Evolving Our Consciousness: Diverse Paths for Inner Development

When we consider ourselves as co-operative participants in the evolution of our own consciousness and set our sights on this goal, we find there are numerous, if not endless paths for inner development. Each individual’s path is important and unique to the individual. This conference/retreat presents an opportunity to explore some of these diverse paths, through presentations and experiential workshops, supporting us to create a new outlook towards our lives; one of participation with a higher intelligence behind our evolution. 

For over 30 years the ICR annual conference has drawn participants and presenters from many countries, to explore topics of interest on matters of spirituality. It is an all-inclusive, interactive event where everyone’s spiritual opinion is welcome and valued, an opportunity to express views, to listen to views, and to evolve both individually and collectively.

For Further Information and to Register:

Phone/Text: 1-519-986-1857 (until 9:30 pm EDT) Website: www.icrcanada.org/store Email: icr@icrcanada.org

Conference Fee: $45/day or $70/weekend

Vegetarian Meals: Lunch: $18.00 Dinner: $23.75 *Meals must be booked and paid for by July 26th to guarantee availability. Participants are welcome to bring their own meals. Approximate meal times: Lunch - 12:00 pm Dinner - 5:15 pm

Conference Location: Beaverdale House, 605640 Sideroad 13A, R R #2 Markdale - approximately 2 hours northwest of Toronto — entrance is on the south side of 13A - use GOOGLE MAPS for specifics

Camping: If you are camping on site, we suggest you bring lawn chairs, cooler, extra beverages, lanterns, tent and breakfast

For more information about this conference or to obtain a complete bio for each speaker: www.icrcanada.org/home/annconf

To register online: www.icrcanada.org/store Then click ‘Events Registration’ from drop down. Payment can also be mailed to:

ICR c/o Pond, 165 Valley Cres.- RR4 , Markdale, ON N0C 1H0.

34th Annual Spiritual Conference & Retreat

August 3rd & 4th, 2019

Weather: Usually warm to hot days and cool nights. Dress is casual.

Accommodations in Area (within 25 minutes): Due to other events, we strongly suggest that you book your accommodations right away. Should you have difficulty please let us know. Nearby towns include: Markdale, Flesherton, Eugenia, Durham

Leela’s Villa Inn: Flesherton Phone: (519) 924-3300 http://www.leelasvillainn.ca

Eugenia Falling Waters: Eugenia Phone: (519) 924-3446 www.eugeniafallingwatersbb.com/

Danby’s B & B: Markdale Phone: (519) 900 - 0399 https://www.danbyhouse.ca

Rabbit Run Guest House: Flesherton Phone: (519) 922-6005

For these and other B & B’s: https://stayingrey.ca/greyt-bed-and-breakfasts.php

https://www.airbnb.ca/s/Grey-County--Canada

ICR 34th Annual Conference and RetreatICR 34th Annual Conference and RetreatICR 34th Annual Conference and Retreat Evolving Our Consciousness:

Diverse Paths for Inner Development

Presentation Summaries with Speaker Bio-data

Kundalini and Your Consciousness. This presentation will explore the nature of kundalini-shakti as it is seen in Tantra and delve into its role as an evolu-tionary and divine feminine force – with an emphasis on what this means for the transformation of your own con-sciousness and what it could mean for your daily life and for the world you live in. Teri will also share insights on this process she has gained from interviews with people who were close to Gopi Krishna for her work on a biography of his life. Award-winning author, Teri Degler has eleven books to her credit including The Fiery Muse: Creativity and the Spiritual Quest (Random House of Canada) and The Divine Feminine Fire: Creativity and Your Yearning to Ex-press Your Self. (DreamRiver Press, USA). For many years Teri has researched yoga philosophy, Tantra, the divine feminine known in yoga as kundalini-shakti, and the lives of highly creative women mystics. Her books have been translated into French, German, and Italian, and her freelance writing has appeared in many publications. Teri teaches workshops in the United States and Canada. See www.teridegler.com

Kundalini, Non-Duality, and Ramana Maharshi In 1996 Chris Gartner; producer, composer and multi-instrumentalist, experienced a life-changing kundalini awaken-ing. It was identical to the reports heard in near death experiences… a complete merging with the source of all, pro-found light and indescribable bliss. It was instantly clear that this light, vast-intelligence and unconditional love was all there really is, all there ever was, and all there ever will be! Immediately it was understood that this was the true nature of everything and everyone whether they knew it or not. In this presentation Chris will outline Ramana Maharshi’s unique teachings on Kundalini, and the nature of reality. Ramana was a rare being who silently radiated a powerful presence that allowed people who met him to experience their true nature as “the Self.” This term, (capital “S” Self) is used in Advaita Vedanta for - ‘all pervading awareness’, or the ‘screen of consciousness’ that all forms appear on. Advaita, meaning “not two,” “one without a second” or non-duality, is a teaching that identifies the individual (Atman) with the ground of reality (Brahman). It is associated especially with the Indian philosopher Shankara ( c 788–820). Ramana taught that “you are the Self” you are the substratum of reality. This is very different from being a “divine spark,” it points to the realization that we are, and have always been pure Divinity itself.

Rhythm As Our Mother Tongue Croc will present some solo spoken word poems and some poems with guitar accompaniment, including some new melodic songs. He will use this material, with a little embellishment in between, to unravel the story of how he became immersed in rhythm and poetry as a practice and way of life since moving to Swaziland and South Africa from Canada thirty years ago. He considers his journey as an opening and integration of his third ear - his heart. Despite his voca-tion's radical challenges, he is buoyed by the long lineage of dare dreaming song bearers the world over. May we find clarity in common purpose. croc E moses was born an April fool in Yellowknife and has lived the past thirty years in South Africa and Swaziland as a poet musician, artist and instigator. He has words in his blood: his mother is a poet, his father is a judge. His spoken word is rhythm driven and coaxes listeners to play attention. Driftword, a volume of his poetry/lyrics, artworks and music CD was published by the University of South Africa Press in 2016. www.croc-e-moses.com

When we consider ourselves as co-operative participants in the evolution of our own consciousness and set our sights on this goal, we find there are numerous, if not endless paths for inner development. Each individual’s path is important and unique to the individual. This conference/retreat presents an opportunity to explore some of these diverse paths, through presentations and experiential workshops, supporting us to create a new outlook towards our lives; one of participation with a higher intelligence behind our evolution. For over 30 years the ICR annual confer-ence has drawn participants and presenters from many countries, to explore topics of interest on matters of spiritual-ity. It is an all-inclusive, interactive event where everyone’s spiritual opinion is welcome and valued, an opportunity to express views, to listen to views, and to evolve both individually and collectively. For more information or to register go to www.icrcanada.org/home/annconf Our Presentations this year include:

Self-Love: A Journey to Consciousness Although we exist in a highly populated world with the pro-ported opportunity to increase our connections through tech-nology, we currently face the disturbing phenomena of masses of people feeling alone, alienated and disconnected from a genuine spiritual life. Self-Love offers an intensely personal pathway to living purposely and consciously. It opens the door to unearthing your unique contributions, creating an authentic and transformational life and seeing the divine light in all living beings. Self-love, in its truest form, can lead to a spiritual awakening that is deeply grounded in a force that unites and binds us all. This practice invites you to experience the sacredness of your everyday life and ensure that the path you are walking is aligned with your heart. It is a vital practice should you desire consciousness, inter-connectedness and a spirit filled life! Belinda Deenik is a Certified Life Design Coach, Facilitator and Trainer, with 20+ years working with people. She is passionate about helping people to rediscover or deepen a genuine and committed relationship with themselves through the practice of self-love. This workshop will dive into what self-love really means, ways to integrate this practice into your life and an exploration of how this powerful journey can be piv-otal in changing what is happening in the world. www.mybestlife.com

Constant Joy Is it possible to be in a state of constant joy? Can your feelings direct you towards best actions? Can your body direct you in these actions? In this talk Celeste demonstrates how to: * rely on yourself to know what you need and act on this “knowing” * find stamina to live free of emotional hijacking * recover a kind, tender, and powerful discipline that your desensitized, anxiety-driven body may have lost * be honest and stop trying to be “spiritual” * find the intelligence within that reorders how you think about how you feel * think differently about anxiety and difficult relationships * stick with what you begin—especially exercise. Celeste Shirley, B.A. Hon. physical education, has a background in kinesi-ology, yoga, competitive bodybuilding and certifications in Thai Massage, Laughter Yoga, personal training, and reiki. She emphasizes mind body connection for physical vitality/emotional health. Celeste works with individuals and groups experiencing anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders, including PTSD, borderline personality disorder (emotional dis-regulation), rape survivors, addiction. In a private hospital specializing in addiction, she worked as fit-ness director and wellness consultant, teaching stress management and exercise. www.celesteinspires.com

Meditation for Beginners: Preparation and Tools for Your Inner Journey In this workshop, using a variety of simple, powerful meditation techniques, you will learn how to quiet your mind and enter into a deeper part of your being. It is in this quiet inner space that the infinite potential of the human spirit is experienced. We will also discuss; what is meditation, meditation myths, types of meditation, proper techniques and experience two guided meditations—Mindfulness and Colour Meditation. Ryan Faubert started studying and practicing meditation in his late teens. Over the course of 20 years of studying, reading, attending workshops, maintaining a daily practice and guidance from his parents, he has cultivated a style of meditation that draws from multiple disci-plines including, Buddhist (Vispassana), Zen, Metta, Mantra, Colour and Kundalini meditation. This is Ryan's first workshop where he'll be sharing his most effective techniques for beginners. Ryan currently lives and works in Toronto, Ontario as a professional photographer and videographer.

Needed: A Healthy Environment, Inside and Outside The proper evolution of our consciousness, whether individually or collectively, demands a healthy lifestyle - both internal and external. This open forum gives everyone an opportunity to express their views, to share some successful techniques with others and gain insights from other peoples’ experiences.

Jung, Kundalini, and the Feminine Voice of Individuation The call of individuation--in the Jungian sense--is a mysterious force that seduces one into the forest where there is no path set before us. Once tasted, the call to follow may become somewhat intoxicating. To refuse the call is to return to the wasteland, as T. S. Eliot cautioned. But who or what is really calling us? This internal psychological drive to indi-viduate is what Jung referred to as “the Kundalini,” an ineffable quality within the human psyche-soma that draws us beyond the limitations of our will and onto our unique evolutionary path, moving us towards individuation. Perhaps women are closer to the Divine Feminine energy, who also answers to the names of Sophia, Isis, Kundalini Shakti and many others. Men, women, and the earth are individuating (although not all at once), becoming who and what we were born to evolve into. Integrated into this presentation will be seated Kundalini yogic breathing exercises (pranayam) for participants to learn to tap into the Ida (feminine) and Pingala (masculine) subtle nerve channels (nadis). Applying conscious awareness to breathing brings one in closer contact with the vital energy force of Kun-dalini. Anne Taylor is a depth psychologist and a KRI certified Kundalini yoga instructor. www.metaheartcenter.com

9:00-9:45 *Welcome/Announcements/ Meditation 9:45-10:45 *Kundalini & Your Consciousness Teri Degler 10:45-11:00 BREAK

11.00-12:00 *Kundalini, Non-Duality and Ramana Maharshi Chris Gartner

12:00-1:15 LUNCH/RECREATION (Served at Beaverdale)

1:15-2:15 *ICR—Annual General Meeting

SATURDAY August 3rd 2019

9:00-9:30 *Welcome/Announcements 9:30-10:45 *Constant Joy Celeste Shirley

10:45-11:00 BREAK

11:00-12:30 *Meditation for Beginners: Preparation and Tools for Your Inner Journey Ryan Faubert

12:30-2:00 LUNCH/RECREATION (Served at Beaverdale)

CONFERENCE LOCATION

SUNDAY August 4th 2019

Conference Registration

Breakfast not available. Please plan accordingly Breakfast not available. Please plan accordingly

Morning Session: The Kundalini Process Chairperson: Teri Degler

Afternoon Session: Rhythm of Love Chairperson: Dale Pond

2:15-3:30 *Rhythm as Our Mother Tongue� croc E moses

3:30–3:45 BREAK 3:45-5:15 *Self-Love: A Journey to Consciousness Belinda Deenik 5:15-6:15 DINNER at Beaverdale 7:00 *Casual Sharing at the Pond’s Residence

Morning Session: Inner Develpoment Chairperson: Alf Walker

Afternoon Session: Our Voice Chairperson: Paul Pond

2:00-3:15 *Jung, Kundalini, and the Feminine Voice of Individuation Anne Taylor 3:15-3:30 BREAK 3:30-4:45 *Open Forum: Needed: A Healthy Environment, Inside and Outside Facilitator: Paul Pond 4:45-5:15 *Conference Closing Dale Pond 5:15 DINNER at Beaverdale

The conference fee is $45 each per day or $70 each for the weekend. The cost of our vegetarian meals per day is extra as follows:

Lunch $18.00 Dinner $23.75 Note: In order to guarantee availability

your meals must be paid by July 26th, 2019. Since space at the conference is limited, we strongly suggest that you register early. Unfortunately we cannot guarantee walk-ins session space and/or meal availability.

If you are planning to attend please circle meals and mail your cheque payable to ICR at 165 Valley Cres.-RR#4, Markdale, ON, Canada N0C 1H0, or register and pay online by August 2, 2019 at www.icrcanada.org/store and click on Events Registration.

Saturday: L D Sunday: L D # Persons____