consciousness

"The heart that breaks open can contain the whole universe." - Joanna Macy The last few years have been intense. Growing our capacity to grieve well is essential for both our personal and communal well-being; it is essential to keeping our hearts open and permeable to beauty and resilient to despair. Grief is an integral part of life that requires our attention if we want to be fully available to life. In our culture, however, we have forgotten how to share our grief with one another. In addition to our personal losses, given the emergent climate crisis and its impacts – the extinction of species, the COVID pandemic, and the unrest and turmoil within human societies – the burden of grief that we are carrying as individuals can begin to feel unbearable. There are very few spaces where we are invited to experience and express this complex grief in the community. Robin Wall Kimmerer writes, “If grief can be a doorway to love, then let us all weep for the world we are breaking apart so we can love it back to wholeness again.” In the Five (05) Bi-Monthly circles, we will experience Francis Weller’s “Five Gates of Grief” to connect participants to their distinct and multifaceted experiences of grief and reconnect them to the life force that wants to be birthed through it. "The sheer weight of these personal and collective sorrows is enough to crush our hearts, forcing us to turn away and find solace in anaesthesia and distraction. When we come together, however, and share these stories of sorrow in grief rituals, something begins to change. When our sorrows are witnessed and held within a community of compassion, grief can surprisingly turn to joy, to a love emboldened for all that surrounds us. Love and loss have…

Dear Friend, Have you ever loved deeply and lost? Whether it's a person, a pet, a place, or a dream, loss is an inevitable part of life. Yet in our society, we often struggle to honor our grief fully. We invite you to join us for a special gathering to explore the First Gate of Grief: "Everything you love, you will lose." This wisdom, shared by Francis Weller, reminds us that loss is not a failure, but a natural part of loving deeply. In this circle, we create a safe, loving space to: Honor your unique losses, big and small Share stories of love and remembrance Express grief in ways that feel right for you Connect with others who understand Discover the healing power of communal grieving This is not about "getting over" your loss, but about giving your grief the attention and care it deserves. Through gentle rituals, sharing, and silent reflection, we'll witness each other's journeys with compassion and understanding. You don't need any special skills or knowledge – just an open heart and a willingness to be present with your grief. Whether your loss is fresh or from long ago, all are welcome. In this circle, there's no right or wrong way to grieve. Tears, laughter, anger, numbness – all expressions are honored. We believe that by tending to our grief together, we can find not just healing, but also a deeper appreciation for the preciousness of life and love. Join us in this sacred space of remembrance and renewal. Let's walk this path of grief and love together, supporting each other every step of the way.

Dear one, Today, we're opening the door to a tender place within you - the second Gate of Grief that Francis Weller calls "The Places That Have Not Known Love." Take a deep breath. You're safe here. Imagine a child - perhaps it's you - standing in a room. Parts of this child glow brightly, cherished and celebrated. But there are shadows too, corners where the light doesn't reach. These are the parts of you that learned to hide, the pieces deemed unacceptable or unlovable. We all have these places. They're born from moments when we needed love but received criticism, when we reached out but were pushed away, when we shined brightly but were told to dim our light. These experiences taught us to tuck away parts of ourselves, believing they were too much, too little, or simply wrong. These unloved places aren't flaws - they're wounded pieces of your beautiful, complex self. They've been waiting patiently, hoping that one day, someone would see them, accept them, love them. That someone is you. As you stand at this gate, you might feel a mix of fear and longing. It's okay. Those feelings are welcome here. This journey is about bringing gentle awareness to these neglected parts of yourself. It's about saying, "I see you. You matter. You belong." Grieving for these unloved places isn't about dwelling in sadness. It's a profound act of self-love. It's reclaiming the wholeness that has always been your birthright. As you tend to these wounds with compassion, you create space for new life, new joy, new possibilities. Remember, you don't have to do this alone. Reach out to trusted friends, a therapist, or a support group. Sometimes, the simple act of sharing these hidden parts can begin the healing. So, dear one, are you…

Dear one, Have you ever felt a sadness that seems bigger than your own life? A heaviness that echoes through time? Welcome to the Fifth Gate of Grief: Ancestral Grief. This gate invites us to explore the sorrow that flows through our family lines, passed down through generations like an invisible inheritance. It's the pain of those who came before us - their unresolved traumas, unfulfilled dreams, and untold stories. Imagine for a moment the little child within you, carrying not just your own hurts, but also the weight of your parents' struggles, your grandparents' losses, and the collective hardships of your ancestors. It's a lot for those small shoulders, isn't it? But here's the beautiful truth: by acknowledging this ancestral grief, we begin to heal not just ourselves, but our entire lineage. We become the bridge between past and future, transforming old pain into new possibilities. This gate asks us to listen deeply - to the whispers of our ancestors, to the wisdom in our bones, to the stories written in our very DNA. It's about honoring where we come from, while choosing what we carry forward. You might feel this grief as: A sense of displacement or not belonging Recurring family patterns that you can't explain Emotions or fears that feel bigger than your own experiences A calling to explore your family history or cultural roots Remember, this journey isn't about blame. It's about understanding, compassion, and reclaiming the gifts that have been lost along the way. As you stand before this gate, know that you're not alone. Your ancestors stand with you, ready to offer their strength and wisdom. And your future descendants are cheering you on, grateful for the healing you're initiating. So, dear one, are you ready to step through? To tend to that inner…