Essential Cafe

Taste of the Month:
Stillness and Quieting our Inner Activity

Thursday, October 21 from 6:30 to 8:00 PM: Teaching and practice
November 4 from 6:30 to 8:00 PM: Inquiry Practice Session

We are offering you many tastes into the method, beauty and fundamental practices of the Diamond Approach; which is a path that increases opportunities for self understanding. On the menu are meditation and inquiry, as well as practices to support the integration, grounding and opening of your deepest nature. Each session is grounded in inquiry and is followed by an additional practice session of open-ended inquiry, which you are automatically signed up for when you register for the teaching.

Who am I? That is the essential question, isn’t it?
The purpose of inquiry as a spiritual practice is to gain deeper insight and understanding into your own essential nature. The inquiry process always begins with our present moment experience, boots on the ground. We start right where we are. It is a simple and direct method to self-understanding. This is a root practice in the Diamond Approach and it is where we begin.

Each scheduled event stands alone and can be attended individually, but they also build on previous sessions, offering a deepening thread throughout the series.

Sign up for the whole series and experience the support of sacred community, gathering regularly around shared practice.

ZOOM Class is sponsored through the Christine Center in Willard, WI

Cost: A suggested contribution is $25 per session. All are invited to participate; no one will be denied due to cost.

Please note that all proceeds will be donated to the Christine Center and Midwest Diamond Approach scholarship fund.

 

 

The Diamond Approach®, is a path of inner work with time-honored spiritual practices and modern psychological understanding. 

For information on the Diamond Approach go to: www.diamondapproach.org. 

 

Register for October Session

Meet the Teachers

Kathleen Graham, RN, MS, she/her, ordained Diamond Approach teacher (2016), and student member of the Ridhwan School (1996 – current). Her primary interest and passion is with health and wellness, and personal transformation, whether working as a hospice/ oncology nurse or Diamond Approach teacher. She continues to recognize and trust the alchemical process of transformation that can happen as one is engaged in the immediacy of one’s experience. She offers an open-hearted invitation to the inner journey that can open in ever-deepening ways to the preciousness of one’s truth.

Kara Vangen, MSW, CHTP, she/hers, is passionate about doing the, “deep inner work” required to show up authentically in life and community and believes that our value and happiness as human beings arises from our ability to illuminate our inner life. She has been a member of the Ridhwan school for 25 years and is an ordained Diamond Approach teacher.
Kara’s professional experience includes front line work as a social worker in community mental health and as a Mental Health Therapist where she combines traditional and complimentary health practices to address mental health. She is co-director of the Cauldron Studies program which centers spiritual practice in both the study of culture and the sacred feminine. She has been teaching and working with others for over 20 years.

Jim Lockridge is an ordained teacher of the Diamond Approach where he has been a student since 1998 and began working with students in 2012. He is a lifelong investigator of both the physical and spiritual worlds. Jim began his spiritual quest at age 14 when he first discovered Catholicism and soon became an altar boy. He was a research scientist for 40 years, an auto-mechanic, a floor waxer, army reservist, meditator, school bus driver, gardener, teacher, father of 2 daughters, grandfather and lately, an expert popsicle developer. He currently lives in St. Paul with his lovely wife, Stephanie. Jim is passionate about teaching others how to investigate and reveal the truth of who they are.

Timothy Bernhard, LAc, he/him, has had a lifelong interest in healing and spiritual traditions. In his 20’s his interest led him to investigate and study various approaches to healing and spiritual practices. Trying to understand his place in this world. His journey began more earnestly when he moved to the Christine Center for Unitive Spirituality in Willard Wisconsin to become a member of their community of seekers. His journey included herbal medicines, Taoist Qigong and Fourth way traditions. At the center he was introduced to and began his spiritual journey with the Diamond Approach. He has been a student of the Diamond Approach for 25 years and began to share his love for the work as a teacher-minister since 2015. His work experience includes Pharmacy, Dentistry, and Oriental medicine.

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Upcoming 2021 Sessions

April 29:
Inner guidance, openness to the truth, hands off our experience.
May 13: Practice session

May 27: 
Let the light in. Staying open, playful and curious- loving the process.
June 17: Practice session

July 8:
Having the heart and courage to stay with what is difficult, discrimination.
July 22: Practice session

August 26:
True support and commitment, confidence in the discoveries you make.
September 9: Practice session

September 23:
Compassionate presence and allowing what is vulnerable and sensitive.
October 7: Practice session

October 21:
The power of cutting through/going deeper
November 4: Practice session