WHEN THINGS FALL APART: Heart Advice for Difficult Times

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By Pema Chödrön 

On August 20th The Happiness Study Group will start our 9th book, our 10th if we count our second reading of “Awake Aware Alive!”

Our new selection will be Pema Chödrön’s “When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times,” which is available here on Amazon.

Here’s what they have to say: “The beautiful practicality of her teaching has made Pema Chödrön one of the most beloved of contemporary American spiritual authors among Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike. A collection of talks she gave between 1987 and 1994, the book is a treasury of wisdom for going on living when we are overcome by pain and difficulties. Chödrön discusses:

  • Using painful emotions to cultivate wisdom, compassion, and courage
  • Communicating so as to encourage others to open up rather than shut down
  • Practices for reversing habitual patterns
  • Methods for working with chaotic situations
  • Ways for creating effective social action

If you’re interested in joining the group or would like more information, contact Nadine at nadine.lockitch7@gmail.com.

We’re looking forward to seeing you at Ron and Nadine’s on August 20th.

Half-day Silent Meditation Experience

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Summer Not Church Silent Meditation Experience

Date: Tuesday, August 13, 2019
Time: 9:30am ’til 1pm
Leader: Nadine de Jong with Ron de Jong
Location: Clubhouse at Bajamar
Directions: Take the Toll Road (1D) to Km 77.5 and exit toward Bajamar.
(Map below)
Fee: NO CHARGE

NOBLE SILENCE will be observed (no talking at all) upon entering the Clubhouse until after snacks and a brief after-snack sit

Pease RSVP to Anna by August 9: Anna  az@annazimmerman.com  or Nadine nadine.lockitch7@gmail.com

Questions:  Please contactAnna az@annazimmerman.com or Nadine nadine.lockitch7@gmail.com

WHAT TO WEAR & BRING

  • Sweater or light wrap because the room can be chilly
  • A favorite mat, floor cushion, blanket etc. (sofas and various chairs are also available)
  • Comfortable shoes  for walking and a hat
  • Notebook and pen if you like
  • Ready-to-serve finger food to share (Please consider bringing vegetarian and healthy snacks—no alcoholic beverages.)
  • Beverages, especially water.
    (Coffee and hot water for tea will be provided)

MAP to Bajamar Clubhouse

Summer Not Church

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Summer Not Church

This summer Not Church is offering two uplifting programs to foster introspection and self-awareness.

Enneagram

On July 11th, Martina will lead an introduction to Enneagram…a map for understanding ourselves and others. It helps us understand why people do what they do. You can learn about this powerful personal tool for transformation and meet the participants in the year-round ongoing community Enneagram group.

The program will be held at the Bajamar Clubhouse from 11am – 1pm.

Contact Anna with any questions.

Meditation Experience

This half-day silent meditation experience is open to beginners who wish to explore meditation and will give regular practitioners an opportunity to deepen their practice.

Nadine and Ron will lead several meditations of various types and lengths including a walking meditation. The program will conclude with a silent potluck lunch and a question and answer period.

The program will be held at Bajamar at 9:30 am to 1 pm. Contact Nadine with any questions.

No Charge

As always there’s no charge for Not Church regular gatherings or special summer programs. If you feel appreciation and would like to make a contribution…terrific!

Gratitude and Appreciation

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Erin Dunigan
Erin Dunigan

Many of you probably don’t even know that there’s a specially made wooden box for contributions, if you’d like to make them. Sometimes we even forget to bring it, and if you knew about it you may have forgotten to use it.

Now it has a big sign that says “Appreciation, ” and we’re going to set it on a stool so you can find it and pass right by it on your way out. It says appreciation because, to me, that’s what it is.

When you think about Not Church, if you feel gratitude or appreciation for it and you’d like to express that appreciation in the form of money, please do.

The money goes for a few expenses like the website, but most of it is for our Spiritual Director Erin. She formed Not Church and has been its leadership and Spiritual center going into this 9th year!

Some of you probably remember that she used to be paid by the Presbyterian Church, but their leadership and projects have changed and she no longer has any income or benefits from them. Many of us do things, but we’re so lucky to have a professional speaker and director to provide great ideas and what we provide will be the only compensation she’ll get for this. Let us know if you have other ideas too.

Sounds like she’s fine with all of it and you’ll do what feels good to you!