Tag Archives: Meditation

Finding your purpose

Green Sangha founder, Jonathan Gustin, invites you to his seminar on Sunday, June 22, at 7 pm in Berkeley: Life Purpose For Meditators. In this evening presentation, Jonathan will speak to the unique challenges—and opportunities—of meditators seeking a clearer sense of purpose in this life.

In Jonathan’s view, meditation practice is about primordial freedom of spirit, but it is not a complete spiritual path. For a comprehensive awakening to occur, we need not only to deepen our sense of inner freedom but also to discover our mytho-poetic story, our life purpose.

Once we discover the miracle of freedom in meditation there is an opportunity to discover a second miracle: knowing your soul’s purpose. Many meditation systems stop at the point where the meditator is released, if only momentarily, from the self-contraction of egoic identity. The second, equally important, step is about embodiment: engaging the unique strengths of your body-mind to serve in a particular way.

First, we find freedom, through meditation, from the sense of separation.
Second, we find meaning by embodying our purpose and acting on our sense of oneness.

Meditation is the practice for connecting with pure consciousness. Soul Encounter is the practice for connecting with the life purpose for which you were born. In both cases, we experience a liberation from our usual sense of self.

During this evening together we’ll explore:

The miracle of meditation
The meaning of purpose, place and soul
The steps to embodying your soul’s purpose

What is Soul?
Soul is the essence of your specific life purpose. Soul is the reason the Mystery has taken your unique shape. Soul is the creative intelligence of the universe expressing itself through you. Soul is the body of your gift that fills up the garment of your life.

The key to becoming clear about your life-purpose is engagement with soul work. Soul work is a descent into your deep mysterious interior. Soul work is a dive into your incarnate uniqueness. Soul work is initiated by your longing to live a larger life and by the desire to make the world a better place.

Soul work gathers momentum through your willingness to receive the soul’s guidance, rather than letting your thinking dictate all your decisions. Soul work is the profound act of letting your life speak. Soul work is the proven path for disclosing your life purpose.

This seminar offers you a framework to support your spiritual journey towards a soul-centered life. This journey culminates in your ability to take your rightful place in the world, and occupy the niche you were born to inhabit.

Jonathan is wonderfully skilled in the art of guiding people to discover and embody their unique life purpose. There are few things I appreciate more than good teaching, and so I enthusiastically recommend Jonathan’s work with people. Jonathan is a person of great integrity, from whom I am ever learning.

– Joanna Macy, co-author, Coming Back to Life and Active Hope

Life Purpose For Meditators
Cost: Free (though donations are welcome)
Location: Berkeley
Register here

Mindfulness retreat Dec 21

Sustainability means living in such a way that future generations may enjoy the same abundance, beauty, and opportunities that we enjoy today. To be a sustainable activist means to take care of yourself as lovingly as you care for the earth.

Sat Dec 21, 10 am – 1 pm. Join us for an experiential workshop — Sustainability from Within — exploring principles and practices of tension release, renewal, and revitalization of mind and body.

Program
10 am. Opening circle & Yoga stretches (led by Libby Sherwood)
10:15. Meditation (led by Grace Severtson)
10:40. Introductions
10:45. Self-renewal through movement, energy massage, and pure awareness (with Stuart Moody, MA)
12:10. Announcements
12:20. Potluck refreshments (avoiding plastic as possible!)
12:45. Clean-up & closing circle
1:00. Adjourn

We will have a simple exchange: bring a greeting card or something from the natural world (e.g., a pine cone, special stone, flower, whatever might please you to share).

Location & directions. Edgehill Mansion, on Magnolia Avenue in Dominican University. We meet upstairs, entering from the east side of the mansion. On this map of Dominican, the Mansion is under the upper right corner. From 101: exit Central San Rafael. If coming from the N, turn L on Mission; if from the S, turn R on 2nd. In either case, proceed one block & turn L onto Grand Ave. Proceed to Acacia, which T’s onto Grand. R on Acacia. Acacia merges into Magnolia; veer slightly R onto Magnolia. At T go straight ahead through driveway with large stone pillars on either side. You have arrived; parking lot to L. Join us in the Sienna Room upstairs on second floor to the R.

Donation. Free-will donations support our programs of mindful action and cover the cost of rental.

For more information: write info@greensangha.org or call (510) 532-6574.

Past participants comment:
“What you taught us sunk in, in ways I’m still discovering.” – IM, certified public accountant

“Each tool/meditation in the workshop helped to calm my thoughts. I especially enjoyed the silent walk and the space it helped to open inside of me. Tools which empty my mind and allow respite from troubles and nagging to-do lists are so precious. I will use these meditations and practices as I journey and build sustainability within.” – RG, city councilmember

“This workshop helped me to let go of all the things that interfere and to soften the boundaries between myself & the rest of the world . . . Marin County will be a better place for everyone if we can follow your guidance and let the benefits flow through in our leadership.” – ME, conservation director

Taking good care of ourselves is part of taking good care of the earth. Refreshed and revived, we are ready for the work that lies ahead as we restore balance in the world.

Mindful Activism training

MINDFUL ACTIVISM TRAINING
At the heart of Green Sangha activism is personal grounding in inner peace and skillful action. Mindful Activism Training is designed to refresh and enhance your practice of a range of leadership practices, from meditation and relaxation to constructive communication and organization. In three workshops we will explore these foundational skills and the Green Sangha Principles of Activism.

Session 3: Sustainability from Within
Saturday, April 14, 2:00-5:30 pm
Learn mindfulness practices for relaxation, renewal, and peace throughout the day. These exercises will help you increase inner clarity, calm, and confidence in all of your endeavors. Instructors:

Michael Nagler, President, Metta Center for Nonviolence
Stephanie Van Hook, Executive Director, Metta Center for Nonviolence
Stuart Moody, MA, President of Green Sangha

Location: United Church of Christ, 825 Middlefield Drive Petaluma, CA 94952
Cost: $30 for the workshop (Green Sangha members $20)

                          When the mind rests steady and pure,
                           then whatever you desire
                           those desires are fulfilled,
                           and whatever you think of
                           those thoughts materialize.
                           So, you who desire good fortune
                           revere the knower of the Self.

Mundaka Upanishad