UNCONDITIONAL HEALING
Pain is inevitable, Suffering is not
SUPPORT
In the Unconditional Healing path, support and community play a huge role in getting us back on track. We NEED others to acknowledge and listen to us without judgment, and that seemingly small act can go a long way toward breaking the vicious cycle of isolation, discouragement, and feeling stigmatized. It allows fresh air in, and also allows us to experience our own pain without a self-critical filter, maybe for the first time. On this path, the vehicle we use to bring people together in this unique way is known as the Healing Circle. A Healing Circle is ostensibly a support group, but one that provides two very specific objectives:
Support and a Sense of Community
One goal is to provide support and reassurance to folks that are often experiencing immense suffering due to illness or difficulties in their life. While the Healing Circle does not focus on any particular illness or difficulty, we have found that all people suffer in similar ways. This often manifests as trauma, and feeling isolated, depressed and stigmatized. Truth be told, the mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of illness, pain, and loss are often more problematic than the physical aspects.
However, through the simple act of gathering together in a safe and confidential setting, and sharing our feelings with others who are non-judgmental and caring, we can discover new ways of viewing our situation. At a Healing Circle, we can be ourselves without holding back, which is not always the case with our friends and colleagues. Sharing our experience with others in this way is the best antidote to feeling isolated and singled out.
Reinforcing the View of Unconditional Health
The second objective of the Healing Circle is to expose the false beliefs that we hold about the nature of health and well-being, and to transform our relationship to pain and discomfort. We often get stuck on equating health and happiness with the absence or eradication of any disease or difficulty or disappointment in our life. Not only is this belief impossible to achieve and maintain, but it’s an enormously limiting view of genuine health. It means that our sense of well-being and self-worth is solely based on whether we’re getting what we want and expect from our life. This rather constrained view of health completely falls apart when we encounter something that can’t immediately (or ever) be cured or fixed.
In truth, genuine health and well-being is unconditional and inherent to human beings, no matter what circumstances befall us. Well-being doesn’t need to be acquired, it merely needs to be uncovered . Health is not simply the absence of disease, and it is only partially about curing or fixing any particular ailment or setback that befalls us. Real health includes our mental, emotional and spiritual dimensions as well, and how we manage those when life hands us what we don’t want nor expect.
Healing Circle meetings always include meditation practice, and may also include teachings, group discussions, contemplation practice, as well as the opportunity to share our hopes, fears, confusion and wisdom in a safe, confidential environment. Tea and snacks are always served.
Currently, due to Covid, there are only virtual (online) Healing Circles being offered twice per month on Saturdays. You can read about our Virtual Healing Circles below.
Now offering Virtual Healing Circles!
We are now offering online Healing Circles that take place via the Zoom platform on any device. We meet on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month at 12:30 pm - 2:15 pm Eastern Time. These online HeaIing Circles are a new way of experiencing the mutual support and learning that takes place at an in-person Healing Circle. Everyone is able to see and hear everyone else on their screen and share their experience. All you need is a connection to the internet, and a laptop, tablet or phone to participate.
The virtual meetings are free but you must register here.
For security purposes, the links for virtual Healing circles vary each time. To receive an invite via the newsletter, you must join our mailing list by clicking on the "Subscribe to our Mailing List" button at the bottom of every page. Thank you.
Healing Circle meetings always include meditation practice, and may also include teachings, group discussions, contemplation practice, as well as the opportunity to share our hopes, fears, confusion and wisdom in a safe, confidential environment. Please note sharing is always voluntary.