“Deep down, we all retain a memory of being part of something greater than ourselves, and once embraced, our individual destiny becomes part of an emerging mosaic of the whole.”
-Elinor Dickson, “Dancing at the Still Point”
It was Easter yesterday and squarely in the middle of Passover week, but it was—is—also springtime. I liked the idea of us coming together for some shared silence at this time of year, inviting each person to observe whatever tradition, history, or desire is true for their own—your own—lives.
There is so much to say about the world right now that perhaps I have been stunned into silence, yet I believe it was the backdrop as we gathered, too. Being together. We are here. The sun is returning to the northern hemisphere. We are staying in community to witness ourselves and each other. And that counts for a great deal.
Guided by a hunch, I began with a reading by the great Elinor Dickson that speaks to these themes in profound ways. You can read below and hear in the recording.
“While our soul’s destiny is forged in solitude, we are not left orphans. We are given friends, our true companions, for the journey.”
If you could use a bit of space for journaling, meditation, or a project, join us via the recording. Grab an hour of time. It felt good to do this with others, and maybe the recording can help create a container for you too.
Here’s what unfolded yesterday:
As people entered our shared space from their individual spaces, I acknowledged that some folks may be celebrating Easter and/or Passover, and that we recently observed the Spring Equinox. With the brilliant sun in Portland this weekend, it has felt like a magical return to spring. I inquired:
How are you holding the theme of death and rebirth, winter to spring, resurrection, and the return to life? I invited this to be a seed of reflection as we moved into silence.
I read from the introduction to Elinor Dickson’s beautiful book, Dancing at the Still Point, having felt called to it shortly before we began. She writes so beautifully about antidotes to these times. I share Elinor’s beautiful words below.
Then we settled into 30 minutes of silence.
I invited everyone to leave their cameras on if they felt comfortable, so we could stay together as we sat quietly. It was beautiful to share space in this particular way. During our quiet time, I invited those gathered—and you who may join us through the recording!—to do whatever felt like the right thing right: some meditated, some journaled, and one person organized her seeds for planting. We all used this time in a way that we needed, without expectations or imposed requirements. I spent the time journaling, and it felt so good to take that time, supported by the community of others in their quiet space.
In our remaining twenty minutes, I invited anyone to share what arose in the silence. I loved hearing all the reflections and being with all of you.
Here is the section that I read from Dr. Elinor Dickson.
“Deep down, we all retain a memory of being part of something greater than ourselves, and once embraced, our individual destiny becomes part of an emerging mosaic of the whole….
Destiny is not just an idea or something we can construct. If we try, it will swallow us. True destiny rises unannounced from within and as such can be equally exhilarating, terrifying, and deeply humbling. To fulfill our destiny, the ego, our organ of consciousness, can do nothing but wait in attentive surrender until slowly we realize that Sophia, the “Self” organizing energy at the heart of all creation, is transforming us. While our soul’s destiny is forged in solitude, we are not left orphans. We are given friends, our true companions, for the journey….
Relationship rooted in commitment to Self/Sophia does not exist for its own sake. While each person needs to pursue their unique destiny in that clear, unpeopled space, synchronicity, the hallmark of soul/spirit relationship, magically weaves patterns of mutual insight and support. In this way, we not only become a part of each other’s destiny, but the energy spirals outward, affecting the world around us.” (pgs. 13-14)
From Dancing at the Still Point: Marion Woodman, SOPHIA, and Me, a Friendship Remembered by Elinor Dickson
Paid subscribers have full access to yesterday's recording, plus all past workshop recordings, our upcoming an I Ching ritual in June, and the exploration of Jung’s Red Book in the summer/fall! I’ll announce dates soon!
If you can’t afford a paid subscription but you’re drawn to participate, reply to this email or send me a note at satyadoylebyock[@]substack.com. I don’t ask for any explanation, just your honesty.
