Thursdays: Oct 1, Oct 8, Oct 22, Oct 29 from 7-8:30 pm

This idea was inspired by two teachers of mine who offer similar container-based singing circles: Patricia Norton & Lyndsey Scott. Patricia leads Flow Singing in Burlington VT, a group that focuses on a core set of 8 songs that build in complexity over a series of 4 sessions. Lyndsey offers SOUL ROOT in Iowa City, an 8 week session that pairs song with space for reflection & witness.

I once led my version of a Rumi poem that says “let the beauty you love be what you do/there are a thousand ways to kneel and kiss the ground” in a circle in North Carolina. Having loved this poem for a decade+, I’ve probably taken for granted how powerful this mystic’s words are. At the end
of the song, someone asked, “what does it mean to kneel and kiss the ground?”

What a potent question! We had a beautiful, unexpected discussion about what that meant to each of us. I realized that in the context of our big circles, we don’t often have the time/space to wonder & reflect about what we are singing. I’ve heard Karisha & Sorah of MaMuse talk about how songs do their work on us as we sing them, and as we change. Sometimes we might want to share about how/ why a song is meaningful to us; sometimes it’s good to keep it close to our hearts; either way, there’s good medicine in slowing down in song.

A little more about the offering:

~We will work with a core couple of songs that we’ll revisit each week. Some of them may invite more complexity as time goes on, adding layers &harmonies.

~Each song will have a practice associated with it: perhaps one song will invite a writing/coloring prompt, or flower mandala, another a ritual of gratitude, another a silent lovingkindness meditation, a trio share, or (gentle) movement.

~At the end of each session, there will be space to reflect in the larger group.

Week 1:
-Who are We? Getting to know each other
-a practice of welcome & intention setting
-songs are introduced

Week 2/3/4: Song Focus
-Each week, one of the songs will be the main focus. We’ll spend time learning the song more deeply (layers/harmonies for example).
-A practice will be offered from the list above.

This will be my first time facilitating Soulsongs ~ and so while this is how I envision the sessions going, I imagine some adaptation could occur! Thank you for being with me in the adventure & exploration!

Investment:

Sliding scale rate: $80-120 for the four gatherings, so $20-30 per session.

This will support my time & preparation, space use (30% goes to Living
Water), and supplies. If cost is a barrier, please reach out. And if you’re able to donate more to support scholarships, please let me know! There is space to indicate either
in the registration form.

I also ask that you invest your time ~ please be able to come to all of the sessions. If you need to miss one, that’s ok! Please let me know so I can plan accordingly.

Dates/Location:
Thursdays from 7-8:30 pm in the Living Water Meditation Hall
Oct 1, Oct 8, Oct 22, Oct 29

Not meeting the 3rd Thursday, which happens to be right after the second Wednesday (big circle night)

We will start promptly at 7; feel free to arrive at 6:45 if you’d like!

Other details:
In order to hold the group, we need 7 participants. The max will be 12,

If this session doesn’t work, I hope to offer it again early next year, so please stay tuned!