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KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Local educator Julie Kreis will be this month's guest presenter at the ongoing Companion Circle at A Positive Light Center for Spiritual Awakening, 6470 Kelsey Creek Dr, Kelseyville.
The public is invited to join the mindful social gathering slated Monday, Sept. 18, from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Kreis is a Zen Buddhist practitioner and Japanese-Chinese calligrapher.
Also known as Jaquar Circle, she had her first experience with Japanese-Chinese Calligraphy in 2007 in Japan and today teaches individuals and groups privately.
Her meditative art can be seen at the Middletown Art Center and Life Foods Health store in Middletown.
According to Kreis, the Japanese adopted Chinese characters more than 3,000 years ago. The characters originated as pictographs and each graph had a semblance to the idea or object they represented.
The art of calligraphy evolved as the culture revered these representations and the skill required to elaborate them.
"Zen calligraphy of Japan honors the mindful use of the brush, one’s state of mind, posture and the reflection on the very character one is painting," said Kreis. "It is a very centering, relaxing and mindful practice."
Through a guided meditative experience, Kries will introduce participants to the tools and instruct on making a zen circle and a one heart character, both which have strong centering and deep meaning in the Zen tradition.
Due to the nature of the materials involved with the calligraphy experience, there will be limited seating for this portion of the evening offered on a first-come, first-serve basis. Those not directly involved are invited to participate through meditatively supporting and viewing the experience.
"I attended a half-day workshop on mindful Japanese painting during my studies at Sonoma State," said Saccato. "I experienced such ease and joy all throughout as the art almost revealed itself through this very simple, elegant practice."
Companion Circles are monthly gatherings for those curious about or committed to a mindfulness practice and are hosted by JoAnn Saccato, MA, local mindfulness teacher and author, and Joanie Lane, meditation teacher and director of A Positive Light Center for Spiritual Awakening.
The circles occur on the third Monday of each month from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Mindfulness is a scientifically supported health and wellness approach to reduce stress and stress-related illnesses, increase focus and attention, decrease incidences of and relapses with depression, reduce anxiety, reduce relapses in addiction, and aid in sleep and digestive disorders.
It has been proven to increase well being, life satisfaction and happiness, as well as improve social relationships.
The evening includes a guided mindfulness exercise, question and answer period, social mingling and a guest presenter. Attendees are invited to wear comfortable clothing. Optionally, guests can bring a simple finger food to share. Tea and water are served.
There is a suggested donation of $10.00, though, no one is turned away for lack of funds.
For more information on Kreis, email
