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From Theresa
Fall/winter 20002
“We are kept from
the experience of Spirit because our inner world is cluttered with past
traumas...As we begin to clear away this clutter, the energy of divine light and
love begins to flow through our beings.”
~Thomas
Keating
Dear friends,
As summer becomes fall, as
inner rhythms adjust to shorter days and longer nights, I sit
reflecting...reflecting on the bounty of this growing season, in particular, and
on the bounty of a lifetime of growing seasons, of inspiring mentors and
life-altering experiences. I am filled with gratitude.
One of the fruits
of this growing season was the formation of a new long-term women’s group, a
circle of women who have committed to be an “intentional community” for the
foreseeable future. They come with a willingness to open, grow, and share; a
readiness and inner strength to risk; an ability to turn inward and be conscious
of their inner life; and, most importantly, the commitment to “show up,” both
physically and energetically. What a remarkable gift for me, as the
teacher/guide/facilitator! Nothing is more nourishing for me than to journey
together with people who are willing
to be truly and authentically present.
When I reflect upon my lifetime of fortunate life experiences and
teachings, I am reminded of a particularly powerful time of transformation. You
see, I grew up thinking that I was the one in the family who couldn’t sing.
Although I was confident in my body as an athlete, I felt awkward and
uncomfortable in more spontaneous, self-expressive contexts. I felt that I could
not be free in my body or with my voice.
As I began my healing journey in
my mid-20’s, these two doorways (body and voice) began to crack slowly open and
then swing wide. As I learned to inhabit my body and to express my inner self
through words, sounds, and songs, a valuable portal became available to me, a
pathway into a moment-by-moment experience of life...a sense of
beingness.
The single most healing and powerful practice of my early
journey into wholeness was Circle Dancing. Through my daily practice of this
heart-opening, enlivening meditation practice (within the context of a nurturing
spiritual community), my life was changed forever. I discovered that I could
sing and dance! I could open my mouth and sing my heart out at the same time
that I was fully present in my body, AND (and this is the best part) while in
relationship to others. Freeing up my body and voice, learning to trust my own
expression, allowing Spirit to sing and move through me, these lessons were
transformational.
I want to invite you to come to our next Community
Gathering on September 20, where we will be teaching Circle Dancing, which is a
meditative and celebrative form of spiritual practice, designed to awaken and
open the heart and soul, the body and voice. Come join us!
Looking
forward to the day our paths cross,
Theresa
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11449 Lebanon Road - Cincinnati, Ohio 45241
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