“We are all one gesture from being the cruelty we have suffered or one kindness from helping each other heal in the open.”
~ Mark Nepo
A note from Erin, July 5 2023:
This morning, I’m sending linden blossom and elderflower scented greetings your way.
I’ve been savoring the early morning hours in the garden, my hat dusted with pollen as I gather baskets full of herbs, flowers, and veggies and then pull weeds to give our happy hens. We’ve been blessed with a lush June of rain and cooler temperatures that felt like an utter miracle. I thought I might never see a wet, cool spring/summer for the rest of my life. Two years ago we were suffering massive wildfire smoke as other places are now, and wow is that stressful and debilitating. I’m sending love and compassion to all who have been breathing smoke and want to hold up the possibility I couldn’t imagine two years ago – beauty and thriving may return in ways you can’t even imagine. Don’t give up. Here we are in my neck of the woods with a glorious cool season and clean air. As Mary Oliver wisely counseled, “Keep some room in your heart for the unimaginable.” Let’s.
After a very challenging many months dancing with long-covid and many subsequent illnesses for me and Carl’s slow recovery from an Achilles tendon tear, I’m deeply grateful that my life force and immune system are starting to return. (Yay!) We’ve got a beautiful fall planned with many powerful offerings, though today I want to share with you about just two.
I thought the last time I taught Women Embodied it would be my last. As I sat and listened deeply, I realized it wanted to be reimagined and potentiated to be particularly supportive of us during these strange and difficult times. If you’re interested, I invite you to read the invitation and feel into that wise divining rod in your heart and gut to see if you’re drawn to dive in with me. I’m deeply excited about this course and am happy to offer two cohorts – one in-person in Salt Lake City and one all online.
The second offering I’d like to share is our first-since-2019 in-person Grief Tending Ritual & Retreat – it is now open for registration and filling quickly. You can read more here. We’re full of joyous anticipation for this powerful healing gathering.
Instead of writing a fresh essay, I’d love to share a few pieces that I have enjoyed revisiting:
This is summer – from 10 years ago!
And this one – about Awe as the anti-inflammatory emotion.
And if you’re a fan of Mary Oliver, you might enjoy this on-demand course.
It’s chock full of beauty and inspiration. I never tire of Mary’s poetry!
I’ll close this note with a favorite prayer given to me decades ago by one of my beloved teachers:
May the precious mind of Bodhichitta (the awakened heart-mind)
arise where it has not arisen
and where it has arisen may it not fade away
but grow and flourish, infinitely, forever.
May the precious recognition of inter-being
arise where it has not arisen
and where it has arisen may it not fade away
but grow and flourish, infinitely, forever.
May the precious conduct of nonviolence
arise where it has not arisen
and where it has arisen may it not fade away
but grow and flourish, infinitely, forever.
May it be so.
I’m deeply grateful we’re connected.
Wishing you permeability to beauty and resilience to despair.
From my heart,
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Posted in Embodiment
