Grief Circles & Rituals
“When we weep for the conditions of this world, we become truth-tellers in its defense.” — Cole Arthur Riley
“The distinction between grief and mourning is a recent one; a sign and symptom of disconnection from a deeply relational world in which the pain of loss could never be imagined as a solely individual experience.” — Shauna Janz
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Grief Song Circle
Mass amount of pain, loss and violence continue to happen.
Whether you’re holding personal or collective grief for the world, this song circle is a simple and welcoming space to be with your grief in a way that’s connective and guided. There will be little talking and instead a focus on the healing of the singing.
Singing is a birthright. All are welcome.
FLOW: We begin with a somatic grounding, grief education, and move into singing secular songs taught in a friendly way, allowing for silence after each to song to receive the benefits of the song.
CENTERPIECE: Everyone is welcome to bring an object that honors their grief to put in the centerpiece for the evening if they would like.
FACILITATION: I will facilitate the space using politicized somatics. Read more about me here.
LOCATION: The gathering is held at a beautiful farm in northern Ann Arbor where we’ll be outdoors by a bonfire if the weather is nice, otherwise we will be inside in the room pictured above.
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Grief Ritual
I am grateful to learn from many grief and somatic teachers and mentors. I am committed to offering grief spaces and rituals in a dominant culture that has lots its ways and practices for grieving collectively.
I came to grief work both because of significant personal loss, and also because of the grief for the world. Since I was a teenager, I have felt the weight of the world and my heart break over and over from so many forms of violence.
I am grateful for my own wise body that has helped me to honor and presence grief of personal loved ones, of the earth, of mass incarceration, of genocide, of white supremacy, the list goes on….
This past summer, 14 other grief tenders around Michigan and myself invited in a grief mentor, of mine, Shauna Janz with Sacred Grief, to facilitate a 3-day training for us. It was profound and life-changing. I look forward to sharing what I’ve learned by facilitating more grief circles and rituals. Stay tuned in my newsletter.
“We are born knowing how to cry, but it takes another to teach us how to cry well and with purpose.” -Cole Arthur Riley