Encounter The Heart
When we truly and deeply encounter the heart we will transform our world!
Encounter the Heart is simply an attempt to create a community where we share our story and our stories.
Breaking open story – that which binds us yet frees us.
Hi - I'm Damien!
I am an Edmund Rice Christian Brother who lives in Brisbane, Australia. I am passionate about the power of story to unite us. I often say, “When in doubt, share story!” Story is neither right nor wrong, better or worse, better or best; story just is. In the sharing of story we celebrate our shared humanity with its innate dignity. At this time in our history we also are invited to engage deeply with the story of planet Earth as well.
Encounter the Heart provides Professional Development experiences, retreats, Professional Supervision, facilitation and access to resources that aim to support people to more authentically encounter their own hearts and the hearts of the other.
Please explore the resources on this site and please do visit the websites of these other projects I am involved with..
“He departed from our sight that we might return to our hearts and find Him there!”
St Augustine of Hippo
Some of my other projects
Universal Man is dedicated to the good blokes of the world that want to be their very best selves. If you want more clarity on how to approach challenging situations and relationships, a plan for the future, be more resilient and have a surround yourself with a quality bunch of blokes then this is for you.
unOther develops immersion programs to build pathways to inclusion & understanding.
This Educator’s Guide to Service Learning looks at one of the most-often misunderstood academic and professional pursuits within schools. Br Damien Price explores the potentially transforming power of Service Learning which occurs when it is closely linked to the culture and curriculum of the school community.
The worth of the ordinary.
A very small number of copies (about 12) of ‘The Worth of the Ordinary’ are still available. The book is now quite old and contains some reflections from my years working at St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace. These copies are available for $20 + postage from dfprice@edmundrice.org Any monies will go to support refugees and asylum seekers.
About the Encounter The Heart Logo
The Encounter the Heart logo was designed by Tom Sands, Thomas Connellan, Isaac Lofaro and Benjamin Evans. Tom, Thomas, Issac and Ben were Year 11 Art Students at St Joseph’s Nudgee College in Brisbane.
The logo represents two people reaching out to each other to communicate and connect. These two people are encountering – and in this encounter their hearts dance. The mountains and stars invite us to seek the highest, “Where people meet to seek the highest, this is holy ground!” In the foreground are represented a river (or path) reminding us that life is a sacred journey filled with encounter, the sharing of story and growing to be our best selves.
I have worked in and out of Christian Brothers associated schools for a number of years and heard the stories and history of Blessed Edmund Rice and the Brothers. Brother Damien brings to life the spirit of Edmund Rice. His pedagogy of passing on the stories communicated the animating spirit of Christ and his Gospel showing how it was and is alive in Edmund’s and the Brothers’ ministry.
Daniel
Encounter the Heart facilitated by Br Price is poignant, deeply spiritual, awakening and engaging. Br Damien presented a 3 hour twilight in Term 4 at the end of the day and all were engaged as we experienced the concept of ‘guest’ and what that means for us in our vocation as teachers. I experienced so many ‘ah ha’ moments. Gratitude to Br Damien for his wisdom, for bringing the Edmund Rice story to life and for prompting us to reflect deeply on the impact we have.
Lisa
Brother Damien Price provided an opportunity for the staff of St Ursula’s College to relate to the message of Jesus in a very personal way. Using story and movement, staff deepened their understanding of the compassion shown by Jesus and were able to connect this to the Ursuline charism and our role as educators in today’s world. This day had a profound impact and staff continue to talk positively about the experience.
MaryThe Latest From Damien's Blog
I was out walking recently and two things got me thinking. Now, that in itself is strange because my walking is normally my chill out, switch off or mull over… Read More »Noise and hustle, rush and bustle stopping life to the full.
He is Risen Indeed, and alleluia is our song. Deep within a small flame flickers – it whispers ‘hope’, it whispers ‘don’t give up’, it whispers ‘reach out’ – ‘forgive’… Read More »Light conquering darkness giving hope to all.
The Via Dolorosa is traditionally believed to be the path Jesus trod carrying his cross to the Crucifixion on Good Friday. Recently during a Professional Development day I was leading… Read More »Finding love, meaning and hope in the steps of our own via dolorosa.
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Br Price’s ability to bring a strong focus on community and personal beliefs and link them to everyday practice is powerful, and he does it in an engaging and interesting presentation.
Andrew – Head of Faculty St Laurence’s College, Brisbane