As the calendar year comes to a close, it is traditional to set intentions and make resolutions for the year to come. Less common is the practice of taking a truly honest and present look at what we've lost and been forced to let go of -- the practice of feeling and sharing our grief.

The purpose of this community ceremony is to provide a safe space for us to recognize, articulate and sit with these losses and their attending grief. From this space of expressed, witnessed and digested grief, there arises the possibility of channeling our intentions in a more powerful way -- one that's steeped in presence, compassion and authenticity.

Climate chaos, mass species extinction, the crumbling of democracy, the removal of the privilege of assuming there's a future to grow into -- these are some of the massive and often unspoken losses at the root of being a human alive in the world today. They remain largely unspoken because they’re overwhelming. But in order stay awake to these violences (so that we may be strong and clear enough to stand up and show up in defense of the defenseless), we do need to devote time and safe space to processing and honoring and integrating our deepest sadnesses. Because this frees us up to move forward in truth, and in love.

Our society is not acknowledging or creating space for this undercurrent we’re all riding, so we have to make it happen on our own. We hope you’ll join us in co-creating a supportive and loving environment for sitting with these entirely valid and profoundly important emotions, and seeing what beauty and compassion and light might arise from the witnessing and holding of the pain.

The ceremony itself will be two hours, from 7-9pm. We’ll start with a 20-minute guided meditation, and move into a sharing circle lightly facilitated with prompts. We will close the circle at 9pm, but for those interested in remaining to connect further, we’ll have a vegan potluck and mingling from 9-10pm. If you'd like to stay for nibbles and connection,, please bring a vegan snack to share (no meat, dairy, eggs...thank you for your kindness to our animal relations!)

Diana is a San Francisco based yoga teacher and environmental activist.  She has been steeped in the practice for 15 years and attributes her ability to work in the world with a deep sense of truth, compassion and groundedness from her practice. As a teacher she strives to create a space where people can explore all aspects of themselves - physical, emotional and spiritual - with the core principle of the practice: kindness. Testimonials: https://www.wetravel.com/users/diana-oppenheim Web site: www.dianamay.com