A six month intensive meditation course on Zoom led by Singhashri and Balajit. For those with at least six months meditation experience.
Course Description
I am because we are is a traditional saying from the African Ubuntu tradition invoking the truth of interconnectedness and the promise of beloved community.
“We will not end…any form of human evil…by trying to tear it to pieces. Instead, we can offer people better ways to belong and better things to belong to.”
- Resmaa Menakem, My Grandmother's Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Mending of Our Bodies and Hearts
We all yearn to find and engage with others in spaces of deep meaning and heart-felt belonging, where we are each doing our own work in authentic connection with one another.
This is the ideal of Beloved Community.
Our dharma practice provides a crucible where we hold the tension between our ideals and what is happening now, which sometimes feels very far from our ideals.
How do we show up for ourselves and others with an attitude of openness and curiosity, willing to see clearly the parts of us that are both longing for freedom and those still in the shadows, confused, or actively resisting change?
This question is relevant to both how we work internally and also how we engage in beloved community. It is the ground from which true inclusivity can take root, grow and flourish, creating beloved community from the inside out.
Over this six months we’ll explore:
Our vision for liberation for ourselves and others and our intentions for practicing
How our unique conditioning shows up in the space of meditation and how we relate to what’s happening now
Embodiment as a radical act
The role of joy and pleasure in opening to ourselves, one another and the world
How a creative response to fear, grief, shame and anger can support our efforts towards collective liberation
The co-created and interconnected nature of experience and reality
For those with at least six months meditation experience interested in deepening their personal and collective practice at the intersection of Dharma, somatics, and social and environmental justice.
Course Dates
Please note: The course starts with a two hour orientation from 7-9pm GMT on Monday, Sept 29th.
We will meet on Zoom every 4-5 weeks from 10:30am-4:30pm GMT (with breaks). Please note there are two sessions in November and no session in December.
Oct 5th
Nov 2nd
Nov 30th
Jan 4th
Feb 1st
Mar 1st
In addition to scheduled Zoom sessions, the course will also include:
A two hour orientation from 7-9pm GMT on Monday, Sept 29th
Monthly 20 minute one-to-one practice reviews with Singhashri or Balajit (five reviews in total)
Reading material excerpted from a draft of the forthcoming publication - The Radical Embrace, by Singhashri
Audio recordings of each session, with additional resources
Option to join a Signal group for those on the course to connect with and support one another on our collective journey
Invitation to join the Radical Embracers Facebook group for all those who have been or are currently on retreat or a course with us
Dana
This course is offered on a dana (donations) basis. Please give what you can and only if you can. Those who give the maximum amount (or more!) make it possible for others with less financial resources to attend.
No one turned away for lack of funds.
Suggested donation amounts depending on your circumstances:
Waged - £525
Student/benefits - £350
Unwaged - £175
We’re also happy to receive donations in installments over time, in amounts and over time periods that work for you. Please reach out to us to arrange.
We ask for a £25-50 donation to reserve your space on the course. Once you’ve registered, we’ll send you bank details to give. Once your donation has been received we will approve your registration and you’ll receive email confirmation from Zoom.
If you are unable to make an initial donation because of financial hardship, please reach out. We really don’t want a lack of resources to inhibit your ability to participate on the course.
To book
Spaces are limited to 24 to ensure we can build a strong sense of connection and safety as a group and meaningfully support each participant. Therefore, please reflect on whether this is the right time to commit to a course like this and ensure you can attend all sessions before booking.
If you have any questions about whether this is the right course for you or challenges with any of the dates, please do write to us and we can explore together.
You can reach us at singhashri@radicalembrace.org