Connect with friends and neighbors at The ConsciousNest Community

The ConsciousNest Community located on Lakeshore Blvd. at E. 200th St.

With all of the troubles happening in our world today, we might find ourselves longing for a place where we can find nurturing, support and a closer sense of community. The ConsciousNest Community located at E. 200th St. and Lakeshore Blvd. is just such a place.  I had a chat with the Director, Allyson Harris about “The Nest” and its role in bringing Euclid neighbors and and beyond together for spiritual growth.

What is the ConsciousNest? How long has it been in operation?

The ConsciousNest opened its doors in December of 2006, starting out with little more than a Dream. “We are a community dedicated to the understanding and nurture of human kind through the five ‘bodies’:  Physical, Emotional, Mental, Spiritual, and Collective, explains Allyson Harris, the director and founder of ConsciousNest Community.  We provide a safe, relaxed and flexible place to teach, practice or perform. You don't "pay rent" - we receive a percentage of whatever you take in; which means if you have 1 student/client or many, you won't go away in debt to us or empty handed.  If you are booked for our Euclid City Limits stage, you will get paid, not contingent upon your "draw" of audience.

Ally what is your background and what motivated you to create The Conscious Nest?

 In late 1999 I joined an on-line shamanic group, mostly because the name sounded so interesting to me - The Global Shaman.  There I met some amazing people and over the years have traveled to many workshops and gatherings - mostly in different parts of Canada (my teachers are based in the Montreal area) but have also hosted and attended workshops in the Cleveland area as well.  Through my shamanic training, I came to understand the importance of community - of people working together for the common good of all.

I wanted to bring this indigenous "village collective" idea to the folks in our NE Ohio area.  I saw too many people who didn't know their neighbors, who went into their homes at night and shut all the shades and windows - isolating themselves from the world around themselves.  To me, this is unhealthy; I wanted to show folks there is another way to live - and to actually thrive!

Why did you choose Euclid as a location?

I think Euclid chose us! - lol  My former business partner and I looked for places to rent first, all around this "east side" area. It must have been "meant to be" because the time between our offer, and when we got the keys was literally a matter of a few weeks.  I don't drive, and this location is perfect as I live within 2 miles.

Describe the Mission of The Conscious Nest

Our mission is to be an "incubator" or nurturer for people in whatever capacity they need us to be.  For teachers or practitioners just starting out who have no "following" as of yet, but need to build that through having a place to teach or practice, the Nest is perfect.  We have had practitioners who primarily practice on the west side come to TheNest to try to establish an east side clientele.

For folks who are "searching for something" we have a diversity of classes, workshops, etc. that will give them a taste of something; if they like the sample, they may pursue something further!  We're here to help people grow.  That doesn't mean that someone with lots of teaching credentials and experience, or practice experience, is unwelcome!  Far from it!  But we do go out of our way to help people start up...there aren't a lot of places that are willing to have a teacher teach one or two students - usually the "rent" is too high for that.  We believe in "word of mouth" advertising as being the best.  If one or two people take a class, workshop, or utilize the services of one of our practitioners, and they enjoy the experience, they will tell others.  That's how participation builds.  Yes, it's slower, but it's very organic.  I would rather trust the word of someone in whom I already trust when it comes to learning or healing.  Doesn't everyone??

What are your most successful classes/programs/ events?

Hands down, right now, it is our concert venue, Euclid City Limits, that has been the most successful in terms of participation and donations received.  Music is a universal language, and we are happy to be able to present it here at TheNest.  Our Shamanic classes and workshops have also been extremely successful over the years.  Our crafting classes have been popular as well.  We have hosted Papa Assane M'Baye's West African Drumming classes for several years now - and they are extremely well attended.

What is “Euclid City Limits” and how are you affiliated?

Euclid City Limits is the music venue, housed within TheNest.  It was the original brainchild of Steve Mramor.  Steve's partner, Susan, is a student of Assane M'Baye's drumming class, and she suggested to Steve he ought to check out the space in which they practice and that he might want to play or at least practice there.  When Steve showed up, he really felt that EVERYBODY should be able to play here, and that is how the concept was born. ECL was established by Steve as a venue for especially singer-songwriters, to have a venue where they would actually be HEARD - not competing with bar noise or coffee house clatter.  He envisioned ECL as a place, again, for people just starting out in the music world AND for seasoned veterans, to experience the intimacy of a "house concert" type venue to showcase their artistry.

What is your vision for the future of The Conscious Nest?

We want to continue to provide this nurturing space, and expand the programs we have already in order to provide the most diverse opportunities for people to learn, grow, heal and thrive through our classes, workshops, practitioners and the Euclid City Limits concert venue.  Someday we'd like to "grow up" to be something similar to an Omega Institute, where a variety of teachers and practitioners can share their knowledge and expertise with others and to the public.

What do you need to make your vision a reality?

Being a non-profit corporation chartered under the IRS 501c3 code, our primary and basic need is monetary, through donations and grants.  But that isn't the be all and end all of what we need.  We need volunteers - the more the merrier!  I as Director am a volunteer.  I spend any time I'm not sleeping or working here; doing the cleaning, some of the yard work, scheduling, maintaining the website, and being the "hostess" when folks come in our door, as well as teaching the shamanic classes for which I have trained for almost 15 years.  The more folks we have willing to volunteer their services (in whatever capacity), the less likely each volunteer will "burn out" from overwork.  We need folks who like to garden and work in the yard; we need folks who are willing to help with cleaning; we need folks who are willing to donate paper goods like paper towels and tp - any help in any capacity is always very much appreciated and needed!

I personally interview (and actually utilize the services of!) all the practitioners and teachers we have here at TheNest - I won't recommend anyone with whom I am unfamiliar with what they teach or practice.  Integrity and a good work ethic is important to me personally, and I believe, important to the community we serve.

What are some upcoming events you would like people in Euclid to know about?

We've got a lot of cool things coming up in September!  We have Carlos Alberto Calabrese, Kristen Graves, anitakeyes, and Kate Kooser (with Bob Sammon opening!) coming to the Euclid City Limits' stage.  We have Assane M'Baye's West African Drumming classes on the 11th, 18th and 25th (new students always welcome!).  I am teaching a introductory course on the Medicine Wheel and the shamanic path on the 14th of September.  Plus, as always, people can go to our website and choose a practitioner in several different disciplines and make an appointment to meet the practitioner here for a session.

For more information about The ConsciousNest Community, visit their website at: www.theconsciousnest.com or their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/consciousnestcommunity/