What does self-reflection need to become, if we are to support the generous, courageous, and ecologically-attuned selves our world so desperately needs?
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Since 2021, over 2,200 Bloom journals have found their way into hands and hearts across Australia and beyond. Returning after a year of pause, we’ve been reflecting on what ‘self-reflection’ really means, or what it could really mean. What if reflection wasn’t just a mirror, but a doorway—opening us to older ways of knowing, to the chorus of our more-than-human kin, and to invitations that draw us back into rhythm with life itself?
It's time for Bloom '25 to come into the world, and we're excited to invite you to a gathering of some of our close community to usher in and welcome it forth!
“Self-care is never a selfish act - it is simply good stewardship of the only gift I have, the gift I was put on earth to offer others. Anytime we can listen to true self and give the care it requires, we do it not only for ourselves, but for the many others whose lives we touch.” ― Parker Palmer
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Our evening of Blooming, Together will entail:
🌸 light food and drinks'
🌸 facilitated dialogue with Maya Ward and Al Jeffery, exploring a wider view on 'self'-reflective practice, including Western, Eastern, and Indigenous philosophies, nature-based contemplation, and self-reflection as stewardship;
🌸 guided nature-based contemplative practices;
🌸 short introduction to the 2025 Bloom Journals Campaign's reframed intent and offerings;
🌸 live music;
🌸 poetry.
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"I might say that, despite our culturally conditioned perception, we are nothing less than everything, and therefore everything is involved with our questions. So let’s open the door for their contribution. They absorb us into their knowing, and we give ourselves over to deep listening long enough that we are changed." ― Maya Ward
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Donate to join us:
We are asking for a small donation to attend to cover the basic costs of the event. Any proceeds from this event and all proceeds from the campaign itself will go straight to this year's campaign benefactor, CERES School of Nature and Climate.
Accessibility notes:
We will be gathering in the newly opened Community Hall at CERES. This venue is wheelchair accessible and can be entered directly from the main entrance to CERES.
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The beautiful hearts and minds joining us for our dialogue are:
Maya Ward (
https://www.mayaward.com.au/)
Dr. Maya Ward is an independent artist, designer, and researcher, collaborating with Melbourne University on addressing climate anxiety through nature contemplation, and with the Gay’wu group of women on the cross-cultural experience of speaking with the world. Maya's doctoral research in embodiment and meditation practices, and Western, Eastern, and Indigenous philosophies, is profoundly influenced by her longstanding dance and embodiment practices and practices of earth celebration, communion, and repair – co-creating community rituals, teaching, food growing, tree planting, and activism.
Al Jeffery (
https://www.aljeffery.com)
Al is a co-steward of Bloom Journals, as well as a psychotherapist, regenerative leadership guide, wanderer, and writer, endlessly fascinated by the relationship between minds, cultures, and Life herself. Currently, he lives in Thornbury, Naarm, and is committed to supporting Naarm’s transition to a life-affirming culture through his work at Turning Ground, a lighthouse and lab for place-based personal and cultural renewal. He carries a burning hunger for the return of communal rites, ceremonies, and spaces for the soul to speak, and for us to listen our way to right-relationship, again.
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Unable to join us for this launch gathering?
Join our email list at www.bloomjournals.com to receive the link to pre-order your journals from September 22nd.
Give the gift of reflection this festive season, and support the good work at CERES.
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May we remember our wider communities, take refuge in true belonging, and in service, Bloom, Together, James and Al **
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We acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional custodians of the lands and waterways in the area CERES is located, and pay respect to their Elders, past, present, and emerging, as well as to all First Nations’ communities who significantly contribute to the life of the area.
Also check out other Arts events in Brunswick, Nonprofit events in Brunswick, Music events in Brunswick.
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