Sunday Morning Presentations, 10:30 - 11:30

Featured Presentations Scheduled for Your Enjoyment in the LCS Gardens

Registration is strongly encouraged. CLICK HERE TO RESERVE MONDAY-SATURDAY



Andre Trevino LunaOpen Circle Ajijic

June 11, 2023
Presentation by Andre Trevino Luna: Jalisco’s Commitment to LGBTTTIQ+ Rights
YouTube link: Coming Soon!

During this month of Pride, Open Circle is pleased to have with us the Director of Sexual Diversity for the state of Jalisco. His presentation will provide an update on the progress that has been made in Jalisco on human rights relating to the LGBTTTIQ+ community.

It’s important to note that social attitudes and acceptance towards LGBTTTQ+ individuals can vary within a society, including within different regions of Mexico. While legal protections exist, there may still be ongoing challenges related to societal acceptance and discrimination in various contexts. For the most up-to-date information and specific details regarding LGBTTTQ+ rights in Jalisco. Andre will share with us what progress has been made and what his goals are in his role. He is very open to hearing your questions and thoughts on this topic.

Andre is making his mark as a human rights defender from Guadalajara, focused on the promotion of public policies of inclusion, equality and non-discrimination of the LGBTTTIQ+ population.

He has a degree in International Relations and a Law Degree from ITESO, he specialized in public policy design at the Institute for Research in Public Policy and Government of the University of Guadalajara and has completed the diplomas of “political innovation” and “Collective Innovation in times of emergency” by the academy “Asuntos del Sur”.

As Director of Sexual Diversity, he has promoted the implementation of a Mechanism for Attention to Victims of Discrimination (MAViD), the recognition of the right to identity of trans childhoods and adolescents, the prohibition of conversion therapies and the guarantee of civil rights such as equal marriage and adoption without discrimination.
Lori BrownOpen Circle Ajijic

July 9, 2023
Presentation by Lori Brown: Don't Lose Hope — escaping the killing Fields of Cambodia
YouTube link: Coming Soon!

Lori Brown, has just published a book titled, “Don’t Lose Hope” recounting her life experiences. Lori's story is a remarkable one, filled with unimaginable hardships and incredible resilience. As a young Cambodian girl forced to run her family farm from the age of 12 due to her father's alcoholism, Lori faced challenges that many of us could never imagine.

However, at 24 years old her life took an even more harrowing turn when she found herself reduced to slavery in the Killing Fields of Cambodia for four painful years. Despite this, Lori never gave up hope and eventually made the difficult decision to escape by foot walking out of Cambodia with her two young children to save their lives.

Today, Lori is an inspiration to many, a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the power of hope in the face of adversity. So, please join Lori Brown as she shares her riveting account of her life.
Werner RuzickaOpen Circle Ajijic

July 16, 2023
Presentation by Werner Ruzicka: How to Keep Your Mind Sharp
YouTube link: Coming Soon!

When we become older, our body becomes weaker and the mind loses its sharpness. Most people say that is old age.

But it should not be like that. Just a little bit of effort and knowledge and our ripe years will be a blessing and not a cause of suffering.

In this presentation we shall talk about the three essential parts which we should work on to keep the mind sharp:
1. The BODY as the base for the mind should be kept flexible and strong.

2. BREATH — over the years the breath becomes shorter and irregular. This affects the general health, the emotions, and the mental activity. So, we should practice long, calm and regular breathing. Otherwise, we are quickly out of breath when we walk up the stairs.

3. The MIND — the main cause for a weak mind and bad memory is the constant distraction of the mind. With concentration on what we are doing at this very moment, we keep the mind sharp and in the present moment.
 
 
 


If You Missed an In-person Presentation, You Can Still Enjoy It On-line



Donn RochlinOpen Circle Ajijic

June 4, 2023
Presentation by Donn Rochlin: Dealing with Chronic Pain
YouTube link: [a href="https://youtu.be/iAc_rlvLxLQ" target="_blank"]** CLICK HERE **[/a]

Composer, Pianist, Creativity Consultant Donn Rochlin, will be sharing his personal journey from decades of Chronic back, shoulder neck and foot pain, to recovery without, surgery, medications, therapy, exercises or any physical intervention, and how others can do the same. In addition he will be weaving in a several of his piano compositions throughout the presentation.

“Donn's presentation opened my mind to what had previously seemed impossible, the idea of living without chronic pain. By sharing his own story of healing and the resources that helped him, he made accessible a path to healing. By combining his beautiful piano music with these concepts of healing I felt as if I was listening not only with my mind but also with my spirit. I am so grateful to have listened to his words and music.”
— Alexandra Spellman, R.N. Portland, U.S.A.


Donn offers his life's experience, and spiritual journey to help other artist and entrepreneurs bring their skills and talents to fruition.
Barbara HildtOpen Circle Ajijic

May 28, 2023
Presentation by Barbara Hildt: Getting to Know Our Hearts and Souls
YouTube link: [a href="https://youtu.be/c_d1A2mQgpU" target="_blank"]** CLICK HERE **[/a]

As we age, our brains don’t serve us as well as they did when we were younger. So it’s good to know our heart is like a second brain. It does far more than pump blood to keep our bodies alive. According to scientific research by the HeartMath Institute, the heart sends many more messages to the brain than the brain sends to the heart.

Human hearts are receivers of energies from the earth’s magnetic energy fields. They are also receivers and transmitters of energies created by human emotions, both positive and negative. Positive energies created by love, appreciation and compassion make us happier, more peaceful and healthier. They also have positive effects on other people and on our brains’ cognition. Negative emotions such as fear and anxiety create depleting energies that can have negative effects on cells in our bodies. And they can inhibit our abilities to relate well to other people.

Barbara Hildt, a Lakeside resident since 2009, has been an art teacher, a Peace Corps volunteer, a community organizer, a state legislator and a trainer of youth and adults in peacemaking skills. For spiritual guidance and peace, she has made meditation a staple of her life.

With help from the HeartMath Institute, Barbara has learned to use heart coherence to improve her mental, emotional, and physical health. Love energy she receives with an open heart benefits her relationships with others and allows her to connect to souls far away on earth, as well as with the souls of loved ones no longer living in physical bodies.
Lillie HenleyOpen Circle Ajijic

May 14, 2023
Presentation by Lillie Henley: Mother-Daughter Relationships
YouTube link: [a href="https://youtu.be/zhoZoMKb3ec" target="_blank"]** CLICK HERE **[/a]

Rev. Lillie Mae Henley will share with us some of the dynamics of mother-daughter relationships as well as anecdotes which women have shared with her. It is amazing what mothers teach us, or try to teach us, or unwittingly pass on. We learn their lessons consciously and unconsciously. Mothers’ life lessons, in one way or another, stay with us, and influence the personalities we become.

“Most of us take for granted what our mothers do for us or mean to us. Yes, there’s the most obvious components of our relationships—physical and financial—but it is only when we reflect intentionally on our relationships are we able to appreciate, or come to terms, with those relationships,” says Rev. Lillie

Lillie Mae Henley has a Master of Divinity from the Unitarian Universalist theological school in Chicago and studied family systems theory at the University of Chicago school of social work. She retired from the UU ministry in 2018.
Eduardo Ramos Cordero with Philip Rylett Open Circle Ajijic

May 7, 2023
Presentation by Eduardo Ramos Cordero with Philip Rylett: The Hidden Traditions of Ajijic
YouTube link: [a href="https://youtu.be/IMJsXAV0CKU" target="_blank"]** CLICK HERE **[/a]

Quite often we see and enjoy the very public celebrations in Mexico, but sometimes there are events and traditions that, as foreigners, we either don't see or don't understand what we do see. Ajijic has a long history of traditions and practices that predate the arrival of foreigners – including the Spanish, centuries ago. Many of these are quietly maintained and cherished by the local villagers. Have you seen them? Maybe. Those rockets? Well, you certainly heard them. But what exactly is happening? Come and enjoy learning about some of the lesser-known traditions of Ajijic.

Phil Rylett arrived in Mexico 10 years ago and was lucky enough to be the neighbor of the Cronista of Ajijic, Eduardo Ramos Cordero, affectionately known in the village as Lalo. The village cronista is a recognized title in Mexico and is given to community leaders who have taken it upon themselves to preserve and revive village customs and traditions. Lalo is the organizer of Pasión de Cristo, Verbena Jamaica del Pasado, Batalla de las Flores, and many other activities in Ajijic. Over the past 10 years, Phil has spent a lot of time with Lalo and has been enchanted with these stories and would like to share them with you.
Loretta DownsOpen Circle Ajijic

April 30, 2023
Presentation by Lydia Bodin: Volunteering at Lakeside
YouTube link: [a href="https://youtu.be/wSzbqceK0II" target="_blank"]** CLICK HERE **[/a]

There are charities who work around the Lake Chapala area who have incredible impact on the local community. They can only do their work when individuals who live here step-up and volunteer to help. We are not just talking about writing a check - which is always welcome - there is a need to do real work that can be transformative for the local community. This will be a unique opportunity to hear about the actual need of local charities who are engaged in the work of performing human services around Lake Chapala. A number of charities will be present and will briefly speak to their need for committed and talented volunteers. Following these presentations, there will be a chance to speak directly to represented charities and to be enrolled in the life saving work and human services provided by these different groups. The satisfaction that this type of work confers will not only transform the community - it will also transform the giver. We invite you to this very different Open Circle.

Lydia Bodin is the President of Ninos Incapacitados, a local charity that provides medical care for children. She has been a Lakeside full-time resident for almost five years. In her former life, she was a prosecutor working in the area of crimes against women and children.
Loretta DownsOpen Circle Ajijic

April 23, 2023
Presentation by Ted shaw: The magic of Wonder
YouTube link: [a href="https://youtu.be/nSm0dRo_9Js" target="_blank"]** CLICK HERE **[/a]

Get ready to be inspired by the insights of one of the leading experts in personal achievement, Ted Shaw “Ted is the expert other professionals come to study with and learn advanced methods of personal achievement.” ~ Steve Consalvez, CEO at Success Formulae, UK Through Ted's inspiring talk, you will learn how to change your mindset and gain new confidence to achieve the life you desire. Ted Shaw is a Master Firewalking Instructor and one of the co-authors of the training manual used at the Firewalking Institute of Research and Education to teach and certify Personal Developement Coaches who use Firewalking in their events. This is the same school where Tony Robbins, Edwene Gains, & T Harv Eker learned Firewalking. Join us and be prepared to be amazed by Ted's insights. He currently lives on Lake Chapala with his family and spends his time writing, making art, facilitating lifechanging events for corporations, groups, and individuals, personal coaching, and traveling.
Loretta DownsOpen Circle Ajijic

April 16, 2023
Presentation by Noris Binet: Where Opposites Meet: Pre-Hispanic & Contemporary Mexico
YouTube link: [a href="https://youtu.be/pOhvkZkNIFk" target="_blank"]** CLICK HERE **[/a]

Recently I completed a 57-day re- immersion road journey from Ajijic to Belize. This was my husband’s first taste of the 11 Mexican states we traversed which I travelled through 40 years ago.

My purpose was to reconnect with the energy left behind in the ancient cultures, temple sites and multiplicity of archeological artifacts, all of which demonstrated the sophistication of these cultures and the profound interconnection that they have with nature and the world of the spirit. What especially was revealed on this journey was the legacy these people left for today’s individual and society evolution, which I will explore in this presentation.

The old towns built by the Spanish conquistadors with the overwhelming stamp of their churches and European heritage permeates the contemporary world of Mexico. Yet where these two cultures meet one finds a unique space wherein lies vibrant aspects of the indigenous ancient cultures and customs. The meeting of opposites has wrought richness, diversity and inclusion, which offers unforgettable impressions: wonderful mix of art, music and culture that truly inspires the soul.

Noris Binet is from the Dominican Republic, has resided in Ajijic for five years, and previously lived in Mexico from 1976 to 1989. She is a visual artist, poet, author, spiritual teacher, and sociologist completing her studies at the University of Guadalajara. She has studied with several indigenous communities including the Tarasco, Mayas, and Huichols Indians. She has spent decades working with individuals and diverse communities to build bridges and to promote the reclamation in indigenous and immigrant communities of their own sacred roots in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and other countries. Binet offers monthly Satsangs (a gathering in association with truth) wherein she facilitates meditation and self-inquiry for the exploration of one’s true nature and touching one’s own inner peace.

Our Presentation Archives:

To view more presentations from Open Circle 2023, ** CLICK HERE **.
More archives of past presentations (from 2014 to present) are also available under the “Videos” tab on the Open Circle menu above.