Ceremony as medicine? Really? Yes.

Yesterday I had the great opportunity to hear a presentation by Dr. Anne Marie Chiasson here in Tucson. She spoke with such deep knowing and passion! I loved it. She held the packed room of 90 people totally captivated. The meeting was the first for the newly formed Arizona Integrative Wellness Coalition. (Of which I am becoming a member!)

Her message held many layers. Some ideas stirred my thoughts about ceremonial work quite deeply, plus stoked the fires of my passion for it. For instance- when she said ceremony is a “place where there is no time and we are all connected”. I am often amazed at the sense of transcendence experienced within moving ceremonies. She also spoke of how we each have our own mythology, our own stories. I honor that precise point during my work with clients at Sweetgrass.

Dr. Chiasson so artfully spoke about spontaneity and surprise in ceremonies, too. She spoke of how ceremonies “pop-up in ICU, to hold the things too big to carry alone” and how this is especially true for people crushed by grief. I so wholly agree, that ceremony helps us carry burden because we tap into a collective strength.

You can read the essence of her talk in her article “Ritual in Family Medicine – Ritual, Ceremony and Meaning“. It is in the San Francisco Medical Society June 2009 publication (free PDF), entirely devoted to “Ritual in Medicine”. She even brushes upon literature about brain wave research, showing how experiencing ceremony stimulates brain wave shifts (comparable to sound stimulation).

Yum. Amazingly delicious information. Do yourself a favor and check out Dr. Chiasson’s work and the June 2009 article. Her message is relevant for all of us.

In gratitude,

Kristine

Yes, February is right around the corner. Valentine’s Day is nearly here. The cupids are selecting their arrows and fine tuning their bows.  If you enjoy the romantic spirit of this holiday, perhaps you are planning something special for you and your beloved. Ever considered holding your wedding or renewing your vows that day?

1883 advertisement for a greeting card company featuring several cherubs.

I will volunteer my time and creativity by composing and leading non-denominational weddings at the Tucson Botanical Gardens this Valentine’s Day. I volunteered last year as well, completely enjoying a momentous day filled with 12 weddings! (Three of us shared the task of officiating – one woman led ceremonies in Spanish.)

The Garden is a beautiful and relaxed setting for an informal party to celebrate a couple in love. Last year, I married two couples who were blending families. As I like to do at Sweetgrass, their children participated in the ceremonies. The intimate setting and participation of children, extended family or friends combine to create an especially meaningful day for a couple and their guests.

For more information about Valentine’s wedding packages and how to register, please contact the event organizer at 520.622.0252.

With love,

Kristine

The earthquake in Haiti and the utter devastation it has wracked onto lives across the globe is no doubt heavy on many of our minds and hearts. Natural disasters of this magnitude fiercely set our collective fragility front and center in our consciousnesses. The living are bringing to bear resourcefulness and courage. Let us hope and pray the dying are, too.

I’ve kept working all week, consulting with a couple about wedding plans and a couple arranging their after-death care, too. Amidst the daily routines, it is difficult for me to concentrate, just knowing tiny blips about severe conditions in Haiti. Living without a TV, I see videos and read stories on the web. Here is a way I keep updated on events there from a reliable news source.

Awhile after meditation this morning, I felt moved to blog on the subject. I’ve taken many lengthy pauses during the week to extend love and strength to all life affected by the quake. Today I donated to the Oxfam International Haiti relief efforts.

As usual with significant loss, there is an attendant feeling of helplessness. Consider doing what you are able though, by sending your thoughts, prayers, energy or resources to help people on the ground in Haiti right now, during their living and their dying.

With love,

Kristine