Here, I offer three possibilities for conversational circles. They are open and available to you and your group of six to twelve people. They can be tailored to suit your needs in terms of timing, location, duration, etc. I have hosted these workshops on my own and co-facilitated them with colleagues. Let me know if you’d like support for hosting them.
The Dark Night journey is not a passage to be undertaken alone. You may feel isolated, alienated, bewildered, and not wanting to be with others. But I assure you, their support, guidance and empathy are the portals for moving through the transition.
Dark Night – Navigating Turbulent Change
This workshop is based on my book, Dark Night: Reclaiming the Discarded Other. The intention is to familiarize you with the Dark Night process, its elements and characteristics. Through conversation, exercises, poetry, writing, and movement, you will connect with feelings, symptoms, and strategies for making the Dark Night passage. Most recently, this workshop has been used to support moving through the pandemic.
You will take away an understanding of the many ways in which these transitions can be navigated, and you will be empowered to move through the process with compassion.
Dying to Live A Sacred Conversation
Death is a core characteristic of the Dark Night. A literal death of a loved one, a near death experience, or a health crisis can be a catalyst for entering a Dark Night. And metaphorically, your own death to your former self is inevitable. As such, coming to terms with dying is an important aspect of the journey.
The Dying to Live workshop is a conversational group process designed to normalize death and dying. Through reading, poetry, exercises and a wealth of resources, you will be supported in preparing for your Dark Night journey and your ultimate ending.
More information about Dying to Live and a bibliography.
Weaving the Web
When you are feeling like a stranger in a strange land, needing to weave a new perspective, this workshop will be a guide to re-membering who you are now, and how you will contribute your gifts. Using Otto Scharmer’s Theory U and incorporating the Myth of Inanna, a clearer view emerges.
Over a weekend, your group will share stories and create possibilities for contributing your leadership to the Dark Night of the world. An ongoing community of kindred spirits supports your actions and provides scaffolding over time as you affirm your self and your work.
For a reflection on Weaving the Web from co-facilitator Amy Phillips, click here. Be in touch if this weaving of possibilities appeals to you and your group.
What aspects of these processes are you curious about? How might you do some further investigation of what calls to you?
For more reflections on the dark night process, see What is a Dark Night?