Gathering - Christmas Pot Luck

This Sunday we will have a Christmas Day pot luck. If you have no where to go that evening, or have had enough of relatives, come join us. This will be an informal gathering - no program, but we might do some singing or whatever we feel like doing.

NOTE DIFFERENT STARTING TIME: The house will be open at 5:30 this time, and the pot luck will start around 6:30. Please bring food to feed 5-6 people. If you can cook, please bring a main or side dish - we'll leave desserts and drinks for the non-cooks among us. Let me know what you are going to bring when you RSVP so I can keep a loose track on how much of what items we have.

Hope to see you Sunday!

Gathering - Sunday, 12/18 - EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique)

This Sunday, Michael Smith will present and demonstrate EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique).
"Many people bar themselves from health, healing and happiness by allowing negative emotions to linger and grow inside. They don't understand that emotional well-being is essential to physical health, or the medical establishment has conned them into believing they must shell out thousands of dollars for conventional psychological care. One answer is EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) which is psychological acupressure, a simple and proven way to eliminate the negative emotions barring you from a full and healthy life. You can learn how to do it in 5 minutes and we will spend the rest of the workshop practicing and releasing negative emotions in the group."

Gathering - Sunday, 12/11 - Contact Improv

I will be giving an introduction to Contact Improv, a wonderful form of gentle movement to music while in contact with another person. No experience necessary - dress for movement and flexibility. Space is limited, so RSVP's are appreciated for this event.

Shalom Retreat - 12/9-11

A Shalom Retreat is an intensive growth experience set in a loving and supportive community. This is a transformative weekend retreat from Shalom Mountain, a study and retreat center located in the Catskill Mountains. The retreat will be held here in Virginia this weekend, and includes lodging and meals. Click here for more information about Shalom Retreats.

Gathering - Sunday, 11/27 - Sing and Share

This week we will have a more casual gathering of singing and sharing. We will start with some time to share what is happening in our lives, what we are learning, and how we are growing. Then we will do some singing - bring an instrument for sing-alongs. We will end with some of the songs from the chapel in Winchester.

Gathering - Sunday, 11/20 - Longing for Happiness

This week, we will look at what makes us happy. Some questions to think about: What role does pleasure play in being happy? What role does personal fulfillment play? Is happiness found in the moment or in accomplishment of future goals? What do you really long for? We will have some sharing as well as experiential exercises. Come and join us.

Annual Autumn Leaf Pile Jumping Party 11/12

The Annual Autumn Leaf Pile Jumping Party Saturday, November 12th, 2005, 3:00 PM - 12:00 PM

You are enthusiastically invited to the Annual Autumn Leaf Pile Jumping Party, taking place at my home in Vienna, Virginia. This is an open invitation - you are welcome to invite your friends. And kids are especially welcome!

When is the last time you jumped into a large pile of leaves? Has it been years? Well, here's your chance. I am collecting leaves from the entire neighborhood, and you are invited to come and jump, roll, play and frolic. We might even allow the kids to play too! We will also have hot spiced cider, hot chocolate, and some other traditional fall things.

Very approximate schedule:

3:00 leaf pile jumping, hot cider
5:00 potluck dinner
7:00 autumn ritual
8:00 chatting, hot tub

You are welcome to come to part or all of the event.

LEAF PILE A chance for everyone to get loose and silly, and have a lot of fun. A note from the experienced: sweaters can gather a lot of leaf fragments that are hard to get out. You may want to wear something less porous.

POT LUCK Bring a dish to feed 5 people - main/side dishes especially welcome.

AUTUMN RITUAL This time of year is traditionally the final harvest celebration of the agricultural year. As the plants began to die and the weather turned colder it was natural to become introspective. It is also the first holiday of the Celts, who believed that the veil between the world of the living and the world of the dead was thinnest at this time of year.

We will have a simple ceremony where we reflect on the necessity to let go of things in our lives that have passed on, and to look at our own impermanence , preparing us to let go of the old before we welcome the new at the turning of the year. You are welcome to join us for this moment of introspection.

HOT TUB After the ritual will be a time of socializing, and we will open the hot tub, which is clothing-optional. You are welcome to wear what you want - most people don't use swimsuits. Towels are provided.

In case of bad weather, please call before you come.

Hope to see you there!

Gathering - Sunday, 11/6 - Imago Therapy

This week, Randy Goldberg and Thierry Barston will give an introduction to Imago relationship therapy, and there will be time to practice the technique. Imago focuses on building trust in relationships by teaching some communication skills which very quickly create a feeling of safety. The website, http://www.imagotherapy.com has more information.

Gathering - Sunday, 10/30 - A Taste of TLC

Many of us occassionally go to an eclectic newage chapel in Winchester called The Lord's Chapel, or TLC. This Sunday, we will take some of the typical elements of the Chapel and bring them to the gathering. We will start off with some silent meditation, sing some songs, have a period of greeting each other, do a healing circle and have a time of sharing. Please join us for this special experience.

Gathering - Sunday, 10/23 - Experiencing Oneness

This Sunday, we will look again at separation and oneness - this time with an emphasis on the experiential. What causes us to feel oneness and connection with others? What causes us to feel separate and alone? Do we feel accepted by others? Do we feel accepted by ourselves? Do we feel safe in the presence of others? Do we feel safe on the earth?

Come join us for an exploration of discovering our oneness.

Older Events

I am slowly converting the event announcements from the old format. To see events older than the last one, go to http://freeheart.net/freeheart/gatherings.html.

Directions

DIRECTIONS: From the DC beltway, take 66 west to the first exit, Nutley St, towards Vienna. Go one mile and cross Rt. 123, then turn left on Windover Ave.  I'm in the last unit of the first building on the left, 548 Windover Ave. Park on the street, come down the sidewalk, and come around the end to the back entrance. Phone: 703 255 1009.

Freeheart Gathering details

Freeheart Gatherings are a place where people gather who are seeking a richer physical, emotional, and spiritual life. Unless otherwise stated, events take place in Vienna from 7 - 9:30 PM on Sunday nights. Gatherings are free, and donations for expenses are also welcome. Bring a snacks or drink to share. Topics are usually announced a few days before the event.

All Freeheart Gatherings are open, and you are welcome to forward send the announcement to others. Click here to join our mailing list. To be removed, click here. We also have an email chat list for those who come actively to the gatherings - let us know if you're interested.

Our usual schedule:

6:30 - arrive: Help set up, snack, chat, and dance.
7:00 - program: Please arrive on time.
9:30 - hot tub: For anyone interested.

RSVP: I appreciate knowing how many are coming - to reply, go to Freeheart Events and click on comments under the announcement.

Click here for directions to the Gathering.