In this week’s episode I’m inviting some space for our grief, both personal and collective.

I touch on the work of Francis Weller and his gates of grief, I’ve posted them here, I cover the main 5 but here are two additional gates. They’re taken from his book The Wild Edge of Sorrow

Synopsis of the Gates of Grief, from Frances Weller’s book,

“The Wild Edge of Sorrow”

“Grief and love are sisters, woven together from the beginning. Their kinship

reminds us that there is no love that does not contain loss and no loss that is not

a reminder of the love we carry for what we once held close.”

Francis Weller

The 5 (or more) Gates of Grief

• 1 All that we love we will lose

The first Gate of Grief reminds us that change is universal.

• 2 The places that did not receive love

With the second Gate we identify places that may have been neglected or

rejected.

• 3 The sorrows of the world

The third Gate is where we feel for global causes of suffering.

• 4 What we expected but did not receive

With the fourth Gate, we face our disappointments and loss of dreams;

• 5 Ancestral grief

The fifth Gate helps us to recognise the pain that we carry for those who came

before us.

• 6 Trauma (Francis Weller’s optional gate)

The sixth Gate is where extremes of shock and brutality might lie.

• 7 The harm I have caused to myself and others (from Sophy Banks)

This extra Gate allows us to identify what makes us feel regret or guilt.

• 8 Anticipatory grief (Sarah Pletts)

In these times of change, this final Gate represents the fear of what is to come.

Do let me know if there are any practices you’d like to try or any topics you’d like me to cover.

I’m so happy you found your way here, here’s a little bit about me.

I’m active on Instagram and facebook and i’d love to share more of this wonderful work with you, I aim to offer helpful tips and inspiration for keeping on track with all the good stuff.

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sophie.kirkton/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/p/Sophie-Kirkton-Breathwork-Coldwater-Therapy-100086880704423/

I offer 1:1 and small group coaching sessions, all the details are on my website and book in for a free call to see how we can work together https://sophiekirkton.co.uk/

The waiver bit

This breathwork session is for general wellbeing and relaxation purposes only. It is not a substitute for medical or psychological treatment. Please listen to your body and participate at your own pace. If you experience dizziness, discomfort, or emotional distress, gently return to normal breathing and rest. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any new wellness practice if you have underlying health conditions or concerns.