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The Center suffered a devastating fire on October 8, 2019. We’ve nearly completely recovered, but some important work remains and we’re currently open only by appointment. Please email us at family@livinginsights.com to schedule a visit.
We previously had a very full schedule of daily offerings and weekly, monthly and special events, and some have been restored (see below). As we add more, we will update this page.
Unless otherwise indicated, our offerings/events are free. However, the Center is very dependent on community support, so any donations are always sincerely appreciated.
THE CENTER WILL BE CLOSED FROM DECEMBER 21, 2022, UNTIL JANUARY 19, 2023.TOURS OF THE CENTER – Tours of the restored Center are available by appointment. The tours primarily present introductions to some of the world’s religions, with a particular focus upon mystical experiences. They typically take 90 minutes, there’s no charge, and they are not boring museum tours.
PRAYER, MEDITATION, CONVERSATION – Every day we’re open the Center offers various sacred spaces for prayer or meditation, including prayers with the remarkable St. Therese of Lisieux. Also, Jack is available to discuss various religious traditions and to talk through spiritual issues or questions. This can include basic instruction in practices such as meditation, prayer, and chanting.
WEEKLY TALKING CIRCLE (“FAMILY GATHERING”) – Sundays, 12:15-2:00 facilitated by Jack Sisk. Our Talking Circle is a sacred gathering. Following some indigenous traditions, we pass a talking stick around the Circle twice, and only the person holding the stick may speak. Each participant may talk about whatever they wish, but the intention is that the Circle will be a sharing of information which informs and uplifts everyone. If one wishes to respond to something someone has said, they must wait their turn and be respectful and compassionate. We maintain confidentiality about everything that’s shared. The Circle is followed by fellowship in our kitchen area.
BHAJANS/KIRTAN (HINDU CHANTING) – Sacred Hindu chant gatherings led by the Bhakti Bhajans group – The third Sunday of every month, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. Note: This has been changed from the fourth Sunday. There will be no event in January, 2023.
Hindu chanting, which is a form of bhakti yoga, produces a powerful connection with the divine and an extremely joyful state of being. Bhajans are group chants set to music and usually are in Sanskrit. Kirtan is a form of bhajans in which a leader sings a line and the participants repeat it. These are free-wheeling and deep expressions of devotion and bliss – meditation out loud. The sounds that come with Kirtan are healing vibrations that can help you clear energetic blockages, heal on a physical, mental, emotional and spiritual level, and get you back “in tune.” They help calm the mind, open the heart, and lead us to inner peace. No experience is necessary, and it’s easy to participate because sheets with the words are provided, and you needn’t have a good singing voice. Our Bhakti Bhajans performers are Mike Webb on drum and vocals, Dr. Jeff Hoffman on harmonium and vocals, and Nicole Ensor on vocals. This is a free event, and everyone is welcome, but a “love offering” of $15 is suggested and would be appreciated to support the group and the Center. No one will be turned away due to a lack of funds.
SACRED ZIKRS – by Christopher “Moinuddin” Clarke – The second Saturday of every month, from 10:00 until 11:30 am.
Zikr is a sacred spiritual practice of the Sufis. A Sufi is a lover of God (the One Being) and a seeker of Truth in all its holy names and forms. Zikr is a practice of remembering and communing with God, a type of practice that has been a part of every mystical path and every religion throughout history. In Zikr, we remember – we touch and remember our soul, our spirit, our unity with life, God, and our Oneness in God. Through the act of ‘remembering’ we become what we remember. We remember by focusing the mirror of our heart upon our higher self. This is done by the use of sound and breath, by reciting, singing and breathing the name and names of God, the “One Reality.” It is also done by reading from the poetry and writings of Self-Realized Masters, Saints and Prophets, and through teachings.
As a lifelong student of Meditation and Mysticism, Christopher/Moinuddin has always been fascinated by the notion that ‘there is more to life than we think’, and that what we call God, or the One Reality, can be realized as a living presence within the human heart. This led to an on-going 40-year exploration of many religions and mystical paths including formal study of the traditions of Sufism, Soto Zen, Andean Shamanism, and Ashtanga Yoga. Moinuddin is the Spiritual Head and current Lineage Holder in the Fraternity of Light, founded by Sufi Amin Sherdil Macko Chishti. The Fraternity of Light is an initiatiatic Sufi Path or School rooted in the Chishtia lineage and Universal Sufi Message of Hazrat Inayat Khan, who brought Sufism to the West. For over 30 years, Christopher has guided students on the inner path and offered classes, workshops and retreats dedicated to awakening consciousness toward a deeper understanding and fulfillment of life.
Modern writers have often made the mistake of describing Sufism as merely the esoteric side of Islam. While this is accurate from one limited perspective, it misses the true reality of Sufism, for Sufism holds the esoteric essence of all religions. More than being a religion; it is a path of love, wisdom, and spiritual awakening, a way leading to knowing our true self and the One Reality. Hazrat Inayat Khan wrote that it arose in Arabia, was devotionally reared in Persia, and was spiritually completed in India.
This is a free event, and everyone is welcome, but a “love offering” of $15 is suggested and would be appreciated to support the Center. No one will be turned away due to a lack of funds.
TWIN HEARTS MEDITATION AND PRANIC HEALING – led by Dale Bilyeu and Lynn Maupin – Meditation followed by Healing Sessions – The Second Wednesday of every month, Meditation at 6:30 pm followed by Healing Sessions starting around 7:00. There will be no event in January, 2023.
First, Dale leads the powerful Twin Hearts Meditation, which is used to direct peace, love, joy and goodwill to Mother Earth, blessing the Earth with Divine Light, Divine Love and Divine Power. It’s also a tool for achieving divine consciousness, and has many health benefits. It was created by Master Choa Kok Sui, the creator of Pranic Healing. Then Dale, Lynn, and other Pranic Healing practitioners offer a Pranic Healing clinic so you can experience this exceedingly beneficial healing modality. They also can include an introductory presentation about Pranic Healing for those who are interested, and you’ll be able to learn more about upcoming classes, meditations and events. There is no fee, but “love offerings” are suggested and would be appreciated to support the Center.
CRYSTAL SINGING BOWL SESSIONS – by Jack Sisk. Dates and times to be determined.
These sessions are quite sacred. Most people say they provide some of the most profound meditative experiences they’ve ever had, and many people often go beyond this into visions, spiritual insights, past-life memories, emotional releases, physical healings, and experiences of the divine. The sessions begin with a verbal introduction to the experience and end with a voluntary sharing of experiences.
Jack plays and tones with about a dozen crystal singing bowls, some larger than are seen anywhere else, as well as a keyboard, several Tibetan singing bowls, and a Nepalese gong. His toning is a unique and impactful part of the experience.
The sessions include an introduction, 90 minutes of sound, and optional sharing of experiences afterwards. There’s a fee of $15, but if you find the sessions especially valuable, as virtually everyone does, please consider donating more. Prior registration is required because space is limited. The Center’s doors will be closed to the public while these programs are taking place, so please arrive on time. These sessions were held twice a month before the fire, but will now be offered once a month for the foreseeable future.
SATSANGS (SACRED DISCUSSIONS) – led by Jack Sisk and Donald Lenort. Dates and times to be determined.
Yogapedia defines Satsang as follows: “It can be translated as ‘associating with good people’ or simply ‘being in the company of truth,’ and refers to the act of gathering with like-minded, uplifting people, especially those on a spiritual path.” Our satsangs are largely based on Hindu teachings. While Jack supports all faiths at Living Insights, he’s been a Hindu for nearly 60 years, he’s very active at the Hindu Temple of St. Louis, he frequently gives talks about Hinduism, and he’s an experienced practitioner. Donald is highly trained, extremely well read, and deeply experienced in meditation and other yogic practices and the states of consciousness they can take you to. Our satsangs include both specific topics and open discussions. Sometimes videos are watched. There is no fee, but “love offerings” are suggested and would be appreciated to support the Center.