Grief Is Essential
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It is essential for us to welcome our grief, whatever form it takes. When we do, we open ourselves to our shared experiences in life.
Grief is our common bond. Opening to our sorrow connects us with everyone, everywhere. There is no gesture of kindness that is wasted, no offering of compassion that is useless. We can be generous to every sorrow we see. It is sacred work. -- Francis Weller, The Wild Edge of Sorrow |
As is evident from the excerpts included here, I am a student of grief and grieving. I not only believe but have experienced that grieving, in community, has the potential to restore us to wholeness, to joy, to life.
This work is therapeutic, but lies beyond and outside of therapy proper, in community, in the village.
I am, therefore, committed to the communal work of grief through facilitating grief rituals with a circle of grief mentoring colleagues in the Pacific Northwest. These events range from half-day to full-day to weekend-long experiences.
Hear my reflections on grief in depth on this November 2023 podcast with Relational Psych.
Please see the Workshops page on this site to view upcoming opportunities to participate.
This work is therapeutic, but lies beyond and outside of therapy proper, in community, in the village.
I am, therefore, committed to the communal work of grief through facilitating grief rituals with a circle of grief mentoring colleagues in the Pacific Northwest. These events range from half-day to full-day to weekend-long experiences.
Hear my reflections on grief in depth on this November 2023 podcast with Relational Psych.
Please see the Workshops page on this site to view upcoming opportunities to participate.
Grief is Communal
In many traditional cultures throughout the world, the full and wholesome expression of grief arising from life’s inevitable sorrows and losses is often known to be most effectively released in a communal setting. It is recognized that unexpressed grief can be toxic, leading to illness, depression, addiction, even damaging and violent behavior towards oneself or others.
It also is known that through supporting one another in holding compassionate witness and energetic presence in a sacred ritual container that welcomes the many faces and forms of grieving, a people can reweave the bonds of respectful connection and belonging that serves to hold them together in interdependent, mutually flourishing community.
-- Laurence Cole, Song Elder and Grief Mentor
In many traditional cultures throughout the world, the full and wholesome expression of grief arising from life’s inevitable sorrows and losses is often known to be most effectively released in a communal setting. It is recognized that unexpressed grief can be toxic, leading to illness, depression, addiction, even damaging and violent behavior towards oneself or others.
It also is known that through supporting one another in holding compassionate witness and energetic presence in a sacred ritual container that welcomes the many faces and forms of grieving, a people can reweave the bonds of respectful connection and belonging that serves to hold them together in interdependent, mutually flourishing community.
-- Laurence Cole, Song Elder and Grief Mentor
Additional Resources
Puget Sound Grief Resources: https://linktr.ee/griefsupport
Francis Weller: https://www.francisweller.net/
Sacred Groves on Bainbridge Island: https://sacredgroves.com/
Joanna Macy and The Work That Reconnects: https://workthatreconnects.org/
Puget Sound Grief Resources: https://linktr.ee/griefsupport
Francis Weller: https://www.francisweller.net/
Sacred Groves on Bainbridge Island: https://sacredgroves.com/
Joanna Macy and The Work That Reconnects: https://workthatreconnects.org/
Grief is a Gift
Pain and suffering make life beautiful. This might be hard to believe while you’re suffering, but the lessons you can learn from hardships are jewels to cherish. If you’re suffering, it means you have a heart. Suffering is evidence of your capacity to love, and only those who understand suffering can understand life and help others.
The world needs your suffering, your courage, and your strength. Don’t try to kill your pain.
Share it with another, communicate it.
Cuong Lu, a student of Thich Nhat Hanh
Pain and suffering make life beautiful. This might be hard to believe while you’re suffering, but the lessons you can learn from hardships are jewels to cherish. If you’re suffering, it means you have a heart. Suffering is evidence of your capacity to love, and only those who understand suffering can understand life and help others.
The world needs your suffering, your courage, and your strength. Don’t try to kill your pain.
Share it with another, communicate it.
Cuong Lu, a student of Thich Nhat Hanh