Common Street Spiritual Center

A Course in Miracles
2023-07-05 19:00 - 20:30, 2023-06-28 19:00 - 20:30 UTC | France
A Course in Miracles: each week we begin our exploration by reading the short introduction which includes these words “the course does not aim at teaching the meaning of love for that is beyond what can be taught. It does aim however at removing the blocks to the awareness of Love’s presence which is your natural inheritance.”
Has any other subject been written or sung about more often than love? Isn’t it the organizing principle of all religions? So popular and prominent in our daily discourse, yet so elusive. And don’t we yearn for an alternative to fear, guilt and hatred, suspicion and divisiveness?

Whether a beginner, a student of many years, or an on-again/off again inquirer, you are invited to join us in seeking to learn how to love and enjoy being in love. It’s not a solo performance. Only together, is love manifest.

https://commonstreet.zoom.us/j/91709436048?pwd=eXpvM2dpYlhPNE1aNGE5cEFtOER4Zz09
Meeting ID: 917 0943 6048
Passcode: 695321
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,91709436048#,,,,*695321# US (Washington DC)
+13126266799,,91709436048#,,,,*695321# US (Chicago)

Gentle Jaguar Path Yoga
2023-07-05 07:30 - 08:30, 2023-07-03 07:30 - 08:30, 2023-06-30 07:30 - 08:30, 2023-06-28 07:30 - 08:30, 2023-06-26 07:30 - 08:30 (America/New_York) | MA
Jaguar Path yoga incorporates Vinyasa flow postures with a focus on opening the body’s meridians and expanding the Energy Body.
This sixty minute all-levels class provides a gentle and complete physical stretch with space for breath awareness and meditation.
Email leo.j.ryan@gmail to confirm your attendance.
Suggested donation $10. Meets every Mon, Wed, and Fri morning at 7:30am.
More info at www.energymatters2u.com

Gentle Jaguar Path Yoga
2023-07-05 07:30 - 08:30, 2023-07-03 07:30 - 08:30, 2023-06-28 07:30 - 08:30, 2023-06-26 07:30 - 08:30 (America/New_York) | MA
Jaguar Path yoga incorporates Vinyasa flow postures with a focus on opening the body’s meridians and expanding the Energy Body.
This sixty minute all-levels class provides a gentle and complete physical stretch with space for breath awareness and meditation.
Email leo.j.ryan@gmail to confirm your attendance.
Classes are $10. Meets every Mon and Wed morning at 7:30am.
More info at www.energymatters2u.com

Council Meeting
2023-07-03 19:00 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | MA
The Common Street Council meets on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month at 7pm.
If you have questions, or would like to discuss something with the council, please email us at council@commonstreet.org
https://commonstreet.zoom.us/j/95054008753?pwd=Q3BGa2EybVU5bG5IbnVDQy8rVXhhZz09

Meditation Mondays
2023-07-03 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Meditation Room @ Common Street, 13 Common Street, Natick, 01760, United States
Whether you’re curious to begin or years into a practice, start the week off right with Meditation Mondays. Try out breathwork, chanting, sound baths and other techniques in a collaborative and supportive setting.

Meditators of all levels are welcome to drop in 7-8PM every first and third Monday of the month. FREE. No registration required.

For more information, please email weronika.zawora@gmail.com

Coffee With a Purpose
2023-07-03 09:00 - 11:00, 2023-06-26 09:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | MA
Fresh coffee. Tea. Conversations about changing the world.
We welcome you to make this a part of your week! We gather every Monday morning and build momentum as we spark dialogue and stoke enthusiasm for the world we can create together. Each week features a special guest presenter on a theme of interest to the group.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://commonstreet.zoom.us/j/95580955741?pwd=cjFiL0pZUEtyZ1gzM0hmZVhGTUFLUT09
Meeting ID: 955 8095 5741
Passcode: 004431

Early Morning Prayer
2023-07-03 07:00 - 08:00 (America/New_York) | MA
Start your week off in alignment. Early morning prayer and scripture readings in the Christian tradition led by Common Street member Deborah Younger-Mitchell. Currently, the group is studying Psalms for Black Lives. All are welcome to come find inspiration, support, and fellowship. This prayer and study group is free and open to the public. 1st and 3rd Mondays.
https://commonstreet.zoom.us/j/92839180266

Open Circle and Community Brunch
2023-07-02 10:30 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | MA
On the first Sundays of the month, we combine our Open Circle Gathering with a community potluck brunch.

We gather and connect in a more relaxed, less structured way, yet with threads of meaning and spirituality tying it all together.

You’re welcome, if it would bring you joy, to contribute a food or drink item to share as part of the community brunch. Another option is to bring non-perishable food or toiletry items for our free mini-pantry.

If you’re new to Open Circle, you’re welcome to sign up here so you can be in the loop for future gatherings: https://forms.gle/Aa18ZuGfyy4Nv3gq7

Our community is finding a creative place in the spiritual world, where new forms of spiritual practice, artistic expression, and self-awareness are emerging to support humanity to meet the challenges of our times. We are finding balance within ourselves, making peace across differences, and stepping up to protect the Earth.

We welcome folks of all beliefs and backgrounds to build community with us as we align around a hopeful sense of common purpose. To become a member, please fill out the membership form here: www.commonstreet.org/membership

Reggae Dance Party
2023-07-01 18:00 - 22:00 (America/New_York) | MA
Reggae Dance Party
International Reggae Day Celebration #ONEJULY
Saturday, July 1st, 2023
Live Performances by Toussaint the Liberator, Lady Lee, D’Arryval, NyJah, King Rhymez
100% Reggae selections by DJs Jah Rich and Brave Prince
@ Common Street Spiritual Center, 13 Common Street, Natick, MA 01760
6-10 pm, $10 or food pantry donation, ALL AGES, Commonstreet.org
Jamaican Food Catering by JaCan Kitchen!
Strictly Yard Entertainment presents an evening of sweet Reggae music on Saturday, July 1st featuring live performances by Boston’s best Reggae artists, live DJs, and catering by award winning JaCan Kitchen, serving the best in Jamaican cuisine. The Common Street Spiritual Center is the place to be, and this ever popular venue boasts a brand new sound system which is ready to boom Reggae, Ska, and Dub!
Boston’s top live Reggae artists will grace the stage of Common Street in celebration of International Reggae Day #ONEJULY. The lineup includes Toussaint the Liberator (2022 New England World Music Award winner), Lady Lee (Boston’s First Lady of Dancehall), D’Arryval (acclaimed Dancehall artist), plus NyJah and King Rhymez, whose latest single Mama Africa is getting radio play from Brooklyn to Zimbabwe! DJs Brave Prince and Jah Rich continue to promote quality Reggae shows in and around New England, and play weekly on Nice Up Radio. From classics like Half Print’s “Greetings” and Desmond Dekker’s “Conqueror” to insider cuts like Daweh Congo “Coconut Chalice” and Sister Nancy “Rude Gyal,” all styles of Reggae music will play!
Saturday, July 1st promises to be a night of “total niceness” with live Reggae artists, top DJs, and delicious Jamaican food at the Common Street Spiritual Center (the MetroWest’s hub for community events and spiritual entrepreneurship). Make it a date, and don’t be late! Doors open at 6 pm for this all ages event with plenty of free parking. Vendors and potential sponsors please contact: Dubplatesteel@gmail.com

Intro to Tai Chi
2023-07-01 09:15 - 10:15 (America/New_York) | MA
Tai Chi Chuan is a series of movements that combines coordinated internal mental concentration and controlled deep breathing with soft, slow and circular external movements that work together to massage and condition the internal organs, increase blood circulation, chi flow and strengthen tendons, ligaments and bones.
Tai Chi has evolved from the Yin/Yang philosophy of the I Ching and serves to strengthen the mind, body and spirit.
Dan Adams has been studying and practicing Tai Chi for 43 years and is currently a student at Gin Soon Tai Chi, 33 Harrison Ave, Boston.
Class time: Saturdays 915 – 1015:AM. Suggested Donation $5.00 – $12.00

Intro to Qi Gong
2023-07-01 08:00 - 09:00 (America/New_York) | MA
Intro to Qi Gong
How to cultivate balance in body and mind and improve your life energy (Qi)
Time: Saturdays from 8am – 9am

Qi Gong is a centuries-old system of coordinated body-posture and movement, breathing, and meditation used for the purposes of health, spirituality, and martial-arts training. These practices help cultivate concentration, peace of mind, strengthen and tone your body all at once.
All are welcome. No prior experience required.
Suggested donation: $5-10
Meets in the Moon Room on the 3rd floor. Enter through the school street door and come upstairs to find us.
About the Instructor:
Wei Li grew up in Mainland, China. She earned her Ph.D. in Biology at Tufts University in 2005. Since 2010, she has been studying Qi Gong and Tai Chi with Master Ming Wu and Master Shi Zhao. She finished her Fengyang Qi Gong Associate Instructor training in 2020 and has been teaching Qi Gong since at Wu Healing Center and Morse Institute Library.

Tea, Pray, Knit
2023-06-29 14:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | MA
Join Diana, Fran and Donese every other Thursday in the Meeting Room from 2-4 pm. Bring along any handcraft you’d like to work on as we take time to enjoy one another’s company, engage in thoughtful conversations and develop new relationships. We can share thoughts about matters that affect us all such as:

children’s education,
safe neighborhoods, and
food insecurity.

We can exchange prayers and positive thoughts and seek ways to contribute to those in need.
You are welcome to drop in when you can. Children are also welcome with a parent or caregiver.
Our next Thursday gatherings are May 4th and 18th and June 1st, 15th, and 29th.
Please email Donese @ donese.sylvester@gmail.com to RSVP or ask questions.

Potluck Movie Night - "Join Or Die" Documentary Film
2023-06-28 18:30 - 21:30 (America/New_York) | MA
Come join us for a delightful evening of connection, food, and thought-provoking cinema.
We are thrilled to present “Join Or Die,” a documentary that traces the journey of renowned social scientist Robert Putnam, famous for his groundbreaking research in the book “Bowling Alone.”
Here’s a link to the movie trailer:

If you’ve ever yearned for a sense of belonging, connection, and a stronger community, this movie will resonate with you. It provides valuable insights into the power of coming together and fostering genuine relationships.
After the movie we invite you to participate in a group discussion where we’ll delve deeper into the film’s themes and their relevance to our lives.
Please RSVP so we know how many are coming. We paid the licensing fee, so there’s no cost to come see this screening. Your payment can be the food you contribute for our potluck 🙂
Jason

Community Yoga Class FREE
2023-06-26 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | MA
YOGA COMMUNITY CLASS with Dr. Jen Kurz
This is a free offering but donations to Common Street are welcome.
Please register by email to doctorjenkurz@gmail.com
YOGA: (yoga citta vrtti nirodah): Translates, from Sanskrit, as “the cessation of the fluctuations of mind.” Patanjali, a great yogi sage, defines it in his “Yoga Sutras” as the ability to direct the mind exclusively toward an object and sustain that direction, without distractions.
For many westerners and Americans, yoga practice involves particular asanas, or mat exercises and stretches, which build strength, flexibility, and balance. It may also be a way to find stillness in the mind in the effort to reach a state of focused attention and self-awareness — through guided sound, breath, and posture. This class will be geared towards those who are looking for a moderate to fast paced flow, as well as a deeper understanding of the mind body connection.
Dr. Jen Kurz is a pain management physiatrist (www.doctorkurz.com for further information).
Dr. Kurz witnesses the limits of conventional care in the treatment of conditions as complex and difficult as chronic pain, addiction, and related mood disorders. If we lose our ability to move due to chronic pain, we know the central and peripheral nervous systems are involved. Neurons that fire together, wire together. Can we redirect our minds and rewire neurons towards health and wellbeing?
Yoga is a powerful healing and preventative practice for chronic, painful physical conditions – including chronic spine and joint pain, muscle pain, weakness, tightness, and postural imbalances. Yoga may enable you to awaken to root mental causes, conditions, and obstacles that may be overcome with practice. Previous experience with yoga is recommended for this class.

Community Potluck
2023-06-25 17:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | MA
A relaxed space to share food and good conversation following our community healing circle from 2-5pm. It is optional for those who want to connect afterwards and gently transition back into the flow of our normal lives.

Community Healing Circle + Potluck
2023-06-25 14:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | MA
Our community is coming together to create a healing circle, a brave space where we can be real about feeling the pain in our lives and moving through that together into a deeper joy.

We invite you into a space of vulnerability and healing. You’re welcome to bring your pain, your trauma, and also your strength and intentions to hold space for others in their healing. Together we will find balance and a reassurance that we are loved and we are OK, together. Our intention is to create a held space within which we can trust ourselves to feel the pain we need to, on the way to wholeness, and on the way to a life of greater balance and joy.

After our circle process, we’ll have space to connect together over a shared meal, to decompress, allow our normal boundaries to come back, and move ourselves gently through sustenance and nurture back into the world.

The circle is from 2-5, the potluck is from 5-7 (and is optional).

The Community Healing Circle is free and open to the whole community. Please RSVP below so we know who will be there!

****

An Invitation to Brave Space
By Micky ScottBey Jones inspired by a poem by Beth Strano
Together we will create brave space
Because there is no such thing as a “safe space”
We exist in the real world
We all carry scars and we have all caused wounds.
In this space
We seek to turn down the volume of the outside world,
We amplify voices that fight to be heard elsewhere,
We call each other to more truth and love
We have the right to start somewhere and continue to grow.
We have the responsibility to examine what we think we know,
We will not be perfect.
This space will not be perfect.|
It will not always be what we wish it to be
But
It will be our brave space together,
and
We will work in it side by side….

Open Circle Gathering
2023-06-25 10:30 - 11:45 (America/New_York) | MA
The Open Circle is a weekly gathering of like-minded spiritual seekers who show up to connect authentically, share our truths, and be held in the space of a growth-oriented and loving community.

In the Open Circle, everyone has a chance to contribute as we move around the circle. You’re welcome to bring poems, songs, prayers, and insights to share.

Free and open to the public–yes, you can simply show up!

If you’re new to Open Circle, you’re welcome to register here so you can be in the loop for future gatherings: https://forms.gle/Aa18ZuGfyy4Nv3gq7\n
The Spiritual Center community is holding space for change in the lives of our members and in our world.
*we embrace diverse forms of spiritual practice and artistic expression
*we cultivate a hopeful societal vision built on principles of compassion and justice
*we support the growth of a consciousness of interconnection across human differences and between people and the whole web of life around us
*we build authentic community based on principles like love, respect, kindness, and collaboration

If this resonates, please join us! You’re welcome to become a member simply by filling out the form on this page: www.commonstreet.org/membership

Our current schedule for Open Circle is that we are meeting in person on 1st, 2nd, and 4th Sundays, and virtually or hybrid on 3rd Sundays. 1st Sundays include a potluck brunch and are less formal. However, in 2023 we are experimenting with a hybrid 3rd Sundays, with both in person and virtual options.

Breaking Through: Stories of Daring to Thrive
2023-06-24 15:00 - 16:30 (America/New_York) | MA
Experience the Transformative Power of Playback Theatre!
We warmly invite you to join us for an interactive performance on the theme of Breaking Through: Daring to Thrive, featuring the talented actors from True Story Theater and hosted by Common Street Spiritual Center.
This unique and heartfelt experience will explore our shared human need for thriving in a world that often challenges us to simply survive or settle for less.
Now more than ever we need the courage to break through the barriers that hold us back, whether personal, social, or even self-imposed.
This event is about you, about us, about every human being who dares to step into the unknown, rise above challenges, and embrace life.

RESERVE YOUR SEAT now and be part of this empowering experience!
Tickets: Adults – $15 advance/$20 at the door
Children (under 12) – $10 advance/$15 at the door
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/breaking-through-stories-of-daring-to-thrive-tickets-646684038367

Imagine an afternoon dedicated to hearing stories that echo your own. Imagine the thrill of seeing your own personal story – whether it’s filled with joy or struggle, failure or success – come alive on the spot. Feel the camaraderie in a room full of people just like you who have dared to dream, dared to act, dared to thrive.
Through the art of creative improvisation, using movement, music, song, and dialogue, the performers will embody and reenact the heart of each story that members of the audience share with us – however ordinary or extraordinary.
More than just a theatrical experience, this is an opportunity for reflection, exploration and connection. Whether you’re looking for a spark of inspiration, or you’ve got a story of your own to share, you are welcome!
So come witness the power of True Story Theater for yourself. We promise an afternoon filled with listening, laughter, a few tears and many profound moments. Prepare to be captivated!
It doesn’t matter if you’re part of Common Street, a friend or family member, new to the community, or a True Story fan. This is an experience you won’t want to miss!
Get your ticket now, and join us for an unforgettable experience that will leave you feeling inspired, moved, and connected.
This event is open to the public, and all are welcome (kids too).
What is True Story Theater?
Welcome to True Story Theater, a magical space where real life meets the stage. We believe in the transformative power of stories shared in community. Our actors are skilled in the art of Playback Theatre, an interactive, improvisational approach that embraces authenticity, promotes empathy, and celebrates the human spirit.
In our world, every experience, every story and every voice matters. And that includes yours. We honor each person’s strength and vulnerability, each story’s unique rhythm and right to be heard.
At a True Story show, you will have the opportunity to engage with your own experiences and share them if you feel called to do so. Our actors create a reflective mirror for you to view your own experiences in a new light.
We encourage people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives to share their stories. We all need to be reminded that our lives have value, meaning and purpose, and we are capable of amazing things. Your story could be just the one someone else needs to hear. We look forward to sharing this incredible journey with you.

COVID-19 Safety Measures
Event will be indoors. We are not requiring masks. Please feel free to wear a mask if you wish, though. The performance space is quite large, with plenty of room for social distancing if needed.

Image Credit: (c) 2018 Peter Conlan, Unsplash
