What becomes available to us if we release the belief that grief is a problem to overcome… and instead choose to cultivate a respectful, courageous relationship with our own innate, essential capacity to grieve?

Most of us carry a belief that our grief is a problematic emotion that we must control, carry alone, and move through as quickly as possible. In our capitalist, white supremacist culture, where our value is determined in large part by what we do and our ability to produce, our natural need for time, space and care in grief is often minimized or pathologized. Unmetabolized grief underlies much of our personal and collective suffering.

Because of the extraordinary times in which we find ourselves, there is some urgency now to evolve into a more expansive, wise, and interactive relationship with our grieving selves.

Grief is continually interwoven throughout our lived experiences, and is the necessary doorway to authentic gratitude, beauty, and depth. By consciously cultivating our resourcefulness with grief, we deepen our resilience and maturity in all aspects of our life.

ABOUT THE SERIES:

Befriending Grief is designed to cultivate one of the most important resources to our grief literacy; a Community of Care in which to share, witness, and honor our grief journeys. Our overarching goal is to deepen our “apprenticeship with sorrow” (Francis Weller), allowing grief to open us, to ripen us, and to allow for more authentic participation in our own lives.

Befriending Grief sessions will take place online on Sunday afternoons starting at 1 pm ET approximately eight times a year. Your one-time registration includes a link to all upcoming sessions. Our group activities will be chosen from the modalities of circle sharing, journal writing, poetry, art, guided meditation, sound, movement, and ritual.

There is no expectation or pressure to attend every session. For those who wish to deeply restore a connection to the natural capacity for grief, attending several sessions will be most beneficial, at the number and pace that feels right for you.

The series will alternate between Grief Encounter and Grief Revelation sessions:

Grief Encounter sessions will include short teachings on grief and guided activities to enhance our grief literacy. Sessions will last three hours with a break halfway through; participants are asked to commit to be in the session for the entire time.

Grief Revelation sessions will be less structured, with opportunity to share our grief journeys with each other and glean what Grief is offering us in that moment. These sessions will be open for two hours, and you are welcome to join at any time during the session.

COST FOR THE SERIES:

These sessions are being offered for free. However, at registration there will be an opportunity to contribute to support Hope Springs Institute and workshop facilitators. Invitations to contribute will occasionally be included in update & instruction emails as well. Just choose the contribution amount that works for you. Register to attend using the link provided.

ABOUT THE FACILITATOR:

Mary Manera, MA,  is experienced in many aspects of death care, as well as non-profit leadership, spiritual care, group facilitation, and work with our elders. She is owner of Manera Studio, which holds her multiple vocations of voice acting, retreat facilitation, and end of life advocacy. Mary has undertaken extensive preparation and made solemn commitment to walk in life as a Shamanic Priestess. She is the creator of Enter the Quiet retreats, which has been hosted at Hope Springs for more than twenty years. Mary sings with MUSE Cincinnati’s Women’s Choir and the Cincinnati Threshold Singers.