Newark Center for Meditative Culture to Present Deep Ecology Month Programs in April

It’s a first for Newark Center for Meditative Culture (NCMC) — an entire month with one theme — that of urban nature, deep ecology, our ecological consciousness, and environmental issues. Programs will range for kids, teens, and adults. We’ll be planting seeds of understanding and hope, planting seeds of action, and maybe even planting some real seeds.
We want to uncover our True Nature so that we can wake up to think and act both radically and in equibalance with our ecological self, others, and our environment. We want to get down to the root of the problems, help uproot them, and plant new positive roots, especially in our children. This is so urgent in this time of Unrest and Climate Change.
These sensitized, educational, and mindfulness-based programs include a teen and family park clean-up, easy nature hikes, meditation sessions, ecoTalks, and a kids and teens farm workshop. Most important for adults will be the Deep Ecology Training Workshop to be taught by Kazi at Rutgers on Earth Day, April 22nd, that will make connections between environmental issues and world problems including racism, war, poverty, pollution, agri-business, to name a few.
Our collaborators and supporters for these programs include The Medicine Lifestyle, Hikeolution, and 4-H Youth Development Program of Essex/Hudson Counties at Rutgers. Program meals are to be catered by Rabbit Hole Urban Farm at 36-38 Rose Terrace, Newark NJ. We also greatly appreciate the use of classroom space at Rutgers University. These programs are donation-based to help gift the teachers, cover program expenses, and help ensure our continued programming.

We ask that you REGISTER for these programs using our online forms (preferred) or by email at info@newarkmeditation.org so that we can plan thoughtfully.

We’re starting April off with two simultaneous hikes — one for male and one for female teens through adult, living in the urban Greater Newark Area. It’s a challenge for city girls and boys to get out into nature to experience the freedom and soft fascinations that can help mature them into upright urban earth women and urban mountain men. Equally as hard is to maintain this subtler mindfulness as adults without continual excursions into nature. We’re including other sensitizing activities with the hikes in order to enhance the experience and so that participants can quickly internalize it. Both hikes will be approximately 2-miles and easy-level with some grades. Details and registration for both below:

From City Boys to Urban Mountain Men Hike & Activities
Sunday, April 2nd Light Rain or Shine (Heavy rain date: April 9th) 10:00am–2:00pm
South Mountain Reservation, South Orange, NJ
For aged 14 through adult, biological or male identified. Hike will be led by experienced hiking guide and wellness-spiritual coach Kazi and co-led by hiking leader Leslie S. Arthur. Other activities include tai-qi-gong, a drum circle, lunch, and more. REGISTER AT: http://bit.ly/2kuPHDi

From City Girls to Urban Earth Women Hike & Activities
Sunday, April 2nd Light Rain or Shine (Heavy rain date: April 9th) 10:00am–2:00pm
South Mountain Reservation, South Orange, NJ
For aged 14 through adult, biological or female identified. It will be co-led by hiking guide Keyana M. Jones along with meditation teacher and avid trekker Cornelia Santschi. Other activities will include poetry with Mesha Allen, yoga with Arelís Hernandez, nature meditations, lunch, and more. REGISTER AT: http://bit.ly/2lCig2n

Weekly NCMC Meditation Group with Four Great Elements Theme
Wednesdays, April 5th 12th 19th 26th 7:00-8:30pm
City Without Walls, 6 Crawford Street, Newark NJ
For the month of April we’ll have the theme of The Four Great Elements. This is our standard weekly meditation group, but for Deep Ecology Month our readings and discussions will focus on the four elements of earth, fire, water, and air — internal expressions, external environment, theircauses and effects, and compassionate actions to take to create equilibrium. Instructor and peer-led. NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED.

Then on Earth Day, Saturday, April 22nd, we’ll be holding a youth urban farm workshop and and adult Deep Ecology Workshop:

Kid & Teen GreenJean Workshop
Saturday, April 22nd 10:00am-2:00pm
Rabbit Hole Urban Farm, 36-38 Rose Terrace, Newark, NJ
Kids and teens will learn how to work in an urban farm, mindful eating, conserving resources, making healthy snacks, and compassionate action! Younger youth will participate in hands-on activities and help us in the garden! Teens will engage in additional conversations about ecology and conservation. Teens will be asked to work along younger youth and will receive 4 community service hours for their participation. Teachers will be environmental educators Marissa Blodnik and Andrea Lee, and urban farmer Arelis Hernandez. A Youth GreenJean Party will be held at 2:00-2:30pm. REGISTER AT: http://goo.gl/hXFAVj

Deep Ecology Training Workshop
Saturday, April 22nd 10:00am–2:00pm
Rutgers University, Smith Hall, 101 Warren St., Room 242, Newark NJ
This workshop taught by Kazi is meant to be an intense immersion into DEEP ECOLOGY to make a comprehensive connection between our environmental issues and our world’s problems. These diseases of civilization including racism, war, poverty, pollution, agri-business, depletion of resources, drought and famine — all stemming from root causes of greed and fear — have created a global ecological crisis, especially Climate Change. It’s a workshop that requires an open mind and heart and a willingness to explore not just practical solutions but to go deep in our ecological consciousness. The workshop will include some optional preparatory homework, questions for contemplation, practical applications, and simple daily mindfulness exercises. Follow-up resources will be included to help students go deeper on themes from the workshop. Marcie Barth and Kamilah Crawley of NCMC, Abe Gruswitz of Our Community, and Mesha Allen of Newark Integrative Enrichment Society will also present. Lunch included. REGISTER AT: http://goo.gl/fc6Znv

We’ll close with our “Greening Self” Reception Saturday, April 22nd 2:30-3:30pm part of Rabbit Hole Urban Farm’s Earth Day Celebration at 36-38 Rose Terrace, Newark, NJ. We invite you, your friends, and family to join NCMC for a farm gathering with our host, Keven Porter, director and co-founder of Rabbit Hole. We’ll view inspirational art and GreenJean projects, sample natural green juices and teas, and enjoy refreshments. (Farm Open House starts at 9am so you can also stop by any time.) RSVPs are helpful if you can at: http://goo.gl/zKO2AI NOTE: Those registering for the Deep Ecology Training Workshop can RSVP on that registration form.

For more information about Newark Center for Meditative Culture go to our website at www.newarkmeditation.org.