Photos and Reflections of Past Workshops

Ann_reading When a group of people willing to engage in the process of reconnecting with their wild souls gather together, a beautiful process of peeling back layers of protection and fear occurs. There is a moment every weekend when the veils drop, the lines dissolve, and people who were once strangers meet at a level of presence and open heartedness that transcends all differences. When the person we unconsciously judged on the first night, speaks from their heart in the circle, our hearts break open and compassion replaces that judgment. At that moment, I am bowled over by the beauty of the human spirit. It is in that place of complete non-judgmental presence that we access the power of our connectedness and of our own divine nature. (or call it Buddha-nature, or essence.) Once the group reaches this place of openness, their own soul, their truth wells up to be expressed. We all see things we hadn't seen before, and feel a movement, a life stirring within us that had been sleeping. To sit back and watch each person emerge and blossom before our very eyes is the biggest gift I have received in this lifetime.

What I experience in the circle during these workshops guides my life. I want all beings to feel as seen, heard, and loved as we each feel on these weekends. I want all beings to have the opportunity to see the "other" as "self" and visa versa so that we can truly accept and love each other. I want all beings to feel the stirrings of their soul's longings and find the courage to manifest them. I lead these workshops because I believe that once a person experiences these things, they begin to attract into their lives the things, people, resources that will support a life filled with soul and presence and purpose. The workshops help people to shine more brightly and truthfully so that they can become their own soul flare -- their own beacon.

What is my role? I have an unusual style of leadership. I do not hold myself separate from the group except for the purpose of facilitating the activities and holding a space for our open hearts to feel safe. I participate with the group, because I am a co-traveler, not a guru. My guidance is subtle but clear and intentional. I lead by taking the same risks the participants take. My gift is my presence. I show up, completely open and awake, prepared for whatever unfolding might occur. I have a wide open loving heart and open mind. I do not push the group towards a certain lesson or conclusion, I just help illuminate the wisdom that already exists inside each of us.

While at Heron Dance, I had to work on preparing for and following up on these workshops in my free time. Consequently, I have not shared each weekend with the community as I would have liked. Now that I am on my own, I will be spending more time building web pages for each weekend, to share the words, experiences, and photos from the weekends.

To begin, I offer the eight group pictures that I do have. I apologize to the groups that did not get a picture taken.