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Embodying Nature

I recently workshopped with Jamie McHugh in the beautiful Dartington old College performance halls and in the woods and by the river.

Embodying Nature for 3 days as well as walking daily from and to Totnes along the River Dart, under the ancient trees to this Sacred and beautiful place, SHIFTED stuff for me.  Truly!  It was deep down letting go.  Using voice, body, words and always for me, images.

Here is one I made later when I got home!  Title:  We are One (in Nature).   Dartington 2023.

 

Hope and surrender.

And so it is … 70 years since I was sent away and I still freeze and tremble at events that unfold and connect with my present life.

Due, I imagine, to be sent away so so young (as BS friends keep reminding me).

Recently, as I told my daughter about sitting with the chickens in the guard’s van at around 5, I felt my chest tighten and my breathing shallowed.  It’s as if that reverberation through my body still held memories of sooo long ago.  “At least I know where it is coming from” one BS friend said.

And we do know.  Yet it still goes on.

And independence ….. how do we build close relationships when all we know is survival and having to do it on our own?

In February I attend an ACA retreat in Scotland for Adult Children of Alcoholics.  Maybe that will help ease the present and allow me to release some of my survival patterns that no longer serve me.

So this year I surrender and hope.  There is always hope. 🙂

Image Tamalpa UK – Self-portrait Ritual 2012.

Wow! BSS-Support Conference

Last Saturday November 12th I had another mind-blowing experience!

 

Having travelled up from Cornwall the week before to attend my beloved Tamalpa Grads day in Movement based Expressive Arts on the Friday, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to meet with old and make new friends, the next day in London.    It was amaZing.  I was calm and in a good place.

Thoroughly enjoyed hearing remarkable speakers (with not so nice content) and meeting others.  Our break out room was great and I found myself resonating totally with someone sitting next to me who was new to his Survivor story.  The whole day truly touched me.

Ending the day with Chai and sharing the best-ever Samosa at a local Indian Restaurant with a BSS friend, I felt truly set up for staying at the YHA in Earls Court.  Lovely room with low bunk, yummy breakfasts and kind kind International staff and visitors.

Of course, it’s brought things up again for me.  Those questions I never asked of my parents.  And my own father and grandfather’s BS stories which I will never know.  The trauma of the past stays with us as we heal, grow and learn to walk kindlier on this earth.

There’ll be videos and recordings on the BSS-support website soon.

Looking forward to seeing everyone again in 2023!

 

Obedience

I find myself laid low in bed nurturing a cold/hacking cough/flu.  And reflecting.  When we do find our voice and share our stories, we connect deeply with others, and that can change life for all of us as we listen, heal and move on. And surely that is Peace.

So, here is a short article I wrote in June for The Friend, our Quaker magazine, before all the Downing Street hoohah.   In it I am linking ‘obedience’ with Nick Duffell and Joy Schaverien’s work on boarding school.

https://thefriend.org/article/letters-24-june-2022
Letter:  Obedience.