Grief Talking : Tending to our grief through Story & Ritual.

'Grief Talking' is a guided writing practice and sound journey that invites a gentle and intuitive exploration of our grief stories.

For those of us who have experienced profound loss, sharing the story of our loss in community can be extremely beneficial for integrating it into our lives, however sometimes as the months and years pass, it may begin to feel as if our story is no longer welcome, even amongst family and friends.

Finding a communal space that welcomes grief can also be a challenge, although its particularly necessary now in our fast paced world when we are rarely afforded the time to slow down and process our feelings,

This offering allows creative outlets to explore our stories, sacred ritual to connect with our loved ones, support from community, and additional time for stillness and contemplation. Our three hour session includes breath and embodiment exercises for grounding, a communal shrine building process, group writing and sharing practices, followed by a restorative meditation for integration - supported by live music.

We make sense of the world through the stories that we tell ourselves and the stories that we tell others. This practice is an opportunity to explore those narratives from a place of curiosity and to see what possibilities may arise.

“Grief is not a medical disorder to be cured. Grief is not a spiritual crisis to be resolved. Grief is not a social woe to be addressed. Grief is, simply, a matter of the heart - to be felt."”
 Joanne Cacciatore

What to expect during the session;

~ We start the session with an acknowledgement of country followed by a voluntary introduction from participants.

~ Our work begins with a set of simple embodiment exercises to bring us into the space and a shrine building process to welcome our loved ones into the room.

~ Once the session is underway, we move through a series of writing exercises based on a selection of prompts, that offer an outlet to creatively express the losses we have experienced.

~ After each round of writing, we have the option of sharing our words within the group and being supported by community.

~ When the writing concludes, we move to the mats for a relaxing meditation with a sound journey played on classical guitar.

~ We close the session with a final safety check-in, ideas for integration support and a group farewell.

What you may experience;

Grief is a deeply personal journey with no set timeline or stages to pass through. There are, however, certain ways that we learn to integrate loss, find meaning, and honour our loved ones that can help us move forward on our grief journeys.

~ Sharing our story and being witnessed by community can be a powerful catalyst for integrating loss.

~ Writing our story and seeing our words on paper can help clarify our feelings.

~ Shrine building practices and micro-rituals of remembrance can help us stay connected to our loved ones.

What to bring;

• A journal / notebook, and a pen.

• A photo of, or object belonging to your loved one, a family heirloom, or something that connects you to your ancestors.

• A sacred object that connects you to the earth ie; a rock, crystal, feather, leaf/flower/seed-pod or a seashell.

*To keep this ritual intimate and safe, there are only 10 spaces available.

FAQ's

What does it cost to attend Grief Talking?  

Our tickets for this event are $65 with a concession/pensioner ticket for $35. The cost of the tickets helps keep the facilitators resourced to continue offering this service, and helps cover the cost of using the space.

How do I know if this event is right for me?

This event is open to anyone who is experiencing bereavement for the loss of a loved one. There is no expectation to be at any particular place with your grief, we welcome you as you are. If your loss is very recent (within the last three months) we suggest you bring a friend / family member as a seperate ticket holder for additional support during and after the practice. For those under 18, we request that you bring an adult guardian along as a seperate ticket holder.

What if I’m feeling very emotional, is it ok to cry?

Crying is a perfectly normal expression of sadness and telling your grief story or hearing stories from others can also be quite activating. You are most welcome to cry at any stage of the event, but we are only together for a short time on this day so the vessel of containment is limited by our timeframe.

How do I know that it’s safe to share my story?

Confidentiality is a condition of entering this space. To ensure the event is safe for vulnerable expressions of sorrow, we ask everyone who joins to respect the privacy of the group.

While reading aloud our writing practice, participants only hear "Thank You" as feedback. There is no 'critiquing' of each others written words, only witnessing.

How do I know if this practice is not right for me?

Although this space is available to everyone, if you are physically less able, we ask that you bring a carer along for additional support during and after the session.

For safety reasons, if you are experiencing difficulties with mental health or have a history of mental illness we respectfully ask that you seek professional assistance before attending this circle. 

Any further questions?

Please feel free to email the organiser davecalandra@yahoo.com with any other questions or to be added to the waiting list for the next event.

Resources

In Australia Griefline offers free grief counselling over the phone 8am - 8pm, 7 days a week. Ph; 1300 845 745. 

13YARN provides 24/7 First Nations crisis support ph; 139276

MensLine offers free counselling 24/7 ph; 1300 78 99 78. 

Beyond Blue offers free counselling 24/7 for anxiety and depression  ph; 1300 22 46 36

Red Nose grief and loss offers free grief counselling 24/7 (for miscarriage, stillbirth, baby and child loss)ph; 1300 308 307

If you or a loved one are experiencing a crisis please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or call 000 for all emergencies. 

In Sydney other resources for grief support include;

National Centre for Childhood Grief

https://childhoodgrief.org.au/ and 

Hammondcare’s bereavement support services.

https://www.hammond.com.au/hea...