Grief Tending / Forest Bathing Retreat

Join us for this meditative, half-day retreat focusing on honoring, healing, and connection. Tending to our grief: Patti Shaffner-Peer to Peer Grief Educator and Grief Ritual Tender. Kim Van Sessen-Essential Oil Educator. Ron VanSessen-Sylvo Therapy FacilitatorAll Grief is WelcomeDeath of a person or pet Divorce Ecological or Political/World Loss of Home Loss of Dreams Disenfranchised Grief Ambiguous Grief Ancestral Grief Outline: Calm/Restorative Practices/Meditations Sharing Your Grief Validation of Your Experience Building An Altar • Using Voice To Express Grief - Spontaneous Form known as Circle Singing Rituals For Honoring Our Grief Prompts for Writing and Journaling Forest Bathing Tools for Moving Forward as Life UnfoldsINTRODUCTIONS (Just Names)AGREEMENTS (no advice or fixing - no comparing - what arrives in the circle stays in the circle - permission)POEM - ADRIFTOIL Education. Kim VanSessen- Shinrin-Yoku Forest bathing blend.BOUNDARY MEDITATION - (to ground and create safety)SHARING GRIEFS - BUILDING THE ALTAR (reminder to be brief)MOVEMENT (stand up - shake it off)THE GATES (meditation) - Francis Weller’s Five Gates of GriefWRITING PROMPTS - SHARINGFOREST BATHING with Ron VanSessen:Forest Bathing (Shinrin-Yoku)Forest Bathing is a meditative practice that involves engaging all five senses with trees and other plant life. While the best place to practice Forest Bathing is in heavily wooded areas, it can also be practiced in parks, backyards, and even indoors as providing the environment is shared with plants.Health benefits of Forest Bathing include:• Reduced risk of heart attack • An increase in “good” cholesterol • Lower blood pressure • Reduced risk of varicose veins • Better weight control • An increase in resting metabolism • Stimulation of the immune system • An increase in overall energy levels • A reduced risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease • Increased muscle mass • Improved bone density • Improved posture and balance • Improved mood • Increased self-esteemCIRCLE - SING - INVITATION TO THE CENTER - SALT AND WATER - STONESPOEM - WATCHING MY FRIENDTOOLS - (daily care - journaling - groups - therapy - new traditions - speaking up for yourself - continuing bonds - living in ‘yes’)RESOURCESYou are sovereign in this.Care for your body and self.If you need to move - moveIf you need the rest room - goIf you are feeling overwhelmed - let us knowAll activities are invitational - you may sit out of anythingYour presence in community is more important - space and silence is powerful as well.