Vision, a blueprint for an abundant life, is a programme delivered by Fr Flann Lynch at the Carmelite Avila Centre in Donnybrook. This is a two-day workshop taking place on 18th and 19th October, 2008 on Saturday and Sunday between 10 and 4pm.

Flann, as he likes to be called, is a down-to-earth man and can relate very well to our daily struggles. He emanates a sense of true cheerfulness and contentedness with a real ‘glint’ in his eye! He is humorous, gentle and yet challenging and so very interesting. This will be my third workshop.

Very often, the simplest explanations are the hardest to find. Sometimes, we need guidance and awareness before we can take action to direct us out of the negative world, tangled up with feelings such as fear, anger, anxiety and worry.

Abundance is all about finding a way to let go of our false and negative beliefs or finding a way to deal with negative situations. We are usually not even aware how easily we slip into negative thinking.

This workshop is about enabling us, with awareness, to tap into our own resource of unlimited power, and connect with a power greater than ourselves through the use of imaginary light. The light itself can be your power.

Fr Flann demonstrates this with simplicity, using a candle and water. Fr Flann advises how we can choose to live in the positive world of abundance by practising daily for a few seconds. Our minds will in time automatically connect with the light almost subconsciously, creating a sacred space.

The light can work miracles for hopeless situations where you are powerless. You can place a person in this light who may be experiencing difficulties, finding hope in the relief of an illness for a loved one, hope for one experiencing troubles with addictions or a person sitting exams, or any problems that create negativity in our own lives or that of others.

We place our worries patiently into this light channel and trust that the right outcome will come about. However, it’s also a wonderful channel to share our gratitude. Very often, we forget to be thankful for daily wondrous happenings. As we are so caught up in the negative world, we only express through complaining and we are often not even aware of it.

Flann works on our ‘attitudes’ of which there are eight and he delivers gentle suggestions through meditation using silent words and light. Flann has written a beautiful little handbook that explains all this and it’s filled with meaningful poems.

I find it difficult to express the power of this workshop. It has become part of my daily routine. Though I myself am not overly religious, I do believe in something greater than myself.

The workshop is more of a spiritually-based teaching than that of any particular religion. God is mentioned but Flann uses lots of other words for God like love, presence etc.

By the time Flann had finished making us aware of the positive (abundant) world to that of the negative (scarcity) world, the board was filled with writing.

He simplified the true meaning of finding quiet time to experience the abundance of happiness and a greater sense of well-being from within. This is truly a very powerful and freeing experience and enables us to ‘let go’ more easily.

Should you not be free for the two days on the 18th or 19th October, one day alone is very beneficial. There is no cost for this workshop, however, donations are welcome.

Discover an Abundant Life– 18 & 19th October 2008, Avila Centre, Bloomfield Ave, Donnybrook, Dublin 4 on Saturday 10am to 4pm/ Sunday 10am to 2pm.