Healing inside AND out

It's a time of abundance for some, and suffering for many. How can we look after ourselves whilst still fostering community and awareness?

At this time of year, it is easy to acknowledge that the year is over its peak. The warmest weather is past, and we can sense Autumn waiting in the wings. It is also the time of Lammas, the first harvest, the harvest of the grain. This reinforces the energy of reflection, and of gathering.

This year the Summer months have felt hard for many too. Not only has it been incredibly warm, which can affect sleep and energy, but the world around us is difficult to witness. It’s hard to regulate our nervous systems into calm safety, when around us feels so challenging.

One difficult issue is that we are told we must carry the burden on our own. More and more of our healing practices, our celebrations, and our self care are promoted as individualistic and for our own benefit only. It is not the natural way of things.

Maslow

Maslow’s "hierarchy of needs" is a core concept of Self Care and therapy in the Western World. It moves upwards from the basic needs of a person, like food and water, up to “self actualisation,” realising one’s true potential, and optimal personal growth. I was shocked to discover that it’s roots are in a community way of life practiced by the Siksika Nation on the Blackfoot reservation.

Maslow visited the Blackfoot reservation for 6 weeks in 1938, and unlike the society that he’d come from, discovered that this Native American society had very little of the issues that were prevalent back home. For example, they had no word for poverty! He learnt about their community and that ”self actualisation” is at the beginning of their tradition. I highly recommend reading this article about it.

https://gatherfor.medium.com/maslow-got-it-wrong-ae45d6217a8c#6f9a

In their community, you are born self actualised, then you develop into a member of the community, then you work towards leaving the world behind in a good place for the future generations. Rather different to the approach Maslow would develop, and altogether very nurturing.

“Maslow saw a place where what he would later call self-actualization was the norm.” 

This information, as well as many vocal critics of spiritual world talking about how all self development is too individualistic, lead me to ponder. We do need individual care, and we are all living in a society where we are solely responsible for ourselves. However, helplessness in the face of injustice can lead to low mood and depression, and we are witness to a lot of injustice and harm right now. We do need community to hold us and promote the sense of belonging, and we also need to think a little more of the coming generations.

So, what could I do? We do need to look after ourselves, but can we hold others in our awareness, be part of community and do more practical things to help?

 My idea is a drop in the ocean but I am starting monthly meditation gatherings - one online and one in person. Although the community the online group will create will not be physical and, at the beginning at least, will not be social, I am a great believer in collective consciousness. My hope is that being part of something will create a sense of community, and sense of connection.

We also need to do practical things to help in the world around us. So rather than charging a fee to attend, I am asking that you donate to charity. There will be no checks or expectations – you give what you are able to the charity of your choice.

So, first half of the meditation will be all about you – helping you to clear negative energy and strengthen your sense of peace and resilience, and expressing gratitude. Second half will be sending loving kindness and peace outwards to all – all this in return for a donation to charity.

Starting in September, there are four dates available to join before the end of the year – and all are bookable here:

The in person group will be held at Hazlehurst Studios, Runcorn. Price to attend is food items for the foodbank ( please don't bring money). Here we will stop for a chat first, should you wish, and if not, just come for the meditation. You can book to attend here:

I hope to see you there :)