luv and just the personal growth excerpts from Catalyst for Fun
newsletter... see http://groups.yahoo.com/group/catalystforfun/ to
sign up for the rest if you like! x Amanda Winters


2) Komal Satsang and Meditation Meeting, Tues, 1/9--
!! Let's Welcome Komal, who has just moved to Austin!! Join the
growing number of people who adore this amazing, Thoreau-like teacher!
3)Jeannie Zandi hosts Satsang meetings in Austin Jan 11-13th (this is
our wonderful teacher Michael Regan's partner!)
4)Seton Cove Spiritual Wkshps/Events
5)Casa de Luz Events: Free Day of Yoga, Sat Jan 6th==every Tuesday
Gurdjieff Society of Austin meeting
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
**Thought that Counts Quote:

o holy night

"throughout the spheres
on this darkest night
fine mist of brilliance
descends

over sorrowing world
on infinite ribbons of light
pouring
upon us
forever
pouring
upon us

this holiest light
substance of joy
on this holy holy night

Solstice, 2006
The War continues.
We continue moving
Into the Heart. "


*with love from Pamela Overeynder
as the new year begins and we begin again...
learning what it means to be human.
(from Amanda==ck out Pamela's amazing presence filled poetry in her
book
"Bird of the Present Moment" available at
http://www.plainviewpress.net/gallery2/index.html
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
1) The Flatlanders: w/ Butch Hancock, Joe Ely & Jimmie Dale Gilmore
PLUS: Jimmy LaFave, Bob Livingston & Richard Bowden, Bill Oliver &
Friends,
Tucker Livingston, Thom the World Poet & Surprise Guests

@ Antone¡¦s January 6, 2007 Doors 7PM
213 W. 5th St. - Austin, TX | 512.320.8424

SPREAD THE WORD! This is the kick off fundraiser and public awareness
campaign for
SaveTownLake.org (Austinites for the responsible development of the
Town Lake Corridor).
For complete info: www.SaveTownLake.org

Get Tickets:
www.SaveTownLake.org, Waterloo Records (6th & Lamar)
Encore Video & CD (1745 W. Anderson Ln.)

Links:
Hear the radio commercial: http://501post.com/client/save_town_lake

Contacts:
Kenny Hilbig, STL Media relations 512 751 4306,
Kenny@...,
Scott Hendler, STL General Councel 512 658 1938,
shendler@...
Bob Livingston, event producer, 512-554-9416, Bob@...

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
2) Satsang and Meditation with Komal, Tues, January 9
7pm at the home of Amanda Winters
*please arrive on time or preferably 5 minutes early and enter
in silence after removing your shoes

*directions below

Through his Love, compassion and devotion, Komal has helped many to
reflect back to their own true self. He has practiced the path of
self inquiry since his childhood, leading to the Advaita (non-
duality) realization and has been the source of great inspiration
for spiritual seekers around the world. He now leads a life of
compassionate Oneness in Love for all.

We invite you to join us for this loving exchange
in the joy of Spirit and Oneness.


*****
Komal is available for private sessions. For appointments, please
contact Lily Alexander at (512) 657-6473 or lilyblove@...

Please feel free to forward this announcement to family and friends!
****
Testimonials about Komal:

"Komal brings the same clarity and experience of stillness that I
have experienced with Eckhart Tolle and other fully awakened
teachers. I have no doubt that Komal has crossed the threshold of the
suffering of the mind. He brings a depth of love and joy to every
moment and an infinite patience to every conversation."

"Komal is a pure heart and a surrendered mind filled with innocent
joy."

"Komal shared insights with me that allowed a shift in my
perspective, in a situation that was causing me great angst. He
showed me the path out of my despair to a place of clarity and love.
His stories always amuse and deeply touch me. I love him! How blessed
I am that he is my teacher and my friend."
****Directions to Amanda Winters home, 509 East Mary, site of the Nov
22nd, 7pm meeting (print and follow exactly!)

From I-35: take the Woodland Exit, 232b, (between Riverside and
Oltorf--note --this is WoodLAND not WoodWARD Street) Go west on
Woodland and pass over many speedbumps and take a left at the stop
sign at Eastside Drive, then the first right onto Mary.

From Congress Avenue, if headed South from Riverside, take a left
heading east on Annie. After several speedbumps, take a right on
Newning. Then take a left on Mary and Amanda's house is a few houses
down at 509 East Mary

*For extra directions or info, call Amanda 512-448-3254, 423-6529

****
*A poem by Komal: What will happen?

" O' My Friend! What will happen
if you become united your own Self¡K
Leaving your companion of endless thought behind
and following between the breaths towards timelessness?

What will happen
if you lose yourself in the ocean of love
like a pregnant Oyster that sinks in the abyss
and trembles in its shell to deliver the pearl?

What will happen if a leaf, in the shape of silent lips, falls away
from the tree of life and merges with the essence of river flowing
toward the ocean abyss of murmuring music?

What will happen if you depart from your outer self
and arrive at inner Self--something you had promised yourself to do a
million times?

What will happen, friend? "

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
3) Jeannie Zandi (Jeannie is our amazing teacher, Michael Regan's
partner visiting Austin for the first time==she seems amazing! )


Join Jeannie Zandi and friends for several events in January....

"We can look at each other and we can say, ¡§My own!¡¨ Because we
already are each other¡¦s, we always have been. We can be both the
welcomed and the welcoming. I am falling into your arms every bit as
much as you are falling into mine. Nothing to do, no more anything to
do, but be here. The idea that we had to do something to deserve this
is wrong. Somewhere we think that we have to be perfect, we have to
be right, we have to patch this thing together so there aren¡¦t any
holes or leaks or cracks. We are looking in the wrong direction for
the perfection, and working our butts off trying to perfect something
that¡¦s impossible to perfect. We just have to stop and drink of
ourselves - we are already here brimming over."

Thursday, January 11th 7-8:30 PM Mark Thomas' house, 5401 Highland
Crest Drive
Friday, January 12th 7-8:30 Casa de Luz
Saturday, January 13th Intensive - 10:30-4:00 Mark Thomas' house,
5401 Highland Crest Drive
*please bring potluck lunch to share for Saturday's
workshop

All events are by donation. Private sesssions are avaiable.


"We are the Feast. We are Love itself. And because we are Love
itself, beggars come, knocking at the door, sometimes coming in,
sometimes doing hostile takeovers in the form of "I feel really
horrible today." They pass in and pass out. Some stay a while.
They come in and sometimes we confuse ourselves and think we are one
of them. When we want the Truth and say a big prayer, like "Have at
me, decimate me, all I want is God", then we get hit with the big
beggars. When we've fed the little ones, the big ones come, you know
the gang guys, they're armed. We think that because we have these
strong feelings and hell rides that somehow our 'spiritual
development' has reversed. Not so." Quote from Jeannie

To register for Saturday, call Amanda at 512.423.6529 or email her at
mail@.... To arrange a private session, please email
jeannie@... or let Amanda know of interest.

For more information, please visit www.jeanniezandi.com.

For an article by Jeannie called Let It Have You, go to:
http://www.eldoradosun.com/Archives/02_04_issue/sunpg2.html#LetitHave

"God loves herself! God loves herself! Everywhere she looks, she
sees herself, and she loves herself and how she looks and how she
is. Oh! Look at me over there, spectacular!"

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

4) FAITH-BASED ADVOCACY FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE
Building Skills and Relationships


TEXAS IMPACT invites you to a networking and training event focused
on advocacy for social justice on January 13, 2007. The purpose of
this event is to provide information, skills, and networking
opportunities for congregations wishing to start or strengthen social
justice groups. The timing also coincides with the beginning of the
legislative session.

We are excited to have The Reverend Emilee Whitehurst, Executive
Director of Austin Area Interreligious Ministries, as our keynote
speaker. Several area leaders in social justice will lead workshops
addressing topics such as:

„« How to start or enhance a social justice group
„« How to use Internet resources in social justice work
„« How to do effective legislative advocacy
„« How to deal with apathy on the one hand, and controversy on
the other
„« The theological basis for establishing social justice
advocacy in various faith traditions

Bee Moorhead, Executive Director of Texas Impact, will update us on
social justice and environmental issues facing Texas in the 2007
legislative session.

There will also be opportunities to share your experiences and to
both get and give feedback.

This event is designed to greatly increase the effectiveness of
congregations¡¦ advocacy efforts, and each participant will contribute
to its success. Our goal is to have representatives from interested
communities of all faith traditions.

January 13, 2007
9 am to 3 pm
University Presbyterian Church, Austin Texas
2203 San Antonio St., Austin, TX 78705
Free parking available in Co-op Garage across the street or on the
street.
www.texasimpact.org

We are asking a $10 donation to cover the food.
RSVP to gaye@...; judy@...; by January 6th
but before if possible as space is limited; and you may call
512.472.3903 for further information.


Co-sponsors include Austin Area Interreligious Ministries, Central
Texas Muslimaat, the Amos Commission of the District Office of the
United Methodist Church, Faithful Citizenship Committee of the
Catholic Diocese, the Baptist Christian Life Commission
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
5) Seton Cove Events

The Enlightened Heart:
Moving Toward Spiritual and Emotional Maturity

16-Week Spiritual Formation Certificate Program with Patricia Speier

Spiritual and emotional maturity requires seeing into the heart of
Reality, that is, the ability to see through our illusions and
assumptions about life and see things as they really are. This is the
work of a lifetime. In this program of four sections, each lasting
four weeks, we will acquaint ourselves with various spiritual
disciplines in an effort to develop a Rule of Life that supports our
becoming the authentic individuals God calls each of us to be. We
will pay particular attention to the idea that the inward life,
faithfully pursued, will always lead us back into community.

The program includes four sections:
The Authentic Self: Seeing Into the Heart of Reality
Learning to Pay Attention: Opening the Mystical Heart
Moderation and Balance: Developing a Rule of Life
Contemplative Action: Widening the Circle of Compassion

Patricia Speier, MA, MAR
Tuesdays: Jan 30 ¡V May 22
9:30 ¡V 11:30 a.m.
$395 (Includes two 1-hour sessions of individual spiritual direction)
Pre-registration required

To register call Seton Cove at 451-0272.

***********************************
Creativity and Imagination:
Discovering the Essence of Who You Are

12-Week Series with Carolyn Blankenship

¡§Creativity and imagination are not frosting on a cake: They are
integral to our sustainability. They are survival mechanisms.
They are of the essence of who we are. They constitute our deepest
empowerment.¡¨
Matthew Fox, Creativity: Where the Divine and the Human Meet.

This 12-week class offers participants the opportunity to explore the
convergence of creativity and spirituality. We will use art,
journaling, music, discussion, listening, story-telling and poetry to
shape a sacred circle in which we can discover our innate creativity
and its intersection with our true spirituality.

Carolyn Blankenship, Facilitator

Thursdays Jan 25 ¡V April 19,
6:00 ¡V 8:30 p.m.
(No class March 15)

$295 (Includes materials)
Pre-registration required

Carolyn Blankenship facilitates a variety of writing workshops and
other programs in spiritual and personal growth. She is the author of
From the Heart: A Manual for Facilitators, and has developed and
taught programs in a wide range of venues over the past 20 years.

To register call Seton Cove at 451-0272.
***************_

Pathways to the Center:
Advanced Mindfulness Class

3-Week Series with:
Hannah O¡¦Donoghue, CCVI, RN, MS
and Scott Quinn, MDiv, MA


(CEU¡¦s available for LPC, RN, SW)


There are many pathways we can take to arrive at the center of our
being. This new course explores techniques on the mental, physical,
emotional, and spiritual levels for connecting with the core essence
of who we are, while also releasing old habits and patterns that no
longer serve us. This class is recommended for those who have taken
the beginning course on Mindfulness, or another Seton Cove core
curriculum course.

Week 1: Emotional Pathway to Center
Week 2: Mental Pathway to Center
Week 3: Spiritual Pathway to Center

Hannah O¡¦Donoghue, CCVI, RN, MS and
Scott Quinn, MDiv, MA

Mondays: Feb 12, 19, 26
6:00 ¡V 8 p.m.
$75 (Includes materials)

Pre-registration required

To register call Seton Cove at 451-0272.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Events at Casa de Luz (go to www.casadeluz.org to join their great
email list or for more info!)


Free Day of Yoga, January 6th
Casa de Luz has new yoga teachers eager to share this acient
practice. A schedule and more news is available at www.CasaDeLuz.org


Tuesdays - Gurdjieff Society of Austin,
8:00 PM to 9:30 PM
Serena