Nondual Community

RUMI and ME 

A SERIES OF MEETINGS  

CALENDAR:

April 25, 7 - 8:30 Introduction to Rumi, his poetry, and format of series

We will talk about Rumi's life, his background, and sample a bit of his poetry. We will talk about the format of the series and explore questions. There will be at least one presentation which will model the format of subsequent ones, and we will take sign-ups for people to present at the May2 meeting. 

May 2, 9, 16, and 23, 7 - 8:30 (four Thursday evenings)

(Note: Ending time is approximate; we may go over if something exciting is happening.)

In these four meetings,  we will explore Rumi's poetry from the inside. That is, we will endeavor to feel into his poetry, not to analyze it. At each session, three members of the group will sign up to present some lines from Rumi the next time. Presenters will be encouraged to choose a poem, or lines from a poem, that resonate for them and, if possible, to learn the lines by heart. We will listen to these lines, preferably with eyes closed, sit with them for a moment, and then if we are moved to speak about what we have heard and how it moved us, do so. 

This is emphatically not an academic course so there will be no attempt to analyze Rumi, either by the participants or by the facilitator. However, if participants are puzzled by something in a poem that it could lead us deeper to explore, we will do that.

It is not necessary to attend all sessions. However, it is strongly encouraged that everyone attend the introduction as we will both discuss and demonstrate the format of the group. Also, in order to present a poem, you must be in attendance for at least two consecutive meetings since presenters for the following week are chosen from those in attendance. You may, of course, attend the series without presenting if you so choose.

COST: $5 per meeting donation is requested (but not required) to cover costs. Give what you can.

Still have questions: enlighteningjourneys[at]gmail.com

 

NONDUAL COMMUNITY OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

 Purpose

Everyone embodies the ultimate Truth. The Nondual Community of Santa Cruz County looks to embody an organizational form which will allow each to best discover this. While we have a leadership structure for practical purposes, spiritually we eschew a hierarchical structure that implicitly assumes that some are seekers of Truth while others have found it.

On one level, it may be true that some are well along on the path to discovering and living from their true nature, while some may be just beginning the exploration. But we come together in the understanding of our essential sameness as Being, and support each other's deepening realization. Our true nature is outside of time and on that level, each of us is always, already, a perfect manifestation of Truth.

Our approach is nondual, but we honor and are infinitely grateful to all genuine realized teachers who have led many people in this community and everywhere to the truth of their being. We do not focus on any particular teacher's approach since different ways of teaching may appeal to different people, or be appropriate for a given person at different stages of their journey. 

 

Events and Activities

– Talks and presentations by mostly local folks who have, for the most part, years of experience in nondual realization

– Panel discussions in which a few members of the community share their experience on a certain topic, e.g., relationships, dealing with work issues, confusion on first awakening, and many other possibilities

– Facilitated weekly groups with various approaches, depending on the facilitators' experience and focus. Examples are somatic approaches, “here-and-now” sharing from deepest truth, book discussions, groups focusing on a certain nondual teacher's approach, meditation groups, spiritual writing groups

– Video viewing and discussion evenings

– Occasional musical or dramatic presentations as artists in the community wish to share their unique way of communicating Truth.

We welcome other suggestions. The more ways we have of approaching Truth, the more people will feel our Community is a place for them to be themselves and grow. Please let us know what excites you!

Supporting the Community

We serve Truth out of love. Rather than think of ourselves as either teachers or students, we take different roles at different times; thus, someone might give a presentation one week and attend one the next. Presenters and group facilitators are not paid.

We do request modest donations at most events to cover overhead. We welcome additional contributions, which will go 100% to help support the organization.

Because there is no paid staff, we need volunteers. If you share our vision, please make your interests known and we will find a way to use you! The more you do, the more this Community becomes your Community.