Stretching the heart -liberating the heart

There are many ways to conceive of “Heart”. In the Buddhist teachings it is often referred to as “Citta”, the “Heart-Mind” that resonates, is sensitive, responsive and malleable; it is also that which can be liberated. Attending to Heart-Mind we may discover its innate capacity for wisdom, kindness and compassion, its yearning to attend to, hold and address what is difficult … as well as what is beautiful. And at times our Heart-Mind is asked to stretch in the face of all kinds of challenges, both personal and collective. How might we live life if we dared to really honour and follow the deepest wisdom of our Heart-Mind?

During our day together we will explore the Heart’s capacity to open in ways that nourish and empower, that bring forth compassion and a sense of joyful duty.

There will be alternating periods of sitting and walking meditation, instructions and guided meditations and reflections.

You will have the opportunity to connect throughout the day into three sessions:

The day will start with a Gaia House “Online Meditation Hall” session from 9.30 – 11am that will form the basis of our day of exploration. Please attend this session if you like to get the most out of the day.  You can arrive from 9.15 to have a bit of time  to settle in before the start at 9.30am.  (https://zoom.us/j/765900187?pwd=aXUxTXcxVGpxRlV2T0dyS0w5VzZNZz09)

This will be followed by two more sessions organised by Bristol Insight from 11.45 – 1.00 and 2.30 – 4pm. Again it may be helpful to arrive a little bit early to settle in. (You will be given a different Zoom link to join these sessions.)

The first session is free as it is a regular event hosted by Gaia House.

There is a cost for the two Sessions hosted by Bristol Insight of £15 waged and £7.50 unwaged (plus Eventbrite booking fee) this covers the Zoom fees and the Bristol Insight administrators fees.

We ask for dana (donation) to be given on the day to cover the cost of the teacher so please give dana direct to Kirsten through her PayPal account: her PayPal account:  www.paypal.com/paypalme/thecouragetobelong

Kirsten has practised Buddhist meditation in Asia and the West since 1993. She started teaching in 2006. One of her particular passions is exploring how wisdom teachings can foster appropriate responses to the challenges of our time; she supports those on personal retreat in Gaia House. Kirsten  is co-initiator of the Dharma Action Network for Climate Engagement: DANCE and in one of the guiding teacher of ‘freely  given retreats’ (www.freelygivenretreats.org)