We are each rich, multifaceted beings, a whole
village or family of selves, of different ages, and with varying
degrees of health and well being. Some are frightened, some
strong, some intensely creative-- some are stuck in past moments
of trauma or have taken on traits of important others in our
lives, especially from childhood. And there are adult selves
eager to bring our whole Self fully forth into the life experiences
we took birth for.
Connecting with the Divine Feminine in any of
Her forms or manifestations invites the alignment, harmony
and aliveness we need for this work. The workshop on May 16th
will be a day of recognizing our inner selves without blame
or judgment, forming networks & alliances with ourSelves
and the Sacred Feminine, and attending to building a healthy
sanctuary space around our whole "village".
One way of growing and healing is to meet, honor
and assist these inner villagers, make sure they know one
another, and help them learn to work together. We may not
always like who shows up. However, when we stop, breathe,
and offer them "a place at our table", the healing
begins.
Through imagery, experiential exercises, sound,
movement and teaming up with guides and allies, we will connect
with who we are as "a village of selves". Our day
together will help us attune to the largest places within
us, and enhance our abilities to be in clarity, compassion,
generosity and authenticity.
What I call "the Village of OurSelves"
has its roots in my training with Jean Houston that began
in 1986, in work with ES Gallegos and Deep Imagery that I've
been developing for 13 years, and in studies with Richard
Schwartz and Internal Family Systems. Inviting the Sacred
Feminine and the allies we may need in the moment, (animal,
plant, angelic, archetypal, ancestral) to work with the different
aspects of ourselves, and helping them heal and integrate
has been a major aspect of my work.
There are protectors within us who need to be
part of the healing team and need transforming work of their
own. They were usually pressed into service during extreme
times in childhood, and have hardened into roles that can
more usefully be expanded, softened, and sometimes altered
radically.
People experience great happiness when an exiled
part of themselves is redeemed, when parts of ourselves are
released from bondage and oppression, and when other "villagers"
are able to off-load their hardened layers. There is not only
the joy of feeling this part of themselves in new and happy
circumstances, but also in being relieved of the weight and
pain this part was formerly exuding into our systems.
We are meant to have a well-functioning internal
family even if we didn't have good models for it growing up--even
if we weren't able to provide good modeling as parents raising
our own families. We have the opportunity now to bring healing
to the parts that need help, co-create healthy environments
with them, and step by step, integrate. Aligning ourselves
with the greatest healing and spaciousness available through
the divine feminine provides many bridges, openings, and possibilities.
We also need to be strengthening and rebuilding
torn places in the sacred boundary at the edge of our "village"--i.e.
the far edge of our energy field. "Good fences make good
neighbors;" --it is important to have a good container
for our village with gates in our fence through which we can
choose to say "yes"
or "no" to whatever is knocking. Without the boundary,
everything comes in, and before we've noticed, things or people
have taken root--and it may not be what we wanted to plant
and tend and grow.
.
Every part of us deserves a good life. And when more of ourself
is operating within a healthy system, there is much more energy
available for following through with our life dreams and plans.
Guarding our exiles takes a lot of energy. Experiencing, even
subliminally, the darkened places within us is confusing and
constricting. Shining light gently into darkened spaces, placing
lovingly what we find there on the altars of divine presence,
and into the center of our village co-op, really helps.
Ellen Weaver, CSW-R, MTh is Director of MotherTree
in Woodstock, NY. She is a body-centered psychotherapist,
spiritual counselor, mentor, teacher and healer. She has taught
at Omega, the Benedictine Health Foundation and many other
settings.
Embodying
the Sacred
with
Ellen Weaver
May 15, 2005
As women we have two hearts--our focus will
be awakening the uterine heart.. We will deepen into the sacred
feminine with movement, chant, story, myth, and breathwork--a
lovely day embodying the sacred; healing our bodies, ourSelves,
and the earth.
This day-long workshops is taught at the Wise
Woman Center in Woodstock NY. Class is from 10 am to 5pm;
you will be given directions once you register. Each one-day
workshop with at the Wise Woman Center includes talking stick
ceremony, wild-food lunch, and instruction.
To register for Wise Woman Center workshops, send deposit
(see specific workshop for deposit amount) and indicate which
workshop you want to attend and contact info:
Wise Woman Center PO Box 64, Woodstock, NY 12498
Fax questions to: 1-845-246-8081
You may also choose to pay by credit card:
www.ashtreepublishing.com
Please send us email,
to confirm availability, before registering online.
