Omega Institute, New York

embodying the open ground

Embodying The Open Ground is a path of practice developed by Dr. John Churchill over the last two and a half decades, inspired by the embodied meditative approaches of the Indo-Tibetan traditions.

It is a contemporary approach to realization and the heroic altruism of the bodhisattva path that integrates Western psychological, somatic, and esoteric understanding with contemplative Mahayana essence psychology, offered in a guided path that reveals the fundamental embodied truth of interconnectedness, openness, non-duality, and the wholeness of experience.

Designed specifically for the psychosomatic and cultural conditioning of Western aspirants, whilst deeply grounded in Buddhist psychology, the practices work with the deep underlying life intelligence of the body and matter so as to allow the path of practice to reveal itself through the relaxation and release into the unborn.

Grounded in a non-dual yogic understanding of body, breath and consciousness this approach to practice calms the mind, and opens one to the heartfelt ground of being while simultaneously healing the deep split between mind and body that makes stabilization of recognition easier. This practice leads us from identification with the reactivity of the personality to the realization of our essence as a vast ocean of awareness; love that transcends and includes this body and mind. 

Meditation then becomes not only a formal practice but also a way of living and viewing the world, which informs the whole of how we live, work, and love. 

These body meditations are unique. They help calm minds, open hearts, and reveal awareness, yet also heal the deep split between mind and body and the conscious and unconscious mind, allowing you to ‘ground’ back into the present moment. All these practices are offered to support revealing the natural awareness that is the essence of being human.

  • You Will Learn To:

    ·       reduce reactivity, release stress, and dissolve the tension of your modern life

    ·       calm your thoughts & expand the capacity for the compassionate deep heart

    ·       listen to gravity as an immediate teacher of freedom

    ·       recognize sacred earth as an invitation into boundless open awareness

    ·       experience sensation as an easy door into natural non-dual awareness

    ·       integrate psychological healing and transpersonal development

    ·       awaken to a planetary consciousness that integrates the personal individual journey with the larger evolution of humanity 

 

Nicole is a board certified Music Therapist and Transpersonal Psychotherapist. She is a mid-wife for transformation having expertise in human development, holding ritual space, and creating dynamic learning environments that foster growth through expressive arts. She believes that growth is our birthright, and that every human being should be given the opportunity to learn about the anatomy of the psyche and soul. She is a long-time meditation practitioner in the Tibetan Buddhist Mahamudra & Dzogchen traditions and weaves the dharma into all aspects of the therapeutic experience. 

Complementing John’s lectures and meditations, she will facilitate daily early morning Sadhana practice, which will include chanting, kriya yoga, and meditation. She will facilitate bodying integration after long meditation periods through an expressive movement medium which emphasizes a full-spectrum exploration of physical and emotional embodiment of archetypal energies and states of consciousness through dance, somatic integration, vocalization, meditation, and tribal/community engagement.

Your days will close with chanting or sound healing, also known as vibrational medicine, utilizing the vibrations of the human voice as well as instruments or objects that resonate such as crystal alchemy bowls, gongs, Tibetan singing bowls, kochi bells, ocean drums and more to lead you into a final deep state of meditation, gratitude, and peace.

Omega Institute

 

Spend time in nature on Omega’s 250-acre campus…stretch your legs, and leave your worries behind!

Founded in 1977 by Eastern scholar Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan, holistic medical doctor Stephan Rechtschaffen, and educator Elizabeth Lesser, Omega was conceived as a university for lifelong learning.

Omega has served as a gathering place for great thinkers, creatives, spiritual teachers, and social visionaries.

When Omega’s doors opened in 1977, a few hundred inquisitive participants walked through. Today Omega welcomes close to 23,000 people annually, and reach nearly 2 million people around the globe on their website and social media platforms. Omega has become one of the largest and most trusted centers for lifelong learning in the world, offering an integrated approach to personal growth and social change, and continuing to connect their work with innovators around the globe.

At Omega, food is the campfire that brings us together and gives us warmth, light, connection, and a sense of community.

Your stay at Omega offers you a comfortable accommodation of your choice, delicious local, mostly organic, sustainable, nutrient-dense, artisanal, and whole-food meals. ​​During mealtimes, you'll also discover a welcoming table with workshop participants, staff, teachers, or R&R guests. From 18-year-olds to retirees, there's a seat for everyone at the table.