 |
Mailer 1 
Issue #91 December 24, 2007
| 
This newsletter is part of a
KaleidoSoul Kindred Spirit Member's
paid subscription.
If you'd like to receive this newsletter
every Monday morning,
please subscribe here.
| Quotation of the Week
Inspirational words to ponder.....
There's a crack in everything.
That's how the light gets in.
--- Leonard Cohen
|
|
| Inner Journeys with Anne Marie Bennett
Integrating the Practice of SoulCollage® into Your Daily Life
 The Cracked Pot
This is a simple parable that I found online at The Storybin. Read it and see if you can identify with it as much as I did:
A water bearer inIndia had two large pots, each hung on each end of a pole which he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in it, and while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the masters house, the cracked pot arrived only half full. For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water in his masters house. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect to the end for which it was made. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do. After two years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream. "I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you." "Why?" asked the bearer. "What are you ashamed of?" "I have been able, for these past two years, to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your masters house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don't get full value from your efforts," the pot said. The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot, and in his compassion he said, "As we return to the masters house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path." Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path, and this cheered it some. But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad because it had leaked out half its load, and so again the Pot apologized to the bearer for its failure. The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of your path, but not on the other pots side? That's because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you've watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my masters table. Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house." Each of us has our own unique flaws. We are all cracked pots. But if we will allow it, the Lord will use our flaws to grace His Fathers table. In Gods great economy, nothing goes to waste. Don't be afraid of your flaws. Acknowledge them, and you too can be the cause of beauty. Know that in our weakness we find our strength.
Reflection Activity: As you approach the end of 2007 and begin to think about welcoming in a whole new year, spend some time thinking about your own flaws. Make a list of a few (just a few this time!) that have been bothering you lately. Do you have SoulCollage cards in your deck that honor them? Find some images and give vision and voice to at least one of your inner "cracked pots" in the next few weeks. Allow it to speak and listen to what it tells you about how it's being helpful in your life.
|
|
| Soul Friends The Voice of a Different Kindred Spirit Each Week
 Dawn Jaekel
Auburn, Washington Hi! I'm Dawn and I live in a small city south of Seattle. I am a writer/artist and offer expressive arts classes.
I first encountered SoulCollage in January of 2004, at the Sacred Visions Exhibit inSeattle. Afterwards I discovered that a friend of mine had taken a SoulCollage class with Noelle Remington (the organizer of the Sacred Visions exhibit). Then I read a library copy of Seena's book, ordered one for myself, and began collecting images (magazine photos/ads, postcards, greeting cards, etc). In April of 2006 I attended my first SoulCollage workshop with Noelle Remington.
What originally drew me to SoulCollage? A combination of things! First, the accessibility of collage as a medium--no special training or expensive equipment required! Second, the visual aspect. As a long-time writer, it's been a surprise and delight to extend my creativity into the realm of visual expression. And finally, the psychological depth of Seena's structure for SoulCollage (the divisions of the four suits, etc).
What do I like best? That it is visual, not verbal. And I love all the many layers (conscious, subconscious, archetypal, etc.) of the process. It's a great way to explore and communicate with the less verbal parts of my psyche.
How is it making a difference? It opens another door for my intuition. It increases my self-awareness and self-understanding. I am more confident as an artist, more able to "play", experiment, and risk.
Advice: play! Get lost in the process and don't worry about the outcome. Don't try to "make a pretty or meaningful picture." Experiment. Make mistakes. Include those "mistakes" in your artwork. Then they are "fortunate accidents" which result in more interesting pieces of art.
How I make cards? Infrequently. Impulsively. Following my intuition. I gather images, lots of images! Several dozen when beginning a card. I spend time just looking at and arranging the images. I listen for "yes" and "no," a (usually) quiet internal voice which responds to my placements of the images. Gradually, some images are put aside and the rest settle into place on the paper. Then I wait a day or two-- in case my intuition/psyche has any last minute inspirations or requests. If all is quiet inside me, I do the last of the cutting and then start pasting. During this time, a name/title for the card may appear--or not! Sometimes that info doesn't surface until several weeks after the card is made. The meanings or messages of the card also aren't always obvious. Parts of the card may not make sense until future events have occurred. I don't consider this as evidence of the paranormal. The conscious mind or ego has a pronounced tendency to ignore whatever it's not ready to accept or confront.
My cards vary in size, depending upon the size of the original images. Many times my cards are 8" by 10" or even larger. But I make a 5" by 8" photocopy when I'm ready to add a card to my deck. My next learning experience will be making digital SoulCollage cards!
Here are two of Dawn's favorite SoulCollage cards:
 Source
I am the one who is infinitely large
I am the one who is infinitely small
I am the universe in a shell
Think of me when you see the stars at night. Remember me when you hear the ocean waves. I am eternal, I am eternity. Editor's Note: Usually the Source Card doesn't "speak," but as in everything SoulCollage, there are exceptions!
Inner Artist
Suit: Committee
I am the one who make stars with my hands.
I am the one who carries the words of the world.
I am the one who paints the sky.
|
|
| SoulCollage Expressions
Idea of the Week
Wrap your deck in a beautiful scarf or piece of fabric that you take pleasure in looking at and touching. This protects your precious SoulCollage cards and reminds you daily of their sacred nature. ---from Kindred Spirit Kimee in Massachusetts |
|
| Kindred Spirits Member News
Making the Most of Your KaleidoSoul Membership
 Keep track of all your Member Benefits on the Kindred Spirits Home Page.
If you ever forget your password, please send a
reply email to this message.
Special Discount for Members
Spend $30 in your Members Only Shop or the
KaleidoSoul Shop, and we'll send you a complimentary KaleidoSoul Soul Colors Desk Calendar with your order. It's a perfect way to remind yourself of your own soul's true colors throughout 2008.
Your $30 purchase could include any of the following (prices listed are Members Only Discounted Prices): Upcoming Tele-Playshops January
The Creative Journey Game:
Moving SoulCollage Into
the 3rd Dimension
presented by special guest Barb Kobe,
Healing Artist, Dollmaker & Creativity Coach
and
SoulCollage Facilitator Anne Marie Bennett
(Note: You can click on the game board image above to enlarge it.)
The Creative Journey is an adventure in self-discovery and creative problem solving. This is a process that Barb created after studying The Hero's Journey and The Heroine's Journey for several years. She created a visual diary of the journey (in the form of a collaged game board) along with 3-dimensional game pieces (similar to intentions of the SoulCollage cards) that travel around the board.
This game/process is a way of identifying your journey, of seeing the ongoing thread, theme or pattern to your own life's trek. It permits you to see the linkage between events and people in a way that provides meaning about self and others. This contributes to personal well-being and a greater sense of direction and conscious participation in life.
As you design the game board and game pieces (perhaps even using some of your SoulCollage cards), you clarify moments from the past, learn to live with the present, and begin to outline the future. Sharing the story of it with others can help you understand the context of your life journey. This tele-class will provide you with an overview of the process. It will explain how it can work side by side with the concept of SoulCollage. Barb will share pictures of others' game boards and characters, along with stories and examples.
There's more information about The Creative Journey experience on Barb Kobe's website. Just click on the words "Journey Game" near the top.
Date: Monday January 7, 2008
Time: 8:00 pm EST, 7:00 pm Central, 6:00 pm Mountain,
5:00 pm Pacific, 3:00 pm Hawaiian,
Tuesday 1 a.m. in London,
Tuesday 2 a.m. in Rome, Tuesday 12 noon Australia
and Tuesday 2 p.m. in New Zealand
Note: The Creative Journey will also be offered as a 3 month creative experience through KaleidoSoul from January 21-April 21 (more details coming soon, so stay tuned!). If you think you might be interested, please be sure to join us for this very special tele-playshop.
Member's Only Audio Library.
Upcoming SoulCollage Retreats/Trainings
with Anne Marie Bennett
All Things Bright & Beautiful- April 10-13, 2008 in Essex, MA.
A very special weekend retreat focusing soul-ly on the SoulCollage Animal Companions Suit. If you're longing to bring the wisdom of the Animals and the Chakras into your life in a creative way within the personal safety of SoulCollage.... please join us! There are only 8 spaces left, which means the Retreat is half full already. If you've been thinking about experiencing the joy of SoulCollage for a full weekend, why not just go ahead and give yourself this very special gift now.
As a Kindred Spirits Member, you have the cost-effective benefit of paying in 4 smaller payments instead of all at once. Also, you save $50!
Your Companion Animals are waiting for you... sign up today.
New England SoulCollage Facilitator Training- August 8-10, 2008 in western Massachusetts. If you've been longing to take your SoulCollage practice out into the world professionally by becoming an "official" Facilitator, then please join us for a beautiful summer weekend at Spirit Fire Retreat Center. Registration will officially begin in January. There's more information on this KaleidoSoul page.
|
|
| Soul Nourishment
Resources to support your inner work
as you dive deeper into your beautiful soul
 Books:
Encounters with the Soul: Active Imagination, by Barbara Hannah, as developed by C.G. Jung. As soon as I started reading this treasure trove of a book, I immediately resonated with the process of "active imagination" as exactly what we practice when we interpret and then work more deeply with our SoulCollage cards. Visions of the Goddess, by Sherrill Miller. A glorious celebration of feminine mystique and goddess mythology. This insightful and wonder-provoking exploration of the feminine world is divided into sections--Earth Mother, The Fruit Bearer, The Water Goddess, and The Sky Dancer--in a stunning photographic survey that will alter the way we think about Mother Earth. Finding Meaning in the Second Half of Life: How to Finally, Really Grow Up, by James Hollis. If you've been following our dialogues on the Yahoo Group along with the recent tele-classes on the Hero's Journey, you'll recognize the author's name here. Hollis is a world renowned Jungian analyst and teacher who writes often about our conscious and subconscious lives, as well as archetypal energies. This book is not written in psychobabble, but is very easy to understand. You'll take a look back at the first half of your life and uncover some fascinating truths that will help you to change the direction of the rest of your life. You'll discover, as I did, "a new way of uncovering and embracing our authentic selves."
Surrendering to Yourself: You Are Your Own Soul Mate, by Iris Krasnow. This book is about living from truth; uncovering who you are beyond your parents, marriage, children, career, peers' expectations and social games. Krasnow tells the stories of many people who have shed costumes and pretenses and unhealthy relationships that have impaired their authenticity and their potential. "Once you come to know who you really are, you are ready for anything.
Kabbalah and the Power of Dreaming: Awakening the Visionary Life, by Catherine Shainberg. Guides us through the possibilities of inner growth through dreamwork, offering exercises that are intriguing and open the mind and heart. Included are practices used by ancient prophets, seers, and sages in times past to control their dreams and visions.
Music:
Atlantis Angelis, by Patrick Bernard. I heard this recently during a massage and felt like I was surrounded by divine love and grace. All of Bernard's unique music embraces the healing qualities of sounds, melodies, harmonies, and rhythms. It is deeply calming and also holy, as he is singing in Sanskrit and other holy languages. I have been playing it (and others of his) almost non-stop while I'm cooking, meditating, journaling, and playing at my art table. I'm even listening to it right now while I'm writing this! Movies:
Borrowed Hearts, with Roma Downey, Eric McCormack, and Hector Elizondo. If you're looking for a heartwarming movie to rent this week that is full of joy and Christmas spirit, and is appropriate for all ages, look no further. Websites: The Geranium Farm- Home of author and Episcopal Priest Barbara Crafton. If you want a closer walk with God, and help along the way, this is the site for you. A special feature are the audio eMo's, which are short messages written by Crafton. They are thought-provoking stories. Sample titles: Cats That Glow in the Dark, Holy Enough?, Old Aprons, Jersey Figs... lots more.
Jean Houston's Site- A place of passion and possibilities. Find out more about Jean (one of Seena's teachers), read chapters of her books, listen to audios, find out where she's teaching, and more.
Inner Visions Gallery- Home of artist Anne Deirdre Smith. Breathtaking intuitive art, articles, classes, and a book on the healing path of art.
Ornamental- A blog celebration of creativity and art.
|
| 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. There also are bimonthly SoulCollage Challenges posted here. You can read past Challenges by clicking on "SoulCollage Challenges" in the right column.
Soul Songs, Your Fr*ee Monthly SoulCollage Newsletter: The December issue is all about the Crone Archetype. 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.
To give us feedback,
we invite you to send a reply email to this message.
|
|
|
|
