A Four Day Workshop

with Chris Price, Steve Waldrip, Gail Stewart, and Sharon Terry

March 9, 2024 (Online)

10 AM to 5:30 PM PT

March 15, 16, 17, 2024 (Aptos CA in person)

March 15 – 10 AM to 6 PM PT

March 16 – 10 AM to 7 PM PT

March 17 – 10 AM to 6 PM PT

Note: This workshop is fully enrolled. If you apply you will be on the waiting list.

“Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything – all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure – these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important.”

                                                                                                             ~Steve Jobs, 2005

Death is a natural part of life, but our culture does not treat it that way. There is little support to face this reality, and many of us have not prepared practically or emotionally for our own death or the deaths of those close to us.

This workshop provides structure and space to explore the practical, emotional, and spiritual realities of living in a conscious relationship to death and dying. The program focuses on being prepared for circumstances when we cannot speak for ourselves. Completing an advanced directive (AD), or reviewing an existing one, is an objective of the workshop. Addressing the practical questions of an AD will allow us to consider the emotional and spiritual issues as well.

Rarely are we invited to recognize and share the ways death and near death are part of our lives. This program offers that opportunity. By facing now the possibility of a life-challenging situation in the future, we can eliminate unnecessary suffering for others and ourselves. By doing this collectively, we can discover our common ground and be informed by different perspectives. Many participants find that opening to the reality of death brings new clarity to how they want to live.

In the workshop, we offer support to:

• Explore and express feelings about dying and death as related to the past, present, and future.
• Share our beliefs: What is death? What do we imagine happens at death? How does that affect our lives now?
• Recognize hopes and fears about this inevitable event.
• Face the questions that often arise about end of life, including the balance of quantity and quality.
• Clarify preferences regarding details of our own dying and death.
• Consider a life-threatening circumstance where we cannot speak for ourselves: Who would we want to speak for us, and what would we need them to know?
• Know the action steps needed to effectively communicate our wishes, write them in the proper legal form, and make them accessible.

Practices such as visualization, repeating inquiry, and awareness grounded in gestalt process will be a foundation as we consider the issues and notice what arises. We will explore in pairs, small groups, and the full circle. Some leaders are related: Steve and Chris are husband and wife, and Gail and Chris are sisters. Participating in this program with family members, partners, or close friends can be especially useful. To encourage that possibility, we offer a discount for those who come together as support partners.

This workshop is appropriate for participants (and their family and friends) who personally know or have worked with one of the leaders. Others are welcome to apply, and we will contact you to discuss the program.

Participants must attend all days of the program, INCLUDING the first day webinar on Saturday, March 9, 2023.

An extensive digital notebook of information and resources is provided at the end of the workshop. We welcome your participation in this program and your support in establishing the Full Circle Project.

Fees: 

$600 per person

$550 per person when 2 or more participants register as support partners.

Limited financial aid is available.

Fill out this form to apply. You will receive a response with information on securing your place by paying a $150 non-refundable deposit by Venmo, Zelle, or check. The balance of payment is due February 17.

About the Leaders:

Christine Price is a teacher and ongoing student of Gestalt Awareness. Experiences with death have been some of the most impactful and awakening parts of her life. Facing, feeling, and grounding in relationship to death have enriched her relationship to life. She is a co-founder of Tribal Ground Circle.

Steve Waldrip was a hospice chaplain for over 20 years and holds a Master of Divinity. He is a teacher in the Ridhwan School and has studied with Hameed Ali for since 1986.

Gail Stewart taught in the Rigpa Spiritual Care Education Program, which offers training and care in living and dying. Having a long history of studying and teaching bodywork of various kinds, the process of ceasing life in a body is also of deep interest to her.

Sharon Terry is a health advocate and citizen scientist. She is also a teacher and student of Gestalt Awareness Practice. She has journeyed with many families, including her own, through the sickness and death of loved ones.