Ageing as Sacred Initiation
Why we all need Elders in our lives
I recently had the pleasure of speaking with the wonderful Tanya Wilkinson for her podcast Death on the Daily It was a profound conversation and meeting of hearts for us both. Here’s some of what we discussed:
The role of an Elder and what it takes to become one.
The grieving process that we need to go through to transition into Elderhood. Letting go of our old identity of being ‘young’ and all this means.
The difference between becoming an Elder or elderly.
The obsession with ‘anti-aging’ and how this distracts us from our deeper journey within.
Peter Pans and Disney Diva’s - the eternal child syndrome
The visibility of aging and the freedom it offers, once we lose the ‘need’ for the male gaze or external validation and need to be seen.
The brand new (not old) face that arrives with ageing, along with the new identity. ‘Who am I in this chapter?’
How the body prepares to return to the land (tits heading south).
Tanya’s tender story of losing her daughter and the painful gifts this experience has gifted her.
How we die into life many times, if we view grief as the initiation it is.
The need to prepare for our own death, practically, emotionally and spiritually.
How we often die as we have lived….in surrender or resistance, suffering or liberation.
Living in honour of our Ancestors and the sacrifices they made for us to live.
Perfection as a patriarchal trick. ‘Begin clumsily….just begin.’
“If you always look up and never down, you will be seeking your whole life from the heavens, for something that was always meant to be found in the dirt.”
Death on the Daily - If you do watch the video or listen to the podcast, please remember to subscribe and/or leave Tanya a review to support her work. #womensupportingwomen
To find out more about Tanya and her incredible offerings - Tanya Wilkinson
The Grief Space - 7th June
Sarah Barker, who has been training with me for the last two years, is offering her next one-day, in-person workshop The Grief Space on Sunday 7th June in West Sussex. This is a safe and thoughtfully structured place to begin to process all kinds of hurts and losses, for example loss of self, loss of a relationship or bereavement.
Working in a small group you will explore grief and grieving, work with rituals and somatically as well as having your grief seen, heard and validated. The aim is that you will leave carrying your grief more lightly. Sarah is offering this to my Substack community for £125 inc VAT. Please email hello@sarahbarker.org.uk for more details.
A few events coming up…….
Lessons from our Mothers - Live event in London this Wednesday May 20th at The Phoenix Arts Club with Isabella and Cressida. Tickets and details: Lessons from our Mothers
Happy Place Festival - Sunday 12th July, Jordan Stephens and I will be on the Talk stage talking about healing through relationships. Tickets: Happy Place Festival
Preparing for Death - a 2 day exploration of death and dying through a spiritual lens, 19th & 20th September - Preparing for Death
Beneath the Elder Tree - a free event in Hove, 23rd September with jasmine Harsono, Beneath the Elder Tree All welcome.
Soul-Full Sunday - 19th July in the park, West Sussex - free and all welcome. Soul-Full Sunday
For all my offerings, including working with me 1:1 on your Spiritual Awakening-Donna Lancaster
Gratitude
As ever, thank you for being here and for choosing to spend your precious time reading my words. Please do let me know if you appreciate them by pressing the little heart, and/or leaving a comment? It really means a lot when you take the time to do this. ❤️🌻🙏🏽
Oh Donna, I am so grateful to you. For a conversation whose threads continue to weave such beauty in my life. And for how you uplift me and others. It was such a meeting of hearts - I loved how you described it as a dance. One I hope and have no doubt we’ll get to do again 💛
Okay wow. No words. Speechless. And I never have no words…. 🫂