Transcending Grief Through Spiritual Principles

2-day weekend

• Postponed until March 2011

Move through grief in a positive and compassionate way — with introspection, sharing with one other person, and using yogic techniques. Whether your grief is recent or began many years ago, this course can help release blocks that hold you back from truly living life.

It is easy to become “stuck” in grief, and find that life comes to a halt. You will learn to use breathing exercises and gentle yoga postures to help open the heart and allow the feelings of loss and grief to move through you. You will learn ways to stay present and keep your heart open — both very powerful aids for your healing journey.

The course will also include a deeper understanding of the soul and what happens at death, according to the teachings of India. We will touch on karma and reincarnation, though you needn’t believe in either of these.

If there has been more than one loss in your life, you’ll choose the most challenging one you face and work on only that one loss. Often, when you shift the energy where it is most “stuck,” other areas naturally release as a result.

There will be journaling exercises about the relationship you choose to work on. You’ll have a chance to share your writing with a partner in the group. The emphasis for partners will be simply to listen compassionately, without trying to advise or “fix.”

You’ll also do exercises and guided meditations to help heal any unresolved issues with your loved one, promoting forgiveness and making amends, if needed, as part of your healing. Other important writing and sharing exercises will take you toward greater insight and freedom from sorrow.

We will complete our weekend with a sacred ceremony. Please bring a photograph of the person you have lost for the ceremony.

Victor and Melody Veenhof

Vic is originally from South Africa and has lived at Ananda Village since 2002. For the past 5 years, he has worked as a full-time end-of-life caretaker. He has facilitated a bereavement support group as well as attended seminars on grief work. Melody is an Ananda Minister and has lived at Ananda Village since 1998. She serves in Ananda's ministry office at Treasures Along the Path, a spiritual-talk-of-the-month club featuring talks by Ananda's founder, Swami Kriyananda.

Vic and Melody have had many personal losses throughout their lives and have done personal grief work, including an in-depth, two-month-long workshop focused on grief recovery.

Vic and Melody are popular guest teachers at The Expanding Light, deeply appreciated for their genuine compassion, humility, and clarity.