Meaningful Conversations Exploring the Inner Journey
2nd Thursday of each month • 6:30 to 8:00pm
Be part of our ongoing circle of conversation where, each month, we explore stimulating subjects that could affect our quality of life and vitality. What are some options to inject meaning into our lives and move us farther along our paths?
Many of the spiritual authors encourage us to find purpose for being alive, one that offers a vibrant, juicy life. That purpose can be bold and noble, as in service to the planet, and it can be small and intimate, offering personal fulfillment and joy.
TALK CIRCLE offers options for self-exploration and the roles they can play in our lives and our spiritual growth, contributing to a meaningful life.
Each monthly topic focuses on a guest or two who concentrate in that field and can offer insight to its workings, and benefits derived. Group conversation is encouraged and is open to Q & A while also being facilitated by Joyce Richman, a former TV program producer & executive.
October 8th we're going to be delving a bit into the philosophy of Ayurveda Medicine, its practices and its lifestyle with Mary June Thompson. She owns Breezeway Yoga, is a Certified Ayurveda Wisdom Practitioner, Yoga teacher, Holistic Health & Wellness educator as well as a Reiki Practitioner and Certified Sound Healer.
Ayurveda is an ancient traditional medical system from India that focuses on balancing the body, mind, and spirit to promote health and prevent illness. Deepak Chopra wrote a book about it called PERFECT HEALTH where he writes the purpose of Ayurveda is to tell us how our lives can be influenced, shaped, extended and ultimately controlled without interference from sickness in old age.
The guiding principle – the mind exerts the deepest influence on the body, & freedom from sickness depends on contacting our awareness, bringing it into balance & extending that balance to the body. The state of balanced awareness, more than any kind of physical immunity, creates a higher state of health.
Ayurveda is comprised of DOSHAS or elements of earth, water, fire, ether & earth and all body types consist of a mixture of those elements organized into 3 main types: VATTA, PITTA and KAPHA. You can visit lifespa.com to take a quiz to determine your main DOSHA body type. We'll be going over those DOSHAS on Thursday night.
Plus we'll learn from Mary June about aromatherapy and certain essential oils she uses to address particular issues with the mind and body. She'll bring some for us to smell.
It promises to be another dynamic evening filled with rich information and good conversation! As always, that conversation is made richer through your comments and questions. I encourage you to determine your dosha before we meet. It's really interesting because you'll also learn what they mean for you.
Hosted by Joyce Richman
As a former non-fiction TV program creator, producer, director and executive – she produced hundreds of talk show hours as well as many series & specials. Joyce worked in Pittsburgh, Boston and Chicago, for national syndication, and, after producing two series in Chicago for HGTV’s inaugural year, was recruited to Knoxville as their first Director of Programming and later VP. She’s retired from the business.
Joyce also recently facilitated the book discussion at MLC, LIVING TAO by Ilchi Lee.
Planned Talk Circles
Topics may change based on scheduling and availability of guest speakers.
FEBRUARY 12 - What defines a meaningful life?
MARCH 12 - What is past life regression and how might it heal a person’s current life?
APRIL 9 - Buddhism, its premise and its fundamentals
IMPORTANT: May meeting will be 6pm at Ijams Nature Center
MAY 14 - Sylvotherapy – or forest bathing
Related to Taoist practices, revering nature and becoming enveloped by it is the basic premise to forest bathing. Suggested reading - “The Hidden Life of Trees –what they feel, how they communicate” by Michael Wohlleben. We may also schedule a day retreat in the Smokies for a forest bathing session.
JUNE 11 - No meeting
JULY 9 - Life Coach, what role can they play in one’s search for direction?
AUGUST 13 – Taoism or Daoism – its premise as connection to the nature of things
SEPTEMBER 10 - Energy healing modalities: sound baths & Reiki.
OCTOBER 8 - Aromatherapy – its benefits
NOVEMBER 12 - Acupuncture – why, how and when?
DECEMBER 10 - TBD