|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
|
Highlights of this issue:
 Quotation of the Week
Remember, all the answers you need are inside of you; you only have to become quiet enough to hear them.
--- Debbie Ford
Soul Friends The Voice of a Different Kindred Spirit Each Week  Sandi Herman Philadelphia, Pennsylvania When I was in 5th grade, my art teacher told me never to take art class again because I was too messy, couldn't draw a straight line, and had too many wild ideas. I believed her and, for many years, I was frightened to express myself on a piece of paper. Instead, I used myself as my palate and constantly experimented with hair colors, haircuts, and eccentric clothing. Many years later, after having the courage to take a jewelry-making class (after all, it wasn't a "real" art class), I began to cut and rip out papers from magazines, and glue them to make pins and other jewelry. Eventually, I started working on paper to make collages. I loved this process and soon added paint, found objects, and other mediums. I would spend hours getting lost in this exhilarating, meditative, and creative process. I read whatever I could find about collage, and came upon Seena Frost's book when it was first published. I didn't begin to make cards, however, until I was lucky enough to take a five-day SoulCollage® workshop with Seena at Kripalu in 2006. As we walked into the workshop, each participant picked an image from a pile. Seena eloquently explained some details about her SoulCollage® journey, and then we were asked to go around the circle and use the "I am the one who..." exercise with the magazine image we had chosen. I was so surprised to hear the words that my image spoke to me: "I am the one who brings back the light into your life after periods of darkness." For five days, we shared funny, sad, and joyful stories, as well as magazines and glue sticks. The members of our group created such beautiful images, and the meanings that they derived from their creations were deeply moving. By the end of the workshop, I came to see the SoulCollage® process as a sacred, personal, and meaningful way of connecting with the many aspects of myself, and the many gifts of others. The following year, I returned to Kripalu for five more days with the remarkably wise and talented Seena. After the experience of this second workshop, I felt comfortable in sharing the SoulCollage® process with others at healing arts centers, and art galleries. As always, I have learned so much from the creativity of other SoulCollage® artists. I am amazed how people are able to transform seemingly common images into stunning works of art. Over the years, SoulCollage® has become an important part of my spiritual practice. For my morning ritual, I place my transpersonal cards on a special table, and light a candle. After a brief period of meditation, I choose a card from my deck that may have a message for me as I begin my day. Throughout the day, my thoughts often return to the card's message, as I explore its significance. I sometimes create cards that express my feelings, such as the joy that I feel dancing, or my grief in the death of an animal friend. While making cards, I often experience a profound sense of being in the present moment, rather than thinking about the past or future. Sometimes the images speak to me immediately, and other times I have to wait patiently for the meaning of a card to reveal itself. I really appreciate all that SoulCollage® has given me. It connects me to my 5th grade self... and it doesn't matter if I'm messy. I don't have to draw a straight line, and I can explore all my wild ideas! Here are two Committee cards that I would like to share with you:  Incognito I am the one who hides from the world when I need to step back, be quiet and go deeper into myself. I am the one who wants to be left alone until I feel comfortable taking off my mask and rejoining the world.  Peaceful Sleeper (I have found it helpful to look at this card when I have difficulty falling asleep.) I am the one who loves to rest my body and mind. I am the one who knows that it is safe to let go. I am the one who releases all thoughts and feelings. I am the one who nurtures and prepares you for the next day.  SoulCollage® ExpressionsIdeas and Challenges to Spice Up Your SoulCollage® Practice Idea of the Week I use an 8-drawer rolling cart and sort my images into each drawer. The drawers can be removed if needed for easy "rifling thru"... so I have fewer images all over the place when searching. It makes for quick clean-up too.
|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
|
Our Next Tele-Class SoulCollage® as Prayer, with Catherine Anderson SoulCollage® Facilitator in North Carolina.  In this tele-class, Catherine will guide you through simple exercises
that will enable you to hear and record the prayers you have already captured in visual form in some of your SoulCollage® cards. Using SoulCollage® cards you have already made, you will create prayers that allow you to become more aware of the blessings in your life as well as prayers asking for help from your Higher Power.
Catherine Anderson has been a SoulCollage® facilitator since June, 2004. She lives in Charlotte, North Carolina where she teaches SoulCollage®, Creativity and Photography workshops. She is also a partner in the business Whole Brain Consulting, an organization whose mission is to bring creativity and intuition into the business world. More information is available on www.catherineandersonstudio.
Save the
date now.
All of our tele-classes are FR*EE for members, always! And remember, don't worry if you can't attend... we'll be recording it and you can listen to it anytime in your Member's Only Audio Library. We will give you the phone number and access code to call in that week's issue of Soul Treasures. Upcoming Tele-Classes and Presenters: January 2010 - Awakening Your Muse, with Jill Badonsky, SoulCollage® Facilitator and author (among other things) in California. Wake up your New Year with this joyful, fun class! We will awaken, tap into, and cultivate the personas of creativity and imagination that can serve our resourcefulness s well as our ability to experience joy. Be ready with your journal and a favorite pen to be guided by a few of Jill Badonsky's The Nine Modern Day Muses 
along with the Creative Muse Archetype in this journey towards authenticity and creative confidence.
Date and time to be announced, please stay tuned!
MidWest SoulCollage® Facilitator Training April 23-25, 2010 in Jordan, Minnesota  Registration is now open for Anne Marie Bennett's next facilitator training, to be held at Maureen Carlson's Center for Creative Arts in Jordan, Minnesota, about 20 miles southwest of the twin cities. This training will begin at 3 pm on Friday April 23 and end at 2 pm on Sunday April 25. REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! Opening to Mystery: Exploring the Council Suit KaleidoSoul's 5th Annual Weekend Retreat  June 10-13, 2010Rolling Ridge Retreat Center Andover, MA It's not too soon to make plans for this fun weekend of community, card making, and inner discoveries. We'll be exploring the following aspects of SoulCollage®: * Source Card * SoulEssence Card * Witness Card * Council Suit (archetypes & spirit guides) NOTE: As a Kindred Spirit Member, you are entitled to $50 off the regular retreat price. For more information about cost and details about the actual retreat, please visit your Retreat Member Discount Page. Please send a reply to this email if you've forgotten your member password or if you have any questions. |
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
, by Richard Shulman. Ambient, ethereal melodies, good for relieving and releasing stress. Recommended by
Kindred Spirit Sandy in California.
