Events & Workshops

You're invited to celebrate the Winter Solstice with embodied mindful practice!

What is an Earth Connection Meditation practice?

In this 30-minute session, Justin will introduce you to a guided meditation with your senses to connect to your body and the Earth.

Justin is pleased to welcome you to this inclusive anti-racist LGBTQIA+ affirming community-minded space.

Important points: This will be an experiential workshop. I welcome your participation. To honor what folks share, the session will not be recorded.

Tickets: I appreciate your support in any amount. If you'd like to attend free, please enjoy your complimentary ticket! Welcome!

What you will need:

Technology requirement:

Zoom application installed on smartphone or laptop.

Materials:

Notebook, writing utensils for journaling, drawing and reflection prompts. A cup of tea and setting where you feel comfortable and will be undisturbed for 30 minutes.

Support My Work:

Consider supporting my work as a forest bathing guide and spiritual guide by Buying me a Coffee here.

Welcome to this special Winter Solstice edition of Earth Connection Meditation!

Let's spend time in community experiencing the darkness of this longest night of this season (in the Northern Hemisphere) with our senses.

Materials:

I invite you to bring a candle (battery operated or traditional depending on your space constraints).

What is an Earth Connection Meditation practice?

In this 30-minute session, Justin will introduce you to a guided meditation with your senses to connect to your body and the Earth.

Justin is pleased to welcome you to this inclusive anti-racist LGBTQIA+ affirming community-minded space.

Important points: This will be an experiential workshop. I welcome your participation. To honor what folks share, the session will not be recorded.

Tickets: I appreciate your support in any amount. If you'd like to attend free, please enjoy your complimentary ticket! Welcome!

What you will need:

Technology requirement:

Zoom application installed on smartphone or laptop.

Additional Materials:

Notebook, writing utensils for journaling, drawing and reflection prompts. A cup of tea and setting where you feel comfortable and will be undisturbed for 30 minutes.

I'd love to invite all my LGBTQIA+ siblings to a spiritual accompaniment group focusing on sacred support during challenging times with the BTS Center. 

This spring, The BTS Center is offering the opportunity to join a group circle for spiritual accompaniment. Facilitated by skilled and credentialed leaders, and drawing on the deep traditions and practices of spiritual direction, these circles offer space to connect, to ask complex and vital questions, to engage in contemplative practices, and to be in community with other seekers.

As our climate-changed world demands more from us — more presence, more love, more courage, more capacity to hold grief — we hope you will find in these circles a place of respite and discernment, of gentleness and spaciousness and clarity to nourish you on your journey.

Justin Ferko — LGBTQIA+ Group

View Justin's biography

Second Mondays, 10.00 - 12.00pm (Eastern)
March 10, April 14, May 12, June 9, July 14, August 11, September 8, October 13

Note: this specialized group is for members of the LGBTQIA+ community

Program fee: $200
Scholarships are available. Please contact ash@thebtscenter.org to inquire.

Welcome to our Winter Solstice Celebration Forest Bathing Walk!

Forest Bathing or shinrin yoku is a nature-based mindfulness practice that invites us into our senses and relationship with our bodies and environment. Health benefits of this practice include lowered blood pressure, boosted immune system, enhanced focus and a sense of relaxation.

Taking Good Care: (AKA Release form)

Please complete the form here in order to participate in the walk:

https://forms.gle/Sgq9Jufo1nVuhcUg9

What is a Remotely Guided Forest Bathing Walk?

A remotely guided walk is an amazing experience for different bioregions, humans, and More-Than-Human communities of the Earth to speak to each other!

As your guide, I will help you settle into embodied practice. Then, I will offer invitations to you to explore. Part of exploring includes not using the invitation, but rather responding to who or what is drawing your attention. The core practice is your own response to invitations on the land where you are. We will spend time responding and then return to our Zoom circle to share. Sharing is always optional. Holding supportive space while others share is an amazing offering. We follow this pattern until we end with a Tea Party.

*A walk is not a hike. You will likely walk less than 1 mile and can fully participate without walking about if circumstances require.

What you will need:

Location:

Choose a place outdoors (weather and health permitting) where you would like to be guided. Maybe this is a favorite park, your backyard, a nearby body of water. If the weather is inhospitable or you would not feel safe alone on a trail be sure to acknowledge this.

Be aware of any trail hazards in your bioregion such as poison ivy, uneven trails, etc.

Important points: Let someone know where you plan to go and when you will return. A location with public restroom facilities is an asset.

Technology requirement:

Smartphone devices with internet connection and video recommended for remotely guided walks.

You may require additional power supply for smartphones during the session.

If you are joining from home and using a laptop computer, be sure to have a timepiece with a timer that you can bring with you out into your yard so you know when to return to the group for sharing.

Materials:

Tea or coffee or your favorite beverage and a snack to save for the end of the walk Tea Party. Water for hydration, sunscreen, bug spray, hat, comfortable shoes, possibly a camp chair to sit, Epipen if prescribed.