Embodied Relating Circle - Relatefulness
2024-01-21 18:00 - 19:30 (America/Chicago) | Living Water Community Center, 1000 Westover Hills Blvd, Richmond, VA, 23225, United States
An Embodied Relating Circle is an interpersonal meditation practice, that explores the relational dynamics that occur in real time within a group.
It is a space where we get to slow down and really notice, what is happening in my body? How is my nervous system responding? Am I grounded and present? Am I in flight, fright, freeze or faun? What expression is my body asking for? Do I feel safe to express it? What am I afraid might happen if I do? Can I reveal my motivations and intentions of why I want to do something, rather than just doing it? What is it like to own my experience in real time, rather than project or make claims about others?
In this space we are practicing bringing an open curious view on what is happening, noticing our patterns and reactions, naming them, speaking for them, rather than acting out of them.
In the Internal Family Systems model as well as several mindfulness modalities there is an idea that there is Self that is our present-day adult integrated self. We can sometimes relate from that place and often we have different parts of us who are playing out different patterns and defenses, or who feel wounded and vulnerable. This will be a space where we will practice knowing what it’s like to relate to each other from our Self (what IFS calls self-leadership) and how to speak for the parts of us that we notice. Where we will learn skills and tools to hold each other in curiosity and compassion, and to create space for our parts to be seen and understood. Where we will practice showing who we really are and allow ourselves to be seen in that as well.
There is a mystery that unfolds with each group and each practice. Taking the group somewhere that we go together, trusting the wisdom and the intelligence of the group without a forced agenda.
There is a practice I have done for many years called Circling and Authentic Relating, which a present moment focused relational meditation practice. There are things I have loved about this practice and things I have not. I will be doing something similar here but that brings a lense on oppression and relative positions of power and privilege, that is trauma informed, and that is influenced by IFS parts work. It is a practice of deep learning about our relational parts and patterns, vulnerability, and of healing and integration.
Circling is a form of relational meditation that involves a group of people sitting in a circle and taking turns speaking and listening to one another. The goal of the practice is to promote deeper connections and understanding between individuals, and to foster a sense of community and support. Each person in the circle is encouraged to speak authentically and openly about their thoughts, feelings, and experiences, while the others listen attentively and respond with empathy and understanding.
In Circling, participants are encouraged to speak from their personal experience and to share their true thoughts and feelings without judgment or criticism. The listening and responding are done with a focus on empathy, which means understanding and relating to the other person’s experiences, rather than trying to fix or change them. The facilitator may guide the group in using specific techniques to foster deeper connections, such as active listening, mirroring, and reflection.
One of the main goals of Circling is to promote a sense of connection and understanding between individuals, and to create a safe and supportive space for people to be vulnerable and authentic. The practice is said to be beneficial for personal growth and development, as well as for building stronger relationships and communities. Some people also use Circling as a way to explore and understand their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors.
Circling can be done with people who are strangers, friends, or even with family. It can be done with a small or large group, and can be tailored to specific needs and goals. It’s also worth mentioning that it is not a form of therapy, but rather a form of personal development, connection and exploration.
Space will be limited to max 10 participants to allow for an intimate experience. I will be holding a few drop in Intro circles and once there is enough interest, I plan to do a multi week series with the same group so we can learn and go deep together.

Cello + Handpan Sound bath
2024-02-23 18:30 - 19:30 | Living Water Community Center, 1000 Westover Hills Blvd, Richmond, VA, 23225, United States
Cello meets handpan meets meditation. Join us in the upstairs meditation room of Living Water Community Center for a dreamy, somatic, harmonic meditation and mix of cello by LM and Danny on the handpan(s).
Disclaimer: Feelings of gooeyness are encouraged, but we also suggest you bringing your own yoga mats, pillows, blankets, travel mug of tea, etc. so you can get extra cozy! Kick off your weekend with us!
Suggested donation range of $25-10 sliding scale.

Energy Playland: With Nicole Parish and Danny Morris
2024-04-10 18:30 - 20:30 | Virtual
Postponed till a later date ….
Want to play in an Energy Playland? Come play with us!
To some degree or another we are all sensitive to the energy in our bodies, the energy in others and the energy is the space. Some of us were just born feeling it. Some of us developed a connection later in life. Some of us have had this reality reflected back to us and affirmed. Some of us have needed to learn to trust ourselves after being gaslight and conditioned to deny our own direct experience.
Whether you have had any training and education on energy or not, you feel it, you work with it, it impacts your life. In this Energy Playland you will be guided and held by Nicole Parish and Danny Morris to explore what is Energy? How do I support my selfcare when I’m impacted by it? How do I use it to support my life in ways that are in integrity? How can I connect and play with others in consensual ways?
We will put some shared language and frameworks around the intuitive knowing that you already have in your field. Answer your questions and attend to what is alive in the group. Explore different exercises and practices that will support your journey. And we will create community of people learning and practicing together.
This is an intro level exploration, not because you are a beginner or just starting to understand what energy is. But because maybe you never really talked about it with other people before? Maybe you feel it and know it, but don’t know how to talk about it? Maybe you have never had other people who believe what you’re experiencing? Maybe you never had guidance or support from others and have been figuring it out by yourself? Come join the exploration with us!

Nicole Parish is an International Psychic Medium, a person who communicates with the spirit realms and loved ones who have crossed over to the other side. In her one-on-one private and group readings Nicole connects with a person’s team of light to offer guidance, understanding, and love. To learn more or to schedule a reading, please go to her website or learn about her events on her Facebook group.
www.nicoleparish.com
https://www.facebook.com/groups/nicole.parish

Danny Z. Morris is a healer and a somatic + energetic alignment coach. Their work is to help individuals open, connect, and trust in order to heal.
“I’ve walked this path. In fact, I’m STILL walking this path towards awareness and transformation. My approach towards your healing weaves together the spiritual & energetic with the scientific and grounded, pulling from multiple modalities to find the right method for each individual. This unique approach has real impact as we integrate nervous system regulation, secure attachment, intimacy and energetics into a self-awareness framework using the power of meditation + somatic awareness to repattern. “
www.dannyzmorris.com
