grief – Grief Tending in Community

Climbing mountains is easy

…and somehow very related to tending grief..

When I was younger I wanted to run a workshop called “Climbing Mountains Is Easy”. I had realised that if I push myself up a mountain, trying to get to the top or wanting to go faster, I would get exhausted. If I walk in the way that suits the most tired, injured or aching part of my body, walking becomes effortless and enjoyable. Listening to the most weakness in my body transformed walking up hills from a struggle to a joy. I could end a day of walking for hours still feeling energised. There was an obvious parallel to how I was living my life and why I was sometimes close to burnout or breakdown. And how those around me were living theirs. I wanted to share this practice with others who might be overriding the voice of vulnerability, driven by themselves or the culture around them. And to share the wild beauty of mountain landscapes with people who might believe them to be out of reach.

Tending Grief, in a room with other people

I felt trepidation as well as relief as a group gathered for the first in person Grief tending indoors since before COVID dramatically changed how we meet, more than a year ago.

In the correspondence before the workshop I felt a new part of my role, to help figure out how to meet possibly different needs about COVID precautions, behaviours, proximity and contact in a grief tending space.

Grief is not a tidy and controlled process by its nature. Involving body liquids, loud noises, and often, the longing for touch.

Kind touch is one of the few ways we generate oxytocin – as well as singing together, giving birth and breastfeeding. Oxytocin helps us to feel a sense of bonding with others, of deep connection

April Grief Tending Update

Spring arrives in the northern hemisphere.. Take some time to remember, grieve, honour and share with others anything you’re with from your year of pandemic, lockdowns, upheaval and change. Book now for the April 16th Grief tending workshop where we will hold a space for COVID remembrance, as well as welcoming all grief.

See the full update and news here

Newsflash – for those interested in the grief traditions of these lands, there is a Grief ceremony with Phyllida Anam-Aire on Sunday 18th April, 6 – 9PM, on Zoom. For more details and to book click here

Journeying into the Heart of Grief
Come and allow the rivers of grief to pour healing waters over your heart.
Phyllida, and a group of compassionate friends working in the fields of bereavement, will guide you into this sacred ceremony.
There will be lots of singing and Celtic Grief Mantras, or Gutha, encouraging openness of the heart of grief in us.
Phyllida worked extensively with Elisabeth Kübler-Ross in the eighties and nineties and as a ritual of gratitude to Life Itself, offers this ceremony to the community.
It will be her last communal gathering working with grief and loss.

January Grief tending update

You can see all the news, reflections and some frosty photos here

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Grief tending Update June 2020

Loving life, welcoming grief.. staying in touch with our truth in times of change and upheaval

Here are some new dates for on-line workshops from me (Sophy), a bit of update from Jeremy about what he’s offering, and some reflections on these times and how this grief work might connect to the response to George Floyd’s killing. Continue reading “Grief tending Update June 2020”