There feels a need to address the heaviness of grief in our world right now. I don't know a person who has not been touched by loss or many losses in the recent months. Natural disasters, human-against-human violence, and corrupt politics perpetuated by the media (just to name a few). Add the encroaching darkness of winter to it all, and I truly feel like disappearing into the deepest depths of a bear cave. While the world is working itself into a frenzy, it's so easy to fall into a negative spiral. How do we disengage from the current and reconnect on a human level? How do we bring healing to a world on fire?
I wanted to share some of my thoughts on how we can meet a hurting world:
Inner work - Definitely a philosophy that we at the Conscious Dying Collective ascribe to our programs and personal lives too, inner work reminds us that "I can't help you until I've helped myself."
Compassion - we can cultivate this response in ourselves through mindful listening to others, acts of kindness, and reflecting on our shared humanity.
Embrace the Wisdom of Nature - Winter, stillness, darkness. Nature, and especially this season of winter, has so much to teach us about letting go, resting, and contemplating death.
Return to the crux of Community - "when you are not well, I am not well." What would it look like to acknowledge our deep connection to each other and care for one another as we would care for ourselves?
Tonglen Practice - With each in-breath, imagine taking in the suffering, pain and/or difficulties of others. With each out-breath, visualize sending out peace, happiness and wellbeing. 💛
At CDC, we are committed to finding creative ways to help our communities carry their sorrows. Recently, I had the privilege of joining a Zoom session for our newest course, Exploring Trauma & Sudden Death, and was deeply moved by instructor Melissa Seligman's extraordinary ability to hold space for such incredibly difficult things. It's inspiring to think of the impact these new skills will have, as more people step into the world with the gifts to support a hurting world with presence and compassion. In addition to our monthly Grace & Grief Vigils, we're also working on other monthly offerings focused on healing and connection, and we can't wait to share them with you soon!
As we hope to be a shining light and safe haven for others, we hope you are inspired to be the same.
Do you have practices or experiences in meeting the injustices and hurt in our world? Please share your wisdom with us. We'd love to hear from you.
Meet Vanessa Johnston! We are honored to highlight her work as a dedicated End-of-Life Doula, based in the Denver metro area.
Since completing her training with the International End-of-Life Doula Association (INELDA) in 2017, Vanessa has been actively involved in both personal practice and community education. She is the Vice-President of the Colorado End-of-Life Collaborative, a nonprofit organization that supports death care professionals and promotes death education across the community. In addition to her leadership roles, Vanessa serves as the Rocky Mountain regional facilitator for the National End-of-Life Doula Alliance (NEDA) and engages with Compassion & Choices' Medical Providers Advocacy group. Her commitment to this work extends into her volunteer roles, where she leads Death Cafes, Death over Drafts events, and serves at Namaste Hospice.
With a full-time practice, Vanessa provides personalized emotional, spiritual, and practical support to individuals in palliative or hospice care, focusing on empowering them to approach death with love and meaning. Her work is rooted in the belief that everyone deserves a "good death" and the agency to make choices that align with their values. Through her nonprofit Collaborative, Vanessa finds daily inspiration from her colleagues, all of whom are committed to providing compassionate and respectful care at the end of life.
Vanessa also has her own business, Denver EOL Doula, LLC - She specializes in life review, vigil planning, and legacy projects, and is passionate about educating others on sustainable death care practices such as green burial, alkaline hydrolysis, and natural organic reduction.
Learn more about the Colorado End-of-Life Doula Collaborative - A 501(c)(6) membership group designed to offer support and community for all death care workers (doulas, grief counselors, funeral providers, etc.), as well as to promote death education for the entire community.