Here is a quick listing…
Zen 101 – For Beginners, Conscious Aging, Dream Interpretation, Win-Win Assertiveness, Book Discussion: The Four Agreements, Book Discussion: Byron Katie’s Loving What Is, Zen Stories around the Campfire, Plato’s Allegory of the Cave, A Course in Miracles, Sufi Wisdom through Humor, Unveiled Insights from The Bible, 7 Ways to Meditate, Non-Duality, The Deconstruction of Time, Why is There Anything?, Being Present – Staying Present, Outdoor Dutch Oven Cooking, Moving to Plant Based Food, Zen in the Art of Archery, Depression and Anxiety, Advaita & Non-Duality, and more.
Check the calendar for availability. Feel free to make suggestions related to your own spiritual interests. Detailed course descriptions below.
Below, in detail, are some of the classes and workshops we offer, or have already held. We’re always adding to the curriculum depending upon availability of guest speakers and teachers
Zen 101 – For Beginners
Introduction to Zen, includes some history, then shows how Zen is different from traditional religions. Zen is a spiritual life practice rather than a faith based religion. Class session is 90 minutes, including breaks. Snacks and beverages are provided, with time for socializing after the class.
Conscious Ageing
For those approaching mid-life and beyond, navigating your ‘third act’ is usually through uncharted waters. This workshop clarifies the challenges involved in overcoming traditional roles and expectations, then opens up the possibility of liberation in order to fully experience life, perhaps for the first time since childhood. Class session is 90 minutes, including breaks. Snacks and beverages are provided, with time for socializing after the class.
Dream Interpretation
Since ancient times the art of dream interpretation has been a source of inspiration for humans. Throughout history, the purpose for assigning meanings to dreams has varied from the supernatural to the psychological. Today, some find that dreams still foretell things to come, many view dreams as supernatural communication with loved ones far away or who might have passed on, and current scientific interpretations try to explain dreams as unresolved feelings or internal problems with which the unconscious mind is preoccupied. This workshop looks at a variety of ways to interpret dreams, and will help you analyze some of your own recent dreams. Bring a dream notebook with several dreams that you wish to share with the class. Interactive workshop is 90 minutes, including breaks. Snacks and beverages are provided, with time for socializing after the class.
Book Discussion: The Four Agreements
This workshop focuses heavily on participation as we walk through The Four Agreements, by Don Miguel Ruiz. The facilitator will review the background and introduction to the book, then summarize each agreement. Participants then share their experiences related to each of the agreements. As a workshop, the class is 90 minutes. Snacks and beverages are provided, with time for socializing after the class.
As a book club meetup, the topic will be divided into four meetings, each one being an hour, at a centrally located café convenient to the members.
Book Discussion: Byron Katie’s Loving What Is
This workshop focuses heavily on participation as we walk through Byron Katie’s The Work, and her book, Loving What Is. The facilitator will review the background and introduction to Katie’s approach, then explain The Four Questions and The Turnarounds. Participants each complete a Judge Your Neighbor Worksheet and share their work on the sheet. As a workshop, the class is two hours. Snacks and beverages are provided, with time for socializing after the class.
As a book club meetup, the topic will be the book Loving What Is, and no worksheets will be used. The book club is divided into four meetings, each one being an hour, at a centrally located café convenient to the members.
Zen Stories around the Campfire
Sharing around the campfire begins with Zen stories meant to be read aloud, then the circle of sharing will include personal stories of spiritual experiences, hopes, dreams, and challenges overcome. This is a time of opening the heart to fellow pilgrims on life’s journey. It is said that education is not the filling of a bucket, but the lighting of a fire. Dinner and marshmallows are provided, and we light our campfire at dusk. Bring a story to tell, and on cool evenings a sweater
Plato’s Allegory of the Cave
Plato gives us a very powerful story which explains the nature of reality, and how our conditioning prevents us from being awakened. The Allegory of the Cave, a dialogue between Socrates and his student Glaucon takes us step by step out of the cave ourselves. Although written by Plato over 2000 years ago in Ancient Greece, this allegory is as enlightening as the any current discussion about non-duality. This workshop exposes how traditional roles and values imprison us, then opens up the possibility of liberation in order to fully experience life as it is, without the layers preconceived thought, which Plato likens as puppet show shadows on a cave wall. Class session is 60 minutes, including breaks. Snacks and beverages are provided, with time for socializing after the class.
Sufi Wisdom through Humor
Similar to Zen, Sufism is a spiritual life practice rather than a faith based religion. And very much like Zen stories, Sufi stories are meant as teaching tales. While Zen stories may occasionally use humor to emphasize a point, many Sufi stories teach primarily through the humor and irony. This class begins by explaining who the Sufis are, outlines their approach to spirituality, and finally explores how their teachings are conveyed through story telling. Class session is 60 minutes, including breaks. Snacks and beverages are provided, with time for socializing after the class.
Unveiled Insights from The Bible
This workshop opens up the possibility of interpreting biblical passages in both Old and New Testaments according to the perennial philosophy that underlies all spirituality. All major religious traditions point us to the same message which we explore in this interactive class. There are many versions of the Bible, it has been assembled, revised, and reassembled through the centuries. Scholars continue to make new discoveries about the ancient texts to this day, while priests, pastors, and ministers offer dogmatic and often inconsistent messages. Find out for yourself what some of the best known and least known passages in The Bible might really mean. Class session is 60 minutes, including breaks. Bring a copy of The Bible, in any edition you wish. Snacks and beverages are provided, with time for socializing after the class.
Seven Ways to Meditate
This workshop explains and guides you through the most popular types of meditation practices. Types of meditation explained are Loving-Kindness, Body-scan, Mindfulness, Breath Awareness, Kundalini Yoga, Zen Meditation, and Transcendental Meditation. Each type is experienced as a guided group meditation. The class also answers questions as to how often to meditation, tips, and allows for participants to share their experiences. Wear comfortable clothes, bring a meditation pillow if you wish, although cushions will also be available. Class session is 90 minutes, including breaks. Snacks and beverages are provided, with time for socializing after the class.
Outdoor Dutch Oven Cooking
One of the best ways to experience spiritual fellowship is through preparing and sharing a communal meal. Each participant brings an ingredient to add to the cast iron pot and helps in the meal preparation. This ancient method of cooking uses hot coals and participants learn the traditional cooking skills as well as safe handling practices for using cast iron and an open fire. At registration, the participant can select from a list of ingredients. This will be a vegetarian meal, no meat or dairy used. Class session is 90 minutes, including breaks. Appetizers, beverages, and dessert are provided, with time for socializing after the class.
Zen in the Art of Archery
This workshop is held at the archery range in Rockwood Park, Chesterfield, Virginia. Those who are new to archery are welcome and will be shown the basics. The workshop demonstrates how to stay present by making archery a moment-to-moment experience. Zen in the art of archery is meditation in action. Class size is limited, participants must be over 18 years of age and sign a release form. The workshop is held in the morning and dependent upon good weather. Bows of differing strengths, left and right handed, as well as arrows and targets will be provided. More experienced archers are encouraged to bring their own equipment.