Members only
Circle
Community Gathering
Date:
November 19, 2023
Biweekly
Time:
Biweekly
Duration:
75 minutes
Pace:
Biweekly
Cost:
$10-30
Recorded:
Yes
No
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About this event
Since the dawn of time human beings have been gathering around the camp fire. We gathered in our village hall, our places of worship, our fields. We came together in community to celebrate, to tell stories, to note the passing of time and to witness rites of passage. Through their intentionality these gatherings became sacred and their actions became ingrained in our souls. Through this sacredness we laughed, we cried, we contemplated, we danced, we sang. And through that we bonded, we learnt, we grew, we healed. In today’s increasingly industrialised and urban world the social fabric can be challenging to navigate and we can at times struggle to find our spot, our people, our community.
This is an invitation to come together and to gather around a digital camp fire. To create a virtual village hall. And to convene our own sacred gatherings. A place where we can come together in community. A place to connect with the sacred that’s around us and within us all. A place to share experiences, to tell stories, to sense-make, to listen, to witness. A place to be still. A place to simply be.
This biweekly community gathering will be hosted by Nectara Guide Nigel Pedlingham. We will build community together.
As if in each of us
There once was a fire
And for some of us
There seem as if there are only ashes now
But when we dig in the ashes
We find one ember
And very gently we fan that ember
Blow on it It gets brighter And from that ember we rebuild the fire
Only thing that's important is that ember
That's what you and I are here to celebrate
That though we've lived our life totally involved in the world
We know We know that we're of the spirit
The ember gets stronger Flame starts to flicker a bit
And pretty soon you realize
That all we're going to do for eternity Is sit around the fire
Jon Hopkins “Sit Around The Fire” (Feat. Ram Dass & East Forest)
Examples of themes we will explore
- The moments that change our lives
- The journeys of importance
- The role of rituals; the roles of ritual in my life; creating a ritual for the moment
- Sacred items on our journey
- The seasons and the earth
- The medicines that nourish our soul
- Our cultural heritage
- Stories/customs from our homeland
- What is it that I need to thrive?
- Practices: meditation/breath/sound/music making/poetry reading
What you will experience
- Connect regularly with journeyers on the path.
- Soulful facilitation by an experienced guide.
- Explore a new theme each gathering.
- An intimate and ceremonial container.
- Share, reflect, and grow in a compassionate space.
- Reconnect with the sacred in your life.
How to prepare
Ceremony. Approaching the experience as a tiny little ceremony can help you dive deeper into the experience.
Comfort. Make sure you are in a comfortable spot and grab some water before joining.
Space. Look for a quiet and distraction-free environment so that you can be fully present.
Your guide
Your guides
I’m Nigel.
Originally from England, I now live in Amsterdam with my husband, our old dog and sometimes our daughter. Before this, homes have included Brighton, London, and Granada, Nicaragua.
My life has been a journey with many interesting twists and turns, from a British boarding school, corporate life in London, an awakening during a few years living and traveling in Central America, and over a decade of working in the non-profit sector on global and local social justice projects. Along the way have been a few serious burnouts, some broken hearts and a coming out - just to give me a kick and to help me learn and re-wire! Now as a coach I enjoy supporting people to develop a more conscious and authentic connection with themselves and what’s around them. I truly believe that healing and broadening horizons at the individual level not only fosters individual growth and creativity but actively contributes to the collective of our society.
Psychedelics came into my life a few years ago as part of my personal development journey. Through them I have experienced wonderful teachings and guidance that has helped me further develop my spiritual presence, my sense of wonder, my creativity, my ability to let go, and to reframe my past.
In addition to my personal relationship with psychedelics my regular consciousness practices includes daily meditation, yoga, breathwork and shamanic drum work. It is my privilege to assist others on their personal journeys with these plant teachers.
I am a member of the Guild of Guides, the professional association for facilitators of psychedelic experiences, and a co-signatory of its Code of Conduct. I am also a member of the psychedelic research foundation MIND, and a co-signatory of the North Star psychedelics Ethics Pledge.
If you’d like to get to know me better, this podcast explores in detail my story and approach to supporting others.
Testimonial
A great, professional but humble guide. You'll be in safe hands. Non-judging presence and sacred space holding. Gentle and understanding.
Words from Nigel's clients