Find Me Here!
Circling Seedkeepers
  • Home
    • About Me
  • Sacred Circling
  • Listening to the Heart Blog
  • Original Art and Poems
  • Offerings
    • Raise The Vibration Ecstatic Dancing
    • Birth Blessings
    • Heart-Centered Living Guide
    • Ceremony Offerings >
      • Funerals
      • Weddings
      • Naming
    • For Young Women
    • For Adult Women
  • Upcoming Events
    • In The News
  • Resources

Listening to the Heart Blog

Living, exploring, expressing, spiraling the journey of womanhood one breath at a time, one day at a time, one achievement at a time, one blessing at a time.

Subscribe to my mailing list

Giving a Voice to Chaos: Ecstatic Dancing to Peace

9/19/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
Altar at Ecstatic Dance 9/18/2016
Every Sunday since November 8 we have been gathering to dance with the intention of raising the vibration of the planet. We gather, call in the directions, and create a sacred container within which we are encouraged to explore what is alive for us in the moment.

We call this time together Ecstatic Dancing.

The term conjures images of complete abandon and delight, and I would venture to say it does... but, perhaps not always in the ways most imagine.

Nietzsche said, "You need chaos in your soul to give birth to a dancing star."

No matter how calm and together we humans may appear on the surface, at this point in our collective evolution there exist myriad chaos storms traversing our interior landscapes each day. Driving on trafficked highways, the daily threats to our water supply, hatred, racial and social inequality, raising children, striving to pay bills, acute aches, chronic diseases, and psychological challenges, to name a handful, stress our bodies and minds, and leave our souls swirling in a state ranging from a general anxiety to full on panic. 

Much of these thoughts, feelings, and experiences are cloaked in smiling faces, or confident demeanors... we have been taught to "never let them see you sweat." But in our Ecstatic Dance time together participants are encouraged to allow whatever is present and alive within them in each moment out.

Allow your body to stretch, shake, spin, do handstands, or jump. Allow your voice to moan, howl, yip, scream, laugh, or cry. Allow your soul to grieve, celebrate, or live in the question. Allow what is alive in the moment for you to express itself. 

In The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron there is an exercise called "The Morning Pages." The idea is that each morning you wake up and write three pages of stream of consciousness writing, that functions to train your mind to quiet the "editor mind" or the critical mind. It also functions as a  way of cleansing the channel to allow clearer thought to move.

Similar to "The Morning Pages," Ecstatic Dance provides a sacred space to explore different movements within our human being-ness. It allows all the chaos building up within us over time to purge, to express. It is a space where one can surrender to the chaos and allow it to move through one's being...no judgment... no inhibitions... a safe place to shake it all out and find what is left at the center... the dancing star.

I have danced every Sunday (with a few exceptions) for almost a year now, and I can attest to this powerful medicine of dance. There are life challenges. There are frustrations. There is traffic, and children, and bills to pay. There are fears, and stressors, and joyful moments too, and every Sunday I have a place to process, explore, and move through these landscapes. I have moved through weeping, yelling, spinning, and laughing all in one session.

I have heard people say, "I'm not a good dancer," but I must stress that it is not about dancing, it is about loving yourself enough to allow your truth to be made visible. Yes, it is called "dancing," but that term is used loosely. It is not a performance. It is not a competition. It is about creating space where each voice/thought/feeling/movement living within you is seen as valuable and has a space to express itself with dignity. 

Channels open and energy is moved. It is divine connection. It is sacred. I believe more of this type of medicine is needed in the world right now because peace begins within, and there is no peace without first giving space for the chaos to have its voice. 

Life can be scary, dangerous, and overwhelming: this is the chaos we dance with each day. And though it is challenging, it can be used as a blessing and pathway for transformation and honing our skills of delving deeper into creator's arms. Ecstatic Dancing is a beautiful vehicle for accessing the sacred, for moving through the realms of chaos into the sweetness of peace and connection with other humans exploring their humanity.

Come dance with us, delve deeper into your being, and welcome your human-ness to a place at the table of life. We will gather and hold space for you to explore and discover the dancing star you are at the center of your being. 

With love and compassion,
Suzette Winona Summers


* After re-reading this, I see that it is a very general picture. I will write another post soon, that is much more specific about the environment and rhythm of the experience, including the opening, closing, and music selections primarily created by my co-rhythm-keeper Catherine. 



0 Comments

Calling All Elders

4/3/2014

4 Comments

 
PictureThanks to San Hartman for the photo. http://sanhartman.weebly.com/
For several years I have been longing for the wisdom of elders. Recently, while sitting in a circle of women ranging in age from 30-something to 60-something, I heard a similar longing voiced by all. In my own self-absorption I failed to realize that women older than myself were also feeling the ache of the lost elders.

In general, I think our society has forgotten the value of elders, and in so doing, many elders have forgotten, or never realized, their own value. In a world where youth is privileged is it any surprise that elders have forgotten their value? Without our listening, encouraging ears, elders are unlikely to share their wisdom with us... and in this present world, we desperately need their voices.

When I speak of elders, I do not only mean people older than myself, but people who, through deep self-exploration and the overcoming of hardships, have gained a level of wisdom, strength, and clarity of sight so that their presence in the world serves as a guiding light  for future generations.

An elder I am friends with recently said, "We are all elders to someone." Those words resonate deeply, and are an important consideration. Often the term "elder" connotes someone much older, but the truth is that anyone, either chronologically older, or experientially older, can be considered an elder. And so, we all have insights and wisdom to share; some simply don't recognize their value, or are not given the opportunity to share their wisdom. That being said, I think it is important to value those older than us, and listen deeply to their heart song. There are many songs to learn, many skills to be preserved, many stories to be shared in those who have lived for many moons.

Today, we stand on the threshold of a world disintegrating at the hands of pollution, corporate greed, and wide spread apathy. Even so,  many are beginning to wake up, and I think those awakening are doing so because of the support of ancestors (seen and unseen) and elders. One reason we have fallen so far from a place that honors the earth, human life, and personal interactions is that we have devalued our elders, and in so doing have failed to allow them to convey their wisdom. Arrogance has told us that our stories are more important; our desires are more valuable; our insights more significant. We have lost their stories, their songs, their wisdom. We have forgotten that though a body changes, the spirit is eternal, valuable, and wise. I believe when we turn our attention to listening, encouraging, and honoring our elders' wisdom we will see that our elders will flourish with a vibrance ready to sew their seeds in the fertile soil of our hearts and lives; and from these seeds a new earth will begin to rise up.

So, how do we call the elders forth? How do we remind them of their value? How do we encourage our elders to share their wisdom with us? 

We can sit with them in circle. A circle of two perhaps. We can sip tea, or coffee, do artwork, or ask them questions about relationships, children, our fears, our dreams. If we listen, if we share, if we make time for them, I believe the world will shift, our hearts will open, and a world in harmony will spring up stronger and more sustainable than ever.

 "...it is up to us learn how to sing again in that ancient way, so that we might be the ancestors that our descendants will sing to."    ~ Craig Paterson of Temple Wind Flute

4 Comments

Smashing Concrete

2/28/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
As I was driving into work today, I saw a new place where they have cleared a space to build another concrete structure. I live in the city, but I work in a town outside of the city that is pretty rural. The concrete mixers were going, and trucks were gathered around... and I just started to cry.

Concrete has been a trigger for a while. I know, it sounds crazy.
But I see it everywhere--buildings, sidewalks, streets--and for a long time it has represented for me this structured society working against nature.

I have seen concrete as a symbol of the suppression of nature for a long time--taming the wildness--controlling-- even as a symbol of the oppression of women, but today, I saw concrete as a symptom.

Collectively, we walk around wearing masks, and these masks take many forms (clothing, education, possessions, long hair, short hair, the way we talk, the things we know, etc). Ultimately, we hide behind these masks to show we are part of a certain "tribe."
The only problem with this is that it creates rifts, barriers--us and them mentality.

After I let the tears out today, I felt the force of wild Kali. In my mind's eye, I was picking up a giant sledge hammer and smashing the concrete to bits in order to release the earth from her bondage.

With this vision came the realization that it is not the concrete that needs to be broken up, it is our masks that need to dissolve. We think we are protecting ourselves with these masks we wear, but really we are creating separation. With our masks we know what to expect, we know what to do. Without our masks we feel naked, vulnerable--the outcome of our interactions feels unpredictable.

But really, without our masks we see that we are one human family. Without our masks we see ourselves more clearly.

And as that vision came, I realized why I am so passionate about circle work--it creates a space where the human family can take off their masks and feel safe. Eventually, after continuing to feel the safety of intimacy that comes with truly being "seen," then we can walk into the world vulnerable and powerful realizing those two qualities are not contradictions, but instead
interdependent forces necessary for authenticity.

As more people begin to walk around "emotionally naked,"
vulnerable, authentic--as more people begin to stop hiding behind their masks, and start showing their souls--I believe concrete--the symptom of our barred hearts--will crumble and fall, allowing the earth to be free. It will occur with grace. We are reflections of each other, the Earth and us. We will heal the Earth because we will be committed to healing ourselves.

May all beings be healed and whole.

With love,
Suzette



0 Comments

Sitting Circled As Queens

9/5/2013

1 Comment

 
Tonight I was blessed to sit in a virtual sacred space with women and feel the empowerment, love, and support of sisters.  It was a great honor to be trusted with their heart sharing, and a true gift to feel that my truth was heard and valued. 

As the energy and excitement continues to pulse through my spirit, I am again reminded of how sacred circling gives me the permission to speak from my highest self, while simultaneously being able to be honest and vulnerable about my weaknesses and longings. Tonight, I was blessed to be a witness to heart openings, mutual support, and love between women who barely know each other, but trust in the power and vitality of intimacy and truth.

Listening to my sisters' needs, and their dreams, I "saw" that the universe truly wanted to bless them with their hearts' desires. I saw their gifts waiting for them; they need only open up to receive. And as I was given the sight to see how attainable their dreams were, I realized that the universe wants to bless me with my dreams too; that my dreams are simply waiting for me to open up to receive. 

Like magic, I was again able to trust that my dreams were attainable.

 Tonight, I was inspired and moved to live from my highest self, to walk through this world with grace, and call upon the power of love.  

Tonight, we stood holding hands in eternity, agreeing to the guidance of the universe. Tonight, we sat circled as queens mirroring our highest selves in each heart sharing.

1 Comment
    Picture

    Author

    Suzette Winona Summers M.A. is a mother, writer, artist, and circler of women following the call of her heart to empower herself, her sisters, and the world. Suzette embraces her purpose of birthing a new world through one breath at a time, one step at a time, walking through fear, disappointments, and difficulties into the light of a new day. 

    Archives

    November 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    September 2016
    August 2016
    December 2015
    July 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    September 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013

    Categories

    All
    Air
    Authenticity
    Balance
    Beadwork
    Blessings
    Ceremony
    Circling
    Concrete
    Dance
    Divine Feminine
    Divine Masculine
    Dreams
    Earth
    Ecstatic Dance
    Fire
    Generations
    Going Within
    Healing
    Introspection
    Mothering
    Patience
    Prayer
    Rebirth
    Spirit
    Symptoms
    Teaching
    Trusting The Process
    Vulnerability
    Water
    Winter

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.