The 16th-century Spanish saint Teresa of Avila spoke of “the beautiful wound” of longing for God, describing this depth of suffering as a doorway to union with the divine. Similarly, others through the ages have seen loss and grief as a spiritual blessing rather than a problem requiring a solution. In this workshop, guided by acclaimed translator and certified grief counselor, Mirabai Starr, we learn to see our own grief as fruitful fodder for transformation and spiritual growth. Through contemplative reading, writing exercises, and guided meditation, we cultivate the tenderness and courage required to explore the places where our loss invites us into deeper aliveness and radiant joy. This workshop is for those who have experienced life-changing loss, as well as mental health professionals and clergy who wish to “bear witness” to others on their journey of loss and grief. Recommended reading: Starr (trans.), Dark Night of the Soul by John of the Cross; The Interior Castle and The Book of My Life by Teresa of Avila.Mirabai Starr, MA, is an adjunct professor of philosophy and world religions at the University of New Mexico. In addition to her acclaimed translations, Starr is also the editor of the Sounds True Saints Series, Devotions, Prayers & Living Wisdom, and contributor to a new Sounds True book, Living Fully, Dying Well. mirabaistarr.com |
