“What the world needs most is openness: open hearts, open doors, open eyes, open minds, open ears, open souls.” ~Rober Muller

Are there aspects of your life that are feeling tight, tense or stuck?

Are strong emotions or self-limiting thought patterns blocking a clear view of the present moment and a path forward?

It is a natural part of the ever-changing cycles of expansion and contraction to feel more confined at times. In many cases, it is recognizing the closing that can create the opening for what comes next.

This is simple, but not easy!

We are often too close to our mind and to our thoughts to be able to identify and let go of our attachments, aversions and delusions. With refreshing meditative and contemplative practice, navigating these waves in community creates newfound clarity and freedom on the physical, emotional and spiritual planes.

Join meditation instructor, Teague O’Malley, for an experiential “mini-retreat” and spend the day exploring both traditional and unique modalities that support a felt experience of opening into spacious awareness, unfurling tension, as well as gaining clarity for how you would like to move forward with clear intention.

Featuring an “Acupuncture Meditation” session~

This innovative blending of gentle single point acupuncture with guided meditation attunes us to the natural radiance of the heart, an opening of the mind, and a freedom from stagnant energy or blocked “qi.” SF Acupuncturist, Jordanna Eve (www.intouchsf.com), joins us to offer this transformational experience of insightful awakening. This will be a savasana-style meditation where you will be invited to lie down in stillness, eyes closed, ready to receive. 

*Please wear comfy clothes, bring a mat, a cozy blanket and any items that will make you feel at home (pillow/eye pillow).

OVERVIEW OF THE DAY~

Each session is curated to build through the day as our journey begins in the mind, segues into the body and culminates within the heart.

• We will begin the morning with a stabilizing Mindfulness Practice, an observation of thought without judgement. Next, a guided Vision Quest reveals thought patterns and limiting beliefs that may be restricting us, encouraging clarity where we may enable movement and flow within our mental landscape.

• In the late morning, we’ll move from the mind into the body with an expansive Diaphragmatic Breathing practice, combined with optional gentle stretching, to provide a felt experience of opening in the body before relaxing into our single point Acupuncture Meditation.

• Lunch will be 1.25 hours and participants are encouraged to bring food or purchase lunch nearby. There will also be short breaks in the morning and afternoon sessions. We will maintain a silent container inside the meditation hall during break periods for those wishing to maintain continuity of practice.

• In the afternoon session, our journey takes us into the heart center where we will focus on Heart Opening Meditations that support the flowering and releasing of burden or clouding of energy.

• We will conclude the retreat with a revisit of the Vision Quest from earlier in the day to see what insights and clarity may have arisen through the day of practice. Time for silent and written reflection will be offered.

This is an experience-based, educational offering and should not be interpreted as therapy. No magic wands here: this offering is all about practice and tools for explore your inner world. Opening into our fullest potential is a lifelong practice. This mini-retreat supports building a toolkit to continue practicing and integrating insights in a meaningful and lasting way.

No previous meditation experience is needed, all walks of life welcomed. We will be practicing secular mindfulness-based meditations shown to reduce stress and increase feelings of compassion and a spacious mental view. Our intention is to create an inclusive and safe container within a relaxed atmosphere, allowing the full spectrum of emotions and all that may arise through this experience.

Arrive 15 minutes early to ensure your optimal spot in the circle. Please bring a mat, a blanket, a small pillow and any other objects that make you feel cozy comfy.

Suggested donation $60-$120

*Your generosity supports the SFDC, acupuncture offerings and dana for teachers. No one will be turned away for a lack of funds.

REGISTER HERE