Grief and Change: the Power of Letting Go

If we do not grieve what we miss, we are not praising what we love. We are not praising the life we have been given in order to love. If we do not praise whom we miss, we are ourselves in some way dead. So grief and praise make us alive.

- Martin Prechtel, The Smell of Rain on Dust: On Grief and Praise

Grief is a natural response not only to the death of someone we love, but to other kinds of loss and change - in fact, it's a part of any major life transition. None of us escape loss, heartbreak, and upheaval in this life, but few of us these days know how to grieve in a way that enables grief to do its true work: of reconnecting us, more strongly than before, to life and love. We're encouraged to keep our grieving seemly, and to "move on" and get back to our normal lives as quickly as possible, and many of us do not have people around us who are genuinely able to hold space for the natural process of grieving to do its work. So most of us carry a burden of unfelt grief through our lives that, to a greater or lesser degree, cuts us off from the potential richness of our life, drives us into self-defeating patterns, and can affect our physical health. Without proper grieving, our wounds may close over, but they never truly heal; sorrow becomes depression, anxiety, apathy and despair.

This three-day workshop offers a safe, supportive environment for you to allow grief to do its deep, soulful, life-restoring work. It will take you through a ritual journey, held and guided by the horses, into and through your grief, to emerge more open and fully alive, more trusting of life, and more able to move forward with grace.

No previous horse experience is needed: all work with the horses takes place from the ground. If you'd like further information, please email Ingrid (ingrid@potent.co.nz) or phone 027 4879923.

Cost: $600. Limited to four participants.