We were at a conference last week, presenting and learning. We got to meet Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett whose Theory of Constructed Emotion helped to refine the Collaborative Emotion Processing method! We met folx who are doing overlapping work with ours in other parts of the state, particularly with coregulation and caring for caregivers. And we’re starting to hear from more folx beyond our own communities, too. Healing centered approaches are surfacing in little pockets, and in different places. As we connect with others we find there’s both inspiration and disequilibrium about what the next steps in the movement should be for each of us. How do we change a non-functioning system, or build a new one, without replicating or reinforcing the problems we’re attempting to resolve? It’s powerful to feel and experience relationships and new connections with this work. A slow shift that is perceivable above the surface is starting to take place. It’s like we are the mushrooms, each popping up from where we are, yet connected by mycelium below the surface sometimes stretching unknown for miles in hidden places. And like mushrooms we’re trying to figure out how to use the resources that are there, that are already starting to decompose as food, as fuel, to get work done. Mycelium as metaphor can be a powerful inspiration for generating momentum and buffering the more vulnerable aspects of the work. According to Hathoway and Arévalo “Each growing tip [of mycelium] has both autonomy from and accountability to the whole organism, akin to the relationship of social insects to the hive. Between the cells within every mycelium flows a stream of chemicals, nutrients, and electrical impulses. Their movements act to keep the whole informed about happenings and coordinate actions across the network.”
Here are the Sacred, Episode 6 Campfire Chat info & journal prompts:
Have a listen to Episode 6 at any of these locations: Youtube (this ep. will be uploaded here soon!), Apple, Spotify, Website
Want to excavate something you heard in Episode 6? We created some Episode 6 Journal Prompts for you. Contemplate the ones that call you:
- How are your ancestors with you in this moment?
- Think of a recent situation where there was a rupture between you and a child. Did you circle back for repair? If so, what did that look like/sound like/feel like? If not, how would you reimagine that situation to include repair?
- If you were to envision a new system of caring for children that draws from ancestral wisdom, what are three words to describe that vision?
- How do you feel when you take a few moments, or a more significant amount of time, to care for well-being?
- What is one change you can make today without any additional authority and without any additional resources?
We’ll host one Campfire Chat in December, at the end of season 1 to excavate anything that came up for you during episodes 4-7. For ongoing conversation join our Sacred Conversations Group on FB and/or follow us on Instagram.
Also, are you considering using Tiny Humans, Big Emotions in your higher ed courses? Check out the Tiny Humans Big Emotions Faculty Book Club offerings!
We can’t wait to hear from you!
With love and gratitude,
Lauren & Angela Carolina
How do Fungi Communicate? By Michael Hathoway and Willoughby Arévalo https://www.technologyreview.com/2023/04/24/1071363/fungi-fungus-communication-explainer/