Practices for These Times:
Sit in community on Saturdays in April with Deidra
Virtual only 11am-12pm CT
Drop-ins are welcome, and you will get the most benefit from attending all four weeks.
Description
If you’re having a hard time right now, you’re not the only one.
There’s a lot of madness, vitriol, and chaos in our world right now. It’s especially difficult for those of us who value peace, equity and compassion for all people and for the natural world.
My hope for this four-week group is for us to be able to be in community and to collectively build our capacity to handle challenging times.
The first step is simply sitting together.
Each week there will be:
Guided meditations (see more details below in Q&A)
The opportunity to connect with others through a facilitated conversation
Practices to take home with you
This group is for:
People with no experience meditating as well as seasoned meditators
Sensitive people
Neurodivergent people
Queer people
People of color
Immigrants
Anyone who would like to join regardless of how much you are able to pay
If you’re curious about meditation and would like guidance to help you practice in a non-judgmental space or would simply like to connect with others, join us!
To protect group members’ privacy and to encourage openness in sharing, groups will not be recorded. This event will be live only -- on Zoom at 11am-12pm Central Time.
Question and Answer
What will each group look like?
-We will start with a very brief check-in.
-I’ll lead a guided meditation that will last anywhere from 5-15 minutes.
-Every week we’ll have a slightly different topic centering our conversation. I’ll introduce the topic and invite members to share anything they would like.
-I’ll offer some practices to take home with you.
-If time permits, we’ll close with one more meditation or other related practice.
What is guided meditation?
Because the mind has a tendency to go astray when it is quiet, many people find it easier to focus and relax when someone is guiding them. That’s my role – I’ll offer suggestions of things to pay attention to and what to do when your mind inevitably wanders off.
When we sit together, you can choose to keep your camera on or turn it off. You’ll be invited to close your eyes but you may leave them open. I’ll gently guide you through the practice, which might include turning attention to your breath and other anchors, progressive relaxation exercises, and the use of guided imagery.
Though this group will be appropriate for beginners, even experienced meditators benefit from others leading them in a meditation practice at times, so all are welcome.
What if I try meditating and don’t like it?
If you feel uncomfortable during our practice, you are free to open your eyes, get up, or take a break. Everything offered is optional. However, sometimes a bit of discomfort is to be expected as you’re learning a new skill.
What are the benefits of meditation?
There are many. A meditation practice is proven to decrease stress, improve our ability to focus, and increase awareness of our emotions and our ability to endure them. Meditation can also help us sleep, it can have benefits for our physical health, and it can positively impact our relationships. Importantly, meditation allows us to show up more fully in the world in order to do the difficult things that we need to do.
Registration
Click here to register.
Send Payment through
Venmo: @Deidra-Oloughlin
Email Deidra with any questions at deidra@deidraoloughlin.com
Equity Pricing
At Empowered Spaces we value community care, we are committed to making our offerings accessible, and we believe in leveraging our privilege and resources when we can in order to support one another. This Equity Pricing Scale acknowledges that as a result of systemic injustice our ability to pay for services, and access those services, varies. Choosing a rate that is accessible and meaningful is a justice-oriented practice that honors our interconnectedness.
Sustainer Rate - "I can pay my way" - $10 per class
Supporter Rate - "I can help support my community" - $15 per class
Community Rate - "I can use support from my community" - $5 per class
No one turned away! Empowered Spaces is committed to doing everything possible to make offerings accessible to everyone. To inquire about the Empowered Spaces Equity Scholarship please contact Kelly at kkcaul@yahoo.com.
Meet Deidra
Deidra is a psychotherapist in private practice and a yoga instructor at Empowered Spaces. She regularly practices insight-oriented meditation and leads others in meditation in a Vipassana group called Sunday Sangha St. Louis. She especially enjoys guiding people who are new to the practice. More information on her therapy practice here.