Discussion Groups

What has been the impetus to create discussion groups at the Camarillo United Methodist Church? Lately, some books have crossed my path that all contain intriguing concepts about personal spirituality. Sometimes, the concept will be something for me to reflect upon, and at other times, a "wow" that I want to share with others. I rarely absorb solely by reading - I thrive on discussions in order to fully digest concepts and make it a part of me. These discussion groups are an invitation to join me in sharing and growing.

The Camarillo United Methodist Church was an obvious host for these discussions given their emphasis on inquiry and dialogue. Given the underlying theme of personal spirituality in these books, these evenings are structured like an interfaith dialogue. At a bare minimum, we may have a different faith tradition than the one offered in the book; at its most complex, each participant and author has her or his own individual faith perspective. While participants are eager to share their personal perspective, we are also extremely respectful and open to learning perspectives that are different than our own. These complimentary groups are open to all members of the community.

The evenings are intentionally balanced between sharing in a large group, with opportunity for more intimate connection within a smaller group. Participants are encouraged, but not required, to seek out people they do not know in forming the smaller group, with the awareness that it will maximize their personal growth opportunity. After all, they will most assuredly be talking about it with their friends afterwards! Participants are also offered a list of passages and related questions to serve as a starting point for the evening's conversation.

These evenings are truly a form of group meditation, where each participant makes a subconscious commitment to hold space for the free-flow expression of personal insights. This unspoken commitment requires that each participant carefully reflect upon what was offered, the words that were used in the offering and what was heard before reacting and contributing - in other words, a meditation. Just consider how that newly honed skill can translate into other areas of daily life!

You can check the calendar to find out when we meet next, or sign up for my newsletter, so I can keep you posted on upcoming events and programs. I do request RSVP's for the evenings, which helps me ensure sufficient handouts and space. If you are joining us for the first time, you may find it helpful to touch base with me to find out what portion of the book we are reading next.

July 2008	Stretching Lessons: the Daring that Starts from Within by Sue Bender – This book is the last in a series about the author’s struggles to reconcile her habitual frantic way of being with her quest for simplicity. She vividly describes how simple self-reflection and goose bump moments can convert normal life experiences into transformational InSights. This book is an eloquent testament to the power of awareness and the mind-body connection. It is what I facilitate for others as I encourage them to focus, contemplate and grow.
April, May, June 2008	Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert - Any book that prompts the question "Why do I hold back in life? What prevents me from just jumping in?" and makes me drool from the descriptions of the scenery and food deserves to be covered in a discussion group! Join me and you'll have a chance to share laughter, wisdom, connection and a unique opportunity to reflect on those passages that moved you – whether to tears or sighs or smiles.
Feb 2008	This I Believe edited by Jay Allison and Dan Gediman - Just because this book caused me to repeatedly meditate on my personal beliefs in comparison or contrast to the beliefs of the essayists meant that it was a book that I had to share through a discussion group! One of the reviewers on Amazon.com describes his introduction to the book as, “one of those fortuitous moments causing a small but perceptible expansion of one's world.” I couldn't agree more. This discussion group is open to all members of the community.
Nov 2007	My Grandfather’s Blessings: Stories of Strength, Refuge and Belonging by Rachel Naomi Remen, M.D. – By popular demand, this discussion group is limited to women-only. Dr. Remen pioneered the recognition in Western medicine of "the role of the spirit in health and the recovery from illness". In this book, she shares her perspective on seeing the blessings that exist in both the mundane and challenging aspects of life. This book is segmented into an Introduction, and 6 sections, each with a preface and stories to support the particular theme. To support busy schedules, our conversations will focus on the themes from the Introduction and the section prefaces. Participants can read as few or as many of the accompanying stories as they choose.
Spring & Summer 2007	In Sweet Company: Conversations with Extraordinary Women about Living A Spiritual Life by Margaret Wolff - While this is a book worth reading by everybody, this particular discussion group is limited to women-only. The book itself is a collection of interviews with 14 women of different ethnic, professional, and religious backgrounds about their personal spirituality. It is ideal for busy schedules, as each meeting we discuss a different interview, which does not build upon prior discussions.