance to what is\, which initiates what can become. Only by meeting ourselves with allowance\, do we evolve beyond resistance. Solstice is an ideal day to rest\, heal\, and prepare for the longer days ahead. \nAbout Susanne Marie \nFeatured in conversation with Adyashanti on Buddha at the Gas Pump as well as on Conscious TV\, Susanne Marie offers integrated teachings in support of freedom\, and the celebration of our common essence of love and unity with all life. Susanne\, who lives in Northern California\, is the parent of two young adults. As a natural empath\, her teaching style is heart-centered and practical\, whose focus is on supporting you in your unique awakening journey. Susanne leads in-person retreats\, online courses\, a monthly online meeting\, and mentors individuals privately. \nFind out more about Susanne Marie: susannemarie.org \nIn this short video Susanne is sharing details of her awakening journey: \n \n  \nSuggested donation: $15 to $40 \nNo one turned away for lack of funds. \nPlease register early if you can. \nREGISTER \nThe event will be recorded and emailed to participants within a week. \nTo check your local time\, use a tool such as: Time Zone Converter URL:https://opencircle.net/event/susanne-marie-the-light-inside-the-dark-in-honor-of-solstice/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240401T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240401T000000 DTSTAMP:20260106T170709Z CREATED:20260106T170709Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260106T170709Z UID:10000938-1711929600-1711929600@opencircle.net SUMMARY:John Prendergast ~ Being No One; Being Your Self ~ Bay Area Daylong Retreat DESCRIPTION:The freer we are of our self-image and story and all of the emotional reactions and somatic contractions that go with this limited identity\, the freer we are to simply be ourself Ð a living mystery not separate from the whole of life. Self-inquiry facilitates an unveiling\, unlearning\, spontaneous letting go\, and discovery of our true nature. This meeting will include silent and guided meditations\, a talk\, dyadic self-inquiry\, and intimate\, powerful\, experiential conversations. \nJohn Prendergast\, Ph.DÊis a spiritual teacher\, retired psychotherapist\, and retired 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 2023. He is the author of The Deep Heart (2019)\, In Touch (2015)\, and a new book\, Your Deepest Ground: A Guide to Embodied Spirituality (March\, 2025) from Sounds True. \nwww.listeningfromsilence.com \nYouTube channel \nThe meeting will be from 10:00am to Noon and 2:00pm to 4:30pm\, with a break for lunch. \nPlease bring your own lunch\, or feel free to go into town to one of the restaurants or to Good Earth Natural Foods. \nPre-registration required\, as space is limited. \nRegistration closes at 5 pm on Dec. 6th \nSuggested donation: $75 \n(Any amount acceptable. No one turned away for lack of funds.) \nPRE-REGISTER HERE & PAY AT DOOR WHEN YOU ARRIVE. \n(Cash or Check only) \nThis event is Co-sponsored by Open Circle & the Schwartz Family Trust. \nAll proceeds\, above covering event costs\, will go to the \nSchwartz Family Trust to support Rob SchwartzÕs vision of \nhis property being available for Open Circle retreats and events. \nEvent donations will go directly to the Schwartz Family Trust\, rather than to Open Circle. \nIf you want to contribute more for this project\, you can do so at the event\, \nor contact us for more information (contributuons\, loan\, volunteer). \nREGISTER \nFor inquiries contact LocalEvents@opencircle.net \nLocation: \nThe meeting will be held at a private home in the Fairfax hills\, with views of Mount Tam and hiking trails. \nAddress and directions will be provided upon registration. \nIf you have symptoms of a respiritory infection\, or have had a recent \nCovid exposure or positive test\, please stay home out of consideration for others. URL:https://opencircle.net/event/john-prendergast-being-no-one-being-your-self-bay-area-daylong-retreat/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240401T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240401T000000 DTSTAMP:20260106T170615Z CREATED:20260106T170615Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260106T170615Z UID:10000923-1711929600-1711929600@opencircle.net SUMMARY:John Prendergast\, Lisa Ferguson & Caverly Morgan ~ Engaged Nonduality DESCRIPTION:Engaged Nonduality \nActing on Behalf of The Heart of Who We Are \nwith John Prendergast\, Lisa Ferguson and Caverly Morgan ~ Nov. 2nd \nRecording will be emailed to participants within a week. \nYouÕre welcome to join even if you canÕt attend the live session. \nThis gathering is about the act of being. ItÕs about knowing a happiness you canÕt explain because you have no reason to point to. The joy of pure being. Together weÕll explore knowing who you are\, resting in presence\, and what it means to act in the world on behalf of this deep knowing. \nWeÕll give our attention to the pleasure of being aware of being aware\, and seeing what gets in the way of thisÑpersonally and collectivelyÑwhile exploring how to let it go\, to undo\, to realize freedom together. \nThis gathering will consist of a guided meditation\, a teaching\, and a group discussion. It is based on CaverlyÕs book: The Heart of Who We Are: Realizing Freedom Together. \nCaverly Morgan is a spiritual teacher\, non-profit founder\, speaker and writer who blends the original spirit of Zen with a modern nondual approach. She is the author of The Heart of Who We Are: Realizing Freedom Together as well as A Kids Book About Mindfulness. Caverly is the founder of Peace in Schools\, a nonprofit that created the nationÕs first for-credit mindfulness class in public high schools. Her practice began in 1995 and has included eight years of training in a silent Zen monastery.Ê She has been teaching contemplative practice since 2001. Caverly leads meditation retreats\, workshops and online classes internationally. Learn more at caverlymorgan.org. \nEngaged Nonduality Series \n \nThis series weaves nondual awakening and an embodied response to our world in crisis. We are facing intersecting crises of climate breakdown\, the potential of ecological and systems collapse\, severe injustice and inequality\, rising authoritarianism\, unaligned tech and AI\, and more. The path of nonduality has much to offer in these times\, including a deep recognition of our wholeness and shared Being\, and opening to the wellspring of our wise response. \nWhile awakening is often engaged in a more personal context\, we are expanding the context to include structural harm and systemic crisis\, where the rubber hits the road in our world today. This series invites guest presenters to explore how the wisdom of these nondual teachings may be deeply embodied through a response to our world in crisis. These sessions may include guided meditations\, group and dyadic inquiry and group interaction. \nRegister for one or more dates\, or the full series together. \nOctober 13th: John Prendergast and Lisa Ferguson ~ Awakening and Action: Toward an Engaged Nondual Approach \nThe following events in the series will be hosted by John Prendergast and Lisa Ferguson. \nOctober 20th: Jeremy Lent ~ From Awakened Heart to a Flourishing Earth \nOctober 27th: Jonathan Gustin ~ Non-dual Responsibility – Exploring Non-duality & the Metacrisis \nNovember 2nd: Caverly Morgan ~ Acting on Behalf of The Heart of Who We Are \nJohn J. Prendergast\, Ph.D. is the author of The Deep Heart: Our Portal to Presence (2019 ) and In Touch: How to Tune In to the Inner Guidance of Your Body and Trust Yourself (2015) and is working on a new book entitled Your Deepest Ground: A Guide to Embodied Spirituality (March 2025). He is a retired Adjunct Professor of Psychology at the California Institute of Integral Studies as well as a retired psychotherapist. He studied with the European sage Jean Klein for many years as well as with Adyashanti who gave dharma transmission to John in August\, 2023. John and his wife Christiane offer residential retreats in the United States and Europe. \nwww.listeningfromsilence.com \nYouTube channel \nLisa 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.Ê She offers psychospiritual support to activists through one-one sessions and small groups\, weaving together a focus on awakening\, healing and wise action. \nwww.climatecompassion.org \nSuggested Donation: $15 to $40 \n(any amount acceptable\, no one turned away for lack of funds) \nPlease register early if you can. \nREGISTER for Nov. 2nd \nFull Series: Sundays October 13\, 20\, 27\, and Saturday Nov 2 \nSuggested Donation: $60 to $120 \n(no one turned away for lack of funds) \nREGISTER for Full 4-part Series \nThe event leaders are donating their entire share of the event donations\, after expenses\, to support Rob SchwartzÕs vision of maintaining his property to be available as a spiritual retreat space\, where Open Circle may hold some of its events. \nThe events will be recorded and emailed to participants within a week. \nTo check your local time\, use a tool such as: Time Zone Converter URL:https://opencircle.net/event/john-prendergast-lisa-ferguson-caverly-morgan-engaged-nonduality/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240401T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240401T000000 DTSTAMP:20260106T170614Z CREATED:20260106T170614Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260106T170614Z UID:10000922-1711929600-1711929600@opencircle.net SUMMARY:John Prendergast\, Lisa Ferguson & Jonathan Gustin ~ Engaged Nonduality DESCRIPTION:Engaged Nonduality \nNon-dual Responsibility – Exploring Non-duality & the Metacrisis \nwith John Prendergast\, Lisa Ferguson and Jonathan Gustin ~ Oct. 27th \nRecording will be emailed to participants within a week. \nYouÕre welcome to join even if you canÕt attend the live session. \nFor a short 3 minute video preview\, watch “Non-dual Responsibility” and read the corresponding paper here. \nMany spiritual journeys adjourn with a peaceful detachment. A different finale is possibleÑa love of the unmanifest infinite with a passionate engagement with material existence. \nIn this gathering we will explore moksha-dharma (liberation and responsibility). A splitting between Moksha (Liberation/Enlightenment) and Dharma (purpose/duty) is not only false…it may be inadvertently contributing to metacrisis. Non-duality can (and should) evolve\, to include dharmic responsibility and ‘engaged liberation’ where “love leaves nothing out.” \nWe will explore: two varieties of Non-duality and the Metacrisis\, Non-dual dharma\, Non-Dual Kinship and how this relates to soul-level purpose. \nJonathan Gustin\, M.A\, MFT\, Jonathan is the founder of Purpose Guides Institute. He helps people to find and embody their lifeÕs purpose\, and offers training for those who want to become Purpose Guides themselves. He is also a meditation teacher\, facilitating meditation gatherings remotely as well as in-person in his hometown of Victoria\, BC\, Canada. \nEngaged Nonduality Series \n \nThis series weaves nondual awakening and an embodied response to our world in crisis. We are facing intersecting crises of climate breakdown\, the potential of ecological and systems collapse\, severe injustice and inequality\, rising authoritarianism\, unaligned tech and AI\, and more. The path of nonduality has much to offer in these times\, including a deep recognition of our wholeness and shared Being\, and opening to the wellspring of our wise response. \nWhile awakening is often engaged in a more personal context\, we are expanding the context to include structural harm and systemic crisis\, where the rubber hits the road in our world today. This series invites guest presenters to explore how the wisdom of these nondual teachings may be deeply embodied through a response to our world in crisis. These sessions may include guided meditations\, group and dyadic inquiry and group interaction. \nRegister for one or more dates\, or the full series together. \nOctober 13th: John Prendergast and Lisa Ferguson ~ Awakening and Action: Toward an Engaged Nondual Approach \nThe following events in the series will be hosted by John Prendergast and Lisa Ferguson. \nOctober 20th: Jeremy Lent ~ From Awakened Heart to a Flourishing Earth \nOctober 27th: Jonathan Gustin ~ Non-dual Responsibility – Exploring Non-duality & the Metacrisis \nNovember 2nd: Caverly Morgan ~ Acting on Behalf of The Heart of Who We Are \nJohn J. Prendergast\, Ph.D. is the author of The Deep Heart: Our Portal to Presence (2019 ) and In Touch: How to Tune In to the Inner Guidance of Your Body and Trust Yourself (2015) and is working on a new book entitled Your Deepest Ground: A Guide to Embodied Spirituality (March 2025). He is a retired Adjunct Professor of Psychology at the California Institute of Integral Studies as well as a retired psychotherapist. He studied with the European sage Jean Klein for many years as well as with Adyashanti who gave dharma transmission to John in August\, 2023. John and his wife Christiane offer residential retreats in the United States and Europe. \nwww.listeningfromsilence.com \nYouTube channel \nLisa 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.Ê She offers psychospiritual support to activists through one-one sessions and small groups\, weaving together a focus on awakening\, healing and wise action. \nwww.climatecompassion.org \nSuggested Donation: $15 to $40 \n(any amount acceptable\, no one turned away for lack of funds) \nPlease register early if you can. \nREGISTER for Oct. 27th \nFull Series: Sundays October 13\, 20\, 27\, and Saturday Nov 2 \nSuggested Donation: $60 to $120 \n(no one turned away for lack of funds) \nREGISTER for Full 4-part Series \nThe event leaders are donating their entire share of the event donations\, after expenses\, to support Rob SchwartzÕs vision of maintaining his property to be available as a spiritual retreat space\, where Open Circle may hold some of its events. \nThe events will be recorded and emailed to participants within a week. \nTo check your local time\, use a tool such as: Time Zone Converter URL:https://opencircle.net/event/john-prendergast-lisa-ferguson-jonathan-gustin-engaged-nonduality/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240401T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240401T000000 DTSTAMP:20260106T170613Z CREATED:20260106T170613Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260106T170613Z UID:10000921-1711929600-1711929600@opencircle.net SUMMARY:John Prendergast\, Lisa Ferguson & Jeremy Lent ~ Engaged Nonduality DESCRIPTION:Engaged Nonduality \nFrom Awakened Heart to a Flourishing Earth \nwith John Prendergast\, Lisa Ferguson and Jeremy Lent ~ Oct. 20th \nRecording will be emailed to participants within a week. \nYouÕre welcome to join even if you canÕt attend the live session. \nA deep investigation into the source of the metacrisis reveals\, at its root\, a worldview of separation: a belief that weÕre split between mind and body\, separate from each other\, and at odds with the natural world. \nIn this session\, Jeremy Lent will show how that worldview has led to todayÕs civilizational crisis and whatÕs at stake for our future. Then\, weÕll explore an alternative worldview of deep interconnectedness that arises naturally both from modern science as well as the great wisdom traditions of Buddhism\, Taoism\, and Indigenous knowledgeÑ and what it implies for our identity and values. \nFinally\, Jeremy will offer a glimpse of what a civilization might look like based on values arising from this worldviewÑone that sets the conditions for all people to thrive on a regenerated Earth: an ecological civilization. \nJeremy Lent is an author and speaker whose work investigates the underlying causes of our civilizationÕs existential crisis\, and explores pathways toward a life-affirming future. His award-winning books\, The Patterning Instinct: A Cultural History of HumanityÕs Search for Meaning\, and The Web of Meaning: Integrating Science and Traditional Wisdom to Find Our Place in the Universe\, trace the historical underpinnings and flaws of the dominant worldview\, and offer a foundation for an integrative worldview that could lead humanity to a flourishing future. He has written extensively about the vision and specifics of an ecological civilization and is founder of the Deep Transformation Network\, an online global community exploring pathways for a deep transformation toward a life-affirming future on a regenerated Earth. Author website: jeremylent.com \nEngaged Nonduality Series \n \nThis series weaves nondual awakening and an embodied response to our world in crisis. We are facing intersecting crises of climate breakdown\, the potential of ecological and systems collapse\, severe injustice and inequality\, rising authoritarianism\, unaligned tech and AI\, and more. The path of nonduality has much to offer in these times\, including a deep recognition of our wholeness and shared Being\, and opening to the wellspring of our wise response. \nWhile awakening is often engaged in a more personal context\, we are expanding the context to include structural harm and systemic crisis\, where the rubber hits the road in our world today. This series invites guest presenters to explore how the wisdom of these nondual teachings may be deeply embodied through a response to our world in crisis. These sessions may include guided meditations\, group and dyadic inquiry and group interaction. \nRegister for one or more dates\, or the full series together. \nOctober 13th: John Prendergast and Lisa Ferguson ~ Awakening and Action: Toward an Engaged Nondual Approach \nThe following events in the series will be hosted by John Prendergast and Lisa Ferguson. \nOctober 20th: Jeremy Lent ~ From Awakened Heart to a Flourishing Earth \nOctober 27th: Jonathan Gustin ~ Non-dual Responsibility – Exploring Non-duality & the Metacrisis \nNovember 2nd: Caverly Morgan ~ Acting on Behalf of The Heart of Who We Are \nJohn J. Prendergast\, Ph.D. is the author of The Deep Heart: Our Portal to Presence (2019 ) and In Touch: How to Tune In to the Inner Guidance of Your Body and Trust Yourself (2015) and is working on a new book entitled Your Deepest Ground: A Guide to Embodied Spirituality (March 2025). He is a retired Adjunct Professor of Psychology at the California Institute of Integral Studies as well as a retired psychotherapist. He studied with the European sage Jean Klein for many years as well as with Adyashanti who gave dharma transmission to John in August\, 2023. John and his wife Christiane offer residential retreats in the United States and Europe. \nwww.listeningfromsilence.com \nYouTube channel \nLisa 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.Ê She offers psychospiritual support to activists through one-one sessions and small groups\, weaving together a focus on awakening\, healing and wise action. \nwww.climatecompassion.org \nSuggested Donation: $15 to $40 \n(any amount acceptable\, no one turned away for lack of funds) \nPlease register early if you can. \nREGISTER for Oct. 20th \nFull Series: Sundays October 13\, 20\, 27\, and Saturday Nov 2 \nSuggested Donation: $60 to $120 \n(no one turned away for lack of funds) \nREGISTER for Full 4-part Series \nThe event leaders are donating their entire share of the event donations\, after expenses\, to support Rob SchwartzÕs vision of maintaining his property to be available as a spiritual retreat space\, where Open Circle may hold some of its events. \nThe events will be recorded and emailed to participants within a week. \nTo check your local time\, use a tool such as: Time Zone Converter URL:https://opencircle.net/event/john-prendergast-lisa-ferguson-jeremy-lent-engaged-nonduality/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240401T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240401T000000 DTSTAMP:20260106T170610Z CREATED:20260106T170610Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260106T170610Z UID:10000920-1711929600-1711929600@opencircle.net SUMMARY:TEST **** - John Prendergast and Lisa Ferguson ~ Engaged Nonduality DESCRIPTION:Engaged Nonduality Series \nRegister for one or more dates\, or the full series together. \nRecording will be emailed to participants within a week. \nYouÕre welcome to join even if you canÕt attend the live session. \nOctober 13th: Awakening and Action: Toward an Engaged Nondual Approach \nwith John Prendergast and Lisa Ferguson \nThe following events in the series will be hosted by John Prendergast and Lisa Ferguson. \nOctober 20th: Jeremy Lent ~ From Awakened Heart to a Flourishing Future \nOctober 27th: Jonathan Gustin ~ Non-dual Responsibility – Exploring Non-duality & the Metacrisis \nNovember 2nd: Caverly Morgan ~ \nDetails & Registration for all events will be available soon. \nThis series weaves nondual awakening and an embodied response to our world in crisis. We are facing intersecting crises of climate breakdown\, the potential of ecological and systems collapse\, severe injustice and inequality\, rising authoritarianism\, unaligned tech and AI\, and more. The path of nonduality has much to offer in these times\, including a deep recognition of our wholeness and shared Being\, and opening to the wellspring of our wise response. \nWhile awakening is often engaged in a more personal context\, we are expanding the context to include structural harm and systemic crisis\, where the rubber hits the road in our world today. This series invites guest presenters to explore how the wisdom of these nondual teachings may be deeply embodied through a response to our world in crisis. These sessions may include guided meditations\, group and dyadic inquiry and group interaction. \nEngaged Nonduality: \nAwakening and Action: Toward an Engaged Nondual Approach \nwith John Prendergast and Lisa Ferguson ~ Oct. 13th \nIn this kickoff to the series\, Lisa will present a working framework and practices to open the space to explore an engaged nonduality: how the recognition of non-separation moves in response to our world in crisis. This will include themes of personal and collective awakening\, individual action\, and collective liberation. We will explore how love and truth might move through us\, as well as how we can kindly tend to our conditioned parts and intense emotions – such as terror\, despair\, rage and shame – that may emerge as we face the enormity of our Metacrisis. \nJohn and Lisa will offer space for group sharing\, meditation and a deep meeting of what arises as we face our Metacrisis in community\, from the heart of being. \nJohn J. Prendergast\, Ph.D. is the author of The Deep Heart: Our Portal to Presence (2019 ) and In Touch: How to Tune In to the Inner Guidance of Your Body and Trust Yourself (2015) and is working on a new book entitled Your Deepest Ground: A Guide to Embodied Spirituality (March 2025). He is a retired Adjunct Professor of Psychology at the California Institute of Integral Studies as well as a retired psychotherapist. He studied with the European sage Jean Klein for many years as well as with Adyashanti who gave dharma transmission to John in August\, 2023. John and his wife Christiane offer residential retreats in the United States and Europe. \nwww.listeningfromsilence.com \nYouTube channel \nLisa 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.Ê She offers psychospiritual support to activists through one-one sessions and small groups\, weaving together a focus on awakening\, healing and wise action. \nwww.climatecompassion.org \nSuggested Donation: $15 to $40 \n(any amount acceptable\, no one turned away for lack of funds) \nPlease register early if you can. \nREGISTER for Oct. 13th \nREGISTRATION FOR FULL SERIES TOGETHER WILL BE AVAILABLE HERE SOON. \nFull Series: Sundays October 13\, 20\, 27\, and Saturday Nov 2 \nSuggested Donation: $60 to $120 \n(no one turned away for lack of funds) \nThe events will be recorded and emailed to participants within a week. \nTo check your local time\, use a tool such as: Time Zone Converter URL:https://opencircle.net/event/test-john-prendergast-and-lisa-ferguson-engaged-nonduality/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240401T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240401T000000 DTSTAMP:20260106T170609Z CREATED:20260106T170609Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260106T170609Z UID:10000919-1711929600-1711929600@opencircle.net SUMMARY:John Prendergast and Lisa Ferguson ~ Engaged Nonduality DESCRIPTION:Engaged Nonduality \nAwakening and Action: Toward an Engaged Nondual Approach \nwith John Prendergast and Lisa Ferguson ~ Oct. 13th \nRecording will be emailed to participants within a week. \nYouÕre welcome to join even if you canÕt attend the live session. \nIn this kickoff to the series\, Lisa will present a working framework and practices to open the space to explore an engaged nonduality: how the recognition of non-separation moves in response to our world in crisis. This will include themes of personal and collective awakening\, individual action\, and collective liberation. We will explore how love and truth might move through us\, as well as how we can kindly tend to our conditioned parts and intense emotions – such as terror\, despair\, rage and shame – that may emerge as we face the enormity of our Metacrisis. \nJohn and Lisa will offer space for group sharing\, meditation and a deep meeting of what arises as we face our Metacrisis in community\, from the heart of being. \nEngaged Nonduality Series \n \nThis series weaves nondual awakening and an embodied response to our world in crisis. We are facing intersecting crises of climate breakdown\, the potential of ecological and systems collapse\, severe injustice and inequality\, rising authoritarianism\, unaligned tech and AI\, and more. The path of nonduality has much to offer in these times\, including a deep recognition of our wholeness and shared Being\, and opening to the wellspring of our wise response. \nWhile awakening is often engaged in a more personal context\, we are expanding the context to include structural harm and systemic crisis\, where the rubber hits the road in our world today. This series invites guest presenters to explore how the wisdom of these nondual teachings may be deeply embodied through a response to our world in crisis. These sessions may include guided meditations\, group and dyadic inquiry and group interaction. \nRegister for one or more dates\, or the full series together. \nThe following events in the series will be hosted by John Prendergast and Lisa Ferguson. \nOctober 20th: Jeremy Lent ~ From Awakened Heart to a Flourishing Earth \nOctober 27th: Jonathan Gustin ~ Non-dual Responsibility – Exploring Non-duality & the Metacrisis \nNovember 2nd: Caverly Morgan ~ Acting on Behalf of The Heart of Who We Are \nJohn J. Prendergast\, Ph.D. is the author of The Deep Heart: Our Portal to Presence (2019 ) and In Touch: How to Tune In to the Inner Guidance of Your Body and Trust Yourself (2015) and is working on a new book entitled Your Deepest Ground: A Guide to Embodied Spirituality (March 2025). He is a retired Adjunct Professor of Psychology at the California Institute of Integral Studies as well as a retired psychotherapist. He studied with the European sage Jean Klein for many years as well as with Adyashanti who gave dharma transmission to John in August\, 2023. John and his wife Christiane offer residential retreats in the United States and Europe. \nwww.listeningfromsilence.com \nYouTube channel \nLisa 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.Ê She offers psychospiritual support to activists through one-one sessions and small groups\, weaving together a focus on awakening\, healing and wise action. \nwww.climatecompassion.org \nSuggested Donation: $15 to $40 \n(any amount acceptable\, no one turned away for lack of funds) \nPlease register early if you can. \nREGISTER for Oct. 13th \nFull Series: Sundays October 13\, 20\, 27\, and Saturday Nov 2 \nSuggested Donation: $60 to $120 \n(no one turned away for lack of funds) \nREGISTER for Full 4-part Series \nThe event leaders are donating their entire share of the event donations\, after expenses\, to support Rob SchwartzÕs vision of maintaining his property to be available as a spiritual retreat space\, where Open Circle may hold some of its events. \nThe events will be recorded and emailed to participants within a week. \nTo check your local time\, use a tool such as: Time Zone Converter URL:https://opencircle.net/event/john-prendergast-and-lisa-ferguson-engaged-nonduality-2/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240302T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240302T000000 DTSTAMP:20260106T165948Z CREATED:20260106T165948Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260106T165948Z UID:10000830-1709337600-1709337600@opencircle.net SUMMARY:A Call to Awaken with Unmani DESCRIPTION:Awakening is an endless strip-tease. We are continually invited to see where we are still believing in some kind of conclusion\, or assumption about who we are and about Life itself. This endless stripping away of whatever we are holding onto\, leaves us naked and vulnerable. This can be a scary and uncomfortable process\, and leaves us with no firm ground under our feet. But at the same time it answers a call from who we really are\, to wake up out of the dreams of the mind\, and to come alive as Life itself. \nUnmani is a contemporary teacher\, facilitator\, and mentor\, for those who long for deep spiritual awakening\, and to explore how this is grounded in our human lives. \nWatch Unmani’s short sharing on the “Heart of Freedom”: \nhttps://youtu.be/ptrGW1ewtwk \n  \nAlso see Unmani’s upcoming 2-day online retreat “The Heart of Freedom” \nAbout Unmani \nMeeting with Unmani is meeting with yourself in the most real and alive way. Unmani is originally from the UK\, but has lived in many countries around the world. Since she was a child\, Unmani didn’t identify with being a separate individual\, but assumed there was something wrong with her\, until she came across the expression of Satsang and nonduality. Truth has always been her passion. Unmani had teachers including Osho\, Dolano\, Nathan Gill\, Tony Parsons\, Gangaji and several other amazing people who are not considered ‘teachers’. \nIn 2013 she met her husband\, the wonderful musician\, and courageous lover of life\, Robert Hanuman. In 2015 their son\, Sky\, was born. On 3rd January 2018\, Robert Hanuman died suddenly from a heart attack while they were in India. Robert Hanuman’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. Robert put Unmani’s words to his beautiful classical guitar music and Unmani still plays his songs at her meetings. \nUnmani has been holding meetings and retreats all over the world for since 2003\, and in this time people have been deeply touched by her work: She meets each person exactly where they are at\, and in whatever they need at the time\, 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. They wake up to who they really are\, and discover how this is lived and integrated into their daily lives. \nUnmani has written 3 books ‘I am Life itself’\, ‘Die to Love’ and ‘The Courage to Come Alive’. Unmani holds regular meetings and retreats several times a year as well as monthly webinars on different themes. \nFor more information about Unmani’s work go to: www.die-to-love.com \nYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@Unmani \nFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/unmani \nInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/unmani_hyde/ \nRobert Hanuman’s music can be downloaded on iTunes here: https://music.apple.com/nl/artist/robert-hanuman/1329878840?l=en \nSuggested donation: $15 to $40 \nNo one turned away for lack of funds. \nPlease register early if you can. \nREGISTER \nThe event will be recorded and emailed to participants within a week. \nTo check your local time\, use a tool such as: Time Zone Converter \nPlease note Daylight Savings Time starts in the US at 2 am (Pacific Time) on Sunday morning\, March 10th. \nThis may mean the event starts at a different time than usual in your area. \nFor example\, start times for most Europeans from March 10 until March 31 will be one hour earlier than usual. URL:https://opencircle.net/event/a-call-to-awaken-with-unmani/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240301T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240301T000000 DTSTAMP:20260106T170353Z CREATED:20260106T170353Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260106T170353Z UID:10000877-1709251200-1709251200@opencircle.net SUMMARY:Where Awakened Heart Meets Broken Heart: Attending to A World in Crisis\, with John Prendergast\, Riyaz Motan and Lisa Ferguson ~ Bay Area Daylong Retreat DESCRIPTION:Where Awakened Heart Meets Broken Heart: \nAttending to A World in Crisis \nA daylong event with John Prendergast\, Riyaz Motan and Lisa Ferguson \nThis 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. \nBios \nJohn J. Prendergast\, Ph.D. 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. He is a retired Adjunct Professor of Psychology at the California Institute of Integral Studies as well as a retired psychotherapist. He studied with the European sage Jean Klein for many years as well as with Adyashanti who gave dharma transmission to John in August\, 2023. John and his wife Christiane offer residential retreats in the United States and Europe. \nwww.listeningfromsilence.com \nYouTube channel \nRiyaz Motan is a spiritual guide\, teacher\, and former marriage and family psychotherapist. His work interweaves Western psychology & Eastern wisdom traditions to help others find freedom from suffering to awaken to their essential wholeness. Through one-on-one spiritual mentoring\, small intimate groups\, day-long or multi-day retreats\, he supports others in the journey of discovering who they truly are: to uncover who and what they are at essence\, and to fully embody and express this in their lives and relationships. \nwww.RiyazMotan.com \nLisa 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. She offers psychospiritual support to activists through one-one sessions and small groups\, weaving together a focus on awakening\, healing and wise action. \nwww.climatecompassion.org \nThe meeting will be from 10:00am to 4:00pm\, with a break for lunch. \nPlease bring your own lunch\, or feel free to go into town to one of the restaurants or to Good Earth Natural Foods. \nPre-registration required\, as space is limited. \nRegistration closes at 5 pm on June 21st \nSuggested donation: $75 \n(any amount acceptable\, no one turned away for lack of funds) \nREGISTER \nFor inquiries contact LocalEvents@opencircle.net \nLocation: \nThe meeting will be held at a private home in the Fairfax hills\, with views of Mount Tam and hiking trails. \nAddress and directions will be provided upon registration. \nIf you have symptoms of a viral infection\, or have had a recent \nCovid exposure or positive test\, please stay home out of consideration for others. URL:https://opencircle.net/event/where-awakened-heart-meets-broken-heart-attending-to-a-world-in-crisis-with-john-prendergast-riyaz-motan-and-lisa-ferguson-bay-area-daylong-retreat-2/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240301T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240301T000000 DTSTAMP:20260106T170142Z CREATED:20260106T170142Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260106T170142Z UID:10000853-1709251200-1709251200@opencircle.net SUMMARY:Where Awakened Heart Meets Broken Heart: Attending to A World in Crisis with John Prendergast\, Riyaz Motan and Lisa Ferguson ~ Bay Area Daylong Retreat DESCRIPTION:Where Awakened Heart Meets Broken Heart: \nAttending to A World in Crisis \nA daylong event with John Prendergast\, Riyaz Motan and Lisa Ferguson \nThis 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. \nBios \nJohn J. Prendergast\, Ph.D. 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. He is a retired Adjunct Professor of Psychology at the California Institute of Integral Studies as well as a retired psychotherapist. He studied with the European sage Jean Klein for many years as well as with Adyashanti who gave dharma transmission to John in August\, 2023. John and his wife Christiane offer residential retreats in the United States and Europe. \nwww.listeningfromsilence.com \nYouTube channel \nRiyaz Motan is a spiritual guide\, teacher\, and former marriage and family psychotherapist. His work interweaves Western psychology & Eastern wisdom traditions to help others find freedom from suffering to awaken to their essential wholeness. Through one-on-one spiritual mentoring\, small intimate groups\, day-long or multi-day retreats\, he supports others in the journey of discovering who they truly are: to uncover who and what they are at essence\, and to fully embody and express this in their lives and relationships. \nwww.RiyazMotan.com \nLisa 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. She offers psychospiritual support to activists through one-one sessions and small groups\, weaving together a focus on awakening\, healing and wise action. \nwww.climatecompassion.org \nThe meeting will be from 10:00am to 4:00pm\, with a break for lunch. \nPlease bring your own lunch\, or feel free to go into town to one of the restaurants or to Good Earth Natural Foods. \nPre-registration required\, as space is limited. \nRegistration closes at 5 pm on June 21st \nSuggested donation: $75 \n(any amount acceptable\, no one turned away for lack of funds) \nREGISTER \nFor inquiries contact LocalEvents@opencircle.net \nLocation: \nThe meeting will be held at a private home in the Fairfax hills\, with views of Mount Tam and hiking trails. \nAddress and directions will be provided upon registration. \nIf you have symptoms of a viral infection\, or have had a recent \nCovid exposure or positive test\, please stay home out of consideration for others. URL:https://opencircle.net/event/where-awakened-heart-meets-broken-heart-attending-to-a-world-in-crisis-with-john-prendergast-riyaz-motan-and-lisa-ferguson-bay-area-daylong-retreat/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240201T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240201T000000 DTSTAMP:20260106T170608Z CREATED:20260106T170608Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260106T170608Z UID:10000918-1706745600-1706745600@opencircle.net SUMMARY:Jeannie Zandi ~ Giving & Receiving DESCRIPTION:Join Jeannie to explore the generosity of giving and the humility of receiving. \nJeannieÕs gift for inviting people to join her in resting and rooted presence evokes a deep meeting with oneself and reality. Within that\, JeannieÕs 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. \nJeannie 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. \nwww.jeanniezandi.com \nSuggested donation: $15 to $40 \nNo one turned away for lack of funds. \nPlease register early if you can. \nREGISTER \nThe event will be recorded and emailed to participants within a week. \nTo check your local time\, use a tool such as: Time Zone Converter URL:https://opencircle.net/event/jeannie-zandi-giving-receiving/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240201T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240201T000000 DTSTAMP:20260106T170607Z CREATED:20260106T170607Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260106T170607Z UID:10000917-1706745600-1706745600@opencircle.net SUMMARY:Jeannie Zandi ~ Meeting the World from the Open Heart DESCRIPTION:Join Jeannie to deepen your capacity to meet the world with an open heart. \nJeannieÕs gift for inviting people to join her in resting and rooted presence evokes a deep meeting with oneself and reality. Within that\, JeannieÕs 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. \nJeannie 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. \nwww.jeanniezandi.com \nSuggested donation: $15 to $40 \nNo one turned away for lack of funds. \nPlease register early if you can. \nREGISTER \nThe event will be recorded and emailed to participants within a week. \nTo check your local time\, use a tool such as: Time Zone Converter URL:https://opencircle.net/event/jeannie-zandi-meeting-the-world-from-the-open-heart/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240201T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240201T000000 DTSTAMP:20260106T170606Z CREATED:20260106T170606Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260106T170606Z UID:10000916-1706745600-1706745600@opencircle.net SUMMARY:Lynn Marie Lumiere\, MFT ~ EMPOWERED EMBODIMENT: The Deepest Solution to LifeÕs Challenges DESCRIPTION:With all that is going on in our personal lives as well as in the world we live in\, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed and disempowered. The only way we can be fully empowered is to embody our deepest nature. Having a direct experience of our nature is only the beginning. Then we embark on the beautiful and challenging journey of embodying that on all levels of our human beingÑsomatic\, emotional\, psychological\, and relational. The more we can embody our loving presence on any of those levels\, the more empowered we are to transform our lives and the lives of those around us\, as well as the world we live in. This is the deepest solution to all that we are facing. \nIn this event\, we will start with the somatic level with group practices that align our nervous system with our calm\, open\, nature. When those two are out of alignment\, it makes life more difficult than it needs to be. We are meant to live as a powerful\, integrated whole. You are also welcome to bring whatever issues you have on any other level of your humanness. Lynn Marie will meet it all with open awareness and psychological skills\, if needed. \nLynn Marie Lumiere\, is a seasoned psychotherapist\, Somatic Experiencing Practitioner\, spiritual mentor\, and author. She offers a rare blend of embodied spiritual wisdom with a skilled therapeutic approach that facilitates healing of psychological trauma and wounding and the embodiment of awakening. Her depth of experience\, rooted in her own healing and awakening journey\, spans decades of expertly guiding individuals in the resolution of their trauma and into connection with their true nature. Lynn Marie is the author of Awakened Relating: A Guide to Embodying More Love in Relationships. \nwww.lynnmarielumiere.com \nSuggested donation: $15 to $40 \nNo one turned away for lack of funds. \nPlease register early if you can. \nREGISTER \nThe event will be recorded and emailed to participants within a week. \nTo check your local time\, use a tool such as: Time Zone Converter URL:https://opencircle.net/event/lynn-marie-lumiere-mft-empowered-embodiment-the-deepest-solution-to-lifeos-challenges/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240101T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240101T000000 DTSTAMP:20260106T170751Z CREATED:20260106T170747Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260106T170751Z UID:10000969-1704067200-1704067200@opencircle.net SUMMARY:Stephan Bodian ~ Waking Up Through the Metacrisis: Finding Deeper Ground in Challenging Times DESCRIPTION:The Buddha said it succinctly 2500 years ago: human existence is\, and always has been\, marked by constant change and uncertainty. Yet we find ourselves in uniquely challenging and uncertain times: overpopulation\, mass extinctions\, extreme weather\, environmental tipping points\, political upheaval\, nuclear proliferation\, demographic instability and widespread migrations\, and the advent of technologies that challenge and distort our understanding of whatÕs real and true. \nPerhaps our civilization is just on the verge of collapse\, like so many before it. But since it covers the globe\, this raises the unprecedented prospect that the future of human life on Earth may be threatened as well. \nOf course\, we can always seek refuge in the simplicity and innate perfection of right now and in the knowing that our true nature–awakened awareness\, consciousness\, the absolute–is undisturbed and never dies\, and life is always unfolding in its own sacred and mysterious way. \nBut\, as one of my Zen teachers used to say\, what about the blood? That is\, what about all the painful consequences at a very human level of all this difficult and precipitous change? How do we find peace in a deeper ground while acknowledging and welcoming our understandable feelings of fear\, outrage\, or grief and doing what we can to make a difference if we choose?. \nPlease join me for one or more satsangs in this monthly series (Jan-May) that include meditations for returning to and resting in our deeper ground while welcoming and working with the feelings that these challenging times evoke. There will also be a brief talk and plenty of time for sharing and discussion. This will not be a space for intellectual analysis or political discussion. \nStephan Bodian is a teacher in the nondual wisdom tradition of Zen\, Dzogchen\, and Advaita Vedanta. He’s been offering the School for Awakening\, an annual multi-month intensive program in spiritual unfolding and awakened living\, since 2007. As a licensed psychotherapist\, he brings a deep understanding of the impact of trauma and early conditioning on the process of spiritual realization and offers individual counseling and mentoring in psychospiritual integration. Stephan studied for many years with Advaita master Jean Klein and received Dharma transmission from Adyashanti in 2001. His books include Wake Up Now and Beyond Mindfulness. For more information\, visit : www.stephanbodian.org \nSuggested donation: $15 to $40 \nNo one turned away for lack of funds. Any amount welcome. \nStephan Bodian has offered that all donations for this event will go \nto support Open Circle in continuing this work of offering teachings. \nREGISTER \nPlease register early if you can. \nThe event will be recorded and emailed to participants within a week. \nTo check your local time\, use a tool such as: Time Zone Converter URL:https://opencircle.net/event/stephan-bodian-waking-up-through-the-metacrisis-finding-deeper-ground-in-challenging-times-3/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240101T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240101T000000 DTSTAMP:20260106T170747Z CREATED:20260106T170747Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260106T170747Z UID:10000970-1704067200-1704067200@opencircle.net SUMMARY:Stephan Bodian ~ Waking Up Through the Metacrisis: Finding Deeper Ground in Challenging Times DESCRIPTION:The Buddha said it succinctly 2500 years ago: human existence is\, and always has been\, marked by constant change and uncertainty. Yet we find ourselves in uniquely challenging and uncertain times: overpopulation\, mass extinctions\, extreme weather\, environmental tipping points\, political upheaval\, nuclear proliferation\, demographic instability and widespread migrations\, and the advent of technologies that challenge and distort our understanding of whatÕs real and true. \nPerhaps our civilization is just on the verge of collapse\, like so many before it. But since it covers the globe\, this raises the unprecedented prospect that the future of human life on Earth may be threatened as well. \nOf course\, we can always seek refuge in the simplicity and innate perfection of right now and in the knowing that our true nature–awakened awareness\, consciousness\, the absolute–is undisturbed and never dies\, and life is always unfolding in its own sacred and mysterious way. \nBut\, as one of my Zen teachers used to say\, what about the blood? That is\, what about all the painful consequences at a very human level of all this difficult and precipitous change? How do we find peace in a deeper ground while acknowledging and welcoming our understandable feelings of fear\, outrage\, or grief and doing what we can to make a difference if we choose?. \nPlease join me for one or more satsangs in this monthly series (Jan-May) that include meditations for returning to and resting in our deeper ground while welcoming and working with the feelings that these challenging times evoke. There will also be a brief talk and plenty of time for sharing and discussion. This will not be a space for intellectual analysis or political discussion. \nStephan Bodian is a teacher in the nondual wisdom tradition of Zen\, Dzogchen\, and Advaita Vedanta. He’s been offering the School for Awakening\, an annual multi-month intensive program in spiritual unfolding and awakened living\, since 2007. As a licensed psychotherapist\, he brings a deep understanding of the impact of trauma and early conditioning on the process of spiritual realization and offers individual counseling and mentoring in psychospiritual integration. Stephan studied for many years with Advaita master Jean Klein and received Dharma transmission from Adyashanti in 2001. His books include Wake Up Now and Beyond Mindfulness. For more information\, visit : www.stephanbodian.org \nSuggested donation: $15 to $40 \nNo one turned away for lack of funds. Any amount welcome. \nStephan Bodian has offered that all donations for this event will go \nto support Open Circle in continuing this work of offering teachings. \nREGISTER \nPlease register early if you can. \nThe event will be recorded and emailed to participants within a week. \nTo check your local time\, use a tool such as: Time Zone Converter URL:https://opencircle.net/event/stephan-bodian-waking-up-through-the-metacrisis-finding-deeper-ground-in-challenging-times-4/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240101T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240101T000000 DTSTAMP:20260106T170511Z CREATED:20260106T170511Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260106T170511Z UID:10000899-1704067200-1704067200@opencircle.net SUMMARY:Louise Kay ~ Embodied Awareness DESCRIPTION:If you bring your attention fully present into the now and inquire with a genuine\, open curiosity into the truth of this moment\, what is discovered is that underlying all experiences lies an invisible\, potent presence. This presence is often referred to as stillness\, being\, consciousness or awareness and is the eternal\, formless essence of who you are. All else appears in and is perceived by this awareness. \nThe recognition of this truth through direct experiential knowing is a divine blessing and is followed by a sacred process of integration\, which takes place on the level of body and mind. As higher consciousness penetrates the physical body in the surrendered state\, unconscious beliefs and conditionings are revealed and released\, and unprocessed emotions held in the system rise to the surface to be consciously felt and transmuted. This process of deep healing and maturing takes place over time on the level of form\, while one remains anchored in the formlessness of the unending now. \nYou are invited to join Louise for an exploration of Embodied Awareness comprising a guided meditation and opportunity to ask questions. \nWatch a 5-part conversation with Louise \nwhere she shares about her awakening journey and its impact on her life\, her \nunderstanding of what true meditation is\, gratitude for challenging situations\, and more. \n.tg {border-collapse:collapse;border-spacing:0;}.tg td{border-color:black;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;font-family:Arial\, sans-serif;font-size:14px; overflow:hidden;padding:10px 5px;word-break:normal;}.tg th{border-color:black;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;font-family:Arial\, sans-serif;font-size:14px; font-weight:normal;overflow:hidden;padding:10px 5px;word-break:normal;}.tg .tg-0pky{border-color:inherit;text-align:left;vertical-align:top}.tg .tg-0lax{text-align:left;vertical-align:top}@media screen and (max-width: 767px) {.tg {width: auto !important;}.tg col {width: auto !important;}.tg-wrap {overflow-x: auto;-webkit-overflow-scrolling: touch;}} \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAbout Louise \nLouise Kay was born in the north west of The UK. After graduating from university she worked as an English teacher for 15 years\, and during this time began to question the deeper meaning of life. This led her to the path of spirituality\, where she found a strong resonance with the teachings of non-duality. \nIn her early thirties Louise felt a deep call in her heart to visit India\, where she experienced a profound spiritual awakening. Shortly afterwards Louise began channeling and traveled around the world sharing this gift for several years. During this time she experienced a deepening and integration of her initial spiritual awakening and as she opened more to this non-dual truth a new form of expression revealed itself from deep in her heart. \nLouise is passionate about supporting people to live a life of presence and unconditional love. Her greatest joy is to sit together in presence and gently hold space for all emotions\, all sensations and all experiences which arise in the moment in order to support the integration of unresolved energies and allow the unfolding of the divine in all who feel the call. \nExplorations are usually focused around self-inquiry\, the release of limiting beliefs and the integration of unprocessed emotions and energies. \nLouise holds group events online and around the world. \nMore about Louise: www.louisekay.net \nSuggested donation: $15 to $40 \nNo one turned away for lack of funds. \nPlease register early if you can. \nREGISTER \nThe event will be recorded and emailed to participants within a week. \nTo check your local time\, use a tool such as: Time Zone Converter URL:https://opencircle.net/event/louise-kay-embodied-awareness-4/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240101T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240101T000000 DTSTAMP:20260106T170510Z CREATED:20260106T170510Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260106T170510Z UID:10000898-1704067200-1704067200@opencircle.net SUMMARY:Louise Kay ~ Embodied Awareness DESCRIPTION:If you bring your attention fully present into the now and inquire with a genuine\, open curiosity into the truth of this moment\, what is discovered is that underlying all experiences lies an invisible\, potent presence. This presence is often referred to as stillness\, being\, consciousness or awareness and is the eternal\, formless essence of who you are. All else appears in and is perceived by this awareness. \nThe recognition of this truth through direct experiential knowing is a divine blessing and is followed by a sacred process of integration\, which takes place on the level of body and mind. As higher consciousness penetrates the physical body in the surrendered state\, unconscious beliefs and conditionings are revealed and released\, and unprocessed emotions held in the system rise to the surface to be consciously felt and transmuted. This process of deep healing and maturing takes place over time on the level of form\, while one remains anchored in the formlessness of the unending now. \nYou are invited to join Louise for an exploration of Embodied Awareness comprising a guided meditation and opportunity to ask questions. \nWatch a 5-part conversation with Louise \nwhere she shares about her awakening journey and its impact on her life\, her \nunderstanding of what true meditation is\, gratitude for challenging situations\, and more. \n.tg {border-collapse:collapse;border-spacing:0;}.tg td{border-color:black;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;font-family:Arial\, sans-serif;font-size:14px; overflow:hidden;padding:10px 5px;word-break:normal;}.tg th{border-color:black;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;font-family:Arial\, sans-serif;font-size:14px; font-weight:normal;overflow:hidden;padding:10px 5px;word-break:normal;}.tg .tg-0pky{border-color:inherit;text-align:left;vertical-align:top}.tg .tg-0lax{text-align:left;vertical-align:top}@media screen and (max-width: 767px) {.tg {width: auto !important;}.tg col {width: auto !important;}.tg-wrap {overflow-x: auto;-webkit-overflow-scrolling: touch;}} \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAbout Louise \nLouise Kay was born in the north west of The UK. After graduating from university she worked as an English teacher for 15 years\, and during this time began to question the deeper meaning of life. This led her to the path of spirituality\, where she found a strong resonance with the teachings of non-duality. \nIn her early thirties Louise felt a deep call in her heart to visit India\, where she experienced a profound spiritual awakening. Shortly afterwards Louise began channeling and traveled around the world sharing this gift for several years. During this time she experienced a deepening and integration of her initial spiritual awakening and as she opened more to this non-dual truth a new form of expression revealed itself from deep in her heart. \nLouise is passionate about supporting people to live a life of presence and unconditional love. Her greatest joy is to sit together in presence and gently hold space for all emotions\, all sensations and all experiences which arise in the moment in order to support the integration of unresolved energies and allow the unfolding of the divine in all who feel the call. \nExplorations are usually focused around self-inquiry\, the release of limiting beliefs and the integration of unprocessed emotions and energies. \nLouise holds group events online and around the world. \nMore about Louise: www.louisekay.net \nSuggested donation: $15 to $40 \nNo one turned away for lack of funds. \nPlease register early if you can. \nREGISTER \nThe event will be recorded and emailed to participants within a week. \nTo check your local time\, use a tool such as: Time Zone Converter URL:https://opencircle.net/event/louise-kay-embodied-awareness-3/ END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR