Hi Loves,
Hope you are enjoyed this beautiful weekend dropping in with yourself, each other, the outdoors. Ben and I were so fortunate to do some art on Friday night, date night, with our dear friend Bethany. We made Lino Blocks which I hadn’t done since grade school. I loved the process.
Some of you know that I have this affinity for crows. They represent to me the Shadow. I spent a good majority of my life running from my shadow. It wasn’t until I was completely exhausted and the suffering became too much that I surrendered. I finally sat down to be with it. And oh the gifts my shadow had for me.
On Friday night it was really gratifying digging into the Lino. Sometimes shadow work feels like digging. I found myself digging up all these beliefs and ideas around being a good parent, that my mind tells me is the hardest and most important job in the world, which in turn makes me a neurotic mess. I am listening to all the wise parents around the art table, taking in any bits of wisdom I can harvest because they are farther down the road of parenting. As I keep digging I witness my mind compare my child to all these other kids feeling shame that I have somehow failed my daughter because she is not doing what they are doing. The truth of who I am knows this is all B.S., but the digging reveals the muck and what is left is something beautiful. I hear my daughters voice, “You are trying too hard to be a good parent.” I hear her voice, “You are overprotective.” I hear, “You don’t love me, you love the idea of me.” I hear, “Just be chill mom.” As hard as it is to hear, I know there is truth in what she has said and I am reminded of when I surrender it all and just show up and take her in, in all of her glory I am so in love. In love with this being that is so full of life and love, living it her way.
After class we went home with our finished product, mine a crow, Ben’s an Easter egg. I so appreciate my relationship with Ben(who is called Crow by some friends) in his ability to hold space for me when I am in the muck of shadow work. He is not afraid. I didn’t have to share what came up and through during class, we just sat in front of his little stove meditating and I delighted in being held in the arms of the Easter bunny. I had the best night sleep I have had in weeks.
I am so honored to continue to hold space for men with Ben. He hasn’t been a parent before, but he most certainly has worked with kids and parents. His presence heals. I am blown away by how many families he has touched over the years. Just today a Dad of adult children that Ben had coached was saying how much Ben had enriched the lives of his whole family. Ben would say Crow Knows Snow, but I say Crow Knows how to be present with others and listen with his whole being. That is a gift.
So yes, this is a plug for Yoga and Meditation for Men. We want to hold space for Men for the next 6 weeks that are willing to dig a little to find some freedom. We will explore Clarity, Contentment, Discipline, Self-study and Surrender. Men we can't wait to start again this Thursday Night.
Much love to all of you!
Namaste,
Shari
P.S. I am planning on offering The Practice on Zoom Friday morning and would be so delighted to drop in with you.
The Practice
Friday Mornings 8:00-10:00 on Zoom
$1-$20 Donation
Venmo @Shari-Beard-1 to Sign Up
