Compassionate Communication for Greater Connectedness

Chronic disconnection is a common experience for many of us. How often do our attempts to meaningfully engage with others leave us feeling a little dissatisfied or even empty? How often do we find ourselves closing off and guarding our hearts, when we would actually like them to be open and relaxed? The disappointment and sadness that result from this sense of isolation is something we can easily spend a lot of our time trying to medicate with media, food, substances, and so on.

Compassionate communication is like daybreak from this nighttime of loneliness, and it is accessible to everyone. It illuminates the universal feelings and needs foundational to the human experience, boldly advocates for their inherent innocence and preciousness, and teaches us how to recognize them in ourselves and in others. The result is a powerful experience of being clearly seen, deeply heard, and truly understood—first and foremost, by oneself.

Come and be equipped with the ability to experience deeper connectedness at any time by learning tools of empathy and compassion that will last a lifetime. Find greater clarity in how you express yourself, and gain confidence in how you respond to others and to the world. Most importantly, leave better attuned to the inner workings of your own mind and heart.
In this program we will explore:

What empathy is, and what empathy is not.
How to receive self-empathy, and how to offer empathy to others.
The value and usefulness of judgment and “selfishness.”
The intersection of compassionate communication and texts of the Yoga tradition.
Guided meditations and exercises to put empathy into practice.\

Schedule




FRIDAY



3–5 pm
Registration


5–6:30 pm
Mixed Level Hatha
Yoga Nidra
Meditation


6:30–7:15 pm
Dinner


7:30–9 pm
What Empathy Is Not



SATURDAY



6–7 am
Integral Yoga Meditation


7:10–8:40 am
Integral Yoga Hatha – Level 1
Integral Yoga Hatha – Level 2
Joint Freeing Series with Hope Mell


8–9:30 am
Breakfast


10–11:30 am
What Empathy Is


12–12:30 pm
Meditation at LOTUS


12:45–1:30 pm
Lunch


3–5 pm
Self-Empathy & “Selfishness”


5:30–6:15 pm
Dinner


7:30–9 pm
Satsang (gathering of the seekers of Truth)
Kirtan (Music & Chanting),
Video of Swami Satchidananda
Guest Speaker



SUNDAY



6–7 am
Integral Yoga Meditation


7:10–8:40 am
Integral Yoga Hatha – Level 1
Integral Yoga Hatha – Level 2


8–9:30 am
Breakfast


10–11:30 am
Ancient Compassion


12–12:30 pm
Meditation


12:45–1:30 pm
Lunch