Ongoing
Amma Satsang
MONTHLY SATSANG: The 1st Sunday of EVERY MONTH at 5:30pm*
FREE and Priceless.
Satsang is a Sanskrit word meaning a close association or companionship with a Self-Realized Soul. It can also refer to discussion or hearing of spiritual truths expressed by Self-Realized Masters. In the scorching heat of worldliness, being in the presence of a Master or a Master’s teachings is like a cool breeze in the shade of a huge tree. Although Amma is the inspiration for this particular gathering, devotees of all traditions are welcome.
Please join us as we gather with some of Amma’s longtime devotees for an inspiring evening of prayer, puja (sacred ceremony) and song. We often
begin the evening with a short video of Amma or her teachings, followed by a little song (bhajans/kirtan), meditation, and Aarati. In Sanskrit, the word arti – written as aarati – is composed of the prefix aa, meaning complete, and rati, meaning love. Aarti is thus an expression of one’s complete and unflinching love towards the Divine. It is sung and performed with a deep sense of reverence, adoration, and meditative awareness.
Known as The Hugging Saint, Amma (Mother) has physically hugged more than 34 million people from all parts of the world. Her tireless spirit of dedication to uplifting others over the past 38 years has inspired a vast network of charitable activities through which people are discovering the beauty and sense of peace that comes from selflessly serving others. We hope that you will join us in immersing ourSelves in the nectar of devotion and bringing boundless love to life here in Athens!
(It is customary to bring an offering to the symbolic feet of the Master…whether that be Amma or to whomever you bow, and offerings often include incense, flowers, fruit…whatever you would offer the Divine. Please know that this is not a requirement, just a tradition.)
For more information, please see the organization’s website at www.amma.org or call Meghan Madhavi Burke at (706) 613.1143
Insight Meditation
Every Tuesday 7-8:30pm
(meets on the ground level/first office on right)
This Vipasana Mediation group has been meeting at the Healing Arts Centre for 14 years and welcomes all levels of meditation experience. If you are new to meditation and would like an introduction, please contact David Kurtz (706)340-7288. This is a Dana (donation based) gathering.
TM Meditation Group
The first Sunday of every month at 4:30pm (meets in ground level meditation room). 
This gathering is for those who have completed the TM training and want to share a monthly meditation with other TM practitioners. We will hold a 20 minute group meditation and fellowship with other meditators. . It will be a chance for us to boost our practice and learn from each others’ experiences. We may also listen to teachings of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi who taught the Transcendental Meditation technique to thousands of people. Should only last 30-45 minutes. For more information, please contact Forrest Leffer (706) 338-4690. To learn more about Transcendental Meditation and how to receive that training, please contact Mark Cohen (404) 853-2560. www.tm.org
Past Events
Saturday, January 27th / 2pm onward
An Impromptu Glorious Chorus™
Low Pressure, High Pleasure
Elise leads sessions of glorious group singing, teaching in a style so easy that, before you know it, the room is in perfect harmony!
Drawing from her love of diverse melodies and rhythms, Elise may introduce a Brazilian samba, a Congolese storysong, an Italian round, or four-part harmonies from Zimbabwe.
There are lots of songs in English, including songs from the African American tradition, quirky rounds, food songs, Bobby McFerrin style Circle Songs, Elise originals, and lots more. All of the songs are broken down into easily learnable parts and become thrilling to sing in a group. Whether you’ve sung all your life or think you “can’t carry a tune in a bucket,” in no time at all, you’ll find yourself part of an Impromptu Glorious Chorus™.
Singers of all abilities, styles, and experience are welcome. No music reading required.
WORKSHOP: 2-5pm (Cost: $25-85 sliding scale, please be affordable & generous)
VEGETARIAN POTLUCK: 5:30pm (BYOB)
CONCERT: 7pm (Tickets: $15-55 sliding scale; included for participants)
Explore: Elise Witt
Saturday, January 20th at 8pm
An Enchanting Evening of Ambient Music featuring Matt Venuti …
Matt Venuti is an artist who truly defies categorization. He’s a singer-songwriter, a one-man ensemble and modern-day troubadour who tours much of the year. He’s a longtime bandleader and a masterful instrumentalist known for playing rare and captivating acoustic and electronic instruments. He’s also a video-artist/producer, a poet and storyteller. His lyrics speak a language inspired by a yearning for a deeper connection to the heart; to love itself, while the music can be described as mystical and entrancing, with strong melodic hooks and hypnotic grooves. He often enhances his solo shows with a looping device that allows him to create lush layers of cinematic and other-worldly sounds, effects and melodies. All performed in the moment and never pre-recorded.
Matt accompanies himself playing rare and captivating melodic-percussive acoustic instruments developed in Switzerland, as well as the highly expressive and dynamic Electronic Valve Instrument (EVI) wind synthesizer, He was among the first to explore both of these instruments and share them with the world. His singing voice fully compliments the instruments that he plays with a distinctive, warm inviting quality and dynamic range.
Visit Matt’s website at www.mattvenuti.com for more information, album releases and his highly acclaimed self-produced music videos. Most of Matt’s commercial recordings are available as CDs and digital downloads at the most popular sales sites.
7:30pm Reception with beverages & snacks -and Please, feel free to bring your own whatever makes you smile!
8pm Concert
$15 Advanced Reservations (Simply call 706.613.1143 or e-mail Sangha@healingartscentre.net)
$20 at the door
Friday, Jan. 19th / 5:30-6:30pm
A whole new Happy Hour is here…
Cultivating Peaceful Relations w/ John Lash
Fridays 5:30-6:30pm, Jan. 19th-Feb. 23rd
6 weeks/ $66
This 6 week Course is based on the principles of Nonviolent Communication (NVC). NVC begins by assuming that we are all compassionate by nature. NVC also assumes that we all share the same, basic human needs, and that each of our actions are a strategy to meet one or more of these needs. And perhaps somewhere along the road we picked up unkind habits taught and supported by the prevailing culture.
People who practice NVC have found greater authenticity in their communication, increased understanding, deepening connection and conflict resolution.
“Sometimes I forget that looking at conflict as an opportunity isn’t the common view. Most of us avoid conflict when we can. That isn’t always a bad strategy, but sometimes the cost can be high. Similarly, looking at justice questions through a restorative lens is still uncommon, though when I explain it to people they like the idea. The connection for me, based on my own life and on observing many others, is a fundamental and unshakeable faith in our human ability to change and to grow into ever better versions of ourselves. Given the skills and a safe space to work in, people will take responsibility for their actions, they will willingly listen to others, they will practice empathy and they will look for ways to contribute to others and to meet their own needs in ways that don’t harm others. This isn’t an idealistic dream; it’s my (mostly) daily experience.” JOHN LASH (NVC facilitator)
PLEASE pre-register if possible: 706/613-1143
Saturday, January 6th / 3-4:15pm
Stress Relief Toning with Quartz Crystal Bowls
Join Sound Therapist Vee Baker in taking time for yourSelf to
Relax deeply, Rejuvenate your energy, Feel Peace and Presence!…All are Welcome! ($: donation)
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Saturday, December 2nd / 2-3:30pm
Lullaby Yoga w/ Johanna Beekman
Sat., Oct. 7th/ INDIA in ATHENS !
Sunday, Oct. 1st / 8-9pm/ $10
gina Breedlove Oneness Concert:
Songs for Peace & Unity
”In Goddess culture gina Breedlove is a vocal priestess, leaving her privileged audience the recipients of her pure Spirit and deep vocal well”- holly near
She began performing at age 15, singing back up for the incomparable Phyllis Hyman. Since, gina has toured all over the world with artists who, like herself, define and redefine genre; Harry Belafonte, Toshi Reagon, Ronny Jordan, Ani Difranco, Craig Harris, and Sekou Sundiata, to name a few.
With folksoul, gina Breedlove has invented a delectable melange, a contemporary sound with classic orchestration and an irresistible groove. It is indeed the medicine many of us have been waiting for. It’s music that celebrates the lives we struggle to build, and represents a courageous kind of beauty– that essential antidote to what ails us. Simply put, we need this. “gina‘s voice is sheer revelry, and her beauty captures your heart & mind” -jazztimes
International Peace Day Celebrations begin Friday, Sept 29th...
Friday, Sept. 29th /5-6:30pm
Vibration of Grace™ Healing through Sound Circle
In this experience with Gina Breedlove, you will learn (or deepen) the practice of using the Sound of your Voice to shift stuck energy in your Body temple. We use Breath, Bija (seed) Sounds, Vowels, Words, Intention, & more, to move what no longer serves. This practice creates a sense of spaciousness, and opportunity for Healing your Mind, Body, Spirit. Sound is one way to ignite the Power that is You.
“This ancient, indigenous Healing modality is rapidly being rediscovered, as more people become aware of how the body responds to Sound. The human body is made up of about 60 – 90 trillion cells, which carry about 70% percent water. Sound travels through water almost 5 times faster then it does though air, this makes Sound an excellent method for penetrating the body on a cellular level as our bodies have an immediate response to Sound. Sound Healers harmonize the cells in the body. Yes, this is Science, and my work is rooted in Divine Love, also know as Spirit.” gina
Come be in the room for our International Peace circle of Grace family.
Bring Your Spirit, You will leave Lifted ~
Sliding Scale offering, $15 – $25
Medincine Woman Gina Breedlove is a Sound Healer, Singer & Songwriter from Brooklyn, NY. Gina will be doing private healing sessions on Saturday, and a Oneness concert on Sunday at 8pm.
www.ginaBreedlove.com
www.VibrationofGrace.com
A Discussion on Spiritual Practice
Saturday, July 29th (2017)
Swami Sarvadevananda, the minister and spiritual leader of the Vedanta Society of Southern California, is a monk of the Ramakrishna Order of India. He lived near Belur Math (Swami Ramakrisna’s Ashram) from 1960 onward, and thus got the opportunity to come into contact with many monks who were initiated by Holy Mother, Swami Brahmananda, Swami Shivananda, and other direct disciples of Ramakrishna.
Swami was initiated by Swami Shankarananda, the 7th President of the Order, in 1961, and joined the monastery at Belur Math, near Kolkata, in 1965. For the next two decades, he served at Saradapitha, a major educational and technical training institution next to Belur Math, managing and imparting spiritual values to the students of the teachers’ training institute, the Vidyamandir college, and the technical training schools. During this time, he also had the privilege to serve at a camp for refugees affected by the Bangladesh war in 1971.
Swami became the head of the Ramakrishna Mission, Sikra, the birthplace of Swami Brahmananda, in 1988. While there, he initiated literacy and health programs for hundreds of underprivileged villagers and performed relief and rehabilitation work for the homeless.
In 1993, Swami Sarvadevananda was posted to the Vedanta Society of Southern California to serve as assistant minister, under Swami Swahananda. He was appointed the minister and spiritual leader of the Vedanta Society in 2012.
In addition to regular lectures and classes, Swami Sarvadevananda addresses schools, colleges, and religious groups throughout Southern California and other parts of the United States whenever called upon. He represented the Vedanta Society as a delegate on the Interreligious Council of Southern California and the Hindu-Catholic and Hindu-Episcopal Dialogue of Los Angeles, serves as one of the directors of the Hindu Students’ Organization at USC, and sits on the Advisory Council of the Guibord Center. Swami frequently visits Vedanta centers throughout the United States.
This 10-11am gathering is freely open to all with a spiritual thirst or curiosity…please, join us. It will be followed later that afternoon by a class on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali entitled How to Know God (3-4:30pm).
