Living With Spirit
a year-long online class
Many people believe that spirituality has to be a serious, dedicated, separate daily practice. This course is an alternative, viewingspirituality as part of daily life, not separate from it. And in this course, being spiritual can include humor, creativity, and leave room for all emotionsas a source of energy.
We will meet online for a 2- hour class once monthly for 12 months beginning Jan. of 2024. I will meet individually with each participant for an hour monthly. There will be monthly reading materials and assignments. The cost of the course is $3000. Payment plans are possible.
Bring spirit into your daily life. Explore many practical ways to live a spirited life. We will explore a different means of feeding your spirit each month, a variety of nature-based, artistic, and creative ways to live as a spiritual being.The course is a way to help place your spirit’s needs at the forefront of your decision-making and world view. There is no dogma involved; however, there are practical methods for you to explore each month. Many of the teachings are grounded in my shamanic background.
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January
Let’s get a clear sense of what we mean by “spirit” and “spiritual.” In this month, you will learnto know your own spirit, through imagery and guided meditations. As well, you will begin a process of making a “spirit bundle”. This is a long, at-your-own-pace process, and you have 8 months to complete it. This is a bundle made from the natural world in honor of your spirit. If you have made a Spirit Bundle, you will make a Spirit Hanging in the style of the Tsaatan, Mongolia’s Reindeer People. As well, we will explore individually and as a group…..what feeds your spirit.
February
In the winter, we will explore ways to bring light into this time. Literally and figuratively. We will also explore the relationship of spirit to the stars, the sky, and vastness of the universe. Through guided meditation, you will experience being a part of the universe. We will learn to make a variety of altars. Some are seasonal altars, some for specific occasions….healing, death, birth, and Big Transitions.
March
We will be drawing your inner landscape. This is the land of your emotions, how you experience them, what triggers you, and how you can use them for energy towards action or non-action, as your spirit would guide you. This mapping introduces boundary-making as well as giving space for all of your feelings, complex as they may be. I will guide you in making your map. We will also discuss the usefulness of what are normally considered “negative emotions”.
April
Springtime is a great time to explore movement as an expression of your spirit. Even if you normally do not dance, there are many ways to move. Using “dance” in a broader sense, we will explore the practice of “dancing with what is”, an attitude of looking at “what is” as a partner with whom you can move. As well, you will be encouraged to get moving…..walking, dancing, yoga, ballet, tai chi, qi gong, et.
May
Learning to express gratitude in the moment. May will be a month of giving thanks in many forms. Some of these will be: letter writing or sending cards, making small altars on landscapes, being able to say you are grateful at the moment, making a “fan” of gratitude, making offerings to different natural elements.
June
Giving yourself a rest. Going easier on yourself. Letting your critic take a leave of absence. Dropping as many ‘have-tos” as possible. Most of us do not realize how weighty our self-criticism is to our spirits. This month we will not only be aware of our self-talk, but also truly let ourselves have periods of non-accomplishment, doing nothing, resting, and playing. We will explore the healing nature of silence.
July
July will be an exploration of Spirit in the natural world. Not only will we do many practices in the natural world, we will also learn to recognize Spirit speaking through the natural world. Air, fire, water, rock, wind, tree……we will explore them all and your spirit’srelationship with them.
August
In August, we will explore Transformation and Alchemy and the spirit of changing forms, changing habits, changing climate, the reality of continual change and our ability to be with this process of transformation. How to alchemize the past and go forward with renewed energy and spirit. How to view the past from a different perspective, one that honors change and transformation, and how to step into the future knowing that everything is temporary.
Sept.
In September we will explore visual art as an expression of Spirit. Don’t worry if “you are no good” at painting, collage, and other visual arts. These Expressions will be fun, easy, inspiring, and using the colors of nature to work with as well as your favorite colors. This is about creating a visual feast to inspire you, through working with clay, and other materials.
Oct.
This month we will explore retreating as a spiritual gift. Whether it’s less time on social media, actually attending a retreat, releasing relationships that no longer function, being silent for a few days, not doing every little thing…..we will find ways for you to be more internal in a positive way. Different styles of meditation and breathwork will be introduced.
Nov.
Mindfulness will be the theme of this month, as the holiday season has begun. You can experience a degree of inner peace and contentment of spirit as you go through November. You will be practicing and developing the ability to observe the moment as well as be in it. As you prepare for family, or alone time, vacation or shopping……whatever the holidays signify to you, experience to difference of doing it with awareness.
Dec.
The last month of 2025. We will review all these ways of nurturing, experiencing, developing spirit, and make a group tribute to the Spirit that has been created within the group through this class. We will end the year with the creation of a beautiful tribute to your efforts and learning.
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