A Radical Awakening for Deep Ecologists, EcoProtectors, EcoWarriors, EcoArtists, EcoHomeys, EcoCurious, GreenJeans, and of course, EcoYogis in the Greater Newark Area NJ. Let’s go deep!
It’s a first for NCMC — an entire month with one theme — that of urban nature, deep ecology, our ecological consciousness, and environmental issues. Programs will range for kids, teens, and adults. We’ll be planting seeds of understanding and hope, planting seeds of action, and maybe even planting some real seeds!
We want to uncover our True Nature so that we can wake up to think and act both radically and in equibalance with our ecological self, others, and our environment. We want to get down to the root of the problems, help uproot them, and plant new positive roots, especially in our children. This is so urgent in this time of Unrest and Climate Change.
These sensitized, educational, and mindfulness-based programs include a teen and family park clean-up, easy nature hikes, meditation sessions, ecoTalks, and a kids and teens farm workshop. Most important for adults will be the Deep Ecology Training Workshop to be taught by Kazi at Rutgers on Earth Day, April 22nd, that will make connections between environmental issues and world problems including racism, war, poverty, pollution, agri-business, to name a few.
Our collaborators and supporters for these programs include The Medicine Lifestyle, Hikeolution, and 4-H Youth Development Program of Essex/Hudson Counties at Rutgers. Program meals are to be catered by Rabbit Hole Urban Farm at 36-38 Rose Terrace, Newark NJ. We also greatly appreciate the use of classroom space at Rutgers University. These programs are free, though we do certainly welcome donations that help to gift the teachers and cover other program expenses.
Please take a look below and save some of these dates. Flyers for each program are also posted, so do scroll down all the way. We ask that you REGISTER for these programs using our online forms (preferred) or by email at info@newarkmeditation.org so that we can plan thoughtfully.
MARCH PRE-WAKE UP:
Teen EcoWarrior & EcoProtector Pond Cleanup & Activities
Sunday, March 26th
11:00am-1:00pm in Branch Brook Park
Communing with nature and community service is what this is all about. Activities will include tai-qi-gong with Kazi, Clark’s Pond bank clean-up with Arelís Hernandez, and we’ll end with a deepEco talk by Andrea Lee. We’ll enjoy a picnic lunch together, weather providing. Kids and adults welcome too.
REGISTER AT: http://bit.ly/2lAIMIM
FIRST AWAKENINGS:
We’re starting April off with two simultaneous hikes — one for male and one for female teens through adult, living in the urban Greater Newark Area. It’s a challenge for city girls and boys to get out into nature to experience the freedom and soft fascinations that can help mature them into upright urban earth women and urban mountain men. Equally as hard is to maintain this subtler mindfulness as adults without continual excursions into nature. We’re including other sensitizing activities with the hikes in order to enhance the experience and so that participants can quickly internalize it. Both hikes will be approximately 2-miles and easy-level with some grades. Details and registration for both below:
From City Boys to Urban Mountain Men Hike & Activities
Sunday, April 2nd
Light Rain or Shine (Heavy rain date: April 9th)
10:00am–2:00pm in South Mountain Reservation, South Orange, NJ
For aged 14 through adult, biological or male identified. Hike will be led by experienced hiking guide and wellness-spiritual coach Kazi and co-led by hiking leader Leslie S. Arthur. Other activities include tai-qi-gong, a drum circle, lunch, and more.
REGISTER AT: http://bit.ly/2kuPHDi
From City Girls to Urban Earth Women Hike & Activities
Sunday, April 2nd
Light Rain or Shine (Heavy rain date: April 9th)
10:00am–2:00pm in South Mountain Reservation, South Orange, NJ
For aged 14 through adult, biological or female identified. It will be co-led by hiking guide Keyana M. Jones along with meditation teacher and avid trekker Cornelia Santschi. Other activities will include poetry with Mesha Allen, yoga with Arelís Hernandez, nature meditations, lunch, and more.
REGISTER AT: http://bit.ly/2lCig2n
WEDNESDAY AWAKENINGS:
Weekly NCMC Meditation Group with readings on The Four Great Elements
Wednesdays, April 5th 12th 19th 26th
7:00-8:30pm at City Without Walls, 6 Crawford Street, Newark NJ
This is our standard weekly meditation group, but for Deep Ecology Month our readings and discussions will focus on the four elements of earth, fire, water, and air — internal expressions, external environment, their causes and effects, and compassionate actions to take to create equilibrium. Instructor and peer-led.
NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED.
EARTH DAY GREENINGS:
Kid & Teen GreenJean Workshop
Saturday, April 22nd
10:00am-2:00pm at Rabbit Hole Urban Farm, 36-38 Rose Terrace, Newark, NJ
Kids and teens will learn how to work in an urban farm, mindful eating, conserving resources, making healthy snacks, and compassionate action! Younger youth will participate in hands-on activities and help us in the garden! Teens will engage in additional conversations about ecology and conservation. Teens will be asked to work along younger youth and will receive 4 community service hours for their participation. Teachers will be environmental educators Marissa Blodnik and Andrea Lee, and urban farmer Arelis Hernandez. GreenJean Party 2:00-2:30pm.
REGISTER AT: http://goo.gl/hXFAVj
Deep Ecology Training Workshop
Saturday, April 22nd
10:00am–2:00pm at Rutgers University, Smith Hall, 101 Warren St., Room 242, Newark NJ
This workshop taught by Kazi is meant to be an intense immersion into DEEP ECOLOGY to make a comprehensive connection between our environmental issues and our world’s problems. Special guest speaker is Matt Gosser, current gallery director at NJIT, previously urban planner and architect who salvages and up-cycles. Other guest speakers are Abe Gruswitz expert in cooperative and communal living and Mesha Allen an urban wellness champion. Also presenting are Marcie Barth an NCMC co-founder and Kamilah Crawley a public health education specialist.
The diseases of civilization including racism, war, poverty, pollution, agri-business, depletion of resources, drought and famine — all stemming from root causes of greed and fear — have created a global ecological crisis, especially Climate Change. It’s a workshop that requires an open mind and heart and a willingness to explore not just practical solutions but to go deep in our ecological consciousness. The workshop will include some optional preparatory homework, questions for contemplation, practical applications, and simple daily mindfulness exercises. Follow-up resources will be included to help students go deeper on themes from the workshop. Lunch included.
REGISTER AT: http://goo.gl/fc6Znv
Closing Deep Ecology “Greening Self” Reception
Saturday, April 22nd
2:30-3:30pm at Rabbit Hole Urban Farm, 36-38 Rose Terrace, Newark, NJ
We invite you, your friends, and family to join NCMC for a farm gathering with our host, Keven Porter, director and co-founder of Rabbit Hole. We’ll view inspirational art and GreenJean projects, sample natural green juices and teas, and enjoy refreshments. (Farm Open House starts at 9am so you can also stop by any time.)
RSVPs are helpful if you can at: http://goo.gl/zKO2AI
NOTE: Those registering for the Deep Ecology Training Workshop can RSVP on that registration form.
POST DEEP ECOLOGY — INDIVIDUAL MASS AWAKENED ACTION:
D.C. People’s Climate Mobilization
Saturday, April 29th
All day compassionate activism, Washington D.C.
We encourage anyone who can to join this march on your own, with friends, or with your group. It’s a chance to walk the talk at what is to be a HUGE climate change march with 350.org and partners.
NCMC hopes that you or your youth will find one or two of these programs inspiring enough to attend!
