Navigating The Depths of Grief

Grief is often associated with negative emotions and the hardships in life that we desperately hope never to revisit. However, as I delved deeper into the process of grieving, my perspective on it began to shift. Since embarking on an intentional healing journey in 2013, I've confronted the realities of my grief head-on. Like all emotions we experience as human beings, grief holds immense significance and serves as a crucial process if we seek to live authentically.

Fortunately, nature provided a sanctuary where I could truly feel and embrace my authentic self. I began searching for ways to access my grief through the embrace of the natural world. Through these experiences, I have gleaned invaluable lessons about the profound emotion of grief. I share them with you now, in the hopes that they will help you reimagine your own relationship with grief and serve as a testament to nature's unwavering support throughout your healing journey.

Grief Feels Like….

ocean waves of sadness and joy rise to the surface at their own accord, on their own time. The ebbs and flows of grief are most manageable when we surrender to the process, but of course, that's easier said than done. 

The Elements….

have become an integral part of my healing work. Water, in particular, held immense significance when I was still navigating the early stages of self-discovery, trying to understand my essence and origins. Studying its properties, observing its behaviors, and witnessing how it interacts with other elements, water became a representation of movement, action, and the reflection of my soul. Just like dreams of traversing through water, I learned that our emotions of grief and loss flow through our beings and find release through our tears. Embracing the act of shedding tears became a pivotal step in my healing process. It was cathartic, even though it didn't change the circumstances or situations that initially gave birth to the grieving process.

The Heaviness…..

used to weigh heavily on me, feeling born out of the uncertainty and the void it created. It pressed upon my soul, burdening me with its weight, because even though I knew what needed to be done, I felt constrained from speaking openly, free from judgment from the external world. Until...

Receiving my batok (traditional Filipino tattoo)….

it was then that I discovered the vantage point from which my ancestors once traversed the waters. The ocean became a symbol of processing grief because from their eyes, traveling on the open ocean was like seeing the unearthing of new worlds, new lands, as they emerged from the horizon, as if coming from the underworld. In our cultural beliefs, it is said that we journey back to the stars on a bangka (canoe), as we transition from physical beings back to spirits. 

What Feels Lighter Now....

is my presence with grief. The weight has lifted as I embarked on a journey of reconnection, delving into the teachings and traditions that have recently revealed themselves to me. I began by comprehending the significance of water and how it plays a vital role in the process of grief. The fragments of knowledge shared by storytellers, the custodians of culture, and active practitioners have guided me on this plane, as I yearn to understand the essence of who I am and where I come from; this is what I call– Ancestral Healing.

Continued Gratitude….

to all that have been and will be. I cannot pinpoint exactly where my journey of grief commenced, whether it began on this plane or another. Nor can I predict its ultimate destination. However, what I can share with you is the realization that I belong to multiple dimensions, and it is through these dimensions that I become whole, standing firmly in my power. 

Grief has no definitive endpoint; it transforms into other emotions such as passion or, my personal favorite, praise (learned from Martin Prectel’s, The Smell of Rain on Dust). Grief does not exist in isolation, and neither do you. Stay tuned for part two of this series, "Grief: Death and Transformation," where we'll delve further into this profound journey. Don't forget to sign up for our newsletter to stay connected.

Your Nature-Based Coach,

Raynelle

Intentional Meditation: 3 Ways to Amplify Your Healing Journey

Amplifying Your Healing Journey

If we can not touch our thoughts, then how do we connect with them so that they benefit us on this healing journey?

Intentional meditation is an opportunity to connect in silence so that your mind, body and spirit catch up to one another. Having a clear idea about what you're actually needing during meditation allows space for you to focus on an aspect of your life more deeply, bringing priority to your healing journey. The more clear and direct you can craft your question or intention, the more clear and direct the messages will come through in your meditation. Think of intentional meditation like a software update on your phone- disconnect to give it time to reboot and download the latest version of yourself!

Before diving into these three ways to practice intentional meditation, don’t forget to grab your Meditation in Progress tank top to reinforce your sacred time.

1. Have a Conversation with Nature

Being intentional about connecting in nature puts you in a profound practice that is both ancient and natural. When we pause to think about a specific reason or need we want to fulfill, we make our experience in nature that much more meaningful and useful in the exploration of our well-being.

Each area of land holds its history while bringing power to support and replenish our needs. The trees, the water, the air and the fires are all languages of nature that say more than want meets the eye. Check out our 3 Ways Nature Helps You Process Emotions to learn more about how to strengthen your relationship with it and the various elements.

2. Work in Different Dimensions

When we sit in that intentional silence and surrender to our thoughts, it allows us to live in the present moment within the intangible dimensions above the Global Dimension.

Acknowledging that we are more than our human experience allows you to reach different dimensions of resources and a deeper sense of belonging to something. Seeing ourselves as whole people means that we belong to – and can identify with – all these different dimensions that go beyond our physical existence. Which dimension do you feel most connected and “belonged” to and why?

3. Communicate With Your Ancestors

Opening the door to connect to your ancestors supports your understanding of the root causes of patterns you may be experiencing in your life. After all, our ancestors are always watching over us, making sure we’re on the right path. The path that we were on sometimes shows up in the patterns of our behaviors and types of relationships we have with others, for better or for worse. We are multidimensional beings… Our ancestors live within these non-physical dimensions and so does our history, which started long before we were born and reaches further than just who we are today in this current, human form. Since our ancestors live in these liminal, intangible spaces between the seen and unseen, we can experience them as energy, like when we have big emotions as we walk the land during healing hikes. Sometimes they appear to us in the form of spirit guides that reveal themselves through animals and plants, or what’s called animism.

Intentional connection to your ancestors prior to meditation can look like… calling them to help guide you as you connect in silence. Your ancestors were also human at some point so do not forget your offerings of ancestral foods or things that were was once their favorites. This amplifies that energy of welcoming them into your space. You can also create an altar which is like installing the ancestral “phone line”; this can be an area where they traverse the unseen dimension and come into our world, ready to interact with you in whatever way feels right. When working with your ancestors be clear on what you are seeking while showing them your gratitude for support through food offerings as that display of reciprocity.

“Healing is an art. It takes time, it takes practice. It takes love.”

— Maza Dohta

As you meditate with a more clear intention, take note of which images, thoughts, and feelings come up. Metaphorically, how do the elements of air, fire, water, Earth show up during an intentional meditation? In the coming days after meditation, your dreams may become rather vivid, so make sure to journal for the first few minutes after bed.

As always, we are here to support your journey. Sign up to get the latest on upcoming programs and events to tap into the power of nature as a tool for healing.

Your Nature-Based Coach,
Raynelle