Encounter
Discovering the sacredness of your connections
When you step off the spiritual path that was given to you, it can feel challenging to know where to go. What does an authentic expression of spirituality look like now?
To explore this question, we’ll start at the heart of spirituality: the reality of our interconnectedness.
We’ll consider four dimensions of this relational reality.
Through reflection, practices, and dialogue, you’ll discover what each dimension reveals about your spiritual path and the expression of spirituality that is uniquely yours.
What to Expect
You are the authority on your own spirituality. To that end, our exploration will center your instincts, experiences, and inner voice through introspective reflection prompts and story-sharing. Your life will be the primary source for learning.
Self-Discovery
Spiritual Practices
We will engage in practices to further our discovery of the Sacred held within our relationships to ourselves, others, the land, and something bigger. The four practices will use inclusive language, not tied to any religious tradition.
While we each have our own spiritual paths to walk, we will be comrades in the journey, caring for one another and honoring our different experiences. We will be co-learners, receiving the gift of each other’s perspectives and insights on any given topic.
Earnest Community
Sometimes it can be helpful to hear from a diverse range of perspectives to begin to imagine what’s possible. For each relational dimension we explore, there will be optional readings representing expansive, inclusive streams of spirituality.
Alternative Perspectives
Vibe FAQs
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Anyone who is…
1) curious about different spiritual practices and perspectives
2) willing to reflect on their internal world and external experiences
3) hoping to contribute to and receive from a community of mutual learning and care
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Each session will always start with a check-in. Depending on the week, the flow will be a bit different.
On reflection weeks, after our check-in, we’ll have a time of sharing our responses to the reflection prompt. We’ll then have the chance to resonate with one another or say anything else on our mind. From there, we’ll have a free-form discussion about the readings and any further thoughts on the topic.
On practice weeks, after our check-in, we’ll do a practice. We’ll then share our experiences of the practice and debrief together.
Every week will end with a round of gratitude + takeaways.
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In order to give everyone space to share and connect meaningfully, the cohort will only have 6-8 people.
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Each person, upon committing to participate, must also agree to the community commitments and will receive a detailed version. Here is the abbreviated version:
Honor people’s journey
Be fully present
Respond with empathy and compassion
Center your own experience
Practice perspective-taking
Affirm each other’s belovedness & identity
Get curious
Respect double confidentiality
If you’d like to see the more detailed version before registering, please let me know.
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The readings will be optional because I know not everyone has the time or inclination and because certain topics might land differently with some folks than others. You always have agency to opt in or out based on what you need!
The readings will include schools of thought like womanist theology, process theology, Celtic spirituality, liberation theology, etc. These perspectives are simply one more avenue of exploration. You can disregard them, challenge them, question them, or love them. I trust your spirit to discern what you need from something and let everything else go.
Probably 75% of the perspectives will come from expansive, inclusive streams of Christianity. However, I want to reiterate that there is absolutely zero expectation for your spiritual journey to include Christianity. The container of this cohort is designed to hold a wide array of spiritual expression as the majority of our time will be focused on your reflections and your experience of the non-religious spiritual practices. We will expand and grow alongside one another and be all the more enriched because of our varying journeys.
Logistic FAQs
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We will meet every other Thursday for 10 sessions beginning on August 13. Each session will meet from 5:30pm PT-7pmPT (6:30pmMT-8pmPT, 7:30pmCT-9pmCT).
The full dates are August 13 & 27, September 10 & 24, October 8 & 22, November 5 & 19, and December 3 & 17.
This is a virtual cohort on Zoom.
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In an effort toward economic justice and equity, there are four pricing tiers depending on your financial status. This is inspired by the work of Alexis J Cunningfolk and the green bottle system.
Full Bottle – Standard Rate: $1,000
Designed for those with access to savings, stable income, and financial flexibility
Covers all program costs for an individual's participation
Mostly Full Bottle – Reduced Rate: $750
Designed for those with moderate financial stability
Covers baseline costs for participation
Half Full Bottle - Supported Rate: $300
Designed for those experiencing financial constraints i.e. who have limited savings, limited expendable income, and may stress about meeting basic needs but can regularly meet them
For those who would not be able to participate otherwise
Least Full Bottle - Scholarship Rate: $100
Designed for those experiencing financial instability i.e. those who are unemployed, who are unable to meet basic needs consistently
For those who would not be able to participate otherwise
Upon registering, you will receive more information about payment.
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To register, fill out the form below. I will follow-up with you with payment information.
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I’d be glad to answer any questions or speak to any concerns! You can set up a meeting with me through this link . It’s important to me that you know what to expect from Encounter and that you feel supported throughout the whole process!