Online groups and programs
Depression as a wake-up call
A 5 week program of loving inquiry.
Next starting date: 2020.
The more 'inner' and spiritually aware and sensitive people are, the more, it seems, they are also likely to be dealing with depression. This includes myself, as there has been depression in my life's unfolding. The depression lifted increasingly as I was willing to inquire into it instead of being afraid of it when I felt well and suffering through bouts of it when it showed up again. One of my break-through moments of inquiry is captured in the poem below (also see my blog Depression -- a fresh look).
From a non-dual spiritual perspective, the emptiness and lifelessness of depression call us to discover true emptiness, which is also what is truly alive in all of us. Most psychological and therapeutic perspectives will look at ways of filling the emptiness and finding aliveness at the level of the personality, or suggest anti-depressants. For spiritual people, this will invariably not feel quite right, not quite to the point. And you are right! Depression ultimately calls you to find your own light, the truth of yourSelf: that which animates even the depression. It is a wake-up call in the truest sense of the word.
So this online group program is dedicated to loving inquiry into depression. In this inquiry, you will be guided to follow the call of depression by opening into the depths of the emptiness, darkness, pain, and lifelessness that it faces you with. The invitation is to dive in and bring simple, open awareness to it instead of trying to get away from it. This is counter-intuitive, but ultimately the only way to find what is truly alive beyond the personality which will always want to control, escape, fight or fix depression. In this way, depression comes to be a doorway into awakening.
A 5 week program of loving inquiry.
Next starting date: 2020.
The more 'inner' and spiritually aware and sensitive people are, the more, it seems, they are also likely to be dealing with depression. This includes myself, as there has been depression in my life's unfolding. The depression lifted increasingly as I was willing to inquire into it instead of being afraid of it when I felt well and suffering through bouts of it when it showed up again. One of my break-through moments of inquiry is captured in the poem below (also see my blog Depression -- a fresh look).
From a non-dual spiritual perspective, the emptiness and lifelessness of depression call us to discover true emptiness, which is also what is truly alive in all of us. Most psychological and therapeutic perspectives will look at ways of filling the emptiness and finding aliveness at the level of the personality, or suggest anti-depressants. For spiritual people, this will invariably not feel quite right, not quite to the point. And you are right! Depression ultimately calls you to find your own light, the truth of yourSelf: that which animates even the depression. It is a wake-up call in the truest sense of the word.
So this online group program is dedicated to loving inquiry into depression. In this inquiry, you will be guided to follow the call of depression by opening into the depths of the emptiness, darkness, pain, and lifelessness that it faces you with. The invitation is to dive in and bring simple, open awareness to it instead of trying to get away from it. This is counter-intuitive, but ultimately the only way to find what is truly alive beyond the personality which will always want to control, escape, fight or fix depression. In this way, depression comes to be a doorway into awakening.
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How does this group work?
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Dear Grace, we just finished our group and I just want to say THANK YOU. I find that something about this spacious loving space you create really allows that to be here in me and I really experience this in the online group with you, it is a beautiful gift you bring to us. I feel blessed to have this from my own home, in my family life without having to move out into a satsang space or to be on retreat or to have to go to India or somewhere traditional that these precious spaces have been revered. Bless you for being here and for helping me/us to realise this space right here 'within' and embodying it 'without' so it is realized to always be here, no matter what story is running or feelings thoughts sensations are occurring... It feels very loving, holding and deeply caring having your presence at this time of transition, rewiring and re-anchoring... Love love love, |
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Dark night of the soul
All the lights have gone out. Even the Sun has lost its radiance behind the clouds of un-knowing. The trees have fallen silent, no more life visible in them. There’s not much life force left in this body, nor is there any power in this mind. The heart is empty, nothing connects. Bleakness, no meaning in anything. Surprising how vast and still the darkness is as being surrenders to it without resistance. The dark side of life no different from the light, really no difference, both a doorway to stillness. Grace Bubeck (2008) |
What will you get out of participating in this group?
Is this group for you? This group is for you if depression is or has been part of your life, and you would like to shine the light of your spiritual curiosity, inquiry and devotion into the darkness of your depressive moments. The group will be an especially good fit for you if:
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I have been suffering from depression since I was 18 years old (I am now 72), and it has always been there in the background even if I felt happy for short periods of my life.
When I saw Grace’s email about depression as a wake-up call I decided to join, even though I felt embarrassed and afraid, and it was difficult for me to show up live on a screen. She is very honest about her own depression and it was why I felt I could trust her. Her love and tenderness is very softening. I understand her name is Grace, and it was grace for me to join the group.
After the two first meetings, where I was allowed to feel depressed, my depression disappeared. It was like according to the book: 'When I was allowed to feel depressed there were no reasons to be it :-).'
Since then it has not been a problem for me in the same way. I am living more from my true self than ever where I can meet more and more deeply what is, including the emptiness and vastness of Being/God.
S.P., Denmark
Why am I offering this program and what are my credentials?
I love working with people in a way that combines close attention to how we function psychologically with spiritual insight and inquiry. This work draws on many of my strengths and passions: my lifelong experience of teaching and guiding groups, first in academia, and for the last 18 years in personal development, meditation, and now spiritual inquiry; my background and expertise in psychology and counseling; my ability to 'tune into' people's energy and help them move out of stuck places; and, last but not least, the ongoing unfolding of awakeness in my own life. For more information about my professional credentials, please check out the About Grace page.
On a more personal note, I am always profoundly touched and moved by the sacred, intimate space that arises through coming together in this way, and by the powerful transformations that happen as a result. It is a deep joy for me to offer and guide these groups.
I love working with people in a way that combines close attention to how we function psychologically with spiritual insight and inquiry. This work draws on many of my strengths and passions: my lifelong experience of teaching and guiding groups, first in academia, and for the last 18 years in personal development, meditation, and now spiritual inquiry; my background and expertise in psychology and counseling; my ability to 'tune into' people's energy and help them move out of stuck places; and, last but not least, the ongoing unfolding of awakeness in my own life. For more information about my professional credentials, please check out the About Grace page.
On a more personal note, I am always profoundly touched and moved by the sacred, intimate space that arises through coming together in this way, and by the powerful transformations that happen as a result. It is a deep joy for me to offer and guide these groups.
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Would you like to see what it's like to be in a meeting?
Here are two video extracts from sessions of an earlier Awakening as Love group program. Working with Grace and our "Awakening as Love" group was profoundly moving and powerful. While I would not have believed that it was possible to create such intimacy and presence in an online environment, in fact it was, in large part because of the open and loving way that Grace held the space. Together we created the actual experience of living from/as love, rather than just discussing the concept of it. Grace helped me walk through a time of great change, and to do so in a way that was compassionate and fresh. I was enriched and nourished each week, and continue to be even now after the group has ended. It is a wonderful opportunity to work with Grace and I feel grateful to have had such an experience. I will do it again. |
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Any questions?
Contact me by e-mail or phone (+1.514.733.5204). I'll be happy to respond to your questions. It's important that it feels good or right for you to take part in the group.
Contact me by e-mail or phone (+1.514.733.5204). I'll be happy to respond to your questions. It's important that it feels good or right for you to take part in the group.
The fee for the 5-week program is $120 USD.
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Please contact me if you'd really like to participate in the program, but can't afford to pay the full fee.
A sliding scale based on ability to pay is possible. |