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UID:27861-1776366000-1776370500@www.clearskycenter.org
SUMMARY:Finding Ground: Meditation For Uncertain Times
DESCRIPTION:Finding Ground: Meditation For Uncertain Times\nwith Duncan Cryle and Karen McAllister\nAre you feeling stretched thin by the pace of modern life? Struggling to stay centered when the world feels unsettled? \nJoin us for a four-week evening series offering simple meditation practices and communication tools to help you find your ground and reconnect in these unsettled times. Through guided practices\, we’ll learn to settle the body\, come back to the breath\, and draw on nature and community as sources of support. \nEach session includes guided meditation\, reflection\, and time for questions. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming—come as you are. \nNo experience necessary—complete beginners welcome. \nWhen: Thursdays 7:00-8:15 pm MST from April 9 – 30\, 2026 \nWhere: In-Person: Mountain View Therapeutics\, 14 A 13 Ave S #204\, Cranbrook\, BC V1C 2V3 \nCost: Pay-from-the-heart (Dāna). Suggested range $20-50 per class (and welcome regardless of what you are able to offer). \n  \n— \nCurious? Before this series starts\, you’re invited to enjoy our online guided meditations.  \n  Register Now   Questions?  \nClick To Contact Us (or call 250 429 3920)  \nAbout these Community Meditation Classes\nThese community classes help you develop a stronger meditation practice both on and off the cushion. \nThese classes run semi-regularly throughout the year at Clear Sky or locally in Cranbrook\, interspersed with our other retreats and offerings. \nDrop ins are welcome\, and we also encourage you to attend all classes if possible. \nClass Series Teachers\n \nKaren McAllister\nAs Clear Sky’s Chair of the Board and Director of Business Development\, I’m passionate about teaching the much-ignored principles of nurturing the factors – like honor your space\, structure\, and communication – that create the conditions we need to wake up more in daily life. I see how I learned and embodied these principles in my different roles at Clear Sky as the center went from self-starter to second-stage growth. This is what I call “the hands-on way of doing an MBA with a spiritual bottom line!” \nIn my free time\, I love travelling\, speaking Portuguese and reading history\, architecture and art books. \nDuncan Cryle\nThrough 30+ years of personal practice and 15+ teaching meditation and mindfulness\, alongside an active career working all over the world\, I’ve learnt a lot about an integrating mindfulness into daily life.  As a founding member of Clear Sky in 2004\, I’m amazed at the power of a beautiful\, natural and dedicated space for supporting people to deepen their meditation and feel more connected.  Alongside. my Clear Sky work\, I hold a director position at a large software company where I also run a volunteer global mindfulness program to 1000s employees.  I was formerly one of the pioneers of IBM’s mindfulness movement.  I’m passionate about how mindfulness-based approaches can transform how we live and work together\, and be of better service in the world. \n \nCourse Cost: Dāna\n Register  \n \nWe offer this course on the basis of dāna.  If you’re not familiar with dāna\, you may have come across related approaches such as “pay from the heart.” \nDāna is a Sanskrit term that translates as “generosity” in English. The practice of generosity is central to spiritual unfoldment\, whatever path you follow. In our own Buddhist lineage\, teachings have always been given on the basis of dāna\, and we are committed to this practice and its development in the West. \nDāna is a radical and – we believe – viable economic alternative to capitalism. We all know there must be something better than capitalism or its hungry cousin\, consumerism. We maintain that\, together\, we can offer a financial model that is based in life-affirming mutual support. Please join us in co-creating this promising economic alternative. \nFor this course\, we give a suggested range $20-50 per class (which would be $80-200 for the 4-week series).  You are welcome regardless of what you are able to offer.  \n \n \nTo help you choose an amount that feels right for you\, we recommend this heart-based exercise from our friends at Planet Dharma.  \nChecking in with your heart\n1) Take a few quiet breaths and center yourself. Spend a few moments to reflect on each of the below: the beauty and integrity of dāna practice; the value of receiving direct teachings from lineage holders in a recognized spiritual tradition; the reality of your financial situation. \n2) Spend another few moments contacting a sense of health\, strength and abundance. You have a healthy mind\, a body\, senses\, the good karma to have heard the teachings\, and conditions to support your practice of Dharma. Celebrate this! \n3) Now check with your heart and mind what amount feels both consistent with your situation\, and expressive of your aspiration. \nIt’s our joy to offer this course\, and we trust you’ll match our time\, energy\, and passion by giving an amount of money that feels good and healthy to both you and us. \n Register Now  \nFAQ\n Who leads the Meditation Circle? \nThe series is led by experienced meditation teachers Duncan Cryle and Karen McAllister\, who specialize in integrating mindfulness into daily life and community practice. \nWhat is the purpose of this meditation series? \nThe program helps participants find stability\, grounding\, and emotional balance during challenging or uncertain times through simple meditation and communication practices. \nWhat practices are included in the sessions? \nEach session includes guided meditation\, reflection\, breath awareness practices\, and group discussion\, supporting both inner calm and connection with others. \nWhat can participants expect to experience? \nParticipants learn to settle the body\, reconnect with the breath\, and draw support from nature and community\, creating a sense of steadiness and clarity. \nIs prior meditation experience required? \nNo. The meditation circle is open to complete beginners as well as experienced practitioners. \nHow does this program support wellbeing during uncertain times? \nThe practices help reduce overwhelm by strengthening presence\, emotional resilience\, and grounded awareness\, allowing participants to stay centered despite external stress. \n Is this suitable for stress or anxiety relief? \nYes. The series is designed specifically for people feeling stretched\, unsettled\, or disconnected\, offering practical tools for calm and stability.
URL:https://www.clearskycenter.org/event/meditation-circle-finding-ground-meditation-for-uncertain-times/2026-04-16/
LOCATION:Mountain View Therapeutics – Cranbrook\, #204 14 A 13 Avenue South\, Cranbrook\, BC\, V1C 2V3\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Meditation Circle,Online Courses
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ORGANIZER;CN="Clear Sky Center":MAILTO:contact@clearskycenter.org
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Edmonton:20260423T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Edmonton:20260423T110000
DTSTAMP:20260414T175520
CREATED:20260331T232657Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260414T234402Z
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SUMMARY:Getting Centered: Connecting To Body Wisdom
DESCRIPTION:Photo courtesy of Ava Maclean\nGetting Centered: Connecting To Body Wisdom\nWith Duncan Cryle and Karen McAllister \nWednesday\, April 22\, 2026 · 10–11am MT (9am PT / Noon ET / 5pm UK) \nFor many of us\, there’s a low-grade anxiety that never quite turns off. A sense of bracing for what’s next. Sleep that doesn’t fully restore. A quiet exhaustion from holding it all together. \nIf this sounds familiar\, you’re not alone. And there are practices that help. \nThis foundational session explores the nervous system as the ground of all practice—learning to settle\, to arrive\, to trust the body as a place of refuge. \nPart of our 2026 Staying Whole: Meditation For Fragmented Times series. \n					\n									Register Here\n					 \nWhat We’ll Explore\nThis foundational session explores the nervous system as the ground of all practice. When we’re chronically activated—always slightly on edge\, never fully settling—it’s hard to access our deeper resources. We stay reactive rather than responsive. We lose touch with our own steadiness. \nIn this hour together\, we’ll explore: \n\nWhy so many of us are carrying chronic low-grade activation\nSimple practices to help the nervous system settle and regulate\nHow to trust the body as a place of arrival and support\nBuilding a foundation for the deeper work of boundaries\, communication\, and resilience\n\nYou’ll leave with practices you can use immediately—and return to whenever you need to find your ground. \nPart of the Staying Whole Series\nThis session is the opening of Staying Whole: Meditation Tools for Fragmented Times—a six-session series running through 2026\, offering practical tools for inner steadiness\, relational resilience\, and community belonging. Each session stands alone\, so you’re welcome to join just this one. And if this resonates\, the series continues with: \n\nMay 20 — Compassion Without Overwhelm: Feeling Without Collapsing\nJun 24 — Boundaries as Stability: Protecting Energy Without Disconnecting\nJul 15 — Communication & Repair: Staying Connected Without Self-Abandoning\nSep 23 — Money\, Security & Trust: Working With Financial Anxiety\nOct–Nov — Integrating Mindfulness: A 4-Week Deep Dive\nNov 25 — Resilience in Community: Why We Can’t Do This Alone\n\nLearn more about the full series here \nWhat to Expect\nEach session in the series weaves together: \n\nTeaching grounded in Buddhist wisdom and 35+ years of practice\, adapted for real-world application\nGuided practice you can use immediately and return to between sessions\nReflection & dialogue with others navigating similar terrain\nIntegration tools designed for daily life\, not just the cushion\n\n															\n																														 \nAbout Your Guides\nDuncan Cryle brings together over 35 years of meditation practice in the Namgyal lineage with Acharya Doug Duncan (Qapel) and Catherine Sensei. He combines deep contemplative experience with twenty years in senior organizational roles where he pioneered workplace mindfulness programs reaching tens of thousands. Duncan has been teaching for over 15 years\, with DespertandoNoBrasil (“Awakening In Brazil”) and through Clear Sky’s integrating mindfulness program. As Co-Executive Director of Clear Sky\, Duncan brings a unique perspective on integrating awakening practices with everyday life. \nKaren McAllister has practiced meditation for over 20 years and is a senior teacher at Clear sky. She is a contemplative leader and certified money coach who integrates embodiment\, relational practice\, and material life as a path of awakening. As Co-Executive Director of Clear Sky\, Karen brings a deep commitment to aligning spiritual practice\, community life\, and the ethical flow of resources in service of collective flourishing. \nBoth Duncan and Karen have studied extensively with Clear Sky’s founding teachers and are devoted to making the path of awakening accessible and relevant to modern practitioners. \nDetails\nDate: Wednesday\, April 22\, 2026Time: 10–11am MT (9am PT / Noon ET / 5pm UK)Format: Live online via Zoom (recording available)Cost: By donation (Dāna)—everyone welcome regardless of financial circumstances \n					\n									Register Here\n					\n						“What this course has given me is a way back to myself. In the middle of all the chaos — the divorce\, the stress\, the uncertainty\, the endless decisions I can’t control — I’ve learned how to slow down\, breathe\, and actually nurture myself instead of abandoning myself. … I’m realizing that there is a life waiting for me beyond this crisis\, a steadiness I can build\, and a version of me who isn’t defined by over-responsibility or survival mode. I feel like I’m slowly remembering who I am\, and that feels hopeful.” (from Integrating Mindfulness course with Karen and Duncan)\n					Angela\n						“This course opened a completely new way of approaching my life and my work. It taught me to pause\, to be fully aware of where I am in the moment\, and to create the inner and outer space needed to respond wisely rather than react from stress or habit.\nI’ve begun to see how the stories I tell myself shape my emotions\, and how silence itself can be a source of wisdom. For me\, this is just the beginning of a new journey—one where mindfulness supports not only my own well-being\, but also the care I offer as a professional.” (from Integrating Mindfulness course with Karen and Duncan)\n					HamidMedical Doctor\n						“This course was exactly what I needed. I’ve done a lot of programs over the years\, but this one actually helped me put things into practice. Even simple actions—like making my bed—showed me I have far more control than I thought\, even in a situation with real limitations.\nWhat surprised me most was how powerful it felt to do this work alongside others; the sense of community\, the sharings\, and the space we held together made everything easier and more meaningful. I hadn’t heard of Clear Sky before\, but it arrived in my life at just the right time.” (from Integrating Mindfulness course with Karen and Duncan)\n					Collette
URL:https://www.clearskycenter.org/event/getting-centered-connecting-to-body-wisdom/
LOCATION:Clear Sky Meditation Center\, 3567 Cockell Road\, PO BOX 19\, Fort Steele\, British Columbia\, V0B 1NO\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Staying Whole Series
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ORGANIZER;CN="Clear Sky Center":MAILTO:contact@clearskycenter.org
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Edmonton:20260508T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/Edmonton:20260510T170000
DTSTAMP:20260414T175520
CREATED:20250126T231620Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260402T072749Z
UID:23794-1778259600-1778432400@www.clearskycenter.org
SUMMARY:Meditation for Hope and Healing Retreat
DESCRIPTION:Meditation for Hope and Healing\nWith Maureen Smith & Dean Nicholson \nDo you find yourself stressed by all the troubling news that bombards us every day?  Are you experiencing anger\, anxiety or hopelessness\, and not sure what you can do to make a difference? \n					\n									REGISTER NOW\n					 \nThen join us for a weekend retreat grounded in the time-honored compassion practices of the Himalayan Buddhist traditions. Compassion\, for ourselves and for the world\, is a powerful force that helps heal the hurts and wounds\, and gives us the confidence that we can be agents of action for positive change.  Set within the natural sanctuary of Clear Sky Retreat Center\, the retreat offers space for deep meditation and inner renewal. \nThrough these ancient practices\, we explore compassion not as an abstraction\, but as a living force that transforms both ourselves and our world. Using traditional visualization techniques\, we connect with the healing energy of loving-kindness\, allowing it to permeate every aspect of our being. \n															\n																														 \nThis retreat is an invitation to discover how authentic compassion creates the world we long for—one rooted in hope and healing rather than division and despair. We will work with visualization\, meditation\, mantra and contemplative practices that have guided practitioners for centuries. \nWhether you’re new to meditation or an experienced practitioner\, this weekend offers precious time to step away from daily demands and reconnect with your innate capacity for kindness. Held by the natural beauty of this place and the support of community\, you’ll discover how these time-honored practices illuminate a path toward genuine transformation—for yourself and all beings. \n															\n																														 \n  \nThis retreat will be led by Maureen Smith (MSW\, RCSW) and Dean Nicholson (MA\, RCC)\, psychotherapists and Buddhist meditation practitioners.  \nThey are devoted students of Catherine Sensei\, cofounder of the Clear Sky Meditation Center\, and they have made Clear Sky Meditation Center their home for 20 and 10 years respectively. \nBoth are experienced teachers who bring decades of clinical counselling experience together with deep personal practice.  \nThrough their work at Alive Mindfully\, they support people in living richer lives of meaning\, joy and purpose\, drawing on meditation\, counselling\, and connection to the natural world.  \nTheir teaching is grounded in genuine practice and a commitment to awakening in relationship with community and the land. \nCourse Details\n\nLocation: Clear Sky Meditation Center\, 3567 Cockell Road\nDate: May 8 -May 10\, 2026\nTime: 5:00pm Friday -5:00pm Sunday MT\nCost: Premium Private Cabin – $576\, Private Cabin – $546\,    Shared Room – $446\, Tenting – $326\n\n					\n									REGISTER NOW\n					\n																														 \nFAQs\n\n												What is the Meditation\, Hope & Healing Retreat?\n					\nThe Meditation for Hope and Healing Retreat is a weekend program grounded in time-honored Himalayan Buddhist compassion practices. It offers guided meditation\, visualization\, mantra\, and contemplative practices to cultivate hope\, healing\, and inner renewal in a supportive retreat setting. \n\n												Who is this retreat for?\n					\nThis retreat is for anyone feeling stressed\, overwhelmed\, anxious\, angry\, or hopeless due to current events or personal challenges. It is open to both new and experienced meditation practitioners seeking renewal and reconnection with compassion. \n\n												What can I expect to experience there?\n					\nParticipants will engage in meditation\, visualization\, mantra\, and compassion practices within the natural sanctuary of Clear Sky Meditation Center. The retreat provides space for deep reflection\, inner healing\, and supportive community connection. \n\n												How does meditation support healing?\n					\nThrough traditional compassion and loving-kindness practices\, meditation helps heal emotional wounds\, build resilience\, and reconnect participants with their innate capacity for kindness and positive action. \n\n												Will this retreat help with grief\, loss\, or burnout?\n					\nThe retreat is designed to support those experiencing stress\, anxiety\, anger\, or hopelessness. By cultivating compassion and inner stability\, it offers tools that can help participants navigate emotional challenges with greater strength and clarity. \n\n												How long is the retreat?\n					\nThe retreat runs from 5:00 pm Friday\, May 8\, 2026\, to 5:00 pm Sunday\, May 10\, 2026 at Clear Sky Meditation Center. \n\n												Is prior meditation experience needed?\n					\nNo. The retreat welcomes both beginners and experienced practitioners. \n\n												What results can I expect?\n					\nParticipants can expect renewed hope\, deeper compassion\, emotional steadiness\, and a stronger connection to their capacity for kindness and positive change. \n\n												How will this retreat support emotional well-being?\n					\nThrough compassion-based meditation practices\, supportive community\, and time in nature\, the retreat fosters emotional healing\, resilience\, and a sense of meaningful connection to oneself and the world. \n						Dean is a very skilled\, knowledgeable and interactive presenter.   He delivered a two day introductory Counselling Skills Training for the Akisqnuk First Nation Health and Administrative staff which was very well received and beneficial to all participants.\n					Gerard GregoireAkisqnuk First Nation Health\n						You are never quite sure how the unknown is going to be\, but mindfulness will exceed your expectations and open your eyes to how beautiful the mind really is.  Maureen’s warm personality and patience helped ease us into it\, especially for those of us in unfamiliar waters.  Her delivery\, tone and pace were perfect for me to digest.\n					Gareth WebbCounsellor\, Youth Substance Use\n						As I mentioned I have some experience (but don’t have a structured daily practice except in times of Crisis).  The wording that Maureen used was very clear and could easily be understood and added to my knowledge.  Also she made it very easy to incorporate into everyday life.  The second best thing was the profound peace that I felt by the end of the second day. I left feeling absolutely lovely and this state lasted the rest of the weekend. Thank you.\n					Ann Morin MSW\, Invermere BC\n						Dean is a professional with an amazing ability to understand what I couldn’t.  Dean never did the work for me and he always seems to know what to say to help guide me towards making up my own mind and figuring out my issues.  Having Dean as a counsellor is like having a caring knowledgeable friend help you through hard times.\n					PK\n						I appreciated the longer meditations in all the senses.\nAlthough I have been engaged in  guided meditations fairly consistently for 2 years plus; having your support really helped me to ‘stretch out’.\n					Doug P.
URL:https://www.clearskycenter.org/event/meditation-hope-healing-retreat/
LOCATION:Clear Sky Meditation Center\, 3567 Cockell Road\, PO BOX 19\, Fort Steele\, British Columbia\, V0B 1NO\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Group Retreats and Courses
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ORGANIZER;CN="Clear Sky Center":MAILTO:contact@clearskycenter.org
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Edmonton:20260619T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/Edmonton:20260621T170000
DTSTAMP:20260414T175520
CREATED:20260211T010736Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260325T212631Z
UID:27870-1781888400-1782061200@www.clearskycenter.org
SUMMARY:Coming Home: Meditating in Nature
DESCRIPTION:Photo courtesy of Ava Maclean\nComing Home: Meditating In Nature\nWith Duncan Cryle and Karen McAllister \nAre you longing to reconnect with the natural world and discover a deeper sense of belonging? Do you sense that healing the separation between yourself and nature could transform your experience of life? \nJoin us for a weekend immersed in the mountains and meadows of Clear Sky\, where we’ll explore natural meditation practices that awaken us to our intimate connection with all of life. \n\nREGISTER NOW\n \nReconnecting with the Web of Life\nLiving in our modern world\, it’s easy to forget that we are part of an ecosystem that is incredibly old and spans a whole planet. This forgetting has become so deep that it shapes our culture and institutions. Yet the separation we feel – from nature\, from our bodies\, from each other – is not the truth of how things are. \nThis retreat offers a path home. \nThrough simple yet profound practices done outdoors in Clear Sky’s stunning mountain setting\, we’ll rediscover a natural connection with our breath\, the earth\, and the land around us. We’ll learn to see with fresh eyes\, as if we were explorers encountering life for the first time \n \nWho This Retreat Is For\nThis retreat welcomes anyone who: \n\nFeels disconnected from nature and longs to reconnect\nIs new to meditation and wants an accessible entry point\nHas meditation experience but wants to deepen their practice outdoors\nSeeks healing from the stress and isolation of modern life\nIs curious about Buddhist approaches to ecology and interconnection\n\nNo prior meditation experience is required. The practices we’ll explore are simple yet profound – suitable for beginners while offering depth for experienced practitioners. \n\n\nREGISTER NOW\n\nYou can read and try all sorts of things by yourself\, but doing it with a group\, and with Karen and Duncan as wonderful teachers who really know what they are doing\, will set you up to get closer to the direction and peace that you so deeply crave.\nErika RasmussenWriter and Film Maker\n \nWhat You’ll Experience\nIntroduction To Breathing Meditation Foundational accessible instructions in reconnecting to our breath\, and using the breath as a natural anchor to support presence. \nBreathing With Nature A beautiful meditation practice that reconnects us with the ancient dance of giving and receiving between humans and the plant kingdom. This simple practice rapidly brings calm and wellbeing while revealing that we truly belong to something much larger than ourselves. \nNature Contemplation Guided explorations in Clear Sky’s forests\, meadows\, and along its mountain trails. We’ll practice seeing the interconnectedness that reveals itself wherever we look – discovering\, as the early explorers did\, how encountering the natural world transforms our sense of who and what we are. \nEmbodied Presence Practices that bring us home to our bodies as living expressions of nature itself. We’ll learn to savor the breath as rare nectar and discover how attention to our embodied experience reconnects us to the larger body of life. \n\nREGISTER NOW\n\n\n \nAbout Your Guides\nDuncan Cryle has practiced meditation for over 20 years in the Namgyal lineage. He combines deep contemplative experience with twenty years in senior organizational roles where he pioneered workplace mindfulness programs reaching tens of thousands. As Co-Executive Director of Clear Sky\, Duncan brings a unique perspective on integrating awakening practices with everyday life. \nKaren McAllister has practiced meditation for over 20 years and is a senior teacher at Clear sky. She is a contemplative leader and certified money coach who integrates embodiment\, relational practice\, and material life as a path of awakening. As Co-Executive Director of Clear Sky\, Karen brings a deep commitment to aligning spiritual practice\, community life\, and the ethical flow of resources in service of collective flourishing. \nBoth Duncan and Karen have studied extensively with Clear Sky’s founding teachers and are devoted to making the path of awakening accessible and relevant to modern practitioners. \nCourse Details\n\nLocation: Clear Sky Meditation Center\, 3567 Cockell Road\, Fort Steele\, BC\, V0B 1N0\nDate: Jun 19-21\, 2026\nTime: 5:00pm Friday -5:00pm Sunday MT\nCost: Premium Private Cabin – $576\, Private Cabin – $546\,    Shared Room – $446\, Tenting – $326\n\n\n\nREGISTER NOW\n\n“What this course has given me is a way back to myself. In the middle of all the chaos — the divorce\, the stress\, the uncertainty\, the endless decisions I can’t control — I’ve learned how to slow down\, breathe\, and actually nurture myself instead of abandoning myself. … I’m realizing that there is a life waiting for me beyond this crisis\, a steadiness I can build\, and a version of me who isn’t defined by over-responsibility or survival mode. I feel like I’m slowly remembering who I am\, and that feels hopeful.” (from Integrating Mindfulness course with Karen and Duncan)\nAngela\n“This course opened a completely new way of approaching my life and my work. It taught me to pause\, to be fully aware of where I am in the moment\, and to create the inner and outer space needed to respond wisely rather than react from stress or habit.\nI’ve begun to see how the stories I tell myself shape my emotions\, and how silence itself can be a source of wisdom. For me\, this is just the beginning of a new journey—one where mindfulness supports not only my own well-being\, but also the care I offer as a professional.” (from Integrating Mindfulness course with Karen and Duncan)\nHamidMedical Doctor\n“This course was exactly what I needed. I’ve done a lot of programs over the years\, but this one actually helped me put things into practice. Even simple actions—like making my bed—showed me I have far more control than I thought\, even in a situation with real limitations.\nWhat surprised me most was how powerful it felt to do this work alongside others; the sense of community\, the sharings\, and the space we held together made everything easier and more meaningful. I hadn’t heard of Clear Sky before\, but it arrived in my life at just the right time.” (from Integrating Mindfulness course with Karen and Duncan)\nCollette \nFAQs\nDo I need meditation experience to attend this retreat? \nNo prior experience is needed. This retreat is designed to be accessible to complete beginners while still offering depth for those with an existing practice. The practices are simple\, grounded\, and done mostly outdoors — no background in Buddhism or meditation is required. \nWhat does meditating in nature actually involve? \nThe retreat includes guided breathing meditation\, outdoor nature contemplation walks through Clear Sky’s forests and mountain meadows\, and embodied presence practices. Everything takes place on Clear Sky’s 300-acre property in the BC Rockies — the land itself is very much part of the teaching. \nWhen and where is this retreat held? \nThe retreat runs June 19–21\, 2026 (Friday 5pm to Sunday 5pm MT) at Clear Sky Meditation Centre\, 3567 Cockell Road\, Fort Steele\, BC. Clear Sky is about 40 minutes from Cranbrook International Airport and a four-hour drive from Calgary. See our Getting Here page for directions. \nWhat does the retreat cost and what accommodation options are available? \nPricing is based on your accommodation choice: Premium Private Cabin ($576)\, Private Cabin ($546)\, Shared Room ($446)\, or Tenting ($326). All options include three organic\, locally sourced meals per day prepared by our resident community. \nWho are the retreat teachers? \nThe retreat is led by Duncan Cryle and Karen McAllister\, both Co-Executive Directors of Clear Sky and senior meditation teachers with over 20 years of practice in the Namgyal lineage. Duncan has pioneered workplace mindfulness programs reaching tens of thousands globally; Karen is also a certified money coach and contemplative leader. Both have trained extensively with Clear Sky’s founding teachers. \nIs this retreat suitable for people dealing with stress\, burnout\, or eco-anxiety? \nYes — this is one of the central intentions of the retreat. The practices are specifically designed to address the disconnection and overwhelm that come with modern life\, including eco-anxiety. Participants regularly report feeling calmer\, more grounded\, and more connected after spending a weekend in nature with these practices. \nHow is this different from a silent meditation retreat? \nUnlike a private silent retreat\, this is a guided group experience with a set schedule\, teacher-led sessions\, and community meals. It’s a warmer\, more supported entry point — ideal if you want structure and connection alongside your practice rather than extended solitude.
URL:https://www.clearskycenter.org/event/coming-home-meditating-in-nature/
LOCATION:Clear Sky Meditation Center\, 3567 Cockell Road\, PO BOX 19\, Fort Steele\, British Columbia\, V0B 1NO\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Group Retreats and Courses
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.clearskycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/ComingHome_MeditatingInNature.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Clear Sky Center":MAILTO:contact@clearskycenter.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260629
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260830
DTSTAMP:20260414T175520
CREATED:20251218T164759Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260330T091908Z
UID:26796-1782691200-1788047999@www.clearskycenter.org
SUMMARY:Re-Generation Youth Program: Where Spirituality\, Ecology & Community Meet
DESCRIPTION:Re-Generation Youth Program: Where Spirituality\, Ecology & Community Meet\nNote: this is a special summer Youth Program – for our regular three month immersive program outside of the summer see here \nBelieve in Life Again\nWe think young people deserve better than what the world is currently offering. We’re willing to show up and see what we can do to generate wholesome impacts\, together. Learn about yourself\, the land and living in community together so that you are equipped to better make decisions and take action in life.  This program is designed to help you develop skills to co-create a world you want to live in. \nJoin us from June 29 – August 29\, 2026. \nQuestions? Please contact  michelle@clearskycenter.org or (250) 429-3929. FAQ’s can be found at the bottom of the page. \n\n										Photo credit: Ava Maclean\nSpend just two months in residence to remember that life can be meaningful\, that you can be part of the solution\, that connection is real\, and that you have what it takes.  \n																														 \nThat’s what we’re really offering. Not a fix. Not a cure. A remembering that we can believe in life again.  \nThis youth program is our way of saying: you’re not alone\, the world isn’t hopeless\, and there are people who care about your generation inheriting something worth having. Daily\, we practice meditation together so that we can embody what we teach – what we fondly refer to as “a life worth living”. We do this by leveraging our shared vision and values to live well in community. We align around our quadruple bottom line: spiritual\, environmental\, social and financial well-being. \nThis is for you if:\n\nYou’re 21-35 and feeling lost\nYou’re tired of superficiality and want real connection\nYou want to counter your eco-anxiety with wholesome action\nYou want to be of service in a world that needs us\, instead of feeling helpless\nYou want mentorship from elders who haven’t given up\n\n\n										Photo credit: Ava Maclean\n					\n									Inquire Here\n					 \nYou don’t need to:\n\nBe Buddhist (though we work in that tradition)\nHave meditation experience (we’ll teach you)\nHave your life figured out (literally no one does)\n\n\n										Photo credit: Ava Maclean\nReady To Get Real?\nThis is for you if you struggle to make commitments\, be in community and want to try. You’ll be away from your usual distractions\, working with your hands and real people. Living in a small community you’ll face yourself and it can be uncomfortable.  \nIf you want to believe in life again\, and you want to be part of the solution– instead of drowning in problems\, this might be exactly what you need. Space to remember who you are. \n\n										\nThis program is psychedelic and drug free\, but we know this world. If you’ve had experiences with psychedelics and are trying to integrate them\, we can support that work in a grounded\, contemplative context. \n					\n									Inquire Here\n					 \nWhat You’ll Learn\n\nHow to meditate and practices that work including\, relief from struggle (not bypassing it\, actually working with it) \nHow to lead\, follow\, and work as a team in community (leading with a heart for service\, not ego)\nHow to be a bodhisattva in the world (someone who acts\, not just talks about it)\nHow to live sustainably with people\, pressures and the planet\n\n																														 \nOur team includes Buddhist teachers and practitioners– our head teacher Catherine Sensei and long term students offer authentic spiritual teachings and practices in a modern day context\, plus: \n\nEntrepreneurs\, coaches and career mentors who’ve built meaningful lives \nTherapists who work with depression\, addiction and trauma\nLand lovers who know and care for the land intimately\nCreative professionals (writers\, filmmakers) who’ll help you tell your story\n\n\n										Photo credit: Ava Maclean\n																														 \n\n“As a Gen Z\, I felt like I was giving up on life\, and I wanted to find the peace and purpose that I felt was beyond my capacities. I found Clear Sky\, and the teachers\, teachings\, and community showed me what I had been looking for: a way to wake up\, and become the person I want to be—to learn how to listen to what life and the earth are speaking to me\, and to march forward in our communal pursuit of the common good. I am ready now from this community’s support to love and serve on this planet as I was meant to\, and I know that I am not alone. Full steam ahead!” \nERIKA R. \n\n					\n									Inquire Here\n					\n		\n																														 \nThe Nitty Gritty\nDates: June 29 – August 29\, 2026 \nHow much does it cost? We’re committed to making this accessible and decided to offer sliding scale pricing so that you can choose what is right for your situation. Additionally\, we do offer payment plans. \n\n$2000 CAD covers our costs for organic meals and accommodation.\n$2500-$3500 CAD covers our costs for organic meals and accommodation plus some tuition\n$3500 CAD and above allows us to cover our costs and pay some forward in scholarships\n\nAre Scholarships available?  Yes. We welcome all scholarship applications and prioritize those holding marginalized identities\, including Black\, Indigenous and other people of color\, immigrants\, and LGBTQIA+ people. We also recognize that those working in social justice\, climate\, public service\, and education are historically underpaid — if that’s you\, please apply here. \nApply early\, as funds are limited and cannot cover every application. \nHow many participants? This will be a small group of  3-4 participants. This means real connection\, individual attention and genuine community. \nWhat about screens/phones? For this summer program we’ll be outside a lot. We use WhatsApp groups for communication and occasional wholesome social media posting\, for the most part we encourage you to step back from your usual online life. We know this might seem difficult\, but you’ll probably thank us. You’ll still be accessible for emergencies and necessary communication. \nIs this program physically demanding? \nWe believe in taking action\, not just talking about what we can do for the planet. This program is intentionally designed to enhance our practice of embodiment\, eco-restoration and connection with the land. Expect to be active and engaged on the land daily. We balance activity with meditation\, learning in community and one day of rest per week to integrate our learnings. \nWhat if I don’t have outdoor skills? Perfect. You’ll learn them. That’s the whole point. Most of us grew up in cities or spent too much time inside. You’ll learn by doing\, with patient teachers who remember what it’s like to be new at this stuff.  \nWe’re still finalizing details and if you want to talk about whether this is right for you\, reach out to michelle@clearskycenter.org \nIn the meantime: \n\nExplore teachings on Planet Dharma\nCheck out our Clear Sky Website to get a feel for who we are\nIf you like more intensity\, learn more about our three month intensive\nFollow your gut. If something in you lit up reading this\, pay attention and listen to that : )\n\n															\n																														 \n\n										Photo credit: Ava Maclean\n\n										Photo credit: Ava Maclean\n					\n									Inquire Here\n					 \nMeet Our Head Teacher\n																														 \nCatherine Pawasarat Sensei \nCatherine Pawasarat Sensei began her spiritual practices in earnest in her early 20s\, when she struggled to make sense of and overcome personal suffering and international environmental and social justice challenges. She became a student of metaphysics\, Western spiritual traditions\, and the ayahuasca sacraments in the 1990s. \nFor 26 years Catherine Sensei trained daily with Qapel Doug Duncan in an intensive spiritual apprenticeship that is rare in the modern West. She received lay ordination from Ven. Namgyal Rinpoche in 2003. \nWith Qapel she co-founded Clear Sky Retreat Center and Planet Dharma and is a lineage holder for these teachings. She supports the spiritual underpinnings of social entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurship for spiritual practitioners. She worked as an advocacy photojournalist and studied traditional Japanese arts (including koto\, shamisen\, kyogen) in Kyoto for 20 years\, culminating in her landmark work GionFestival.org. \nSince the early 2000s Sensei has provided dharma training and taught the path of awakening to hundreds of students\, together with Qapel and on her own. In addition to Buddhist philosophy and its applications to daily life\, Sensei also draws on generative living (a.k.a. sustainability) and the arts. \nAbout Clear Sky\nLocated in the BC rocky mountains\, we offer over 300-acres to deepen your practice and reconnect with nature.  \nFounded by Qapel Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat Sensei\, we are home to students from around the globe who are dedicated to co-creating a supportive and innovative space for awakening in our modern world. \nIn adherence with our quadruple bottom line\, we source our food as local and organic as possible. \nEVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW on how to get here\, what to bring and what to expect.  \n															\n															\n															\n															\n						“Clear Sky is my favourite place to retreat. I am so grateful to find such an amazing place to study various meditation practices\, walk in stunning nature and eat fresh food from the farm. I always enjoy going there for more.”\n					Maya L.\n						 \nFAQs\n												What is the Re-Generation Youth Program? \nIt’s a two-month in-person immersion at Clear Sky Meditation Centre in BC\, designed for young adults aged 21–35. You’ll live in community\, practise daily meditation\, work on the land through eco-restoration\, and develop real-world life skills — all within a structured spiritual framework. It’s not a wellness retreat or a camp. It’s a meaningful alternative for those who want to believe in life again. \n												Do I need meditation or outdoor experience to apply? \nNeither. You’ll be taught meditation from the ground up\, and all land-based activities are guided by patient teachers who expect you to be new to this. What matters is an open heart and genuine willingness to engage — not what you already know. \n												How is this different from a regular summer program or gap year? \nMost gap year programs focus on travel or skill-building. This one focuses on inner transformation alongside outer action — combining Buddhist meditation\, ecological restoration\, community living\, and mentorship from experienced teachers. If you want something that actually changes how you see yourself and the world\, this goes much further than a typical summer program. \n												Who is this program for? \nYoung adults aged 21–35 who are feeling lost\, burnt out\, or disconnected — whether from nature\, community\, or themselves. You don’t need to be Buddhist\, spiritual\, or have your life figured out. If you’re tired of superficiality and want real connection and purpose\, this program was built for you. \n												How much does the program cost and is financial assistance available? \nPricing is on a sliding scale: $2\,000 CAD covers accommodation and all organic meals; $2\,500–$3\,500 CAD covers costs plus some tuition; $3\,500 CAD and above allows us to cover costs and contribute toward scholarships for others. If cost is still a barrier\, scholarship support is available — complete a Scholarship Application and we’ll do our best to make it work. \n												What is dāna and how much should I budget for it? \nDana: \nFor attendance of retreats and events that are in addition to the program we do charge registration fees to cover the materials needed to offer the retreat/event. The Teachings are freely given on the basis of dāna. \nYou may have come across this elsewhere in the form of “pay from the heart”. Dāna is a Sanskrit term meaning “generosity”. With dāna\, we give as a mutual exchange of generosity. It’s our joy to offer this course\, and we trust you’ll match our time\, energy\, and passion by giving an amount of money that feels good and healthy to both you and us. \nThe dharma has been built on generosity. No-one is excluded for lack of funds but it is also extremely beneficial to give as much as you are able \nTypically people give in a range of $120-$500 USD for a course.  \nAs we’re committed to ensuring everyone has access to the Dharma\, please feel comfortable to give less if you are not financially secure.  Another form of giving dāna is to offer service\, and if you are interested in providing support in a non-financial way\, we invite you to contact us.  \nConversely\, if you are financially secure\, we invite you to generate merit by providing more financial support to the Triple Gem. Contributions like these make the difference in supporting our teachers\, teachings\, and center. \nLearn more about the practice of dāna here. \n												What does a typical day look like? \nDays are full and intentional. Morning group meditation is followed by eco-restoration activities on the land\, community meals\, afternoon contemplation\, and evening learning sessions. You’ll have one rest and integration day per week. Screens and social media are largely set aside — this is time to remember who you are without the usual noise. \n												What does the daily schedule look like? \nSpecific times may change – this is a rough guide (MST) \n\n7:00- 7:45 AM: Group Meditation Practice and Contemplation led by Sangha\n7:45- 9:00 AM: Breakfast: Prepare\, eat\, clean up\n9:00 – 11:30 AM: Eco Activities led by Sangha\n12:30 – 1:30 PM: Lunch: Prepare\, eat\, clean up\n1:30 – 3:00 PM: Rest\n3:00 – 4:00 PM: Group Contemplation led by Sangha\n4:00 – 5:30 PM: Elective Projects\n5:30 – 7:00 PM: Dinner: prepare\, eat\, clean up\n7:15 – 8:30 PM: Community Learning and Practices \n8:30 – Beyond: Personal Care & bed\n\n												Where is the program held and how do I get there? \nClear Sky sits on 300 acres near Bull River in southeastern BC\, 40–60 minutes from Cranbrook/Canadian Rockies International Airport (YXC). It’s a four-hour drive from Calgary and one hour from the US border (accessible from Spokane\, Sandpoint\, and Whitefish). Airport pickup is available — just notify us when registering. For full directions\, visit our Getting Here page. \n												How many participants are accepted and when should I apply? \nThis is intentionally a small group of 3–4 participants to ensure real connection and individual attention. Applications close June 15th\, 2026 for the summer intake (June 29–August 29). Apply as early as possible. If you’re drawn to a longer or year-round commitment\, explore our Three-Month Karma Yoga Intensive which runs multiple intakes throughout the year. \n		\n															\n					\n									Inquire Here
URL:https://www.clearskycenter.org/event/re-generation-youth-program-where-spirituality-ecology-community-meet/
LOCATION:Clear Sky Meditation Center\, 3567 Cockell Road\, PO BOX 19\, Fort Steele\, British Columbia\, V0B 1NO\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Featured Courses,Group Retreats and Courses
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.clearskycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Re-Generation-Youth-Program.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Clear Sky Center":MAILTO:contact@clearskycenter.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Edmonton:20260726T093000
DTEND;TZID=America/Edmonton:20260816T110000
DTSTAMP:20260414T175520
CREATED:20251217T031307Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260212T091801Z
UID:26795-1785058200-1786878000@www.clearskycenter.org
SUMMARY:Emotional Intelligence (Online)
DESCRIPTION:Emotional Intelligence: Four-Week Online Course\n“The proof of our emotional intelligence is how much time we spend in the Brahma Viharas” \n—Qapel Doug Duncan and Catherine Sensei Pawasarat  \nThe spiritual path is the hardest—yet most worthwhile—path one can undertake. To walk the path and meet our challenges\, we need serious sustenance. Joy is a vital treasure that can feed us and put the air under our wings. \nIn what can be seen as a dark time for our whole planet\, joy is vital to cultivate for ourselves and for each other\, in our aspiration to benefit all beings. This online course with teacher Catherine Pawasarat Sensei throws open the door to joy\, and revitalizes it as a resource for the journey of awakening. \nHave you ever said something and watched the other person’s face change—realizing they heard something completely different from what you meant? Or felt a wave of conflicting emotions arise\, not knowing whether to suppress them\, express them\, or somehow transform them? \nFrom one perspective\, we could say that conflicting emotions are the source of all of our suffering. Difficult situations can arise\, but if we don’t have conflicting emotions about them\, we don’t suffer so much—or at all. \nThis course offers something rare: the chance to learn how – from the meditator and Dharma practitioner perspective – to work skillfully with emotional risings.  It aims to help you show up in kinder\, more compassionate\, and wiser ways in the world. And one of the side benefits? You’re generally a happier person. \nJuly 26 – August 16\, 2026 \nSunday morning online classes 9:30-11:00am MT\, july 26\, Aug 2 and Aug 9 \nSaturday & Sunday August 15-16 – 9:30am and 2:30pm (approx 60-90 min) \n					\n									Registration (Coming Soon)\n					 \nfocus area\nBuddhism \nPsychology \npractice\nCourse & Optional \nHome Retreat \nDuration\nFour \nWeeks \nDay/Time\nSundays from 9:30-11am MT \nformat\nIn-Person or \nOnline \nBeyond Spiritual Bypassing\n\nHere’s the truth many of us meditators need to hear: a lot of us use our meditation practices to bypass conflicting emotions\, which is different than transcending them. \nIn this course\, we’ll look at the difference between bypassing and transcending these emotions\, and discover how to use conflicting emotions skillfully to propel us further on the path. What if those difficult emotions weren’t obstacles\, but fuel? \nThe Year of Transformation \n  \n2026 is the year of transformation here at Planet Dharma. That means growth\, skill development\, transcendence. \nThink about it: how many of your challenges right now trace back to a miscommunication? A text message that landed wrong? A conversation where you felt completely misunderstood? \nWe could likely say that 90% of our problems are related to misunderstandings in communication. Does that resonate? \nCommunication isn’t just a valuable skill—it’s vital. To be able to communicate something in a way where the other person hears what you mean\, in a wholesome way\, that’s a real\, very high skill. Because they can hear something completely different. \nWhen more of us are able to communicate that way\, it will undoubtedly improve the quality of life for all beings on the planet. The more effectively and wholesomely we learn to communicate\, the better off the Earth is. \nSo when we talk about emotional intelligence\, we’re talking about the Bodhisattva vow—and an important aspect of ecological restoration for all. \n					\n									Register (Coming Soon)\n					\n															\n															\n															\n						“In 10 years I have NOT missed a course with master teachers Qapel and Sensei! Every class reflects the light of oneness in prisms of direction and understanding and thus a lighter load to carry in the relative world and a lightness of being. If one aspires to be a bodhisattva and to benefit all beings\, this one recommends the next one.”\n					Brendan R. 				 \nWhat is Emotional Intelligence\, Really?\nEmotional intelligence has a lot to do with being true to ourselves\, having integrity\, and being able to communicate in that integrity with others in skillful ways—and the ability to receive the same. \nWith the development of emotional intelligence of this kind\, if someone behaves or speaks in a way that’s not so skillful\, we’re able to receive it in a way that’s skillful. That is a form of wholesome transformation. \nThink of it as sending skillfully and receiving skillfully\, regardless of what the other person is doing. And of course\, in our own development\, we endeavor to support others to be or become skillful too. \nBody\, Speech\, and Mind\nIn this course\, we’ll look at working with emotions to help us with the Speech aspect of Body\, Speech\, and Mind. Using the Himalayan Buddhist perspective\, the Body is located in the forehead\, Speech in the throat\, and Mind in the heart. \nEmotions are located in the throat too\, so they relate to wholesome speech and self-expression—which relates to creativity! \nWhen we talk about the Body\, Speech and Mind of the Buddha\, the deity Vajrapani represents the Body\, Chenrezi—the realm of compassion—represents Speech\, and Manjushri represents Mind. Thus\, the skillfulness of our compassion pertains very closely to our Speech. \nYour Unique Line of Development\nHere’s something liberating to consider: we can think of Emotional Intelligence as its own Line of Development in the Integral model. \nYou might be brilliant cognitively\, advanced spiritually\, or gifted artistically or somatically—but not so high in the Emotional Intelligence line. This course is meant to offer us all resources to grow in the Emotional Line of Development. \nConversely\, someone might be high in the Emotional Line but not so high in the others. This course might give them a chance to shine and become more aware of growth edges! \nWhat to Expect\nCatherine Sensei will offer exercises for students to undertake with their Sanghas in the weeks between classes. \nAs you engage with the course materials\, notice: What arisings are coming up for you? Is there emotional content? What kind of emotional content do you feel prepared to transform\, to allow the arising to pass away? Do you have the skills to transform it into something generative? \nThe final weekend of the course will be a flash retreat that will include exercises for students. The flash retreat registration is a separate registration. \nDeepening Your Learning\nThe course links beautifully to Catherine’s Sensei weekend retreat in September 2026 on the north and south nodes in AstroDharma. The nodes work reveals the deeper patterns at play\, while emotional intelligence gives you the skills to navigate them skillfully. We strongly recommend taking them together for a complete approach to working with yourself and others. \nCourse Texts\nWe’ll draw on these texts and other sources: \nDestructive Emotions: How Can We Overcome Them? A scientific dialogue with the Dalai Lama Narrated by Daniel Goleman \nEmotional Intelligence By Daniel Goleman \n															\n																														 \nCourse Schedule\nJuly 26 – August 16\, 2026 \nClass Times (Mountain Time)\n\nSunday July 26 – 9:30-11am\nSunday August 2 – 9:30-11am\nSunday August 9 – 9:30-11am\nSaturday & Sunday August 15-16 – 9:30am and 2:30pm (approx 60-90 min)\n\nThe formal and participatory teachings for this course will occur on Sundays\, with a separate registration for the Saturday-Sunday flash retreat on the fourth weekend. Class times are estimates and may change slightly. \nWe encourage you to connect with Sangha outside of class times to discuss and deepen your learning of the material. \nFlash Retreat Weekend: August 15-16\nTo deepen and integrate your experience\, the final (fourth) weekend during the course will also be a Flash Retreat (August 15-16)\, offered by a separate registration\, which will include exercises to engage in. This can be done at home\, or with us at Clear Sky Meditation Centre in Eastern British Columbia. \nFormal group sessions will be held at these approximate times: \n\nFlash Retreat morning session: 9:30am MT\nFlash Retreat afternoon session: 2:30pm MT\nSessions will be 60-90 mins in length.\n\n															\n																														 \nMeet the Teachers\n																														 \nCatherine Pawasarat Sensei\nCatherine Pawasarat Sensei is a contemporary Dharma teacher\, attendant\, consort\, co-teacher via Planet Dharma and co-founder of Clear Sky Retreat Center. In addition to Buddhist philosophy and its applications to daily life\, Catherine also draws on generative living and universal spiritual tools including transpersonal astrology and Japanese arts. \nShe trained daily with Acariya Doug Duncan from 1998 until his passing in 2024\, in an intensive spiritual apprenticeship that is rare in the modern West. She received lay ordination from Namgyal Rinpoche in 2003. \nMore About Sensei | About the Lineage \n					\n									Register Now (Coming Soon)\n					\n						“The teachers have brought together ancient teachings with scientific findings that prove how and why Dharma teachings radically improve life\, reduce pain and increase global peace. It doesn’t matter what you believe\, you will embody a healthy new way of being. Because of their vast collective wisdom\, you leave their presence radically altered for the betterment of humanity.”\n					Evangelos D.\n						 \nFAQs\n												What is Emotional Intelligence (EQ) and why is it important? \nEmotional Intelligence is the ability to recognize and manage your emotions while skillfully navigating others’. It is the “Speech” component of Clear Sky’s Body\, Speech\, and Mind framework. High EQ is essential for reducing stress\, improving communication\, and turning daily struggles into vitality. \n												How does this Emotional Intelligence course help my career? \nThis course builds high-performance leadership skills like self-regulation\, empathy\, and conflict resolution. By mastering these\, you can handle high-pressure workplace scenarios with composure\, lead teams more effectively\, and align your professional actions with your personal values. \n												Who is this Emotional Intelligence course for? \nIt is designed for professionals\, leaders\, and spiritual seekers who want to bridge the gap between their inner growth and their external relationships. Whether you’re an executive or a student\, this course is for anyone ready to transform how they interact with the world. \n												What makes the Clear Sky approach to EQ unique? \nOur approach integrates Integral Buddhism with modern EQ frameworks. Led by Catherine Pawasarat Sensei\, we focus on “waking up” and “growing up” simultaneously\, using mindfulness to address the root causes of emotional triggers rather than just managing symptoms. \n												How is this course different from standard corporate Emotional Intelligence training? \nWhile corporate training often focuses on productivity “scripts\,” Clear Sky emphasizes authentic\, generative change. We treat EQ as a holistic practice for your spiritual\, social\, and professional life\, helping you maintain inner peace even in high-stress environments. \n												Dana and Pricing \nDana: \nYou may have come across this elsewhere in the form of “pay from the heart.” Dāna is a Sanskrit term meaning “generosity.” With dāna\, we give as a mutual exchange of generosity. It’s our joy to offer this course\, and we trust you’ll match our time\, energy\, and passion by giving an amount of money that feels good and healthy to both you and us. \nThe dharma has been built on generosity. No one is excluded for lack of funds. However\, it is also extremely beneficial to give as much as you are able. \nTypically people give in a range of $120-$500 USD for a course. \nAs we’re committed to ensuring everyone has access to the Dharma\, please feel comfortable to give less if you are not financially secure. Another form of giving dāna is to offer service\, and if you are interested in providing support in a non-financial way\, we invite you to contact us. \nIf you are financially secure\, we invite you to generate merit by providing more financial support to the Triple Gem. Contributions like these make the difference in supporting our teachers\, teachings\, and center. \nLearn more about the practice of dāna here. \n												About the Online Admin Fee \nIn a traditional model of in-person teachings\, a retreat center or urban meditation center invites teachers to visit. In these cases the centers have infrastructure and organization costs to cover\, which might be covered by an admin fee. For the teaching itself\, dāna to the teachers is offered in a bowl. This honors both the sustainability of the teachers\, and of the supporting center. \nWe’ve tried to recreate this approach online. The teachers’ time and the teaching themselves are offered on the basis of dāna\, separate to the admin fee. With our dāna offering we are making a direct gift of generosity to the teachers to support their teachings and livelihood. \nThe admin fee* goes to support the infrastructure and organization necessary to support them to teach. As anyone with an online business will know\, the costs of setting up good infrastructure to support effective teaching and connection online can be surprising. \nOur admin fee changes based on the date of registration. \nRegister four + weeks prior: $80Register two to four weeks prior: $100Register less than two weeks prior: $120 \n*We also do not wish to exclude anyone from the Teachings\, so if you are not currently in a financial position to afford the admin fee\, please contact the course Registrar via registrar@planetdharma.com so we can support you to attend. \n— \nBelow are a few of the work and benefits that your admin fee payment is supporting: \n\nHigh speed internet (to allow interviews and classes on-line)\nOnline class systems (Zoom)\nRegistration / admin systems (Eventbrite\, Basecamp)\nCommunication systems to keep everyone informed\, share connection details\, teachings and other resources (Mailchimp)\nOnline storage (for example\, Dropbox\, to allow us to let students watch recordings\, and to store and share selected teachings in other forms such as podcasts and video later\, and Amazon cloud)\nQuality sound\, video and editing equipment (both for live teachings and to provide good enough quality for later sharing as podcasts and video). We are regularly updating our equipment to improve your user experience.\nOnline calendar booking system to allow students to book interviews\nWebsite hosting and maintenance for sharing upcoming courses\, teachings\, blogs and other resources.\n\nWe welcome any questions. May all our efforts be sustainable\, abundant and for the benefit of all beings! \n		\n															\n					\n									Register (Coming Soon)
URL:https://www.clearskycenter.org/event/emotional-intelligence-online-course/
LOCATION:Online
CATEGORIES:Featured Courses,Online Courses
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.clearskycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Emotional-Intelligence-Square.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Clear Sky Center":MAILTO:contact@clearskycenter.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20261001T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20261004T140000
DTSTAMP:20260414T175521
CREATED:20260407T165111Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260413T210838Z
UID:28760-1790852400-1791122400@www.clearskycenter.org
SUMMARY:Healing Love\, Healing Money (Online)
DESCRIPTION:Healing Love\, Healing Money: Trust as the Foundation for a New Culture\nA Four-Day Live Online Course in partnership between Clear Sky Center and Tamera. \nHosted by Karen McAllister and Duncan Cryle from Clear Sky and  Monika Alleweldt and Benjamin von Mendelssohn from Tamera \nOctober 1-4\, 2026Time: 11am–2pm MST; 1–4 pm EST; 6–9 pm WEST/BST; 7–10 pm CET \nThis course explores a simple but rarely examined question: \nWhat if our struggles with money are not primarily financial…but relational? \nAnd what if the way we’ve learned to love is shaping the way we earn\, spend\, give and receive? \nOver four weeks\, we explore how fear around belonging\, intimacy\, security\, and survival shapes both our relationships and our economic behaviour and how healing trust at the community level may be essential for real change. \n															\n															\n															\n															\n					\n									Register Now\n					 \nAgenda\nOct 1st — The Roots of Fear\nWhy Money Anxiety Is Not Just About Money \nWe begin by exploring how: \n\nfear of exclusion shows up as financial stress\nscarcity responses live in the nervous system\ncollective trauma influences earning\, saving and giving\nmoney becomes a proxy for safety and belonging\nParticipants will: \n\nmap their early survival adaptations around both love and money\nnotice grasping\, avoidance or control patterns\nbegin tracking somatic responses to financial and relational stress\nOct 2nd — Love\, Possession & Power\nThe Hidden Economic Training Ground of Relationship \n\nThis session looks at: \n\nownership in love and ownership in the economy\njealousy\, control and financial secrecy\nhow partnership becomes an economic unit\nthe influence of patriarchal conditioning on intimacy and livelihood\nParticipants will: \n\nexplore communication patterns around money and intimacy\nidentify inherited relational and financial agreements\npractice truth-telling in a carefully held small-group setting\nOct 3rd — Trust as Infrastructure\nCommunity as a Container for Healing \nWe examine why: \n\nhealing often fails when kept private\nboth love and money tend to isolate us\ntrust requires social structures\, not just personal insight\nnew relational agreements create economic safety\nParticipants will: \n\nwork in small pods to explore feedback and witnessing\nexperiment with shared inquiry around resource and care\nreflect on what supports transparency in both love and livelihood\nOct 4th — Ethical Livelihood\nFrom Private Survival to Collective Sufficiency \nWe close by exploring: \n\nwhat “enough” really means\npurpose-aligned earning\ngenerosity and reciprocity\nlivelihood as participation in cultural healing\nParticipants will: \n\nclarify values around work and contribution\nreflect on giving\, receiving and sustainability\ncreate a personal practice for aligning love\, money and service\n					\n									Register Now\n					\n															\n															\n															\n															\n																														 \nThroughout the Course\n\nshort meditation practices\nrelational inquiry exercises\nsomatic awareness practices\nbuddy conversations\noptional journaling prompts\nThe emphasis is on: \n\nslow integration\nshared learning\nrelational repair\nand honest dialogue\nIntended Outcomes\n\nBy the end of the four weeks\, participants may notice: \n\nless isolation around money or relationship struggles\nincreased capacity for truthful communication\nclearer alignment between values and livelihood\ngreater ease in giving and receiving\na shift from private survival toward shared sufficiency\nThis pilot can naturally lead into: \n\na longer 8–12 week program\nyour 6-month integration container\nor Tamera’s deeper community processes\nPricing\n\nCAD $450 to CAD $550 – Pay-It-Forward Helps make supported spaces possible for others and strengthens the collective container.\nCAD $350 to CAD $450 – Full Contribution (Sustaining Rate) Reflects the true value of the course and supports the continuity of this work.\nCAD $200 to CAD $350 – Supported Access For those with limited income\, in transition\, or experiencing financial constraint at this time.\n																														 \nThe Clear Sky Team\n															\n																														 \nKaren Mcallister\nKaren is a contemplative leader\, senior meditation teacher\, and certified money coach who has spent years working at the intersection of money\, relationship\, and spiritual practice. \nShe works with individuals\, communities\, and spiritual organizations to uncover how early relational conditioning around safety\, belonging\, and worth shapes patterns of earning\, spending\, giving\, and receiving. Her approach integrates somatic awareness\, relational inquiry\, and practical financial coaching\, supporting people to move from private survival strategies into more conscious\, connected\, and sustainable ways of relating to money. \nAs Co-Executive Director of Clear Sky\, Karen has been deeply engaged in exploring the ethical flow of resources within intentional community\, supporting both individuals and groups to build trust\, transparency\, and alignment between values and livelihood. \nHer work invites a shift from scarcity and isolation toward shared sufficiency\, relational repair\, and money as a path of awakening. \n															\n																														 \nDuncan Cryle\nDuncan brings together over 20 years of meditation practice in the Namgyal lineage with a strong background in systems thinking\, organizational leadership\, and financial stewardship. \nAs the financial controller and Co-Executive Director of Clear Sky\, Duncan works at the heart of how a living spiritual community organizes its resources\, balancing vision\, sustainability\, and collective wellbeing. His perspective bridges inner development and outer systems\, exploring how trust\, structure\, and financial clarity support resilient and thriving communities. \nWith two decades of experience in senior organizational roles—including pioneering large-scale workplace mindfulness programs—Duncan brings a grounded\, practical lens to how economic systems\, relational dynamics\, and cultural patterns intersect. \nHe is especially interested in how transparent structures and shared agreements can transform money from a source of tension into a foundation for trust and collaboration. \nThe Tamera Team\n															\n																														 \n Monika Alleweldt\nBorn 1954 in Giessen\, Germany\, M.Sc. (Agriculture)\, works for many years for and with the “Plan of Healing Biotopes”. \nSince 2001 she mainly lives in Tamera\, Portugal. Until 2024 she was one of the owners of the publishing house Meiga.Since her early youth she aspired a carrier in helping people in need all over the world. As a young student\, she travels to Guatemala as part of her studies. The trip becomes a turning point in her life. \nShe realizes that help alone does not change anything. Symptoms can be alleviated\, but the cause of the suffering are not eliminated. So what is the right approach? A serious illness forces her to return home early and leads her to an existential decision. She completes her studies but then leaves her professional career and sets out to find an answer that gives hope. She examines many paths\, contacts different people and initiatives. \nFinally she finds convincing answers in the work of Dieter Duhm. A cooperation begins that continues to this day. In 2021 she finishes her first book titled „Global Liberation from Fear and Violence“ (in German). \nToday\, she is joining with other women to bring forth a second book\, provisionally titled Women’s Solidarity: The End of Collective Repression. The End of Patriarchy — a work that envisions a new feminine consciousness\, and a deep reverence for\, and love of\, the masculine. \n																														 \nBenjamin von Mendelssohn\nBorn into a once-wealthy\, culturally significant Jewish banking family in Germany\, the issues of reconciliation\, politics and money accompanied Benjamin from his early years. \nAfter a radical but frustrating period of political engagement in his youth\, Benjamin started to explore holistic approaches to bringing about change. To this end he co-founded the Peace University at Potsdam and later researched into many social experiments and intentional communities.  \nAlthough he trained as a healer\, dancer and choreographer Benjamin retained a focus on new models for living and a passion for complex synergies and systems theory. Creating syntheses of seemingly opposing forces is important to him – politics and spirituality; vision work and concrete manifestation; Eros and religion; free sexuality and deep\, committed partnership; nature and technology and most critically inner and outer peace work.  \nBenjamin has been living and researching in Tamera since 1998 where he now serves as a next-generation leader. He has been co-leading The Global Love School since its inauguration in 2012 and was director the Grace Foundation for Humanising Money for 15 years.\n					\n									Register Now
URL:https://www.clearskycenter.org/event/healing-love-healing-money-online/
LOCATION:Online
CATEGORIES:Coaching,Online Courses
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.clearskycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Healing-Love-Square.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Clear Sky Center":MAILTO:contact@clearskycenter.org
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