Summer semester 2026

 Canvas courses do not open until 5/11 so I amy not be able to complete my planning until then. 

World Religions - Async  

Major Assignments:

• Reading Presentation 25%  - Present on one of the course’s readings. A sign-up sheet shall be provided during the first week of class
• Field Trip Presentation - Visit a religious site or service and present on it in the “Field Trip” section of the course. Keep presentations to under 10 minutes in length. Tell us about the site or service and about your experience visiting. 
• Final Paper - Write a paper 10-15 double-spaced pages in length on a relevant topic within the scope of the course. Submit the paper by the end of the term. Yes, so long as it relates to the topic of the course seriously, you can write about it! The vast world is yours to contemplate and to write about! 
• Will most likely have weekly discussion boards and recorded lectures. That was his style last semester. 

Books:

• Perry, W. N. The Spiritual Ascent: A Compendium of the World’s Wisdom. Louisville: Fons Vitae, 2008. 
• ISBN-13: 978-1887752046. 
• ABE BOOKS - $34
• Smith, H. The World’s Religions. New York: HarperOne, 2009.
• ISBN-13: 978-0061660184
• ABE BOOKS - $6

Spiritual Companionship 2

• Weekly Written Reflections for ALL readings. Reflections should be 1 or 3 short paragraphs (per reading) that engage some of the following questions: What surprised you in this week’s readings/video as particularly interesting or curious? What confused you? What resonated with you? Where in the reading did you experience resistance? What topic(s) had you thinking realignment was needed? - Due before class on Thursdays. 
• Professional & Ethical Materials Preparation (a document/brochure describing your services) - Due Thursday, 06/6, 5pm: Complete practical project relating to the professionalism and ethical practices of spiritual direction/companionship
• 1) design a written agreement regarding accompanying relationship (sample in Spiritual Direction Student Manual, Form 5); https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sK9FhFd3gscyT-t0UVrQpkOBSCONjNeZ/edit#bookmark=id.6vx2xmw0i795
• Include but not limited to: confidentiality statement, fees, time and session changes, etc.
• 2) compose a list of contacts for referral purposes; If a directee’s case is outside of your skill set use referral list for consideration
• 3) complete personal growing edges/gifts reflections. (Evolving Document)
•  The reflection is for you to talk to me (write a paragraph or 2) reflecting on your growing edge(s) as you see them and your gifts that you have identified/are developing and/or that others have identified that they see in you and your thoughts about that.
• Dyad Reflections - Due Thursdays, 6/18, 25, 7/2, & 23 at 5pm : Complete Dyad Reflections assessing skills required and processes for grounded and ethical praxis regarding one-to-one spiritual direction/companionship.  A one page reflection on each role you played: Directee, and Director. Reflection on the Process not Content of each role. Write 1-2 paragraph(s) on One Learning from your experience in each role
• In Class Supervision Reflection: Complete in class Introductory Supervision Review. Due Thursday, 7/16 (Supervision introduction presentation - guest)
• In Class Group Spiritual Direction/Companionship Reflection: Complete reflection assessing skills required and processes for grounded and ethical praxis. Due Thursday, 7/23 - A one page reflection that includes 1-2 highlights and/or concepts and write why you think they are or could be important to spiritual formation.
• Spiritual Direction/Companionship Conversation: One-to-one conversation with professor regarding skill set, praxis capabilities and desire to continue to Supervision phase of Spiritual Direction/Companionship Certificate Program. Please schedule a 45-60 minute, one-to-one session with Professor Johnson (on Zoom) sometime between 07/09 and 08/06. Due between 7/9 - 8/6.
• “Niche” Presentations of Contextual Spiritual Direction/Companionship Final Project: Research a specific “community” of interest to accompany, e.g., young adults, neurodivergent, aging, LGBTQ+, activists, etc., and in a 15 minute class presentation, in media or print format, share relevant information regarding accompanying this community in one-to-one or group spiritual direction/companionship. Also prepare a hand-out or visual which includes resources about the community.  Due 8/6 or 8/13 at 5pm (Final Submission on Sunday, 8/16 at 11:59pm)

Books:

• Mark Nepo. SevenThousand Ways to Listen: Staying Close to What Is Sacred.  New York, NY: 
• ISBN 978-1-4516-7468-2
• Online library 
• https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.theoref.idm.oclc.org/lib/dtl/detail.action?docID=5681990
• Todd Macalister. Looking to Nature: Exploring a Modern Way of Being Spiritual Without the Supernatural. Berkeley, CA: 
• ISBN 978-1-949643-54-1
• Online libary
• https://libguides-thedtl-org.theoref.idm.oclc.org/c.php?g=1262648
• Spiritual Direction International, Guidelines for Ethical Conduct (2018 edition). This is a brochure available for purchase from the SDI website: 
• https://www.sdicompanions.org/media/guidelines-for-ethical-conduct/
• Loretta Pyles. healing justice: Holistic Self-Care For Change Makers: New York, NY. 
• ISBN 978-0-19-066308-7
• Online livrary: YESSSSS ITS PDF
• https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.theoref.idm.oclc.org/lib/dtl/reader.action?docID=5313237&c=UERG&ppg=1

Week 0

Monday 5/11

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Tuesday 5/12

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Wednesday 5/13

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Thursday 5/14

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Friday 5/15

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Week 1

Saturday 5/16

• Reflections of a Soul Companion (Manns)   --- In Module - Wk 1
•  Nepo: Intro & pages 1-27/Intro - Section 3 The Gift in Receiving (If arrived) - Wk1
•  https://www.sdicompanions.org/docs/guidelines/Flip/guidelines_ethical_conduct.html
• Write Reflection. 1-3 paragraphs for EACH. 
• Read "ascend" - maya and illusion 

Sunday 5/17

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Monday 5/18

• Watch Lecture 
• Discussion Board 

Tuesday 5/19

• SDI Guidelines for Ethical Conduct - Sections 3-4 -- WK2
• https://www.sdicompanions.org/docs/guidelines/Flip/guidelines_ethical_conduct.html
• Nepo: Pages 28-50/Sections 4-6 Being Lost - WK2
• Write Reflection. 1-3 paragraphs for EACH. 

Wednesday 5/20

• Pyles: Intro-59/Intro - Chapter 3 - WK2
•  Write Reflection. 1-3 paragraphs for EACH.

Thursday 5/21

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Friday 5/22

•  Respond to Classmate's Discussion boards 
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Saturday 5/23

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Sunday 5/24

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Week 2

Monday 5/25

• Watch Lecture 
• Discussion Board
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Tuesday 5/26

• Nepo: Pages 51-74/Sections 7-10 A Conversation with the Elements - WK3
• https://www.sdicompanions.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/comparison_of_helping_fields.pdf
•  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2iv3YHb9sY
• Write 1-3 paragraphs about EACH. 

Wednesday 5/27

•  Pyles: Pages 60-130/Chapters 4-6 -- WK3
• Write 1-3 paragraphs about EACH. 

Thursday 5/28

• Work on  -  Professional & Ethical Materials Preparation - WK3
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Friday 5/29

•  Respond to Classmate's Discussion boards 
•  Work on  -  Professional & Ethical Materials Preparation 

Saturday 5/30

•  Finish: Work on  -  Professional & Ethical Materials Preparation 
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Sunday 5/31

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Week 3

Monday 6/1

• Watch Lecture 
• Discussion Board - "Turn to any one of the entries in The Spiritual Ascent that resonates with you, and write it out here. You are welcome to let the quotation speak for itself or to add why you find it resonant and/or to comment on its content." - Maya and Illusion
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Tuesday 6/2

• Nepo: Pages 75-96/Sections 11-12 Deep Listening - WK4
• Write 1-3 paragraphs about EACH. 
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Wednesday 6/3

•  Pyles: Pages 131-196/Chapters 7-9 -- WK4
• Write 1-3 paragraphs about EACH. 

Thursday 6/4

•  DUE: Professional & Ethical Materials Preparation
•  Assignment: Dyad Reflection (Canvas) - do it right after class. - WK4

Friday 6/5

•  Respond to Classmate's Discussion boards 

Saturday 6/6

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Sunday 6/7

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Week 4

Monday 6/8

• Watch Lecture 
• Discussion Board
•  Pyles: Pages 197-216/Chapter 10 - WK5
• Write 1-3 paragraphs about EACH.

Tuesday 6/9

•  https://www.sdicompanions.org/docs/guidelines/Flip/guidelines_ethical_conduct.html
•  Nepo: Pages 97-126/Sections 13-17 What Happens When You Really Listen
• Write 1-3 paragraphs about EACH. - WK5

Wednesday 6/10

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Thursday 6/11

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Friday 6/12

•  Respond to Classmate's Discussion boards 
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Saturday 6/13

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Sunday 6/14

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Week 5

Monday 6/15

•  Watch Lecture 
• Discussion Board 
•  Pyles: Pages 217-256/Chapters 11-12 - WK6

Tuesday 6/16

• Read: Nepo Pages 127-149/Sections 18-20 Seasons of Listening - WK6

Wednesday 6/17

• Date night? Darts?

Thursday 6/18

•  Dyad Reflection (Canvas) - do right after class
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Friday 6/19

•  Respond to Classmate's Discussion boards 
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Saturday 6/20

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Sunday 6/21

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Week 6

Monday 6/22

•  Watch Lecture 
• Discussion Board 
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Tuesday 6/23

•  Asynchronous Assignment 1) Post in Canvas under Discussion your answer to the following prompt: Share at least two highlights from each of the reading share why they are important to you and your spiritual formation - based on the readings
•  Macalister: Intro-pages 48/Part 1 - WK6

Wednesday 6/24

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Thursday 6/25

•  Dyad Reflection  - do right after class so its fresh 
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Friday 6/26

•  Respond to Classmate's Discussion boards 
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Saturday 6/27

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Sunday 6/28

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Reading Week

Monday 6/29

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Tuesday 6/30

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Wednesday 7/1

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Thursday 7/2

• Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMrNdxQfAZI
• 1 hr watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00ffSWcYBxM 
•  Watch 1 hr - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9W7pYOlqps
•  write reflection - WK 7 
  

Friday 7/3

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Saturday 7/4

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Sunday 7/5

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Week 7

Monday 7/6

•  Watch Lecture 
• Discussion Board 
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Tuesday 7/7

•  Nepo: Pages 150-182/Sections 21-25 Knowing Where We are - WK8 
•  Articles/Videos (Canvas) -- ???? - WK8
• Write reflection 1-3 paragraphs EACH.
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Wednesday 7/8

•  Come prepared to share your experience in a conversation you have had lately that 1) required you to stretch your listening skills and 2) you asked an evocative question that you weren't sure you should ask. Remember we ALL have growing edges and learn from each other. - Not on Canvas - WK8 
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Thursday 7/9

•  Do the In Class Supervision Reflection? right after class so its fresh ?
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Friday 7/10

•  Respond to Classmate's Discussion boards 
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Saturday 7/11

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Sunday 7/12

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Week 8

Monday 7/13

•  Watch Lecture 
• Discussion Board 
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Tuesday 7/14

•  Nepo: Pages 183-219/Sections 26-31 The Endless Search - WK 9
•  Write reflection 1-3 paragraphs EACH 

Wednesday 7/15

•  Macalister: Pages 77-110/Part 3 Nature as a Focus of Religious Attention to the end/Wrap Up - WK 9
•  Articles/Videos (Canvas) -- ???? - WK 9
•  Write reflection 1-3 paragraphs EACH - WK 9 

Thursday 7/16

• Dyad Reflection, do right after class so its fresh 
• Do: In Class Supervision Reflection: Complete in class Introductory Supervision Review?

Friday 7/17

•  Respond to Classmate's Discussion boards 
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Saturday 7/18

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Sunday 7/19

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Week 9

Monday 7/20

• Watch Lecture 
• Discussion Board  
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Tuesday 7/21

•  Nepo: Pages 220-255/Sections 32-38 No Strangers in the Heart
•  Write Reflection 1- 3 paragraphs.  - WK 10 

Wednesday 7/22

•  Work on Final presentation!!!!!
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Thursday 7/23

• DUE: In Class Group Spiritual Direction/Companionship Reflection due 07/30/26 - WK 9 do right after class so it is fresh
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Friday 7/24

•  Respond to Classmate's Discussion boards 
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Saturday 7/25

• Obod meeting @ savanna circle 4pm 
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Sunday 7/26

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Week 10

Monday 7/27

•  Watch Lecture 
• Discussion Board 
•  Start writing final paper  - gather sources etc. 

Tuesday 7/28

•  Work on Final presentation!!!!!
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Wednesday 7/29

•  Finish  Final presentation!!!!!
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Thursday 7/30

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Friday 7/31

•  Respond to Classmate's Discussion boards 
•  Camp early?

Saturday 8/1

•  Lunasughd camping trip 
•  Obod ritual 

Sunday 8/2

•  Camping come home 
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Week 11

Monday 8/3

•  Watch Lecture 
• Discussion Board 
•  Work on final paper

Tuesday 8/4

•  Work on final paper 
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Wednesday 8/5

•  Finish Final paper. 
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Thursday 8/6

•  DUE: “Niche” Presentations of Contextual Spiritual Direction/Companionship Final Project (Canvas)—due August 16 at 5:00 pm CST
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Friday 8/7

•  Respond to Classmate's Discussion boards 
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Saturday 8/8

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Sunday 8/9

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Week 12

Monday 8/10

•  Watch Lecture 
• Discussion Board 
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Tuesday 8/11

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Wednesday 8/12

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Thursday 8/13

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Friday 8/14

•  Respond to Classmate's Discussion boards 
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Saturday 8/15

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Sunday 8/16

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Reflection - Embodied Practices

 Consider what are your own spiritual rituals and embodied practices. What are the rituals that you believe, or know, that your people at one time used to practice? Why did they give those rituals up? What would it mean for you to re-engage those rituals? 

I engage in ritual in small ways, although I have found that I actually really enjoy crafting rituals that are more ceremonial. Singing, drumming, sigil work, and poetry are probably my biggest form of embodied practice that I use in my rituals. If embodiment is the use of the whole body or the body from the neck down I would say all of these would count. 

Singing comes from the heart and throat, I would even go to say that poetry does too. Drumming is a whole body experience - especially when you hit a flow state. Sigil work comes from within your spirit, it moves through from thee heart/center, through the hands. Even a blind man can do sigil work - the head is not needed, in fact I would say that too much of the mind gets into he way and doesn't allow for a productive sigil. 

Singing, especially to nature, and drumming are practices - often used in ritual - that I feel were used by all lines of my heritage or the people I come from. They are used by all indigenous and ancient people in various forms; music is powerful magic. My "people" still use them. I sing to bodies of water, I sing to trees, I sing to nature  and spirits as offerings. I know this is not an uncommon practice amongst many spiritual people. 

Sigils are sacred symbols that come from Spirit, God, angels, spirits, Awen, Imbas, or whatever form of divine source you believe creativity comes from. I know my paternal family used them, although I do not know their methods on how they made them. I do know Christianity and social pressure for engaging in witchcraft is why this practice was done in secret, and that they were targeted by the local community for being witches. They now avoid that word - and call it "earth work" instead. 

Poetry is probably the one that may seem like the biggest stretch to most people as an embodied practice. I know its a spiritual practice my grandmother uses, she like me, has a gift of hearing spirits through writing poetry. For her it is limited to during thunderstorms, for me I can do it if I just get myself into a meditative state of sacred awareness. It is probably one of my biggest spiritual gifts that I do not utilize nearly as often as I should. 

Engaging in these rituals connects me to Spirit, to divine source, within myself and around me. It opens up my  "ears" to the unseen and allows me to channel messages and power from the divine. I don't engage in these practices as much as I wish I did and use to do. I know doing so would actually bring me great joy and fulfillment, and the sense of connection I feel to the divine is palpable. Whether that is Spirit, the gods, spirits, or ancestors - I think it varies, but the connection is there none the less. 

Spring equinox tarot

 What seeds need to be planted and nourished spiritually? 

X pents reversed: there has been spiritual knowledge that has beeen lost to me. Now is the time to work on finding it. = get back into learning witchcraft in general. This includes folk magic and herbal. Incorporate this into your existing practice (glamour). 

How can I nurture this/fertilizer:

X of swords: I will be learning more about baneful magic and it will trigger an internal shift in how I identify spiritually. This is more of a knowledge is power. I must be open to learning all forms of magic. Think back to the journey I had where I was some kind of fae creature that was known to be scary but also brought blessings - playing with the children, greeting the young women, the fearful and resentful respect from the men of the village… THAT kind of energy is what I am moving towards. 

Anything I need to prune/release?

No. 

What seeds need to be planted this spring in the physical world?

- strength: plant the seeds for the future you want, firmness of purpose! 

- 6 swords reversed: connoted challenges - I will continue to get sick. 

- X cups and X wands reversed: pursuing a life that makes us happy, but we need to be prepared for unexpected challenges though. 

- 3 of wands: partnership <3

What is needed to nourish/fertilize? 

- 4 of wands:celebration! Make sure to celebrate along the way! 

Smokey

 Its been three weeks since smokey passed. 

I am finally getting through the day without having a crying episode. I was able to get through the day without allowing or going numb and freezing. 

I have been struggling so hard since he passed I was getting behind in school and work and just overwhelmed. 

I am finally starting to come out of it, I don't miss him any less but it is both a curse and a blessing that my ADHD makes me focus on the present moment and makes anything out of sight fade from me emotionally. 

I am still overwhelmed and have  hard time focusing, but the brain fog of grief is starting to clear little by little. 

Electo Divina - The Return

 "We looked at each other and I could see the fear in her eyes, she could see the rage in mine."

This line in chapter 6 "the return" marks the moment that the author's grandmother got her power back after years of abuse and trauma. It really resonates with me. One of the things that made my voice within go quiet throughout my life was fear. Growing up in an abusive household made me afraid to speak my truth, it made me small, quiet, anxious. As I grew older I began to connect with the divine via spirit guides and different gods, and through them found that voice again, and found strength. 

Likewise, each time it was dimmed I was living in fear. Toxic relationship after toxic relationship, wounding friendships, where I conformed so I would not be left alone and afraid. I cut myself apart to fit the shape of what people around me wanted, out of fear of isolation because I was afraid of the world. 

Different gods helped make sure that I never fully lost that voice within me, but there was a wall of fear that would not evaporate and finally, one of the most benevolent goddesses in my pantheon directed me to another goddess that I had felt called to quietly at random points in my life: Lilith. 

Lilith helped me tap into what was under my fear - rage. All my life I had been told to hide my anger, I had to be sweet to be liked, and be the innocent girl so that people would be more inclined to help me when in trouble... but it also bound me and made me easy prey. And I was angry. So angry. 

I was angry at the abuse. I was angry at the expectations thrust upon me. I was angry at the world. I was angry at myself. I was both the woman with fear and the woman with rage. The fearful woman who kept my voice quiet and traumatized needed to die and the strong woman with the sacred rge inside her had a voice that would sing. and scream. and curse and cuss and stand up for herself and fight for justice. 

---

part 2 - recovering people pleaser

Working with Lilith saved my life. By tapping into that sacred rage, I tapped into a strength inside myself that only existed within the shattered pieces of consciousness. Once I allowed that rage to exist, I welcomed her out of the shadow and into the light, I was able to break that fear apart and let it burn within the fire of my heart. After about a year of being a living volcano of fire - fires of inspiration, passion, and rage - I began to level out and truly heal. 

But there was still some fear; it now just existed no louder than anything else. My cptsd treatment was finally starting to work and I was cleared from therapy. I was burlesque dancing and standing in the light of who I was - despite the fear. I am still anxious - and lately I have been growing more quiet, more dim, and I think about how Lilith would encourage me to shine and fight for what I want in life. 

I am the one silencing myself this time, I am letting the fear back in... because my rage has gone quiet. I have fallen in love and my nervous system is no longer in fight or flight - that rage is now just strength. I am embers, not dancing flame and as long as I do not allow myself to evaporate into smoke I know that the cycles of life will let me burst forth again.  What keeps me bound now is living in a system that does now feed my soul, forcing myself to maintain a lifestyle because I do not yet have the resources to creak the chains that bind me. 

But soon. Soon I will have the freedom that I crave. That rage is quiet but it has not disappeared. Instead that warrior inside me, the one who would strike the flesh from another if it meant freeing myself to live in my purpose, waits. Like in the Quran where it says not to engage in violence unless it is in the defense of self and one's spirituality, I still possess that rage and violence within me. I just know now, that it can only be tapped in the most dire of circumstances. But I have proven I am capable in the past, I am capable in the present, and should anyone try to bind me again I will be capable in the future. 

My pain and trauma opened the door for sacred rage to reforge who I am. I can now be soft - not weak - and I can be warm and friendly, without being a doormat. I am not non-violent, but I am only violent when necessary. I am a protector of me and mine, I will protect my freedom and the freedom of the people I love. To do that I must let myself be dimmer for a time until I can burst forth with power and bask in the light of my authenticity.  I am not quiet because of fear, I am quiet because I lie in wait. 

Reflection from Class tonight

Prompt 1) How does the concept of (re)membering and understanding of self resonate with what you have learned about spiritual direction? Where do you see differences? 

Spiritual direction is about helping other people connect with the divine and see how the divine moves in their lives. This is different for all people - for me I believe the heart of it is sacred authenticity. For some people this type of ancestor work is healing, it helps them access their sacred authenticity because it restores power and energy and life into them. If this is something that they are seeking it is a very important aspect and powerful tool for spiritual direction. 

Prompt Two: How does the idea that Black/African descended people, particularly Black women, have a set of knowledges and ways of being that are instructional for all humanity sit with you?

Absolutely. I believe that black women are powerfully intune with the divine. They possess enherent gifts given to them by their ancestors and through their hard work of reclaiming their power they set a striving example to everyone else. There is a reason where I come from everyone talks about how if a man were to call them honey or sugar, they would be up in arms, but the moment its from a black woman it bring elation. There is something powerful and sacred about the love and power found in black women that if others are willing, they can learn a lot from. 

 

Electo Divina - (re)membering

 (Re)membering. --> "we have had to continuously construct ourselves anew"

This word is such a challenge for me. Its about remembering the culture and ways and knowledge of our ancestors, even if we are disconnected from their ways now as a way or (re)claiming and (re)shaping ourselves. 

It pisses me off. There is such a pressure and expectation for us who have been taken away from the ways of our ancestors to reclaim and remember. I feel the loss of the culture but I do not feel a call to return to it. I do not feel the inclination to remember. I spoke with my ancestors and while they love me and what was passed on to me stays with me, they confirmed I am not meant to reclaim and remember what is lost. 

the past is the past and I can only move forward. My past is broken. It is not forgotten, it is broken, it is blocked from me.  

So what do I feel with this? frustration. anger. defensiveness. There is such an expectation that I should WANT to remember the ancient secrets of my past heritage that I feel I am defective or I may be seen as defective for not having this want. Everyone sees this as healing work and I feel almost rejected by my ancestors - but I am not. They accept me as I am and they have no expectation of me to search the past - instead it is they who help me explore the future.