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Sound & Spirit

Occasional Posts from Our Directors

Groups vs. Classes

9/6/2021

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People have asked why groups instead of classes. Yes, a foundational component of our programs in spirituality is "groups". We have specifically adopted "groups" for may reasons.
  1. Our model of education is "growth and learning". It is not simply facts-based. It is not like school, as it is widely understood. Halcyon Institute of Spiritual Studies is conceived with personal growth as much as learning through small groups (fewer than 12, more often nine because, on an iPad, this is how many people can be seen on one screen of a Zoom call). People are tired of school. This is a different model, more along the lines of a wisdom school.
  2. Small groups more easily form community over time. Unlike lecture halls or even classrooms of twenty, thirty, or more, small groups provide the intimacy and opportunity to share insights and understandings that result in personal growth and a powerful sense of belonging. What I have come to call "a group field" develops, enfolding the participants in a sense of safety, trust and openness, an energy that enlivens. 

This is why we have no grades. The basis for evaluation is showing up and participating, mostly just showing up. Only the participant can measure their personal growth and spiritual transformation. 
Sometimes group process may be difficult. It can be challenging not only to think for oneself, but to struggle with those things that block personal growth, like ego, for example. In order for the transformational power of a group to work its magic, we need to become part of the group, and this means letting go of judgment and any sense of superiority. In time, the sense of belonging, the listening to others and the sharing of oneself, lead to new insights, transformational growth, and even a profound sense of joy. The power of group process cannot be underestimated.

​I am grateful for the inspiration found in two books on group process:
  1. Wisdom Circles: A Guide to Self-Discovery and Community Building in Small Groups by Charles Garfield, and 
  2. Calling the Circle: The First and Future Culture by Christina Baldwin
Neither of these books are new, but then neither is the perennial wisdom at the heart of the world's religions nor the act of gathering in a circle around a fire to share culture, wisdom and community.
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Music & Spirituality in New England

9/5/2021

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Dear Friends,

We are one year old! Founded in September, 2020, in the throes of lockdown, Halcyon Arts New England presents programs in music and spirituality. We are now a full-fledged, nonprofit organization with an active and talented Board of Directors guiding us as we offer our first, in person, public programs this fall.

First off, our first residential weekend, From Fear to Joy: Discovering Your Inner Singer, takes place September 10-12. There are still a few places left for last minute registrations. Only vaccinated people may attend. It will be joyful to sing together in the spaciousness and elegance of Hallelujah Farm Retreat in Chesterfield, New Hampshire!

There are more weekend, residential workshops coming up:
  • An Introduction to Celtic Shamanism with Jane Burns, October 15-17.
  • ​Hildegard of Bingen, ​Magistra, Mystic, Musician with Ruth Cunningham, Melinda Gardiner, and Robert Bowler.
The Hildegard weekend will include a public concert, Saturday, December 4th, at 8 pm, featuring Ruth and Melinda, both harp and vocals, performing Hildegard's exquisite music at Epsilon Spires in Brattleboro, Vermont.
 
We will also be presenting our first concerts this fall at the Unitarian Universalist Society of Amherst, Massachusetts:
  • Gypsy Reel on ​Saturday, November 20, 2021 at 7:30 pm
  • HarpBeat, a ​percussion/harp duo, Saturday, December 18 at 7:30 pm.
Born during the pandemic, we cannot predict the future, but with vaccines widely available now, we are moving ahead with all these programs in the very heart of New England. Please join us!

All the Best,
Beau
Epsilon Spires in Brattleboro, Vermont will be our concert venue for when we have residential workshops at Hallelujah Farm Retreat in nearby Chesterfield, New Hampshire.
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    ​Robert Bowler

    Robert Bowler ("Beau") founded Halcyon Arts to continue doing what he loves, presenting cultural and educational programs in world music and spirituality. ​He majored in Religious Studies at Reed College with a focus on the western mystical tradition. He earned an M.Div. degree from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California (after a year at Oxford University studying Theology) and is an ordained Unitarian Universalist minister.

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HALCYON ARTS New England

Mission
Halcyon Arts brings the world
of music and spirituality ​to New England
by presenting programs ​​that enrich and transform. 

Contact us
​PO BOX 2822, AMHERST, MA 01004
413-345-2917​     info@hartsnE.org
Music Booking: halcyonbooking@gmail.com

  • HOME
  • Special Events
    • Events Calendar
    • Indian Movie Night
  • Music
    • Concerts >
      • HarpBeat
      • Aine Minogue
      • North Sea Gas
    • Halcyon World Music Institute
  • Spirituality
    • Groups >
      • Silent Fire
      • Spiritual Texts
    • Halcyon Institute for Spiritual Studies
    • Schattner Library >
      • Schattner Library Online
  • Donate
    • Sponsorships
  • About
    • Board of Directors
    • Venues
    • Organizing Documents
    • Ticketing & Registration
    • Policies
  • Contact
    • Sound & Spirit - blog
    • Email Campaigns
    • Contact Us