Consciousness

The Big Heart Integration Process

Tom Goddard — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 08:39:47 -0400

Start: 11/15/2008 - 1:00pm

End: 11/15/2008 - 5:00pm

Timezone: US/Eastern

Big Heart is an experiential group process designed to help participants discover, experience and appreciate their lives in a new way. People of all backgrounds have found it to be a terrific way to identify and work through the unhealthy patterns that can sabotage our best efforts. By fostering a compassionate exploration of the intricate network of the diverse dimensions of the inner self, the Big Heart process empowers participants to live richer, fuller lives.

Big Heart is a novel technique of self exploration that combines tools of western psychology with the teachings of eastern non-dual traditions. Participants in this non-denominational process emerge with the realization that they now can answer their most pressing questions about their lives with a greater level of compassion and wisdom than they previously thought possible.

There is no preparation or training needed in order to participate in Big Heart. Life itself has provided all the preparation you need.

Community for Spiritual Living: Balancing Light and Shadow

Tom Goddard — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 11:09:07 -0400

Start: 04/05/2008 - 4:00pm

End: 04/05/2008 - 8:00pm

Timezone: US/Eastern

Spring is a time of balance between the light of day and darkness of night, as the death of winter gives way to the new growth of summer. How can we explore the balance between the light and shadow in ourselves? What if instead of hiding from our own shadows we explore them and play with them? Who would we be if we balance both our light and our shadow sides? Many of us find ourselves to be more powerful when we are aware of all sides of ourselves! And some of our juiciest growth experiences have come out of the painful fire of shadow work. Afraid of your own shadow? Well, what better reason to come to CSL to explore it in a safe environment with others! Michael Smith will be leading us through a series of engaging processes from 4 - 6 p.m., followed by our usual, fun pot-luck dinner.

Big Mind * Big Heart -- Washington DC -- with Master D. Genpo Merzel

Tom Goddard — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 11:18:19 -0500

Start: 03/09/2008 - 1:30pm

End: 03/09/2008 - 6:00pm

Timezone: US/Eastern

Dennis Genpo Merzel Roshi, one of the preeminent Zen Masters in the Western world, has developed a unique and revolutionary approach for transmitting the authentic teachings that emerged from Buddha's enlightenment experience. With a mastery born of more than thirty years of teaching, Genpo Roshi has enabled thousands of participants in Big Mind workshops to gain profound insights and taste for themselves the illuminating experience from which Buddhism and all the world's great religions originate.

Illness and Death: Fierce Teachers

Tom Goddard — Sun, 04 Mar 2007 14:34:54 -0500

Last night, within a period of a couple of hours, I learned that two friends and members of my extended spiritual community were ill with conditions that could be serious -- or not. Uncertain abounds in both cases.

As I have encountered such news (and such news is increasingly common as I and the myriad members of my cohort move into our 50s and 60s), I am reminded of the unfathomable teaching power of illness and death. While they are harsh gurus, illness and death are gurus nonetheless. It was the encounter with suffering, illness, and death that launched the young Siddhartha on the journey that led to his awakening as The Buddha a decade later. Thich Nhat Hanh has spoken eloquently about meditating daily on the notion of the death and dissolution of all whom we love and ourselves as a means to Realization.

Community for Spiritual Living: Befriending Death

Tom Goddard — Sun, 04 Mar 2007 11:59:51 -0500

Start: 04/07/2007 - 5:04pm

End: 04/07/2007 - 9:04pm

Timezone: US/Eastern

Most months, the first Saturday of the month, from 4 to whenever, the Community for Spiritual Living gathers to explore how to integrate spirituality into our daily lives. The next gathering is April 7, in Falls Church, Virginia. We'll do process work from 4-6 p.m., and pot luck from 6:00 p.m. to whenever. Please bring a dish for 8.

April 2007: Befriending Death

Many of the Wisdom Traditions have understood that Death can be a great teacher about Life. In the encounter with the reality of death, whether we view it as the end or merely a passage, we can glean much about the richness of our lives.

Tom Goddard will lead the community through a series of experiential processes designed to create a series of profound learning encounters with Death. As a result of participating in this workshop, participants likely not only will have a deepened appreciation of the life we are given, but a clearer notion about how to live a life filled with meaning and joy. It is no overstatement to say that some participants in the March 2006 CSL exploration of Death, led by Dr. Goddard and Michael Smith, emerged with a radically transformed view of their lives. Some even made profound decisions that changed the very course of their lives, both professionally and personally.

Bring a friend if you like, and then stay for POTLUCK FROM 6 TO 8PM-be sure to BRING A DISH FOR 8 PEOPLE (main dish, salad, side dish, bread & beverage, or dessert).