Sunday, April 14,  1 p.m.  - 2:30 p.m. Meet the Author Mali Phonpadith: A Million Fireflies

 In her new book, A Million Fireflies, Mali Phonpadith takes her readers on a journey of love and loss. Born in Laos at the height of the civil unrest during the Vietnam conflict, Phonpadith was only four years old when she and her family crossed the Mekong River under the cover of night to arrive at a refugee camp in Thailand. From there, they journeyed to America, where Phonpadith grew up balanced between two cultures. In her adulthood, her journey turns inward but no less fraught with deep rivers and dark nights. From the tragic accident that took her fiancé's life, to the loss of her best friend to suicide, and her father's passing from his three week battle with liver cancer, Phonpadith's experiences and emotional journey gives a glimpse of a spirit capable of holding heavy sorrow and buoyant joy in beautiful tension.

This is a refugee survival story filled with twists and turns. It speaks of poverty, resettlement, identity, tragedy, grief, hope, faith, and reclaiming joy after tremendous sorrow. Meet the author for what is certain to be a powerful discussion.  Cost: Free, donations accepted

Tuesday, April 16, 7 p.m. - 8 p.m.

IONS Bookclub: Ervin Lazlo's Science and the Akashic Field: An Integral Theory of Everything

"Mystics and sages have long maintained that there exists an interconnecting cosmic field at the roots of reality that conserves and conveys information, a field known as the Akashic record. Recent discoveries in vacuum physics show that this Akashic field is real and has its equivalent in science's zero-point field that underlies space itself." In Science and the Akashic Field philosopher and scientist Ervin Laszlo conveys the essential element of this information field in language that is accessible and clear. From the world of science he confirms our deepest intuitions of the oneness of creation in the integral Theory of Everything.  

Cost: $5 donation. + 20% off book!

What's your story? We all have one. You're invited to a Write Your Truth Workshop to learn how to put your story on paper and breathe life into it. You will walk away enlightened on how to develop "real" characters that readers care about. You'll have an idea of how to create dialogues, scenes and imagery that practically jumps off the pages. You will have thought about, not only your personal story, but a bigger picture message that comes from it. WE will do writing exercise with a chance to critique and be critiqued. Handouts with additional resources will help you get started should you decide to take your project further. Cost: $15

 Thursday, April 18, 7 p.m - 8 p.m.  

Ditch the Diets- Love Your Body

Join author, health coach,  award-winning psychodramatist, and educator  Linda Ciotola for an experiential and eye - opening exploration of the long history of dieting and the bumpy road of body dissatisfaction. Learn in action how to "talk back" to messages that promote disordered eating and body hatred - free yourself of these and feel your spirit soar! Anyone who has ever struggled with issues around food, body image- or works with or loves them - will benefit: Women, Men, Teachers, Clinicians. Learn more about Linda, her work and book, Healing Eating Disorders with Psychodrama and Other Action Methods- Beyond the Silence and the Fury on her website. Cost: $20 ($40 for professional CEU's: Md Social Work Board; NAADAC;NBCC; NBCGP; and training hours for Psychodrama, Sociometry , and Group Psychotherapy). 

Release and re-align with your most authentic and divine Self through the healing power of sound. Andrea holds a safe and nurturing space to release what no longer serves, and connect with the true gift of your Highest Self. The session includes a toning exercise to balance your chakras, meditation, sacred songs/mantras, and the beloved deep relaxation experience through the sounds of drumming, rattle and crystal singing bowls with vocal toning.Bring items to assist you in being comfortable lying down, as space allows: yoga mat, pillow, blanket, etc. Chairs are also available. Andrea Wenger, MAHA, is a Sound Healer, Reiki Master and Holisitic Nutrition Coach with more than 10 years of experience as a health and holistic wellness practitioner. 

Cost: $20

brings them up for healing when you're ready to do your work. Most of us on planet Earth have already lived hundreds, if not thousands, of lifetimes. And don't be surprised if they haven't all been human lives, on this planet, in this dimension, with physical bodies -- one can learn lessons in non-human form too. 

Lynn has been doing past life readings since 2004. Her process involves connecting to your higher self to access the past lives that offer healing. Lynn works with a team of angels who protect the connection and assist in understanding what work needs to be done and how to get it done. The client is invited either to offer issues that need to be worked on or to just allow Spirit to direct the reading. Interactive discussion about how to work with the reading is an integral part of the reading session. Cost: $60 for a 45 minute session