18 May 2024 | Funerals, Death and Dying, End of Life Planning

Estranged and Together Again

I was contacted by a family member who had been estranged from their younger sibling for over fifty years until just a few months before they died from a terminal illness. No-one else in the family wanted a ceremony but this sibling and their partner really did. I visited the…

Read Blog

31 Oct 2023 | Poetry

Peace. One Day.

I cried watching this choir. I cried for the children, the mothers, the fathers, the people of the world. Koolulam, One Day – Matisyahu, Haifa, 14th Feb 2018. “One day this all will change…” 3000 people, three languages and one Haifa, all singing Koolulam and hoping that the ‘One Day’…

Read Blog
Hymn to the Sacred Body of the Universe. Andrew Dellinger

14 Jun 2023 | Ceremonies

Hymn to the Sacred Body of the Universe

let’s meet at the confluence where you flow into me and one breath swirls between our lungs Andrew Dellinger   Photo: Wendy Haynes

Read Blog

06 Jun 2023 | Elderhood

Alone and Together

A Love Like No Other Wrapped in her possum skin cloak, Gina’s softness towards life and the land is apparent in its rawness. Gina’s knowing and trust of the lands capacity to hold her and love her was embodied. She leans into the relationship between earth, body, heart and mind….

Read Blog

05 Aug 2022 | Mindfulness

Forgiveness

The wonderful poet, David Whyte hosts a series of talks every second month, called the Three Sundays. In the last session of The Three Sunday’s in July he read the poem, Forgiveness from his book, Consolations: The Solace, Nourishment and Underlying Meaning of Everyday Words. This inspired me to use his…

Read Blog

13 Jan 2022 | Ceremonies

Palanca – A Form of Prayer, Encouragement and Support

Yesterday one of my colleagues who I got to meet in person very recently, sent me an email, ‘Good evening Wendy and my blessings for this New Year. With your upcoming surgery on 14 January I will Palanca for you all day.’ Marg is a woman of devotion  and this…

Read Blog

05 Dec 2021 | Mindfulness

Welcome to Country? Respect, Responsibility, Reciprocity

Don’t just talk it, live it. As a participant in We Al-li’s* program, Dadirri, Ancient Aboriginal Mindfulness Traditions, I was listening to the introduction by lead facilitator, Judy Atkinson.  A woman I greatly admire for her clear, direct, honest communication and passion for her work. She shared a pivotal moment…

Read Blog

29 Nov 2021 | Relationship

A Blessing for a Couple Coming Together

There were many beautifully written pieces as we engaged with the practices of the ‘Writing and Enthusiasm’ seriously playful, creating writing session this week. I’d like to share this one written by participant, Simone Wilkie. A Blessing for a Couple Coming Together This life will be a dance together, sometimes…

Read Blog

13 Nov 2021 | Ceremonies

Blessing for a Marriage

Calling in the elements to remind us of what is already here. The gifts the come from listening to the forces that touch and guide us in the most subtle yet beautiful ways. The poet John O’Donohue offers this blessing. FOR MARRIAGE As spring unfolds the dream of the earth, May…

Read Blog

29 Oct 2021 | Mindfulness

Holding Space for Honest Conversations

Holding space… invites us to bring a mindful presence to our interactions. A space where we want to connect, we are interested in what is being shared and also, where we foster a sense of non judgement. It doesn’t mean that we always agree or have the same views. It means…

Read Blog
0