Category Archives: Seminars and Workshops

CELEBRATING THE SPIRITUAL AT THE DUNLAOGHAIRE FESTIVAL OF WORLD CULTURES. OH YEAH!

Posted on by
Reply

PRESS RELEASE.

MAKE TIME FOR SPACE.
The festival of world cultures launches its first dedicated meditation space in the form of a unique Yurt tent.

Have you ever longed to take some time out from your busy, noisy world? Have you ever sought a refuge where you could just sit down and reflect? Well, for the first time at the Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Festival of World Cultures, a dedicated space, in the form of a Mongolian yurt will allow you to sample the nourishing effects of meditation and conversation aimed at strengthening the spirit. The Yurt will be located on the Sandycove seafront and will open between noon and 7pm Friday 24th – Sunday 26th of August 2007.

click on image for larger version. For slideshow hover mouse over side of image to bring up arrow. Image courtesy of Wikipedia Commons

Russian Yurt - Wiikpedia Commons It was chosen during this festival to act as a symbol for all the migrating millions, more numerous now than at any time in history.
The Yurt is a circular canvas and felt tent used by nomads in the steppes of Central Asia.

Festival revellers are welcome to take some time out from the celebrations; for some it maybe just an opportunity to enjoy a timely refuge, for others, a chance join in on the series of meditations given by leaders from different spiritual traditions, Buddhism, Islam, Catholic, Shamanism, etc. For others still, it will be an invitation to join a talk exploring central themes of contemporary spirituality.

Tilly in a Yurt - photo Courtesy of LPM Bohemia, the Tent CompanyA 20 foot Yurt in Wales - photo Courtesy of LPM Bohemia, the Tent Company

Commenting on the yurt, the organiser Christine Clear, a Spirituality Consultant said, “This is an opportunity to celebrate people’s spiritual culture. I suppose spirituality, belief, however one understands it ultimately offers a context for culture.”
Yurt at Night - photo Courtesy of LPM Bohemia, the Tent Company20 Foot Yurt on Platform - photo Courtesy of LPM Bohemia, the Tent Company

Many of the artists and participants come from strong faith traditions. This space will see how they, and we, practice love, joy, peace; how we come to terms with disappointment, suffering, loss; how we ultimately find a way to connect to ourselves, each other and the earth. Everyone is very welcome to come for a little R n R, TLC, or a quiet catnap between shows!

The yurt’s door will be open for most of the day, but will be shut for the guided meditations and talks. There is no admission charge and yurt welcomes anyone wishing for some respite and reflection. All activities are too free, but donations for speakers etc will be gratefully received!

For further information please contact Christine Clear.
M: 087 783 742. Email: Christine Clear / Website: www.christineclear.org

AND THE SUNNYSIDE UP NEWS IS…

Posted on by
Reply

This is going to be a long hot summer…at least where mysticism, contemplation, conversation is concerned. You heard it here first. Over the next three months, I hope there is going to be a number of exciting opportunities and venues for us to start talking, reflecting, analysising on what it is that makes life worthwhile…and extraordinary.

MYSTICISM TODAY: A Forum for Love.

An interfaith/intertradition forum on Love. This is an exciting opportunity to learn from the different spiritual traditions what they understand by love, where they understand it comes from, how can it be practiced and how it can be shared through our human relations and connections.

From Buddhism to Christanity, from Judaism to Shamanism, from Hinduism to Native American Traditions, this forum will bring together practioners from many world traditions and see how we can explore and develop and share our understanding of love.

Flow is the new ‘Now’!

Posted on by
Reply

The spirituality of ending…
For some reason this is a pressing thought on my mind. How come we mark beginnings, mostly, and leave separations, goodbyes, adieus, to stand alone in our memory? I was somewhere at the weekend where a workshop was being run for those newly separated or divorced. I thought of all the preparations and rituals that preceeded the union of two people, the excitement, the open support, the general hulabaloo.
The centre where I was staying involved a workshop with people coming to a journey’s end. I spoke with many of my religious buddies, saying that I thought nowadays we need a spirituality which honours the sheer energy, dedication and work it takes to share a dream for any length of time with someone else. We all agreed.
So one of the courses I’d like to draw up would be a workshop on the spirituality of parting. A good rigorous workshop to help people realise the dignity of making plans, of trying to do one’s best, of holding on when forces are blowing facewards. Thats my idea for today. Lets celebrate the spirituality of trying…
Whatdayathink??