Theology of Joy
Rev. Danielle K. Bartz
Dr. Robert Sears, professor of theology at Loyola University, comments that "Joy is the mostly unacknowledged 'divine potential' in each of us." Is this true? How do we recognize when we are steeped in a Joy that does not come from this world but rather from the Divine? What barriers do we confront in our quest to find our Divine Joy? This workshop will focus on these questions and examine the concept of Divine Joy from different religious and spiritual traditions in a format that encourages conversation. We will then identify ways to tap into the "divine potential" within each of us to release our Divine Joy as healers.
Just for Today, How Full is Your Cup? Nourishing Vital Energy
Judi Ekholm, RN
How do you do what you do in your practice? How do you avoid being overwhelmed? These questions come from people outside as well as inside your profession as they observe how you deal with difficult situations, especially the after-effects. In any field that embraces caring for others, unforeseen challenging and demanding situations develop, calling for a calm and clear mind. This session will explore ways to keep vital energy stores full through a variety of peaceful practices such as Yoga, Qigong and yogic breath work. With vital energy stores chock-full there is very little room for the "leftovers" following difficult or traumatic situations. This proactive approach to wellness and inner peace is completely portable for everyone.
The Storm before the Calm: Buddhism, Disruption and Learning to Thrive
Joel Guarna, PhD
Evolutionary Psychology provides compelling explanations for many of our most intractable obstacles to living well, though it provides few solutions. Humans have long turned to their cultural meaning systems and to spiritual and transcendent practices to better orient to such challenges. Today, with a veritable buffet of practices available to us, we risk choosing from our preferences, not our needs. A cursory look at Buddhism, for example, may confirm its familiar, caricatured, serene face. Closer study, however, reveals that its real power lies in its confrontation, its profound disruption of habitual patterns of thinking and behaving. This workshop will examine Buddhism, particularly Zen, and its secular counterparts in western psychologies. Participants will also look at the role of disruption in opening a path to vitality and wholeness.
Finding Joy, Connection, Meaning and Purpose in the Face of Serious Illness: A Reflective Conversation
Elizabeth Balsam Hart, MD
In this workshop, we will share stories of those we have known who have found meaning, joy, purpose or peace while facing serious illness. Together, we will reflect on some short readings and poems, as well as caregiving stories, to glean insights on the strengths that offer resilience despite suffering. Through this interactive and reflective conversation, we will better understand what brings some people moments of joy and deep connectedness even when living with serious illness or when approaching death. We can then share these insights with those for whom we care personally and professionally.
Laughter Yoga
Persis Hope, RNC, BSN, MSN
Laughter is good for the body and the soul. Hearty laughter – in response to humorous stimuli or even laughter "for no reason" – is associated with many benefits, including enhanced immune function, lowered blood pressure and decreased cardiac risk, increased release of endogenous pain-suppressing opiates and better overall coping with stress. This workshop will provide background and an experience of laughter yoga (LY). LY was begun by a physician from Mumbai, India in the mid-1990s and has led to the emergence of social laughter clubs in more than 60 countries. LY combines yogic breathing and meditation with different types of laughter. This is not "movement" yoga and participants need no special equipment or special clothing. Just come prepared for an experience of laughter and joy.
The Breath of Life: An Osteopathic Perspective on the Joy of Connection
Catherine Kimball, DO
In this session we will remind ourselves about the wonders of human anatomy and physiology, including some developmental details that speak to the heart of medicine. We will do several hands-on exercises that should be available to any practitioner. We will explore what happens to us — as health care providers and as patients. In so doing we hope to experience the joy of connection on many levels.
Spirituality in Applied Behavior Change Models
David Rychener, PhD
Dr. Rychener will describe and discuss two behavior change programs that he has been involved in developing: the US Navy's behavioral prevention program (PREVENT); and the Integrative Health Coach Professional Training Program at Duke University Integrative Medicine. Neither is considered a "spiritual" program per se, but both are designed to lead participants to a deeper discovery of what is most important to them, often leading to profound personal insights that could be considered spiritual in nature. Participants will explore how they can build or enhance their own programs that address and support their clients'/patients' spiritual development.
Come and Paint: Creating Spontaneously from Your Heart
Judith Citarella, MA
Experience watercolor painting as a form of deep meditation and prayer.
Gift yourself with this extended time to explore the relaxation that comes with concentration on the colors before you. Let the colors lead you as you paint spontaneously, and this act will draw you into a state of peace. After painting for a time, you will put pen to paper with quotations or words of your own choosing. Be surprised and delighted at what you create. All materials will be provided for you.
This two-session workshop goes from 12:45 to 3:45. You cannot join the 2:30 session without taking part in the 12:45 session. There is a maximum of 25 participants for the sessions. We will enroll people in this workshop in the order in which we receive registrations.
Dancing the Serpent/Dancing the Sky: Meditative Dance
Josie Conte, DO
Dance is a celebration of being in a physical form. It is a sacred expression whose movement vocabulary, around the world, includes rocking, swaying, pelvic circles, ribcage isolations, trembling, vibrating and shaking. This workshop will provide a centering and invigorating experience of movement. We will begin with quiet, reflective exploration of breath and flow. Movement will be facilitated at some times and encouraged to expand freely at others, exploring the landscape of our individual internal space while sharing the larger venue with one another. Participants may dress comfortably and can move barefoot if they choose. Please bring a yoga mat or towel if you plan to attend.
Setting Your GPS to "Joy"
Betsy Sweet, MSP
In this interactive session we will look at what brings us joy, what "upsets" get in the way of experiencing that joy and how we can get the Universe to help us live in joy and contentment every day (well, almost every day!). We will work on programming our own "GPS" to joy, work with intention experiments, and create Ideal Scenes to achieve the kind of life we want to live. Come ready to have fun and unleash the happiness inside you.