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26 11, 2011

January 19th Awakening Cafe (7:00pm – 9:00pm)

By Lianne Bridges|2017-07-13T17:43:56-04:00November 26th, 2011|Education, Community and Leadership|0 Comments

Join the leading-edge discussion! We are continuing the amazing connections and discussions that were initiated at the Awakening Festival held this past June. With this aim, we are hosting a monthly gathering to bring together like-minded individuals on the awakening journey. This Month's Topic: Ayurveda – Tapping into your body’s inner intelligence The talk will be lead by Alison Logee. Alison is an Ayurvedic Practitioner and has worked in the health care sector for over 25 years. In her presentation there will be a brief introduction to the history, philosophy and principles of Ayurveda. She will touch on natural ways to enhance the body’s ability to maintain balance and address underlying factors of the disease process. You will be introduced to daily practices of awareness that support vitality and longevity. Learn More About Alison In addition to her consulting practice, Alison provides several preventative Ayurvedic therapies aimed at helping to purify and rejuvenate the mind, body and spirit by eliminating toxins and nourishing the body’s tissues. These treatments facilitate deep relaxation, increased energy, pain relief and clarity of [...]

3 11, 2011

November 17th Awakening Cafe (7:00 – 9:00)

By Lianne Bridges|2017-07-13T17:43:56-04:00November 3rd, 2011|Education, Community and Leadership|1 Comment

Join the leading-edge discussion! We are continuing the amazing connections and discussions that were initiated at the Awakening Festival held this past June. With this aim, we are hosting a monthly event called the Awakening Cafe. This monthly gathering will bring together like-minded individuals on the awakening journey. […]

3 11, 2011

First Meeting of Awakening Cafe

By Lianne Bridges|2017-07-13T17:43:56-04:00November 3rd, 2011|Education, Community and Leadership|2 Comments

On October 20th, dozens of people joined together at the first Awakening Cafe gathering which was hosted at Mlle Clifford English Tea Room and Florist. Thanks to Linda's gracious hospitality and the enthusiasm and positive energy of the people who attended, the evening was a great success. Two main topics were discussed: What does Awakening mean to you? and What would you like to see / experience at future gatherings? Next Gathering: November 17, 2011 Learn More

3 08, 2011

Magical Day at Hudson’s (Montreal) First Awakening Festival

By Lianne Bridges|2017-07-13T17:43:56-04:00August 3rd, 2011|Events and Programs|1 Comment

y all accounts this first annual Awakening Festival surpassed its goals to improve lives and strengthen communities. When I saw the smiles on the participants' faces and felt the vibe of the music in the marketplace and watched the kids running about squealing and laughing, I knew we had achieved what we had set out to do...to create an unforgettable experience full of love, wisdom, creative expression and joy to unite and inspire a community toward positive transformation and purpose.

26 07, 2011

Backyard Biodiversity at Mount Pleasant Elementary School

By Lianne Bridges|2017-07-13T17:43:56-04:00July 26th, 2011|Connecting To Nature, Education, Community and Leadership|0 Comments

Hands on Eco-learning, school-wide collaboration and creative expression all wrapped into one fun project! This past month, the children of Mount Pleasant Elementary School participated in a unique and interactive learning project lead by Christopher Buddle, a professor at McGill University, who works in the field of Biodiversity Science and is a parent of three children at the school. This “Backyard Biodiversity” project was part of the school’s Earth Day celebrations and its Green Team program, which promotes environmental literacy and leadership. According to Buddle, “The project’s aim was to help define the concept in an accessible manner, and illustrate why biodiversity is important to all of us, and to the well-being of the planet”. The project started with a presentation from Buddle, which included a beautiful and gripping photographic journey about biodiversity, from the rainforests of Panama to the high Arctic tundra. The students marveled as they watched the diversity of life presented on the screen. Buddle explained to the kids why biodiversity is so important. “It gives us food. It helps [...]

20 04, 2011

Awakening Festival Commemorates 20th Anniversary of Historic Pesticide Ban

By Lianne Bridges|2017-07-13T17:43:56-04:00April 20th, 2011|Events and Programs|1 Comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Designing Transformation is proud to announce it will be hosting the first international Awakening Festival, in Hudson, Quebec, on June 18, 2011. This first-of-its-kind event, with speakers from across the United States and Canada, will focus on holistic human and planetary health, with a special emphasis on ways to make positive impacts in local communities. […]

17 04, 2011

CIRCLE OF FRIENDS: A community Comes Full Circle

By Lianne Bridges|2017-07-13T17:43:57-04:00April 17th, 2011|Education, Community and Leadership, Guest Blogggers & Interviews|0 Comments

By: Judy Nagy No person feels more alone than when they are hit full-force with a sudden crisis: illness, death of a loved one, a divorce, or financial ruin can cause unbearable suffering. A generation or two ago, when families were faced with difficulties, they could turn to the extended family for support. Grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles, brothers and sisters were often comfortingly close and could provide support for their own. But the world has changed. Families are spread across the globe; not down the street. Communication is digital; not around a kitchen table. Neighbors wave to each other as they head out to work; but they often don’t know each others’ names. We have become busy, fast-paced, independent of our community. But, when a crisis drops a brick wall smack in front of our face, we have no choice but to come to a dead halt. We have no choice but to admit that we need help to climb that wall. Judy will be hosting a workshop at the international Awakening Festival, June 18, 2011: [...]

28 03, 2011

Beauty of Resilience Shines in Light of the Japanese Tragedy

By Lianne Bridges|2017-07-13T17:43:57-04:00March 28th, 2011|Mind, Body & Spirit|3 Comments

By Debbie Must Last week, CTV News reported: In the days following the magnitude 9.0 earthquake and tsunami that struck northeastern Japan, despite stores reporting a wave of panic-buying that cleared shelves of food and other basic supplies, there were no reports of price-gouging or looting sprees. Rather than panic and fear, the predominant attitude in Japan following the devastating pair of natural disasters appeared to be one of calm, determined resolve. March 26, 2011 marks the beginning of the National Cherry Blossom festival in Washington DC. One hundred years ago the Japanese gifted these magnificent trees to the people of the United States as a symbol of friendship and solidarity. The blooming of the cherry blossoms is an event that has been celebrated in Japan throughout history. The beauty of rebirth is honored and celebrated during this annual event. This year the essence of renewal and hope symbolized by the cherry blossom embodies the sentiment we all wish to extend to the people of Japan. […]

25 03, 2011

Dread of Silence

By Lianne Bridges|2017-07-13T17:43:57-04:00March 25th, 2011|Guest Blogggers & Interviews, Mind, Body & Spirit|0 Comments

The Naked Monk by Stephen Schettini Stillness is the master of passion — Tao Te Ching 26 “You teach meditation? I need to do that. Where can I find out more?” So say many people I meet, though few actually sign up. “I’m going through a busy time at work,” they say; or “that’s hockey night.” I’m sure they’re telling the truth, but I’m also sure they’re avoiding the point. Quiet is intimidating. Some of the time we really are busy: creating, studying, engaging with people; we may work simply because we’re good at it and love surfing that tide of accomplishment. Other times we relax in front of the TV, read, chat or play games. We’re always driven to do something. We occasionally call it passing time, as if we have too much on our hands; as if time will never run out. So who can imagine a greater laziness than sitting around doing absolutely nothing — not even thinking. Calling it laziness is yet another evasion, a way to justify avoiding silence. Blame the Protestant Ethic [...]

25 03, 2011

The Charter for Compassion

By Lianne Bridges|2017-07-13T17:43:57-04:00March 25th, 2011|Education, Community and Leadership, Guest Blogggers & Interviews|0 Comments

Musings on Life by Roselle Kovitz If we can shift our thoughts and actions toward kindness, toward compassion, I believe that it can become a habit. Each small gesture—a smile, a kind word, a helping hand—can and often does make a difference. It certainly has for me. I remember the time a friend started calling me every week when I was diagnosed with cancer or another who spontaneously invited me to stay with her family when I was going through a divorce. The kindness of those gestures, and so many others, remains with me years later. Right now, there’s a great opportunity to join with others around the world who are bringing compassion to the center of their lives. The Charter for Compassion, an international movement initiated by author Karen Armstrong, is encouraging individuals, grassroots and national organizations, cities, and countries to make compassion part of the fabric of personal, professional, and civic life. Karen Armstrong is the prolific author of numerous books on religious affairs—including A History of God, The Great Transformation, The Gospel According to Women, A Time to Keep [...]

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