Grief often feels out of control. You are not going crazy, it is normal. Your heart is in pain and you just want it to go away. When will these feelings end? How will I go on without the person I love? For many it can feel like no one understands. You feel alone.

For others it is hard to know what to say to help someone grieving. No one has ever taught you how to be present to this depth of emotion or provided guidance on more effective ways to comfort. You may want the person to just “get over it” and be happy again but that does not seem to help.

This is a heart journey not a head journey. In this presentation the wisdom of the heart will be acknowledged and respected. What do we need to know to support the organic expression of the heart when processing the death of a loved one?

We will explore the various ways grief manifests.

Ritual and on-going support are invaluable in healing and will also be explored, along with ways to traverse the added challenges in this time of COVID.

We will review the importance of listening and knowing what is helpful to say to someone in grief. Finding meaning and recognising the gift of your loved one’s legacy will be celebrated.

Insight: At the end of this workshop you will have a deeper understanding of the basic tenants of grief and how to be more respectful of the organic nature of grief and mourning as a journey. This will include practical things that can be done during such a tender time of healing and integration of the loss. You will come to know more effective ways to support each person; first to be patient with themselves and in turn with others in grief. You will have a greater awareness of all the dimensions of the grief process (physical, emotional, intellectual, social, and spiritual). Be more aware of the differences often seen between men and women in their innate styles or expressions of grief and mourning that can often  be misunderstood. An understanding of the power of listening and more empathetic ways to respond to another’s pain will be explored. The importance of rituals, gatherings, and on-going support will also be highlighted.

• This is a live online two-hour workshop and, out of respect for your privacy, will not be recorded.
• You will be sent a Zoom link prior to the event.
• Participants will receive a resource list for reading and added exploration after the workshop.
• Barbara Morningstar will facilitate.

Photo by Isaac Quesada