HUGGING SAINT RETURNS: Internationally renowned humanitarian and spiritual leader from India, Mother Amma (otherwise known as "the hugging saint"), will be back in Ireland this week to spread her message of tolerance, love and compassion by hugging people.
She will be in the National Show Centre (near Dublin Airport), Cloghran, Co Dublin, 10am to 7pm, tomorrow and Thursday. See www.ammaireland.org for full details and directions to the venue.
BACK TO WORK WITH ARTHRITIS: Arthritis Ireland is hosting two Back to Work meetings for people with rheumatoid arthritis who want to rejoin the workforce. The meetings will be held in Croke Park, Dublin, on Saturday, November 18th, 9.30am to 3.15pm, and in the Clarion Hotel, Cork, on Saturday, November 25th, 9.30am to 3.15pm.
The meetings will address topics such as the psychological challenge of returning to work, preparing for job interviews, managing the condition at work and communicating with colleagues about the condition. For more details, tel: 01 6070221 or see www.arthritisireland.ie
NUTRITIONAL DECODING: Energy-boosting and energy-robbing foods are buzzwords in nutrition these days, and nutritionist Aveen Bannon promises to decode them at a free information evening in the Hilton Hotel, Charlemont Place, Dublin on Wednesday, November 22nd at 6.30pm.
Bannon is a practising dietician and a member of the Irish Nutrition and Dietetics Institute. She will discuss how to boost your immune system for winter and prevent sluggishness. The talk is organised by the Irish food manufacturer, Kelkin. See also www.kelkin.ie
HEALING BIRTH EXPERIENCES: Jungian psychotherapist, birth teacher and mother Benig Mauger contends that birth is a "soul experience for both mother and baby" and that many women can experience a loss of soul in the modern, medicalised way of birth. On Saturday, November 18th, she will outline ways of healing negative birth experiences and creating fulfilling and empowering birth experiences in the future.
The workshop will be held in the Teachers' Club, Parnell Square, Dublin, 9.30am to 5.30pm. The workshop costs €95. For further details and to book, tel: 01 4970501.
• Lifelines is compiled by Sylvia Thompson