New to meditation?  Want to expand your practice?  In this engaging group meditation circle, you’ll explore a variety of meditation forms—sitting, moving, chanting, sensing, focusing, visualizations, mindfulness, and more—from many spiritual traditions.  And you’ll learn meditation by experiencing it, with a mentor to provide guidance, and alongside other participants with whom you can share your experiences.  This circle is designed for the modern Western householder, and distills years of study and practice into key concepts and simple applications that you can adapt to your needs and preferences.  Please wear comfortable clothes, and you are welcome to bring a meditation cushion if you use one. 

Each monthly circle focuses on a specific topic—or theme—of meditation to further enhance your experience, and to give you tools that you can adapt and incorporate into your everyday, personal meditation practice "at home."  Because as powerful as group meditation circles are, it's your daily practice of meditation that will give you the full benefits of meditation, such as reducing stress, increasing concentration, understanding your relationship with the universe, and an ultimate sense of peace. 

Please note that the meditation circle occasionally meets at other locations such as outdoor facilities, and enjoys a mix of energies when guest facilitators are able to join Joanne in leading the circles.  The circle is open to everyone and free (although donations are much appreciated), so bring your friends and be prepared for an inspiring evening.  Because of the spontaneous nature of the circle, Joanne asks that you sign up to receive the email reminders that will contain all of the relevant details, or be sure to check the Inner Compass website before you venture out to join us! 

To read a little more about Joanne's perspective on meditation, go to the Thoughts webpage.

JANUARY 2012

BASICS OF MEDITATION PRACTICE.  Experience simple meditations that you can do just about anywhere and anytime, and learn how to set up a personal meditation practice that suits your goals, your personality, and your lifestyle. 

FEBRUARY 2012

POSTURE & MOVEMENT IN MEDITATION.  In this circle, we will explore various ways that the body can assist you in connecting to your higher self as part of a meditation practice, using a variety of postures and movements.  We will experience "still posture" meditations, as well as walking and other movement meditations.  

MARCH 2012

SOUND IN  MEDITATION.  The use of sound can greatly enhance your meditation practice, whether you are actively creating, or simply listening to, the sounds. We will explore several of these formats including background music, rhythmic drumming, and chanting.

Tuesday, March 27, 7 - 9 pm.
Inner Compass Offices, Suite 107. 
Free/Donation. 
Open to everyone but pre-registration is recommended; contact Joanne if interested in participating. 
Joanne Franchina, facilitator. 

APRIL 2012

SIGHT IN MEDITATION.  Explore open-eyed meditations that focus on visual objects, such as candle flames and mandalas.  You will also experience meditations that use your "inner eye" (close-eyed meditations, commonly called visualizations), in both guided and unguided formats.   

MAY 2012

BREATH & SCENT IN MEDITATION.  In this circle, you will begin to understand why meditation masters say, "the breath is the way within," as we experience a variety of breath meditations.  We will also explore ways to use scent to enhance your meditation practice.   

Tuesday, May 22, 7 - 9 pm.
Inner Compass Offices, Suite 107. 
Free/Donation. 
Open to everyone but pre-registration is recommended; contact Joanne if interested in participating. 
Joanne Franchina, facilitator. 

JUNE 2011

MEDITATIONS ON & IN NATURE.  Explore meditations to enjoy outdoors "in the wild," including a walking visualization, mindfulness meditation of Mother Earth, and "still life" contemplation of a nature object. 

Tuesday, June 26, 7 - 9 pm.
Weather permitting: Local park to be determined.  Meetup at the park; to carpool/caravan, be at Inner Compass by 6 pm. 
Free/Donation. 
Open to everyone but pre-registration is recommended; contact Joanne if interested in participating. 
Joanne Franchina, facilitator. 

JULY 2011

LABYRINTH MEDITATIONS.  Explore labyrinth-walking as a meditative exercise, including mindfulness and a labyrinth meditation to receive an answer to a question, solution to a problem, or insight on an issue. 

Tuesday, July 17, 7 - 9 pm.
Weather permitting: Outdoor location to be determined. Meetup at the location; to carpool/caravan, be at Inner Compass by 6 pm. 
Free/Donation. 
Open to everyone but pre-registration is recommended; contact Joanne if interested in participating. 
Joanne Franchina, facilitator. 

AUGUST 2012

SEPTEMBER 2012

MEDITATIONS FOR HEALTH & HEALING  We will explore meditations that promote the healing process for specific purposes, such as relaxation and stress relief, focused healing visualizations, and clearing resistance associated with mental/emotional/spiritual components of physical symptoms. 

OCTOBER 2012

MEDITATIONS FOR CREATIVITY & FOCUS  Learn meditations that help to cultivate a state of mind in which creative ideas flow naturally, such as stream-of-consciousness meditations, and interactive visualizations to build on your seeds of inspiration. We will also experience meditations that enhance your ability to focus. 

Tuesday, October 23, 7 - 9 pm.
Inner Compass Offices, Suite 107. 
Free/Donation. 
Open to everyone but pre-registration is recommended; contact Joanne if interested in participating. 
Joanne Franchina, facilitator. 

NOVEMBER 2012

MEDITATIONS FOR INNER GUIDANCE Experience the power of your inner wisdom with higher-self meditations that can help you gain insights into a particular area of your life, solve problems, and even answer specific questions. 

Tuesday, November 27, 7 - 9 pm.
Inner Compass offices, suite 107. 
Free/Donation. 
Open to everyone but pre-registration is recommended; contact Joanne if interested in participating. 
Joanne Franchina, facilitator. 

DECEMBER 2012

MEDITATIONS FOR SPIRITUAL CONNECTION Learn inspiring visualization meditations that you can practice at home to raise your vibration and connect with your own higher self, spiritual guides, spirit loved ones, and Universal Source. 

Tuesday, December 18, 7 - 9 pm.
Inner Compass offices, suite 107. 
Free/Donation. 
Open to everyone but pre-registration is recommended; contact Joanne if interested in participating. 
Joanne Franchina, facilitator.