Exploring the Emerald Contemplations, and Beyond
with Shams Kairys
Seven Tuesday mornings starting Feb 20
75 minute sessions
- Sliding scale
![](https://hurqalyacenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Emerald-Contemplation-2-1200x675.jpg)
The Emerald Contemplations* invite us to deepen our rapport with the natural world in which we are interwoven. While we explore them together, we will also tap our own insights and inspirations stirred by the beauty and wonder of Nature.
- Time: 9:00-10:15 am Pacific Time
- Duration: 75 minute sessions
- Format: Zoom
- Teacher: Shams Kairys
- Eligibility: Open to all
- Questions? Contact us for questions about registration, eligibility and scholarships.
Program Description
In this time of enormous disruption of the web of life, I believe that the first place in Nature that we must recover and restore is in the human heart and psyche. I trust our shared exploration will enhance our appreciation and rouse our conscience as guardians, with gratitude, respect, and delight.
The seven meetings in this series will be largely exploratory and participatory in nature. I will serve to inform and guide our journey, but my primary focus will be inviting and integrating your experience, insights, inspirations, and questions in what I expect will be a lively group conversation. This approach mirrors the organic processes found in the natural world, with life springing out of the commingling of myriad elements. So eliciting the collective wisdom of the group will be my paramount orientation.
Our online sessions will include short contemplative practices and some commentary from me, but will be mainly devoted to hearing and responding to each other. Small breakout groups will be an integral part of the program, along with open whole-group sharing periods. Most of the contemplative aspect of the program will happen during the weeks between sessions, in an environment conducive for you, preferably outdoors in a natural setting.
I ask participants to commit to all seven sessions, and to join the breakouts. Recordings will be available (except breakouts). Prior to our first meeting, I will post an introductory message including an orientation and a suggested activity for the week before we meet. I look forward to our spirited exchange of hearts and minds!
Love and blessings,
Shams
*You can find the Emerald Contemplations in the Library.
“What intelligence, what emotion, what beauty lies beneath the spectacular display of life on the planet. This world of the soul, which has its correspondence in us, comes through the forms and behavior of Nature as the unwritten law of life. It requires re-establishing a sacred tryst between humans and Nature, which has been so often violated – a covenant of mutual respect with the Earth. It is urgent!”
Teacher(s)
Shams Kairys
![Shams Kairys](https://hurqalyacenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Shams-315x360.jpg)
Shams Kairys has been a student and guide in the Inayatiyya for over 45 years, with ongoing engagement in the Kinship activity. He has worked with many innovative organizations and projects including Berkeley Area Interfaith Council, Meeting of the Ways, Creating Our Future, Seva Foundation, ReachingOut Project, EarthSave, Youth for Environmental Sanity, and Seven Pillars House of Wisdom.
His love of the natural world, and growing awareness of its degradation, moved him to focus on shedding light on the roots of the ecological crisis, while deepening our rapport with, protecting, and restoring the whole web of life.
He enjoys outings in nature with his son and friends, occasional flirtations with his violin, and working with authors as an independent editor.
Schedule
Feb 20, Feb 27, Mar 5, Mar 12, Mar 19, Mar 26, Apr 2
7 Tuesdays 9:00-10:15 AM Pacific (Noon-1:15 PM Eastern)
02/20/2024
- 9:00-10:15 AM Pacific (Noon-1:15 PM Eastern)
- Session 1
02/27/2024
- 9:00-10:15 AM Pacific (Noon-1:15 PM Eastern)
- Session 2
03/05/2024
- 9:00-10:15 AM Pacific (Noon-1:15 PM Eastern)
- Session 3
03/12/2024
- 9:00-10:15 AM Pacific (Noon-1:15 PM Eastern)
- Session 4
03/19/2024
- 9:00-10:15 AM Pacific (Noon-1:15 PM Eastern)
- Session 5
03/26/2024
- 9:00-10:15 AM Pacific (Noon-1:15 PM Eastern)
- Session 6
04/02/2024
- 9:00-10:15 AM Pacific (Noon-1:15 PM Eastern)
- Session 7