9 am - 4 pm with Vegetarian/Vegan-friendly lunch provided.
The day will be led by practitioners of several different "styles" of contemplative practice.
Suggested Donation: $15 including continental breakfast and a wholesome, vegetarian lunch (with vegan option.) You are free to bring your own food if we cannot meet your dietary needs.
Scholarships are available by contacting Paula Gable at revpaula@uutc.org. We encourage an additional Love Offering for those who wish to practice generosity by helping to fund scholarships and child care, provided FREE upon request. (We MUST KNOW in advance if you wish to have child care for part or all of the program.)
Presenters/Practice Leaders:
Ward Johnson, MFT, MS, a licensed therapist in NC and CA, will open the day by leading us in gentle warm-up exercises to increase our receptivity to Spirit. He has nearly 40 years of experience in offering psychological tools for self-healing.
Rev. Dr. Paula Gable, Interim Minister of UUTC, will provide instruction and lead a session on Zen (meditation).
Doug Bennett, author of What Color Socks Does God Wear? and Life and Spirit in the Quantum Field will speak on Awareness of God (The Intelligent Quantum Field). He will also lead an exercise to increase our understanding and awareness of the quantum field.
Mary Margaret Camalo will explore the intersection of mindfulness, psychology & spirit. Learn more about Mary Margaret, a former nun, at her website.
Although “mindfulness training” is only now becoming popular in the US, it has ancient roots found in all of the world’s contemplative traditions. Mindfulness has two parts. One is being aware of what "is" in the present moment. The other is holding that awareness without judgment. The combination allows us to see ourselves and our surroundings more clearly, which in turn enhances our ability to make effective decisions and be calm wherever we are.
To help cope with the ever-increasing pace of life, millions are now turning to time-honored mindfulness training to cultivate greater joy, ease and equanimity in an ever-changing world.
To be guaranteed a space, participants are encouraged to register by sending an e-mail to revpaula@uutc.org. Doors will open at 8:30 at the Unitarian Universalist congregation, located at 24 Varsity Street in Brevard, with programming from 9 AM until 4 PM. A light breakfast and full lunch will be provided. The meals will be wholesome, vegetarian offerings with a vegan option. Please contact Dr. Gable in advance at revpaula@uutc.org if you have questions or special dietary needs. You are also welcome to bring your own food.
Participants are encouraged to wear modest, comfortable, lose-fitting clothing – worn in layers. For those who are able, relaxation exercises will involve lying on the floor. Although most people will likely choose to sit on a chair for most of the workshop, those who already have meditation cushions, benches, pillows and other meditation gear, are encouraged to bring them.
8:30 Doors open. Coffee, tea, and light breakfast will be available.
9:00 – 9:15 Welcome & Housekeeping (Paula Gable)
9:15 – 9:45 Relaxation, energy & visualization exercises. (Ward Johnson)
9:45 – 10:30 Break
10:30 – 11:30 Exploring the intersection of mindfulness, psychology and spirit.
(Facilitated by Mary Margaret Camalo)
11:30 – 12:15 Panel Discussion: Ben Browing – The Challenges of a Beginner +
Main Presenters
12:15 – 1:00 Lunch – Vegetarian/Vegan option
1:00 – 1:15 Break
1:15 – 1:45 Warm up, guided meditation/visualization, Q&A (Ward Johnson)
1:45 – 1:50 Break
1:50 – 2:30 Zen and the Art of Living: Theory and Practice (Paula Gable)
2:30 – 2:45 Break
2:45 – 3:30 How Mindfulness Works and Why It Matters (Doug Bennett)
3:30 – 3:45 Q&A (Doug & Group)
3:45 – 4:00 Closing and Leave-taking