Entering the Healing Ground - The Sacred Work of Grief

Grief finds its way into all our lives through losses great and small. This day-long gathering invites participants to share in a time of honoring the losses we hold in our hearts. In the heart of spring, we will come together to turn our attention to the grief we carry — for self, community, and world. This gesture brings us into the circle of restoration and into the arms of our human and more-than-human community. Through writing practice, poetry, singing, and a simple communal ritual, we will touch upon the often wild terrain of sorrow and work to empty the bowl of grief we hold. Participants are encouraged to bring photos and other objects symbolic of their losses for the grief ritual. Presented by Point Reyes Books and Black Mountain Circle.

About Francis Weller: Francis Weller, MFT, is a psychotherapist, writer, and soul activist. He is a master of synthesizing diverse streams of thought from psychology, anthropology, mythology, alchemy, indigenous cultures, and poetic traditions. Author of The Wild Edge of Sorrow: Rituals of Renewal and the Sacred Work of Grief, he has introduced the healing work of ritual to thousands of people. His writings have appeared in anthologies and journals exploring the confluence between psyche, nature, and culture. His work was featured in The Sun magazine (October 2015), and he is a frequent presenter and keynote speaker at conferences, bringing insight, poetry, and a breath of humor to his talks. Francis is currently on staff at Commonweal Cancer Help Program, co-leading their week-long retreats with Michael Lerner. He has taught at Sonoma State University, the Sophia Center in Oakland, and has been the featured teacher at the Minnesota Men's Conference. He is currently completing his second book, A Trail on the Ground: A Soul-Based Survival Guide for Modern Times.

About Black Mountain Circle: Black Mountain Circle (BMC) is a California nonprofit organization created by Point Reyes Books to explore the relationships between the arts, spirit, story, and place. BMC serves as the fiscal sponsor of the bi-annual Geography of Hope Conference, the literary journal West Marin Review, and an expanded set of programs hosted at the Point Reyes Presbyterian Church and elsewhere, including author events, retreats, films, book groups, and writing workshops for youths and adults.