Fall 2024 | Bricolage: Tools for a Non-religious Spiritual Practice

bri·​co·​lage : construction (as of a sculpture or a structure of ideas) achieved by using whatever comes to hand

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Bricolage: Tools for a Non-religious Spiritual Practice

Wednesdays | 6:30-7:30pm Eastern | October 2nd - November 6th, 2024

If you’re an atheist, but you love astrology. If you’ve been burned by organized religion, but you miss feeling connected to something bigger than yourself. If meditation has never worked for you, but you really wish it did—this workshop series is for you.

I am an atheist and agnostic who has spent the better part of a decade in community with deeply religious people from many traditions. My religious loved-ones taught me a lot about their practices and about how practicing makes them feel: peaceful, trusting, connected, purposeful. I was deeply curious and grateful to learn, but a lot of the time I was jealous, too. It often felt like there were beautiful, fulfilling things I couldn’t do or feel, because I wasn’t religious.

Over time, I’ve come to feel something different. I have adapted and created my own ways of getting present and grounded, connected to myself and the world around me. They’re not religious, because they’re not tied to any particular set of beliefs. But there’s no better word for it; these practices are spiritual. They’re about connecting in a way that’s different than words, that’s more instinctual. When I learn something from them, the lessons feel somehow mystical.

Bottom line: doing these things helps me feel less anxious, more calm, more honest with myself and more aligned with my values, more trusting that things will be okay. It makes me a better person and a more contented one.

That’s what I’m hoping to pass on to you.

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Past participants say:

"It was clear to me that this was meant to be a "take what works, leave what doesn't" approach, which contrasts starkly with my experiences with organized religion, which is often so prescriptive... I felt free to try different things, reflect inwards, and try different approaches until something felt right."

"Doing this in community helped me feel grounded and accountable while also helping me wade through some of the imposter feelings that come up for me in spiritual work."

"It's been so powerful, healing and expanding... I've learned so much."

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During six hour-long sessions, we WILL:

• learn principles for developing your own personal spiritual practice
• try out options for putting each principle into action
• talk about how it felt to try it out
• take what works and leave the rest

We WON’T:

• be told there’s a right way to do things
• use religious language
• debate religion or spirituality

What you’ll need:

• a candle
• a quiet, private spot to work
• an open mind

When it’s happening:

• Wednesdays October 2nd - November 6th
• 6:30-7:30pm Eastern

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This is an interactive workshop series. That means that you’ll be trying things out in real time, and discussing your experience with me and with other participants. You are always welcome to choose not to speak, or not to try something, but this isn’t the sort of workshop where you go off camera and cook dinner during. The cohort for this series will be small, with less than 10 participants. It will be an intimate zoom room, and one where there’s time for everyone to reflect out loud if they want to.

The short, hour-long sessions will be reflective but not too rigorous. And at the end, you’ll have built a practice that you can use any time.

The cost of the workshop series is on a scale depending on your financial position. It’s honors system, so please choose the cost that’s right for you:

• The Solidarity Rate is for working class folks with little to no disposable income or savings.
• The Sustain Rate is for folks who have disposable income, some savings, and/or another safety net.
• The Secure Rate is for folks who are financially secure. If you have more than a little disposable income, solid savings, investments, and/or property, this rate is for you.
• The Redistribution Rate helps subsidize low-cost enrollment for people who have less access to resources. If you have more than you need and a commitment to moving money, this rate is for you.
• A limited number of scholarships are available. Email to request one.

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I can’t wait to get connected with you.

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Host or Publisher Grace Patterson