A Residential Grief Ritual
(A Song of Grief)
Grieving
is a natural gift of human nature. We are born with a wonderful ability to express our feelings. When we have reached adulthood
most of us have had great cause to grieve for lost loved ones, broken dreams, failed careers, and relationship crises. It
is generally accepted (science has proven) that repressing emotions can lead to ill health. We know that unexpressed grief
will burrow its way deep into the subconscious/psyche, numbing our feelings and disconnecting us from life itself. And yet
we, as a culture, fail to support the expression of grief. There are so few places where it is acceptable to express our deepest
feelings.
This
weekend will offer you the opportunity to work alongside Sobonfu Some and experience the Dagara grief tradition of her West
African culture. We will embark on a journey as a village, building sacred places in the stunning nature of Jefferson,
Maryland that will provide a place to absorb our unresolved feelings of grief
and loss. Sobonfu will share her personal experiences and the wisdom of her tribe, showing us how to overcome the blockages
that keep us trapped. She will assist each participant to draw on personal and collective images and stories, working in groups,
using the rhythm of drums, song and dance, to facilitate this process.
The
ancient teachings of the Dagara people as shared through Sobonfu will provide a deeply powerful and safe space to support
the release of our anger, fear, guilt, numbness, indifference, frustration and grief about all the losses we have endured
in this lifetime.
This
experience will enable us to regain a lasting sense of connectedness with ourselves, our community, and with spirit, leading
us to self-discovery and self-mastery.
For
further questions contact:
Karyn
Armstrong at karyn@harmonicvisions.com
Leslie
Harris at leslie@eastoforion.com or 503-706-8312
Dates:
November 14, 2008 – November 16, 2008
(Friday, 6:00 pm to Sunday, 1:00 pm)
Location: Still Meadows Retreat Center
16561 SE Marna Road, Damascus, OR 97089
Cost: $495.00
Registration: http://www.harmonicvisions.com/index.php?page=sobonfu-some
