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Beth Patterson

Host, Virtual Tea House

Sobonfu Some talks about Women’s Wisdom and Grief

Many of you are familiar with Malidoma Some’s work with men and initiation, flowing from his tribal connections to the African Dagara.  His now ex wife Sobonfu Some has some equally powerful things to say about women’s processes.  This video is especially poignant, as Sobonfu talks about how grief is related to knowing where the un-released parts of us are hidden away…an appropriate message for solstice and Advent.

I’d love to know what you think about this video.  It stirred me deeply, especially the connection to ancestors: we have do the work of dying to be connected to them.

Published Sunday, December 20, 2009 12:25 PM by Beth Patterson

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sisterjulia said:

Completely blown away! The concept of needing to move into the world of being an ancestor, even on level of just becoming that for the living loved ones, or as part of the genealogy of our family line. Part of the genetic make up still in existence and influence.

I also once learnt that any healing happens at a genetic level, and that one family memeber willing to to deeply work on releasing a family pattern within themself does so for the whole family. I like how this would tie in with releasing to prepare for and through death.

It was also healing for me just to hear the way Sobonfu describe herself as a 'traveller' and the way that was supported and respected in her community.

Man! It's an amazing end to the year here!

Thanks as ever Beautiful Beth!

December 30, 2009 7:53 AM
 

Beth Patterson said:

Dear Sister Julia--

Thanks so much for these insightful comments--I too believe that we are only healed through our ancestral lines, and that healing moves forward and backward (those terms are pretty limited in meaning).  

May this be a year for you and for me, and maybe for any who are attracted to this part of the work of being human, where we really dig even deeper into the work of healing our families, and our 'tribes' or communities.

I love your heart, Sister Julia.  Sweetness of the new year to you!

December 30, 2009 9:20 AM

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About Beth Patterson

The Virtual Tea House website became 'word-ripe' when, over a cup of jasmine green, I realized that the web has an expanding part to play in the communal aspects of spiritual growth.

With a master's degree in religion, my career spans 30 years in end of life care and child abuse intervention and advocacy.

Here in beautiful Central Oregon, my spiritual homes of the high desert and the mountains are both in proximity. And for good measure, four hours away is Grandmother Ocean and the stunning Oregon Coast.

I'm making decent progress on the goal set by my mother early on: she taught us that the goal of humanity should be to become ever-more eccentric, i.e. more fully human.

Entering the 'forest-dweller' phase of life, I am honored to host the Virtual Tea House for all who wish to explore how our lives are enriched and made new a thousand times each day by the spirituality we embody. Exploring this engagement together is the purpose of the Virtual Tea House.

Welcome! Let's have a cup of virtual tea together and share what brings us joy, what we are being taught by life, how we are leaning into the Big Questions posed to us each day in sometimes 'distressing disguises'.

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http://twitter.com/MyraB

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