Like most Americans, we at the Earth & Spirit Center have been horrified at the recent spate of high-profile violence in the news: police shooting men of color, police being shot, and a mad truck rampage in Nice, France, among others. Overall crime rates may be down, but it still feels like we're living in frightfully violent times.
The pragmatic American instinct is to debate what "externals" we can change to curb this violence. Many demand more restrictive gun laws. Others double down on fear, insisting that we need even more weaponry to protect ourselves against proliferating guns, or that we repel anyone "not like us," such as immigrants (especially Muslims), at whose feet we are tempted to lay all of our social problems.
I'd like to suggest that in regard to violence in our society, we also need to examine the "internals" (for you Ken Wilber fans, the left-hand quadrants). What is it in our own individual hearts and in our collective cultural attitudes that create the conditions for such violence to occur? In other words, these events offer us the opportunity to explore our "shadow" - those parts of us that we don't really want to acknowledge or reveal. Why, for example, does our culture have such fascination with dramatized violence in much of our music, television, movies, and video games, even as we (rightfully) denounce real-life violence?
Obviously, we need to attend to right-minded (not paranoid) "externals," making systemic changes to curb violence, such as sensible gun legislation, proper police protocols, reasonable precautions against terrorists. But this is not enough. We must also pay attention to the inner landscape, exploring the shadowlands of our own hearts and the darker side of our culture, so that we don't keep generating the violence that plagues us. That is the good but hard interior work of spiritual growth and of actually learning from these tragedies.
Praying for peace,
Kyle Kramer
Executive Director
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Free Introduction to Meditation Workshop
- Wednesday, September 7, 2016 from 7:00-8:00 p.m.
- Thursday September 8, 2016 from 10:00-11:00 a.m.
- Saturday, September 10, 2016 from 10:00-11:00 a.m.
Mindfulness meditation has been clinically demonstrated to increase relaxation, relieve stress, reduce anxiety and bolster self-esteem. CEOs, attorneys, healthcare professionals, educators, and the military are paying attention. The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and Time Magazine are putting mindfulness on the front page. Modern science is learning that the ancient spiritual practice of meditation is relevant to addressing complex modern problems.
This 60-minute workshop offers a basic introduction to theory and practice of mindfulness meditation, as well as its physical, psychological and spiritual benefits. Free, but reservations required - please call 502-452-2749 or email [email protected].
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Cultivating an Awakened Life
Meditation is an ancient spiritual practice that has remarkable practical benefits for both body and mind. This class offers step-by-step guidance for developing a personal meditation practice using mindfulness.
Orientation Retreat: Friday, September 16, 2016 OR Saturday, September 17, 2016 - 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.Ten Mondays: September 19, 26, October 3, 10, 17, 31, November 7, 14, 21, 28Time: Monday class is offered 10:00-11:30 a.m. OR 1:00-2:30 p.m. OR 7:00-8:30 p.m. The same class is offered mornings, afternoons and evenings.
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Beginning Meditation - New Downtown Venue Option
The Earth & Spirit Center has partnered with Greater Louisville, Inc. to offer our 10-week Beginning Meditation course (see description above) at the GLI conference center at 614 W. Main Street.
Orientation Retreat (at the Passionist Earth & Spirit Center): Friday, September 16, 2016 OR Saturday, September 17, 2016 - 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Course Dates and times (at GLI): Tuesday mornings, 8:15 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., September 20, 27, October 4, 11, 18, November 1, 8, 15, 22, 29.
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Contemplation and the World
Embracing the Life We Are Given
This course is for meditators who want to probe essential spiritual questions: Who am I? What does it mean to be part of a human community? What is my relationship to the world in which I live my life? How do we develop a new intimacy with the world in which we live? Can we once again get caught up in the grandeur of our life and the mysterious Divine power from which it has all emerged?
- Wednesdays: Sept. 21, 28, Oct. 5, 12, 19, Nov. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Time: 10:00 am to 12:00 noon OR 6:30 to 8:30 pm
- Instructor: Fr. Joe Mitchell, CP
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Integral Mindfulness with Harry Pickens & Joe Mitchell
Integral Mindfulness offers a path for spiritual growth -
waking up
to life by cultivating mindfulness and
cleaning up
any negative aspects that might obscure our inner radiance. This course explores these two processes.
The course is recommended for any students who have completed the Med 1 - Beginning Meditation course or its equivalent.
Instructors:
- Joe Mitchell - meditation teacher and president of the Earth & Spirit Center.
- Harry Pickens - is an educator, performing artist, and certified Havening Techniques practitioner who works in the field of neuroscience, teaching techniques based in evolutionary biology that offer the opportunity to live a healthier, happier and more productive life.
10 Tuesday classes: Sept. 20, 27, Oct. 4, 11, 18, Nov. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 2016
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Aging as a Transformational Journey
The spiritual journey of aging
This six-session workshop explores the terrain of the spiritual journey of aging. It is a forum, a process and a community for those who want to age with greater wisdom and grace.
The path for the "third-half" of life has its own mile-markers and guides. It has its own special needs and fruitful gifts. Doing the work of this stage of life requires a journey to discover deep longings and motivations. It is a rich and holy journey.
Fall 2016
- Six Friday Sessions beginning September 23, 30, October 7, 14, 21, 28
- Time: 10:00 p.m. to 11:30 a.m.
- Facilitators: Maddie Reno, Polly Johnson, Mary Gatton, Tony Heitzmann, Lois Luckett, Deb Dillon and Phyllis Fitzgerald
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Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction
Program
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is an 8-week program designed to help you find peace of mind, learn to cope, and wake up to life. For over 30 years, a growing body of clinical research has demonstrated MBSR's effectiveness as a powerful, integrated approach to coping effectively with physical, psychological and interpersonal stress as well as pain, illness and addiction. It is used in complementary medicine and wellness programs in universities and hospitals throughout the world. For many, this program provides a solid foundation for deep emotional healing and spiritual growth.
MBSR COURSE (Thursday) - BEGINNING AUGUST 2016
- Thursdays, Aug 25, Sept 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, Oct 13, 20, 6:00 - 8:30pm
- Learn more at a free 90-minute introduction on Thurs August 11, 6:00-7:30p.m.
ADVANCED MBSR - DEEP HEALING
BEGINNING NOVEMBER 2016
- Advanced Program: Nov 10, 17 and Dec 1, 8, 15, 29 Thursdays, 6:00 - 8:30pm
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Mindfulness-Based Self-Compassion
Four Wednesdays beginning August 3
Self-acceptance and self-compassion are essential qualities of happiness and success, and they form a core component of resilience. This four-week course on self-compassion will introduce you to our current understanding of self-compassion, why compassion is an essential part of our nature, and tools that can be used to help you remember and return to the basic nature of who you are.
Instructor: Pamela Cotton, Ph.D.
Earth & Spirit Center Barn, Second Floor
Fee: $175
Class Limit: 15
Last date to register is August 1
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Mindfulness-Based Self-Compassion
Seeking Volunteers: Mentor and Teach Mindfulness Meditation
Have you been cultivating a personal meditation practice for two years or more? Are you interested in teaching, sharing, and mentoring others in the practices of mindful meditation? Mindfulness Mentors is a program of the Passionist Earth & Spirit Center that prepares volunteers to teach mindfulness practices and compassionate action to some of Louisville's most marginalized members of the community - youth and adults experiencing homelessness, emotional or physical disabilities, and others in highly disadvantaged environments. If you are interested in getting involved or would like more information, contact Natasha at
[email protected]
or 502-452-2749.
The next orientation will be August 20th from 9-12.
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Shared Silence: Finding Rest in a Busy World
Saturday, August 6, 2016
Beginning or advanced meditation students from all religious traditions are invited to join the upcoming silent meditation on Saturday, August 6. Be part of a supportive community and enjoy instruction that will deepen your individual practice and help bring about peace in our world through personal transformation. Suggested donation range is $5 to $25, but no one is turned away for lack of funds. Reservations are not necessary. Facilitated by Kathleen Kaelin.
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Enneagram Learning Community
Thursday, August 18, 2016
The 2016 Enneagram Series is entitled "Enneagram & Relationships: Seeing Through The Eyes of Others." In this series, each month we will explore the relationship dynamics of one type in combination with the other types, placing an emphasis on the cycle of conflict that naturally occurs between the types. You will have the opportunity to see deeply within your own character structure and what you may need to acknowledge about yourself as well as the key tasks for building and sustaining relationships with other Enneagram types. This study group is for people who are interested in creating flourishing relationships with partners, family members, friends, clients and co-workers. The body of work presented in this series will be based on the Enneagram Types Relationships Matrix by David Daniels. Facilitated by Deborra Clark Oser, a certified Teacher of the Enneagram in the Narrative Tradition.
- Meeting Date: Thursday, August 18, 2016
- Time: 7:00-8:30 p.m.
- Location: The Undercroft at the Passionist Monastery at 1924 Newburg Road in Louisville, KY (in front of the Earth & Spirit Center)
- This Month's Topic: Type Five: The Observer
- Fee: $10 / person
- R.S.V.P. [email protected] or 502.767.1422
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Monthly Meditation Support Group
Sunday, August 21, 2016
Earth & Spirit Center faculty members Glenda Hodges-Cook and Dr. Chris Schrodt facilitate 90-minute sessions that feature 30 minutes of silent sitting and 60 minutes of time for questions and discussion. Donations welcome; no reservations required.
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News from the Passionist Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) Desk
Passionist Family of Holy Cross Province Annual Assembly
Hiroshima and Nagasaki: Commemoration resources from Pax Christi International
As we approach the 71st anniversaries of the tragedies at Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Pax Christi International offers the following resources for prayerful reflection, study and action to commemorate those days and to work toward a world free of nuclear weapons.
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Help Wanted - Earth & Spirit Center Housekeeper
The Earth & Spirit Center is seeking a housekeeper on a contract labor basis. The scope of work entails approximately two hours per week for the downstairs public areas of the Barn, with a four-hour session once a month to include the upstairs offices. Tasks include cleaning kitchen and bathrooms, vacuuming, dusting, emptying trash and recycling, washing windows, etc. Please contact Kyle at 502-452-2749 or
[email protected] to inquire.
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Volunteer Opportunities at the Earth & Spirit Center
We have many opportunities for volunteers to engage in the work and camaraderie of the Earth & Spirit Center. Some of our current opportunities include:
- Tending our front flower beds and herb garden
- Helping to construct a meditative nature trail in our woods
- Helping to build an outdoor labyrinth
- Making name tags for classes
- Answering phones and other clerical work, 2-4pm weekdays
Please call
502-452-2749
or email
[email protected] if you'd like to be part of our mission!
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FREE WORKSHOP ON ENERGY EFFICIENCY FOR HOUSES OF WORSHIP
Many faith communities across the nation find themselves facing a similar problem for the spaces in which they congregate: "How do we make our house of worship energy efficient?" Kentucky Interfaith Power and Light is hosting an event on August 16th at the Passionist Earth & Spirit Center to answer the many questions that arise when addressing energy use in old worship spaces. This Old House of Worship is a "how to" energy efficiency workshop designed specifically for facility managers and congregations' "green sheep." This event will feature local experts answering questions on the ways that worship facilities can reduce their energy use and costs through energy efficiency projects and congregational habit changes. We will also hear about real-world success stories from projects that have been completed at other Kentucky congregations.
This event is free of charge and lunch will be provided. Join us from 10:30 to 1:30 on August 16th at the Passionist Earth & Spirit Center for This Old House of Worship and learn how you can make your worship space more energy efficient.
To RSVP for this event or for more information please contact Aaron Tornes at Kentucky IPL by emailing
[email protected] or calling 502-210-8920.
SISTERS IN CONVERSATION - INTERFAITH PATHS TO PEACE
Sunday, Aug 21, 2 pm at Christ Church Cathedral
Help us create an opportunity for women to come together and begin a dialogue about the most sacred area of our lives: our faith.
Visit http://paths2peace.org
FINDING HOPE AND INSPIRATION IN THE NATURAL WORLD
Saturday, August 13, 10 am - 5 pm
Soul food for challenging times. This ground-breaking workshop explores and reaffirms our connection with the more-than-human world. It is specifically designed for those who want a deeper sense of inspiration, hope and renewal in these troubling times. Email
LUNCHEON WITH FAISAL NIAZ TIRMIZI CONSUL GENERAL SECRETARY OF PAKISTAN
Thursday, August 25, 11:30 am
The World Affairs Council of Kentucky and Southern Indiana is hosting Consul General Secretary Tirmizi to discuss the impacts of religious extreme on his region and other parts of the world.
Visit www.worldkentucky.org
KENTUCKIANS FOR THE COMMONWEALTH - ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING.
August 26 to 28, all day
Learn how you can make good things happen. Hone your advocacy skill. Reflect on victories and lessons learned. Visit
www.kftc.org.
THE ARTWORK OF REFUGEE ELDERS
August 1 to 31, Iroquois Public Library
See artwork in various media on the past and present experiences of refugee elders living in our metro community today.
AFRICAN AMERICAN ARCHIVES TOUR
Thursday, August 4, 1 pm at the Western Public Library
Peruse the great books in this collection. Watch a short documentary. Every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday this month.
10TH ANNUAL ANNE BRADEN MEMORIAL LECTURER - ANGELA DAVIS
November 15, 2016, 6:00 pm, Location TBD on the U of L Campus
Social activist Angela Davis will be the 10th Annual Anne Braden Memorial Lecture speaker. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact the U of L Anne Braden Institute for Social Justice Research at
(502) 852-6142.
PUBLIC INFORMATION SESSION - PROPOSED LOUISVILLE BIODIGESTER PLANT
Monday, August 1, 6:00 p.m., Old Jail Auditorium, 514 W. Liberty Street
Last week Louisville Metro Government's Office of Planning & Design Services released proposed biodigester regulations following a comprehensive study requested by the Louisville Metro Council. This comes after the controversy surrounding the
proposed methane plant in the California neighborhood.
Written comments can also be sent to Brian Mabry at
[email protected] or 444 S. 5th St., Suite 300, Louisville, Kentucky 40202. All comments must be received by noon on Monday, August 1 to be considered by the Planning Commission. Following the public hearing, the Planning Commission will submit a recommendation to the Louisville Metro Council.
The
Passionist Earth & Spirit Center is set up to receive donations whenever you shop at
Kroger's
and AmazonSmile. This is the month that Kroger's asks you to register with your non-profit again.
Please register us with these companies as your designated charity. Thank you for thinking of us!
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