A joyful & mindful exploration of what it means to be here & now.
This relaxed online session brings people together to explore presence, freedom and spontaneity.
We’ll do some awareness practices that bring us into a natural state of presence and then explore some activities that let us play around with staying present and connected in a way that feels joyful and mindful. We’ll also make time to chat about what we are experiencing together.
These sessions are about being present with what is already here and not trying to get anywhere or achieve anything.
Who is it for?
These sessions are open to anyone who wants to enjoy shared presence and connection, and is open to laughing, learning and exploring direct experience.
You’ll be able to connect with others, share your experiences, question anything, and laugh and/or cry at the beauty and absurdity of it all.
What to expect
We’ll explore a range of things, including ‘glimpse’ practices devised by Douglas Harding, one of the 20th century’s pioneers of self-awareness practices who lived in Ipswich.
And we’ll also explore spontaneity through exercises derived from the world of applied improvisation that can help anyone to be more mindful in everyday life.
And as if that wasn’t enough, we’ll do some mindful movement through qigong; read some books and poems together; and explore aspects of the ‘spiritual ecology’ of Taoism and Ch’an (early Zen) which can super relevant to our lives in the modern world.
I can’t guarantee that you’ll enter satori in 60 minutes, but you will get to play around with ways to go beyond the contracted ego state for a more panoramic experience in the here & now.
These sessions go into areas that could be called ‘spiritual’ (although I tend not to use that word) so it’s worth saying that you can expect your views and beliefs to be respected and included in a process of open inquiry and reflection which is based on direct experience.
What will you get out if it?
– New friends who are waking up, growing up and showing up
– Practices the help you to be more present and relaxed
– A perspective on life that goes beyond the self story, doubt and fear
– A chance to laugh together. Honestly, the truth is hilarious.
Details
– Online, On Zoom
– Thursday 14 March
– 4pm to 5:15pm UK time (75 mins)
– Free
You’ll find the Zoom link in the confirmation email.
About the teacher
Alex Menhams runs these sessions and he likes to explore awareness, presence and identity by playing around with direct experience and reflecting on what comes up.
He is a student of Eastern spiritual ecology through Taoism, Qigong and Ch’an (early Zen) and values values lightness and laughter in the conversation with life. The Here & Now logo is a riff on yinyang.
Alex is an experienced facilitator who creates a friendly space where people can learn, connect, experiment, play, create and simply be.
Why the picture of a frog on a lillypad?
It reminds me of a haiku by Basho:
The old pond,
A frog jumps in
Plop!
