animist forest circles​

earth attunement amidst empire collapse

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what are animist forest circles?

read on, and also you may learn more through this story.

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There is a big, important question weighing heavily in the air: what do we do, now that we are in these times?

 

As the sturdy cogs of empire have turned, the unquenchable machine of capitalism has churned out its essential products in greater and greater intensity: war, genocide, impoverishment, earth destruction, spiritual erosion, disembodiment, separation, disconnection.

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What do we do, now that we are in these times?

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The truth is that we need to devote focus to both the seen and unseen worlds. We need to open and close, to guard and soften. In order to devote our imaginations, energies, and powers outwardly to the Great Turning we would like to eventually birth, we must stabilize internally in our connection to our (S)elves and something greater than our selves. The real wisdom keepers are not humans with large intellects. The real wisdom keepers & big collaborators are the spirits of the earth herself. 

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Animist forest circles is structured, guided container to practice the subtle attunement required to reconnect to the wiser, vaster, slower beings outside of our mindchatter selves. The earth and her beings are the wisdom keepers we need to be turning to during all times, and especially these. Learning how to connect, listen, and offer gratitude to the forest and her people is not a fast process. It requires practice, dedication, and patience, like all good things. 

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And like all good things, the practice feels good. 

Slowing down and attuning feels like expansion, rooting, and peace. 

This is what gives us the energy to contribute to the Big Transition.

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what is animism?

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Animism is a concept that rejects the idea that homo sapiens are the only life form with consciousness on this planet, and instead embraces the understanding that all of the elements and organisms living  here are conscious, feeling pieces of the intelligent whole of this planet. That, in fact, the earth itself is an intelligent, conscious organism who is here to live through and be in relationship with all of us, not to serve us as a mechanistic 'resource.' 

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This means that all things that come from the earth have some form of consciousness.

 

How does this knowledge completely change everything about the way we live?

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who are you? 

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You do not have to have experience or confidence in this realm to attend this series. You do have a critical eye towards empire, the maitenance of the machine, and the Story of Separation. This is a container for learning and growing, and experiencing the support of a community who is also attempting to do the same. The skills & abilities you need to presence deeply in nature are already inside of you; we are simply giving them space to be coaxed out.

 

what exactly do we do in circle?

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In this series, we will be engaging in guided forms of walking and sitting meditation. We will be using the words of wise & beloved animist authors between sessions to journal, presence, co-contemplate, and root deeper. We will be connecting through deep resonance practice with circle-mates. We will be greeting the elements around us. We will feel into interconnectedness and interbeing. We will get to know chosen plants. We will journal. We will sing. 

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logistics: 

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See below for dates, times, payment, and signup. We will have a space in the renovated chapel at Rock Point as a refuge from the elements where we can engage in practices that require bodily stillness. There will be heat, running water, and bathrooms. Each session, we will be walking outside, practicing with the woods and meadows and lake. 

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next steps:

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If this practice is calling to you, please schedule a forest circles clarity call with me so we can confirm we are in alignment, and make sure we are building the intentional community of practice that we seek. Then, you may sign up & receive the final steps. 

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Want to learn more about forest circles from someone who has already taken the course? Reach out to me to schedule a reflection call with a previous participant!