Having worked as an acupuncturist in the area for the last 16 years, I have come to believe that one of the barriers to personal wellbeing is a failure to recognise that it is not something we can achieve alone. All I have learnt through my years of practice and study has reiterated to me, that we are, at our core, a social species. We yearn to be understood and to be helpful, to love and to be loved. To amplify the importance of this message, I want to offer people the experience of Collective Wellbeing and the intrinsic happiness it provides. To that end, I have created a series of workshops, framed around the elements of nature, that will allow us to explore what it is to be human in these times and how we can help ourselves and each other to live happy, healthy and fulfilling lives.
By connecting with the elements of Earth, Fire, Water, Wood and Metal, and exploring the latest science of happiness, we will learn how to improve our physical and mental health and how this relates to everything and everyone around us. We will discover ancient theories and practices such as Buddhism, meditation, yoga and Qi Gong; learn about the incredible history of our world; experiment with art, craft, music and play; learn from and about each other and ourselves and look forward to what is in store for our amazing planet and all its myriad beings, including us. These sessions will be held in different places in our beautiful landscape so that we can also learn about our own special place in the world.
Each session will contain:
- An exploration of a specific aspect of the Element we are looking at
- Content related to the past, from deep time to the present
- Meditation
- Some form of exercise (themed to the element)
- Personal reflection and journaling
- Group reflection and discussion
- Nature connection activities
- A creative or group activity
The weeks will build on one another and work consecutively, but they will also be designed so that you can drop in for one or as many as you feel will be useful.
Workshops will run roughly every two weeks, beginning on 19th October. You can find the dates, location and details of each workshop below.
Cost:
It is my heartfelt wish to offer this course as authentically as I can and to anyone who is drawn to it. Therefore, I am offering it based on Dana. Dana is an ancient Pali word meaning generosity or giving and comes from the Buddhist tradition.
In practice, it means that at the end of the course, you will be asked to consider the value of the experience and teachings you have received and give what you can to ensure that courses can continue for others. There is no set price – just like all other aspects of our lives, each of our financial circumstances is unique. In the Dana tradition, the amount is less significant than the intention to enhance the lives of others. This is an intention which has kept the Buddhist tradition alive for the last 2,500 years, it is a commitment to our Collective well-being.
We begin the journey with Metal, which is associated with autumn.
19th October – Oddicombe Beach
This week we introduce the Five Elements and look at how they relate to ancient world views. Having set the scene, we will begin to explore the physical and emotional associations of Metal. Metal also refers to rocks, stones and crystals in this system, which gives us the perfect opportunity to explore the incredible history of our UNESCO World Heritage Site, and to learn about the unbelievable journey that brought us to this moment. This session will also include nature connection, an introduction to meditation and the exercise we will practise for Metal – Qi Gong. Additionally, we will have the opportunity to work together to create a collective art project.
10 am – Opening Circle
Introduction to the wheel of the year
How the wheel of the year shows up and is used in ancient traditions
Introduction to Yin and Yang
Balance
Introduction to Metal
Autumn
The organs: Lungs and Large Intestine
Emotions: Awe, Greif and loss
11.30 – Break
A Journey through Deep Time
Take a walk along a timeline on the beach from the Big Bang to now, exploring where the rocks and metals around us came from and when.
Includes information on Torbay extraordinary history and UNESCO Global Geopark status
Introduction to Meditation
Discussion of mindfulness and mind wandering and the science showing the benefits of meditation
Introduction to Trauma-informed mediation and practice
Journaling and reflection time
1 pm LUNCH
2 pm – Introduction to Qi Gong
Collective art project
Mandalas and their significance and meaning
Making a group pebble mandala
Finding and identifying your touchstone
3 pm – Break
Story of the day
A chance to share your experience of the day
And introduce your touchstone!
Closing circle
9th November – Kents Cavern
This week, together, we will delve more deeply into the feelings and emotions associated with Metal, what precipitates them and how they express themselves in and out of balance. These emotions include awe, wonder, grief, loss, bittersweet and doubt. We will also look at how rocks, metal and precious gems have shaped the human story and how this, too, interacts with the emotions of Metal. Metal is associated with the breath and the sense of smell, so this week we will play with these expressions through, nature connection, meditation, Qi Gong and by creating unique natural perfumes, to take home.
16th November – St. Marychurch
In this session, we will continue our journey through time to look at the historical and global impacts of our relationship with Metal. We will also explore the unique potential of the human spirit, the Buddhist concept of the Brahma Viharas, conveyed by this element. These are the qualities and attributes Metal embodies that we can emulate to grow and flourish. Through reflection on this, we will also begin to think about what our own unique gifts to the world are, and how we can make best use of them in our wild and precious lives. Along with our regular meditation and Qi Gong, we will also introduce the First Nation practice of sit spots into our routine at this point. To give something back, we will carry out a litter pick in the local area.
30th November – Cockington Court
In this session, our exploration of the history of Metal will finally catch up with the present. We will use this opportunity to discuss, how we feel about this long story and what it means both for ourselves and for our world. This is the time for dreaming, the future is never fixed, so this will be an opportunity to think about the world we want to create. What might we have to let go of, and who might we need to forgive, to move forward into the future with more balance, awe, wonder, determination and grace? Along with our meditation, Qi Gong and sit spot practice, this week we will be joined by a local singer and storyteller, who will teach us to stand up for what we believe in by letting go of our inhibitions and raising our voices in celebration and thanks.
14th December – Oddicombe Beach
This is the final session linked to Metal and will be an opportunity to reflect on what we have learnt about ourselves, each other, our past, future and our home, through the lens of this ancient element. We will learn more about the Buddhist practice of renunciation, generosity and reciprocity and re-evaluate what being ‘significant’ in the world means to us now. There will of course also be the regular practice of Qi Gong, meditation and nature connection, along with some opportunities to play. To encapsulate the learning we have experienced through these sessions, we will also be making an amulet, to keep or give away.
Artwork by Rachel Geary (Original rock image from www.freepik.com)