Psyche and NatureThis course invites us to attend to the call of the living psyche and the deep mystery of nature. Covering ecopsychological, depth psychological, philosophical, and critical dimensions and drawing upon the transdisciplinary contexts of animal and plant studies, the course aims to explore the archetypes of connection and the archetypes/shadows that interrupt connection with the Earth. We unpack and deconstruct inner models of disconnection, and forge new patterns and myths integrating spirit and matter. We investigate further the ‘wild’ practices at the intersections of myth, imagination, art, and the body that affirm soulful knowing of our ancient belonging to life on Earth. Indigenous perspectives offer theories and metaphors about ecological balance and relationship, and inspire us to reconstruct and renew the myths of self and community in a more-than-human world.
Sections of the syllabus here. |
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Women's SACRED MYSTERIES, ARTs, & Healing How shall we reflect upon women’s visionary culture and arts? What does this mean to you? It is more urgent than ever that women generate a visionary culture that holds our hopes and dreams and plans for a better world for all, links back to our ancestral traditions, and casts us as agents of renewal. Women have been generating visions of compelling alternative realities through eco-social justice cultural activism in fields including ritual and dreaming, performing arts, visual arts, literary arts, film arts, and healing arts. Women have participated in the Mysteries of life, stimulated healing, and inspired the next generations.
The blossoming of creativity as inspired by the women’s spirituality/women’s liberation movements can encourage and guide us in our search for personal, cultural, and planetary transformation. Reflecting upon the themes that arise from women's profound rites of passage can connect us to the generations that came before, the generations that will come after, and our own wisdom. Click here for the syllabus. |
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Women’s Visionary Poetry and FictionIn their poetry and fiction—as in the ancient traditions of priestesses and mystics—women poets and storytellers tell us about other worlds—inner and outer, past and future; worlds of imagination, prayer, prophecy, and vision. We consider works by early and contemporary poets and writers, as well as essays and theory, as we explore the following questions: What is women’s visionary poetry and fiction? How do women writers make invisible inner experiences and spiritual landscapes tangible for readers? How do they use the crucible of language and story to tell the truths about themselves, power, relationships, and spirit? How do they inspire paths of solidarity and liberation; repatterning of meaning? Students are invited to create their own visionary works to further their engagement with women’s visionary poetry and fiction.
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Writing Spiritual MemoirThe word 'spiritual' comes from the Latin spirare, meaning 'to breathe.' We understand spiritual in this workshop-style writing course to refer to the activating force at the center of one's being that is both vital and essential to being alive. Spiritual encompasses, but is not limited to, experience traditionally thought of as religious. The primary aim of this course is to provide inspiration to participants to identify their own spiritual journeys in order to articulate them through non-fiction writing. This will be realized throughout the course through writing prompts, feedback from the class and the instructor on participants' in-course writings, and reading assignments that will include contemporary spiritual memoir.
Click here for the syllabus. |
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WOMEN AND TANTRAThis course is an experiential exploration of Tantra, a sacred embodied tradition. We will review Sakti, the feminine energy; trace her immanence in creation, the Earth, and our bodies through sacred art and yantras; learn how presence, sensuality, and ecstasy are doorways to the Divine; and explore the role of women in Tantra from historical through contemporary times. We will engage with practices of mantra, mudra, and movement to deepen our presence and embodiment.
Click here for the full syllabus. |
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