Midsummer Night’s Dream
by Betsy Toll
The final hours of spring melted toward summer with billowing clouds,
warm weather, and a hopeful lightness of heart. Heralded the evening
before by brilliant forked lightning, blustery winds, and full double
rainbows, summer arrived with a glowing full moon on a still night;
filigree clouds outlined by moonlight offered a gentle, auspicious
start to the season.
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| John Seed and 'Wild Heart, Wild Earth"
workshop participants. |
Wild Heart, Wild Earth
Just prior to solstice, some twenty people gathered at Living Earth’s
“Wild Heart, Wild Earth” workshop in the Columbia Gorge
with deep ecologist and Earth-activist John Seed. John’s wonderful
spirit fueled a workshop that expressed the heart of Living Earth.
Interpersonal processes, deep time exercises, natural beauty, good
food, and camaraderie filled the day from morning until sunset.
We shared stories of our past, honored our anguish and pain in
the present—whether related to ecological disconnection, political
madness, or personal suffering. Exploring a vast view of time, the
universe, and our own belonging here on the third planet from the
Sun brought delight and hope for this time when humanity shifts
to new understanding for the future. And we heard again
the story of the Shambhala warriors, and experienced in that
timeless tale a coming-into-power and into our roles in the world.
What summer will bring
Living Earth’s calendar for July is busy, and Joanna Macy’s
contributions in an evening talk and
a week-long retreat will further
enrich and enliven our love and determination to play an active
role in creating that shift. Our schedule will slow down somewhat
through August and September as we come together to develop an inclusive,
cooperative model to continue this work beyond the summer.
May all species who call our planet “home” know ease
of well-being as Earth turns with endless grace around the Sun.
And may all beings everywhere know peace.
We invite comments and observations from Living Earth members and
readers on this topic, and will post as many as possible on this
site. Send comments to circle@livingearthgatherings.org
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