Rashida Veronique Fitzgerald, D.W.S

Wine is agricultural produce.  The way grape vines are cared for and how their fruit is vinified impacts the quality of the wine in your glass.  Join us for an informative and lively evening with former president of the NYC Chapter of Women for WineSense, Rashida Veronique Fitzgerald, as we taste new release wines grown with love through alternative viticulture by certified organic, biodynamic and sustainable wineries.  Rashida has worked with, studied, and written about wine for 12 years in the U.K., New Zealand, Hawai'i and New York City, as well as owned her own wine shop. Her experiences have taken her through all aspects of wine from vineyard to glass as she has advocated for, and educated about, wine as a part of a healthy American lifestyle.  Tonight she’ll discuss how practices like eliminating agrichemicals, limiting sulphur dioxide use, and a greater reliance on terroir make for intriguing, unique wines. Together, we’ll experiment with wine tasting techniques, including how to hold a wine glass, swirl with grace, and judge a wine's condition using senses of sight and smell that will impress your Sommelier.

Note: Pre-registration by Tuesday, March 6, is required for this event.  There will be a $5 materials fee, payable upon registration.

Monday, March 12, 2012
8-9:30
12WMEM01
Members: FREE
Members’ Guests: $10
Non-Member Guests: $15
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Not a member, become one by clicking here and enjoy special benefits each year.

John de Graaf and Laura Musikanski

Countries around the world are looking for alternative ways to measure progress that go beyond Gross National Product. The idea began in the tiny Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan and is catching on in many other countries. This evening explains why happiness is becoming hot politics, and looks at the history and science behind the “happiness revolution.” Communities are using The Happiness Initiative to assess well-being instead of focusing on economic growth as the end-all of success. Come expecting to be engaged in a lively conversation about your personal happiness and that of the nation.

AN EVENING TALK
Friday, March 16, 8pm
12WEC40P
Members: $13 / Nonmembers: $15
Please call for location.
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Martha Lasley and Richard Michaels

In their new book, Coaching for Transformation: Pathways to Ignite Personal and Social Change, authors Martha Lasley, Virginia Kellogg, Richard Michaels and Sharon Brown develop a holistic and multicultural approach to coaching and life. In this workshop with Richard and Martha, you will learn and use 6 empowering questions, listening skills, and physical movements that connect you to your power as a creator.

AN EVENING WORKSHOP and BOOKSIGNING
Saturday, January 28, 7:30–9pm
12WP88P
Members: $15 / Nonmembers: $18
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Or register by calling 212-219-2527 x 2

Do we live in a world that values and promotes happiness and well-being? Are we in the midst of a happiness revolution? What can the new science of positive psychology teach us about happiness? This film by the director of the Academy Award nominated “Genghis Blues” sets out to answer those questions, and explores the secrets behind our most valued emotion.

Saturday, February 11, 8pm
12WAN00N
Members: $11 / Nonmembers: $13
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or call 212-219-2527 x 2

Alex Grey

Genuine creativity is not just a personal gift; it’s an evolving cosmic force that expands the identity of the individual beyond the bounds of body and ego toward a sense of oneness with a larger consciousness. Many great works, from megaliths to pyramids to cathedrals, were built by groups of creators aligning themselves with universal mind. Join the renowned visionary artist Alex Grey as he explores how the aesthetic experience of art can lead us to unitive mystical experience and activate our inspired action in the world.

AN EVENING LECTURE
Friday, April 13, 7–9pm
12WA11P
Members: $20 / Nonmembers: $22
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Yanni and Pam Margaritis

Tantra works with the body as a gateway to the higher self. This evening we will explore our body’s energy centers through movement, sound and breathing, starting with our sexual center. This experience can lead to healthier relationships, more intimacy and eventually more self-awareness. We will work individually and coupled with others while fully respecting individual boundaries. Come join us to connect with others, open your heart, and enjoy being alive! For couples and singles of all sexual preferences.

AN EVENING WORKSHOP
Thursday, April 12, 7–10pm
12WPX17M
Members: $40 / Nonmembers: $45
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Price if you register for this workshop and Taste of Tantra: Finding our Intimate Sacred Space with SkyDancing Tantra on 4/14 at the same time: Members $75/ Nonmembers $85.  To receive this discounted price call 212-219-2527 x 2.

Gahl Sasson

This fun and entertaining evening offers practical relationship advice and exercises from different mystical traditions intended to harmonize your current relationship, or help you find the right person for a genuine soul connection. Using myths and storytelling, Gahl weaves together Buddhist Heart-Sutra with ancient Kabbalah, Pythagoras with Psychology, and Greek Tragedy with Hollywood movies. This evening aims to transform your Valentine’s into a spiritual and meaningful event, and is for singles and couples alike. Bring your Valentine, and if you don’t have one, this will help you find one.

AN EVENING WORKSHOP
Tuesday, February 14, 8–10pm
12WPR01M
Members: $20 / Nonmembers: $25
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Louis Alloro, MEd, MAPP, and Emiliya Zhivotovskaya, MAPP

The Art and Science of Self-Regulation: Self-Discipline as a Pathway to Happiness
Explore the research, the health benefits, and the obstacles in developing self-regulation as a secret to happiness. This evening uses scientifically proven ways to increase self-discipline (or self-regulation)—the process of choosing how we show up in the world, do what we say, and stick to the promises that we make to ourselves. Using methods from the new science of positive psychology, learn how to increase willpower and generate personal strength and calm.

AN EVENING WORKSHOP
Friday, February 24, 7–10pm
12WP20M
Members: $45 / Nonmembers: $50
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The Art and Science of Decision Making: When Choices Becomes Debilitating
If you struggle making decisions and sometimes become stuck in cycles of overanalyzing and comparing, guilt and regret, join us for this interactive workshop on the role of choice in life satisfaction. Learn how to instantaneously reduce stress, make clearer and more effective decisions, and harness the power of your intuition.
Note: Emiliya or Louis will be teaching the April 20 workshop.

AN EVENING WORKSHOP
Friday, April 20, 7–10pm
12WP40M
Members: $45 / Nonmembers: $50
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The Art and Science of Visualization: Optimizing the Mind’s Power of Manifestation
For decades scientists have explored how thoughts, imagery and intention affect behavior and achievement. Learn where science does and does not support metaphysical theories such as the Law of Attraction. Understanding the psychological and biological underpinnings of visualization helps us to use these techniques consistently to meet our goals, make positive changes and increase our overall happiness.

AN EVENING WORKSHOP
Saturday, May 5, 6:30–9:30pm
12WP58M
Members: $45 / Nonmembers: $50
Please call for location of the May 5 workshop.
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Combined price for all 3 workshops if registering for all at once is:
Member $115/ Nonmembers $130, to register for all 3 call 212-219-2527 x 2.

Louis Alloro, MEd, MAPP, is a Fellow at George Mason University’s Center for Consciousness & Transformation, and owns a NYC-based consultancy which partners in the Social/Emotional Leadership Movement, including a city-wide intervention in Cleveland, Ohio.

Emiliya Zhivotovskaya, MAPP, is an international positive psychology based coach, consultant, and teacher. The success coach for the National Society of Leadership and Success, runs the NYC Science of Happiness Club, and was formerly facilitator of the UPenn Resiliency Program.

Joshua M. Greene and Godfrey Townsend

by Murray Silver

This evening the author of an acclaimed biography of George Harrison, Joshua M. Greene, will be joined by renowned singer/ guitarist Godfrey Townsend as they present a tribute to George Harrison featuring live music, film clips, narration and a rarely seen filmed interview of Harrison in his later years. They will trace Harrison’s rise from the streets of postwar Liverpool to the summit of pop stardom, his discovery of spirituality in the ragas of Ravi Shankar and his efforts to bring the other Beatles along on his journey to self-realization. Professor Greene will also examine the role that yoga and chanting played in Harrison’s post-Beatles musical compositions, while Townsend provides performances of the songs to illustrate that influence. Don’t miss this fascinating evening that celebrates the most spiritual of the Beatles and offers a unique lens through which to view his crucial but rarely examined role in the phenomenal rise of yoga culture in the West.

AN EVENING LECTURE and PERFORMANCE
Saturday, April 28, 7:30pm
12WAP56N
Members: $22 / Nonmembers: $25
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A Dialogue with Rabbis David Ingber and Michael Lerner
Event Moderator: Jay Michaelson

Rabbi Michael Lerner makes the case that a lasting peace in the Middle East will only emerge if it focuses attention on fostering a spiritual transformation in the consciousness of both Israel and Palestine, and a triumph of the most loving and generous parts of the religious traditions in each community. This dialogue explores how such lasting peace is unlikely unless it reflects a similar transformation in the US, and a move from expecting “homeland security” to come from political, economic or cultural dominance.

An Evening Workshop
Monday, January 23, 7:30pm
12WEC14P
Members: $13 / Nonmembers: $15
Location: 165 West 105th Street (at Amsterdam Avenue)
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This event is co-sponsored by Romemu