Invitation to Join a Soulful Pop-Up Community this September

I'm pretty sure it's not just Enneagram 4's who are feeling like life is a major rollercoaster lately. The swings from pain to possibility feel extra intense as our world undergoes a massive shift. Things are falling apart and things are emerging. This renovation of Reality can be disorienting and exhausting as well as galvanizing and thrilling. Let's not be in it alone.

What if you could meet the pain and possibility of this moment with the shared resourcefulness of the collective? 

Maybe you’ve been asking, Where can I gather?  In person? With others who want what I want? 

Come join the Great Turning, a soulful pop-up community I’m convening this Fall.

[We Are] the Great Turning is . . .

. . . the name of a podcast featuring conversations between Joanna Macy, 95-year-old eco-spiritual Zen Buddhist teacher, and Jess Serrante, longtime activist and sustainer of individuals and communities devoted to letting go and letting come. You can listen to the teaser here.

. . . the way Life works, the ongoing natural process —the disintegration and reintegration—in support of our flourishing.

 . . . a jumping-off point for 5 evenings of soulful discussion, community building, and shared practice. While the root of both Joanna's and Jess' work has sprung from our deepening environmental crisis, their wise and heart-opening explorations are inclusive of ALL that is disintegrating and seeking reintegration in our personal and shared world.

Whether your deepest pain is around the damage we are doing to our environment, the recent decisions of an institution you've been (de)formed by, the threats to our democracy, the racial and socio-economic injustices, or the cut-off of family members, this group was designed with you in mind.

Do you want . . .

. . . to greet our future with an opening mind, trusting that Reality is leading us precisely where we need to go?

. . . to meet our future with an opening heart, welcoming Reality's joys, pains, mysteries, and miracles?

. . . to engage our future with an opening will, devoting your energy to the creation of a world that does not yet exist?

. . . to live with the world, in love, as it is, as it is becoming?

 . . . to let go of carrying grief, anxiety, or hope in isolation and let it instead be heard, reverenced, and held by a conscious collective?

. . .  to let come the connection that already unites us beneath the surface of our daily lives?

. . . to learn new ways of seeing, being and doing, for the benefit of all?

 . . . to explore perspectives and practices drawn from many wisdom traditions?

Do you want to do this with other humans? 

Then come join us! 

I know you have questions, so let's go with the easy ones first!

When is it?

We are the Great Turning Pop-up Community will gather 5 consecutive Monday nights from 6:30-8pm, September 9 — October 7.

Where will we gather?

Newberry Place Gathering Space, 800 Livingston NE, Grand Rapids, MI.

What is the cost?

$80 for all 5 sessions. Not affordable for you? Scholarships are available. Let me know upon registration what you can afford. We’ll work it out.

Do I need to register?

Yes! Register by responding here via my contact form.

What, exactly, are we going to do?

We'll start with a simple and brief check-in (with yourself, with the group).

We will listen together to one episode of the We are the Great Turning podcast (20-25 minutes).

In both large and small group formats, we'll discuss what we've heard.

We'll share a practice. We are the Great Turning podcast includes numerous bonus episodes that are for group practice. Want a sneak peak? You can check those out here.

Do I have to attend all 5 sessions?

While I hope you'll to your best to make all 5 sessions, I understand our schedules are complicated and not always predictable. That said, if you think you'd have to miss more than 2 sessions, this may not be a good fit.

Can I invite a friend?

Yes! Please forward this invitation to anyone you suspect may be interested.

I can't attend these Monday night sessions in person. Will you offer a virtual version?

I'm open to that! If you are interested in a virtual version of this offering, please reply directly to this email. If there is enough interest I'll work at creating it!

Other questions or concerns? Reach out here:

(Note: I am heading to the mountains of Montana on Saturday. I may not have internet access. I will return to my computer on August 18.)