OWL Virtual Half-Day Retreat

Overview

During the winter of 2020-2021, we may experience ongoing suffering, anxiety, and uncertainty due to the COVID 19 pandemic. The recent Uprising may also be tumultuous, bringing a much-needed reckoning about racism and violence towards Black people. We are hosting these retreats as a way to strengthen our self-love, compassion, resilience and patience. We cultivate unconditional love and foster our well-being so we can be caring forces of good for nonhuman animals, human animals, and all life everywhere. Please sign up for the retreat here.

Goals

• Develop self-love

• Learn skills to face challenges with patience, calm, and equanimity

• Foster a community of advocates who nurture each other’s development

To help you cultivate that, we are hosting a half-day stay-at-home meditation retreat for folks located anywhere. (If you live in the Twin Cities Area, Minnesota, USA, we also have another retreat)

Preparation

Please see these instructions for preparing for your home retreat. We understand that this is not accessible to everybody, and we recognize the privilege of having resources like this. We cultivate compassion and love to share it further. We understand that this is not accessible to everybody, and we recognize the privilege of having resources like this. We cultivate compassion and love to share it further.

Structure of retreat

This half-day retreat will include an optional 30 minute group check-in a week before the retreat, and a 45 minute one-to-one peer check-in the week after the retreat. To further our goal of creating a community that supports itself, we would like you to connect with others in a group and individually. 

For the individual check-in, this may be done via phone, video call, or email, based on your preference. You must register by February 18 if you would like to be paired for a 1-1 check-in. If you do not want to do a 1-1 check-in, that is fine, too. You can talk about the following in your 1-1 check-in: What did you get out of the retreat? What are the ways you like to give/receive nurturance? 

The pre-retreat group check-in will be held on Feb. 21 from 10-10:30 am. Central Time, USA We will send you the Zoom link after you register. In the registration, let us know your preferred way of checking in and we’ll do our best to pair you with somebody with the same preferred method.

Day of Schedule

All times are Central Time (GMT-6). From 10 am to 1:30 pm, you’ll practice by yourself in your own home. At 12:30 pm, we will check in via video conference. Here is the detailed schedule:

1. 10 am to 10:30 am guided breath meditation (download here)

2. 10:30 am to 10:45 am break

3. 10:45 am to 11:25 am lecture - download here

4. 11:25 am to 12:30 pm lunch*

5. 12:30 pm to 1 pm awareness meditation*

6. 1 pm to 1:30 pm Walk / gentle calisthenics / yoga / light physical activity of your choice

7. 1:30 pm to 2 pm Short guided meditation on Zoom and group check in (we will send you the Zoom link after you register)

Notes about the schedule:

• During the breaks/lunch/walk, avoid reading, checking your phone, or engaging with your housemates

• For the awareness meditation (#5), you can simply set a timer and meditate. You may find these resources helpful.

Please sign up for the retreat here. We will send you details including the link for videoconferencing

Host

This event is hosted by Our Wellness and Liberation, a project of the Boundless Love Project. Our Wellness and Liberation helps people who care about animals deepen their wellness practices. It also guides those already deepening their wellness practices to care about animals. We are open to people of any or no religion, secular and spiritual people, atheists and unaffiliated people, and everybody else, too. We take a nonsectarian approach and we welcome people regardless of meditation experience.

The organizers of this retreat approach the retreat, healing, and wellness both to help you heal and to help ourselves heal. We approach this retreat as peers, not as experts.

This retreat is free. Donations are accepted at Boundless Love Project. Your generosity enables the Boundless Love Project to freely offer our services and resources to more people, so they too may benefit. Give what feels good. There are many ways to give.

OWL Virtual Half-Day Retreat

Overview

During the winter of 2020-2021, we may experience ongoing suffering, anxiety, and uncertainty due to the COVID 19 pandemic. The recent Uprising may also be tumultuous, bringing a much-needed reckoning about racism and violence towards Black people. We are hosting these retreats as a way to strengthen our self-love, compassion, resilience and patience. We cultivate unconditional love and foster our well-being so we can be caring forces of good for nonhuman animals, human animals, and all life everywhere. You can sign up for the retreat here.

Goals

• Develop self-love

• Learn skills to face challenges with patience, calm, and equanimity

• Foster a community of advocates who nurture each other’s development

To help you cultivate that, we are hosting a half-day stay-at-home meditation retreat for folks in the Twin Cities area. If you are not in the Twin Cities area, please see our other retreat the following week.

Preparation

Please see these instructions for preparing for your home retreat. We understand that this is not accessible to everybody, and we recognize the privilege of having resources like this. We cultivate compassion and love to share it further.

Structure of retreat

This half-day retreat will include an optional 30 minute group check-in a week before the retreat, and a 45 minute one-to-one peer check-in the week after the retreat. To further our goal of creating a community that supports itself, we would like you to connect with others in a group and individually. 

For the individual check-in, this may be done via phone, video call, or email, based on your preference. You must register by February 18 if you would like to be paired for a 1-1 check-in. If you do not want to do a 1-1 check-in, that is fine, too. You can talk about the following in your 1-1 check-in: What did you get out of the retreat? What are the ways you like to give/receive nurturance? 

The pre-retreat group check-in will be held on Feb. 13 from 10-10:30 am. We will send you the Zoom link after you register. In the registration, let us know your preferred way of checking in and we’ll do our best to pair you with somebody with the same preferred method.

Day of Schedule

From 10 am to 1:30 pm, you’ll practice by yourself in your own home. At 1:30 pm, we will check in via video conference. Here is the detailed schedule:

1. 10 am to 10:30 am guided breath meditation - download here

2. 10:30 am to 10:45 am break

3. 10:45 am to 11:25 am lecture - download here

4. 11:25 am to 12:30 pm lunch*

5. 12:30 pm to 1 pm awareness meditation*

6. 1 pm to 1:30 pm Walk / gentle calisthenics / yoga / light physical activity of your choice

7. 1:30 pm to 2 pm Short guided meditation on Zoom and group check in (we will send you the Zoom link after you register)

Notes about the schedule:

• During the breaks/lunch/walk, avoid reading, checking your phone, or engaging with your housemates

• For the awareness meditation (#5), you can simply set a timer and meditate. You may find these resources helpful.

Please sign up for the retreat here. We will send you details including a link for videoconferencing.

Host

This event is hosted by Our Wellness and Liberation, a project of the Boundless Love Project. Our Wellness and Liberation helps people who care about animals deepen their wellness practices. It also guides those already deepening their wellness practices to care about animals. We are open to people of any or no religion, secular and spiritual people, atheists and unaffiliated people, and everybody else, too. We take a nonsectarian approach and we welcome people regardless of meditation experience.

The organizers of this retreat approach the retreat, healing, and wellness both to help you heal and to help ourselves heal. We approach this retreat as peers, not as experts.

This retreat is free. Donations are accepted at Boundless Love Project. Your generosity enables the Boundless Love Project to freely offer our services and resources to more people, so they too may benefit. Give what feels good. There are many ways to give.

Join us for an Our Wellness and Liberation (OWL) virtual gathering for animals. We will be doing this gathering on Zoom. Please contact Unny for the password. For those who are new to Zoom, please see these helpful tips.

We will meditate for 30 minutes, then have a brief check in and discussion.

This event is open to animal advocates and their friends. The intentions behind these regular meetings are to come together as a community, deepen our self-understanding, develop compassion towards ourselves and others, and become more loving, peaceful, and joyful animal advocates.

Tips for Enjoying the Virtual Group Meditation

• Do what you can to create a peaceful, calm environment where you will not be distracted or disturbed. We will be doing a guided meditation, so you will want to create a safe, quiet, calm environment that will help you remain focused.

• Watch in a secluded room, or with others who are joining you for the meditation. Politely ask others in your household to not disturb you while attending the group meditation.

• If you are watching this on a computer, put your computer in "do not disturb" mode.

• Turn off or silence your phones.

• Set aside all papers, magazines, books, mail, and other things that will distract you.

• Find a chair or cushion where you can sit comfortably still during the 30 minute meditation.

• Adjust the volume to where you can hear clearly. You may want to use earbuds if there is background noise where you are.

• Feel free to close your eyes during the meditation and the talk and listen with an open heart and open mind. Try to feel and understand the reality to which the words point.

More About This Event and OWL

We welcome all animal advocates and their friends regardless of the kinds of animal advocacy you do, regardless of whatever secular or religious wisdom tradition you believe, regardless of whatever diet you may eat, and regardless of your meditation experience. Please come if you are able. We would love to have you you. Gatherings will regularly happen on the third Thursdays of each month at 6 pm.

To keep updated on future OWL events, consider joining the OWL email list or OWL’s Facebook page.

About OWL’s Name

We chose the name Our Wellness and Liberation (OWL) for various reasons. Owls traditionally represent wisdom. Our acronym, OWL, represents the wisdom that we hope this group will help us cultivate and embody so we may live with more ease, purpose, and vitality. "Wellness" shows our desire to develop physical, spiritual, emotional, and social wellness within ourselves and our community. "Liberation" represents the freedom and well-being we seek for all human and nonhuman animals. "Our" emphasizes our desire to undertake this journey as a community, where we support each other along the way.

Join us for an Our Wellness and Liberation (OWL) virtual gathering for animals. We will be doing this gathering on Zoom. Please contact Unny for the password. For those who are new to Zoom, please see these helpful tips.

We will meditate for 30 minutes, then have a brief check in and discussion.

This event is open to animal advocates and their friends. The intentions behind these regular meetings are to come together as a community, deepen our self-understanding, develop compassion towards ourselves and others, and become more loving, peaceful, and joyful animal advocates.

Tips for Enjoying the Virtual Group Meditation

• Do what you can to create a peaceful, calm environment where you will not be distracted or disturbed. We will be doing a guided meditation, so you will want to create a safe, quiet, calm environment that will help you remain focused.

• Watch in a secluded room, or with others who are joining you for the meditation. Politely ask others in your household to not disturb you while attending the group meditation.

• If you are watching this on a computer, put your computer in "do not disturb" mode.

• Turn off or silence your phones.

• Set aside all papers, magazines, books, mail, and other things that will distract you.

• Find a chair or cushion where you can sit comfortably still during the 30 minute meditation.

• Adjust the volume to where you can hear clearly. You may want to use earbuds if there is background noise where you are.

• Feel free to close your eyes during the meditation and the talk and listen with an open heart and open mind. Try to feel and understand the reality to which the words point.

More About This Event and OWL

We welcome all animal advocates and their friends regardless of the kinds of animal advocacy you do, regardless of whatever secular or religious wisdom tradition you believe, regardless of whatever diet you may eat, and regardless of your meditation experience. Please come if you are able. We would love to have you you. Gatherings will regularly happen on the third Thursdays of each month at 6 pm.

To keep updated on future OWL events, consider joining the OWL email list or OWL’s Facebook page.

About OWL’s Name

We chose the name Our Wellness and Liberation (OWL) for various reasons. Owls traditionally represent wisdom. Our acronym, OWL, represents the wisdom that we hope this group will help us cultivate and embody so we may live with more ease, purpose, and vitality. "Wellness" shows our desire to develop physical, spiritual, emotional, and social wellness within ourselves and our community. "Liberation" represents the freedom and well-being we seek for all human and nonhuman animals. "Our" emphasizes our desire to undertake this journey as a community, where we support each other along the way.

Join us for an Our Wellness and Liberation (OWL) virtual gathering for animals. We will be doing this gathering on Zoom. Please contact Unny for the password. For those who are new to Zoom, please see these helpful tips.

We will meditate for 30 minutes, then have a brief check in and discussion.

This event is open to animal advocates and their friends. The intentions behind these regular meetings are to come together as a community, deepen our self-understanding, develop compassion towards ourselves and others, and become more loving, peaceful, and joyful animal advocates.

Tips for Enjoying the Virtual Group Meditation

• Do what you can to create a peaceful, calm environment where you will not be distracted or disturbed. We will be doing a guided meditation, so you will want to create a safe, quiet, calm environment that will help you remain focused.

• Watch in a secluded room, or with others who are joining you for the meditation. Politely ask others in your household to not disturb you while attending the group meditation.

• If you are watching this on a computer, put your computer in "do not disturb" mode.

• Turn off or silence your phones.

• Set aside all papers, magazines, books, mail, and other things that will distract you.

• Find a chair or cushion where you can sit comfortably still during the 30 minute meditation.

• Adjust the volume to where you can hear clearly. You may want to use earbuds if there is background noise where you are.

• Feel free to close your eyes during the meditation and the talk and listen with an open heart and open mind. Try to feel and understand the reality to which the words point.

More About This Event and OWL

We welcome all animal advocates and their friends regardless of the kinds of animal advocacy you do, regardless of whatever secular or religious wisdom tradition you believe, regardless of whatever diet you may eat, and regardless of your meditation experience. Please come if you are able. We would love to have you you. Gatherings will regularly happen on the third Thursdays of each month at 6 pm.

To keep updated on future OWL events, consider joining the OWL email list or OWL’s Facebook page.

About OWL’s Name

We chose the name Our Wellness and Liberation (OWL) for various reasons. Owls traditionally represent wisdom. Our acronym, OWL, represents the wisdom that we hope this group will help us cultivate and embody so we may live with more ease, purpose, and vitality. "Wellness" shows our desire to develop physical, spiritual, emotional, and social wellness within ourselves and our community. "Liberation" represents the freedom and well-being we seek for all human and nonhuman animals. "Our" emphasizes our desire to undertake this journey as a community, where we support each other along the way.

Join Our Wellness and Liberation at Dance Church!

Dance Church is a place where people can dance and move freely. All kinds of movement are encouraged and the space is very accepting. There is no alcohol. The music is world electronic music. We will dance from 11 am to 1 pm and perhaps get together afterwards. Here are some things to know:

• $5 suggested donation for adults, free for kids.

• Dance Church is secular.

• The main space is intended for dancing, but we can talk and eat and drink in the lobby.

Uninhibited movement with friends can help us feel in touch with our bodies, relaxed, and vibrant. This helps us be more loving and joyful animal advocates!

OWL is a group that sponsors wellness and community-building events for animals advocates and their friends. The intentions behind this gathering are to come together as a community, deepen our self-understanding, develop compassion towards ourselves and others, and become more loving, peaceful, and joyful animal advocates.

We welcome all animal advocates and their friends regardless of the kinds of animal advocacy you do, regardless of whatever secular or religious wisdom tradition you believe, regardless of whatever diet you may eat, and regardless of your dance experience. Please come if you are able. We would love to see you.

Penguins graphic is in the public domain.