When was the last time you created the space for star-gazing -- to sit or lie down on the Earth and let your mind wander into the spaciousness of the night sky? For thousands of years, human beings have engaged in contemplative relationship with the light of other suns that travel thousands of light years to be seen by the naked eye. Engaging consciousness in this relationship has evoked countless insights, reflections, and inspirations.
As the stars are setting in the Eastern US and rising on the West Coast, astronomer and author Stephan Martin (located in North Carolina), along with meditation teacher and psychotherapist Marianne Rowe (located in California), invite you to turn your attention to the mystery of the cosmos as a way of opening the door to expanded perspective and infinite possibility.
Through an audio-only Zoom call, we individually and collectively contemplate and celebrate the cosmic dynamics and powers of Universe as they manifest in our lives through Allurement, Emergence, Cataclysm, Synergy, Transmutation, Transformation, Interrelatedness, and Radiance (to name a few).
Tonight’s Earthview-of-Cosmos Forecast:
Starlit Skies with a Chance of Meteor Shower
We gather in the Lyrids Meteor Shower – each meteor evoking a sense of Emergence as it reminds us of the spontaneity and surprise of life in a creative universe. Embedded in the darkened sky of the recent new moon, we open to Transmutation and Transformation as we bathe in the beauty of starlight and experience enlivenment through a cosmic context.
Through guided meditation and contemplation, we find our hearts and minds opening into the wonder, beauty and mystery of Spring’s night sky. Through silence and sharing, we expand our perspective from present time to Deeptime, which includes a view of distant past and infinite future.
Dropping into this receptive quality of being, we find ourselves immersed and cleansed as we integrate the Interrelatedness and Radiance of participatory being as a physical, emotional, and energetic embodiment of ever-evolving Cosmos.
For this special Spring event, find a place where you can sit comfortably outdoors, preferably away from lights. Bring a blanket. If it’s too cold or rainy to be outdoors, find a warm, dry place in your home or car, where you have an expansive view of the night sky.
with Marianne Rowe & Stephan Martin
SUNDAY, APRIL 23
6:30 - 8:00 Pacific
$20 (Includes recording of the event)
We will be connecting with each other through an audio-only Zoom call. You will be sent the Link upon Registration.
Stephan Martin is an astronomer, educator, and author who has taught astronomy, physics, and consciousness studies at colleges, universities, and learning centers across the US for over twenty-five years. Between 2003-2008 he studied directly with Brian Swimme and others at the California Institute of Integral Studies, out of which came his first book Cosmic Conversations, in which he held dialogues with scientists, spiritual teachers, and cultural creatives on the nature of the universe and our role in it. Since then he has led workshops on the New Cosmology at seminars and retreat centers across the US and Europe and has been active in exploring multidisciplinary approaches to exploring the universe. He is currently adjunct faculty in the Consciousness and Transformative Studies graduate program at John F Kennedy University where he teaches a course on “Cosmology and Consciousness.” Steve is also a co-director of the continuing care program at the Center for Spiritual Emergence in Asheville, NC where he assists clients in living more conscious lives from an expansive perspective.
Marianne Rowe is a Founding Teacher of Monterey Bay Meditation Studio, an Emergent Dialogue facilitator, and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Pacific Grove, CA. Her teaching, therapeutic work and leadership focus on healing, transformation and evolution through awareness and relationship — developing Integral consciousness through the physiological, cognitive, emotional, relational and spiritual aspects of being. She is dedicated to catalyzing and cultivating embodiment of a New Story for human beings (inspired by Charles Eisenstein) and playing a conscious role as part of the evolving Universe Story (inspired by Thomas Berry, Brian Swimme, and Duane Elgin). Marianne’s passions include inspiring reverence and reciprocity with Earth and Universe, spiritual activism, and conscious relationship with all beings. Read more.
This mini-retreat is part of the Outdoors and Spirituality/Evolution of Consciousness MBMS Pathways.