Evolving Your"Self": The Whole Person's Journey workshops:
Thursday February 18th
07:00 pm- 10:00 pm Men's Forum $25
Friday February 19th
09:00 am - 10:00 am Osho's Dynamic Meditation $25
11:00 am - 05:00 pm Transformational Coaching $120 for 1.5hrs (only 4 available)
07:00 pm - 08:00 pm FREE Intro Talk: The Essentials of Spiritual Work:
The Whole Person's Journey
08:00 pm - 10:30 pm SuperEgo: Stop Beating Yourself Up:
An Experiential method to stopping Self Attacks $45
Saturday February 20th
09:00 am - 10:00 am Osho's Dynamic Meditation $25
11:00 am - 02:30 pm Big Mind $45
03:30 pm - 06:30 pm Out of the Shadows: Bringing our Anger into the Light $45
08:00 pm - 10:00 pm 5 Elemental Dance $25
Sunday February 21st
10:00 am - 11:00 am Osho's Dynamic Meditation (community class)
12:30 pm - 03:30 pm Language of Love Couple's Workshop $60/couple
05:30 pm - 07:00 pm Meditation Through Kata: The Secrets of Sanchin $25
07:15 pm - 08:30 pm Holotrophic Breathing Session $25
OSHO'S DYNAMIC MEDITATION: One of Osho's most popular andwidely used, &  vigoroustechniques, this one hour dynamic meditation is a great outlet fortension and withheld emotions & is an effective way to re-energize the body/mind
system. This meditation occurs in 5 stages with the first 3 stages lasting ten minutes and the last 2 stages lasting 15 minutes. This meditation is designed to stretch the individual's capacity tobe present, alert, going beyond what one thinks is their physical limits and, getting completely out of the mind. Throughout this hour, there will be a combination of vigorous breathing, using the voice, totally letting go and/or "letting the lid off", sacred dancing & silent meditation. Participants are encouraged to bring water and wear comfortable, loose clothing. This intense form of meditation is for anyone who is wanting a physical and mental challenge to their spiritual practice or who has difficulty with sitting still in silence.
SACRED MANHOOD AND THE MATURE MASCULINE: A GATHERING OF MEN
 If you are a man who is seeking truth, guidance and brotherhood on the path to wholeness then come be a part of the second gathering of "the men of Thunder Bay" at The Bodymind Centre.
All men who attended the last gathering along with their friends are invited to this evening's workshop where we will explore and discover our sacred and mature masculine. This 3 hour workshop will be interactive, challenging, supportive and experiential. So bring your willingness, your courage, your sense of humour, your heart and your love for truth.
STOP BEATING YOURSELF UP: AN EXPERIENTIAL METHOD TO STOPPING SELF ATTACKS.
 Are you tired of the constant barrage of negative thoughts and internal criticisms which undermine your confidence, attack your character, drain your energy and lower your self-esteem? Do you find yourself seeking most of your sense of worth in the approval of others, what you have, or how you appear to others? Do you compare yourself to how other people do things, what they have, and sometimes feel jealous or envious? Are you sometimes just not comfortable in your own skin and don't know the reason why?
The answer to these questions may be right under your very nose! For most people these difficulties are what is believed to be the "normal" state of affairs and is considered just part of everyday life. And yet, when any of us find ourselves in these difficulties, the obvious is, we suffer needlessly! The reason for this needless suffering is that we are all to some degree or another identified with the content of what Freud called the SuperEgo" or Internal Judgments of ourselves. This unconscious force in all of usconstantly evaluates and assesses our worth as human beings and therefore limits our capacity to be alive & present in this moment. In this process, we become more identified with the body and these evaluations & experience ourselves less as a soul or consciousness itself.
This workshop represents one the core frameworks or tools in "spiritual work" and is essential for anyone's pursuit towards personal and spiritual growth. To be able to know and identify with one's soul nature or expand one's consciousness, one has to be able to be able to deal with this part of the mind which is in direct opposition to this basic knowing. It is essential for the true seeker of enlightenment and freedom to address and face the content of this "programmed, conditioned and
domesticated mind which forms what Don Miguel calls the "Book of Law" which gets reinforced by this SuperEgo and its Judgments. We are able to connect with Spirit/Consciousness/Soul when we allow ourselves to be in contact with our direct experience of "what is" & not what our "mental
conditioning" says it should be.
This three hour workshop will accomplish this through several processes. Participants will be asked to bring a journal for the self-reflective writing portion which will be used throughout the workshop.
This workshop will also involve two experiential methods towards the identication & stopping of self-attacks which are "dydadic sharing" and the use of "presencing". Participants can expect to leave this workshop with greater clarity of what holds them back in life, a greater sense of empowerment, tools to address & stop self-defeating patterns & handouts outlining this core framework in spiritual work.
 Connecting Through Big Mind Grounded in the work of Genpo Roshi, aZen Buddhist monkand Hal and Sidra Stone, creators of the "Voice Dialogue" method, this workshop will help participants develop a capacity to observe & work with various aspects of the "dualistic mind" from the perspective of Big Mind. By learning to see these different aspects of the mind, we learn to detach ourselves from them & begin to realize that we are not who we "think" we are.
This becomes possible through a remembering & reorientation to Big Mind. That part of our being that is ever present, ever aware, ever connected as pure
consciousness to the vastness of who & what we are beyond conditioned thought. From this knowing, participants will take away an integrated approach of how to achieve greater understanding, compassion, & awareness of the parts of the self that are usually disowned & kept out of consciousness. By bringing these disowned parts of the self back into consciousness, one frees up vital energy within the "body/mind" system which can be redirected towards experiences of greater joy, & fuller living. A participant can expect to leave this workshop with increase self-awareness, a fuller understanding and connection to the transcendent part of the mind, & practical tools in their ongoing search for personal development, wholeness and freedom.
OUT OF THE SHADOWS: BRINGING OUR ANGER INTO THE LIGHT
 Many people on the spiritual path have difficulty with this emotion.
Anger is often one of the most disowned and suppressed emotions for both men and women because of our cultural, religious and familial conditioning around this very intense and what can be a very frightening side of our nature. Because many of us have been taught to fear this emotion, both in ourselves and in others, it often becomes a part of the "shadow self" resulting in physical, emotional and mental symptoms.
A spiritually aware and psychologically healthy person is able to identify, feel, process and express this primary emotion in situations and with people that is proportional to the injustice and violation done to the "self". Such expression is inherently empowering when done with conscious and loving intent. Such a
person also strives to bring into her/his life a framework, practice or support that will allow him/her to move this intense energy from the body/mind into the open space of consciousness where no one gets harmed and where resolution of the inner or outer conflict can take place.
This dynamic two and a half hour workshop will provide participants with an experience & opportunity to explore and learn about their own anger. The process will begin with a Dharma talk which will set the stage and form the energetic bubble for the work. Participants will then be lead through a self-inquiry process where past conditioning and beliefs about anger will be brought to awareness through self-reflective writing. The process will then shift to a more experiential dimension where body-centred techniques for grounding and emotional release will be introduced. Participants will also be introduced to a "Gestalt, two-chair" exercise where each will have the opportunity to further
integrate the "angry self" by having a dialogue with their "angry self". Participants are asked to bring a journey/pen and a symbol that helps them feel internally supported. Examples of symbols may be a picture of someone important (i,e,) a parent, a spiritual teacher, a spouse, a child or other symbols such as, an eagle feather, a wedding ring, a piece of clothing, crystals, a piece of art, praye beeds, tibetan chimes, angel/soul/tarot cards, etc.
 5 ELEMENT DANCE MEDITATION: Within traditional Chinese philosophy, all natural phenomenon can be classified into the "Wu Xing" or 5 phases. These are usually translated into the five elements. It is understood within this tradition that we have all five elements within us however one element tends to dominate in our orientation & expression in the world. This meditation will be facilitated both with music and the voice to create a bubble of safety where inner exploration can take place & self-imposed limits can be encountered and transcended if one chooses.
The Five Elements are:
EARTH: Warmth, Connection, Nurturing, Touch, Caring, and Love.
FIRE: Passion, Exuberance, Spontaneity, Play, Ecstasy, Joy.
METAL: Precision, Clarity, Zen, Insight, Letting Go, Simplicity.
WOOD: Forward Moving, Breaking Through, Intensity, Directness, Extreme Yang energy.
WATER: Stillness, Depth, Listening, Being Present, Meditation, Being, Yin Energy.
"HOW DO I GET THROUGH TO YOU?:
A COUPLE'S GUIDE TO LEARNING THE LANGUAGE OF LOVE"
 Are you wanting to feel more love in yourrelationship? Do you wish that communication was easier between you? Have you ever wondered why your attempts at making your spouse happy don't quite hit the mark? Then, have you ever considered whether you are speaking your partner's love language? Many couples these days expect a great deal from their primary relationships to meet their adult needs for love and often don't understand or know the unique way their partner actually "experiences love".
Within this workshop, couples will be introduced to three practical tools that will both enhance emotional connection and resonance, & sharpen their understanding of how the other experiences love. The first phase will begin with familiarizing participants with the "Five Love Languages" created by Gary Chapman from his best selling book, "The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate". By filling out a questionnaire & establishing their own Love Language profile. The second phase will involve teaching participants an advanced communication tool referred to as the "Internalized Other". This technique will give participants the opportunity to stretch their emotional selves by taking the perspective of their spouse to create an inner "resonance" with their partner's expressed or unexpressed love language. The final phase of the workshop will involve an "acknowledgment circle" where each couple will get to practice one of the most powerful love languages through acknowledgement.
This workshop will be both experiential & psych-educational in nature.
MEDITATION THROUGH KATA: THE SECRETS OF SANCHIN
 The spiritual, philosophical and physical path of martial arts has always taught that enlightenment and self development are achieved through an ability to focus and
discipline one's mind, body and emotions. Within this path, the discipline& practices of kata has been an invaluable and essential part of achieving transcendental states like what the Japanese refer to as "mushin" or no mind, and the building of chi where the practitioner is able to move beyond negative
self-defeating thoughts through total focus and being in the present. This workshop will teach participants a different form of meditation through a series of patterned movements and the use of dynamic tension where, one tenses and relaxes the body while using the breath throughout to stay focused and create a meditative state. This workshop is for anyone who wants to incorporate a little martial arts into their spiritual practice and for those who are inclined towards the rigorous side of meditation. All those participating in this workshop are invited to participate at their own level of exertion. Participants are asked to where lose, comfortable clothing.
 HOLOTROPHIC BREATHWORK SESSION
For thousands of years, breath has been used in eastern spiritual practices as a means of healing, energizing and restoring the body/mind system. Western culture is beginning to understand and appreciate the usefulness and importance of this ever present and vital function of our being in the promotion of health and awareness in the human condition. This one hour breathwork session is designed to take the participant on an intense inner journey towards expanded consciousness, emotional release and connection to the deeper parts of the self. This session will be facilitated both with music and the voice to create two separate experiences within the person. In the first phase of the session, participants will be encouraged to build their energy and momentum with full body breathing to a maximum peak of exertion & release. In the second phase, the process shifts towards a deep meditation and exploration of emotions, body sensations and clarity of awareness.
This session is for anyone who has already done breathwork and for those who have not had any experience. Participants will be encouraged to go beyond their perceived limits and will also be respected for whatever level of exertion they are capable of. This session may also be used for physical and emotional health benefits or deepening one's experience of the transcendent.
Dear Erin
I just wanted to drop a line and let you know the impact the Jack
Lafleur workshops had on me. I attended the Mens 2 hour workshop on sat night and was excited enough from what I heard and experienced that my wife, Elaine and I travelled to Ottawa for an intensive 3 day workshop with Jack as one of the main facilitators. It was amazing and
life changing. I have attended workshops of all types for 30 years and this was by far the best weekend workshop. Jack is great at facilitating workshops that encourage you to find the real beautiful you. I am on top of a great wave and plan with continuing hard work to stay there. Thanks Erin and the Bodymind Centre for having the foresight and wisdom to bring such meaningful and life changing workshops to Thunder Bay.
Brian Seargeant |
