Gathering of Circles 2002 Events

The puzzlement of Americans towards cultures different than our own is parallel to the puzzlement European-Americans feel towards People of Color. When is affirmative action enough? What’s the deal about bilingual education? Why are so many People of Color angry? Why can’t we have a constructive and healing dialogue about racism in this country? Why can’t we meditate our way out of this with loving kindness?

It is not upon you to finish the work.

Neither are you free to desist from it.

Rabbi Tarfon

This will be a more in depth look at "Growing Your Forest of Allies" at home. With a smaller group of people, there will be more time for discussion and question and answers..

Melinda Garcia, Ph.D.

Melinda Garcia is a Community, Clinical and Organizational Psychologist in private practice in Albuquerque, NM. Her father’s family moved from Mexico to San Antonio, Texas, at the turn of the last century. Her mother’s family has lived in Panama since before records were kept. She is of Chichimeca, Panamanian, and African descent. Indigenous, Christian, Buddhist, and Jewish traditions have shaped her spiritual practice. She combines extensive study in each of these traditions in all work, which can best be described as Post-Colonial.

Dr. Garcia has lived many lifetimes as an original member of the Hard Head Club. As a consequence her presentations are lively and include a great deal of participation from the audience, storytelling, and a lot of practical examples to make complicated concepts make sense. She has a terrible time sitting through lectures and assumes other people do, too.

Sharon Rodebaugh: "Yoga"

This workshop will be scheduled in the afternoon. It is better to stretch unstretched bodies when the sun is shining and the air is warm than to "stress" them in the cold morning. This is especially important here because we are not accustomed to sleeping outdoors and out of our usual beds - our muscles tighten. In fact, a brisk walk with swinging arms is good for the body (mind and soul) in the early morning.

I am a Certified Yoga Instructor (and R.M.T.). My yoga session would be geared toward something anyone would feel comfortable in. I teach at the YMCA where my challenge is to keep the class interesting for those who come regularly while comfortable for those newcomers. Also, as Risk Manager, I am careful to ensure that people do not stretch further than their bodies are ready and able to stretch. I always begin with a breathing session to relax body, mind and spirit and then we focus and breathe into our work. The yoga can be tailored to fit into the scheduled session times; anywhere between an hour to ninety minutes works well. Bring a mat or blanket to lie on.

Lou Dale: "Healing the Pain of the Past"

Healing past issues which usually lead to addiction

Lou has been facilitating Intensive Outpatient (and Inpatient) Groups in Phoenix, AZ, for the past 2 1/2 yrs, working primarily with those struggling with addiction. In her graduate studies, she specialized in trauma, abuse and deprivation (especially in childhood) and believes there is a close correlation between the unresolved pain of the past and addiction. She is also a sweat lodge facilitator and co-facilitator of vision quest wilderness experientials, along with her partner Dave.

Dave Arneson: "Natural Healing Q&A"

Question and answer session

Cliff Buchanan: "Shamanic Drumming"

Cliff Buchanan

Master of Ceremonies

Cliff presides at the GOC Planning Meeting that is held each year and receives input from the people who attend the meeting and others who have concerns to be considered at the meeting. He tries to combine the information into a cohesive plan for the event and solicit volunteers to be a facilitator for the many tasks required to have a successful event. He also maintains the web site, the mailing list, designs and produces the brochures and mail outs each year. Cliff also prepares his "World Famous Pancakes" on Saturday morning for you to enjoy!

"Shamanic Journey" – Cliff Buchanan

Cliff will lead a "Shamanic Journey" to the "lower world" to find your "power animal". Your power animal is a "helper" to help you understand yourself through understanding the various traits and characteristics of your power animal. Cliff will use the powerful sound of the drum as a vehicle for your travels. Discussion will follow. Cliff is a computer consultant in Odessa, Texas and has led many Shamanic Journeys, sweat lodges, and gatherings.

Carolyn "Cornwoman" Milton: "Worldwide Chanting"

Almost every spiritual belief recommends and provides some form of chanting to prepare the follower for devotion and meditation. This workshop will expose you to chants from several spiritual traditions including Native American and Hindu. You will have the opportunity to practice chanting as well. Drums and rattles are welcome.

Carolyn is Director of Counseling and career Services at McMurry University

Pamela & Brett: "Grandfather Kachora Experience"

Pamela Scheler and Brett Messer will talk about there experience with Grandfather Kachora in June and July of this year. See Pamela and Brett's Journey

Carol Dawn: "The Next Step: Conscious Evolution"

The Next Step: Conscious Evolution - Not for the faint (or feint) of heart

Carol Whitewater Dawn with Lynne Heilbuth, Susan Murray Royal, Pamela Scheler, Brett Messer

This is a continuation and expansion of the presentation by Pamela and Brett of their "medicine experiences" with Grandfather Kachora.

What kind of world are we creating? What can we, as individual elderhearts, contribute as we co-create the fifth world. How can we Be the Change We Want to Create?

Our goal now is not merely to transcend the world, but to transform the world. We are awakening to the truth of who we are. The next step is to make who we are and the world we are creating fully manifest and available to the entire collective. Our conscious evolutionary impulse, our imperative to evolve, is emerging with an unprecedented urgency.

This group discussion is about how we do this. It is about how we bring our highest spiritual potentials to the manifest reality of the everyday world. How we live compassion, passion, and the spiritual heart as we merge spirit and physical form in creation is our focus.

Some potential questions for discussion:

What does it mean to become ONE?
What is happening with chakras and subtle bodies?
How is the cellular structure of human form changing?
Can we be both separate individuals and One with all beings?
What is no-self, "I"-less-ness?

What does it mean in my life?

Personal commitment

Non duality

Expanded consciousness

High ethics

Unconditional love

Service - contribution rather expectations

Love, ecstasy, compassion, wisdom

Current religions, traditions, lineages, cultures, and beliefs all hold pieces of our future. They have laid foundations. But all fall short in that none provide a map, or compass points for us to follow in this evolutionary step we undertaking. We are rewriting a brand new instruction manual. What do we want our new "Shambala or Shangri-La" to look like? How do we create it?

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