Our new season begins in October 2023! Join us for Tai Chi and Qigong at the Regent Centre on Locke Street South.

Guided Meditation Sessions for Summer 2020

Hello everyone,

Guided meditation sessions will continue throughout the summer, on the full and new moons each month. These are mini-workshops, lasting two hours each, and include a check-in to see how everyone's doing, a discussion of the energies we'll be working with, a guided meditation, and post-meditation discussion. (Don't worry if that sounds like a lot! We take a break in the middle.) 

Guided meditation is a wonderful way to receive a fresh infusion of new positive energies. At a time when much of our input is distressing or negative, it's great to be in a position to receive something helpful. The discussions we have around the meditation are a wonderful source of insight into working with energy and receiving guidance. We learn from each other as we work together.

The next four sessions will continue the theme we started on Friday, June 5, as we began to explore the five Taoist virtues or positive traits, and by way of doing so, the five elements, and five aspects of spiritual energy, as outlined in traditional Chinese medicine. We began on the Strawberry Full Moon with metal element / lungs / the Po or "animal soul," which is responsible for reacting to situations as they arise. 

Don't worry if you missed the first one, or if you know you can't make all of the remaining meditations: each of these sessions stands alone, and is an in-depth exploration of a beneficial energy. As one of my mentors always says, you end up coming to the sessions that offer what you need! That may be all of them, or it may be that certain meditations resonate with you. 

If you're brand new, you're welcome to attend. If you've been to my classes or these meditations before, you're welcome to attend. Guided meditation sessions are $20 per session. 

Here's the schedule for the rest of the summer:


Sunday, June 21, 2020 New Moon
6-8(ish) pm
Water

There's a ton happening on this date! It's the first full day of summer, astrologically speaking—the solstice takes place on June 20th at 5:43 pm. In traditional calendars, the solstice marks midsummer, the time when the days are longest. On the 21st there will also be a special type of solar eclipse. When aligned with the sun, the moon will cover 99.4% of its surface, creating a ring of fire effect. In other words, it should look really cool. It won't be visible from North America, but keep an eye out for photos from parts of Africa, India, and China. 

For this session, we'll be working with the water element. Water governs the kidney / bladder systems. In Chinese medicine the kidneys store Essence, what Ted Kaptchuk calls the "deep, 'soft,' 'juicy' potential in living beings." They're also responsible for the will: the decisions and commitments we make, as well as the understanding that on some level we're connected to destiny. This meditation will help balance the will and access inner wisdom. 


Sunday, July 5, 2020 Full Moon
6-8(ish) pm
Wood  

This meditation falls on the full Buck moon, also known as the Thunder moon, named for the time of year when bucks' horns pick up speed in their growth and development, and the time when thunderstorms are most likely. This year the July moon rises on Saturday evening, and reaches peak illumination or fullness after midnight. There will be a penumbral eclipse on this day—the moon passes through the outer edge of the earth's shadow, making it appear darker between 11 pm and 2 am.

All of these eclipses enhance any energy work we might want to do. On this evening we'll work with the wood element, which governs the liver / gallbladder. Liver is responsible for the smooth flow of qi in the body. At its best, the liver creates an even disposition. It's connected to the non-corporeal soul or Hun, and is responsible for kindness, benevolence, and the ability to recognise the humanity in others. We'll work with this aspect of the soul to help establish an open, flexible and firm sense of our own boundaries. 


Monday, July 20, 2020 New Moon
6-8 (ish) pm
Fire

This is a less action-packed New Moon than the previous month! But we'll be in a fabulous element with fire. This meditation will focus on the heart, which is the organ that governs the connection between a person's spirit or shen and their daily actions. With this meditation, we'll work on developing appropriate and timely actions and reactions, ensuring that our heart energies are strong and supple enough to allow the big picture of Spirit to guide our choices.


Monday, August 3, 2020 Full Moon
6-8 (ish) pm
Earth

This final meditation of the summer takes place on the night of the full Sturgeon moon, the time when sturgeon are most readily caught. (That Old Farmer's Almanac link has a ton of other names for this moon, including "Blueberry Moon," if you prefer something less fishy!) This moon takes place two days after the traditional holiday of Lammas or Lughnasadh, which celebrated the first wheat harvest—it's a very significant time of year for celebrating the ripe fullness of the season in the Northern hemisphere, and a great time to complete our series with the earth element!

Earth governs the spleen, which is responsible for extracting and distributing Qi. In Chinese medicine, it's considered the primary organ of digestion. On a psychological level, the spleen rules our ability to see potentials, meaning, if it's in balance, we can consider possibilities, weigh our options, and make clear-headed decisions. In this meditation, we'll explore the concept of having enough, and help ourselves to meet the world with clarity and decisiveness. 

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