“Discovering more joy does not, I’m sorry to say, save us from the inevitability of hardships and heartbreaks. In fact, we may cry more easily, but we will laugh more easily, too. Perhaps we are just more alive. Yet as we discover more joy, we can face suffering in a way that ennobles rather than embitters. We have hardship without becoming hard. We have heartbreak without being broken.”

Facilitated by Sharon Terry

Wednesdays from 5 PM to 8 PM

October 12 to November 16

$450 for all six weeks (Financial assistance available)

$80/week a la carte

In Tribal Ground book clubs we meet online to explore and share what arises as we read the chosen text. The books we select relate to an aspect of the GAP approach without necessarily being congruent. Fritz Perl’s wrote that “contact is the appreciation of differences” and Dick Price added, “and the recognition of similarities”.  Whether we resonate or disagree with what we read, we can become more aware as we consider the author’s ideas and share our responses. The facilitator does not act as an expert on the book’s topic. Instead, using a variety of GAP tools, she offers ways to engage with the text as well as with our own experience.

In this book club, we will explore the ways that the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu demonstrated, by their own exuberance, compassion, and humor, how joy can be transformed from a fleeting emotion into an enduring way of life.

It is not possible to do the book justice in six weeks, so we will narrow our focus to six themes in the book, engaging one per week. All Participants must have read the designated portion of the book applicable to that week’s theme. Participants are required to watch the documentary of the same name on their own, and that film will be the focus for Week 6. This book club is offered as a complete set or a la carte.

The themes for the six weeks are:

Week 1 – Our Greatest joy

Week 2 – Frustration and Anger

Week 3 – Suffering and Adversity

Week 4 – Illness and Fear of Death

Week 5 – Forgiveness: Freeing Ourselves from the Past

Week 6 – Generosity: We are filled with Joy and Film Discussion

More information and the registration form are available here.

Gestalt Awareness Practice provides a safe and supportive foundation for our work together. We will practice meeting what arises with curiosity.  GAP acknowledges you as the expert of your experience, giving each participant the foundation to explore the reading in relationship to their own feelings and associations. The congregational aspect of GAP provides a supportive circle to meet what may arise as we explore together.

Prerequisite: Introduction to GAP or workshops with Chris or Sharon within the past three years. If you haven’t taken a group in that time frame, contact Sharon to discuss eligibility.

The deposit is $80, payable upon registration.

Click here to register.