In less than a week now, I embark on a month long, wilderness-based exploration of the feminine hero's journey, which includes diving into the concepts of authenticity, death, and dismemberment. Part of this journey is owning my place as a healer and a writer. I have worked with Animas Valley Institute (AVI) for six years now, and AVI’s wilderness-based courses are a key part of this process.
Throughout history in many societies, communities have supported their healers in a multitude of ways. While I am fiercely independent, self-sufficient, and have supported my journey largely on my own for the last six years, the time has come to follow the lead of the healer archetype further and ask my community for financial sponsorship. By asking for and receiving financial support from my community — you, my friends, and from my larger human community — I am in turn asked to own my role as a healer in this community in a way I never have before.
This financial support will help to cover the costs of tuition and travel expenses. The tuition and estimated expenses total $4,500. My fund raising goal for this campaign is $1,500.
As of October 2nd, I have met and exceeded my initial goal. This happened on the same day that we shared about my journey with an even larger community. At that point I was somewhere around 70% funded and was not anticipating that by the end of the day, this campaign would be 106% funded and counting.
Based on the timing of these events, I am leaving the campaign open until I leave, and all monies over the initial goal will go toward the new tires that got thrown in the budgeting mix after this campaign was well under way! I am feeling such gratitude for each of your contributions and support -- monetary and otherwise. I also continue to feel so honored.
From the time I was a kid, I was gifted with my hands — as a writer and as a massage therapist. I’ve always been interested in healing professions from veterinary technician to massage therapist, and now CranioSacral therapist. This has been coupled with my fascination with discovering who I am and what I am here to do in this lifetime. The descent into the world of Soul — the land of deepest Truths of the Genuine Self — is a journey rich in dreams, visions, metaphors, and an intense longing for Wholeness. Soulcraft and AVI provide the framework and guidance to follow this longing as a return to Wholeness.
Through this, I am more whole and authentic in my walk as a human being, and as a CranioSacral therapist. A basic tenet of CranioSacral Therapy is that the body heals itself. So while I am really more of a facilitator in the healing process, I suspect this is what the role of healer has always been, facilitating people’s return to optimal wellness, return to wholeness.
As a member of my community, your blessings and prayers for this journey are deeply appreciated. Your financial support is a gift to both me and the larger healing world. Whether you are able to donate or not, please remember to show appreciation for all the healers in your life. This is the best support any of us can receive. Thank you. I am honored by your presence in my community.
Wilderness-based Feminine Hero's Journey
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