Learning to Live: Five Awakening Lessons
by Rev. Catherine Duncan, MA, BCC
Integrative Spiritual Consultant
The ultimate continuing education is learning to open and become fully alive.
Some life changes come rushing out of the blue, others sit quietly on the porch, and yet others we can see waiting for us from a mile away. LEARNING TO LIVE is a talk that explores three life-changing events and the five life lessons learned. Life is the ultimate continuing educator. Realizing and living one's true life is a sacred gift we all deserve. But, how do you get there? How do we genuinely open our hearts to ourselves and to others? Our destinations are varied and vague, but we do control each footstep we take and the mark we leave behind.
When we open space to listen, we live from the inside out. We live our life instead of our life living us. Slowing down our mind and untangling our essence from the constant chatter of our mind allows us to be here, in the present moment, fully. Being in the present allows us to touch into the deep peace and joy that is here for all of us.
We shape our brain and create neural pathways throughout each day. We can step back and witness our mind and choose what we think and feel in each moment. By listening deeply, we open and become more conscious and our relationship with others changes to hold ease and space.
Life is not lived in the past or future or in the what ifs or worries. Life is in the present moment. Living one day at a time is a lifelong practice.
Join Integrative Spiritual Consultant, Rev. Catherine Duncan, to explore what it means to live deeply from your heart, listen inwardly, and deepen your understanding of self-compassion.
We will explore what gives your life meaning, experience a breathing exercise, a guided heart meditation, mindful body movements, and a self-soothing daily practice.
You choose how you learn to be, experience each day and live your life. Travel wisely, mindfully and purposefully.
Let your mind unburden and your soul unfold.
A bit about Catherine:
Catherine is an ordained minister with the United Church of Christ and a covenant member with Plymouth Congregational Church. She is a board-certified chaplain, spiritual director, energy healer, tapping (EFT) practitioner, and certified in neuroplasticity training. She also works with mind-body therapies and aromatherapy.
Catherine received her Master of Arts in Theology and Spiritual Direction Certificate from St. Catherine University in St Paul, MN. She also holds a Master of Divinity equivalency from United Theological Seminary in New Brighton, MN.
Catherine is passionate about whole person healing with a focus on emotional and spiritual health. With a reverence for exploring the sacredness and meaning of life, she companions individuals on their journey. She works extensively in chronic illness, life transitions, grief, loss, and finding meaning and purpose.
Catherine speaks on resiliency, self-compassion, and self-care in the community. Her article on prayer can be found at the University of Minnesota's Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality & Healing website - Taking Charge of Your Health. She publishes a bi-monthly blog on awakening.
Catherine has served as a spiritual care provider with Fairview Home Care and Hospice, HCMC, and Good Samaritan. She works with Partners in Resilience, MN Personalized Medicine, and has her own private practice. Learn more about her private practice at
www.learningtolive.org.
Catherine lives in Minneapolis with her husband and has two adult children.
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