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Inner Journeys

with Anne Marie Bennett

Integrating the Practice of SoulCollage® into Your Daily Life

Journey Through the Chakras: First Chakra

I don't know about you, but when I started practicing SoulCollage, I knew very little about the chakras. I stepped out into the Companions Suit blindly trusting Seena's voice on her Introduction to SoulCollage CD. My first steps into the Chakras found me chatting with a Little Brown Bird in my Heart Chakra area. After that, I spent a little time in each of the chakras as I discovered my Animal Companions who lived there.

Lately, though, I've found myself longing to know more about the Chakras, on a more personal level. So I've decided to take myself on an eight-month Journey Through the Chakras. Yes, I know there are seven chakras; when I began learning more about the First Chakra, I decided that I needed to spend an extra month on the first one.

So, as these next several months go by, you can expect articles from me on each of the seven chakras. I encourage you to try something similar. It's a great way to get to know yourself more intimately: body, mind and spirit. One of the most helpful books I'm using is listed below in the Soul Nourishment section.

Grounded for Life

For the past eight weeks I've focused my morning meditations and visualizations on my First Chakra energy center and my First Chakra Animal Companion, Brown Bear. I've read some childrens' books and watched a few DVD's about grizzly bears. I made a ruby red beaded bracelet with a bear charm on it to remind me to focus on my first chakra. On my altar, I placed red candles and a red scarf, plus a small potted plant with red flowers. Also, I've imagined some creative inner dialogue with a huge female brown bear in my own personal inner sanctuary, and done some yoga postures specifically meant to stimulate my first Chakra.

There are so many lessons that are centered in the First Chakra energy center. For me, however, the one that I really needed to hear most at this time was the message of grounding. I've spent most of my 51 years "up in my head," so this message is a fairly new one for me. Just the very thought of visualizing roots growing down from my "trunk" and into the ground has had a profoundly healing affect on my entire life.

Last weekend I attended the wedding of my youngest stepdaughter Merri, a lovely occasion, yes... but one fraught with anxiety for me because of a stressful past relationship with Merri's mother. I'll save the details of that story for another column, but suffice it to say that Brown Bear came with me to the wedding, along with a sure sense of groundedness that I'd never before experienced.

I know that I've just begun to tap into the power of my First Chakra, and that there is much more to learn. For now, I'm moving on to spending October focusing on my Second Chakra, and my Second Chakra Animal Companion, Leopard. Stay tuned for more notes from my Journey Through the Chakras.

Soul Friends

The Voice of a Different Kindred Spirit Each Week

Diane Havnen-Smith
Portland, Oregon

In early 2003 I stumbled upon, then devoured a book, SoulCollage, An Intuititive Collage Process for Individuals and Groups, written by Seena Frost. I was immediately captivated by a process that combines some of my favorite things-- creativity, expressive arts, connecting with self & others, intuition, Gestalt dialogue, and play!

I wanted to learn about SoulCollage firsthand and within weeks had seven women wanting to to be part of a experiential group. Meeting weekly we made and explored our cards and developed a deep appreciation for the SoulCollage process. Though none of us had experience with collage, we were amazed by the beautiful cards we made and how we were coming to treasure our growing decks.

Our cards reflected parts of our life stories and inner selves, as well as connected us to our deepest wisdom and one another. Aside from our interest in learning about SoulCollage we were seven women with real life challenges and in that first year we experienced: death, cancer, job loss, becoming a parent, empty nest, relationship struggles, death of a friend, and major surgery. SoulCollage brought healing, strength, needed play, and hope during trying times.

I began to offer SoulCollage groups and workshops as an addition to my practice and while the groups were not therapy, they were richly therapeutic. And, they were fun. I also began to use SoulCollage with some of my individual therapy clients.

Interested in combining discussion and expressive/art therapies, I find SoulCollage to be a wonderful compliment to therapy, inviting discovery, healing, and transformation. SoulCollage accesses a part of our psyche not always readily available, as if opening a window to the soul.

About a year after jumping headfirst into SoulCollage, I participated in Seena Frost's first Facilitator Training in California. This wonderful training added to my skills, gave me the credentials to use the SoulCollage trademark, and reinforced my continuing passion for this soul-tending process.

A note about the universality of the process:

I am struck by the universality of the SoulCollage process. It is not uncommon for participants in groups to be touched and transformed by cards others create. Also, SoulCollage can be meaningful for people who are not initially interested in the process.

Years ago I was asked to lead an afternoon of SoulCollage for a day retreat for a political advocacy group. In my short introduction I was astonished to see how disinterested the participants were. This had never happened before and I couldn't understand what was wrong. Later I learned that two members (the interested ones) had invited me to the retreat without the knowledge of the rest of the participants and many people were unhappy they did not have a choice in planning the afternoon. It was a tough circle-- few of the twenty people made eye contact with me or my co-facilitator, and one person was dozing in the fifteen minute introduction.

People began to show some life when I asked them to choose an image from the center of the circle and introduce themselves using the "I am one who..." When it was time to make cards the sleepy participant came up to me and asked if she 'had to' make a card. Not at all, I told her, this was her retreat and she could walk the beautiful grounds, find a peaceful place to rest, do what she wanted/needed. In a most unenthusiastic voice she said, "Okay, I'll make one." She put a card together in no time at all before going for a walk.

When she came back we began to explore the cards in small groups. She, along with the others, became a very active participant in this process. We ended with a community reading that was very meaningful and moving. In the final minutes, when the group had a moment to reflect on the experience of the afternoon, the (formerly) sleepy participant was the most outspoken about how surprised she was to find the afternoon a deeply meaningful experience. "When," she asked, "will you be coming back again to do more?"

Here are two of Diane's favorite SoulCollage cards:

She Who Stretches
Suit: Committee

I am the one who strives to stretch myself beyond what is. I am the one who knows my growth as an artist hinges on my willingness to fearlessly stretch beyond my comfort zone. I am the one who knows as long as I do not give in to the whispers of doubt, the gifts of creative inspiration and possibility are mine to hold.

Eric

Suit: Community

This card was made a few years ago when my adult son was on an airplane on the way to Vietnam where he was to teach English. My heart was full after bidding him good-bye and I decided to make a card about his leaving.

At first the plane was the dominant image, taking Eric to a faraway land where he did not know a word of the language of his host country. In the foreground Eric seems to show both a quiet confidence and uncertainty about his new life. When I began the card I was missing Eric already and was also excited, nervous, and a little worried about his big adventure. By the time the card was finished he appeared in the background of the card in his teacher's uniform seemingly well-situated in his new life, looking relaxed and happy. I put a small Buddha in the back of the card as a symbol of protection but weeks later it disappeared! Considered replacing it but by then I was confident Eric was safe and well.

In less time than it took for Eric to travel to Vietnam I was already making peace with his leaving. What was remarkable about making this card was how the process of making it took me from my motherly moments of sadness and apprehension to a deep knowing that Eric would be come back to us safe and expanded by an incredible life experience, which is exactly what happened nearly a year later.

Please visit Diane's beautiful website Inner Standings.

SoulCollage Expressions

Idea of the Week

I buy a sticky board at the art store and use it to lay my cards out on while I'm creating a card. The sticky board is made of high-tac adhesive. It's repositionable so it's perfect for SoulCollage card making

-from Kindred Spirit Michele in MA

Kindred Spirits Member News

Making the Most of Your KaleidoSoul Membership

Keep track of all your Member Benefits on the Kindred Spirits Home Page.

You can always access the Kindred Spirit Member's Home Page by going to KaleidoSoul and then clicking on the Kindred Spirits logo on the left side of the page, under the lavender menu tabs.

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Upcoming Tele-Playshops

October

Dialogue with the Mysteries: Part 2-
Personal Mythology (The Local Story)
with Robin Cooper-Stone, SoulCollage Facilitator in Virginia.

Due to the popularity of last month's tele-playshop, Robin has agreed to continue her discussion with us in October. We will discuss what Seena Frost calls "the local story," the Committee and Community suits, relative to our own personal mythologies. To paraphrase William Blake, "We must more consciously create our own myths or be enslaved to the myths of another." Towards this end, we will be answering questions with the potential to open new vistas in our SoulCollage work.

Robin Cooper-Stone, M.F.A., taught The Heroic Quest in freshman composition courses at theUniversity ofAlabama. A few years ago, she took a workshop with Dr. James Hollis, author of Tracking the Gods: The Place of Myth in Modern Life. She is one year into her personal SoulCollage journey and trained to be a SoulCollage Facilitator with Seena Frost. She lives in Virginia with her husband and two children.

Date: Monday, October 15, 2007
Time: 7 pm Eastern Standard Time

Upcoming SoulCollage Retreats
All Things Bright & Beautiful- April 10-13, 2008 in Essex, MA. You asked for it, you got it. A three-night retreat focusing soul-ly on the
SoulCollage Animal Companions Suit.

If you're longing to bring the wisdom of the Animals into your life in a creative, personal way within the safety of SoulCollage.... please join us.

As a member, you can pay in several smaller amounts, so we've made it affordable for you.

More details are on your
Members Only Retreat Page.

Soul Nourishment

Resources to support your inner work
as you dive deeper into your beautiful soul

Books:

A Deep Breath of Life, by Alan Cohen. Daily inspiration for heart-centered living. I've seen a lot of books of "daily readings" in my time, but this one is the best. I keep it right beside my computer and read the short message for the day while it's booting up. I love Alan Cohen's work because he uses real-life stories to get his messages across, and I find myself responding to his stories on many levels. Each daily reading fits on one page and also includes a short prayer and an affirmation to carry with you into your day.

Sevenfold Journey, by Selene Vega and Anodea Judith. Lots of easy-to-follow information on each of the chakras. Also includes yoga postures, dance moves, journaling exercises, and other ideas to help you open, heal, balance, and get in touch with all of your chakras.

Half Magic, by Edward Eager. Thoroughly delightful children's book from the 1950's about four children who find a magic coin. If you love the magical, imaginative stories of E. Nesbit, C.S. Lewis, and Roald Dahl, you'll love this tongue-in-cheek tale of children and magic wishes. It will make you laugh out loud, and sigh in recognition of those good ol' days of simplicity and wonder.

Ten Poems to Last a Lifetime, by Roger Housden. This amazing collection of poems range from Rilke to Billy Collins to Seng-Ts'an to Mary Oliver, with more in between. I enjoy Housden's poetry collections because he writes about each one as if we were sitting down together discussing it. This helps me to glean meaning from the poetry that I somehow can't ever seem to do on my own. My favorites in this compilation are When Death Comes, by Mary Oliver... The Art of Disappearing, by Naomi Shihab Nye (an expert and brief course in time management)... and Weathering, by Fleur Adcock (being completely happy with oneself, no matter what).

The Book of Change, by Cyndi Haynes. Instead of the usual self-help manual that provides theory and endless how-tos, this delightful book simply offers small bits of wisdom from the famous - and not so famous - on making change happen in your life. Some humorous, some introspective, these quotes provide a quick, uplifting, and inspiring take on making change happen - with a good, healthy attitude firmly in hand. In addition to inspiring quotes, this little book is chock-full of informative facts, advice, lists, and writing prompts to jump-start you on your way to positive change. This is a handbook for taking the small steps that can truly lead to real, lasting change in your life.

Before You Leap: A Frog's Eye-View of Life's Greatest Lessons, by Kermit the Frog. At long last, the world's most famous and beloved frog shares his story. After reflecting on his life, Kermit shares what he's learned to help you live a better life. Whether you're trying to make your dreams come true, looking for love, graduating from school, starting a new job, retiring, or just wanting some sage (green) advice, Kermit has insights (and admonitions) you won't find anywhere else. Whatever your goals in life, the frog is here for you with ideas, inspiration, and advice for taking on the real world - warts and all.

Music:

Moon on the Water, by Stan Richardson. Heavenly flute music. Perfect background music for creative meditation, art work of all kinds, and just leaning back and giving yourself permission to let go.

Websites:

The Conspiracy of Blessings- a public gifting art project, a creative experiment in generosity.

Visionary Artist Mario Duguay- beautiful and inspiring, colorful, imaginative art work.

Opening the Chakras- hand mudras to help open each of the seven chakras.

More Resources

Ongoing resources that our Kindred Spirit Members find helpful

Inner Surprises Blog: Anne Marie's blog full of an intimate glimpse into her SoulCollage Deck.

Soul Songs, Your Monthly SoulCollage Newsletter: The October issue is all about Friendship and the Community Suit. You can also read all back issues at the link above. The topics are listed with each issue, so this is a guaranteed excellent resource for you as well.

KaleidoSoul Community Yahoo Group: This is a safe place where you can post your cards (if you want), ask your questions, and virtually "meet"
other Kindred Spirits

Final Treasures

Soul Treasures is brought to you by KaleidoSoul, Spinning the fragments of your world into wholeness and beauty through SoulCollage.

SoulCollage^® cards are made either from one's own art or from images found in materials which have been bought by or given to the SoulCollage card maker.
These collaged cards are used only for the cardmaker's own inner exploration. SoulCollage cards are not sold, traded, bartered, or copied (except as a back-up for the cardmaker's own use) as is stated in the Principles of SoulCollage^®.
Where SoulCollage cards are available to be seen by others,
it is for the purposes either of demonstrating the SoulCollage process
or of sharing the cardmakers' inner process in the context of community.
SoulCollage^® is grateful to the artists and photographers
who make this deep awakening process possible
and in all ways SoulCollage^® seeks to be respectful of their rights.

Published by KaleidoSoul.com
and Anne Marie Bennett.
Please do not reproduce or forward this newsletter in any way.
Inner Journeys, copyright 2007, by Anne Marie Bennett.
All rights reserved.

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