THE SPIRAL SERIES - Slow Living: A Choice for Self and Planet

The Spiral Series brings together a panel of speakers from the worlds of science, spirituality, social change, and creativity. We approach each topic from these four vantage points in the spirit of cultivating a holistic worldview. We follow the speaker panel with a single generative conversation among everyone present.

Our monthly events become the basis for the emergence of a collaborative community which gives birth to new partnerships, ventures, volunteer opportunities, initiatives and businesses. We support each other as we take action aligned with our values and life goals and in the process create a virtuous spiral of cooperation, synergy, and possibility.

TOPIC DESCRIPTION
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As the pace of our lives accelerates driven by faster technology and the need to outrun the ghost of scarcity breathing down our necks, we face a challenge altogether new to the human race. We seem to be losing the capacity to slow down and offer attention to whatever is arising in this moment. Our waning ability to trust the intimacy found in full commitment to what is here and now leaves us exiled from the most vital parts of ourselves. Our 'plates are full', laden with endless lists of activity, but we are empty. As we try to fill the void with all manner of substitute grasping and fail repeatedly, we slowly start to sense that recovering the inner and outer bounty calls for reviving an intimate relationship to life itself, for attending to little things and small moments with great care.

The growing Slow Living movement has embraced the mission of reigniting our collective, often unconscious yearning for a saner, more mindful and generative way of life and supporting its practice. Our guest speakers will share their passion, experience, and counsel as relates to living in the now, nourishing body and soul through proper care and nutrition, having a conscious relationship to money, and engaging in mindful, participatory forms of creative expression.

SPEAKER PANEL
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SCIENCE

Charlie Gonzalez
http://www.practiceco...

Charlie Gonzalez is a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and has since focused his studies on Yoga and Ayurveda (the ancient Vedic "Science of Life"), having received certification as an Ayurvedic Health Educator and Lifestyle Counselor from the American Institute of Vedic Studies in New Mexico. He has a practice based in New York City and is available for private Ayurvedic consultations or workshops, offering holistic dietary and lifestyle therapies as well as private instruction in Yoga and Meditation.

Ayurveda is the ancient science of life and art of healing, which is now emerging on the forefront of a global movement towards a more integrated holistic medical system. It has its roots in the Vedic system of Yoga, functioning as its medical branch, and making it the oldest form of healing in the world. The goal of Ayurvedic consultation is healing through self-knowledge. Rather than diagnose a symptom with medication, we look deeper to find the root cause of the dis-ease and restore balance to the body and mind. Only when one understands these root causes can they be truly dissolved, bringing harmony and health.

SPIRITUALITY

Ariane Burgess
http://www.regenerati...

Ariane Burgess holds an integrative and holistic world view that sees our future as community, and draws upon aspects of ecologic, economic and social design that will allow humanity to effectively transition. Ariane is a Gaia Education certified Design for Sustainability Educator and holds a Permaculture Design certificate. Her work of the last twenty years has centered around reconnecting people to nature. As a passionate advocate for regeneration, Ariane has worked with communities in Thailand, Scotland, Canada and the U.S. to change the scarcity mythos by setting up systems of abundance and resilience. Through these initiatives, Ariane awakens the connection between one's inner and outer landscapes, both individually and in community, and inspires action and leadership.

Ariane founded Regenerative Culture as a social enterprise to raise awareness, transform leaders and communities, and invest in the leadership of next generations.

SOCIAL CHANGE

Jordan Schachter
http://www.timeforcha...

Jordan Schachter is the founder of TimeForCharity.com, an auction website that hosts auctions for charities and one of the founders of The Time Interchange Of New York, www.timeinterchange.com, where New Yorkers can trade goods and services for an alternative currency called Time Dollars or TINY’s. He has written and directed several feature films and television pilots as well as plays in New York. He meditates daily.

CREATIVITY

Joshua Adler
http://theidproject.o...
http://theidproject.o...

Joshua Adler is Director of Arts and Communications for the Interdependence Project. He is also an award winning filmmaker, teacher, performance artist, and the co-founding Director of Theater Research Ensemble (TREe) - NYC's first mindfulness inspired performance ensemble. TREe is a tribe of performers who practice art-based research focused on the socially healing powers of collaborative community engagement.

MUSICAL GUEST
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Dave Sasscer
http://www.davesassce...

Dave Sasscer is a New York City based singer songwriter who started writing music in fifth grade in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico—his hometown on the west coast of the island. He performed at parties and surf contests throughout the island and later, while attending college in Atlanta; formed his first rock band, The 12 Inch Singles. A move to New York got his career up and running, first as a member of a variety of bands and later as a solo act. Sasscer became a favorite on the club scene, wrote and produced music for an Emmy-nominated children’s show, “Keeping Children Healthy,” and found time to appear in movies, pitch music to industry stars, and even co-develop a musical television show with folk/rock legend Richie Havens.

Dave has just returned from a tour of Puerto Rico to promote his latest release, a CD of original Spanish Rock songs titled "Cuentos de La Portra del Sol" which will be available online and in real life shortly.