Summer of Love, version 2.0

"Bee Mandala" in my garden

Welcome to The Summer of Love, version 2.0!

Happy Summer everyone! Have you noticed the moon rounding in the evening sky over the last few days? The evening sky in the Middletown Valley has been spectacular the last few nights with gorgeous streaks of red and purple and a bright, almost full moon. The moon turns full today on this first day of summer. The last time the full moon and summer solstice landed on the same day was in June 1967, heralding in the original "summer of Love."

Forty nine years later and we continue to need more emphasis on LOVE than ever. Yes, I am talking about BIG LOVE here--the unconditional-essence-of-who-we-are kind of Love! Let's intend for this summer 2016 to be one where love overcomes hate, fear, worry, shame, anger. Does this feel like an overwhelming task? Start close in, with your self, one breath at a time. I offer you this practice:

When events that seem to be outside of yourself--be it politics, terrorism, mass shootings, environmental arrogance, or whatever triggers you--seems too big, remember that you can pause. We have this power to pause and become aware! Ground yourself. Get in contact with something good in your life or something beautiful that you can gaze at for a few moments and use it to resource yourself. Feel the connection to the goodness, the beauty, the love and breathe it in and out for a few seconds.

Really notice what taking in this goodness is like in your whole being. How does your head feel? Your throat? Your chest? Your belly? Your feet and toes?

Breathe this goodness into your heart space in the center of your chest and breathe out compassion to all of the suffering you are feeling in this moment. Now, bless with your breath whatever is still triggering you by breathing it in (the upset, anger, sadness--whatever you are feeling) and breathing out deep compassion, love, peace. As you continue this practice, notice if the trigger lessens and that you come more into contact with the peace and stillness, the unconditional love that underlies all the thoughts and feelings around your trigger. Can you experience the underlying peace?

We learn with this practice that we not separate from the "good" or the "bad" that we see "out there" in the world...all of our experiences, thoughts, and feelings arise in us and with deep looking we learn that what triggers us the most is something or some aspect that we have been unable to accept in ourselves. It is time to liberate our shadows; time to shine the light of our own awareness on what we reject in ourselves. Our world begs for this compassionate, heart-centered healing work. As we become more whole within, it is reflected in our outer world.

How wide can we open our hearts in this Summer of Love? I invite you to post your awakenings/realizations/knowings that arise over the summer on my Facebook page @therapywithpam.

To help support you on your heart-opening journey this summer, I am offering a summer meditation class at The Center of The Four Winds yoga studio (see below):

"Sunflower Heart"

Heart Journey Meditation Class 

At The Center of the Four Winds Studio/The Unschool of Yoga
125 S. Carroll Street, Frederick, MD

Some parking available in the rear of the building. Street metered parking in front of the building is also available.

Starting June 21 and continuing on Tuesdays throughout the summer from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

This is a mid-day opportunity to dive deep into your Heart and to allow for full embodiment of your meditation practice.

I am delighted to offer a meditation class with gentle movement at my favorite yoga studio this summer. Rose Ma Sincevich's Center of the Four Winds Studio offers a spacious, sacred space to practice. Plenty of blankets, mats, and props are available on site. I invite you to join me.

Fee: This class is offered as "pay as you can." A suggested range for this class is $10-20. Please give as you feel guided. 100% of your donation supports The Unschool of Yoga, a local nonprofit.

Questions? Please email me at therapywithpam@gmail.com or call at 301-712-9015, x1022.

Fall/Winter Meditation Groups and Coaching Programs with Pam

Fall/Winter Meditation Groups and Coaching Programs

 Offered by Pam McDonald at the Healing Circles Wellness Center

  

As we move through the fall and into the holiday season, I am filled with gratitude for the opportunity to be able to serve those called to open their hearts and minds to living a more compassionate and mindful life. It is my passion to support you on your journey to tapping into and abiding in your inner wellspring of creativity, peace, and joy. It is right here, in this moment, closer than your breath...

Beginning in November, I will be expanding my meditation offerings to include ongoing meditation coaching programs, weekly meditation groups, and a new mindfulness-based therapy group (for 2014) at Healing Circles. I invite you to join me!

With reverence and deep respect for your unique journey,

Pam McDonald, LCSW-C

pam@therapywithpam.com

30-DAY MEDITATION COACHING

I will continue to offer my 30-day meditation coaching program to assist beginners in getting started with a meditation practice. What's NEW is that you may now sign up and begin this program at any time.

I designed this program to guide you to discover and experience meditations that fit your needs and lifestyle. The meditation coaching package includes:

-Weekly, 50-minute meditation practice and coaching sessions at Healing Circles

-4 digitally recorded meditations to keep your practice going

-Daily emails delivered Monday through Friday to inspire and strengthen your practice

-Personalized coaching and instruction to fit your needs

Dates: NEW! This program is now offered on an ongoing basis. You may sign up at any time and begin when it fits your schedule. Contact me for more details.

Meditation practice times: Meditation coaching participants will meet with me for meditation practice sessions on Wednesdays from 6:00-6:50 p.m.

Cost: Receive 30 days of supportive meditation coaching for only $100.

I also offer a DEEPENING YOUR PRACTICE 30-day program for those who have completed the introductory program. Please contact me for more information.

OPEN MEDITATION GROUP

In addition, I am offering my open meditation group EVERY Wednesday evening. These mid-week meditation gatherings are a great way to learn and experience the benefits of meditation through a friendly, informal format with a guided meditation.

Format: At each gathering, I share a short inspirational reading followed by a guided meditation. Questions and comments are welcome after the meditation.

Meditation schedule: Every Wednesday evening from 6-6:50 p.m. (Exceptions: No meetings on Wednesday, November 27 and Wednesday, December 25).

Cost: By donation (In case you are unsure or uncomfortable about an appropriate donation amount for this service, a suggested donation would be $10.00) 

MINDFULNESS-BASED PROCESS THERAPY GROUP TO BEGIN IN 2014 

Are you yearning for a more heart-centered and compassionate approach to living? Are you ready to expand your capacity to live your authentic life?

I will be offering a new therapy group based on a compassionate and mindful practice of embracing what is. This group will explore what arises in the moment for participants through the use of meditative practices. This is an opportunity to go deep and recognize and release old patterns that no longer serve you. In a nurturing and supportive environment, you may awaken to your inner reservoir of peace, creativity, and joy.

Participation will require a weekly commitment to six Thursday evenings from 6-7 p.m. Start date to be announced based on enrollment with plans to begin in mid-January 2014.

Cost: $390 for the 6-week group.

TO REGISTER AND GENERAL INFORMATION:

All meditation programs are held at the Healing Circles Wellness Center, 10 N. Jefferson Street, suite 203, Frederick, Maryland, 21701.

For more information or to enroll in any of the above programs, please contact Pam McDonald, LCSW-C at 301-712-9015, x1022 or at pam@therapywithpam.com. Learn more about my services at therapywithpam.com.

"Your sacred space is where you can find yourself again and again..." -Joseph Campbell