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Welcome to this latest edition of our newsletter, which is sent to over 250 men interested in gay spirituality. In this edition, we bring you information about recent events, some new directions, and a foretaste of our events for 2012.
New callings
As we go along, our vision for Gay Spirit unfolds and deepens. In response to what we have learnt over recent years, Tim and Andrew feel called to work more deeply with the energy of the Heart. In so many of our workshops, we have been privileged to witness participants opening themselves to love and acceptance through the gentle warmth of other gay / bi men. As members of a minority, we know well the wounds we suffer through our difference. Yet so often, Tim and Andrew have been party to men overcoming these hurts on the path to personal and spiritual growth – to wholeness – through this experience of Heart-opening. Our intention now is to bring this aspect of gay community more into the centre of what we do at Gay Spirit. Reflecting this, we’ve updated what we say about ourselves on our website. Come and join us on this journey to the Heart!
LoveSpirit Gathering, 24 September 2011
Tim and Andrew both had a great time at the LoveSpirit Gathering in London in September. LoveSpirit aimed to draw together a range of men and women to celebrate diverse sexuality and spirituality. The Gathering attracted nearly 200 people to a buzzing, vibrant and stimulating day of 25 different workshops. From thought-provoking discussions on gay men's spiritual role to workshops on bodywork, and from drumming to meditation, this was an amazing day. Andrew was on the organising group and co-led the opening and closing ceremonies. Tim facilitated a workshop on how we experience the Divine. Plans are already in hand to repeat LoveSpirit in 2012, and we heartily recommend this unique experiment.
New leadings
We have both been deepening our own interests this year. Tim has recently returned from a week exploring silence in the Sinai desert, a place of great mystical significance for early prophets and hermits including the fourth-century desert fathers and mothers. Tim has written about his experience.
Meanwhile, wearing his psychotherapy hat, Andrew has been exploring the deep wisdom and humanity of Compassion-Focussed Therapy. This emerging strand of therapy is harnessing recent discoveries about neurophysiological arousal systems to understand how responses such as anger, anxiety, panic or desire can lead us away from feeling calm, loving or at peace. The value of this aware, compassionate approach has long been upheld by Buddhists. A flavour of it can also be found in Christ’s ‘new commandment’: ‘love one another’ (John 13:34-35).
Events in 2012
Looking forward, we are finalising our plans for 2012. We will be publishing details in the new year of what we will be offering. Our events will reflect our growing emphasis on the Heart and will include a Retreat weekend, as well as a more challenging weekend of personal and spiritual growth.
Tim and Andrew will also be working with three others to facilitate a week on Natural Body, Natural Being - Opening Body, Mind and Spirit to Transformation and Emergence as part of the Edward Carpenter Community at Laurieston Hall in September 2012.
Full details of all these events will be in our next newsletter, together with early-bird booking information.
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