Join The Learning Community for Grief 9:00am-12:00pm on Saturday, April 5, in the Palo Verde room of La Parroquia for a connective workshop with spiritual director and therapist, Shannon Sullivan.

In the art of spiritual direction, the Spirit is often referred to as the third chair, that wise presence which holds space for one to discern the deeper meaning of grief and loss.

What if trees acted as that third chair, as a silent witness to pain, loss and grief? What if trees both listen and teach at the same time? All are invited to connect to their ancient wisdom.

Participants will first ground themselves in the loving presence of trees through guided meditation. The trees will hold space for the emotions of grief that arise from deep within.

Everyone will then create poetry together to honor the loss they have encountered in their lives.

Lastly, the poetry of everyone’s grief will be expressed and transformed through movement.

In her book, Braiding Sweetgrass, author Robin Wall Kimmerer, botanist and teacher from the Potawatomi Nation, says, “What if you were a teacher but had no words to speak your knowledge? What if you had no language at all and yet there was something you needed to say? Wouldn’t you dance it?”

So participants shall dance, as trees do, to transform the wounds of their hearts into a sacred place of hope.