Health: November events

Thousands of survivors of suicide loss will gather together around the world on this day of healing, support, and empowerment. If you have lost someone in your life to suicide, please join us. Hundreds of local conference sites will simultaneously watch a 90-minute broadcast produced by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. On this broadcast, a diverse panel of survivors and mental health professionals will address the questions that so many survivors face. “Why did this happen? How can I cope? Where can I find support? — American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

Admission: Pre-registration is $15. On-site registration is $20. Financial assistance is available by calling TCOYD at (800) 998-2693. Contact: (800) 998-2693 or www.tcoyd.org or info@tcoyd.org. About: Taking Control of Your Diabetes (TCOYD), a non-profit diabetes education organization, is hosting a conference, lunch and health fair November 21 that will feature national and local medical experts offering informative and motivational programs in diabetes care for people with all types of diabetes, those at risk for diabetes, and their loved ones. -- In partnership with the University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Presbyterian Medical Group, Lovelace, Diabetes Network, Inc., American Diabetes Association, and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. -- Lunch, materials, all conference activities are included in registration fee. -- Health fair with 50 informational exhibits from national and local diabetes-related companies and organizations. -- Featuring Charlie Kimball, IndyLight race car driver; Darryl Tonemah, PhD (Kiowa/Comanche/Tuscarora); Urban Miyares, Veteran, Entrepreneur; Dr. Steven V. Edelman, Founder and Director of TCOYD awarded 2009 ‘Educator of The Year’ by the American Diabetes Association and Kim Lyons, former trainer on The Biggest Loser. -- More than 1500 people are expected to attend. To register or get more information, call (800) 998-2693 or visit www.tcoyd.org. Faculty: Medical professionals from UNM, Presbyterian Health, Behavioral Diabetes Institute, Diabetes Network, IHS, Podiatry Associates of NM, Lovelace, Indian Health Service, Diabetes Self Management Center and many local and national clinics and institutions. — Taking Control of Your Diabetes

A one to seven day silent retreat, “Clarifying Meditative Work – An Extended Retreat”, will be held from Sunday, 11/29 to Sunday, 12/6 on ten quiet acres in Tijeras, just outside of Albuquerque. Fees range from $50 to $230, depending on the number of days you come. It is alright to come for one day or more. Advance registration is required. The retreat will bring together people interested in meditation from any tradition - including Tibetan, Zen, Vipassana, Hindu and Western – as well as people meditating without any traditional context. The spirit of the retreat should appeal to people who enjoy the writings of Pema Chodron, Toni Packer, Thich Nhat Hanh, Eckhart Tolle, Byron Katie and Krishnamurti, among others. Both experienced sitters and those newly interested in meditation will have a chance to explore directly what meditative work is and how it sheds light on the concerns of our lives. The retreat does not focus on teaching techniques or spiritual theory, although it will be fine if these topics come up for discussion. Instead participants can share issues and concerns in their lives or issues from or about their meditation and we can discover directly what is helpful and what is not. The group will explore the possibility of shedding fresh light on issues of our lives, not theoretically, but from a quiet, meditative listening to each other and to oneself. Each retreat day will include quiet sitting, group discussion, a short talk and some time to meet one on one. The day is held in silence, without talking, except for the morning talk, the afternoon discussion and one on one meetings. None of the activities are required and participants are free to find their own way. The facilitator is Jay Cutts, who has attended retreats with Toni Packer for over 30 years. Jay says, “Meditative work is, in its deepest sense, not theoretical, not goal oriented, not a matter of time or progress. It is the direct opening, fully complete in this moment now, to a simple, compassionate, open awareness that allows the myriad fears, clingings, confusions of the mind that we all suffer from to be revealed in a new way and at the same time brings us intimately, undividedly and lovingly in touch with the wide universe in all its profound stillness. I feel that, in our deepest hearts, it is the possibility of this openness that we come together to clarify.” There is an introductory workshop on 11/14 from 2 to 5 pm in Albuquerque. For reservations or more info, or to be on the mailing list for future workshops, please call Jay at 281-0684 or visit: www.cuttsreviews.com/meditation/ — NM Center for Meditative Inquiry and Retreat