Courageous Conversations on Living and Dying
Continuing Live Event Series in Toronto

As the youngest Baby Boomers move into mid-life, large numbers of people are finding themselves grappling with the impending death of their parents, and in the process, are beginning to think about their own mortality. This subject touches all of our lives. It’s an essential part of the cycle of life. And it’s inevitable.

There are few things that bring up as much fear and suffering as the subject of death and dying. In Western cultures, most of us have been taught to try to avoid the subject altogether, which only causes more suffering.

And that’s exactly why we need to talk about it.

Courageous Conversations on Living and Dying tackles the biggest topics of our lives in a way that is inspiring, heart-opening, and healing.

This is a new, ongoing series of, well, conversations (we don’t want to use the term “workshop,” and it’s not a support group either) about LIVING more consciously by exploring dying more openly.  And how, when we shine a loving light on one, we can’t help but shine the same light on the other.

Gatherings will take the form of a facilitated discussion between the hosts and one or more guest presenters/experts, with an open invitation for the audience to join in, ask questions, voice opinions, and further evolve the conversation at any time.  Attend one, some, or all in the series.

You’ll come away with new, expansive perspectives on how becoming consciously aware of death and dying can help you live more fully and more joyfully. It could transform your relationships – and your life.

This series is ideal for you if:

• You have an aging or ill parent and are afraid to admit to yourself, or to talk to them about, what’s coming
• You haven’t been able to find closure after the loss of a loved one
• You have reached mid-life and are starting, reluctantly, to think about your own mortality
• You know there must be a bigger picture for why we live and why we die, and want to explore it further

Throughout this series, we will cover a wide range of related topics from the spiritual to the very practical, including:

• Discovering what you would love to do and experience as you prepare for the last few chapters of your life, and creating a plan to take you there
• How to have courageous conversations with yourself and others as you travel through the challenges and opportunities of life
• How to turn fear into love, intimacy and closure with your loved one before they pass
• What to think about  and how to make important final decisions in a courageous, open way
• Exploring spiritual beliefs and practices related to dying and death
• Techniques to acknowledge, release and transform grief
• How to honour – and even deepen –  your relationship with someone who has already passed
• Other topics YOU request as we engage in courageous conversations with each other

Please join us as we get the conversation started! We have a lot to share and learn from you!

Chief conversationalist:  Samy Chong
Samy Chong is a Master Certified Coach who has worked with hundreds of clients, including senior executives and their teams, since 2001.  In all of his work, Samy focuses on the 4 P’s – uncovering purpose, transforming pain, igniting passion and establishing priorities – and has helped many clients deal with the subject of death. He is a contributing author of the book “Stepping Stones to Success” with Dr. Deepak Chopra, Dr. Denis Waitley and Jack Canfield, and his currently working on a book to help people deal with and talk about death in a more conscious way. To learn more, visit Samy’s website at http://CorporatePhilosopher.com .

Host / co-conversationalist:  Keren Brown
Keren Brown is Chief Empowerment Officer of GoGreenInside^®.

Next Gathering

Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Carrot Common
348 Danforth Avenue, Meeting Room 212
Toronto
(Entrance beside Book City)

Topic: Tonglen – Compassion in Action

June 4^th will be our last gathering until September, when we introduce new guest conversationalists who will share their perspectives, expertise and practices for living “full out” and dying more consciously.

As always, we welcome new conversationalists to join us. Our gatherings are designed so that you can pick up the thread of the conversation at any time – as we allow space for the conversation to gently guide us where it wants to go, everyone in the room benefits.

Cost is $20 at the door (cash or credit card only please). A Pay-What-You-Can option is also available.

RSVP:  SPACE IS LIMITED — Please e-mail us in advance at info@gogreeninside.com to let us know you will be attending.

Future Gatherings

July and August 2013 – We will be on a short break for the summer
Fall 2013 schedule to be announced soon!

Past Gatherings

Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Topic: Life After Death, Heaven on Earth

At this gathering, we continue our discussion on the great mystery beyond, as we contemplate the idea of creating heaven on earth. We will look at these ideas in the context of our own experience and understanding, as well as ideas provided to us through various spiritual traditions and recent bestsellers including Dr. Eben Alexander’s Proof of Heaven: A Neurosurgeon’s Journey into the Afterlife, and Anita Moorjani’s Dying to Be Me. (Feel free to bring along these or any other related books you have read.)

Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Topic: Exploring Life After Death: From Movies to Metaphysics

In Western cultures we have been taught that death is final – the end. The Sufi poet Rumi says, “My death is my wedding to eternity.” What are your beliefs about life after death, and how do they impact the way you live today? In this courageous conversation, we explore our own beliefs, as well as those from a variety of spiritual traditions, science and even pop culture. Whether you are a believer or a skeptic, this promises to be a mind-expanding and heart-opening conversation, possibly controversial, always exciting, and one that may open up a door to new possibilities for your life… and beyond.

Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Topic: Live with Purpose, Leave a Legacy

When we think of our own mortality, what fears does it bring up? Where do those fears come from and is there a way to move beyond them? Could it be that underneath it all, our biggest fear is of not having done all the things we would love to do while we are here? Through courageous conversation and a meditative exercise, we will look deeply at these questions, and uncover how we personally define living a life of non-regret. Then we set our sights on creating a plan to take us there.

Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Topic: Continue the Conversation…

Following our light-filled opening Conversation, our second gathering will move us gently between exploring the death of loved ones and contemplating how we feel about our own mortality.  The new year is a time of reflection, dreaming and visioning, and we may begin to think about how we would love to spend the remaining chapters of our lives so we have no regrets. And we will explore the question, how does being more conscious of death allow us to live a more vibrant life?

Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Topic:    Dive in with Courage

This is our first gathering, and an opportunity to dive right in to the conversation. What IS a courageous conversation? Why do we need to talk about this stuff at all? And what does it have to do with my busy life? We are also nearing December 21, 2012, the winter solstice, a period of inner reflection, and the beginning of the holiday season.  This is a time that is filled with uncertainty, and may not be so merry for people who have lost someone they love. Is there a way to honour and be with our losses and our questions, and still be joyful? Can we find peace, strength and courage in the true spiritual and universal meaning of this time of the year, and of this time in our history?