After loosing a dear friend to cancer in 2020, I felt called to explore spiritual companioning & bereavement more deeply. I trained as a spiritual director and enrolled in year-long practice in living with presence and intention; as well as forgiveness and gratitude, while letting go of what no longer serves. I asked for a volunteer from my cohort to share their reflection on Death, Dying & Life.

Deepa bravely leapt in with her heart & agreed to be interviewed. I'm so grateful she did.

Deepa Patel is passionate about music, young people, fighting injustice and poverty and nurturing equality and creativity in our world. These areas have been the focus of her work.  Her past roles have included work as a music education producer for the BBC, a campaigner on HIV/AIDS for ActionAid, and as a Managing Director of Creative Partnerships (a national UK Government Initiative on creativity in schools). She currently facilitates programs on the art of collaboration and conversation and is Co-Director of Slow Down London, a campaign on how to appreciate and enjoy life at a different pace. Deepa is a former member of the Seven Pillars Board of Trustees and lives in England.

Resources Mentioned:

Julia Cameron https://juliacameronlive.com/the-artists-way/

Steven Levine https://levinetalks.com/

A Year to Live Program via The Rumi Center

This year-long program, based on the book A Year to Live by Stephen Levine, is designed for people of all walks of life and stages of life. In community, we will focus on waking up and living life more fully through the exploration of death as a spiritual practice.

Most aspects of our largely death-denying modern culture discourage us from actively contemplating the inevitability of our death, or that it may meet us at any time. The prophets and sages recommend a very different approach to the fact of life's transience: that we use remembrance of death, not to put us in a state of anxiety or morbidness, but as a contemplative practice to assist us in our journey to awaken to that which does not die but lives beyond the ephemeral nature of our lives in this world. Their lives bear witness to the fact that there is a way to die to the attachments and distortions of the ego and come to the realization of a deeper self that transcends death and the perishing realm. This is reflected in the prophetic injunction, "die before you die." This core teaching of all wisdom traditions—that we can realize that which is eternal and transcends our physical bodies—paradoxically provides the means to live more fully and more presently while savoring the gift of each precious breath on earth.

I've known Kristin for about 15 years. Our children attended the same homeschool support program. Even if you aren't expecting, you may know someone who would benefit from learning more about Kind Birth Services.

From her website:

My classes have been built on the foundation of 20 years of experience both teaching childbirth education and attending hundreds of births as a Professional Labor Doula. You can read more about my curriculums content and my philosophy at www.expectingkindness.com and please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have. This is a comprehensive course covering everything you need to have an informed birth, with  intervention limited to necessity.  It will prepare you to understand the whole labor process, identify the stages of labor so you can use appropriate tools, techniques, and activities throughout the process. Additionally you will learn self advocacy, to identify and ask thoughtful and important questions. Making thoughtful choices leading up to your birth will provide your body and your baby every possible advantage in bringing about the safest, most loving, and welcoming birth experience possible.

Expecting Kindness Childbirth Education: My curriculum aims to educate couples using a physiologic/athletic approach to labor balanced with nurturing the emotional process of feeling comfortable and safe enough to give birth. My Doula Services are centered within my deeply held belief in the ancient, inherent wisdom of our bodies combined with the art of making informed and conscious choices.

The book:

www.amazon.com/Expecting-Kindness-Kristin-Dibeh/dp/1939275059/ref=dp_ob_title_bk

Macall Gordon, M.A. & I discuss our common background of being Highly Sensitive People & raising our HSP - Livewire babies. Check out the resources below.

Does any of this sound like your child?

Big feelings? (Intensity)

Energizer Bunny? (Active)

Serious FOMO? (Alert)

Doesn't miss a thing? (Perceptive)

Never gives up? (Persistent)

Super light sleeper? (Sensory Sensitive)

Not a self-soother? (Reactive)

Goes from zero to sixty? (Intense)

if so, sleep books weren't written for you but this podcast sheds some light on useful information that you need.

From Macall's website:

Because of my experience as a mom of TWO livewires (who never, ever slept as babies), I really, really know what it's like to have a child who is just MORE.

As a researcher and sleep coach, I've worked with so many parents in the same boat and I know they absolutely require a different approach to sleep .

I have sleep strategies that work with  temperament—not against it—to get everyone

Resources mentioned:

https://www.littlelivewires.com/

https://depts.washington.edu/nwbfch/infant-safe-sleep-development?fbclid=IwAR3KayuushT2YNC21pfl7uu75ZDKsVDFIc0CrlNEwUb7C_0n-Ir3iBYSets

https://sleeplady.com/

https://www.amazon.com/Raising-Your-Spirited-Baby-Breakthrough/dp/0062961527

Want to learn more about HSP traits? My Link for Resources to support other orchids.

The primary risk factors for postpartum depression include previous depression, anxiety and/or mood disorders. Other risk factors include low social support, stress during pregnancy (including emotional, financial, partner-related or traumatic stress), traumatic birth experience, tobacco use during pregnancy, and not breastfeeding, early cessation of breastfeeding or negative early breastfeeding experiences.

The prevalence of postpartum depression is higher among:

& Perinatal Mental Health Resources for Families https://psidirectory.com/

Susan's Website

Her podcast My Life Beyond Post Natal Depression with Susan Scollen

I met Rose Carol (a fellow HSP)  through a community of highly sensitive wellness practitioners. I've been deepening my Ayurvedic Postpartum Doula knowledge and was happy to learn more about her work. She is the is the founder and director of Ayurveda Amritanam Learning Center and has been practicing Ayurveda since 1989. Rose is a Shaka Vansya  Lineage Ayurveda Practitioner and Educator who mentored with the internationally renowned Ayurvedic Physician, Vaidya Ramakant Mishra. She has administered Panchakarma (ayurvedic body therapies) for 30 years. She taught and created Ayurveda Curriculums at Healing Arts Institute, Sacramento California and Northeastern Illinois University Chicago. She is a licensed professional counselor and integrates Ayurveda into her coaching practice for greater emotional and mental wellbeing. In addition, she is the owner of Rose Ayurveda Boutique and Healing Therapies Evanston, IL.  www.ayurvedahealthcoach.com

If you’re an expecting parent, you’ve probably been asked about your birth plan and about what you still need to purchase for baby.

Chia Seed Pudding

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Note: Kristen Jawad - Postpartum Doula & Massage Therapist will be gifting attendees Rumi Rose Bath Salts & sharing information about Postpartum Massage Packages & Coaching Services

From the website of Phyllis Moses - I began my exploration and study in the Viniyoga tradition over 40 years ago.  I’ve cultivated specializations in trauma sensitive yoga, and am a certified yoga therapist (C-IAYT) through International Association of Yoga Therapists. I have developed yoga programs for addiction recovery centers and led prenatal yoga courses in hospitals, and am available for consulting on developing trauma sensitive yoga programs for organizations that understand movement is crucial to overall health, quality of life and recovery. I have a somatic based orientation to yoga, meaning practices that bring you into relationship with your own body. They lead you towards embodiment, towards knowing and being with the wisdom of the body.

Whether you're looking for personalized yoga and yoga therapy, a state of the art technology to enhance circulation, blood flow and energy, or you're an expecting Mom seeking tools for a peaceful birth, I tailor an embodied experience that fits you. Serving Vancouver, WA and the greater Portland area, physically; everywhere else ~ digitally! I bring compassion, presence and decades of experience to my private sessions.

https://www.hypnobirthingandyoga.com/

https://www.wildwomenandmagic.com/

Robin Lim & Birth Nonprofit

Betsy Toll worked with Ram Dass on a conference in Los Angeles for Seva Foundation. Her early background in art, theater, and performance provided strong vehicles for activism on behalf of the natural world and her commitment to social justice.

Also a student of Joanna Macy, in 1998, Betsy founded Living Earth in Portland, offering opportunities to explore what we love, what it means to be fully human, and how our awareness shapes our participation in our communities, our society, and our interactions with the living planet.

Other influences include Roshi Joan Halifax and Frank Ostaseski. A writer and editor, Betsy also serves in hospital and home chaplaincy with individuals facing crisis, grief, trauma, and death. She leads dharma circles, and workshops, and offers residential retreats twice a year for Living Earth. 

Contact Living Earth for information on Open Door Dharma - Early Summer.

Frank Ostaseski is a Buddhist teacher and a leader in the field of end-of-life care. He is the Guiding Teacher and Founding Director of Zen Hospice Project in San Francisco. https://fiveinvitations.com/

Walking Each Other Home Book

Both stress and toxin build-up can cause lymph stagnation. This can lead to: 

So clearly, we want to keep that lymph moving along! One of the best ways to do so is massage. A lymphatic massage is a specific form of massage that targets the flow of lymph in the body. It uses a specific amount of pressure and rhythmic circular movements to stimulate the lymph, moving it towards the heart, back into circulation, and therefore mobilizes toxins for clearance. However, all massage is helpful for moving lymph through our bodies!

A normal young adult body contains up to 450 lymph nodes, of which 60-70 are found in the head and neck, 100 in the thorax and as many as 250 in the abdomen and pelvis.

Some other great ways to encourage lymphatic drainage include staying hydrated (well-hydrated tissue help moves out waste material), exercising regularly, dry brushing, practicing yoga, and developing a deep breathing practice.

Perimenopause and menopause, even for women who never experienced digestive issues in the past can create gas, bloating and constipation. Why now? Because estrogen helps regulate cortisol, so our reactions to stress become more pronounced and stress slows down digestion.

You can manage your stress and improve your digestion. I love supporting my clients with extra care during cleanses as they reset their gut microbiome. In order for our bodies to properly detoxify - we need to practice resting and relaxation techniques. Why not enjoy every minute of it?

Book A Series of Gentle Summer Cleanse Sessions Here 

 or  Virtual Session

My Blog Posts on Gut Health

Need More Nutritional Support? Try a Two Week Seasonal Detox with Bee Nourished

From Amy Terepka's Website:

I work with heart-felt and sensitive souls who are looking to gain a sense of worth, meaning and belonging by improving their relationship with their bodies and the Earth so they can:

By getting out of your head, sinking down into your body, you can find your root wisdom, the place of connection with all life. This enables you to feel resilience in yourself to face situations in life that may cause stress and hardship. It allows you to realize you can face anything while remaining present and loving to yourself. You have the support and the strength within you.

With this shift people can feel a sense of belonging within their bodies and on the Earth, a sense of worthiness, so they can move from that place of deep inner knowing, ease and peace, not fear or insecurity.

https://www.groundwaterhealing.com/

Check out Amy's Seasonal Guide Books https://www.groundwaterhealing.com/sacred-seasons-guidebook

https://onewillowapothecaries.com/

Video of Robin Kimmerer, Ph.D., Distinguished Teaching Professor and Director, Center for Native Peoples and the Environment, SUNY ESF

Drawing on her life as an indigenous scientist, a mother, and a woman, Kimmerer will lecture on topics found in her new book “Braiding Sweetgrass” in which she shows how other living beings—asters and goldenrod, strawberries and squash, salamanders, algae, and sweetgrass—offer us gifts and lessons, even if we’ve forgotten how to hear their voices. https://vimeo.com/184571753