Past Happenings

Beyond Men’s Circle

This is a “beyond” men’s group because this is a group about waking up beyond the confines of identity into who one is. The circle is an opportunity to come together and question our Western mythos of what it means to be a man in this culture. The circle will also provide a safe space to feel heard, seen, and understood, make lifelong connections, heal, and move beyond the conditions placed upon us.

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Creative Sharing Night

An evening of relaxed and thoughtful sharing of whatever your creative expression might be. Bring a poem or two, an instrument, a story, artwork, anything you’re inspired to share, or just yourself. Whether you want to join in or just listen in, we think you’ll leave feeling connected and inspired. We have tea, some snacks, writing materials, and fidgets. We have chairs or floor seating. Please let us know any accommodations you may need, and please invite anyone you think would be interested. We’re excited to share with you in this way!

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Dance YOU

Dance YOU is inspired by Gabrielle Roth’s 5 Rhythms, aka The Wave. It is a free form, fun dance in a safe and inviting space. These are some guidelines to help us all be on the same page:

• Honor people’s flow by not talking or using your cell phone. 

• Be consensual. Listen for a yes, respect a no.

• Be free. Dance how you want. No judgment.

  Check out our scintillating playlist from our last Dance You.

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Break Free from the Cultural Matrix Classes

The cultural matrix is the belief system that our culture teaches into us. It is a dysfunctional dream state with the root belief that we’re separate in the world. Are we separate from the issues we see pervading our culture or are we all collectively creating them because of the way we have been conditioned to think?

This class series will be similar to our past cultural matrix dialogue classes: laid-back, welcoming, and inclusive. However, these new classes will involve more teaching than dialogue. We want you to conceptualize the topic first, then encourage you to stay past 8:15 p.m. for further dialogical exploration, if desired. No prerequisite is required except an open mind!

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Seasonal Affective Disorder:

Working with the Darker Days

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a common experience in Vermont. We empathize with those of you who find this time of year extra challenging. In this two-hour workshop, we will move beyond tools, tips, and techniques (everyone already knows to take vitamin D and get a happy light) and explore how our perspectives shape our relationship with the darker, colder months. 

Through dialogue, journaling, and storytelling, we’ll explore our beliefs and experiences of winter, inviting in the possibility of a perspective shift. Together, we’ll explore new ways of seeing and being, from childhood memories of snow play to honoring the slower pace of winter as nature’s invitation to pause, as well as discussing the hardships frequently experienced during the winter season.

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Blind Spots

Blind spots are conditioned ways we interact that become so normalized that we don’t see them. For example, I may have lived with anxiety for most of my life. Because the anxiety became a part of my day-to-day existence, I didn’t see it anymore. Without knowing it, I would project my anxiety onto my relationships and blame others for making me feel unsafe. By building awareness of this blind spot I can begin to take ownership of it, stop reacting to it, and begin to understand what the anxiety is and potentially let it go.

In this class, we will dive into…

• How and why blind spots develop.

• Normalization, conditioning, and adaptation to dysfunctional family and educational systems.

• How blind spots can create unintentional harm to oneself and others.

• How power and hierarchy impact relational dynamics and how this relates to blind spots.

• The power of awareness in seeing and letting go of blind spots.

• How communication and dialogue can help bring light to blind spots in a non-threatening way.

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Day of Rest

Okay ya’ll, this is going to be chill. And when I say ‘chill’, that’s what we’re aiming for; hang out in the library with some tea and a book you’ve been meaning to open; make an espresso and chat in the kitchen; use the Flow Room for some quiet sitting, a catnap or movement. The vibe is slow, free-feeling, and relaxed. It’s an opportunity for you to separate yourself from your day to day happenings: Who are you underneath all the obligations and rushing? What will you discover?!